TheWhiteHat

Fokls I was hoping to get some opinions on the approximate value on a C3 1973 Corvette Stingray I found.
Pictures below.

What I know.

It was an L44 car.
Can't verify numbers on Engine. So numbers matching is a crap shoot and I am still learning about the C3 Vettes.
It has 140,000 miles according to seller but can't verify.
It has Automatic Trans. Shifts fine but has a leak.
The factory AC has been removed.
The Wipers do not work. (parts have been taken off and are on workbench)
The Headlights do not work. (parts have been taken off and are on workbench)
The Engine has a valve tapping and is burning oil pretty badly at both idle and speed. (So I am guessing at least a top rebuild there)
The Factory radio is gone.
The Car has T Tops.
The interior is descent for its age with no noticable tears but there is cracking and will need to be replaced soon.
The Frame looks to be in good shape.
The only exterior rust I saw was the Battery Pan is gone.
The metal seat mount in the floor pan on the passenger side is rusted and falling apart.

To look at the car it looks like a descent car.

So see the pictures below and give me your thoughts if you will.
Thanks!

Dynra Rockets

Can't comment on the value but I will say the fuel line runs really close to the header.

Jeff78

5k.

CanadaGrant

I would think with the bad engine and virtually everything else needing work about $3500.

Easy Mike

What is the seller asking?

Revi

If these are rusted through,

"The only exterior rust I saw was the Battery Pan is gone.
The metal seat mount in the floor pan on the passenger side is rusted and falling apart."

the rest of it can't be far behind.

LS4 PILOT

It's a parts car to me .I'd want to seriously investigate the frame .....even if it is GIFT.

This looks like a bubba special.

Alan 71

Hi twh,
I agree that the cheapest part of owning this car may well be what you have to pay to buy it. I hope that's only a couple of thousand dollars….or less.
The floor pan in a 73 is completely fiberglass. So I'm not sure what you were seeing in the vicinity of the battery compartment floor.
The seats are mounted on adjustable tracks that are bolted through the fiberglass underbody so I'm not sure what you were seeing there either.
Use caution in considering buying this car.
Regards,
Alan

crawfish333

This looks like an example of a C3 that is a trap. There are a couple of other new guys on here who purchased cars that had issues, but they did not know what those were before they bought the cars and felt ripped off. You can almost bet that this car has other issues besides the one you see. I am not going to guess on value, because as others have stated, this car will cost a lot in the long run, uness you are buying it as a parts car.

Tim Ware

This is such an attractive car from 50 feet, that , at first glance, it seems like a good restoration candidate. BUT... here's a few estimates for what can be seen:
engine rebuild (complete ): $4,000.
trans. repair : min. $1,000. ( must be removed )
interior: $1500.
wipers & headlights: priceless can of worms.

Do the math & move on to another candidate. Or, buy it for $2500.-$3500.

7T1vette

Decent looking car. But, it looks like the proverbial "money pit" to me. LOTS of things don't work or need work; and that costs money and puts the car out of commission till fixes are done.

Worst mistake anyone can make is to buy an older car based on its "looks". Emotion clouds your logic; and it takes logic to make you see that the mechanical aspects of the car are "questionable".

If you are mechanically skilled and you actually LIKE to work on old cars--- OR ---you have deep pockets, go for it. Maybe $5-6K. If you are hooked on the looks.....$7K.

ddawson

If it was me I'd pass.

cobrachuck

I agree with the above, good advise. You are going to spend time & $ on this car.
$5 K for this car max, I can see + 8K in parts n pieces may be more & 100 man hours.
You need to ask your self . Do I have that kind of time & money?
A C5 car would be a better hot rod, daily driver, I have had these cars since 1970.
​​​​​​​good luck

TheWhiteHat

In the middle of each fiberglass floor pan is a metal brace about 6 inches square with a bolt going up through it.

TheWhiteHat

I wanted to wait a few days to get opinions unbiased by what the seller was asking for the car. Since I have come to a decision about the car I am happy to pass that info along. He is asking $5200 for it.

Easy Mike

Do you want it for $5200?

Tim Ware

TheWhiteHat: Did you buy it ?

TheWhiteHat

Thanks to everyone for their responses. They have really helped me think about what I should do. While I am interested in picking up a C3 at some point this was really not the best time as I still am working on the C4 I picked up last May. coupling that with other things going on in my life like an imminent move and two kids in college I thought long and hard about it. Your feedback really pushed my decision to wait for better timing. Had the car been the steal I thought it maybe at first glance (that 50 yard look) I would have happily pulled the trigger. But while I still feel the car could be a great car for someone it is just not enough car for me to jump when the timing is just not right for me. I just hope I do not regret it later on. But hey that is life! Thanks again for your feedback!

mardyn

I've wished that I would have paid closer attention to the CF/C3 forum before purchasing my car...

After nearly three years of ownership, it's pretty decent now, but only after many hours of my own labor and lots of $$$ in minors parts and pieces.

A few thousand dollars more spent on the front end purchase, would have saved me much time and effort in the long run.

Most of the comments I've read here are spot on correct.. good advice from fellow members who have traveled this path before.

Good Luck
mardyn