Re: Donor vehicle

[Mark Farver <farver@texas.net>]

On Mon, 29 Jan 2001, David Roden (Akron OH USA) wrote:

> You want a truck?  So does everybody else (but they want them with big 
> gas engines).  

<grin> duly noted...I'll probably end up biting the bullet and purchasing
a running econ-pickup for the $3k price.  

> Seems to me that you'd have an easier time finding a glider if you'd 
> settle for a vehicle type that's not quite so popular.  Even around NE 

I've been leaning toward a pickup mostly because it seems an easier
convert.  I could find a fairly new compact/subcompact for a good
price (early 90s mazdas are extremely common, and don't sell
well).  However cramming batteries into a small car seems to involve some
tricky metalwork, which I'm trying to avoid.  Worst case with a pickup is to
put the batteries in the bed until I get the time/room to build underbed
racks.  (I can do minor work in my apartment garage.. but the major stuff
will probably be at a friends barn, 30 minutes outside town.)

I've also considered doing a small- midsized sports car for the "fun 
to drive" factor.. but the ones I've looked at fall into two
categories.  The never driven, garaged and perfect looking
vehicle... ($4000 and up, even for mid 80's) or accident damaged ones.  

As another oddity.. the local phone book doesn't seem to have entries for
junkyards/recyclers or the like.  All I can do is look at the auto parts
ads and guess which ones are dismantlers.

Thanks for the help... I guess I'm just partially venting my
frustration.  A few people have replied off list and said they are having
similar problems.. so apparently I'm not alone.

Mark

-- 
"The greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious enroachment by mean of
zeal, well-meaning but without understanding."
-- Justice Louis O. Brandeis, Olmstead vs. United States