what does pre purchase inspection include
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
Mmmm....Having a "pal" take a cursory look at a potential purchase may, or may not work out. First off there are no "cheap" Corvettes - even project cars now it seems command $25K and up. Moreover, when you pay somebody for a professional inspection they are taking on some level of responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of their findings. You may have some recourse there.
Also, if the seller pulls a slick one and swaps out some rare or expensive parts before the car is delivered or the like, I'd want a Pancho level, written report in my hand to go after the seller.
Most of the instance I know of people getting a POS by taking shortcuts aren't the $100K+ cars; they're the $45K-$55K cars - the '67 above is a perfect example.
I've looked at a dozen or so cars for folks and I tell them up front, I won't take any money or assume any responsibility for their satisfaction; they are getting a layman's opinion of the car, nothing more.
Also, if the seller pulls a slick one and swaps out some rare or expensive parts before the car is delivered or the like, I'd want a Pancho level, written report in my hand to go after the seller.
Most of the instance I know of people getting a POS by taking shortcuts aren't the $100K+ cars; they're the $45K-$55K cars - the '67 above is a perfect example.
I've looked at a dozen or so cars for folks and I tell them up front, I won't take any money or assume any responsibility for their satisfaction; they are getting a layman's opinion of the car, nothing more.
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Jan 9, 2021 at 12:12 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,213
Likes: 327
From: LI NY NY
I just had a car inspected by a friend via ZOOM. 2 of us instructed him on what areas to inspect and photograph, all went well the car was great. It was on BAT and I lost it when it went past my limit.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
I just had o revisit this thread after stumbling across these videos; watch the first 5 minutes of the first video, its the important part, the rest is a commercial for what appears to be a pretty competent restoration shop in Sarasota. Classic case of a "sight unseen" Corvette-fever buyer seduced by shiny paint, nice body and sexy interior. (Forgive me if this is a forum member
)
Watch all of the second video and particularly enjoy the frame "rock and roll" 7 minutes in.
THIS IS WHY YOU GET A COMPETENT INSPECTION !
(Pancho - I apologize in advance as you won't be able to unsee this.)
)Watch all of the second video and particularly enjoy the frame "rock and roll" 7 minutes in.
THIS IS WHY YOU GET A COMPETENT INSPECTION !
(Pancho - I apologize in advance as you won't be able to unsee this.)
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Jan 13, 2021 at 03:21 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Jan 13, 2021 at 05:38 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,476
Likes: 771
From: Kirtland Ohio
I just had o revisit this thread after stumbling across these videos; watch the first 5 minutes of the first video, its the important part, the rest is a commercial for what appears to be a pretty competent restoration shop in Sarasota. Classic case of a "sight unseen" Corvette-fever buyer seduced by shiny paint, nice body and sexy interior. (Forgive me if this is a forum member)
Watch all of the second video and particularly enjoy the frame "rock and roll" 7 minutes in.
THIS IS WHY YOU GET A COMPETENT INSPECTION !
(Pancho - I apologize in advance as you won't be able to unsee this.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6CoeguXyO0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tfqmPmaXyU
)Watch all of the second video and particularly enjoy the frame "rock and roll" 7 minutes in.
THIS IS WHY YOU GET A COMPETENT INSPECTION !
(Pancho - I apologize in advance as you won't be able to unsee this.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6CoeguXyO0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tfqmPmaXyU
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 17,571
Likes: 3,460
From: Fresno California
Good information. In my case I have been gifted a 1963 Corvette Convertible condition unknown but has been sitting at least 40 year's covered under a lean to in Fresno, CA. I live in Chicago area and plan to transport the car back. I would be interested in having it inspected to determine the path of restoration or sell as is. I have a trailer so I could transport once in Chicago. Do the inspectors travel? I joined NCRS should that be my path to finding someone to inspect?
Thanks
Steve
Thanks
Steve
I would be willing to look at the car for you/with you and let you know what kind of shape it's in for travel. I would not charge, I would do it for fun. It'll probably need brakes and tires to transport safely....not expensive and not difficult on a drum brake '63 car.
PM me if you want me to help out.....I just love looking over old cars, even if they aren't mine.
Jeff
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,476
Likes: 771
From: Kirtland Ohio
I am in Fresno. I am a competent mechanic/car guy, but not a Corvette expert. I own a couple of old GTO's and a '61 Corvette. If you have been 'gifted' a '63, no real need to 'get it inspected', imo. Cars that sit our here in the Central Valley in lean-to's end up dusty, mouse-eaten, baked out interior/vinyl, rotted rubber, but generally are zero rust, great chrome, and solid. Your car will probably need all the rubber suspension and weatherstrip stuff, as well as interior and top, and brakes, but may well not need paint or chrome repair. Cars hold up out here. My '61 sat in an airplane hangar for over 20 years and the interior and chrome remained nice. The dash pad isn't even cracked (although it's pretty hard!) I had to do the brakes and engine to get it going.
I would be willing to look at the car for you/with you and let you know what kind of shape it's in for travel. I would not charge, I would do it for fun. It'll probably need brakes and tires to transport safely....not expensive and not difficult on a drum brake '63 car.
PM me if you want me to help out.....I just love looking over old cars, even if they aren't mine.
Jeff
I would be willing to look at the car for you/with you and let you know what kind of shape it's in for travel. I would not charge, I would do it for fun. It'll probably need brakes and tires to transport safely....not expensive and not difficult on a drum brake '63 car.
PM me if you want me to help out.....I just love looking over old cars, even if they aren't mine.
Jeff
Last edited by provette67; Jan 14, 2021 at 11:06 PM.
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