I have an opportunity to buy a '76 that is in the middle of a frame off restoration. All parts have been sandblasted and reassembled to the rolling chasis. Engine redone with mild cam, new heads and intake. $7000.00 in engine alone with reciepts. Trans rebuilt, rear end rebuilt. All parts are there and it is from a Corvette shop that would support me with other parts and labor as needed. Body is off and on a wooden frame. Has had all new floorpans put in, looks very clean.

As it is so far it looks outstanding, all glossy black paint, billit parts on th engine, everything nicely painted and solid. No rust in any way. Has ofset trailing arms with wide rear tires, all tires new. All brake parts new. Boxes and boxes of new parts with it.

I know I would end up putting another 10-15,000 in to complete it but it would be a project for fun and not for profit. So set aside the wisdom of the finances.

It is offered for $6000.00. Is this a fair price? I figure the last guy has probably 15,000 in it at least. He was transferred out of town before being able to complete it.

Is there a web site that would be a guide to rebuild? I know there are many here that have most of the info. My main disadvantage is I didn't take it apart to recall how it goes back together so need some advice along the way. The guys at the Corvette shop would probably help me but need other info probably.

Any large issues come to mind? (Beside putting more money it this already way upside down car?) I do have a '77 to compare it to and this would be my 4th Vette to own and work on so not completely new to how they go together.

I know vague questions. Any and all comment requested before I commit.

Thanks in advance. minitech

 

Sounds like much of the nasty work is already done. Reassembly is the fun part. If you have the money, but more importantly the time and the space to do the work, go for it.

 

If you get it and have any ???s about '76s, let me know.......

Mine's a 71k virgin that I bought new................

 

It's a SB i'm assuming?

I guess I don't understand the question. If it will be your 4th vette and you have worked on all of them I'm pretty sure you can lookover what's there, not there, and roughly know how much will need replaced and bought additionally.

I don't see how you would spend 10-15k more to finish the restoration, especially if the engine, trans, and rearend have already been rebuilt, the paint is good, and the suspension has been rebuilt...unless you have to replace all of the interior, but it still would not be that expensive.

6k to pickup a project like that don't sound too bad, but I would be leary about the 'quality' of work and parts that would be thrown in your lap though. Hopefully it's Bubba free.

I say if your willing to tackle this just for fun, get the AIM and shop manual, and dive in.

True you don't know how it came apart, but that's not a real disadvantage, just tear apart your 77' and figure it out.

You never know, you may finish that and decide to do a frame-off on the 77' sometime down the road.

 

6k for a HUGE pile of parts might be one Hell of a good deal..... but you think it could take up to 15k to finish it?????? I'd run away & never look back!!!
If everything was done and there and all I had to do was put it togeather it sounds like a fair price
7k for a rebuilt street motor sounds foolish to me when you can buy a KILLER NEW motor for thousands less.... but that's just me
That's the kind of deal that would take me a few days to decide... I'd go through every box & figure out what I'd have to buy to have a PERFECT car when I was done Then I'd deduct the total cost of parts from the 6K & make an offer
Good luck..... POST LOTS of pics & let us know what you decide!!!

 

since its apart where you can see I would assume that there are no frame or birdcage rust issues. The way I see it you could give $3500 to 4k for a project car and still risk having these issues. It also sounds like there has easily been more than another $2500 invested in new parts so it looks like a pretty good deal to me. If you don't want it let me know.

 

I agree with 1ARACE. Sounds like most of the big money has already been spent. If you have the time, place and abilty, go for it. Sounds like a good deal. Of course we could give you better advice if you could post some pictures....gp

 

(continued) ya gotta post pics...

 

sounds like a good deal, did you sell your other car?

 

The main question you need to ask yourself is do you enjoy driving them or building them. If you have the time and like wrenching, go for it!