which '74 Vette?
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
which '74 Vette?
Hey guys, I would like your opinion.... I have an opportunity to purchase one of two 1974 Vettes. The first is one a friend of mine has put lots of time and money into. It is a fully optioned 350 car (A/C, security system, power windows, etc.) with 59000 miles. It has a beautiful House of Kolor paint job, blue candy over metallic silver, with a few blemishes as it was painted close to 20 years ago. He has complete records of everything he has done to the car in the time he has owned it ($1500 in brake work, new suspension bushings, etc.) He is asking $20K, but would give me a $2000 'friends and family discount'.
The other Vette is an all original 454 4 speed, which ran and drove very well when I test drove it. It has a few blemishes so a new paint job would be in order if I wanted it to be a show quality car, but it is a perfectly fine daily driver at 52000 miles. The big block car is priced at $14K. Both cars have side pipes, and both cars have the original t tops, as well as the transparent one piece plexiglass t top.
Please advise as to what to look for, and what choice you would make, given the information I have provided above.
Thanks for your input.
The other Vette is an all original 454 4 speed, which ran and drove very well when I test drove it. It has a few blemishes so a new paint job would be in order if I wanted it to be a show quality car, but it is a perfectly fine daily driver at 52000 miles. The big block car is priced at $14K. Both cars have side pipes, and both cars have the original t tops, as well as the transparent one piece plexiglass t top.
Please advise as to what to look for, and what choice you would make, given the information I have provided above.
Thanks for your input.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 724
Likes: 1
From: NY
St. Jude Donor '06
I would buy the big block. The guy who is giving you the "friends and family" discount is doing you no favors. He's only about 8-10k overpriced. Even the big block may be a little overpriced but it will go up in value much faster. I would offer him 12k for it, since it will need paint sooner or later.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,606
Likes: 5
At those prices, I was expecting big-block convertibles. Way too high for coupes.
Here's one I was watching on E-Bay...seller had to lower the price (started @ $8500) until he got a bid:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT
That being said, get the big-block car (for $10k). It will be worth more in the long run.
Here's one I was watching on E-Bay...seller had to lower the price (started @ $8500) until he got a bid:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT
That being said, get the big-block car (for $10k). It will be worth more in the long run.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,909
Likes: 6
From: Lake Arrowhead - Georgia > 72 Base Coupe & 74 BB Roadster
Originally Posted by TonySinclair
At those prices, I was expecting big-block convertibles. Way too high for coupes.
Here's one I was watching on E-Bay...seller had to lower the price (started @ $8500) until he got a bid:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT
That being said, get the big-block car (for $10k). It will be worth more in the long run.
Here's one I was watching on E-Bay...seller had to lower the price (started @ $8500) until he got a bid:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT
That being said, get the big-block car (for $10k). It will be worth more in the long run.
Any opinions on what a decent price would be for a 74 BB VERT....all there...no moroso crap....69,000 miles....both tops....automatic....needs both bumpers ?????
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,606
Likes: 5
Originally Posted by fotyfobravo
Any opinions on what a decent price would be for a 74 BB VERT....all there...no moroso crap....69,000 miles....both tops....automatic....needs both bumpers ?????
My guesstimate: $12k ~ $14k. A nice BB '74 Roadster will bring $19k+.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 0
From: Santee CA
Big Block all the way.
That 454 is gonna be worth more than the 350 engine. And $20k for a 350 sounds like he's been watching too much Barrett-Jackson on Speed. Tell him to do some real pricing and reconsider. It'd have to be a PRISTINE car with lower miles than what's on it to be worth that much...
That 454 is gonna be worth more than the 350 engine. And $20k for a 350 sounds like he's been watching too much Barrett-Jackson on Speed. Tell him to do some real pricing and reconsider. It'd have to be a PRISTINE car with lower miles than what's on it to be worth that much...
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
BB's are more in demand ... but
it also depends on how long you plan to keep it and put into it ( enough can't be said about how much you could spend on a re-paint, especially if you need to do any 'glas repairs, etc.). Also, by lack of mentioning it can we assume that the 350 is an automatic versus the BB 4-speed? Although the price guides are highly subjective, the last one I looked at stated that a BB would add about 30% to the overall value of either a roadster or coupe and a stick adds another 8%. It all boils down to again what a buyer and seller agree on regardless of any "market" price on some web site anyway. But a 4-speed BB versus a 350 auto if they were exactly "equal" in #2 condition would be about $6K in difference (just a ballpark figure, too many variables!). I agree with some of the others in that your friend is a little high on his coupe asking price but we can't see what all he has done to it, how much he drove it, etc. As the paint is 20 years old its probably in #2 condition now and worth ~ $16 with A/C, PW & Deluxe Interior (but no 4-speed) the BB would need to have the same options ... just another opinion, most in this group would of course prefer a 4-speed BB over an auto' 350 any day so keep that in mind as well!
