anyone who says that car is horrid should be smacked,im sorry but people too much effort into there restore projects to get pissed on.
Just cause the guy spent a lot of time on it, it doesn't stop it from being shit! I've spent a lot of time on projects before, doesn't stop it looking like a bag of shit.
Having said that...
Stupidest thing I've heard all day. The car is beautiful, whomever was responsible for restoring that car, is very very skilled.
One thing you'll notice about us muscle heads, we don't care much about what our interiors look like, speed comes first. (usually)
you're right, looks aren't as important as the ability to drive,
but really, a bright white car? with a baby blue (electric blue) bird? what is this guy a gay hair dresser?
and yes the interior is shite.
if you;re going to put that much effort into restoring/modifying/'doing-up' a car, I personally feel that you shouldn't settle for anything less than the very best that you can do...
as for the original post,
I had a car die like this once, stopped dead makes horrible noise when trying to start.
the recovery mechanic diagnosed that the timing belt had snapped, (not sure of your engine uses a belt or chain). however, when I got the car home I found what had actually happened is the water pump had seized and the belt was slipping and twisted on the sprokets, but hadn't actually snapped.
There are a few things that you can do... (at least these are the things that I'm suggesting that you do).
First, establish the facts,
is the engine actually seized, (as in pistons seized in the cylinders)?
If so you're looking at an engine rebuild, this needn't be costly if you can do it yourself. but will take time and skill.
to test this I'd suggest putting a very large wrench on the crank and seeing if it turns.
As I said above, check all the belts. see if there is something slipping/missing
check the oil, you said earlier that there was a problem with smoke and burning oil, you did have oil in the car didn't you?
(if not then you're likely to need to do extensive work to the bottom end of the engine, again time/skill/cost).
get an engine lift and get the engine out of the car, if you've got the space that is, you may find it a lot easier to work on when it's out of the car.
In the worst case scenario, look on ebay, see if you can find a whole new engine, then break yours for parts, clean them and sell them.
I've always loved the look of American muscle cars, (though I guess that they are more common in America so you might not have the same sort of childhood fascination), So I think that it'd be a great shame to listen to your friends saying that it's junk and get rid of it.
That said, restoring any vehicle is going to cost a lot in any terms.
(and as above, if you cut corners and don't make it perfect, it's going to show, and people are going to criticise).
I'll post some pics a bit later.
