Chrome bumber vert prices
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola Fl
Chrome bumper vert prices
I see that chrome bumper convertibles are definately not cheap. I have been looking a bit and am considering buying one soon. I am looking for a nice condition daily driver with A/C and an auto trans. What is considered a reasonable range for one in nice (but not show) condition that doesn't need anything to be a daily driver.
Please share your opinions on 68-73 verts.
Please share your opinions on 68-73 verts.
Last edited by MassaRusty; May 27, 2006 at 03:04 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 1
From: Nashville TN
20-25K if it needs nothing
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 13,238
Likes: 1,092
From: YANKEES UNIVERSE 70 454-LS5 500 ft-lbs Torque
Originally Posted by LittleJake
I agree, you can find a real good start that you should be able to use as a daily driver. I think your going to have to pay a little more if you want a vert and AC even if its a small block car.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola Fl
Thanks for all the responses guys. I have found one that I can get for $21k that only needs a shoulder belt and the gas gauge fixed to ge a nice daily driver. It has a 270 horse 350 and the owner has replace the trans with a 200r4 overdrive. The owner is definatly a real nice guy who cares about his car. I told him I would decide today, but I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't crazy with reguards to the price. It sounds like a very good deal to me.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by MassaRusty
....I have found one that I can get for $21k that only needs a shoulder belt and the gas gauge fixed to ge a nice daily driver. It has a 270 horse 350 and the owner has replace the trans with a 200r4 overdrive.....
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 0
From: Madison Ms
Their are two types of sellers out there. One that needs to sell, or really wants to sell, and the other is the "well I'll sell it if I can get a fish to buy it at my price" guy. Ton's of overpriced vettes out there looking for quick acting fish to take the bait.......Go look through a lot of the for sale threads on different sites, the ones that sell are priced within reason, while the majority just sit, and sit, and sit......waiting for a fish. Most are over priced anywhere from 2k to up to 10k......Supply and Demand will sometimes dictate price, but in this case, their are ton's of overpriced chrome bumpers for sale.
Actually there are three types....the third: The guy who bought a chrome bumper t-top for 16k, and then spent 16K fixing it up, and is now trying to sell it for 32K ("what he has in it syndrome"). Vette would only be worth about 20K........
Good luck, and take your time...........
Actually there are three types....the third: The guy who bought a chrome bumper t-top for 16k, and then spent 16K fixing it up, and is now trying to sell it for 32K ("what he has in it syndrome"). Vette would only be worth about 20K........
Good luck, and take your time...........
Last edited by MsVetteMan; May 25, 2006 at 10:02 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 1
From: Nashville TN
You found an AC Vert for 21k in driver shape that only needs those two things? I would jump all over it! MsVetteMan can tell you that its hard to find one at a reasonable price even if its a T-Top car.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola Fl
Originally Posted by Easy Mike
Keep looking. You can find more car for the money.
I know that opinions differ, and that it comes down to what I am willing to pay. I was just checking to make sure that I was in the right ballpark and not just jumping on something foolishly. The comments so far seem to show it being a decent deal.
Last edited by MassaRusty; May 25, 2006 at 12:11 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Definitely in the ballpark. The tranny change could be viewed in 2 ways.
Either you ruined the resale value to someone who values originality,
or you ruined the resale to someone that wants a driver with decent gas mileage.
Sounds like a nice fit for what you want.
You did go over it good for rust, right ?
Good luck
Either you ruined the resale value to someone who values originality,
or you ruined the resale to someone that wants a driver with decent gas mileage.
Sounds like a nice fit for what you want.
You did go over it good for rust, right ?
Good luck
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 4,930
Likes: 11
From: AnyTown NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
This is a good site to check for price/condition etc
http://usedcorvettesforsale.com/sear...s_by=&a_d=desc
http://usedcorvettesforsale.com/sear...s_by=&a_d=desc
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,216
Likes: 4
From: Smile, it's just the internet.
Slightly off the topic, but have you or your wife ever driven a C3?
To say they are not as refined as a C5 is a MASSIVE understatement. Be sure you can live with it before you buy it.
The TH400 is a really nice addition for a driver. Does that one have a lockup converter? Be aware that floorboard heat in a early C3 is a major concern, as well as leaks. The converter will throw extra firewall heat into the mix, especially if it's not a locker. New weatherstripping will run you a good $300-$500. Insulating the floor isn't expensive, but it's time consuming and hard on the back & knees.
Check closely for rust around the windshield and in front of the rear tires, where the trailing arms fit into the frame. General trailing arm condition should be looked at closely.
Bushings. Make sure they are reasonably fresh, not brittle, crumbly, or missing.
Make sure the wipers, headlights, and indicator lights function properly. Fixing electrical and vacuum problems can be very frustrating and sometimes expensive. A turn signal switch can run as much as $150. A single vacuum relay can be $70 or more.
The above items should be taken into serious consideration for a trouble-free daily/semi-daily driver.
To say they are not as refined as a C5 is a MASSIVE understatement. Be sure you can live with it before you buy it.
The TH400 is a really nice addition for a driver. Does that one have a lockup converter? Be aware that floorboard heat in a early C3 is a major concern, as well as leaks. The converter will throw extra firewall heat into the mix, especially if it's not a locker. New weatherstripping will run you a good $300-$500. Insulating the floor isn't expensive, but it's time consuming and hard on the back & knees.
