Quote:
Originally Posted by davetaylor
are these in demand because they were the last year for supers in the states? i never have given it any thought and never realized anyone wanted them. i used to have one (a real turd) and have seen several around throughout the years. maybe i'll start paying attention to them...
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Well, they were the last year for Supers everywhere not counting convertibles. The demand for them is somewhat quirky. (I can only speak in terms of a US perspective.)
Not many 1303's (plural, not "S" designation some countries had) were made for the 1975 model year even though production lasted several extra weeks. All Super sedans of that year were special editions in the US and came one way only. The only choice was color. In the US, there was only a choice of three.
Those that want them like the rounded windshield and want the rack and pinion steering. There are not many of us around -- almost like a cult.
There are two major factors going against the '75. First, the fuel injection was either suspect when it was introduced (which happened to be this model year in the US) or little understood. Combine that with emission control gadgetry and a catalytic converter, the '75 was even more underpowered than in the past. Few '75 models have their original set-up. (Compare that to many '78 and '79 convertibles.)
That means many '75 Supers have been modified and prospective buyers have to account for undoing someone else's handiwork. It is unlikely two people have the same tastes in customizing.
The other major factor is rust. I have no reason for explanation of this but 1975 Supers were much more prone to rust than any other year of Super sedan. Rust in the strut towers were much more notorious. (Early A1 Rabbits were prone the same way.) It is much more common to find rust behind the rear quarter windows on a '75 than in previous years.
I had many a would-be seller tell me about "surface rust" and "minor bubbling." Sheer nonsense.
There are good buys out there, though. One has to be tenacious, patient, and most of all, lucky.