Well I got the pictures today, in the mail! I was expecting email, but he figured these would show the car better. Here are a few, give me your critiques!

 

LOVE THE RIMS! looks sharp man!

 

Funny you say that, rims would probably be one of the first things I change out! They are nice though.

So a few questions/observations now that I have looked the car over for a while:
- Does this look like the period correct Ontario Orange? Looks a lot darker than the pictures I remember that my dad has, maybe it's the lighting...who knows
- Steering wheel needs to be changed

Other than that, I need to take a look at the frame and in speaking with the previous owners, there was a problem with the filler neck to the gas tank, a weld broke somewhere and used to leak gas. No clue if the current owner fixed it yet.

Oh and I know what he paid for it, so I have my baseline!!

 

not sure about the paint. i agree about the steering wheel, and probably i would change the rims for rally's too. i DO like them and i think they look great, but that doesn't mean that they are my particular brand of vodka...

 

That's my thinking Ed, plus I know the old man would like the stock look more. I am concerned about that paint though. More and more I look at it I think it is more of an Orange Flame color. Still nice, but not original to the car.

 

the paint does look dark to me as well. i'm not an ontario orange expert but from what i know that color is more of a sunkist orange - this looks more burnt. almost like a mix between bronze and orange. it also seems like it has more metal flake in it. almost like the atomic (i think that's the name) orange on the c6.
<img src="http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s200/ed1655/CorvetteC6AOZaino.jpg">
ontario isn't really metallic (at least i don't think so). on another note, i dig this color more than ontario. but that's a whole separate issue. don't forget man, this is your dad's car. the exact one!!!! don't obsess over the paint color - it looks to be a nice job from the pics, and that's more important. i would, however, find out more about the frame and that gas leak. did the seller give you a price yet?

 

the paint does look dark to me as well. i'm not an ontario orange expert but from what i know that color is more of a sunkist orange - this looks more burnt. almost like a mix between bronze and orange. it also seems like it has more metal flake in it. almost like the atomic (i think that's the name) orange on the c6. ontario isn't really metallic (at least i don't think so). on another note, i dig this color more than ontario. but that's a whole separate issue. don't forget man, this is your dad's car. the exact one!!!! don't obsess over the paint color - it looks to be a nice job from the pics, and that's more important. i would, however, find out more about the frame and that gas leak. did the seller give you a price yet?

 

No, I haven't called him yet. I think he is waiting for me to make an offer price, and I don't want to do that before taking a look at it close up. He's about 200 miles away from, so I have to work out a decent time to meet up with him. However, with a pregnant wife and a 19 month old, free time is very tough to come across!

Tom

 

i feel ya... well, keep us posted.

 

OK, so after quite a bit of research on the car this weekend, I am hoping to get down to see it next weekend. However I'm not sure what approach to take when going down there. Do I show up with a blank check and trailer and hope for a good price, or do I show up and talk it out, willing to walk away if its unreasonable.

What I know so far:
-Original drivetrain, with one rebuild on it (engine and trans)
-Car has never been hit
-Has one repaint on it, not original color (ontario orange)
-not original carb, ignition shields missing, orignal rally rims gone
-aftermarket exhaust


What I need to check still:
-Frame rails, rust
-previous owner said there was a small gas leak, not sure if that was ever fixed
-brakes, suspension
-others??

Assuming the frame is in decent condition would I be in the ball park if I hoped for a price between $15k-18k? Should I try to coax a price out of him first before I spit out a number? He knows that I am interested in the car, and at the time wasn't looking to sell; however now he is considering it. Trying to treat this delicately without being overbearing.

Also, I will have to rent a trailer, probably from uhaul, however it is "winter time" here in Chicago, any advice for trailering it on an open trailer?

 

I would take a trailer, just in case. Did he tell you he'd take a check? If not, should contact him and ask him before you take the trailer up there. Good luck

 

Hit a snag with the owner yesterday. Spoke with him for about 30 mins about random parts of the car, then I hinted at him ballparking a price to take it off his hands. He's hesitant and says that it might take a substantial amount to let it go. I know he wasn't looking to sell when I contacted him, but I hope this isn't some sort of bartering tool he is using to try and up the price. He said he had to talk it over with his wife and son, and think it over. Right now I am guessing he is either not going to sell, or try to up the price to see if I bite, knowing that I have a unique interest in the car. I know what I can afford, and I have a pretty good idea what the car should be worth. Better yet, I know what he paid for it when he bought it. So, I am sitting here waiting for him to call back, hopefully this week. If it comes in under my max price, I'll haggle for a few dollars, and then probably ****** it up before he rethinks it. Otherwise this may not have as happy of an ending as I hoped.

All in all he is being really nice about the whole thing and really likes my story about the car. Not trying to portray him as a sinister guy, seems to be quite the contrary. He is a collector and has a few other nice cars in his collection, this just happens to be his favorite to hop in and go.

Just hoping the market stays up right now so I can cash out high and fund this purchase!

 

Don't be too hard on the NOW owner. I bought my car 2 years ago, & one, I wouldn't take 10 times what I paid for it. & two, I have at least 10 times in it. LOL When you buy, even an non wrecked, never in the rain, or snow car, the suspension is dry rotted out as well as almost everything on it. My upholstery is all original, with only one flaw, and the repaint ( painted before I got it, ) is still in excellent condition. It has taken around 16K in parts, plus installing them. But when you rehab one completely with out the paint & Uph. it takes a lot of time finding original GM parts. Have a great one. Gene

 

If he won't help you out maybe you could take your Dad down there and at least get him a ride in his old car. I'm sure he will appreciate the fact that you went to all the trouble to find it. I know I would.

 

So what if he is using your unique interest in the car as a "bartering tool" to hike the price. IT'S HIS CAR and he is not obligated to serve your financial wishes. I don't think you are in a position to do this deal on the cheap.
With that said, I hope you can reach an agreement and get the car for your max price or less. I think it is very noble of you to do something like this for your dad.
If you can't make a deal here, maybe try to find an actual Ontario Orange car that you can buy. I'd bet that your dad would still be pleased with the car and especially with a son who would try so hard to make his father happy and regain some of his youth.
Good luck.
Terry

 

Thanks guys, I'll let you know when he calls.

Terry-Yes it is his car, and if he doesn't want to sell I am perfectly OK with that, but I would rather he just flat out tells me. Bartering, is actually what he does for a living. I haven't pushed one way or another, guess I was just venting my frustration here.

Found some pictures from 1976

 

If bartering is his business then he can appreciate you telling him you are ready to buy this week from him or somebody else. If he does not give in at that point he most likely never will and it was not meant to be. Like another has said, it is very commendable to actually get the exact car your father had but in the end if you were to show up with the same year and color of another he will still probably flip out...
Just my thoughts..
c-ya
ToddG

 

Yep, if my son bought my first Corvette - a '61 4 speed - for me, I'd be indescribeably happy and proud. Actually, if he bought ANY '61 4 speed for me I'd feel the same.
Terry

 

Well, so far no word, so I am continuing on my hunt for as close of match as I can find!

 

Well I talked to the owner today. He thought about it for 2 weeks, but really just didn't consider selling, actually he said he had forgotten about talking to his famly at all about it. Then he tells me well, everything has a price. He wouldn't throw out a number so I started at $17k, he said I was about $10k to low. I laughed a bit, but he reassured me he was serious and that the car was worth at least that much in today's market. I thanked him for his time, and told him to enjoy the car and keep my name and number. Unfortunately I think this is where the story is going to end.

Tom