Please Please Help Me Out!!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 924
Likes: 2
From: Kearneysville West Virginia
Please Please Help Me Out!!
I bought my first Corvette in Feb. of 1974. It was a 1970 454 blue on blue 4spd car. I have been looking for my old car for years, and just this last week, it found me! I am desperately trying to buy my old car back, but the current owner will not let it go unless he can find another running, driving 70 LS5 project car to take it's place.
Please, if anyone knows of a 70 LS5 project car for sale, please let me know. It does not have to have the original engine. Please help this old guy get his first Corvette back.
Thanks.
Fred
Please, if anyone knows of a 70 LS5 project car for sale, please let me know. It does not have to have the original engine. Please help this old guy get his first Corvette back.
Thanks.
Fred
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 915
Likes: 2
From: Lima, OH -- 69 L71 427/435hp
I bought my first Corvette in Feb. of 1974. It was a 1970 454 blue on blue 4spd car. I have been looking for my old car for years, and just this last week, it found me! I am desperately trying to buy my old car back, but the current owner will not let it go unless he can find another running, driving 70 LS5 project car to take it's place.
Please, if anyone knows of a 70 LS5 project car for sale, please let me know. It does not have to have the original engine. Please help this old guy get his first Corvette back.
Thanks.
Fred
Please, if anyone knows of a 70 LS5 project car for sale, please let me know. It does not have to have the original engine. Please help this old guy get his first Corvette back.
Thanks.
Fred
I hate to say it or think it, but kinda seems like he knows you want it back desperately and has dollar signs in his eyes. Especially since he is sending you out to find a replacement vette for him you know.
I'd hope he is reasonable and will sell your car back at a fair price, but people today and the economy...it may have been better him not knowing it was your car IMO.
I apologize about being skeptical, but until further details I just am.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 924
Likes: 2
From: Kearneysville West Virginia
Just curious, but how did it find you? What condition is it in? Driveable, or is it a project car as well? How original is it still and is he asking more than it's worth?
I hate to say it or think it, but kinda seems like he knows you want it back desperately and has dollar signs in his eyes. Especially since he is sending you out to find a replacement vette for him you know.
I'd hope he is reasonable and will sell your car back at a fair price, but people today and the economy...it may have been better him not knowing it was your car IMO.
I apologize about being skeptical, but until further details I just am.
I hate to say it or think it, but kinda seems like he knows you want it back desperately and has dollar signs in his eyes. Especially since he is sending you out to find a replacement vette for him you know.
I'd hope he is reasonable and will sell your car back at a fair price, but people today and the economy...it may have been better him not knowing it was your car IMO.
I apologize about being skeptical, but until further details I just am.
I have been looking for my old car for a long time. Some years ago, I posted an ad on several web sites that I was looking for my old car. The guy that has the car now, found me on one of those web sites and called me.
The car no longer has the original engine. The body has been modified and the interior has been dyed or painted black. It is a drive able project car. Unfortunately, the current owner is not going to take the paint or the interior back to original. The rear appears correct and I am waiting on the numbers from the transmission to verify if it is original. It needs a lot of work and a lot of items.
Yes, I would love to have it back, and for me, it would be a labor of love. He has no attachement to the car at all except it was originally an LS5. My wife and I dated in this car in the mid 1970's.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,919
Likes: 3,333
From: NYC NY
Be carefull! I have a friend that looked for years for his old street rod - a custom built in the late 40s '38 Ford. He found it in 80s and paid almost 20K for what amounted to a basket case. In 1990 you could have bought a real nice street rod for 20K. Well by the time he got done he went through an inheritance and refinaced his house (about a 130K by the time he was done 
). I'm not saying you would do anything close to this all I'm saying is be carefull when emotion is the motivation for spending your hard earned dollars. 
Good luck and I hope your story has a happy ending. 
). I'm not saying you would do anything close to this all I'm saying is be carefull when emotion is the motivation for spending your hard earned dollars. Good luck and I hope your story has a happy ending.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 924
Likes: 2
From: Kearneysville West Virginia
Be carefull! I have a friend that looked for years for his old street rod - a custom built in the late 40s '38 Ford. He found it in 80s and paid almost 20K for what amounted to a basket case. In 1990 you could have bought a real nice street rod for 20K. Well by the time he got done he went through an inheritance and refinaced his house (about a 130K by the time he was done ). I'm not saying you would do anything close to this all I'm saying is be carefull when emotion is the motivation for spending your hard earned dollars. Good luck and I hope your story has a happy ending.
). I'm not saying you would do anything close to this all I'm saying is be carefull when emotion is the motivation for spending your hard earned dollars. Good luck and I hope your story has a happy ending. Fortunately, I can do all the work myself, and would not have to have a "shop" do it. My intentions would be to take it back to Mulsanne Blue with Bright Blue interior as original. I would take the body back to stock.
I hope and pray this story has a happy ending also. It is really frustrating knowing it is there, but seems to be just out of reach.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 924
Likes: 2
From: Kearneysville West Virginia
Be carefull! I have a friend that looked for years for his old street rod - a custom built in the late 40s '38 Ford. He found it in 80s and paid almost 20K for what amounted to a basket case. In 1990 you could have bought a real nice street rod for 20K. Well by the time he got done he went through an inheritance and refinaced his house (about a 130K by the time he was done ). I'm not saying you would do anything close to this all I'm saying is be carefull when emotion is the motivation for spending your hard earned dollars. Good luck and I hope your story has a happy ending.
