Don't look - 81 SX/4 Denver CO

[vangremlin]

Unfortunately, there is a new Eagle arrival at a local area junkyard.  Eaglefreek tipped me off that the U Pull N Pay in Aurora had received an SX/4, and today I went to check it out.  If you don't like to to see bad things, turn your head now.

I'm certain that before this SX/4 went to the junkyard, it was in near perfect shape. The only thing I could find wrong with it was that the driver seat frame was broken.   By now there are a few junkyard dents, and some of the parts have been pulled, but i can tell it was in real good shape before it got there.  I'll bet it would have gone for $2500-3000 minimum, even if it had engine or transmission problems.  The keys were still in the car, with one of those tags that indicates it was at a dealership.  I guess they just didn't know what to do with it.

Its an 81, with a 258 and a 4 speed.  The interesting thing was it had been switched to a serpentine belt set up.  Also had a Sanden compressor

So if you're squeamish, switch to another thread before you look at these pictures









Oh yeah, it also had rear louvres at one time



And it has a hitch, rated at 3500 lbs

[Prafeston]

The keys were still in the car, with one of those tags that indicates it was at a dealership.  I guess they just didn't know what to do with it.

Umm, sell it? Wow... just wow! This is sad.

Is the hitch removable Van? I had a hitch similar on Threepete but it was welded to the frame. If it could be removed I would love to have it and I could pick it up from you on my way back through Denver when our time is up here in UT. (Oct. 29th...but hoping to get done early and hit up the Eagle Motel Meet.)

[vangremlin]

I didn't investigate the hitch further to see if it was removable.  Its got a Hitch World label on it.

[Prafeston]

If you go back and it's still on take a gander. If it's removable and a reasonable price I'd take it.

[MudPuppy]

Seeing this and the Kammy that Mojo posted (& no telling how many others that were just as nice) end in the same fate makes me sick!
If I could afford to (if only I could win the lottery) I would save them all no matter where they were.
It looks about in the same shape as mine when I got it, also got it from a used car dealership where it's fate might have been the same if I hadn't lucked out tracking it down for a 2nd time (especially since Eagles don't seem to very popular at all around here).
I hope you grab all you can at least- grill, headlight buckets, mirrors, taillights, rear side reflectors (if in good shape), license plate flap & light (I might be interested in those 2 depending on pricing)... well you know better than me what all is worth saving. It all just looks too good to let it get broken or crushed.

Hey Van, are those mounting brackets for the rear louvers something that should be saved? That is if they aren't broken.

[Prafeston]

Good thinking mud. I missed that! I'm actually missing one of my louver screws if you could snag one. It's just the plastic circular thing that screws the plastic down.

[vangremlin]

Seeing this and the Kammy that Mojo posted (& no telling how many others that were just as nice) end in the same fate makes me sick!
If I could afford to (if only I could win the lottery) I would save them all no matter where they were.
It looks about in the same shape as mine when I got it, also got it from a used car dealership where it's fate might have been the same if I hadn't lucked out tracking it down for a 2nd time (especially since Eagles don't seem to very popular at all around here).
I hope you grab all you can at least- grill, headlight buckets, mirrors, taillights, rear side reflectors (if in good shape), license plate flap & light (I might be interested in those 2 depending on pricing)... well you know better than me what all is worth saving. It all just looks too good to let it get broken or crushed.

Hey Van, are those mounting brackets for the rear louvers something that should be saved? That is if they aren't broken.

I'm not really sure how this car ended up here but it shouldn't have happened.  At this point it would take some effort to get it back on the road, but it didn't have to be that way.

As good a shape as this car is in, there really wasn't much for me to pull.  I did pull the grill which is in pretty good shape, the passenger side door handle for a Den member, and the passenger side exterior B pillar trim.  There was a stubborn screw on drivers side so I couldn't get that B pillar trim.  The mirrors were in good shape but not very responsive to the interior controls, and the rear marker lenses were cracked.  If I go back I might grab some of the other items, including the hood release.  I have a bunch of headlight buckets so I don't need any more of those.  I looked at the mounting brackets for the louvres but wasn't sure how to pull them off.  If I go back I'll get one of those screws for Prafeston.

[Prafeston]

You duh man! And do a check on the hitch? It's not a pressing matter, but if it could come off that would be awesome!

[Amc1320]

Dang I looked, now I can't unsee it.....

I would get the tailights if they are good, they bring pretty good money for spirits

[vangremlin]

Dang I looked, now I can't unsee it.....

I would get the tailights if they are good, they bring pretty good money for spirits

You may have to poke your eyes out!!

Was thinking about grabbing the taillights, but I have a set at home that haven't sold.  I need a bigger house!!!

[mojobean]

sad. simply sad!  i'm glad there isn't a section for "why the f*!@ is that in a scrapyard!".  years ago, i had called a kid about a 79 spirit GT that looked absolutely gorgeous, he had listed it for $300.  We decided to pick it up and fix whatever possibly was wrong.  except in between my msgs for two days… he decided to gather his friends and they used it for monster trucking fodder. IE: "We drove over it in my friends monster truck for a day, then took it to the yard and watched them flatten it like a pancake".  The sole reason for the cars demise was that he couldn't get it to shift into reverse. thats all.  and then when he realized how utterly horrified i was at this.. he says "its just a car, i'll pick another one up, theres a old guy up here has 3 of them sitting in his yard, i bet he'd sell me one"
 

[idahosx4]

So, uh ..... vangremlin, I am in need of a driver side floorboard and the battery tray body section for my 81 SX/4. If it's demise is already certain, perhaps you'd be willing to retrieve those sections for me in exchange for $$$$$?

[vangremlin]

So, uh ..... vangremlin, I am in need of a driver side floorboard and the battery tray body section for my 81 SX/4. If it's demise is already certain, perhaps you'd be willing to retrieve those sections for me in exchange for $$$$$?

The battery tray is already eaten away.  I'm not sure how I would go about getting the floorboard because I don't think I have the tools to do that.

[idahosx4]

Ah bummer. I'm starting to think I should just find a metal working shop to do the floorboard.  I can't imagine it would be that hard starting from just flat sheet metal and beat it into place. Wouldn't be perfect but likely a big improvement.

[captspillane]

Cutting the floor out and putting in a new one usually doesn't end well. I have a couple cars I wish the previous owner had just left it alone.

I suggest putting a peice of flashing over the holes and riveting it down over the properly cleaned and painted remaining metal. Flashing is very thin metal. Then sandwhich the flashing on either side with fiberglass hair. It is the flexible waterproof version of bondo that is much more durable than normal bondo. It is advertised at being able to fill holes by itself.

With the fiberglass hair added on either side you get a very strong, very simple smooth floor. It sands as easily as wood to feather it in.