[COUPERS-TECH] Good Deal

Thu, 25 Jan 2001 21:12:38 -0700 

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Hi Bill
 
I did what you are thinking. I bought a coupe in a box for 6800 in May of 1998.  I had an engineer look at the engine and airframe, and the log books showed a major repair to the spar so I thought that I had a good machine.
 
Almost 3 years later I am still working on it.
  • zinc-chromate front to back
  • new wiring complete
  • new panel - extended 2"
  • all new instrument and radios
  • all new interior - C 150 seat (floor and seat rails)
  • large baggage
  • new RH main gear + new mail gear pins
  • dual fork and nose gear
  • Cleveland brakes
  • new glass
  • zeroed engine (in the works)
  • new paint
  • new cowls
  • new tires
  • all new hiem control joints
 
Without going on and on there it has turned out to be a much larger job than I anticipated, BUT in my opinion well worth it. I know every inch of the plane front to back.  All the improvement kits have been installed and I have made the plane the way I want. All ADs complete. Converted to a "D".
 
 I notice that most coupes are low time for the 54 years they have been around. I believe the reason for this is long flight are uncomfortable. In a restoration you can correct this with adjustable C 150 seats and arm rests.  These mods should make longer flights more comfortable.
 
I have done much of the airframe myself with an Engineer looking over my shoulder except for the engine  in which I am only looking over his shoulder.
 
You need to get your coupe cheap, (the $5000 may not be bad), be prepared for a long haul and a good deal of cash, but when your finished it will be better than the day it came out of the factory, and you will have a lot of knowledge under your belt. (You should also check the elevator and ailerons for corrosion)
 
I have spent the best part of $12000  on my coupe and figure that all up I will be about 22,000 (plus 3 years of labor - which I loved)
 
Would I sell it for 20,000? Not even close. I will fly it for 10 years and it should be worth the same or more at that time.
 
In looking around at used coupes for sale, what I  saw  needed a lot of work to make them look good and go the distance. I wanted a 2 seater side by side that I could fly to Alaska  and Mexico without a thought.
 
 
All the best in your decision, the coupe  is a great little plane and worth the effort to restore. Good Luck
 

Darrel Hanson
 
 
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