After many years in the hobby and participating on this board, I am asking the dreaded "What's it worth" question. Sorry in advance guys. Some of you guys, the long timers know of me and the story of the car.
The heart has finally gotten to a point where I don't think I am going to be able to finish the car. I started the frame-off when my late wife was terminally ill and finished the frame about a year later. The body is on and sanded down to glass. The interior is out but ive got all new carpet, deluxe doorpanels, leather seatcovers, seatfoam and soft-top, all from Al Knoch. Engine is a ZZ4 with the H.O.T. cam and GM 1.6 roller rockers installed. Also installed are Edelbrock heads and pro-flo fuel injection system.
It basically needs paint and all the pieces I have put back together. I have all the original parts needed to complete the car. It's still a project car, for someone that wants a project car but a near finished one.

It's a 1972 Vert
Long Eckler's hood (I still have the old original one)
Hooker Sidepipes Ceramic satin black W/jcl's
... .... ...

If you have any other questions, let me know.
I know what I have in it but I really have no idea of what todays market and the incomplete condition will bring. I need all your help to make sure that I find a price that is equitable to both the buyer and me. Thanks in advance guys!

Craig

 

Hate to hear it Craig but I understand. Can you post a couple of pics?

 

I literally have hundreds of pictures taken through the process but here are some frame, engine and body shots













Craig

 

Is the last pic where you are now and did you say you have all the parts to finish it?

By the way.. Beautiful!!

 

Are you here in Rita Ranch? Style of houses look familiar.

I have an 80 in my driveway getting slow but sure attention, so I am sorry you cannot keep going.

Looks like she will be a beauty.

 

Don't know if this helps but I sold a completely finished frame off, matching # 72 small block Air Roadster in 1996 for 20k and that was good money at the time.
As beautiful as it is, its a Hot Rod. . . so NCRS, guys aren't going to be intersted.

But Wow! That Engine and rolling chassy are beautiful though!

Good Luck

 

very inspiring pictures

 

I can appreciate the amount of work that you have put into restoring and detailing the chassis. Unfortunately that doesn't usually equal $ when it comes time to sell. I don't follow the market but you could possibly check around for project car prices and add in all of the parts that you have installed. You should at least get your money back for the parts and you should expect to get some money for the work that you have put into the car on top of the value of the car itself. Remember that it is a chrome bumper convertible and those are getting harder to find every day.

Sorry that you are unable to continue with the rebuild. Looks like it was a labor of love.



Rick B.

 

For me the work you did would have a lot of value. If Im looking at 2 cars same year ect.. Yours would be worth 5+k more to me than a same year stock motor (non#match).. Easy!!..

 

Many of us know how much time and bucks you have invested,, and we also know how much sweat, time and money thats left to make this car very desireable. Unfortunatly the market is staggering (from what I read). At the most you can probably recover the cash investment but forget about the time. Maybe there's yonge family member who would take it off your hands and finish it in your name...

 

Yes - this is how it looks now. I have all the major pieces (some nuts, bolts and screws may be missing) including grills, bumpers, trim. Many small hardware items that I have are new and still in the package (clips, screw sets, bumper bolt kits, etc)

I became disabled 10 years ago but it wasn't till about 5 years ago that I started to realize that I would leave this world without being able to drive my car again. With my health failing, it's starting to hit home.

Craig

 

Craig, this may be off the wall but have you considered other alternatives? Is there a local community college, automotive related, that could finish the car for you as a learning project for the school, they could get great PR, you could still be "in Charge" and your "baby" is a feature in Tucson . Or , local corvette clubs that could assist the re-build and donate or raffle the car for a charity, again great PR, possible tax write-off, you can see it thru. Just hate to see you have to sell it as is to a stranger and possibly never see it finished. We have to have a somewhat happy ending here!!! Anyone else with ideas??

 

Sorry to hear of your poor health and that you need to sell your baby. Nice looking project maybe a member will buy it & finish her. If I had to sell I would want a member to have it, be like keeping her in the family. Good luck Jim

 

Yup - Rita Ranch behind the Frys

Craig

 

Hay Craig I think hotshot79 has a good idea there are some good automotive schools around that could finish it, maybe you could get a chance to drive it when its done---

 

If I were in the market I would try to get it for 8..

 

Sorry, but you wouldn't be in the market at that price. I paid 15K 10 years ago, it was in so-so shape then, and have 20-30K invested on top of that.

What I'm looking for is a serious Vette guy that knows and appreciates the time, parts and effort that goes into a 5 year frame off and has the ability to take it the rest of the way.

Craig

 

I understand where you are comming from. Im saying what I would be willing to pay considering whats avalible.

If you hadnt dont the work I think the car would be worth 5 the way its sitting..

Whats the work and the motor worth. I would give 5.

Thats 10-12k.. I would try to get it for 8..

Its hard to justify when theres alot of nice verts out there for 15-20k..

Paint alone would be 5-7k..

Of course I dont have a list of what you have done or spent.

Maybe my # would change.. But I wouldnt put 20 k into that type of project.

Dosent mean its not worth it.. I know what it takes.. Sorry.. Atleast you have the opinion of a "non serious" vette guy..


Let me ask. What would you take??

 

Hi Craig,

I can completely relate to your situation and believe me, I understand the difficulty in making the decision to terminate the project. My health (heart and lungs) cratered 6 years ago. I was one year into my project Rolling Thunder. I have attempted several times to resurrect my project, but each time, health and stamina issues would lead me to put the cover back on it after only a small amount of progress.

Several months ago at the suggestion of one of my daughters, I contacted a talented local youth who goes to school and also works at a local body shop. We worked out a deal for him to do the work I could no longer do, while I still do what I can. It's a slow process, but we are making head way and I hope to soon take the car to his shop for paint.

Six years ago after 40 days in Vanderbilt University Medical Center I was given a prognosis of 3 to 5 years. I have since gone through a divorce (34 year marriage), gone through bouts of depression (damn I can't believe I admitted that) and waited for the grim reaper. I may not ever see my project completed, but until I draw my last breath I'm not going to give up. I dreamed about this car when I was in Nam and still have visions of driving it down the street. Sometimes..... it's what keeps me going.

Save your dream if you can. God Bless!

Dave

 

is there anyone in your family that is into corvette's as you are? if you dont think so, you might try askin.. vette's are a beautiful machine, and if you have even one "carguy" in the family im sure the would love to continue your restoration. even if they are young, you might be able to help them with the work and show 'em the ropes and such..

other than that.. i wish i had 20k for the buying process. cars built with love just seem to run that much better... and you can see the love in this one.