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Double-checking my judgment: Too much rust?

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Old Jul 3, 2009 | 10:50 AM
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Default Double-checking my judgment: Too much rust?

Looking at chrome-bumpers, and had a friend take pics of a $10k BB '71 in a nearby CL ad. I'm not looking for a project, and though I'm new at this, I'm thinking it looks like the pics show this one would involve quite a bit of rust-repair to make this solid:

http://picasaweb.google.com/Kurt.Corbit/71Vette#

Have I got this right?
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Old Jul 3, 2009 | 10:59 AM
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If you're not looking for a project, keep looking! I can't see any system on this car that isn't a major project. This car is a candidate for a frame-off resto costing tens of thousands of dollars. Just my two cents. Good luck in your quest!

Temvette72
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Old Jul 3, 2009 | 11:16 AM
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In the one pic, it looks like the birdcage on right side has rust issues. The frame had some rust, but didn't look like it had any holes. For sure, you'll put at least $20K into fixing it up. This looks to be a major project car. If it's some kind of rare BB car, maybe you could get back part of what you invest.

Gary
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Old Jul 3, 2009 | 11:19 AM
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I restored my 68 coupe and it needed a whole lot less than this car you are looking at and it still cost me a large sum including $7K just for the paint.
As TEMVETTE72 points out, just about every thing in this car needs work to make it right and the rust around the windshield would make me walk.
I had none of that on my 68 and this car is newer and looks like it did not receive much TLC or was left outside for long periods.
Knowing how much time and work a proper restoration takes, I would keep walking on this one and look for something better.
If you want a restoration and the price drops significantly, then you should consider this car but at $10K and with all the money it will take to make this car right, it will add up fast and you will have much more into it than it is worth unless you intend to keep it.

I bought my 68 in 72 and took my time restoring it and will never sell it so resale was not a consideration.

Good luck with your search

Kurt
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Old Jul 3, 2009 | 11:31 AM
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Originally Posted by temvette72
If you're not looking for a project, keep looking! I can't see any system on this car that isn't a major project. This car is a candidate for a frame-off resto costing tens of thousands of dollars. Just my two cents. Good luck in your quest!

Temvette72
Not sure this is totally true. The wiper arms look clean.

Temvette is right as is Duke. You'll have to rebuild everything on this car and you'd end up with a nice, base model big block coupe. A good car, but not worth what you'll have to put in it.
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Old Jul 3, 2009 | 11:33 AM
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Glenn T. Carlson left the car outside for way to long.
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Old Jul 3, 2009 | 12:20 PM
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It's a shame that somebody did that to that car. The guy wants entirely too much money for it. For that kind of money you can do better.
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Old Jul 3, 2009 | 12:37 PM
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All the guys are giving you sound advice. My 72 was in better shape, didnt have paint coming off, didnt have the surface rust (for starters), and I'm in well over $30k. Paint and prep alone will run you AT LEAST $5k+. Figure a couple $grand for the interior (when all is said and done). Suspension/brakes..$1500... just the beginning! And thats just PARTS!

I'd say keep looking!

Best of luck!
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Old Jul 3, 2009 | 12:53 PM
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That car is a project. A big project. The price is cheap for a 71 Big Block but you get what you pay for. If your budget is 10K you need to look at later year C3's. If you want a chrome bumper vette you need to increase your budget. You can't get both.
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Old Jul 3, 2009 | 01:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Red70vette
That car is a project. A big project. The price is cheap for a 71 Big Block but you get what you pay for. If your budget is 10K you need to look at later year C3's. If you want a chrome bumper vette you need to increase your budget. You can't get both.
My budget will be up to $20k, but I'm on the lookout for gems in the rough, as long as the "rough" is not the frame or the birdcage.
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Old Jul 3, 2009 | 01:42 PM
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Originally Posted by bobbarry
My budget will be up to $20k, but I'm on the lookout for gems in the rough, as long as the "rough" is not the frame or the birdcage.
If you haven't already, you might want to check the Cars For Sale section of this Forum as it looked like there were a few bumper cars for about 20K.

Gary
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Old Jul 3, 2009 | 03:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Duke94
If you haven't already, you might want to check the Cars For Sale section of this Forum as it looked like there were a few bumper cars for about 20K.

Gary
There definitely are; my search is still getting underway, as I have one more project car that I *should* sell off before I put down good money on the Vette.

At the moment I'm only actually following-up on the ones that come along near to me. Once the garage is cleared-out, then I'll be checking out the cars with a trailer behind my tow-rig and cash-in-hand.
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