Should I Buy This Corvette
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Should I Buy This Corvette
Hi Guys,
I'm new to this forum and not offically a Vette owner yet. I have found a 1975 that my wife and i like but we need your help. The car drives but doesn't have the original engine or trany. We are looking for a project car and this one is definately a project. There are many little things that need work like paint and interrior work. The speedo is the only gauge that works. The headlights come on but have to be pulled up. The air compressor is missing and the fan switch doesn't work. most of the exterior lights work but i couldn't tell about the interrior.
The owner wants 6000 for the car and this is where i need your help.
Is the car worth that much in it's condition. I'll attach the pictures so you guys can help out. How exactly do i post pictures?
Thanks,
Dustin
I'm new to this forum and not offically a Vette owner yet. I have found a 1975 that my wife and i like but we need your help. The car drives but doesn't have the original engine or trany. We are looking for a project car and this one is definately a project. There are many little things that need work like paint and interrior work. The speedo is the only gauge that works. The headlights come on but have to be pulled up. The air compressor is missing and the fan switch doesn't work. most of the exterior lights work but i couldn't tell about the interrior.
The owner wants 6000 for the car and this is where i need your help.
Is the car worth that much in it's condition. I'll attach the pictures so you guys can help out. How exactly do i post pictures?
Thanks,
Dustin
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
1. What part of the country are you/ the vette in?
2. How's the frame and birdcage?
3. Photobucket acct. for pictures (it's free)
4. Not to discourage you or put-down the car, it seems like a lot of money from what you describe, get some pic's up and some others will chime in I'm sure.
5. Good luck, it turns into a obsession...
2. How's the frame and birdcage?
3. Photobucket acct. for pictures (it's free)
4. Not to discourage you or put-down the car, it seems like a lot of money from what you describe, get some pic's up and some others will chime in I'm sure.
5. Good luck, it turns into a obsession...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 2
From: Arkansas
You would be crazy to buy that, if you be patient and give it time you'll come across a better priced "project" if that what your looking for.
I gave $2200 for a decent 1982 and drove it home.........
BTW if the speedo is the only guage that works that could be a sign of a serious electrical problem. Mice or something could have chewed through the harness at some point in the cars life.
I gave $2200 for a decent 1982 and drove it home.........
BTW if the speedo is the only guage that works that could be a sign of a serious electrical problem. Mice or something could have chewed through the harness at some point in the cars life.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 7
From: Fort Pierce Florida
I agree with what others have said. I drove a '76 home for $3,200 and everything worke except the headlights on it. Turned around and sold it for $5,000 and the guy after me sold it for $7,000. Don't be the $7,000 guy. That car was honestly worth $5,000.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 872
Likes: 3
From: Cortlandt Manor New York
It is a lot of money for a 75 in that condition. You should decide what you want out of a car before you buy it. If you are looking for an investment buy stock. These cars can be fun to drive and work on but as investments they stink. If you want something to be a project to tinker with and have some fun buy a project corvette.
If your main concern is the money you should buy a completed Corvette, a project that someone has already completed will always be cheaper than completing the project yourself. This is especially true if you have to have any work done professionally. If you are somewhat handy and like to do the work yourself a project car can be a source of great enjoyment and not cost you a great deal of money.
That 75 is a good example. In good condition it may be worth $8000. It will probably cost you close to that to get it to good condition, much more if you have to paint it. Paint can cost you $5-8K alone. And that is if you strip it yourself.
If you buy a project that someone else has completed it will cost you about $8000. If you buy that car for $6000 when complete you will have about $14000 invested plus a whole lot of your time and effort. You can then sell it for $8000 and start all over again.
The exception to this rule is a truly collectible car, something rare and desireable. Unfortunately those cars are like the Holy Grail and are not found very often.
If your main concern is the money you should buy a completed Corvette, a project that someone has already completed will always be cheaper than completing the project yourself. This is especially true if you have to have any work done professionally. If you are somewhat handy and like to do the work yourself a project car can be a source of great enjoyment and not cost you a great deal of money.
That 75 is a good example. In good condition it may be worth $8000. It will probably cost you close to that to get it to good condition, much more if you have to paint it. Paint can cost you $5-8K alone. And that is if you strip it yourself.
If you buy a project that someone else has completed it will cost you about $8000. If you buy that car for $6000 when complete you will have about $14000 invested plus a whole lot of your time and effort. You can then sell it for $8000 and start all over again.
The exception to this rule is a truly collectible car, something rare and desireable. Unfortunately those cars are like the Holy Grail and are not found very often.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,577
Likes: 2
From: Long Island New York
It is a lot of money for a 75 in that condition. You should decide what you want out of a car before you buy it. If you are looking for an investment buy stock. These cars can be fun to drive and work on but as investments they stink. If you want something to be a project to tinker with and have some fun buy a project corvette.
If your main concern is the money you should buy a completed Corvette, a project that someone has already completed will always be cheaper than completing the project yourself. This is especially true if you have to have any work done professionally. If you are somewhat handy and like to do the work yourself a project car can be a source of great enjoyment and not cost you a great deal of money.
