Is this Stingray worth restoring?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,009
Likes: 11
From: Philadelphia, sub burbs Wynnewood, PA
Originally Posted by jrs 427
FIX IT..... It is not the worth... it has more to do with history and family. If your dad was cool enough to have a vette I would spend twice what it is worth to have it in my garage. If you sell you will regret it the remainder of your days on earth. Twist the key and it is instant memory lane. Store it till you have the bucks and repair it properly. Goooood luck ! jr 
fix your dad's car! even if it takes years.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,507
Likes: 114
From: St. Louis Mo
Originally Posted by 79MakoL82
Easy enough to identify. As said above, if it's a 454, it's a 73 or 74. If it has chrome rear bumper, it's a 73. If it has a two piece rubber rear bumper (has a seam down the middle of the bumper cover), it's a 74. If it has a chrome rear bumper, and a chrome front, it's 72 or earlier.
As said, they are ALL worth restoring. It's just what's it worth to you? If you're not willing to put the money in it, somebody else will. Personally, some people would say I'm crazy for dumping money in my 79, but it still turns heads, I get compliments on it all the time, I love it and never plan on selling it. So its "worth" is only how much I'm willing to put in to it. Besides, my 19 year old niece has dibs on it when I kick the bucket. So I'll NEVER see any of the money back. But I know when I die, it'll to go to somebody I love, loves me, and LOVES my car. It'll be a family heirloom. Maybe that's what yours is.
As said, they are ALL worth restoring. It's just what's it worth to you? If you're not willing to put the money in it, somebody else will. Personally, some people would say I'm crazy for dumping money in my 79, but it still turns heads, I get compliments on it all the time, I love it and never plan on selling it. So its "worth" is only how much I'm willing to put in to it. Besides, my 19 year old niece has dibs on it when I kick the bucket. So I'll NEVER see any of the money back. But I know when I die, it'll to go to somebody I love, loves me, and LOVES my car. It'll be a family heirloom. Maybe that's what yours is.
YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!.........LT
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
You have to find out if it's only fiberglass damage or if the frame got damaged..... it probably looks worse than it is ...
Remove the damaged/cracked parts and inspect the front
Worst case ? You'll have to get the frame straightened - that is not as bad as many may think... a new fiberglass front: Vanacor sells the front ends for roughly $1000, not "original" but better than what you have now
Even if the frame is bent I'd restore/rebuild it, it's a beautiful yellow '73
Remove the damaged/cracked parts and inspect the front
Worst case ? You'll have to get the frame straightened - that is not as bad as many may think... a new fiberglass front: Vanacor sells the front ends for roughly $1000, not "original" but better than what you have now
Even if the frame is bent I'd restore/rebuild it, it's a beautiful yellow '73
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 139
Likes: 1
From: Folsom CA
Originally Posted by KALAWAY
Most of the people on this forum are more knowledgable than me, but a '73 or '74 "big motor" convertible is worth quite a bit. I'd say $15K to $20K.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 1
From: Arlington Texas
I would say it's going to cost at least a grand to get that crazy chick removed. A very common problem with these older vettes. Might want to have them spray when they are done so it doesn't get reinfested.
Scott
Scott
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,045
Likes: 4
From: Yorktown VA
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Originally Posted by Shrike
I would say it's going to cost at least a grand to get that crazy chick removed. A very common problem with these older vettes. Might want to have them spray when they are done so it doesn't get reinfested.
Scott
Scott
Seriously, you've got to restore it. You can't get rid of a car you have a picture of with your Dad in it. There's no price you can put on memories.
****************
Fixing the fiberglass - $1000-$1500
Painting the Corvette - $5000-$8,000
Having your picture taken standing next to the same car your Dad had his picture taken next to - PRICELESS
***************
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 139
Likes: 1
From: Folsom CA
Originally Posted by 1975Stingray
Looks like a 1975 like the car I inherited! Fix it and love it as your dad did! I'm starting on my 1975 and loving every minute of the project!
So is it an automatic or 4 speed... what options, and how many miles are on it?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,468
Likes: 463
From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Originally Posted by 73LS4
...L48 didn't have the markings on the hood hump like this does.
...if it turns out to be a TRUE 1975 L-82 Convertible, it's a pretty rare car alright. Only "366" 1975 L-82 convertibles were ever made along with "2007" L-82 coupes. 2372 total L-82 production Corvettes in '75.
Your Dad's car and Vert? Fix it up and enjoy it.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Paul Borowski
...no, but many Corvette owners put that available "L-48" emblem on the hood bulge. Can't really see in the pics what it is. If it's a TRUE 1975 Corvette L-82 car, the fifth digit in the VIN will be a letter "T"; if it's a "base" engine L-48 car, it will have a "J" in that position.
...if it turns out to be a TRUE 1975 L-82 Convertible, it's a pretty rare car alright. Only "366" 1975 L-82 convertibles were ever made along with "2007" L-82 coupes. 2372 total L-82 production Corvettes in '75.
...if it turns out to be a TRUE 1975 L-82 Convertible, it's a pretty rare car alright. Only "366" 1975 L-82 convertibles were ever made along with "2007" L-82 coupes. 2372 total L-82 production Corvettes in '75.
Just found a smog certificate... in 1984 it had 56000 miles on it... no idea about now.
Before he died - he bought a 77 and parted it out intending to use the frame for the restoration... the fiberglass guy who has been holding it for me says he might be able to make the original frame work. We'll see.
Oh wait - just found another scribbling - my dad had been kinda keeping track of mileage - says here it has 76755 miles on it as of march of 2001. He died in April of 2002, so I can't imagine it had many more miles on it than that since he had cancer and drove it maybe twice since 01.
Anyway - so what would a fully restored one of these bring? The interior is still in decent shape.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,277
Likes: 0
From: Gloucester Va
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by Trigger9mm
vin = 1Z67T5S431076
Division (1): Chevrolet
Car Line (Z): Corvette
Body Style (67): Two-Door Convertible
Engine Type (T): L82-350ci,205hp
Model Year (5): 1975
Plant (S): St. Louis, MO
Sequence Number: 431076
It's a keeper !
Last edited by PortDawg; Aug 17, 2005 at 05:41 AM.
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: leroy n.y.
its been three years where's the car been ? sounds to me like you need the money and want to sell it youll be sorry when time passes and you think back on it and when you dont really need the money my advise is do what it takes however long it takes but dont let it go even if you cant fix it right now.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 345
Likes: 0
From: SELDEN NY
when its gone its gone and no other vette would be your fathers vette, I would give my left jewell to have my fathers old vette and to relive t driveing in it with him. Fix it! iF you cant afford it today you will tommorow. If you sell it what are you going to do with the money stupid stuff like pay bills?
SteveZ
SteveZ
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,663
Likes: 3
From: Palm Harbor FL
In 1975, only 4,629 cars were Verts out 38,465. That's about 12 %. There were only 2,372 L82's sold. Now, although this highly unscientific, if you figure 12% of 2,372 L82's were verts, that would mean you have one of approximately 285 cars. Out of 38,465, that's a relatively rare car. Add on that it was your dads, it's a one of a kind.