Hi,

I am tired of my beloved XY taking up space in the garage, and am thinking
about spending a few to bring it up to day to day spec.

It is a  Falcon 500, bench seat, manual 3 on tree, 250 engine and I have no
interest in bolting a V8 into it unless someone can assure me that I won't
have to take out a bank loan to fuel it.

Why are you doing this? I hear you say. Well it has come time to get rid of
my XH ute as I am changing careers and need a passenger car. I also need to
"reclaim" the space the old brown beast is taking up in the carport (and I
am worried I may lose it under the bird sh*t from resident animals roosting
in the roof). I love this car and if it is possible, I would like to drive
it again, and it would kill 2 birds with one stone. (Need car/need space)

Questions are:

1: Engine is bone fide original, BUT has been run for 20 minutes in the last
5 years (told you it was taking up space lol) Should I look at rebuilding
it, and if so, how does the EPA/VIC Roads feel about full lead cars when it
comes time to go through the whole re-reg circus thing?

2: Would it be possible to consider a MUCH later engine instead? does this
cause major engineering hassles? Is this just so b##stard expensive that it
would be nuts?

3: In your humble opinions is this just a pipe dream and should I bite the
bullet, and buy something ready to go?

Body is in good nick (had the sills cut and welded when I first bought it.)

Rust spots in bonnet and on the A pillar, passenger side next to screen, and
around the flat area between rear window and boot lid.

Upholstery needs doing, suspension as well (the main reason I stopped
driving it all those years ago)

I have owned the car for 11 years and am the 2nd owner, it is plated october
72, and I am struggling to come to terms with letting it go (although
looking at the list above it's sounding more and more expensive)

Thoughts?

Cheers,

Drew