That master cylinder is much newer than '76. The radiator isn't right and the overflow bottle isn't either. The picture from the front of the engine would be just about impossible to take with the hood up. Judging by how high the front end is, I would bet that car doesn't have a motor or trans in it. Maybe the engine in the pictures will go with the car when it is sold??? Who knows.

If I lived closer, I would be interested in checking it out. For that price, it could be a fun toy. Just be careful. I wouldn't trust the seller.

 

Wow I feel stupid... I guess I was never in danger, I wouldn't have bought it without looking at it, but still...

No matter, I'd greatly prefer an older model anyway. Is there anyone who can give me an idea of what kind of money I'm going to need though? I'd really like to make this into a hobby but I don't know if it's the sort of thing that'll have to wait for graduation.

Oh, I see what happened. The guy that is selling the vette is also selling 4 or 5 other cars. He posted pictures of all the cars in one place and told interested people where to find them, I got confused because the ad says the car does have an engine. Apparently that is a vette's engine but it's in an '85 Chevy S10 where it's been stroked to 383 and souped up quite a bit.

 

I'll give it a go at your question,as I deal in alot of project cars......You are looking at 3500.00 to 6k for a bumper car start,and it is going to need ALOT of work.There was just a 69 on here that needed a frame,or major repair,then restored for 5500.00.There was a great deal o0n a non org.71 BB car in Texas,and the guy already did the frame,the engine,etc.,but car needed the front clip hung,and put together,new interior,and it was 8500.00.I picked up a 72 that had no front clip,but org. engine,and needed most the interior for around 1500.00.I picked up a 70 w/a resored frame,all new susp.,org. 4-speed,all the interior was there,non-org.454,and no front clip,but body was perfect,had the headlights,bumpers,grills,egg crates,and a BB hood...I gave 5k for it.I picked up a no hit 68 vert w/no engine,but the 4-speed was there,interior was all there,but needed redone for a trade that I had about 3200.00 in my stuff.Another 68 vert for trade.....Numbers correct L79,4-speed car,everything was there,but needed redone,and the clip was off,but another included,and had about 3800.00 in this one.I got a 69 vert for 1400.00.....no motor/trans/rearend,or interior,but the steel was good,and a good frame,good title.
The better car that you can afford...the better.These cars are very expensive to build,and the parts are high for the most part.Don't go buy the first bumper car that you see,cause you are loosing sleep to own one.They are out there.You just have to have the cash when the deals come along.Look on here,craigslist,network,corvette clubs,etc.
I will say this....if there is anyway that you can afford the 76...get that car!!!That is a excellant deal!Even if you sold your driver,got the vett,and bought a cheap beater to get back,and forth to school....if you could get that vett running,and safe to drive....you could probably pull 5k out of it w/out paint.That black primer,and wheels make it look mean.Headers,and a 4-speed make it sound mean....that's a sale.The frame pic that you posted is fine,and the rust under the assend is where the car has sat in the grass,or above those wet leaves.Check the birdcage,but the frame is no worry.You could clean that up,and shoot some paint under there,and flip it.Take 1750.00,and bring it home w/you.....

 

Thanks vettesbydesign, I really appreciate you venturing a guess. So it sounds like it all depends on how hard I look for a deal and how lucky I get. Sounds like the 70 you picked up for 5k hardly needed anything at all.

So are you trying to say that I'd be better off buying one completely done? I had always thought that when I saw the vettes for sale at 30-40k the seller was making a profit. Assuming that's not what you mean, would I be better off buying a vette that runs but needs lots of body, paint, and interior, or getting one that has a perfect body and already redone interior but has no engine, trans, or rear end? I'm hoping I'm better off with the latter, as I'd like to drop in a rebuilt junkyard 454 and a more modern transmission if funds permit.

Unfortunately, there's no way I can flip that car. I live in a college dorm until the end of this semester, and then I'm getting transfer credit back home in Miami until the fall. I have no place to work on it here, I considered trying to borrow the money and then pull the car back to Miami on a car transporter, but U haul refuses to rent any trailers to people with Ford Explorers, and non of the other companies rent car transporters unless you're going to pull it behind one of their trucks.

 

Forget about a vette all togather, drive your exployer and go to school.
That $2000 car would be your ticket to a new pair of walking shoes!!!!

 

As I said, I already figured it wouldn't be wise to sink money I don't have into a project I don't have time to complete or a place to complete it. I'm just trying to plan for the future.

Could $10,000 get me to a car that is complete mechanically, reliable, and has enough of an interior (i.e. two seats that don't hurt to sit on, working gauges, the bare essentials) to drive it? Everything after that is gravy to come as the money is available.

 

Ok, I'm guessing you're a Tech student so my question it where in the world would you work on that car? I think in this case you were right to pass it up. This coming from a Radford U. graduate from 93 that drove my hot rod Cutlass there, but it was a complete and running car, as in I wasn't trying to restore it while I went to school. Fredricksburg is a long way away to drag a non running car while your in college. Yes based on the pictures it looks like it could be good deal, but Im betting you're not in the best situation to take advantage of it. My advice is finish your degree then get your Vette. BTW, go HOKIES! Also as a side note, a 71 Cutlass will hold 2 kegs of beer in the trunk with the lid closed. Ask me how I know!

 

That must have been a sight to see.

I had already decided not to buy that car for precisely those reasons before I started this thread. I just wanted a financial ball park so I can plan for the future. I'm in a position to make a considerable amount of money over the next 6 months or so if all the peices come together properly.

The house I have already signed a lease for next year (and planning on living there until I graduate) has a two car garage. There's 8 of us living there and we all have cars, so no one gets dibs on the garage. No one really wants it anyway because although it's attached, you can't get into it directly from the house. I would have room for the car plus a bench in there.

 

What should you expect ? A nice little profit ! For 2k how could you go wrong flipping that car so long as it has a solid foundation at least. Then put the $$$ towards a nicer one. Good luck.