I'm looking at 69 427's and since they're not commonly for sale, I haven't even seen one where I live (San Diego). I found one on EBay located in Fayetteville, Georgia, but actually traveling there to inspect it and then transporting it back adds probably an additional $3k o costs plus takes time that I don't have.

Any advice on how I could get a remote inspection done? I guess rust on the birdcage and window frame and front area behind the wheels are common areas to look at.

This car is supposed to have had a frame off restoration done. From the photos it looks like it's true, but who knows.

Has anyone else here done a remote purchase and if so, how did you handle it?

Thansk, Patrick

 

First, go to the regional forum here that would include Georgia and post a request.

Also, go to NCRS site and get a phone number for them in Georgia. Usually, they will send out an expert for you (maybe for a couple bucks) who can provide a report. This is sometimes even better than you going out since they really know their stuff.

I'd also search the 'net and see if there is a Corvette club in or near Fayetteville, contact them and see if 1) they know the car, and 2) if they'd have someone look at it for you.

If you are really serious, it's worth spending a little money and getting some knowledgable independent views.

 

As far as '69 big blocks are concerned, $3K is chicken feed. My advice is to make the trip and personally inspect the car. Hopefully, you could drive it home. I would be wary of making this type of expenditure without seeing the car.

Good luck.

 

Thanks for the tips. I've contacted a Corvette club in the area and am waiting for a reply. I'll try the NCRS site too. I keep telling myself this is a foolish purchase. Why spend $35k for a car that I'll probably put another $30-40k into and have something worth $40k at the end? Because I want to I guess. At least I'm going for something that's had a considerable amount of work done on italready. The ad says it's had a frame off restoration.

Does $36k sound reasonable for a well restored, NOM 69 427/435? It's hard to really price compare. I see some others on EBay that have recently gone for about half that, but without a recent restoration. A true frame-off restoration has got to be worth a fair amount, but how much? Since I have little time to work on it, I want to get something that's not going to need much work for a while. Then when I retire in 5-10 years, I start making whatever mods I want as a hobby. I figure prices are only going to go higher from this point on, and with the down economy, this is probably a good time to buy if you have the cash.

I just have to figure out where I'm going to park it! I'm trying to figure out what I'll say to my wife.

"Honey, would you mind parking in the drive way from now on? I want all three stalls for the Corvettes and my tools. And please be careful you don't scratch anything as you walk by to the door."

 

i think 36k is high for a NON ORIGINAL MOTOR. with that kind of money i would look for a #s matching car. with the economy the way it is you can get a great deal now. i bought my 72 #S matchinG BB sight unseen from a reputable dealer a couple years ago. i was happy with car but there were things the seller was not honest about. i would never buy sight unseen again. you should be able to find a #s matching 69 BB in great shape for UNDER 40K. GOOD LUCK, NUTSY. OH, ALSO DONT USE EBAY AS A PRICE GUIDE. people there are looking for a steal. not many meet reserve with the nice cars.

 

In my opinion, if you’re going to spend that kind of money, I would personally go there myself. A couple of years ago, I bid and won an Ebay auction for a numbers matching 69 big block. It was in Kansas and I live in Michigan. It cost $500 for the flight and $500 for shipping. When I went out there it was not as advertised so we started negotiating a lower price. I did not go out there with that in mind but it work out that way. The other reason I say go out there is what the truck driver said. He said most of the people he delivers cars to have never seen them until they get to your place and are mad because it is not what they expect. With the age of these cars, there is always something a little wrong. It was well worth the price and peace of mind

Just my 2 cents
Carl

 

Sounds like I better plan on having an initial remote inspection done, and then followup with a trip if things look okay.

I probably need to slow down. I've only been looking for a short time so far and should get better acquainted with prices before buying.

Thanks, Patrick

 

Is this the one? it a 69 435 in fayetteville...looks like a pretty nice car.. owner claims it is original? so it is not? it is a very nice car that if it was as claimed, it shoulda been bid for alot more


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969-...item1e58e0bd56

 

That's too high for a NOM car. You should be able to buy a NOM big block in very decent condition for under 15k.

