I have an op. to buy an 81 C3 wrecked (sorry No pixs) the Front wheel came off and tore up the front fender and hub assy, I have been told it needs a new fender and front spindle,hub and rotor maybe the caliper. The Insurance co. Totaled it and He wants to sell it. Question What is it worth . Proividing it is in decent shape? Its a SB, 4 spd coupe. I am thinking of offering 2 grand am I way off?

 

I think the value will depend on what condition the remainer of the car is in. Parting out value is probably most appropriate. The wheel doesn't fall off very easily so assume there is considerable frame and structural damage.

All other things aside, if you fix it up, you'll still have an 81 with a salvage title. Probably not worth more than $5k at best.

Unless you plan to part it out, I'd walk away.

 

Well It turns out it is still drivable only the front fender came off in one piece (still has it.) the only damage to the car is a broken lug nut and some damage to the front rotor. Car has a non orig. engine .350 but Rebuilt 30 k ago along with the Auto trans. it has a Repaint with color change Was Blk. now it's white with a White Gut ,And mirror tt . i own it for 1500.00 hundred.. WoW can't wait to get it....

 

thought it was a 4 speed?

it'd be intersting to see how much of the 4 speed stuff was left behind (like a tell tale brake pedal)

nonetheless, make her right.
do us proud

 

That's interesting because I have an 81 and the exact same thing happened to a previous owner. He was going down the freeway when the L. front wheel came off. The damage was contained to the fender, lower control arm, rotor and brake shield. Oh, and I think it ground down the corner of the front bumper too (which I replaced due to warpage). The previous owner had all that fixed but whoever did the fender repair did a big-time crappy job.

The car had numerous coats of paint and primer on it so I stripped the car and replaced the front fender with an OEM SMC fender from Ecklers. To me, I'm glad I spent the money and got the 'right' product.

One other thing, if you call up a representative for the insurance agency sometimes you can get them to just sign you over the title w/o making it a salvage title. I've done it before. Doesn't always work. But if you determine the frame is good and communicate to them about the cosmetic damage, I bet you could have some success. Talk to a few reps if you need to. It'll be worth your time in the long run if you can persuade them.

Good luck,

Mark G

 

Yeah if he gets stuck with a salvage title he better figure a 25% reduction in the car's worth once its been repaired compared to a clean title.

 

How do you figure out if you have a salvage title? IS there a way to know the car's history?

 

On the title it will state "Salvage Title" as oposed to "Original Title" of "Lein Copy"

 

It has a clear NYS Transferable title NOT salvage he just took the 6k insurance money and then sold it to me. It is still registered and driving (less the r/f fender) My son first told me it was a 4 spd after talking to the owner he told me it is a turbo 400 with a BM shift kit. The Body shop wher it's at told the Powner He would take it off his hands for 1k and sell it for prts. Ha Ha .. yea right..

 

Can't argue with $1500.

 

If the insurance company totalled it they will notify the state and the title will be changed to salvage. That's what happens in most states. Plus, even though CarFax only goes back to 89, you can still run one on an 81 and it will show all known history since 89, it did for mine. It will show it was totalled and was issued a salvaged title.

Still sounds like a good deal if you don't plan on selling it after a big investment to repair it.