Barn Find
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Barn Find
I have an opportunity to get a 1971 LS5 coupe from my wife's uncle that was parked in 1976 and hasn't moved since. it's been in a garage in Ohio the entire time. I've never owned a corvette, is there a resource where I can get some information on what to look for when I inspect this?
I'm assuming everything will need to be worked on, engine, interior, exterior, suspension, etc, but is there anything I should definetely check that would tell me to avoid this?
I'm assuming everything will need to be worked on, engine, interior, exterior, suspension, etc, but is there anything I should definetely check that would tell me to avoid this?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
Is this a gift or is there a buy price?
Frame rust is the biggest issue you need to look out for of both the frame and birdcage (area around windshield).
I agree, get all the numbers before getting to the car or buy a great book "Corvette by the numbers" this will tell you all the numbers you need to know.
If this is a gift and you have a thick wallet then even if the frame is rusty it could be a good deal. You can find another frame or a few companies make some really sick tube replacement frames.
If the engine and other components are original the deal is great.
If your buying it then you need to know all the above and what original components are there to justify the price. That gets tricky.
Its also better to know what parts match and form an opinon before you get there, b/c once you see your first vette...no matter what condition and price you'll got to have it!!!
Frame rust is the biggest issue you need to look out for of both the frame and birdcage (area around windshield).
I agree, get all the numbers before getting to the car or buy a great book "Corvette by the numbers" this will tell you all the numbers you need to know.
If this is a gift and you have a thick wallet then even if the frame is rusty it could be a good deal. You can find another frame or a few companies make some really sick tube replacement frames.
If the engine and other components are original the deal is great.
If your buying it then you need to know all the above and what original components are there to justify the price. That gets tricky.
Its also better to know what parts match and form an opinon before you get there, b/c once you see your first vette...no matter what condition and price you'll got to have it!!!
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
I wish it was a gift! Actually I'm working out a trade for a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica that I was selling. The car's in Warren/Courtland OH area, but I'm in Florida, so if this works out I'll have to transport it down here.
He's currently working on getting it out of the garage, over the 30+ years it's been in there, lots of stuff has been stored around it. Once he has it clear, I'll be able to get the numbers and pics from him.
He's currently working on getting it out of the garage, over the 30+ years it's been in there, lots of stuff has been stored around it. Once he has it clear, I'll be able to get the numbers and pics from him.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Welcome to the forum. Sounds like an interesting car. If you have never worked on a Vette before, you are in for quite an experience. I would not go hog wild on a price before you can fully evaluate it, even a BB bumper car. Make sure the frame is not rusted out. Might get some help from an NCRS member now as it may be a survivor car; once you "fix" it, it won't be anymore. I would definitely take along any Forum volunteers to see it before you pay top dollar. Good luck with it.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: hartwell ga
You might have a NCRS show stopper
I went to a NCRS show in Waco,TX in 2002 and saw a 68 in such bad shape that it would have taken 30K to get it road worthy. The paint was gone, rust on all motor parts and the interior was shot. It got very high points because it was all origional, just looked like junk with crome. Every washer was in the right place - just rusted.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
2005 Chrysler Pacifica
Kelley Blue Book Price $15,650 - $20,200
Sounds like you will be way over paying for this car. Before you make the dive,, ask here, what it's gonna cost to get it road worthy. Usually, at least 10K in parts,, add that to the worth of the Pacifica,, which is a nice car,, and that's the value your going to get for your money. As it sits, it's probably worth no more then 5K, and your car is worth 15K. A very bad trade. but that's just a geuss w/o pictures, and you sitting down with one of the senior members here and figuring out what it's gonna take in time and $$$ to get it road worthy. good Luck,, C.
Kelley Blue Book Price $15,650 - $20,200
Sounds like you will be way over paying for this car. Before you make the dive,, ask here, what it's gonna cost to get it road worthy. Usually, at least 10K in parts,, add that to the worth of the Pacifica,, which is a nice car,, and that's the value your going to get for your money. As it sits, it's probably worth no more then 5K, and your car is worth 15K. A very bad trade. but that's just a geuss w/o pictures, and you sitting down with one of the senior members here and figuring out what it's gonna take in time and $$$ to get it road worthy. good Luck,, C.
Last edited by RunningMan373; Oct 6, 2007 at 12:36 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,140
Likes: 7
From: Ohio
Without pictures a 71 LS-5 put away in 76 could be worth lots if it has 5000 miles and is show room new or almost nothing if it has 100,000 miles,rusty, and a rod out the side of the block.
This post needs pics!!!
This post needs pics!!!
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 12
From: Carbondale Pa.
But is actually a shame that our dream cars sometimes wind up in this condition. Peace,,,Moosie 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 7,032
Likes: 2
From: Newburgh NY
Those are actually two cars, pulled from a very wet Maryland barn. They had been sitting for 25 years. All 4 wheels were locked up, the frames buckled/crushed/disentergrated with a jack under them. We had to drag them out and my winch almost burned up yanking one up on my trailer.
The coupe was a matching numbers BB and the convertible a matching SB. The motors were rebuildable (believe it or not), and the bodies were restorable and had clear titles. Not something you would want to farm out for the work to be done though. But a body with a title is still worht money today. Especially with the resto-rod craze!
The coupe was a matching numbers BB and the convertible a matching SB. The motors were rebuildable (believe it or not), and the bodies were restorable and had clear titles. Not something you would want to farm out for the work to be done though. But a body with a title is still worht money today. Especially with the resto-rod craze!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 7,032
Likes: 2
From: Newburgh NY
Even a stock replacement frame would not negatively effect value. A solid stock replacement frame is worth more than a rusted original IMO. If you mean how much would an otherwise correct car (numbers matching) be devalued by an obvious non-stcok aftermarket frame, then it would depend on the car. (ex: A numbers matching Big-block otherwise top-flight car might be worth less because of a non-stock aftermarket frame)
Last edited by 78Vette-SA; Oct 6, 2007 at 05:40 PM.