rmyers

I have always wanted a C2, and have finally decided it is time

I looked at a 1964 roadster today and it the first time I have really looked one over. I saw some surprising things that I need some of you who knows whats what to help me out with.

On the top of both doors, at the back edge, the surface looked "rough". As in it almost looked like some type of filler or just poor finish of the fiberglass.

On the hood (67 big block hood) at the entrance to the fake snorkel in front, the texture was very poor. As in it had some bumps, pits an roughness in general. Only about 1/2 " in front of the chrome trim, but easily noticeable. Also, as I looked at the edges of th ehood (in the gaps) it looked rough, like it was ground or cut to shape and not "finished". Could be an aftermarket hood.

Behind the seats, there was a "brace" than ran from DR to Pass side. It was just a piece of angle (~3/4"), bolted to the body on each side by 1 bolt. Didn't look factory to me, but I really don't know vettes.

The headlights didn't have motors on them (he has new motors in a box) but I was surprised that they didn't manually raise independently. When I raised the Dr side by hand, the Pass side raised, like a shaft connected them.Is this normal?

In general the body looked like there had not been any major repairs that I could see, but in general I was unimpressed with "finish" with pits and rough edges.

Looking for any additional expert opinion on these things I noticed, and in general, should these scare me away from the car?

I am looking for a driver quality C2. This a 64 with the 67 BB hood and side pipes (both of which I prefer), original motor but cammed so big it's not even drivable in my opinion. It is not highly optioned, with no power windows, brakes, or steering, and no A/C. The paint is a little odd with some stripes, but I can live with it for a year. It needs some cosmetics (seats need recovered, carpet needs replaced, soft top needs replaced, bumpers missing all the way around, speedo needle broke, etc...), but for a $23K it fits the bill of something I can finish without major body work (I can do all the rest myself), and have a decent driver for ~$30k investment.

Thoughts?

62Jeff

Sounds butchered

I'd pass on it, I favor for a better but more expensive car.

Zoomin

I think for a guy that doesn't know Vettes you picked up a lot of oddities. Well done.
It's probably priced in the right ballpark, but you'll be amazed how much better a car you can buy by adding more cash on the purchase. Thirty seems to be the starting point for anything with decent bones.

Keep looking and you'll see.

Frankie the Fink

You don't need a C2 badly enough to buy this one. I think your $7k estimate to get it into driver shape you'll be satisfied with is way low. Look elsewhere.

Mr D.

Get rid of the word investment, your buying a used car.

62Jeff

This car appears to need a LOT of labor ($$) to clean up the body and get a nice paint job on it.

This is not normal. While there is a support behind the seats that is riveted to the body tub, it is not angle iron and is not normally exposed. It is under the carpet.

No, the headlight buckets rotate independently. I'm not sure what level of hacking would have been required to get both headlights to open as a connected unit like that.
For a first time buyer with a $30k budget expectation - YES.

But if you plan to have it painted (assumes you don't do your own paint/body work) then budget thousands for that in a year.

There's several thousand dollars

It's possible all the bumper mounting brackets are also missing then. Further, there may be things in the nose of the car now (given how modified the headlights are) that would preclude the front bumper brackets from being able to be installed.

There's a few hundred dollars to fix the speedo, plus all of your labor to remove/install

"Etc" - add another $5k-$7k for the Etceteras.

You'll probably have $40k in the car, easily, by the time you have corrected the issues above. You can buy a much nicer car for that same $40k if you look around.

hedgehead

One of the first rules when working on an old vette is take your estimate and double it.

rmyers

Thanks for all of the replies. You confirmed what I think I already knew

Car was hacked

Corvettes are expensive

Classic cars are not an investment (I know this as I have had many, just not vettes) just chose my word poorly

So, I'll pass on this one and keep looking

I am looking for a C2 (66-67 prefferred, but I like them all).
I can do any interior, mechanical any electric work needed to one, but I'm not looking for a big project.

In the end, I want a decent driver for $40k or less

Let me know of any deals in the mid-west, as I am ready to buy and willing to travel a few hundred miles for the right car.

StingU2

Let us know where you live in the Mid-West... some of us may be able to help you in the process of getting that "decent driver".

Bruce

rmyers

I live just north of cincinnati ohio. Any help appreciated. And would give a finders fee for a good deal.

Bowtyeguy

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/4026470545.html

stingrayl76

Good advice Jeff.

stingrayl76

Really nice Vette for the money if the frame and bird cage aren't rusted.

rmyers

Auto trans is a deal breaker. Otherwise I would be all over it. But then again, it wouldn't be at that price.

Bowtyeguy

You were going to drop a ton into a 64, Im sure you can upgrade to a 4 speed setup for $2500. Just My thoughts

http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/4088965521.html

Im trying to stay in Ohio maybe this

rmyers

I sent the seller an e-mail with some questions. It looked a little high on price for what it is (older paint decent driver) unless it is highly optioned. But since it wasn't in the ad, I assumed no power anything and no hardtop.

Thanks for sharing info.

rmyers

I am becoming educated as I am looking. Thanks for all of the info provided by the forum members.

I went to a car show last night to look at a few C2s up close. Some of things that were concerning me look "normal" (like the finish a the top back edge of the door where it meets the hardtop) and some did not (like hood quality, headlights and "brace" behind the seats).

I called the seller and let him know that I was not a buyer because it had too many issues. I tried to educate him on the issues, because he really hadn't noticed it all.

He said he is going to put in on e-bay. I hope he is honest in the description.

And I am still looking...