I'm a newbie here, looking for some help. I tried NADA car values but they don't break it down enough. I am looking hard at a 1976 red stingray. Has the L48 with only 27000 miles on the car. The engine is leaking oil around the aftermarket valve covers. As far as I can tell that's the only place. Automatic with factory cold air. The tires are a bit worn.

Exterior: New paint but not that good of a job, a 20 footer. On the nose they did not prep well and you can see old paint that wasn't scraped or removed. There are no runs or peeling in the paint. There is one 8 inch scratch that is light on the driver's side door. The spare tire carrier looks to be in good shape. Passenger side door window hits ttop just barely, you have to push it in just slightly to close it. I am fairly certain the car has not been wrecked. The hood rubs in one 1/8" spot on one corner, I think I can adjust it out.

Frame/birdcage: I did not take off the kicker panels but looking at the window pillars there appears to be no rust. Underneath there is no rust at all on the frame. The car has spent it's whole life in the Panhandle of Texas so it probably hasn't seen much moisture.

Interior: Sunbaked. Dash, Console, and T-top headliners are shrunk or cracked. Leather Seats appear to be in good condition, makes me think they had car covers on. Carpet needs cleaning, but not torn.

The car starts right up, headlights work, windsheild wipers work and the factory radio still works.

My question is with a little more detailed description I have given are there any ideas what this car is worth? Like I said NADA didn't let me add in all the pro's and con's. Sorry I don't have any pics to post, but any help would be appreciated.

 

Can you confirm that the car only has 27,000 original miles or is that 27,000 miles on a rebuilt engine? That seems awful low for a 1976 L48. Those were mostly driven.

By the way, welcome to the forum.

 

Thanks for the welcome. I was told by the dealer it was 27000 original miles on the car not just the rebuilt engine. Can't say for sure. The car was said to be sitting in an airport hangar for years after obviously sitting in the sun, by a guy who had several "toys". The car seems tight. In highschool I had a 78 with 85000 miles that was really really loose compared to this car. Two mechanics have seen the car and say it's the valve covers leaking also (word of mouth from the dealer). I want a good driver car, I just think the 12999 is too much for this car. If valve covers are truly all that's leaking oil I'd like to buy the car, but at a better price, (don't we all). Again any help would be appreciated and thanks for the reply.

 

Hello,
$12,999 is $13,000 in my book.

That is too much money for that car. For what you described, the only thing going for it is the chance that it really is a low mileage car.

I bought a 1975 L82 vette about 5 months ago with only 56,000 miles.
New carpet, seats, dash was good, engine ran great, paint was excellent and the A/C even worked. $7,500.

So for what you are looking at for $13K......I would pass. It just seems too much.

PS. I also bought a 1972 Vette in 2005 in good condition for only $12,000. That 76 just sounds too high compared to what you can find if you keep looking.

kdf

 

Thanks for the reply and help. I agree. I have talked to the dealer about what I thought it was worth. He told me to make an offer because even though it is a carlot the dealership owner was the actual owner of the vette. He made a trade, two or three toy cars for an airplane a few years ago, he has no actual money in the car and him taking almost any offer is not out of the question. Then again what I think the car is worth and his asking price are so far from each other he may think I'm just another lowballer on the stroll. Judging from the price of your two cars I don't think I'm out of line with what I want to offer. Again thanks for the help. I

 

$13k is chrome bumper territory. Get yourself a nice '72 coupe.

 

Any car that has had been completrely repianted as you indicated, has after market valve covers, and the interior is completely sun dried from sitting outside for years doesn't sound much like a 27K mile car. There aren't many true 20K mile cars out there, and those that are have usually been papmered and sat inside most of their lives.

I would bet on it being at LEAST 127K.

I agree the rest,...for $13K it should really be a very nice example, far above the average 76 Vette.

Another idea,...car dealers love to trade. If you have some other older vehicle laying around that you feel is worth about what you want to really pay, take it down and try to trade. The dealer may like the other item better than the Vette.

OR, just make him an offer. Most dealers respect any true offer and these guys are NOT thin skinned. It will not hurt his feeling at all. (Do car salesmen have feelings???LOL)?

 

$13k sounds about $5k too much for the 76

 

Ya'll confirmed what my thoughts were. I'm going to make an offer if he takes it he takes it. It has sat on the lot for 2 months with myself and one other looker. If he doesn't take it I'm in no hurry I just want a car before Christmas. Thanks

 

Where are these nice 72's for 13K?
Ill take two...

 

I got to go with the flow. Even if it only has 27,000 miles on it, the condition does not warrant that price. The first thing I would factor out is the milage of the car. Unless there is more factual evidence the dealer probably only knows a teenie bit more than you. If he said it was 127,000 miles he sure as chit would not be asking anywhere near $13. My 2002 Aruca has 100k miles on it and and its in great shape.

I would pass on the car or tell the dealer to give you his bottom line price. Chances are they are looking for some sucker to come along and buy it for $12K (they'll give a discount to make they buyer feel good). Based on the description its going to need work before it hits the road unless you want to drive around with cracked dash, headliners, etc.. Chances are there will other things as well. There are plenty of vettes around that will cost less and will only need to be gased up to drive.

 

You could add a couple thousand and be driving a '74 vert.
John

 

Sounds like my '74 when I bought it over four years ago. It had every problem you could imagine. Even with these problems, I got it for $5,000. $30,000 later I have this.



If you are going to have to do a resto, don't spend all your money on the initial buy.

 

bought my 76 for 8700. great frame, no rust, suspension and rear end already repaired mechanically. L48, perfect runner, all it needed was paint, interior was superb for 30 yrs old, it only had new carpet in it.

 

I have to agree with everyone else. I don't think I'd pay much more than $7,000 for the car.

 

Survey says, don't buy it for that price. I'll go ahead and make an offer most likely he won't take it. If anyone does know of a nice c3 driver in the Texas panhandle area let me know. Thanks.

 

Offer was made. If it goes through this will be the first of many post. Appreciate all who took the time to answer.

 

Welcome, If your looking for answers to ANY question youve come to the right place the collective knowlege here is outstanding!

 

A car, any car is only worth what you are willing to take for it, and someone is willing to give you for it or vice-versa. That's why you'll have some cars from the same year that will bring more or less money. I agree with curtis74, buy the best car you can afford. Getting a car for $7k and spending 20K is takes a lot of work and time. Spend the 27K upfront. Unless you want something to work on rather than drive. For that kind of money, you're going to have a great car right away.

 

Man, you got that right! If I could do it all over again and know what I know now, I would have just bought a nice C3 for 30K. However, I wanted a project and to be able to look back and see what I was able to create. I was very naive in the way of Corvettes when I started in this venture, but at least I got the car for a reasonable price considering all the things I had to do to it. I encourage anyone who has been bitten by the C3 bug to do as much research on these cars before parting with your hard earned money. These series of Corvettes are much different than going to your local dealer and buying a brand new C6. Many times, over the years, theses cars have been abused. Consider the long running production cycle - 1968 to 1982. These cars can be a dime a dozen, no disrespect here as I’m only tying to put this in perspective, but there is a ton out there to choose from. In addition, unlike sheet metal cars, these cars can look great after 25 to 30 years on the outside. It’s underneath all that fiberglass that you have to worry about. Frame, birdcage, drive train, and electrical are all areas that will require a close inspection. Again, do research and ask as many questions you can about these cars before you purchase. Hope this helps as it’s just a tad bit of what I’ve learned along the way.