Hello all. I've been searching the net high and low for my bumper vette. Found what appears to be a nice one in my price range but found some oddities in the ad. Can you guys take a look and help me out? He sent me more pics as well. But doesn't it look like it's NOT a 72? Should be a 68 or 69 with those gills. Makes me worry. Does anyone know anything about these guys? Thanks!
Collin

 

There's no pic!?

 

http://www.classicstreet.com/1972_corvette.htm

:o Sheesh.....I suppose that link will help... sorry!
Collin

 

At the very least it has a 68-69 nose on it.

 

VIN ought to tell you what year. Looks to be a '72 with a wrecked front end that was repaired with '68/'69 fenders,grilles,turn signals,etc. and an aftermarket or "73+ hood. (No wiper door). Rear Quarters appear to be '70 or later from what I can see of the fender flair.

 

Ask for the VIN and you can get the year. Definitely not a 68 because it doesn't have any of those 68 oddities like push buttons on doors, etc. So it at least has a new front end and hood on it. That could spell trouble. The ad says it has been a daily driver for the last few weeks! Does that mean it was wrecked recently and repaired? Check for frame and front end damage on this one before you buy it.

 

I wouldn't touch this thing with a 10 foot pole. If these guys will lie about what it is no telling what they are hiding. Too many good cars available for you to mess with this.

 

No pics of the motor?

Price is high, regardless...

 

Awfully cheap price for a decent bumper vette.

 

Agree!

 

OK, I'm getting a VIN tomorrow. The seller e-mailed me back and told me a few things about the car. Here are a few snippets:

"It is a 72, the front end was changed out a long time ago. I was told because the owner didn't like the wiper setup and liked the gills better."

"Rebuilt fairly stock, 9.5:1 forged pistons, balanced, double hump heads set for unleaded, 3 angle valve job, Wolverine RV cam."

"The parts for the Brake Specialists suspension were about $3000 alone. You can check their website for pricing. Complete front and rear suspension with wishbones and carbon fiber springs."

He also said the frame looks straight, no accidents that the previous owner knew of. So I'm torn. My intention is not to keep the car stock. So buying a numbers matching car is not a priority for me. Personally I prefer the eggcrate to the gills, too bad the other guys had them changed. He also said the rebuilt engine only has 2000 miles on it. This will surely save me some money up front, not having to worry about rebuilding a 35 year old enginge right away. I know how bad I can get the bug for things and rush out and make an impulse buy. However in this case shouldn't a frankencar like this be a little lower in price? I'm not sure myself, but I've seen supposed numbers matching cars selling in the 16 ballpark. So what's worth more? Originality or upgraded parts? Thanks for the help all.
Collin

 

Originality is always worth more, but...if you're not concerned about it, then no big. If you'll be making use of the upgraded parts, then, assuming they are quality and installed properly, that would be worth something. Car should be priced around $10.5k.

 

Numbers matching in good shape = mid to high 20's sometimes even more.

Numbers matching in basket case but driveable shape = low 10's to mid 13's

Frankencar if everything he said was true is worth about what he has it priced for. The problem you run into is the stuff he didnt tell you about.

You can look at the pics of the car and see about 10k worth of parts on the surface if you parted it out. Thats not even looking under the hood or the smaller costly items.

I think its a good price for a bumper vette in decent shape. The thing you need to double check is if it was wrecked and thats why the heavy rework of the front, frame issues, birdcage issues etc etc. Anyone can throw "Nu Paint" on a beater and make it look good for a couple of months.

If it makes you happy buy it, it is a nice looking car even though the multiple year parts.

 

After looking at his other cars on his website I wouldnt buy anything from him even if it looked good. I wouldnt trust a thing he is saying.

Check this Monte Carlo out he said he has put over 600 hours into the paint and body. Hell if I put 600 hours into anything I hope it would turn out better than this. He is wanting 19.5k for the Monte and its not even finished.



I would steer clear of his Vette for sure.

 

Changing out the car is major cosmetics...yes it is a 72...i know because I own one.... I would make sure it was not hit in the front and when they went to the junkyard they only had a 68 front end available.... Not likely but a fun joke anyway.

Do not pressure yourself on this car, for this kind of money there are cars available. But if all checks out and it is a straight frame " no front-end damage" then this car is maybe an OK buy since non-stock is what your after. The newer motor and upgrade brakes can save you money upfront.

The tall tale about the wipers not being what he liked so he changed out the Hood, front fenders, grills ...etc is a lot to do because of a wiper system... sounds like a load of wipe to me....

Clean title, straight frame and drives good would still would not make me sleep at night. Don't sell yourself short... 2k or ven less and get something unmolested and all the mods can be your own.

Please look some more and see what you come up with.... 68-72 coupes are for sale more often than you think.

Jim

 

Thanks for the help guys. I think you're right. It's probably best to keep looking. I really would like a 70-72. I like the idea of the front fender flares to help prevent paint chips. And like I said before for some reason I prefer the eggcrate. And like you said luerja, if I find something unmolested at least I'll know what I'm starting with and what I'm putting into it. The search continues!!
-Collin

 

Could be a 72 or 73 (no fiber optics and chrome rear bumpers)
With a 69 front clip (turn signals, grill, gills, no wheel flares)
And a 73 or better hood (no door).

I'd strongly suspect that it was wrecked in the front and would look for frame damage esp just in front to the front wheels and radiator supports etc. Wouldn't touch it unless you have lots of money.

Paint covers a lot of sins when you're shopping for anything. The uglyness comes when you wake up with it the next morning and find that there's no beauty beneath the make-up.

 

I would pass on this car. I have a feeling that it has more problems than what you think it will be worth. This is apparently some type of salvage yard, or wholesaler of car parts. Looking at the photo of the Monte Carlo, which has too much hype for it, I see a Pontiac Lemans behind. How long before that turns into a GTO.

As far as the owner changing out the entire front end becasue he likes the gills better.....I dont know. That sounds funny to me too. A lot of work for a little reward. And he liked it so much that he now doesnt want the car. I guess he did not like the hood, or the wiper mechanism also, because those got changed out with the front end. I would put my money on a front end collision which is why it really got replaced.

kdf

 

Guys DON'T go through the trouble of changing out the entire front end just cause they like the gills...
Eddie

 

need the vin to be sure, the other optiojn would be a 69 with flares added after the fact, but it think its more likely a 72 with 69 front clip and 73 and up after hood as well