Quote Originally Posted by Innuendo View Post
I highly doubt anybody cares if a HZ Kingswood is factory L31. The 308 in there and working and it was factory V8 from factory.
Not a collectible or desirable car in my eyes. As a cool old shopping trolley or parts car, I see your point.
Original 5.0L cars are starting to become interesting to collectors who want an old girl but can't see the value in $25k+ for a 5.0L GTS sedan. 5.0L manual HZ Kingswoods were pretty low build, i've heard less than 800. I bought one in 1985 from a Daihatsu yard where it was traded on of all things a turbo Charade. Even in the mid-late 80's I remember how rare it was, I never saw another at the time. Auto examples are probably 3 or 4 times that amount built. If this car in question was a factory L31, M41, disc brake, console shift, U17 instruments, air, steer HZ Kingswood in a nice colour like Dark Carmine Metallic it'd sell for $6200 in a hearbeat. If it wasn't rusty it'd probably go for $10k+.
I agree though, as it presents as a non-original car with rust in the body i'd buy it as a parts car. Without the good trim though it isn't worth more than $3000.