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I found a 76 DL sedan today! Pics added


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Yep that's right! A guy called me today and said he had a old Subaru sitting in his yard and asked me to come see it if I wanted it. Pulled up and what do you know. A orange 76 DL 2 door sedan! It has been sitting in the same spot since 1988. The guy quit driving it because the engine was using too much oil. Still has the original hub caps on it. The front fenders both had a couple of dents in them but nothing that could not be pounded out. The trunk had rust bubbles on the corners. RH tail light is broken and the RH door handle is broke off. Ok, now here is a few questions. Parts, how hard to find parts for this car like a door handle and some side markers and a tail light? How many of these cars do you think are left in the U.S.? I can't recall ever seeing one before. My first thought was to get it and part it but I am thinking that would probably be a mistake. Would it be one? I did not take pictures because I was not prepared and I did not have my camera. The guy told me I could come get it whenever so I will probably pick it up next weekend. Any thoughts on this car would be appreciated. I have never owned a Subie older than a 78 before. Here is the link: http://s147.photobucket.com/albums/r281/subieguy/

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Yep that's right! A guy called me today and said he had a old Subaru sitting in his yard and asked me to come see it if I wanted it. Pulled up and what do you know. A orange 76 DL 2 door sedan! It has been sitting in the same spot since 1988. The guy quit driving it because the engine was using too much oil. Still has the original hub caps on it. The front fenders both had a couple of dents in them but nothing that could not be pounded out. The trunk had rust bubbles on the corners. RH tail light is broken and the RH door handle is broke off. Ok, now here is a few questions. Parts, how hard to find parts for this car like a door handle and some side markers and a tail light? How many of these cars do you think are left in the U.S.? I can't recall ever seeing one before. My first thought was to get it and part it but I am thinking that would probably be a mistake. Would it be one? I did not take pictures because I was not prepared and I did not have my camera. The guy told me I could come get it whenever so I will probably pick it up next weekend. Any thoughts on this car would be appreciated. I have never owned a Subie older than a 78 before. Thanks.

 

 

Cool!!!!!! We've got you coverd on parts,just GET IT!!!!!!!!!!!

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Well, a good bath to start with!

 

It's gonna need alot, but the body looks pretty good. Is the floor OK?

 

I'd start with cleaning, assessing all the systems, (brakes, electrical, mechanical), making a list of needed items, Try to turn over the engine, (do an oil change), Flush the cooling system and see if you have anything at all. Of course you will need a battery.

 

You will need a lot, bit you might be surprised after clean out the dirt. Just hope the wiring is still intact. That glove box looks scary!

 

Todd

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Yeah mice had gotten into the glove box. Found the owners manual under all that stuff. The floors look good. I stuck my head under the car to look for any major rust in the floor but I did not see any. Lucky for me the windows have beeen rolled up the whole time it has been sitting. But the door and trunk weatherstrips need to be replaced. Will those new windshield gaskets that we had made fit into this body style?

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Yeah mice had gotten into the glove box. Found the owners manual under all that stuff. The floors look good. I stuck my head under the car to look for any major rust in the floor but I did not see any. Lucky for me the windows have beeen rolled up the whole time it has been sitting. But the door and trunk weatherstrips need to be replaced. Will those new windshield gaskets that we had made fit into this body style?

 

Yes, the new weatherstrips will fit. Good thing the windows were rolled up! Keep us posted on the progress!!!!!!!!!!!!!! More pics when you can.

 

Todd

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Yeah my wife would like that. She's got to be getting tired of me dragging home a different Subie about every 3 months but I think this one will be a keeper. That is as long as I can find parts for it.

you know u dont want the car.... just give it to me.... jk nice car, id love to have an older sedan along with my brat. nice find:headbang:
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Does anybody know if this car will have the EA-63 or the EA-71 in it? If it is the EA-63 are parts for it still easily available?

 

Should be the 1400 EA63

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike,I never realized you're in the same town as John Cockrell.I just sent his gasket out :-\ could have sent yours too.Doh.

 

.

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Yeah my wife would like that. She's got to be getting tired of me dragging home a different Subie about every 3 months but I think this one will be a keeper. That is as long as I can find parts for it.

 

 

I'm fairly confident that between us and eBay you'll get it running.

 

Weatherstripping will have to be whatever you can find that works.

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  • 1 month later...

Ok I went and dug the DL out of its 19 year sleep. It was deep into the ground too. I threw 4 jackmans on it just for rolling. I had one hell of a time getting out of its hole. While I was pushing it with my Brat I broke the drivers side tail light with my A-bar. Now I will need both tail lights. Looks like I will need along with the tail lights is a trunk lid, hood, side marker lights and, more, much more:rolleyes:. I could not get the car to turn over. It seems like it has a electrical problem. I put a battery in and the only thing that came on was the brake light on the dash. I am very concerned about this one. This car needs every wheather strip or window gasket replaced. The back window gasket looks as bad as the front one. I think this is a very unique little car but I have to admit I am wondering if I should spend my time trying to hunt down parts that simply no longer exist. Oh yeah all the plastic started to disentigrate off in my hands when I started having to use the steering wheel.:mad:

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Don't get discouraged. Trim parts like lights and steering wheels pop up in the strangest places and I'm sure everyone on this board (me included) will keep an eye out for parts that you need.

 

From your photos, it looks like you got a really nice, practically rust free car to start with. That's awesome.

 

BT

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I put a battery in and the only thing that came on was the brake light on the dash. I am very concerned about this one.

 

Maybe replace some light bulbs and all the wires that are 30 years old? Don't worry about the steering wheel, there's plenty of em. Keep positive and you could end up with a sweet coupe that makes Bryan jealous!:grin:

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Thanks for keeping me in mind. I know the feeling. I never saw a 76 DL coupe before myself. Up until now the oldest Subaru I had ever seen was RenaissanceMan's 77 stage 1 wagon. Been all Gen1 Brats the rest of the time. Hey if I found this one there is bound to be others out there.;)

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Thanks for the heads up Jon. I hope it turns into some good parts.

you may want to contact Elroy jetson for some parts: he may be able to pull some off this 74 for you

 

 

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=60082&highlight=elroy

 

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=19320

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Ok I finally did some electrical work on it today. Changed all the fuses clueaned up the conecters and gave it a try. Nothing! Only the brake light would come on. Finally I noticed the small wire to the starter was unhooked. Plugged it back in and it started turning over. Still would not start. Changed the coil. Still would not start. I think I will try to change the ignition switch in the morning. I was just glad to see that the engine was not seized after sitting for 19 years. Bad thing is the gas tank is almost full. I can't imagine what 19 year old gas must be like:rolleyes: !

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I'm positive the gas is no good. I've had some gas in a jar for a few months to a few years, don't know and tons of crap piled up in the bottom - It's probably a 70/30 paint thinner/sludge:lol:!

 

Did you check the oil? It's probably no good either, if it's even there. Does the carburetor have spiders or anything stuck in it?

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