 

Not going to happen. You are going to pay 15K for a rubber bumper car in equal condition. If the ebay car is the same car then I do agree that it may be a little high as this appears to be an older fram off that has seen some miles since. I looks like a nice driver. You see a lot of 69's on ebay however i would agree that the BB cars a scarce.

 

Patrick, I was in your shoes five years ago. If you have decided on a 1969 big block and money is an issue, then look for a 427/390 coupe. The 435 HP cars are more money, have solid lifters that require adjusting and need something more than pump gas because of the compression. If you want a 4 speed then don't settle for an automatic, unless your wife needs to drive the car. In today's market, such a car could run anywhere from 15K to 60K, or higher. If you don't have the time to work on it, then you better find one that has been "restored." If the drivetrain is not original, then the degree or type of restoration is not that critical. If it is original, then you will be paying more and you need to make sure you are getting what you pay for.

I searched for 18 months before finding mine on the old Collector Car Trader Online. I flew from Florida to Oregon to look at it. At the time, I knew enough about vettes to be dangerous. Checked out the important stuff and took it for a test drive. If I had brought along an expert, I probably would have walked away. Anyway, I bought the car and had it shipped back via enclosed transport. Do not buy any car without looking at it yourself.

In the past five years, I have doubled the purchase price and do most of the work myself. I will probably have 55k into the car by the time I am "done" with the mechanical restoration this winter and haven't touched the paint, chrome or interior. Then again, I have the original drivetrain, rare factory side exhaust and complete documentation with owner history. I plan on driving mine for many years to come. I know it will only increase in value, hopefully to the point where I will get most of my money back. Or not.

 

Really?
How come I got one for under 15k?

 

When did you buy it? And what kind of condition was it in?

Thanks, Patrick

 

2006, when the economy was much better. Check out the pics in my garage.

 

Hey Yellow, I bought my car from a member of this Forum. I am in Miami, he is in California. My car was considerably less than $35k so I made the decision to not go out to see it personally. I hired a mechanic through Classic Car Guy (www.classiccarguy.com) and he went to inspect it (I think it was $375).

It was a tough call to not go see it personally. Yes, there are some flaws the inspector didn't really cover, but I kind of think it is my fault for not digging and asking more questions since I am a newbie. Meanwhile, I freakin' love my '70 and can't wait to pour some more money into her. Good luck with your purchase.

Brian

 

I'm sure there are honest sellers on Ebay but certainly not all. Be very careful and after my experience I won't be buying any car site unseen. Just my advise.

 

There are several types of restoration. I would get details on what kind of frame off was done.

In other words, restomod where things were updated with more modern parts (A/C, wheels and tires etc.).

NCRS restoration where everything is as close to the way it came from the factory as possible.

Restoration using reproduction parts such as many of those auctioned off at Bloomington Gold.

Finally, what I call a "street" restoration using a combination of factory replacement parts and after-market parts for cars that are never intended to be judged just driven.

cc

 

Am I missing something? Is this a NOM?

 

Again, since the OP isn't a Corvette specialist, I advised him to have a "Corvette Guy" or a NCRS guy go look at it first.

Having him go look at it personally may be a waste of time if he doesn't really know what he's looking for.

I'd get some one who loves these cars and is an experienced owner at the least to do a once-over, if not a NCRS judge. If the OP likes what he hears, then he can invest his time to go see it (which I completely agree with)

When I bought my '69 L71, I had a NCRS guy inspect it, write up a 3 page report, send a bunch of pictures. Then, I drove out to see the car (it was only in Iowa City and I'm in Chicago), checked out the various things the NCRS guy pointed out, as well as some other things I was concerned with. Test drove it and talked at length to the seller. It happened to be "as advertised" so I bought it and had it trailered home.

 

You got a deal that is rare even with the bad economey. The OP may never find that deal on a BB Vette.