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,501
Likes: 0
From: Old Skool, NY
Originally Posted by glen.mcgiboney
.... I have an opportunity to purchase one of two 1974 Vettes. The first is one a friend of mine has put lots of time and money into.He is asking $20K, but would give me a $2000 'friends and family discount'.
The other Vette is an all original 454 4 speed, which ran and drove very well when I test drove it. It has a few blemishes so a new paint job would be in order if I wanted it to be a show quality car, but it is a perfectly fine daily driver at 52000 miles. The big block car is priced at $14K. Both cars have side pipes, and both cars have the original t tops, as well as the transparent one piece plexiglass t top.
The other Vette is an all original 454 4 speed, which ran and drove very well when I test drove it. It has a few blemishes so a new paint job would be in order if I wanted it to be a show quality car, but it is a perfectly fine daily driver at 52000 miles. The big block car is priced at $14K. Both cars have side pipes, and both cars have the original t tops, as well as the transparent one piece plexiglass t top.
...All original 454 4 speed.
I think your friend would have a hard time selling his car even with a $2,000 discount.
...Pictures?
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 604
Likes: 1
From: Flagstaff !!!! baby AZ
Big Block will always be worth more. Your buddy is taking your money on the 350.
And here's the tip of the week:
To find the history of a talk to the old owner. Can't find the old owner? Easy. Call the state where it was last registered and ask. Alot of states will geive you the info.
If a state won't, then go down and file a small claims suit againt the place you bought it. Not that you are really gonna sue them, but thats what gets wheels going. Sue the owner and all former states Registration office, State 1-50. That covers them all. Ask for mileage documentation.
Then you get to legally write to the other states and legally request former owner information in the form of a subpenea. Yee haw. The state will give you all the info you want, names, addresses.
At this point you drop the original lawsuit. You found your old owners, and documented the mileage.
Go Big Block
And here's the tip of the week:
To find the history of a talk to the old owner. Can't find the old owner? Easy. Call the state where it was last registered and ask. Alot of states will geive you the info.
If a state won't, then go down and file a small claims suit againt the place you bought it. Not that you are really gonna sue them, but thats what gets wheels going. Sue the owner and all former states Registration office, State 1-50. That covers them all. Ask for mileage documentation.
Then you get to legally write to the other states and legally request former owner information in the form of a subpenea. Yee haw. The state will give you all the info you want, names, addresses.
At this point you drop the original lawsuit. You found your old owners, and documented the mileage.
Go Big Block
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Merritt Island FL
in my book thats the book i made up in my head,the small block is worth 7000 to 12000 any more and it as to be a very low mileage car.
3.494 454s made and 3.494 four speeds made per black book.
by the big block but get him down some.
and tell your frend he is way hi ,better yet get a new frend
3.494 454s made and 3.494 four speeds made per black book.
by the big block but get him down some.
and tell your frend he is way hi ,better yet get a new frend
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Any idea where I can find a standard (like NADA for newer cars) on finding values on older Vettes? I would agree with all of you if the big block car and my friend's 350 were in the same condition. However, the big block car will need paint (lots of $) and a few other odds and ends to get it even the same ball park with my friend's 350 car. He has gone through absolutely everything and even at 20 years old, the paint would win best paint at car shows. He also is adding a ton of extras (wheels, centers and rings, etc.). This car has A/C, deluxe interior, even a rear window defroster (something I hadn't heard of for that car). Am I right in assuming that if I was to get a '74, big block or small block, and get everything done like paint, brakes, suspension, Hooker headers with sidepipes, and re do the interior, that I would have far more than $16K in the car?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,606
Likes: 5
Originally Posted by glen.mcgiboney
Am I right in assuming that if I was to get a '74, big block or small block, and get everything done like paint, brakes, suspension, Hooker headers with sidepipes, and re do the interior, that I would have far more than $16K in the car?
I paid $12k for my '74 vert (back in 2001) and have spent (guesstimate) $8k, not including my time. If I could sell it today for $14k, I'd be doing good.
Most, if not all, of the forum memebers are similarly situated. The only guys who are "ahead of the game" are the geezers who bought their car new in the 60's/70's and haven't touched it.