). I'm not saying you would do anything close to this all I'm saying is be carefull when emotion is the motivation for spending your hard earned dollars. Good luck and I hope your story has a happy ending. The funny thing is, that the current owner has no ties to the car at all, and has admitted that all he cares about is that it is a 70 LS5.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 199
Likes: 2
From: Suffern NY
I certainly understand everything you say. I have heard stories like that before. Yes, unfortunately, in my opinion, the car needs a lot of time and money to bring it back. Of course, the current owner does not see it that way exactly. As an example, the big block hood is gone, the wiper door and grille and hardware are gone, it will need a complete interior, the rally wheels are gone, the egg crate grilles are gone and the openings have been modified, the astro vents in the rear deck have been filled, the alarm system is gone, and so on and so on.
Fortunately, I can do all the work myself, and would not have to have a "shop" do it. My intentions would be to take it back to Mulsanne Blue with Bright Blue interior as original. I would take the body back to stock.
I hope and pray this story has a happy ending also. It is really frustrating knowing it is there, but seems to be just out of reach.
Fortunately, I can do all the work myself, and would not have to have a "shop" do it. My intentions would be to take it back to Mulsanne Blue with Bright Blue interior as original. I would take the body back to stock.
I hope and pray this story has a happy ending also. It is really frustrating knowing it is there, but seems to be just out of reach.
A small premium for your old car/ vin is reasonable but make sure you don't get gouged on the price. Good luck!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 924
Likes: 2
From: Kearneysville West Virginia
I understand sentimentality. But take a step back for a second. You're looking at a total restoration -paint/ body panels/ interior/ Hood/ wiper door/ wheels/ side vents and as you probably know, original 1970 LS5 parts bring a premium due to low production numbers. Not to mention the non-original motor, ? tranny and rear end. What you're looking to buy here is essentially your old VIN and birdcage. The rest you will be re-creating.
A small premium for your old car/ vin is reasonable but make sure you don't get gouged on the price. Good luck!
A small premium for your old car/ vin is reasonable but make sure you don't get gouged on the price. Good luck!
Unfortunately, the guy that has it does not see it quite this way. His plans include a $5k non stock paint job, black leather interior, and possibly an LS5 engine of some sort.
He has not given me a price yet, but keeps quoting replacement LS5 prices in the $20k+ range. Frankly, the car in it's current condition is not anywhere near that figure, in my opinion.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 924
Likes: 2
From: Kearneysville West Virginia
Well, the possible deal for my old car is dead. I tried everything I knew to work it out, but the owner of my first Corvette and I just could not come to any agreement. I can't tell you how dissapointed I am not to get it back. I thank everyone here on the Froum for their help.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
After reading your description of the car as it exists today, I think 1) There really isn't enough of your original car remaining to make a difference to you. 2) The present owner is a complete jerk for not selling that piece of chopped up diced up modified junk to you.
I know I know, the present owner will find this thread and post about how this guy calls him out of the blue and wants to buy his car that he had no plans to sell, blah blah blah...
I know I know, the present owner will find this thread and post about how this guy calls him out of the blue and wants to buy his car that he had no plans to sell, blah blah blah...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 924
Likes: 2
From: Kearneysville West Virginia
After reading your description of the car as it exists today, I think 1) There really isn't enough of your original car remaining to make a difference to you. 2) The present owner is a complete jerk for not selling that piece of chopped up diced up modified junk to you.
I know I know, the present owner will find this thread and post about how this guy calls him out of the blue and wants to buy his car that he had no plans to sell, blah blah blah...
I know I know, the present owner will find this thread and post about how this guy calls him out of the blue and wants to buy his car that he had no plans to sell, blah blah blah...
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: tacoma wa
"you and your wife dated in this car"
maybe you could offer your wife in trade for the car..lol
you know to really get back in the day.
sorry couldnt pass that one up.
good luck, i suggest you not frenzy over it. most people will take advantage of the situation.
doug
maybe you could offer your wife in trade for the car..lol
you know to really get back in the day.
sorry couldnt pass that one up.
good luck, i suggest you not frenzy over it. most people will take advantage of the situation.
doug
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 924
Likes: 2
From: Kearneysville West Virginia
I tried that!!! No, just kidding. Actually I was in a frenzy over it this last week or so since the guy called me, but I am past that now, mostly because the car is such a mess, nothing like it was when I owned it. Time to put it behind me and move on.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Santa Barbara Calif
It's to far Gone!!!!
I know how you and your wife feel. The time and effort will be to much
for the time and money for you to enjoy the Vette. Find another one
close to the one you had and enjoy it now while your still young and healthy.
for the time and money for you to enjoy the Vette. Find another one
close to the one you had and enjoy it now while your still young and healthy.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 924
Likes: 2
From: Kearneysville West Virginia
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
I can guarantee you one thing.... if you and your wife went for a drive in an identical car, the 'old feelings' would still be felt. I don't know anyone who is with someone special and also looks at the VIN tag to be certain of the car they're in!
My advice....look for that 'similar' project car for yourself. Then make it a 'look-alike' for your old car. The difference in the VIN tag won't even matter.
My advice....look for that 'similar' project car for yourself. Then make it a 'look-alike' for your old car. The difference in the VIN tag won't even matter.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,919
Likes: 3,333
From: NYC NY
What better time then the present to do what is a growing trend for cars that are priced beyond our reasonable means......build a "recreation". 
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 924
Likes: 2
From: Kearneysville West Virginia
I can guarantee you one thing.... if you and your wife went for a drive in an identical car, the 'old feelings' would still be felt. I don't know anyone who is with someone special and also looks at the VIN tag to be certain of the car they're in!
My advice....look for that 'similar' project car for yourself. Then make it a 'look-alike' for your old car. The difference in the VIN tag won't even matter.
My advice....look for that 'similar' project car for yourself. Then make it a 'look-alike' for your old car. The difference in the VIN tag won't even matter.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 924
Likes: 2
From: Kearneysville West Virginia