Tugboat53

I have a 1970 LS 5 NOM that is a solid project car currently with a small block that is drivable - I have spent the last year searching for period correct block and found a CGW block for at and I also found a CZU block for mt that would be correct for my car - got correct carb - correct 290 heads and correct crank-correct intake 287 but block serial # is to another 70 corvette. I have to date $10,000 invested and I still need 2 pistons for the block. Car codes to Donnybrook green with tan interior ( red primered now with black interior) needs brakes - did drive onto trailer to take it home.

Well low and behold a good friend called me this week and informed me that he inherited a 1972 vette and asked me to come look at it so that I could make him an offer on the car - he wanted to sell it. After I went to see the car- turns out it
is an authentic "W" serial numbered car with a matching number 454 block CSR mt 4 speed with matching serial number on the pad. It was a California titled car to the original owner - his grandfather. The car is clean driver sunflower yellow with stickers under the hood still intact - saddle coded interior which is correct ps pw AC pb
Car does have some respray signs and very small repair under hood and another on the lip of the hood surround. Car is missing the ignition shielding cover. Mileage showing is 37,000+- and the gauges are crystal clear and clean. Gas tank was replaced by original owner therefore there is not a build sheet Frame has very slight surface rust. I couldn't put it in a rack but a lot of oil leaks from power steering and oil pan. Delimma is what is a fair price - I need to make him an offer in the morning - im thinking $15,000 low to $20,000 high and sell my 1970 NOM project for what I have in it and be light years ahead in the restoration process of an LS5 chrome bumper car that will run on todays fuel?Feedback? appreciated . I took some pictures and if I can figure out how to put these on from my IPad I will get them posted for your opinions. I did learn to use photo bucket and have posted pictures further along in this thread !
Respectfully,

Tugboat

62corvette

Convertibles or coupes? 72 price is dependent on that (70 value is too)

Tugboat53

Both are coupes

Tugboat53

http://s1279.photobucket.com/user/Tu...tml?sort=3&o=3 here is a picture from photo bucket just getting adjusted to using

Tugboat53

http://s1279.photobucket.com/user/Tu...tml?sort=3&o=5

TimAT

That's going to be a tough call. Good Luck.

Tugboat53

Ok just posted pictures - paint on 72 is presentable driver - not perfect but brakes are good trans clutch shifts good. Exhaust leak but has everything still there to include smog pump manifolds etc.... Feedback anyone ? Interior is complete again not perfect but expected wear on a car 41 years old

jr9170

If both were equal i would say the 70.BUT,the 70 being nom and needs ton of work,and from the pics of the 72 i would go with the 72.I noticed from the pics the 72 still has the AIR system,i have seen tons of 72 454's ,NONE had their smog pumps on.

Tugboat53

What about a price range on this 72 ? Again not perfect but complete! Thank you for your input!

jr9170

IF you can get this 72 for 20k or less that would be a steal.Hard to give prices just by pics,but it could be worth up to 30k.

Tugboat53

Hey jr9170 thanks for your input - will post how this works out!

Respectfully,

Tugboat53

gccch

I agree. If you can get the 72 for <20k it would be a better long term effort. NOM is not important to many but it makes a huge difference in value. As it sits that one *may* be a good buy at 25k.

harris1507

Yo Captain
If you do a price compare with E-Bay, I think you should be under 15k mark, But that is JMO, I would offer $12,000. You can buy a real nice BB already painted and frame on restro for under 30K. Lets say you got it for 12K, add another 12K for parts and rebuilding Engine, Trans, Rear and Trailing arms doing all the work your self plus all the nickle and dime parts. Now you are ready for paint on low side 5K on the high Side 10K +++. So you will be in the car for $29,000-$34,000+++, and who know's how many hours of your time.

Tugboat53

Gccch thanks for your input!

Respectfully,

Tugboat53

Tugboat53

Harris1507 wow! I'm really underwater on the 70 but I love these cars and the search for parts for the 70 has been tough and expensive. This 72 is complete and from a time and money standpoint the 72 would in fact make more sense. If I can get this car for under $15,000 then it's definitely is a no brainier. I want to make a reasonable offer but not go overboard. Thanks for your input.

Respectfully,

Tugboat53

joewill

keep them both and restore them both.. you won't regret it. your 70 project will not bring hardly any money as is.

Tugboat53

Joewill - I will keep both if I can get the 72 at a decent price without insulting my friend in the process. He didn't know about numbers matching etc.. And I did explain to him that this is important to those in the corvette family and that it is a very desired and sought after trait on these cars. We will see how the negotiations go today. Again thanks for your input!

Respectfully,

Tugboat53

jr9170

Any update on the 72 ?

7T1vette

Your problem is going to be getting the money you invested out of your car....unless you complete it. There are very few folks who would be interested in buying a partially completed clone, even if it could become a very desirable clone. You're going to take a significant financial loss on the '70, if you sell it as a project.

That said, if you have lost the 'fire' for completing the '70 car, purchasing the '72 might be a good choice. I would still recommend that you complete the '70 car, if you want to get a decent return on your present 'investment'.

Tugboat53

Ok so after negotiating all week and being honest with my friend the price point has become a moving target. I started at $17k hoping to settle on 20k and then I would try to sell the 70 for close to what I had in it(10k). He felt that his car ( the 72) was worth $20k and he would give it some thought. He then e-mailed me an NADA collector car evaluation showing the value of the 72 car to be North of $26k! I tried to reason with him that the price did not reflect some of the things that needed to be corrected and or restored to include the paint and the interior(minor- AC and windshield wipers not working - lots of oil leaks and I have yet to put the car on a rack) Today is Saturday and I have not heard from him. I can buy a lot of parts and restoration on the 70 for $26k! My dilemma appears to be a mute point now. I'm not one of those guys with deep pockets! I wish I were - I would have both in show room frame off condition!( still putting my kids through college) No wealth envy here just have to be a little more frugal with discretional income.

Is the 72 worth $26k plus let's say $10K paint job and lets say another $10k for all of the other fixes = total $46k ??????? Feedback????

I realize that the 70 is NOM and wouldn't be worth what the 72 would bring standing toe to toe. But a drive around the block in any big block c3 is hard to beat! Maybe one day when I grow up ( I'm 59) I will buy one with a better "pedigree". It appears that this 72 is not in the cards for me this time.

I will update on Monday - just hope he didn't trade it for something stupid. He mentioned that someone had offered to trade him a c10 hot rodded truck that they had $32 k invested in it.

Respectfully,

Tugboat53