When I was 18 I worked a summer job delivering and installing appliances. Right down the street was a corner bar (like Cheers) and the owner had a green '67 Coupe, 427, 4 speed, with side pipes and aluminum slot mags. I had loved Corvettes since I was a kid and this one was my dream car.

Over the years I managed to several Corvettes but never got a C2 until about ten years ago. I settled for this '64 327/300 horse Powerglide car.



I say "settled" because while it was a decent car and I actually didn't mind the PGlide too much, I really wanted a 4 speed car however this one was pretty affordable. I ended up selling it because I wanted to find a stick shift car. In hindsight, I should have just converted it.

Anyway, that car is long gone and C2 prices have gone crazy since then. I still dream of finding an affordable project car and building that '70s style road racer that I loved since a kid. Something like "Big Red".



But because C2 prices are so high I decided I'd just do another C3 instead so I picked up this '73 350 4 speed for pretty cheap.



other than the ugly repaint, it is a solid all original 82K miles car rust free with good bird cage and a good base for what I want to do. Figured I'd make it into something like this but probably not as nice paint. I like the race car driven on the street look.



I think I could be quite happy with it but I know I would always prefer it be a C2. So I keep looking for a C2 and today I watched Dennis Collins' "Coffee Walk" and he found this '66.


Popped over to their website to check it out.

https://collinsbrosjeep.com/1966-che...-stock-109049/

Sent an email inquiring about price. They replied with $39,800. I think that is a little high for a project with no engine or trans and they replied with, "Make an offer". No photos of under car so not sure about rust. That would certainly effect pricing. I don't mind a car that is a little rough around the edges and I'd actually prefer that because of the style of car I want to build. The car has extra parts but they haven't sent me a parts list. Probably won't get that until Monday because it is now Friday evening.

Anyway, I have no idea what to offer or if I should even pursue this car or any C2 for that matter. This car would require a lot of work while my C3 is a running driving car that I can modify to my liking as I go. "The devil you know" as they say. I'll also mention that I'll be 68 in a couple weeks and don't know if I want to take on such a major project. I've built a lot of cars over the years but now I really enjoy driving them more than working on them.

I'll also mention that I have several other cars and lately have been thinking about consolidating down to just a couple. If I do that I think a better way to go would be to sell most of them including the C3 and just bite the bullet and spend the big money for a driver quality C2 instead of a project.

So, what do you all think of this '66?

 

Mid to high 20's for what I see

 

I don’t think you are ready to make an informed decision to purchase this car or any other C2 project……regardless of price. It’s a hobby and should be enjoyed.

Get a little more comfortable with what you want and what is needed to get you there.

 

Study up on the care and feeding of a C-2.
The more you know the better car you will find

 

If you go in the direction of the '66, you must go a see the car yourself. It might be an original BB, but it needs to be proven as best as possible. The will affect the value in your eyes. Dennis

 

Have you done an cost estimate on the type of parts you want to install to make your race-look street car? You won't need to hunt down original or repro parts, so that's a big plus on the freedom for choosing components and cost. Let's guesstimate that the engine, trans, rear diff, brakes, suspension, race-inspired interior, tires and wheels comes in at $30,000- $40,000; another $10,000-$15,000 for paint... then determine what can you afford on top of this for the purchase of the project car.

 

c2s have been so hammered an abused and mis restore over the years that when I went looking I wanted an original unmolested example. I finally found a 34,000 mile original paint naussau blue car and paid 65 thousand for it. These days if you dropped a car like the one they were saying make an offer, you would spend 100 grand bringing it back and then it would still not be as good as my original car (even though my car's original lacquer paint is a bit rough!!!!

Hence my advice is if you cannot do it yourself, save your money and buy a nice car that is already finished

 

I have a C2 convertible with a big block. I was going to install giant flares and huge tires years ago but I'm glad I restored the body to original. As far as a C3 done up as a road racer for the street, I don't think there is a much more badass Vette than that.

 

unless it came with the block and POP it is just a story and a base 327/300 3 speed in my eyes

 

Find yourself a small block driver, NO number matching. And go from there.
You are going to modify it anyway ,so paying for a perfect car makes no sense.
It should be good enough that you would only spend 2 years tops to make it your
own. You are 68 years old. You have cars that you can sell to make the purchase.
Your days are numbered, if you have a dream, now is the time to fullfill it.
Good luck

 

....the DENNIS COLLINS CAR WILL COST YOU A FORTUNE WHEN YOU ARE FINISHED.....KEEP LOOKING

 

That's why he is selling it .

 

This is what I'm thinking. One thing I like about Dennis is that he doesn't beat up sellers on price and gives them what they asked for. The trouble with that is that his selling price then becomes higher.

 

Solid advice.

 

That's a beautiful car! I'd like to find a driver quality car but even those are big money now.

 

Thanks for all the advice. I'm going to pass on the '66 as the price is too high and too much work required. I think I'll just continue on my '73 while keeping my eye out for a suitable C2. C2 prices have really skyrocketed over the last few years though so I'm not holding out too much hope. Really kicking myself for selling my '64.