Newbie Needs Info Help With A 69
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 828
Likes: 2
Newbie Needs Info Help With A 69
Hi All,
I am a newbie here and I haven't owned a Vette in 20 years but I need one now.
I have owned over 10 Corvettes in my time and most of them were new from 57 - 77 and the last one was a 77.
I am looking for a 1969 T top automatic (I have a blown out back & rt shoulder and I can't use a stick as a daily).
I need some insight here please.
Am I better off looking for a tired stock 69 and do a body off so I know who did it and what parts were used?
Also, what should I pay for a stock tired 69 T-Top, 350, A/C, P/S
I am not looking to race, just drive for the pleasure of being in a Vette again.
Thanks
Jack
I am a newbie here and I haven't owned a Vette in 20 years but I need one now.
I have owned over 10 Corvettes in my time and most of them were new from 57 - 77 and the last one was a 77.
I am looking for a 1969 T top automatic (I have a blown out back & rt shoulder and I can't use a stick as a daily).
I need some insight here please.
Am I better off looking for a tired stock 69 and do a body off so I know who did it and what parts were used?
Also, what should I pay for a stock tired 69 T-Top, 350, A/C, P/S
I am not looking to race, just drive for the pleasure of being in a Vette again.
Thanks
Jack
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I understand your desire for a 69- I have one. But as an alternative, maybe look at a little later year- way less initial investment. And Im not saying anything bad about the later C-3's- I also have a 74 and will have a '77 by the end of April. The 74 is going to be for sale shortly. But it needs some work too.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,589
Likes: 5
From: Salisbury Maryland
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,304
Likes: 278
From: Ocala FL
The odds of an automatic are better in later years than in 1969. So if another would suit your needs, consider later. The '70-'72 are nearly the same as the '69 but the number of automatics have increased a lot.
If money is an issue, then consider later cars. You are probably in the $10,000 range for most '69 coupes like you have described and then you will have another $10,000 work to do at least. So unless you have a desire to do a lot of work, or have money issues, then consider buying the best Vette you can afford. For starters, the best one you can drive today when you get it. The project may be a year or more before you drive it.
Doing a body off will run you $10,000 - $15,000 easily doing it yourself and $30,000 and up if you pay someone.
Again, on the 1969 thing, there is a yellow 1968 coupe with an automatic in the C3 For Sale section from around $9000 that was going to need work. You might want to check it out.
If money is an issue, then consider later cars. You are probably in the $10,000 range for most '69 coupes like you have described and then you will have another $10,000 work to do at least. So unless you have a desire to do a lot of work, or have money issues, then consider buying the best Vette you can afford. For starters, the best one you can drive today when you get it. The project may be a year or more before you drive it.
Doing a body off will run you $10,000 - $15,000 easily doing it yourself and $30,000 and up if you pay someone.
Again, on the 1969 thing, there is a yellow 1968 coupe with an automatic in the C3 For Sale section from around $9000 that was going to need work. You might want to check it out.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,920
Likes: 6,178
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
As someone who has bought a couple of '69s in the last couple years, I say if you want a '69, then buy a '69.
I also think if your plan is to body-off it anyway, you are better off buying a higher-resale year like '69 than spending less on a mid-70's car. If you are going to replace everything anyway, the fact is its not going to be any cheaper to do a '75 than a '69, and the car's restored value at the end of the day will be dramatically higher in a '69.
That said, you will end up in the red. Chrome bumper coupe sales are a bit soft, so you could get a great candidate for what you want for < $15k. However, when you dump the cash into it for a full resto, you will be looking at red ink. Hopefully what you are looking for is a fun car and not to get all your money back.
PS, I am very aware of full '69 Corvette restoration costs right now. Ask me how I know...
I also think if your plan is to body-off it anyway, you are better off buying a higher-resale year like '69 than spending less on a mid-70's car. If you are going to replace everything anyway, the fact is its not going to be any cheaper to do a '75 than a '69, and the car's restored value at the end of the day will be dramatically higher in a '69.
That said, you will end up in the red. Chrome bumper coupe sales are a bit soft, so you could get a great candidate for what you want for < $15k. However, when you dump the cash into it for a full resto, you will be looking at red ink. Hopefully what you are looking for is a fun car and not to get all your money back.
PS, I am very aware of full '69 Corvette restoration costs right now. Ask me how I know...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 984
Likes: 1
From: SAN FRANCISCO CA
As someone who has bought a couple of '69s in the last couple years, I say if you want a '69, then buy a '69.
I also think if your plan is to body-off it anyway, you are better off buying a higher-resale year like '69 than spending less on a mid-70's car. If you are going to replace everything anyway, the fact is its not going to be any cheaper to do a '75 than a '69, and the car's restored value at the end of the day will be dramatically higher in a '69.
