Now that I have a little more time, I can give a more detailed synopsis. Yes, there is putty in the 3 M-Ms, but one of them it is really not that bad, a weak magnet (the kind you get from Hagerty and other cheap advertising) stuck to most of it, so it was cut and metal installed, but it did have some areas of thicker putty, mainly in the #2 doors but still very presentable. After all, if I ran a magnet over all the PCS cars at an international, how many would I find the same way, if not worse? If you go by having some putty making a car "nice" compared to just presentable, we better reevaluate the way cars at meets are judged, Im sure several would have to turn in their trophies. Most of these cars have huge amounts of putty right from the factory, so I guess they are not nice cars either. Don't get me wrong, Im not a fan of putty either, and prefer not to have it, but finding one without it sure would be a feat. The rear bumper on this one was the best too, with only a slight pushed area on one side, but not that noticeable, most people would not even notice it. Some minor rusting starting in spots on the pinch welds on the lower doors, which about every car has. A little hand sanding and tough up paint and will be good as new.
The other Criterion has quite a bit of putty, you can tell this one had extensive low quality body and paint with lots of overspray in the jambs, and even holes/gaps where the B pillar meets the rocker. It also has body and bumper damage where it was backed into something, even putting a crease in the quarter by the fender skirt. The front tire on the drivers side has a huge negative camber, so front end work is needed. Other than the front door panels shrinking, the interior is great, actually all the cars have near perfect interiors with the exception of the parts car (73 lifeliner) which is not even showed in the auction. Rear bumper is bent and starting to get rusty areas.
The red Lifeliner I would consider a parts car, its very rough, and magnet would not stick hardly anywhere on the lower foot of the car, lots of rust through out, and rear bumper is shot.
The 77 Superior is the best, straight as an arrow, and everywhere I placed the magnet stuck with no signs of putty. Frame is very clean on that one too, most of it not even having the normal surface rust, the car really only looks a few years old. The only body issue I saw was a small spot starting to bubble on the back corner high up where the trim separates the top and body color.If I didn't see the slight overspray on the frame rails you would not even know it was a repaint. Im not even an ambulance guy and I would have loved to take that one home. Also, the wire wheelcovers and mounting hardware are in the car.
The 73 Lifeliner they call a parts car, should be drug back into the field that it came from, or scrapped.
I agree, I have no idea why they pulled the auction, I can only say what they told me. They did say that when they listed them they knew nothing about them, but with all the calls and emails they have learned a lot and people have been asking if they would split them up, so that may be the real reason, but no idea. He even asked me if I thought it would be better selling them in a lot or separate.
Personally, I would go after the 77, and possibly the one Criterion, and let the others stay where they are. Just my two cents on what I thought of them.
Also, I remember some time ago talk about of someone wanting to keep the Criterion data plate info to track what is left, so if that is being done let me know, I did take pictures of them.