Check closely for rust around the windshield and in front of the rear tires, where the trailing arms fit into the frame. General trailing arm condition should be looked at closely.
Bushings. Make sure they are reasonably fresh, not brittle, crumbly, or missing.
Make sure the wipers, headlights, and indicator lights function properly. Fixing electrical and vacuum problems can be very frustrating and sometimes expensive. A turn signal switch can run as much as $150. A single vacuum relay can be $70 or more.
The above items should be taken into serious consideration for a trouble-free daily/semi-daily driver.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola Fl
Originally Posted by CGGorman
Slightly off the topic, but have you or your wife ever driven a C3?
To say they are not as refined as a C5 is a MASSIVE understatement. Be sure you can live with it before you buy it.
The TH400 is a really nice addition for a driver. Does that one have a lockup converter? Be aware that floorboard heat in a early C3 is a major concern, as well as leaks. The converter will throw extra firewall heat into the mix, especially if it's not a locker. New weatherstripping will run you a good $300-$500. Insulating the floor isn't expensive, but it's time consuming and hard on the back & knees.
Check closely for rust around the windshield and in front of the rear tires, where the trailing arms fit into the frame. General trailing arm condition should be looked at closely.
Bushings. Make sure they are reasonably fresh, not brittle, crumbly, or missing.
Make sure the wipers, headlights, and indicator lights function properly. Fixing electrical and vacuum problems can be very frustrating and sometimes expensive. A turn signal switch can run as much as $150. A single vacuum relay can be $70 or more.
The above items should be taken into serious consideration for a trouble-free daily/semi-daily driver.
To say they are not as refined as a C5 is a MASSIVE understatement. Be sure you can live with it before you buy it.
The TH400 is a really nice addition for a driver. Does that one have a lockup converter? Be aware that floorboard heat in a early C3 is a major concern, as well as leaks. The converter will throw extra firewall heat into the mix, especially if it's not a locker. New weatherstripping will run you a good $300-$500. Insulating the floor isn't expensive, but it's time consuming and hard on the back & knees.
Check closely for rust around the windshield and in front of the rear tires, where the trailing arms fit into the frame. General trailing arm condition should be looked at closely.
Bushings. Make sure they are reasonably fresh, not brittle, crumbly, or missing.
Make sure the wipers, headlights, and indicator lights function properly. Fixing electrical and vacuum problems can be very frustrating and sometimes expensive. A turn signal switch can run as much as $150. A single vacuum relay can be $70 or more.
The above items should be taken into serious consideration for a trouble-free daily/semi-daily driver.
We both drove the one we are considering to buy. The C3 is SLIGHTLY less refined than the C5
My wife does like it though. I made sure that the wipers and lights worked. We get short summer showers here all the time. It already has unsulation on the floor too.I am sure that I will run into things that will need to be fixed along the way, but that is to be expected. While this will be a driver, it will not have to be driven. This will be our third car, so if something needs fixed we have other options.
I think that we will both enjoy a C3 vert quite a bit.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,217
Likes: 1
From: End of the Ike IL
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Originally Posted by MassaRusty
The C3 is SLIGHTLY less refined than the C5
I am sure that I will run into things that will need to be fixed along the way, but that is to be expected.
I think that we will both enjoy a C3 vert quite a bit.
I am sure that I will run into things that will need to be fixed along the way, but that is to be expected.
I think that we will both enjoy a C3 vert quite a bit.
You will find things to fix- guaranteed. Don't rush to do much of anything until you have your C3 awhile. The problems will surface, rest assured.
You will enjoy a C3 'vert.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
At first i was going to say $20-25k was way too much, then I re-read the original post. For a convertible thats in great condition (that needs nothing), thats a pretty fair price range. Any major work should be deducted from the price: paint job, trailing arms, etc.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,625
Likes: 4
From: Miami FL
Buy it!!! I looked for over 6 months and 3 plane trips before I found my 69 convert L46 for $20K Sept '05. Mine was in similar condition to what you are looking for...not a trailer/show queen, but a really damn nice numbers matching C3 that needs nothing with no issues such as rust, etc. that had all the stuff done like total suspension redone, bushings, interior, etc.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 427
Likes: 0
From: Cary Illinois
I think you've found a good deal.
I got lucky and found my restored (older restoration) 68 vert 327/350 right out of the gate. Matching numbers (which I wanted) and all major issues addressed long ago. I continue to look to see what's out in the market and from what I find, I got one heck of a deal.
If you wait, you could certainly do better, but you may also find yourself waiting a long, long time. A bird in the hand....
I got lucky and found my restored (older restoration) 68 vert 327/350 right out of the gate. Matching numbers (which I wanted) and all major issues addressed long ago. I continue to look to see what's out in the market and from what I find, I got one heck of a deal.
If you wait, you could certainly do better, but you may also find yourself waiting a long, long time. A bird in the hand....
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 13,238
Likes: 1,092
From: YANKEES UNIVERSE 70 454-LS5 500 ft-lbs Torque
The 68-72 vettes have slowly but surely creeped up in price.A 454,427,LT-1 and L-46 will bring more money than a base car,as will the condition and originality factor in the pricing.I tried to sell a 69 350/350 body off vert on the forum for 25k with no luck.I brought it to Corvettes at Carlisle and sold it in 2 days.I had people telling me i was asking too much for a body off NCRS ready resto...You want to talk about clueless....