searching the net for new projects....

[xray]

I'm looking for a new project....

Are there any (for lack of better terms) search engines for classic cars? I don't have the time or stamina to look through Ebay, Craigslist, GoFast Auctions, Classiccars.com, collector car trader, Hemmings etc every few days and was wondering if there's a single engine that mines all of these (and other) sites?

Google turns up a lot of junk, and since I'm looking for about 10 different cars, it'd be cool to run a customizable search of all classic car adverts.

Any ideas? Thanks!

[DeesZ]

I know only a tip for ebay.... Perhaps others can improve on this and add suggestions for other sites.

For ebay, with your searches, mark them to be saved as a "favorite" search, and further mark it to send email alerts to you when something is listed that matches your search. Actually it will send you an email with a link to the matching listing and you don't even have to sign on to view them. Hope that eases some of the pain.

[EScanlon]

Good suggestion John.

Steve, if it were easy it would be called FINDING and not SEARCHING. Or as the joke goes, it's Fishing not Catching!

But aside from doing the logging through miles of confetti.... John's is what I use. Other than having the local mechanic know you and know you're looking.

E

[geezer]

Steve, if you were to post a short list of what vehicles you would have an interest in and what price range/acceptable condition of each, there are quite a few of us that can serve as your eyes & ears. I regularly watch several local venues as I'm sure most of us do. I would be glad to point out what I come across, but don't want to waste our time with cars you don't have an interest in.

[lonetreesteve]

Steve,

Is another 240Z project one of the 10 classic cars on your list?

[xray]

Thanks, guys...

EBay is but one stop in the journey, sorry to say...I have 25 favorites (I think) saved and check those emails daily.

What would be cool is if all these classified classic car sites had RSS-feed servcies related to my search criteria. Hmmm...maybe there's money to be made there!

Enrique, I appreciate the difference between finding and searching, but making a task more arduous than necessary doesn't make it the "right" way to do it. I easily spend an hour or so 2-3 times a week checking on what's available, and what's within a reasonable distance from me. It's not unreasonable to ask "is there a better way?"

Ron, sadly I'm interested in too many potential cars:

1965-1968 EType

1966-1968 AH 3000

1970-1973 BMW E9

1970-1972 914/6

1968-1972 911s

TR6

Alfa GTV

Alfa Boattail Duetto

1987-89 E30 M3

1988 E28 M5

1987-1989 Porsche 930

VW Thing (wife likes it)

Benz 190/250/280SL

Lotus Elan

Spitfire (possible sportbike conversion)

1967-1968 Camaro Convertible

1970-72 Chevelle convertible

And more that I can't recall right now. As you can tell, the list needs some whittling down. Some (EType and Healey) are hard to find that still need restoration, and some (Alfas, early BMWs) are tougher than others to find parts for. It's fun to consider the possibilities though.

[bigoak]

Try hankshelper.com searchs multiple car sites

[EScanlon]

Steve, don't get me wrong.

I know it isn't easy, so I was being a bit facetious. Looks like you've received a couple of good suggestions.

Mine was to contact your local area mechanics that work on those vehicles and let them know you're interested. Not necessarily fast, but sometimes you get a cream-puff that way.

E

[xray]

Enrique, sorry my tone doesn't make it through forum posts well. I figured you were chiding me some...Asking mechanics is a great idea, but the downside to living here in NC is that there are only a couple places that do that sort of work. On the other hand, they probably know every Brit/Italian/German car in the area as well!

Steve, I'm pretty lucky that my wife likes (a) cars ( the end result of my Z resto and © me. She did declare recently that my projects should be sufficiently "different looking from each other," so I think I can abide by that one criteria. Additionally, working on some Euro cars will help me learn how similarly/differently each marque approached their sportscar.

Thanks for the tips!

[xray]

Try hankshelper.com searchs multiple car sites

Thanks! That site shows a lot of potential, seems to be geared toward late-model used cars. I wonder if he'll add some classic car classified websites--I'll email him....

[lonetreesteve]

Steve,

Is another 240Z project one of the 10 classic cars on your list?

Steve, I'm pretty lucky that my wife likes (a) cars ( the end result of my Z resto and © me. She did declare recently that my projects should be sufficiently "different looking from each other," so I think I can abide by that one criteria. Additionally, working on some Euro cars will help me learn how similarly/differently each marque approached their sportscar.

I fully understand your position, Steve. To be honest with you, I've had a desire to restore an early '80s Porsche 911SC for quite some time (it was the car I dreamed of having when they were brand new). Perhaps when I'm finished with my 2 current Z projects, I will look for one.

[Mike B]

Also try www.bringatrailer.com

-Mike