exactly…. Many people have cars just sitting…. That’s not a reason to sell if you have any sentimental value…. Obviously, it’s very personal to him.

needing the money, needing the space, making the wife happy… those might be reasons to sell…

 

IMCO 50K is too low. I post a lot of adds on the long running "opinions" thread. The asking prices for junk are 30K plus and NOM small block C2s are 60K plus if they are decent not even real nice. That doesn't mean they sell but that's what they ask.

 

Cracker Barrel?

 

Are you looking to flip it? If he hasn’t sold to you by now, move on. You have 50/60k disposable income? There’s hundreds if not thousands of mid years out there in that price range.

What buying tactic do want to hear?

If you really want it, bring and show him 6 stacks of high society and be done with it. If he takes it, good. If not, find another.

He probably knows your angle. His daughter thinks it’s worth 100k. You’re wasting your time if you want a mid year.

 

Jason,
Looking at your pictures and description, if you get into a discussion price with the owner, I would start at 55k and explain the following reasons:
1. NOM
2. Lack of ignition shielding (big bucks)
3. Engine compartment lack good pics which could require additional dollars
4. Crack in tack face, does the cluster need a total refurb
5. Hurst shifter
6. Tire condition
7. Incorrect radio
The above items require a substantial amount of money to correct. I'm certain there are additional items that need attention that you could cite to the owner that needs attention.
In regards to convince him to sell, that is a crap shoot. Who knows what will push him to finally sell the car, everyone is different. Best of luck in your pursuit.

 

Absolutely not. When you’re in this situation, those are absorbed costs. You start justifying your offer, the buyer will be put off very quickly. He doesn’t care two craps about a crack in the tach face or the tire conditions or the fact that the ignition shielding is missing.

Put yourself in the sellers shoes.

You need to offer your best offer and that’s that.

If he was actively selling, then yes, start taking in account the stuff that needs fixing/correcting.

 

I wouldn't get too hung up on that particular car, since it does have some needs. I used to do that too, but that's just buying into the other guy's game. Instead of waiting for that guy to sell, maybe until you're too old to enjoy the car or simply dead, I'd buy the nicest 66 L72 I could afford and start enjoying the car. Life is short.

 

When you simply must have it and the car has no major issues sometimes its ok to pay a premium. On several C2 purchases I felt I have overpaid a bit but never regretted it and If you keep it long term it wont matter.

 

Seems like some sentimentality on both sides here. I can identify with the seller and his association to memories of a younger time in his life. Sometimes it's not so much the item as accepting a new phase of life and money really isn't relevant in the decision.

I discovered after cracking open the L72 engine in my "new" '66 that the engine had had MAJOR cam failures and other events exposing an very hard life (multiple cam journals gone). Looked completely fine on the outside and ran ok. If you find an L72 engine or block, particularly IF it's out of a vette something is most likely wrong. Geez, if any of us had one of these in the 60's or 70's who wouldn't be running it to 6500 all the time! A 942 4-bolt block is rare and if it's not in a car most likely there's a reason. I was fortunate to find a date correct, L72 block from the estate of a ex-racer and paid 4k sight unseen and happy to get it. Then it needed more money to sleeve a cylinder and other machining. Point is, if you want a real L72 it's by far the least expensive to start with a healthy one. Not necessarily restored, just complete and healthy. If you just want a non-L72 BB car, this seems like a pretty good start point. Cheers Larry

 

"No hit" body has been thrown out here a few times, and I have to ask, how do you know this? You're dealing with the second owner, and you've never seen the body without paint. It might be no hit, but that's really just an assumption at this point, isn't it? Is a no hit body all that big a deal anyway? If you're restoring a car, a no hit body is nice to find, but once the paint comes off even no hit bodies end up needing some work, if only to get the fit and gaps right. If you're not planning to restore it, then a car that's been repaired properly, leaving no evidence of the repair, is just as good as a no hit car.

Why $30K cash and $30K in a check? I don't understand the reasoning behind this. If your approach to him is that you have the cash in hand, then show up with the cash, and don't play games. If you think you can low ball him with a $30K offer, and then sweeten the offer, take the cash and work your way up.

I know personally I don't like people who come around trying to hassle me into selling a car. I've told people no is no, but if I change my mind I'll let you know. The one's who've come back over and over, wanting to know if I've changed my mind, get shown the door. If you want to be my friend, talk cars, sports or the weather, that's fine, but don't come around to bother me about something you've been told is not for sale. When (or if) I'm ready to sell, I'll let you know.

From what I see it looks like a pretty nice, driver quality car. With the original engine gone, and no proof or documentation as to what it originally was, I'd guess it's probably worth $50K-$60K.

My take is continue to be his friend, if he knows you're serious, he'll let you know when he's ready to sell.

 

Don’t ever forget, it’s his car. He owes you nothing no matter what you want.

 

I have a friend that said over and over if I ever wanted to sell a 65 Coupe I had he would buy it. Well the time came and I told him he could have it. Then came all the excuses why he couldn't buy it.

Perhaps the guy thinks your asking is just BS?

If you really are serious. Knock on the door and Say I'll give you $xxxxx today for your Vette. Maybe he'll counter maybe he'll say no. If he says no start looking for another car.

 

You've been successful twice in the past by building a relationship over a long period of time, and when the owner was ready, you were there. Seems like the same would work this time. He probably just has a hard time "letting go" of anything, not just this car. Keep reminding him you're there, and still interested, and whenever the day comes, he is always welcome to stop in to "visit" his 'baby', and go for a ride w/you, anytime. Easing him out of it, slowly, but surely, might be acceptable to him.

 

I think you are right. I bought the other 2 within a year of each other, had to pay the loan off on 1 of them over a few years, then save up to build a garage, then save up to get in a position to buy a BB. So I’m ready on my end but that doesn’t mean he is on his. I will keep trying.

 

You are entitled to your opinion.

 

No such thing as a good steak dinner at Golden Corral

 

OP, there is a thread on here where a guy bought a big block 427 car NOM and latter found out the engine was a 396. Do your homework before buying the car.

 

Geez. Retired coal miner with his most prized possession? Something he's had longer than his wife and kids? Why don't you just let him be to enjoy what he's earned? Compliment his car, be his car buddy, give him some peace (apparently his wife and kids don't). Imagine how he'll feel if he relents and sells it to you? He's basically giving up on life at that point.

If I were you, I'd go buy the C2 I wanted, drive it over to his house and invite him to tag along to local car events. Help him enjoy his Corvette. Maybe his wife can tag along to meet some similarly afflicted women and start enjoying the Corvette too. That will improve his life . . . and yours.

 

My feelings exactly. Also in my life anyone ingratiating themselves to me for the purpose of making me willing to sell, gift or will something to them had the opposite effect.

 

☝️I would do this. And make darned sure his wife see the stacks, too. She will have more influence over him than you ever will! If it’s “no” then move on to the next car. Life’s too short.
You’ve wasted 10 years yearning for someone else’s car??