DeTomaso Mailing List: July 2000, Message #25

In May I flew to Chicago to look at a 71 owned by Dave Decker, I think the 
ser no. was something like 2070 or at least 20XX.

Dave picked me up at O'Hare and drove me to his home about 30 minutes West of 
the airport.  In email conversations, Dave had disclosed that there was minor 
rust that could be easily repaired. As we pulled into his drive way he 
confided that the previous evening he had looked under the car and spotted 
some problems that he hadn't noticed before. (don't laugh too hard, you might 
choke)

WELL, it wasn't a pretty picture.  The engine was out, so I could take a good 
look inside the engine compartment. The metal adjacent to the suspension on 
one side had been repaired, but not too well. On the other side one of the 
double walls was a paper thin sheet of rust hanging down, I guess if you 
didn't know there was supposed to be something solid there you might miss it?

BUT, looking underneath was a real shock for a So Cal native. The seam 
between the driver's rocker panel and the floor was GONE. All that remained 
was a rusty crack. One of the stiffening members that traced the outline of 
the wheel well was also substantially gone at its aft end.  The captive nut 
for the seats were gone and shiny nuts replaced them.

All in all it was quite a shock. I mentioned to Dave that it might cost a lot 
more to fix than it was worth, and Dave mentioned he would look into 
restoration, or maybe just put the engine back in and sell it as a running 
car.  I emailed Dave several time inquiring to the disposition, and he has 
not replied. A friend then emailed a general inquiry (Dave had advertised on 
the PI bulletin board) and a reply came that the car was sold.

SO, I'm just curious if the car was parted out, or if someone is trying to 
make it road worthy. The car was yellow, and Dave did have an unused Hall 
brake system bought a few years back.

If someone is trying to return this car to the street, I'd like to hear how 
expensive the rust repairs are. I would have guessed many thousands.

Ken (bought a California car) Green