average value of big block c3???
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 157
Likes: 1
From: Tampa FL
average value of big block c3???
theres a guy down the street who has a 70 corvette in fair condition and recently swapped in a big block stroker he took a 454 block and stroked it to 496. comes complete with a 1000 cfm carb and lowrise intake, motor has just 20000 miles since it was rebuilt. it also has a built 700r4 in it. mechanically it is perfect but the body and paint needs work. it doesnt come with a/c. he wants $10,000 obo. he says its worth it in new parts alone and is asking much lower than average corvette sellers. whats your opinion on this vette guys? is the motor and trans in it really worth it alone? kthanx
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 736
Likes: 1
From: Chester VA
Depending on how radical the engine is and how heavy his foot is, 20,000 miles can be long in the tooth. I'd try and get a good idea on the condition of the motor, checking for oil usage, compression, etc. It may not smoke and may still have good power but that's not a definitive measure of how much longer it will continue to do so.
Around here, any steel bumpered c3 that's pretty much all there and runs will fetch $10k so can't be too far off on the price. I'd check the frame closly too.
Around here, any steel bumpered c3 that's pretty much all there and runs will fetch $10k so can't be too far off on the price. I'd check the frame closly too.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 157
Likes: 1
From: Tampa FL
so the frame is rusty. its been modified but im not sure i want to drive a car daily that gets about 10 mpg. but its very fast i just test drove it! very nice weekend car to show off to my friends. it does bellow some black bluish smoke on a cold start at idle. goes away in about 10 minutes. still worth it?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 3
From: Springfield Illinois
so the frame is rusty. its been modified but im not sure i want to drive a car daily that gets about 10 mpg. but its very fast i just test drove it! very nice weekend car to show off to my friends. it does bellow some black bluish smoke on a cold start at idle. goes away in about 10 minutes. still worth it?
I know the parts for BB are very $$$ and it wont take long before you could have 10 grand in an engine alone! As we all know, the 700r4 is plus for the highway...
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,154
Likes: 477
From: NM
It is a hot rod. If that is what you want then the decesion of value is what you make of it. Kind of like a custom car...some will like it, others won't.
The real value of a big block vette is in having an original car.
tom...
The real value of a big block vette is in having an original car.
tom...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 157
Likes: 1
From: Tampa FL
opinions?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 157
Likes: 1
From: Tampa FL
he said this was a base vette. came with the 350 but he swapped over the big block few years back
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: New Zealand
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,487
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From: Sydney
10k is low for a decent condition '70 even if it is not the original motor (aka 'NOM').
Severe chassis rust is an issue but the chassis' are pretty heavy duty, the main thing you have to worry about is the body mounts, do a search if you are not sure what these are or where they are located if these are rusted out they can cause some problems................
In your profile it says you have a C4, the C3 is definitely a different beast (have a '70 and a '90 myself), the C3 most certainly has more rust issues than a C4 (not only because of their age but by design as well).
So it all depends on the severity of the rust. Have a good search on the C3 forum here for threads on chassis rust and birdcage rust (a whole other story), armed with that info check the car out again to try and establish how bad it is.
Having said all that I end up where I started 10k is low for a running registered '70 in ok condition if the rust isn't too bad I'd buy it!
You will turn 100 times more heads driving the C3 than the C4 I guarantee it!
Severe chassis rust is an issue but the chassis' are pretty heavy duty, the main thing you have to worry about is the body mounts, do a search if you are not sure what these are or where they are located if these are rusted out they can cause some problems................
In your profile it says you have a C4, the C3 is definitely a different beast (have a '70 and a '90 myself), the C3 most certainly has more rust issues than a C4 (not only because of their age but by design as well).
So it all depends on the severity of the rust. Have a good search on the C3 forum here for threads on chassis rust and birdcage rust (a whole other story), armed with that info check the car out again to try and establish how bad it is.
Having said all that I end up where I started 10k is low for a running registered '70 in ok condition if the rust isn't too bad I'd buy it!
You will turn 100 times more heads driving the C3 than the C4 I guarantee it!
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St. Jude Donor '07
Severe chassis rust is an issue but the chassis' are pretty heavy duty, the main thing you have to worry about is the body mounts, do a search if you are not sure what these are or where they are located if these are rusted out they can cause some problems................