That 75 is a good example. In good condition it may be worth $8000. It will probably cost you close to that to get it to good condition, much more if you have to paint it. Paint can cost you $5-8K alone. And that is if you strip it yourself.
If you buy a project that someone else has completed it will cost you about $8000. If you buy that car for $6000 when complete you will have about $14000 invested plus a whole lot of your time and effort. You can then sell it for $8000 and start all over again.
The exception to this rule is a truly collectible car, something rare and desireable. Unfortunately those cars are like the Holy Grail and are not found very often.
If your main concern is the money you should buy a completed Corvette, a project that someone has already completed will always be cheaper than completing the project yourself. This is especially true if you have to have any work done professionally. If you are somewhat handy and like to do the work yourself a project car can be a source of great enjoyment and not cost you a great deal of money.
That 75 is a good example. In good condition it may be worth $8000. It will probably cost you close to that to get it to good condition, much more if you have to paint it. Paint can cost you $5-8K alone. And that is if you strip it yourself.
If you buy a project that someone else has completed it will cost you about $8000. If you buy that car for $6000 when complete you will have about $14000 invested plus a whole lot of your time and effort. You can then sell it for $8000 and start all over again.
The exception to this rule is a truly collectible car, something rare and desireable. Unfortunately those cars are like the Holy Grail and are not found very often.
From what your telling us it sounds like a $2,000.-$3,000. car. Don't be afraid to walk away from it. There are plenty of cars out there to choose from, just be patient and find what your looking for. As the others have said for $6,000. you can find a nice 75-77 that has most of the stuff already done that this car needs. good luck and keep us posted.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 42
From: Austin Texas
do you really need another opinion?
to me $6k is too much. if you dont have one already i would get a vette catalog or two and do some math on the things you know it will need.
for that kind of money, something should stand out when you look at it. like cherry paint or a sweet interior or a trick motor.
this sounds like one of those deals where the guy puts the Vette for sale to satisfy his wife and then shrugs his shoulders at her when nobody buys it.
it really boils down to two things. how much do you want to work in it and how much money do you have.
if your wife really likes it perhaps you should buy it. if you pass this one up, you can always find a similar deal. However, if you look real hard you may find a better one.
http://adcache.collectorcartraderonl...5/86822485.htm
this guy even pulled the headlights up for you
http://adcache.collectorcartraderonl...1/87161001.htm
here is one for $6500
http://adcache.collectorcartraderonl...7/86450487.htm
to me $6k is too much. if you dont have one already i would get a vette catalog or two and do some math on the things you know it will need.
for that kind of money, something should stand out when you look at it. like cherry paint or a sweet interior or a trick motor.
this sounds like one of those deals where the guy puts the Vette for sale to satisfy his wife and then shrugs his shoulders at her when nobody buys it.
it really boils down to two things. how much do you want to work in it and how much money do you have.
if your wife really likes it perhaps you should buy it. if you pass this one up, you can always find a similar deal. However, if you look real hard you may find a better one.
http://adcache.collectorcartraderonl...5/86822485.htm
this guy even pulled the headlights up for you
http://adcache.collectorcartraderonl...1/87161001.htm
here is one for $6500
http://adcache.collectorcartraderonl...7/86450487.htm
Last edited by johnt365; Jan 1, 2007 at 10:59 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,007
Likes: 0
From: Shoshone Idaho
If you like to work on cars, and it has a rust free frame and bird-cage. I would then try to get it for $4000.00.
I have found that a lot of these broken things you may replace later on anyways. My car was in pertty good shape when I bought it, but because some stuff was not up to my standards I been replacing things one piece at a time. And from what I have seen people will repaint most of the time, unless it is already in your favorite color, or the paint-job is perfect.
I think everyone here is right with their advice, don't get me wrong. I just think the starting price of a car should start with the frame and bird-cage.
I have found that a lot of these broken things you may replace later on anyways. My car was in pertty good shape when I bought it, but because some stuff was not up to my standards I been replacing things one piece at a time. And from what I have seen people will repaint most of the time, unless it is already in your favorite color, or the paint-job is perfect.
I think everyone here is right with their advice, don't get me wrong. I just think the starting price of a car should start with the frame and bird-cage.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 683
Likes: 4
I am the original owner of a 75 that I have restored myself. I would not buy the car as it seems it may need more time and money than its worth. If you want a project than buy a car that has all the parts there in the first place and one that has no rust. Before I would buy any used Corvette I would have it placed on a lift to see what the frame and everthing else looks like. I would also contact the local Corvette clubs to see if any of their members are familiar with that year group. If I can be of any help feel free to PM me and send me pics or info that you need.
GOOD LUCK
Steve
GOOD LUCK
Steve
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 2
From: Arkansas
The more I have sat and thought on this, with the time and money I spent on a "fixer upper" I could have bought a complete running car for less money, less stress, and I could have been driving it all along.
My car has been down since I bought it, although it has a new paint job, engine, and interior.......I just like the little stuff to getting it on the road.
I think if I had to chance to do it over I would stay clear of another project and get one more road ready.
My car has been down since I bought it, although it has a new paint job, engine, and interior.......I just like the little stuff to getting it on the road.
I think if I had to chance to do it over I would stay clear of another project and get one more road ready.