I hate to start yet another 'what is this worth' thread, but I really would like to know what you guys think
No it's not for me... It's for a friend who's been a long time mustang guy, wanting to buy a restoration project corvette.

I called up the owner and talked about the car. The asking price is $7500, but looks like he may be willing to come down.

Info about the car
* 71 vette that has been parked 20 + years
* It has a Georgia title. The car was brought to CA about 20 years ago and never registered in CA (not sure what that entails).
* Original motor and 4 speed trans.
* Claims that the car was stored in his car port. there is only surface rust on the frame and bird cage is rust free.
* Front end was replaced.
* Some body work needed.
* Claims that it has almost all of the original parts.





http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/1446504465.html

 

It would have to be mighty cheap. Looks like LOTS of $$ to bring that one back.

 

Oh.. he is asking for $7500

 

Never can tell with out physically looking but if numbers match and frame,birdcage are in good shape your friend will spend upward of $10,000-$15,000 to make it very nice again.

 

It looks like it was parked for 20 years in a swimming pool.

 

What is it worth? I'd say about $18,000 after you put $30,000 into it.

Tom

 

I see an easy $10 large if you do most labor. 4 speed A/C vert in a desireable year is worth reviving.... this one's near as far gone as my '77. I say it's 1500 too dear, and I hope your friend likes a challenge!

 

tell you pal to RUN AWAY!!!!!!!!

 

Looks like the last 2 decades have been pretty rough on her. Still I hate to see cars like this not fixed if the frame/cage are good and the numbers match. If you could buy it for less than asking price (4000-5000) and is willing/able to take on a huge project doing most or all of the work himself, maybe he could save another one without having twice what it is worth in it...

 

 

I think the seller has made a mistake. One too many zero's on the asking price, I'd say he means $750!
At least that's what the picture tell me.

 

 

That car needs a very close inspection for sure. I dont see any reason to shy away from a car just because the whole thing looks like hell. If your gonna restore a car what difference does it make? I mean like whats the difference in stripping fair daily driver paint or stripping horribly faded paint? Whats the difference in replacing faded, cracking interior or replacing split, torn raggety interior? and so on with the drive train, streering, suspension, brakes. The only advantage I have seen myself with restoring a decent daily driver compared to a basket case is I was able to drive and enjoy the DD while I did things in stages a little at a time. My basket cases get hauled in and dumped out into the garage where they stay for a while. I have done them both ways over the years and in the end I allways end up doing all the same work either way. I could have paid 20-25k for my first Vette last year instead of 8k and been driving it this summer while I worked on it but thats ok I will have it drivable by spring. I have not done anything or spent any more money on this car that I would not have done anyway had it been in fair/decent shape when I got it. Besides dying to drive it, I believe I'm still way ahead. If your buddy wants to take on this project he should take tons of pics and get them posted in here as well as all numbers and codes before he makes a offer on it. I think 5k <pending close inspect> would be a decent price. Good luck!

 

I would take it for free if he was giving it away. If he wants me to pay for it, the first thing he would have to do is straighten out the title. Then, I would check the frame and birdcage, and look at the numbers. If all that checks out, I would pay at least $3K, and I am an admitted cheap skate. $5K wouldn't be completely out of line for a '71 vert (I'm assuming base engine) with AC in this kind of condition. I'm sure I wouldn't pay any more than that.

 

We're going to drive down there this weekend and take a look at this car.

 

Raj-As long as the car has a clear title and bill of sale you shoudn't have a problem. The DMV will make the new owner visit the CHP office, where they will run the VIN to make sure the car isn't stolen

I see the car is located not far from me. I can go check it out with you if you like

 

Obviously you have to inspect the frame and numbers. Assuming there's no deal-breakers there or in the title history, $5k on this car wouldnt hurt my feelings at all.

An air roadster with matching numbers and chrome bumpers is at least going to carry a nice intrinsic value, even if he spends a ton on the restoration. And, it seems he's not afraid of the project.

I see people spending that much on similar projects that wont be worth more than $10000 entry level cars when they are finished and they spend all the money that this car would cost to restore. Its possible he could be in the red a bit at the end, but this car will have some nice value anyway, and can only go up. I like this one.

 

Hey Randy,
I was about to talk with you about this anyway since you have been through a major resto on your 68. Just out of curiousity, was it this bad?

Can you check this out for me? If you think it's worth buying, I'll go look at it.

 

 

Looks like the usual hard to please ones are on board.
Thanks VB, I value your opinion.