That said, you will end up in the red. Chrome bumper coupe sales are a bit soft, so you could get a great candidate for what you want for < $15k. However, when you dump the cash into it for a full resto, you will be looking at red ink. Hopefully what you are looking for is a fun car and not to get all your money back.
I also think if your plan is to body-off it anyway, you are better off buying a higher-resale year like '69 than spending less on a mid-70's car. If you are going to replace everything anyway, the fact is its not going to be any cheaper to do a '75 than a '69, and the car's restored value at the end of the day will be dramatically higher in a '69.
That said, you will end up in the red. Chrome bumper coupe sales are a bit soft, so you could get a great candidate for what you want for < $15k. However, when you dump the cash into it for a full resto, you will be looking at red ink. Hopefully what you are looking for is a fun car and not to get all your money back.
Last edited by ed1655; Apr 27, 2009 at 04:27 AM.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 96
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From: Columbus GA
I am also a nooobie..Let me throw my 2 cents in. If I knew as much as I do now, back in Feb 2006, I probably would have just gone out and bought a new Z-06. I admit to not really thinking this through. A complete tear it down to the frame restoration or rebuild, is very very expensive..The 10 to 20 Thousand would be welcome at this point. I have a run of the mill 69 Coupe 350/300HP,I added power steering,power brakes,AC,Holley Systemax Engine Kit,Aftermarket Suspension,and the entire interior color was changed. This has been a long trail of tears,and endless boxes of parts from Ecklers,Paragon,etc. I would say estimate what you think it will cost and then at least double it. I am glad I did it, but certainly not very cost effective.OH, and I spent 4 hours this last week end removing a steering box that I screwed up last year...Sometimes I really hate this car!!!
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 828
Likes: 2
I am also a nooobie..Let me throw my 2 cents in. If I knew as much as I do now, back in Feb 2006, I probably would have just gone out and bought a new Z-06. I admit to not really thinking this through. A complete tear it down to the frame restoration or rebuild, is very very expensive..The 10 to 20 Thousand would be welcome at this point. I have a run of the mill 69 Coupe 350/300HP,I added power steering,power brakes,AC,Holley Systemax Engine Kit,Aftermarket Suspension,and the entire interior color was changed. This has been a long trail of tears,and endless boxes of parts from Ecklers,Paragon,etc. I would say estimate what you think it will cost and then at least double it. I am glad I did it, but certainly not very cost effective.OH, and I spent 4 hours this last week end removing a steering box that I screwed up last year...Sometimes I really hate this car!!!
I have 14 cars from 1931 to 2006.
I have done over 30 frame offs.
Thanks for the heads up
Last edited by xkeots; Apr 27, 2009 at 11:05 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 828
Likes: 2
The odds of an automatic are better in later years than in 1969. So if another would suit your needs, consider later. The '70-'72 are nearly the same as the '69 but the number of automatics have increased a lot.
If money is an issue, then consider later cars. You are probably in the $10,000 range for most '69 coupes like you have described and then you will have another $10,000 work to do at least. So unless you have a desire to do a lot of work, or have money issues, then consider buying the best Vette you can afford. For starters, the best one you can drive today when you get it. The project may be a year or more before you drive it.
Doing a body off will run you $10,000 - $15,000 easily doing it yourself and $30,000 and up if you pay someone.
Again, on the 1969 thing, there is a yellow 1968 coupe with an automatic in the C3 For Sale section from around $9000 that was going to need work. You might want to check it out.
If money is an issue, then consider later cars. You are probably in the $10,000 range for most '69 coupes like you have described and then you will have another $10,000 work to do at least. So unless you have a desire to do a lot of work, or have money issues, then consider buying the best Vette you can afford. For starters, the best one you can drive today when you get it. The project may be a year or more before you drive it.
Doing a body off will run you $10,000 - $15,000 easily doing it yourself and $30,000 and up if you pay someone.
Again, on the 1969 thing, there is a yellow 1968 coupe with an automatic in the C3 For Sale section from around $9000 that was going to need work. You might want to check it out.
My 1st Corvette was a new 1969 T-Top with Auto, P/S, P/B, A/C 350/300. Yellow w black.
I also had a new 74-75-76 & 77.
I had used 56-58-62-63 SWC- 65 & 67
I am doing 2 body offs now on a 67 & a 68 GTO. Just finished a 53 Jaguar XK120.
I haven't worked with glass in over 30 years. Metal yes. So it must be a 69, no rush.
I am selling my 63 Jaguar MKII & my 75 Eldorado Convertible. but looking inbetween.
The issue is not money it is fiberglass. We are never too old to learn.
Thanks
Jack
Last edited by xkeots; Apr 27, 2009 at 11:07 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 828
Likes: 2