Question about car in on-line auction

[LJtii]

I have been looking at pictures of a nice-looking '73 Tii on eBay, currently bid to over $17,000. The car has a non-Tii front end on it, as there is a snorkel for a carburetor air cleaner at the right front. In picture #7 there appears to be a seam just ahead of the shock mount on the left hand side. It would appear that the car has possibly been clipped at this area. Does anyone else see this, or is it my imagination?

[Mark92131]

Was this the suspect picture? I did notice that odd seam as well. With the snorkle and the seam, it could be that a standard early model nose was grafted on after an accident or to clear up some rust issues. That would be a very unusual place to do that weld. Usually the front clip is cut and welded farther forward, but this could be some residual damage from a front impact. I would want to see more detail or get an explanation.

That is some serious cash for a 73 Tii. We'll see where it ends up in a day or two.

Mark92131

[jdt10768]

is it usual to place the spacer from underneath on top of the strut mount area?

[Mark92131]

People move the spacer to the top rather than expose the extra long studs for the front strut bearing. You can beat out the long studs and replace them with the shorter versions, or you can put the spacer on top as seen in the photo.

Mark92131

[jwcurry]

As for the presence or non-presence of a snorkel as evidence alone for a nose re-graft, I wouldn't place much weight on that.

Folks around here will more often than not mention the presence of the snorkel means the car has a non-original front nose.

However, I've been told and I think some owners have commented on threads......they were the original owner of a tii and the car has or had a snorkel. That's enough evidence for me.

Also, how many "this tii has a snorkel and must not be original" threads have we had? Answer: plenty! This again leads me to think that not all of these referred to cars have had a nose transplant.

Lastly, there are a ton of anecdotal stories around here about how back in the day, the factory would use what they had during build. Building tii's that day and we only have snorkel noses....no problem....put 'em on.

In this instance, this could most certainly could not be an original nose........but from where I sit, the presence of a snorkel on a tii doesn't mean much.

-Jerry

[LJtii]

Even if one were to make the argument that this was one of the Tii's that supposedly came new with a carb-snorkel, it would still appear that there is a seam of some type in the photo above. And in another photo on the auction site, where a 2002 is usually flat, the lump of ???whatever it is, stands out. I'm curious to know what it is.

[esty]

the lump of ??? I'm curious to know what it is.

i believe that was addressed above...the car obviously had a nose transplant and where it was welded on is different, farther back than the norm...the lump is more than likely the weld line that just wasn't flattened during the prep work

[ClayW]

To me, it looks like a reflection in the paint. Maybe it's some signage or HVAC equipment on the roof of the building next to the car.

Anyway, it's not on the other side. While I'm sure that another picture would clear things up, I doubt that it's an actually seam. Poor photography? Maybe.

I'd send him an email asking for a few more pictures of the engine bay and see what he sends.

[Harv]

I think Clay is right.

I was thinking it was the reflection of the hood.

John

[Richard]

Its not the original FI. Is the motor a match??? I have seen repairs in the area described from a very HARD hit on the right side that always required frame work. No tii front suspension????Instrument cluster is wrong and I am preety sure those are 74-76 door panels. Notice the throttle return spring for a carbed car. Notice the air filter bellows dont line up...Me thinks for $17,000 you could do alot better....And for that kinda money I would want to put hands on