LB66383

Here's the deal. I own a c2 and a C4 so I don't have a lot of knowledge of the C3 market. I got a call from a woman who's husband passed away 3 months ago. She has his '70 coupe she'd like to sell but has no idea what it is or what it's worth. It was originally a 350/350, and I'm assuming it was a 4-speed. I've looked at the car and this is what I've found.

It's medium blue with a bright blue interior. The trim tag says trim 411 and paint 979. Haven't looked up those numbers so I don't know if blue/blue are the original colors.

It has the original engine.......sort of. In the corner of the garage is the original 350 block. The block stamp matches the car's VIN, with a origin stamp of V0509CT. There's the block, and a crankshaft lying on the floor under it. No sign of cylinder heads, pistons, carb, manifold or any other of that good stuff. In the car is a brand new ZZ4 with headers and an Edelbrock manifold and carb, and HEI. Almost zero miles on the engine. The car has most of the factory A/C stuff except for a compressor. Didn't check to see if the condenser was still in it. Behind the engine is a 5-speed trans.

It's an original Southern California car and the underside is very clean -- slight frame surface rust in small spots, but the frame is mainly painted. The front suspension is basically stock except for an aftermarket sway bar. The rear suspension has VBP struts and a composite spring. The wheels are the stock steel rallyes and it has Bilstein shocks on all corners.

The exterior is decent -- lots of dust. but it looked shiny underneath and I could find only one possible body crack near a taillight. The interior is quite good, it could use a little detailing. It has an aftermarket stereo with a CD changer, amp, and large speakers taking up most of the storage area behind the seats. There is an aftermarket wood steering wheel.

Although she isn't sure what she has or exactly what she's looking at, after surfing around the net she is thinking it's worth somewhere in the $32K-$35K area. I think she's being very optimistic. But I certainly would like the opinions of the experts on this forum

Thanks in advance....

Zoomin

I don't know where she's surfing, or if she knows the difference between an apple and an orange bless her heart, but she's about 100% off. Nice of you to offer assistance. Good luck!

76CSRvette

Is the car in running condition. does it have a decent paint job 5-10ft. Obviously the mods are upto the owner some prefer a pure stock while other just care about body style and will make do with what they got. Seeing as its not a #'s matching the value drops but if its tastefully modified it can add value. The value varies depending on owner and buyer but some pics would help. I'd say its about 10 to 15 less than shes asking. I am by no means an expert though. Also some people want dealer price for their vehicle or what they saw in mecum or barret auctions

http://bakersfield.craigslist.org/cto/4643003937.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv...646566280.html

vettebuyer6369

If the car has the matching number block to go with it, thats pretty close to having a matching number car. The mods arent worth anything. Stock colors are Bridgehampton Blue over blue vinyl, so thats probably right.

Most '70 engine suffixes are 3 digit, like CT_ so you are missing a letter. Should be CTO or CTJ from what you are saying. Look at the VIN to see if it matches up with an early May build date for the engine.

Car could be good, but without seeing the car a coupe as you describe is exactly what Zoomin said, half what she's thinking. See if she's been looking at convertibles or LT1s or big blocks. Help her understand the difference.

Really need some pictures.

LB66383

According to the VIN, it should have been built in late May, which lines up with the block stamp. What bothers me is the CT stamp. It looks like either a CTJ or CTU, but I doubt it's a CTU since this isn't an LT-1. (It says 350/350 on the console, and has a regular small-block hood.) However, the J (which almost looks like a U) is lighter than the rest of the characters in the stamp, and is up and to the right of the rest. Almost like an afterthought. Seems funny to me. The rest of the stamping looks crisp and in line. I couldn't tell if there were still broach marks.

Easy Mike

So do I. Consider suggesting she have the car appraised.

Iceaxe

Blue - blue are the original colors. 976 is mulsanne blue. There were two blues offered in 1970 and mulsanne was the lighter blue.

Easiest way to tell if the car originally came with the L46 (350-350) is to look at the tach. The L46 had a 6000 red line. Base had a lower redline and the LT-1 had a 6500. A lot of folks changed the $5 console plaque but few swapped out the tach.

I own a 70 L46 4-speed coupe so I stay current on their value and the car you are talking about is worth about $20k IMHO. Look up the car using the Hagerty valuation tools if you want to show her a more realistic price.

Putting the original engine together and back in the car would not be cost effective. If someone did it they would do it out of love.

If you want to add value to the car get the AC working instead of trying to turn it into a numbers car.

Mike Ward

The presence of AC means it cannot be an LT-!.

350HP with AC would mean a CTO or CTJ stamp. With K66 TI, it would be CTQ.

lurch59

I've been watching a '70 coupe with 36,000 miles and an auto for about a year, hasn't sold for 20k
I'd say it's south of 20k for sure...

LT-1 kid

so now convertibles are in the same league as LT-1s and big blocks

Iceaxe

70 L46 4-speeds can bring anywhere from $2000 to $4000 more than automatics all else being equal.

Also, is the car you have been watching a base 350? While the L46 doesn't command the premium of the LT-1 it is still a very desirable engine that brings a nice price bump over the base model.

lurch59

I just checked, and yes it is a base 350, but it's also a one owner car and 36000 original miles. Don't know what kind of a premium that would bring, but I know the price is soft and that's the retail price on a lot and it's been there 18 months. Just offering the OP a rough comparison, I appreciate your input as I am no expert that's for sure!

lurch59

There's a clean '70 coupe with a small block and a 4 speed for sale right now on the forum for 16,500.

Iceaxe

That car is a really good buy, it won't last long.

Mashman

The top goes down, the price goes up!

LT-1 kid

my point is just being a convertible, does not put it on par with LT-1s and big blocks cars and other special motor cars.