Thinking of Selling My 81 Omega

[dhenderz]

Hi everyone, haven't posted on here for a really long time. I have a 1981 Omega that I have owned since 1985. It has been stored in my barn for the last 20 years. I have always planned to restore it including a swap to the 2.8L HO that I got out of a 1981 X11 (the car has the 2.5L Iron Duke today). Life has moved on and I am seriously thinking of getting rid of the Omega. I just don't think I will ever get the time to restore it.

The car overall is in pretty decent shape considering its age. Rust has crept in on the lower fenders, quarters and floor pans even though it has always been stored inside on concrete. It has a SportOmega front fascia in great shape. The interior is in good shape with no rips or tears, but does has the odor of having sit for 20 years. I haven't started it in probably 10 years now, but know it will run with a new battery. Probably would make sense to drain the gas tank now since the fuel is so old. It does need new brake lines (rusted) so it would need to be trailered.

I will pull it out of the barn and clean it up in the coming few weeks, but did snap this photo today. I will include the 2.8L to whoever might want the car. I am thinking of $750, but really don't know what its worth. Appreciate comments/feedback.

More photos once I get it out and cleaned up.





I should have mentioned that the car has a custom set of side skirts (fiberglass). I built these myself. I still have the mold (it is a reverse lay up mold). The skirt mold goes with the car as well.

[turbokinetic]

I like it, wish I had room for more projects. Got one more in the works which puts me one car over the limit already.

Fascinating about your custom made side skirts. That must have taken some time to make the molds.

Sincerely,
David

[occupant]

Subbing for pics and cleanup. Once you wash this clean and fire it up, I have a feeling you won't want to sell it.

I'm preparing my speech to the wife in case you still want to sell. Who knows, she might be weak that day and it might happen!

[The Mad Hatter]

Definitely like to see it once its out in the open. Automatic i'm guessing?

[dhenderz]

Yes, its an auto. Been waiting for some decent weather to 'spring', but we can't seem to get out of the cold rainy routine. Soon.....

[The Mad Hatter]

You could always just roll it out in the rain and give it a good rub down in the rain. Free car wash! Lol. But look forward to seeing it outisde its tomb.

[occupant]

You could always just roll it out in the rain and give it a good rub down in the rain. Free car wash! Lol. But look forward to seeing it outisde its tomb.

I've taken my Torino through a car wash twice in the nearly five years I've owned it, once at a self-serve wash bay, and the other three times I've cleaned it up has been with a kitchen sink yellow sponge in the rain in the driveway.

[dhenderz]

Got the Omega out into the sunshine today. First time its seen the sun in 20 yrs. Trying to decide whether to restore or sell. Looks like I am going to need 2 doors or spend some serious time restoring these. Hard to believe how much they rusted sitting inside, on concrete. Has anyone run across a good salvage yard in the southwest that might have a couple of rust free doors?

[turbokinetic]

Got the Omega out into the sunshine today. First time its seen the sun in 20 yrs. Trying to decide whether to restore or sell. Looks like I am going to need 2 doors or spend some serious time restoring these. Hard to believe how much they rusted sitting inside, on concrete. Has anyone run across a good salvage yard in the southwest that might have a couple of rust free doors?

It's amazing how damaging salt is. It will get trapped in the doors and keep drawing moisture from the air and rusting the metal.

I'm in the southeast, I guess that would be too far?

[86euro]

I think you should keep it. You've had it this long, why sell it now? Did you take any pictures when you rolled it outside?

[dhenderz]

I will take pics later this week. Had a busy weekend with guests, etc. I did strip out the interior. The dead mouse smell was really bad. Once I got the carpet up & out I now realize why - it was soaked with mouse urine. For 20 yrs its been sitting there soaked, smelling and rusting! Now I got holes thru the floor on the driver side in the footwell area. More metal work....

[The Mad Hatter]

I'm in the southeast, I guess that would be too far?

David, you of all people should know there's no such thing as TOO FAR! Lol.

Gotta love those mice. They get in ANYWHERE. I've had to deal with them twice now with my Celebrity in storage. No major damage though thank God.

Would definitely like to see pics of it once you get a chance.

[dhenderz]

I am seriously leaning towards just scrapping the car. Has anyone scrapped a car recently? What's the going price for a complete car?

[turbokinetic]

...Gotta love those mice. They get in ANYWHERE. I've had to deal with them twice now with my Celebrity in storage. No major damage though thank God..

Yep. I always keep blocks of this product in the interior and the underhood area of all my stored cars. It has saved me some electrical repairs for sure. There's always a small amount of the poison nibbled away. I guess stray mice find their way in, nibble it then die off before damaging the car or reproducing.

I don't bother with the bait station. I just take one block, break it in half, and put one half under the hood, and the other half under a seat. Problem solved.

I am seriously leaning towards just scrapping the car. Has anyone scrapped a car recently? What's the going price for a complete car?

There could be someone here who would be interested in it. I would try to sell it to someone who might appreciate it before scrapping it.

[occupant]

For a lightweight Omega you'd be lucky to get $150-$250 driving it in. If they have to come get it, you'd not likely get ANYTHING for it.