>> “These cars will need some major mechanical work from sitting around all those decades.” <<
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Do you believe in metal-eating bacteria?
Nothing wears when nothing moves, but they will need tires and paint anyway.
Things like gaskets dry out when the engine isn't run regularly. The engines will have to be torn down so that every gasket, hose, belt, etc, can be replaced.
Given the way they were stored, I'd be surprised if the internals weren't rusted. Pistons, rings and cylinders, for example.
“Do you believe in metal-eating bacteria?
Nothing wears when nothing moves, but they will need tires and paint anyway.”, No but I DO believe in RUST and Seal Dry/Atrophy.
Pretty much complete, down-to-the-frame teardown and re-assembly.
A few years back, I bought a Sunbeam hedge-clipper that had hardly been used from the mid 60’s or so.
It ran, but very, very reluctantly.
I opened it up to clean it out and ALL the grease in it had mysteriously turned to an epoxy like substance.
Was able to clean it, not as good as I’d like, re-greased and reassemble, runs great!
As far as the cars go, same situation. In addition, ALL the seals are shot, no matter how they were stored.
Brake fluid absorbs water, so you’re looking at new brakes, brake lines, booster... and that’s just the beginning of the list!
So when can I start?
;-)
Depends entirely on how they were stored. Unless they were professionally preserved, they may be junk. A car dealer I knew had 2 Model A Fords professionally restored to as-new condition. He then left them in a barn for 20 years. Rats ate the upholstery and wiring, the tires rotted, the engines seized. But they still had new paint.
plastic and rubber outgass regardless of movement. gaskets, fuel lines,/hoses, belts...