C2 Barn Find
Safety Car
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,913
Likes: 211
From: APO AE
I guess it depends on the OPs intention, but again, the starting purchase prices factors in.
Pictures don't tell the whole story, but definitely check out the frame and birdcage real well. Find a forum member or mid-year guy that lives close and have him go with you to give it a thorough look-see.
If you could get it at a decent price, and just clean it up and get it moving and then sell it... it could be fun....
If you have deep pockets, and just want the thrill of taking a barn-find car through restoration... well that is cool too, and this would be a good candidate.
But if you want to get into the Corvette/C2 game with the goal of having a restored car/driver and your budget is limited... Then I agree with the folks above who said it would be better to buy a car that has had more done and is more ready.
Painting is a double edge sword because it will make the car look nice, but everything else look crappy.... As in, that driver chrome looks like ***... the convertible top will stand out like a sore thumb.... you know... tar baby.
You might ask the owner what would they be comfortable with as far as a selling price go. If they say $50K... well....
But you never know... they might be happy with $25... and (assuming birdcage and frame are ok), then you might have a new project!
Pictures don't tell the whole story, but definitely check out the frame and birdcage real well. Find a forum member or mid-year guy that lives close and have him go with you to give it a thorough look-see.
If you could get it at a decent price, and just clean it up and get it moving and then sell it... it could be fun....
If you have deep pockets, and just want the thrill of taking a barn-find car through restoration... well that is cool too, and this would be a good candidate.
But if you want to get into the Corvette/C2 game with the goal of having a restored car/driver and your budget is limited... Then I agree with the folks above who said it would be better to buy a car that has had more done and is more ready.
Painting is a double edge sword because it will make the car look nice, but everything else look crappy.... As in, that driver chrome looks like ***... the convertible top will stand out like a sore thumb.... you know... tar baby.
You might ask the owner what would they be comfortable with as far as a selling price go. If they say $50K... well....
But you never know... they might be happy with $25... and (assuming birdcage and frame are ok), then you might have a new project!
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 282
From: Bedford New York
All that car will need is everything.
Unless you can buy it for cheap, plan on spending more than twice what it will be worth when done.
If you're looking for a project, then it might be a great foundation for a beautiful NOM driver.
If you care about being upside down on it financially, run, don't walk.
Unless you can buy it for cheap, plan on spending more than twice what it will be worth when done.
If you're looking for a project, then it might be a great foundation for a beautiful NOM driver.
If you care about being upside down on it financially, run, don't walk.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 553
Likes: 67
From: Somewhere in NJ
Looks not too bad to me!
I'll bet it cleans up real nice. Good wash and vac, a little mothers, good to go there.
You said you can do the mechanical. Probably will need SS brake calipers. I'll bet you can have it road worthy and have some fun for less than a grand. You don't need "restoration parts" for everything. I find most of the main mechanical wear parts are cheap and abundant.
So what it doesn't have perfect everything? You get get to drive a BB Mid Year Vette. Even with bad or no paint it is a thrill. Only other Vette owners are going to nitpick, cause that's part of the hobby. lol.
Only real showstopper would be rust.
I'll bet it cleans up real nice. Good wash and vac, a little mothers, good to go there.
You said you can do the mechanical. Probably will need SS brake calipers. I'll bet you can have it road worthy and have some fun for less than a grand. You don't need "restoration parts" for everything. I find most of the main mechanical wear parts are cheap and abundant.
So what it doesn't have perfect everything? You get get to drive a BB Mid Year Vette. Even with bad or no paint it is a thrill. Only other Vette owners are going to nitpick, cause that's part of the hobby. lol.
Only real showstopper would be rust.
Last edited by Tiros; May 3, 2018 at 09:58 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 17,571
Likes: 3,460
From: Fresno California
I think you are smart to sort out all your options. It is always best to buy a restored car and have the other guy take the hit on his resell. However there have been a lot of pretty pigs with lipstick that offer hidden treasures. So get as many eyes on it as possible even if buying a supposed nice car. Not everyone can come up with 50k or 40k, but if I wanted to get in the game it looks like a nice car to start if the price is right. Make a budget and add 15-20% and the numbers will be more accurate. Good Luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,093
Likes: 757
From: WV
We can only tell so much by the pics, but I think it looks like it was well taken care of until parked. Other than dirt from time those seats look real good and don’t look worn. I would be curious to see under hood and car, but I would not hesitate if the money is right.
i bought my 66 that had been sitting since 92 in 2014. The plugs were removed in 92 and sit all that time. I did leave mmo in for a year before I bought it but I drove it home the day after I bought it. It took some work to bring it back, but I did and it didn’t cost all that much. A lot depends on the environment it has been in.
