n8dogg

I feel awful for a customer of mine. They brought me their 1965 Corvette coupe with the intent of selling it. I checked her over and advised them not to drive the car as the frame has rotted through at the left side dog leg and I'd hate to see them get into an accident. They had no idea that the frame was that bad and believed their car to be worth much greater than it is due to an appraisal that was done within the a few years. I'd like to advise them in the right direction. That direction is to sell the car as it is. My estimated worth, as it is, is $15k to $20k.

Car info:

1965 Coupe, repainted black, interior was redone black. Originally it was Maroon with a White and Black interior. Original engine is gone. Was likely a 327/300. 4 speed, power windows, am/fm, no other options that I can see at this time.

Fenders were flared out. Paint is rough, she's a 30 footer. Front bumpers removed, wheels replaced with American Racing. Sidepipes are likely aftermarket (didn't look real close at them). Spare is missing.

Frame is rotted through at left dog leg where it meets the rail. Rot holes at front cross member. Left side rail is very rusty at end cap. Windshield and dash frame are very rusty as well.

This car needs a body off restoration. Would be a great candidate for a resto-mod.

Please comment with your thoughts and opinion on its value! On to the pictures:

4 Speed Dave

Wow that is some really bad frame rot!

midyear

Dash shows the car may have had AC when new, but underhood shows most parts are gone. seats look like 68-69 Camaro, frame as stated is rough...realistically, it would probably easily sell for 20-25K, and maybe a little mre on a sight like eBay.

Bluestripe67

That is one big money pit. Lota' stuff wrong, rusted and ragged. It appears to have been a BB car. Note the diff u-joints or the rear has been switched. $20-$22, but you better have courage. Dennis

Bowtyeguy

20-25 because of the frame and flares. I have seen basket cases grab 20. I would put it on the auction site with the pics you have the customer be honest.It probably will bring closer to 30. I have seen Vins and trim tags attached to a bar that bring almost 10 so 15 is way to short.

Powershift

In 1965, the only BB car was 396/425 HP engine.............which did not allow for air conditioning.

Car is a mess...................but probably can get $25K from someone.....as long as it still runs and drives.

Larry

wmf62

what do THEY want to do and how much can they afford to put in it? frames are replaceable...
Bill

n8dogg

They want to sell. It wouldn't be worth it for them to pay and have someone replace the frame.

It may end up on eBay. I need to talk to them a bit more about it. Thanks for the input guys. Your guesses are higher than I thought! Could be good news for the owners.

gilbybarr

Wow.....I dont think I have ever seen such substantial rust through....

0Corvettes by George

$20K-25K? Really???
Nom, re-paint (in need) flares, total junk rusted frame (plus all that goes with rusted parts, likely rusty bird cage and pillars).
A labor of love only

DansYellow66

Wow - not sure I've ever seen a frame with the engine cradle rusted through. Usually they are greasy enough to survive. I would have agreed with the $20 to 25k if not for the note that the windshield metal appears rusted through also. Given that I think the $15 to 20k figure is more accurate and may be hard to get unless a body guy/welder comes along or some poor, uninformed victim.

1snake

Rusted out frame and birdcage. It's a $10-15K parts car IF you can find someone naive enough to pay that much. I sure wouldn't.

champs65

New York can be so rough on old cars.....I once had a 69 with a front crossmember even a bit worse than that. I was able to cut and air chisel out the seemingly hundreds of plug and spot welds and replace it with a good used one. One of the worst jobs I've ever done on any car

I drove the car for a little bit before working on it one winter. In hindsight, the rot was so close to the LCAs' that how either one didn't break free was miraculous.

pop23235

No way would I invest more than $10 K for the parts. That one is not economically restorable.

Railroadman

I'm casually keeping an eye open for a "mission impossible" C-2 project, altho I'm after a convertible. But I have to say that coupe would scare me off at almost any price. You'd have to go into it with the assumption that everything is shot, and what winds up actually being OK will hopefully offset whatever negative surprises still await.

Is it just me or do the headlights look to have different gaps one vs. the other?

It has good oil pressure, though!

ricks327

and that is if the birdcage is better than this one (convertible).

Procrastination Racing

I had a '63 that was so rusted, the frame broke while unloading it off the trailer.

The buyer was fully aware of that before buying. I pointed that out to everyone who looked. It stopped a lot of people, and I stopped a lot who thought they could do it but I knew they couldn't.

Stingray1967

Value in the $15K window seems realistic. The car is somewhat rare, in that Maroon over Black/White interior with air is not common. I wish I had the cash, I'd buy it and swap the frame and fix it up. It would be a striking combination when completed.

Railroadman

Just that one little minor detail.

Nowhere Man

Or buy a car like this
http://www.mershons.com/vehicle-deta...8cf55f8f31490/

And be money ahead by a long shot and get to enjoy the car from the start. This car barely is a parts car. I don't see to many valuable parts beside the vin and trim tag and the complete dash. Everything else is trashed that you COULD never get 15k out of to part it out. If your looking to start a lawn ortment collection then this would look good for that