76 vette purchase
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 56
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From: East Hampton CT
76 vette purchase
I am thinking of buying this vette and want some opinions on its value.
1976 coupe auto ttop p/w, p/b, tilt/telle, a/c original paint in excellent condition the car has 55k miles and it shows. The frame is perfect, the interior is excellent and the car drives so nice. The bad I guess, the engine and transmission do not match. The engine/trans out of a 1974 corvette both have been rebuilt professionally with all receipts and it runs out so nice. The exhaust is all new. This car is, in my opinion, from 1-10 is a solid 8.
I was not really looking for another Vette but this was in town and when I drove it I was hooked.
I can get it for $6700.
This car in the condition stated above is it worth it and do you think it would be a tough sell when its time.
1976 coupe auto ttop p/w, p/b, tilt/telle, a/c original paint in excellent condition the car has 55k miles and it shows. The frame is perfect, the interior is excellent and the car drives so nice. The bad I guess, the engine and transmission do not match. The engine/trans out of a 1974 corvette both have been rebuilt professionally with all receipts and it runs out so nice. The exhaust is all new. This car is, in my opinion, from 1-10 is a solid 8.
I was not really looking for another Vette but this was in town and when I drove it I was hooked.
I can get it for $6700.
This car in the condition stated above is it worth it and do you think it would be a tough sell when its time.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Omaha NE
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Sounds almost cheap to me....
Kind of weird that a 55k car had it's motor & trans yanked though. Value wise it doesn't hurt much now but who knows what lurks in the future...
There was a '76 with 50k on it, nice & original but needing paint down in for sale last week for $11k. It's now sold.......
Kind of weird that a 55k car had it's motor & trans yanked though. Value wise it doesn't hurt much now but who knows what lurks in the future...
There was a '76 with 50k on it, nice & original but needing paint down in for sale last week for $11k. It's now sold.......
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
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Does seem a bit odd that a car with such low miles had the engine and tranny replaced.
For a point of reference, I purchased my '76 in June of '08 for $5500. It had 58,000 original miles, original paint with numbers matching engine and transmission (4 speed). The interior was good, but not perfect. Dash is cracked and both door panels have small tears where the forward chrome screws are located. I promptly dumped $1500 into the car to replace things like brakes and hoses, rebuilt the power steering system to fix some leaks and restored the engine cooling system. Runs fine now and should last for a while longer. I have inspected the car very closely and found very little rust anywhere, so I consider myself lucky to have a rust free Vette for the price I paid.
Are you sure this car has original paint? You should see some ghosting image showing through the paint where the fenders are bonded to the rest of the body. Price seems attractive though.....
Good luck with your decision.
For a point of reference, I purchased my '76 in June of '08 for $5500. It had 58,000 original miles, original paint with numbers matching engine and transmission (4 speed). The interior was good, but not perfect. Dash is cracked and both door panels have small tears where the forward chrome screws are located. I promptly dumped $1500 into the car to replace things like brakes and hoses, rebuilt the power steering system to fix some leaks and restored the engine cooling system. Runs fine now and should last for a while longer. I have inspected the car very closely and found very little rust anywhere, so I consider myself lucky to have a rust free Vette for the price I paid.
Are you sure this car has original paint? You should see some ghosting image showing through the paint where the fenders are bonded to the rest of the body. Price seems attractive though.....
Good luck with your decision.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 56
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From: East Hampton CT
The car has 55k original miles. The same owner for 28 years. Ok here is the twist, shortly after he bought the car it was stolen and the drivetrain and seats were taken. The car was found and returned to him. He decided not to claim this on the insurance scaring the title and jacking up his rates. He then purchased the 74 corvette drivetrain from a local corvette shop and bought new seats. This is kinda a crazy story but true. The gentlemen who owns and did the work did a very professional job. This car is a no hit original paint car that has been stored inside most all its life. I wanted to give you the reason behind why the original engine and trans is gone at onlt 55k. What do you think? $6700.00
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Omaha NE
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Pull the trigger.......
Mine is a one owner original paint never hit always garaged '76 with 72k..
And I'd never sell it for just $6700.........
Mine is a one owner original paint never hit always garaged '76 with 72k..
And I'd never sell it for just $6700.........
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Yup...It's a good deal...especially if you like the car. It would cost you a ton more to bring something lesser up to where this one seems to be. Anyway, you'll have plenty of opportunity to spend your allowance for this and that.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Omaha NE
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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So what color/interior is it?...
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 505
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From: Houston Tx.
I'd go for it. I paid less than half that for mine and I have put a small fortune into it getting it to what you describe. As far as the engine and trans, the originals were less than powerhouses. 185 hp is nothing to jump up and down about. Unless you are a perfectionist and want all original, grab it while you can. I don't think the 76's will ever be a big dollar car, so I am modifying mine where ever I can to make it better. I am currently working on installing an IROC TPI system to replace the carb.
