Hi, Folks,

I'm the only owner of a 1982 silver Prelude (automatic [sorry], with
AC and the four-spoke mag wheels, dead "moon roof"). The car has only
118,000 miles on it, spent all its life spent in Virginia, and I have
every receipt the little bugger ever generated for service, etc.

I've had two paint jobs, same color, with body work chasing the usual
rust sites in the wheel wells and leading/trailing edges of the cab. I
crumpled the passenger door recently, which has hurried forward the
third rust-chase/repaint (last done in '99). Now, with factory, Maaco,
and '99's base coat/clear coat, I have three layers and a piece of
work ahead.

I have about $5K to put into a car, and that's what a local,
lacquer-only Richmond, VA gentleman wants for a
bumpers/windshields/light housings dis-assembly, rust-plug (with
metal), and then a sand-to-metal, four-plus coats silver lacquer,
three coats clear coat. He seems to do very good work, and it will
take a month. (Second old car available.)

I could go for it, or buy a $5K "pre-wrecked" ten year-old something
or other.

My best guess is to do the restore and hope to recoup a few pennies in
the antiques market down the line. Will there be one? Should I finally
say goodbye to the old girl?

Many thanks,

Travis