i bought my 66 that had been sitting since 92 in 2014. The plugs were removed in 92 and sit all that time. I did leave mmo in for a year before I bought it but I drove it home the day after I bought it. It took some work to bring it back, but I did and it didn’t cost all that much. A lot depends on the environment it has been in.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 17,571
Likes: 3,460
From: Fresno California
We can only tell so much by the pics, but I think it looks like it was well taken care of until parked. Other than dirt from time those seats look real good and don’t look worn. I would be curious to see under hood and car, but I would not hesitate if the money is right.
i bought my 66 that had been sitting since 92 in 2014. The plugs were removed in 92 and sit all that time. I did leave mmo in for a year before I bought it but I drove it home the day after I bought it. It took some work to bring it back, but I did and it didn’t cost all that much. A lot depends on the environment it has been in.
i bought my 66 that had been sitting since 92 in 2014. The plugs were removed in 92 and sit all that time. I did leave mmo in for a year before I bought it but I drove it home the day after I bought it. It took some work to bring it back, but I did and it didn’t cost all that much. A lot depends on the environment it has been in.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 10,702
Likes: 2,166
From: Golden Colorado
UPDATE
First, thanks to everyone for the help, opinions, and ideas. I made an offer and now the ball is back in the owners court. I will let everyone know what happens, if the deal goes through. Till then I have plenty of work to do on my other Vette to keep me busy.
Summer cruise season is almost here.
First, thanks to everyone for the help, opinions, and ideas. I made an offer and now the ball is back in the owners court. I will let everyone know what happens, if the deal goes through. Till then I have plenty of work to do on my other Vette to keep me busy.
Summer cruise season is almost here.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,696
Likes: 3,090
From: Cottonwood AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
UPDATE
First, thanks to everyone for the help, opinions, and ideas. I made an offer and now the ball is back in the owners court. I will let everyone know what happens, if the deal goes through. Till then I have plenty of work to do on my other Vette to keep me busy.
Summer cruise season is almost here.
First, thanks to everyone for the help, opinions, and ideas. I made an offer and now the ball is back in the owners court. I will let everyone know what happens, if the deal goes through. Till then I have plenty of work to do on my other Vette to keep me busy.
Summer cruise season is almost here.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...nvertible.html
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 10,702
Likes: 2,166
From: Golden Colorado
I don't know if you are specifically looking for a big block or not but you may want to look at this one right here in the for sale section to see what you can buy for well under $50K and be driving the same day.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...nvertible.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...nvertible.html
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 10,702
Likes: 2,166
From: Golden Colorado
Just an update note to all who responded to me. The owner contacted me over the holiday weekend and said he will sell me the car. Wahoooooo!
Now, assuming he does not waffle again, I will begin the process of getting it out of its long slumber place and into the daylight, my trailer and to my home. Hope to have it with in the next couple of weeks. Since it has a NOM anyway, I just happen to have a nice 454 in the garage on a stand just looking for a new home. I know it will take a lot of other mechanical work from its long rest but that does not bother me. I hope to just clean it up, go through the brakes and fuel system, maybe some electrical ( you never know) and have it running by the end of the summer, if the funds hold out. Color me excited!!! I will try to get some more pictures posted later in the week.
Now, assuming he does not waffle again, I will begin the process of getting it out of its long slumber place and into the daylight, my trailer and to my home. Hope to have it with in the next couple of weeks. Since it has a NOM anyway, I just happen to have a nice 454 in the garage on a stand just looking for a new home. I know it will take a lot of other mechanical work from its long rest but that does not bother me. I hope to just clean it up, go through the brakes and fuel system, maybe some electrical ( you never know) and have it running by the end of the summer, if the funds hold out. Color me excited!!! I will try to get some more pictures posted later in the week.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,678
Likes: 646
From: Indiana
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C1 of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2019 C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
2018 C1 of Year Finalist
Congrats! 
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 10,702
Likes: 2,166
From: Golden Colorado
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 10,702
Likes: 2,166
From: Golden Colorado
Barn Find Update
Well, after cutting brush, trimming trees, and moving dead cars there is still not a clear path to the road. Maybe next weekend. More, pictures attached. Low RPM tach, 80 lb oil gauge, I believe the mileage is real, etc. etc. I was going to use some rally wheels with 235 x 60 x 15 to move it as all tires are flat and won't hold air but after much searching on this forum, I don't think they will fit. I may have to take the stock rims to a Walmart or cosco and buy some cheap tires and have them mounted just to get it to roll. 
