All,
New guy here looking at 1972 280 SEL 4.5 with 106K miles. Asking price is $1200. Car appears to be in perfect condition, no rust except for a small bit in the right side well in trunk. Interior is great, one little crack in dash. Car will not start, no spark. It appears that the distrub was "upgraded" to a Fram electronic at some point in time in past. Can anyone give me thoughts on this car?

 

I love that car, I had a '70 6.3. The price initially sounds good but no start could be anything. When was the last time it was started? Ypo may need to inject a little oil in the cylinders via the plugs and hand turn the engine just to see if it is free. It could be so many things, battery, ignition, starter, coil, wires, distributor. It seems that if there is no spark, that Fram crap is the first suspect, next is the coil then the wires, plugs, and distributor and cap. If you give some more clues on the history and when it last ran it might be worth $750. Right now it is a parts car.

You could easily be a grand or so in basic service. Oil, coolant, trans fluid, brake fluid, battery, shocks, bushings, brake lines, brake pads, wheel bearings, air filter, fuel filter, water pump, all this is needed some arguably before you even start it.