1992 Subaru SVX -- NO RESERVE listing
1992 Subaru SVX Description
This is a NO-RESERVE auction for a non-running Subaru Vehicle X(needs the fuel system cleaned out)
All the SVX's are 3.3 liter horizontally opposed flat-six (H6), DOHC, 24-valve, AWD, 4-speed automatic, manufactured by Fuji Heavy Industries, assembled in Ota Gunma, Japan. Great details about these cars on WikiPedia. These are classics.
History of this SVX
This is a stock, unmolested, gentleman-owned, few-of-a-kind car that had an unfortunate experience. This car has not run since 2004, and here's how it came to be:
Sometime in 2004, Professor Tom took his SVX to his local mechanic to have the brakes fixed, it had a shimmy. Mechanic Ed test-drove the car, noticed that the speedometer had a shimmy also, so he took the gauge cluster out to replace or lubricate the speedo cable. In the process, somehow, he managed to reset the odometer. Not the trip-meter, the odometer. He did fix the brakes though.
When prof Tom came to pick up his Subie at end-of-day, mechanic Ed explained what happened. Tom refused to accept this and demanded that Ed rectify the issue. Ed said he can't, sorry. An argument ensued; Ed demanded that Tom pay for the brake work which he offered at a reduced cost. Tom refused to accept that and refused to pay. Ed then refused to release car. And so begins a story of immense stubbornness that leads to the listing.
Tom could not collect his car because of the outstanding invoice. Ed could not touch the car either because he did not have Tom's permission. So there the car sat at the shop, caught in a stubborn battle between two adult men. Days went by, then weeks, months, eventually years. Both men too stubborn and proud to give way. Along the way someone dinged the left front fender.
Back up a few years since I don't know this Tom guy yet. Around 2006, my 7-y/o son and I were at a car show. One car with odd windows got the lads' attention: an SVX of course. A few years later, he spotted an abandoned car and yelled, Dad!, stop, there's a car with the windows like the one at the show! Sure enough, the lad spotted right.
That weekend, I told the story to next-door neighbor, Lawyer Mike. "I know the car!" he says, "it belongs to an old friend - I'll introduce you". He did, so that's how I met Prof Tom, an amazing gentleman. We've been friends since.
I'll cut this short. Not long after, professor Tom donated the Subie to me, to fix it up for my son when he's the right age, just had to sort out the bill with Ed. Smooth-talking lawyer Mike went to talk with mechanic Ed, who by now was only too willing to get the car off his lot. And so the Subie came to live with us in July 2011, to be fixed for when my son starts driving. Now here we are in 2017, boy turns 18 in July. Our agreement back then was that we'll work on it together, a dad-and-son car project, something hands-on for him to learn from. Without getting into family issues, he does not get hands dirty. I've pushed this for two years, it's not going to happen. I'll fix it with him, not for him. (That stubborn thing here too).
With no taker at home, it's time for the SVX to find you. I have Alfa projects, don't need another.
Part of this history is visible on Google street view. Navigate to Loag, PA, that should take you to the intersection of Little Connestoga Rd & Rt 82 & Rt 345. Drill down to the street view and you'll see this forlorn SVX. What a hoot to discover this tonight! Screenshots of this street-view are included. In case you can't find it, contact me for links (learned that eBay don't permit me to post URLs).
What does it need?
This SVX was a daily runner until that fateful day when it went to have the rotors resurfaced. Whatever happens to gasoline in 13 years is what's wrong. You got to get that gunk out and do whatever needs to be done to flush the lines and injectors. In case you don't know, the SVX's gas tank is two chambers on either side of the driveshaft tunnel, with a passive transfer system that moves fuel from the non-pump side of the tank to the other side where the pump picks it up. You cannot siphon it out because you cannot get to the other chamber easily. Apparently it's drag to take the tank out. And you probably know also that the fuel pump only runs during cranking or when the engine runs and the car is not upside down.
I estimate mileage at between 122,000 and 125,000 miles based on last PA registration mileage and service records that are in the car, all still there.
The car has not been cleaned inside since we got it. Pictures show it as it is, dirty. Interior is pretty good, power seats, windows, mirrors all work, no rips or tears in the leather.
Title of the SVX is still in Tom's name, you will have opportunity to get the whole scoop from the actual owner during title transfer. I just garaged it free of charge for you for the past six years. Title is clear of course.
Contact me for more info and a dropbox link with pictures, or if you want to come see this charming opportunity in-person.
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