I am new to all this stuff. Always wanted a Vette. I am going to buy when I find a fair deal. Here is my thought process. Everyone please chime im on this one. Shoot as many holes in it as you want. But don't get personal. Were all looking for the right answers. I belkieve there are many ways to go but isn't this valid:
I believe I would enjoy doing a major rebuild. Not restoration but rebuild. (BTW Looking for a 68-69 vert project). I agree I will have as much in it as I would if I just bought one. But the difference is I will have exactly the colors I want in and out, tires, wheels, engine, etc. And it will all be new. If I spend 10-15K on something that needs "TLC" then I am going to redo all these things anyway, the difference is I am starting from a much higher number. You know how it is. You change one thing then whats next to it doesn't look so good anymore. Pretty soon the bodies off and your starting over. Again your starting point is 15K vs 5K. The other alternative is you do very little and just drive sonmething that is not exactly what you want. SO since the money is the same in the end. I view the work as the sweat equity required to get everything looking new and exactly what I want. Enough rambling, what do you guys think? This should be enough to get the threads going!

 

I don't disagree with your philosophy, but as a general rule, you'll spend more restoring a car yourself than buying one with the majority of your preferences already done (expensive ones, e.g. engine, tranny, paint). And I don't know that you'll find a C3 vert project in the $5K range (unless it's a total basket case). Either way, welcome and best of luck whichever path you choose. Save the Wave.

 

If you do it yourself or have GOOD bodyshop, engine builder, etc. you'll end up with something you like that is RIGHT, you might buy a truely great car done, or you might buy someone elses headaches. Alot has to do with your experience level, knowledge, and credit card limit. Then, who on heres car is "done", mine was done until I broke this, scratched that, this got some rust, and that other thing started to wear. No matter what you get it will be an ongoing project unless you put it on blocks in a bubble.
Build it yourself, just expect it will cost 4 times what you think and take 4 times as long.
Enjoy the journey, it never ends
Oh ya one more thing, everytime I compromised on something I ended up doing it over to do it right. I guess I should have listened to my dad 20 years ago, "if your going to do it, do it right the first time."

 

Buy as much car as you can afford. Do not yield to the temptation of buying the first one you see. Patience, Grasshopper.

Once it's home, drive it for a while before doing anything major to it. The longer you drive it, the more seat time you will have to determine what she needs and what she doesn't and what the priorities ought to be.

AFTER you've done that you can make the determination on whether a rebuild/restoration should be done and how involved ($) you want to get.

 

My thoughts exactly

I spent 14k on mine (proceed from previous sale), because I wanted a car that I could drive today, and restore while enjoying it vs the full body off to get it streetable.

I got exactly what I wanted , and have been enjoying the hell out of it while upgrading worn components. if/ when i do take the body off, it will be that much easier, having many new components already installed


cheers


tim

 

Do not buy your dream car first...get the best driver you can for the cheapest amount and get an idea what it really involves. Since your keen on a '68-'69, target a mid to late 70's model (75-79?) to get your feet wet. Reliable motor brakes and suspension, decent paint, fun to drive. Take advantage of what the PO put into it, you never get the money back (I know I never will, but I'm OK with that). Learn the parts and where they're vulnerable (the insidious hidden stuff). Put very little money into it. This'll give you a reality based idea of your abilities and your tolerance for setbacks and spending cash. Meanwhile, shop around for what you really want. If you don't enjoy the maintenace aspect of your "test" car, buy the best completed 69 you can (68 has many unique parts that are harder to come by = $$$). If you like working on it and feel pretty confident you can tackle the big job, go for the project car. If all goes well you should be able to sell off the first purchase, possibly for a modest profit. my 0.02

Best of luck and keep us posted. Look around the forum and I bet you can find the perfect starter car with a solid history and support.
Steve

 

if you want to rebuild the car, then i wouldn't worry about the condition, but i would want the car to be as complete as possible. its alot cheaper to fix a part than try and find a new one.

 

i think a nice mint 68 or 69 with base motor vert and 4 speed is worth about 30.000 i would try to find one in the low 20s that just needs things to make it better and drive it and fix it up at the same time,like redo the in side of the car and drive and have fun.
15000 in what you want will be a long and full restore frame and all ,maybe your one of those guys that that luck in to a deal you never know but a 69 vert is not cheep.

 

I see good 12k chrome bumper cars all the time...no rust.

do not spend too much for chrome bumper cars in good fix up condition.

jim