don't worry-this isn't a 'what is it worth' thread.

i have a chance to buy a 75 vette, auto, not sure of options, up here in northeren nj. stumbled on it by accident, as it wasn't even for sale when i asked.

anyway, it needs paint (i believe it is original, silver, and cracking in spots) and probably a new interior. it isn't horrible, but will all need to be done at some point. (paint and interior)
supposedly numbers matching engine. will check tomorrow.
i know the exhaust is new, tires are new, and the mechanic (i saw the car at a gas station) tells me he did all new brakes, brake lines, tune up, and that the front end is good, from what he remembers.
doesn't seem to be much more than surface rust on the frame.
cars seems solid, and i am going to go back up either today, or tomorrow to get it on his lift.
besides the rust in the usual places, and birdcage issues,
anything year specific to look for, or any problems outside of the norm i should look for, that anybody can think of?
any tricks to spot unseen frame issues? (somebody here mentioned getting a floor jack under it, lifting it, and closing the door)

it could be my first vette, (i've wanted one forever) and while i know it will need some work, i want to make sure i get at least a good starting point to work with. i'm not particulary mechanically inclined (which i know helps) but i've owned older cars, and have a good fair mechanic to help me out.

if i get it, the first thing i'll be getting is a digital camera, and learning how to upload pics.

thanks

 

Sounds like its in better condition than my car was when I got it. If its cheap enough, not a bad starting point.

 

Just keep in mind that 1975 has the lowest horsepower engine ever put in a corvette (I think, maybe the very first corvette was the lowest, I defer to the forum), if it is the l-48 and truly numbers matching (165 bhp). You're not going to be breaking any land speed records with it, more of a cruiser. If you're planning on beefing up the engine then that probably won't be much of a consideration, just a heads up.

 

 

i think the first year was a 6 cylander 155 horse, if i'm not mistaken.
but yeah, i know there isn't much horses under there.
i'd keep it stock anyway.

paul-nice. it's good to see what the silver COULD look like.

 

Check the bumpers for cracks. you mentioned that it needs to be painted. If thats the case and the bumpers are cracked replacements are ~$350 for the rear and I think around the same for the front.

My rear bumper just cracked. it sucks. I want to get it painted soon.

I would take the car to a mechanic that you know and have him look at it. There isn't really a lot to these but someone that works with cars can spot things pretty easy.

Rear diff can be a trouble spot and kind of expensive. Brakes. Suspension. Check the frame for rust.

Also you might want to list what the guy is asking. 75's usually don't bring a lot of money unless they are low mileage and super nice, like the ebay link posted above.

and no they aren't super fast. 165hp and ~265lb ft of tq. Fun to drive none the less.

 

This is as "entry level" as it gets. Don't spend much.

Check the frame for rust (especially the kickups) and the body for evidence of prior repair.

Do NOT take anyone's word about the engine correctness. The numbers don't match until YOU compare the pad with the VIN, period.

 

he said he will take 4 grand, but i still have to look at it.

it may not be worth it, but i'll see today.

edt-thanks for the link, but that is WAY out of my price range. normally i would go look anyway, just to see what a 15 k vette looks like, but i have a feeling the guy may know i am full of it when i go to look at it.

vettebuyer- yeah, i need to check that, and i will.

thanks

how would i tell if the trailing arms need to be replaced? i know there is a lot of talk about that here, but i really don't know how to go about telling that or not. what about the rear spring? how would i know if that is going? i know these are common vette issues also.

the car DOES seem to sit like it should, with no sag in the back.

 

...where do some of these people get their friggin' numbers??? One of the remaining "4710"??? 4710 what??? 4710 Silver 1975 Corvettes made???

...less than 300 made with "Silver Interior"...

...same as mine 'cept mine's an L-82 car. Maybe mine's a COPO...

 

Sounds like a pretty good car mechanically for $4k, but remember unless you are going to do that paint job, that paint jobs on Corvettes are now getting pretty pricey!

I've seen a good Corvette paint job including door jams, underhood etc. around $10k and that was without any body work repair and the owner removing all the emblems, chrome bumpers, hood trim etc.

I personally would spend more money and get a car that you won't want to repaint for awhile. I think you'll be money ahead in the long run.

As far as a '75, yes not a rocket of a car, but the '75 has truly some special and exceptional features that makes the car desirable.

My first Corvette was a new 1976 that I bought new in December of 1975. I hated that "Vega style" steering wheel and now look that steering wheel is what everyone wants if they buy a '76.

The '75 is the last year of the convertable for Stingrays, first year for the cataylic converter and other things that don't come to mind right now.

Good luck
Peter

 

well, i went to go look at the car for a second time tonite, and was told (by the repair shop owner) the seller wanted to go the ebay route, and already had bids exceeding our price. why he didn't call me and tell me this himself, i don't know. so he made me rush out of work and stop by and waste my time.
i should have seen this coming, as he was taking pics yesterday, and said how much better the car looked in the pics.

when i got home, i couldn't find it on ebay.
you think he would have just said, 'hey your price is to low, can you do this instead'.......

thats ok. if it wasn't meant to be, it wasn't meant to be, and i'm ok with that. i'll keep looking.
thanks for everyones help. i'm sure i'll be asking for more in the future.

 

Michael,
When I was looking for my first Vette, my desire was to buy the first one that I looked at. But after really thinking it through, I am glad that I didnt get it, and passed on it.

What helped me was to look at around 10 vettes before I found the one that I wanted. And when I saw it, I knew it was the one, and didnt have to ask anyone if they thought it was a good deal. By the time I looked at these 10 cars, I knew it was a good deal.

Go out and look at some cars that are a little out of your price range. See the quality and options that they offer. Too many times I went out and tried to get the cheapest vette I could find, thinking I was getting a deal. But when I got home, and made a list of the things that it needed, and priced them out on the catalogs, I found that the more expensive cars, were usually the cheapest in the long run.

By waiting I found a 1973 454 4 speed with A/C for $12,500. It needed some general cleaning up, but was well worth it.

This year I bought a 1975 L82 auto with A/C for $7000. Everything works. New paint, carpet, door panels etc. I just kept looking until I found the one I wanted. And when I saw it, I knew it was the next one for me.

My advice.....keep looking. And pass on the ones that you are not too sure about, and dont go the cheap route. Theres usually a reason its so cheap.

kdf

 

i've looked at a few. even without the intention of buying. nothing in the 15 k range like that ebay link, but what i thought were good deals, and ones that i could swing price wise if it was the 'one'.

it wasn't meant to be mine, so it isn't. i'll be patient, and find the one.

thanks,
mike