1986 Red SVO Expert Opinions Needed

[82GTforME]

As I've gotten into fixing up my 82, I've thought about getting another Fox. I always wanted an SVO but truly don't know a lot about them. I've see a couple advertised around but they weren't the ones for me. I stumbled across one that is a little out of the way so maybe doesn't generate the interest as much where it is. There were only two exterior photos so I talked to the seller and he sent me some more. It is fully loaded except for cruise or sunroof by the looks of it.
A little history with the car that makes it, for lack of words "less desirable" I suppose. The car was apparently written off 20 years ago due to the original owner hitting a road approach in a ditch and bending the frame. The current owner and ex-ford mechanic and his son redid the car on an 83 chassis years ago. The car looks in very good condition overall and I wanted to know what all of you thought of it and whether anyone would really care.
I haven't really delved too much other than a quick talk with the seller but it sounds as if it was re-certified and safety inspected. 85000 Original KM.

VIN: 1FABP28T6GF149864

Not sure if I'm going to splurge for this or not or look for another non-SVO car. Buyer is asking $6500 OBO. I was thinking of low-balling due to the history and that it is 500 miles away.

How does it look and what would you think it is worth like this??

[TopGear85]

It looks awesome, and it looks like they did an excellent job with the restoration. I love the color, and the interior looks cherry. With that being said...I would pass. Unless they are willing to let it go for $2-3K I would look for a different one, one that is all SVO. $6500 will buy you a great SVO and it will not have that history, or the wrong chassis. I just think that history will follow and haunt you if you ever need to sell it.

It is a beautiful looking car though.

[Agent007]

None of the svos were cruise equipped. Only options for the 86 were leather and sunroof. So, you are saying that this is a svo clone? It looks to be complete yet not 100% correct. The price is a good price for an svo... but for a clone? Thats up to you.

[82GTforME]

I guess the word clone could be used although it has an SVO VIN still. From what I understood in the brief conversation with the seller was that pretty much everything is original except the frame.
I didn't have a lot of time when I talked to him and I am waiting for a reply to elaborate a little more about the history.
If it was black I would be much closer to my decision.

[86-TC/SVO]

According to my research, the vin # comes back as a 1E which is Silver. It's in the 1997 SVOOA Registry in CA. I don't understand the Canandian speedo in it. I don't know when someone put it in or if it came from Canada at one point before 97.

[82GTforME]

According to my research, the vin # comes back as a 1E which is Silver. It's in the 1997 SVOOA Registry in CA. I don't understand the Canandian speedo in it. I don't know when someone put it in or if it came from Canada at one point before 97.

The plot thickens. Why is it difficult to find a decent SVO in Canada (near me)?

I'll put that on my list of questions for next time to see if he knows anything about this. I want to see a picture of the door tag as well.

Thanks for the info!

[EJSVO]

While this is a nice looking car I must agree completely with Top Gear :

It is not an actual SVO and the Asking price is high for a non-original vehicle.

While seemingly a "nit-picking" point the Body Color Bi Wing spoilers don't help "sell" the car as an "SVO" - Just my opinion.

[SVOKip]

It is probably illegal what he did. Here in NC they would consider that the same as re-bodying a car. I would steer clear from that one. Even I it were legit, I see rust along the door bottoms and it is not worth the asking price by a long shot.

[82GTforME]

To quote another eamail I got form the owner to clarify:

"When a body shell is purchased form SGI (Saskatchewan Gov't Insurance salvage) the Vin is removed from it. The original vin # is transferred to it as it is technically the same vehicle. It passed the required government safety inspection before it was put back on the road. The body shell used for the repair has never been in an accident. Everything for this vehicle is legal and above board."

I think he means to use the word "chassis"?? in place of body shell? He also admitted it was originally "grey".

Anyways, thanks for all of the input everyone. I am actually looking at another car right now for slightly more money. It is a white 86 and an original Canadian car. The price is slightly higher but it is all original (150KM) and complete. It is only eight hours away (!) but I have a friend nearby to it going to check and get better pics and an honest opinion.

Up here in Canada it seems like there aren't as many around left in this shape.

[evlgt85]

With uni-body cars, like these Foxes, shell is a more appropriate word for it, I think. I know nothing about Canadian laws, but in the US, that car would NOT be legal. I would still have enough concerns about potential legal woes down the line since the VIN, at least partially, is on various parts of the car/shell that aren't easily seen.

Situations like these are just really shady and would best be avoided. It might be legal, but it just seems really hinky.