'78 project Vette
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 156
From: Navarre FL
'78 project Vette
Well Im going to look at this car today (if the seller and I can work out our schedules). Unfortunatley I am leaving town tomorrow and cant get the cash out in time, so Ill have to try and convince him to hold it with a deposit or take a check ( I wouldnt take a check from a stranger if I were him!). That and finding a way to get it across town...I dont have a trailer. Anyway, $3500 for a 1978, motor and tranny out of car but it comes with aGM goodwrench crate motor and TH350 trans. Im sure for the money it will be a bit of a project, but thats sort of what im after. I just want to avoid any rusty frames/bird cage, or major body damage. Anything else I should look for so there are no surprises? Im aware of the normal rust spots mentions, and headlight gears, bad weather trim, leaky tops. What else? Thanks for your advice.
http://okaloosa.craigslist.org/cto/1669952048.html
http://okaloosa.craigslist.org/cto/1669952048.html
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 332
Likes: 1
From: Watkins Glen New York
With no motor its hard to check for certain things, but a project is a project.
Look for wet and moldy carpet in the foot wells indicating windshield/birdcage issues.
You should be able to get a good look at the inner body to look for repairs or damage.
Good luck! A new crate motor is a nice plus.
Look for wet and moldy carpet in the foot wells indicating windshield/birdcage issues.
You should be able to get a good look at the inner body to look for repairs or damage.
Good luck! A new crate motor is a nice plus.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 156
From: Navarre FL
Thanks, hadn't thought of that tip. Im getting pretty excited about it, gotta try not to let that excitement blind me though! Only downside is that its an auto. Hmm....wonder how difficult that would be to switch?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 156
From: Navarre FL
ok, I spoke with him again and got some more details. and Im going to look at it tomorrow morning now. Here is what he had to say;
"Gotcha. Cool man. Well there isn't really any rust on the frame and the body is in fantastic shape (two MINOR scrapes on each bumper) paint is excellent. The interior is worn, but the leather seats are excellent. There isn't too much interior to a stingray. T tops are good and don't leak (that I can tell) the frame where the upper a arms mount is a little funky, that's a common weak spot on these cars. A multitude of options are available to fix that, most of which are cheap but involve a bit of elbow grease. Overall the car is awesome and doesn't need much money-just a bit of time. Unfortunately that's what I don't have much of, or else I wouldn't even be selling it"
Anyone know what he is talking about with the A arms? And what are these cheap fixes? Of course Ill inspect it well when I see it in the morning, I just want to have an idea what Im getting into when I go there. Again, the goal is for a project, something for me to tinker on, and to learn and improve my mechanics abilities. Thanks again, hopefully Ill be adding a C3 to my collection soon!
"Gotcha. Cool man. Well there isn't really any rust on the frame and the body is in fantastic shape (two MINOR scrapes on each bumper) paint is excellent. The interior is worn, but the leather seats are excellent. There isn't too much interior to a stingray. T tops are good and don't leak (that I can tell) the frame where the upper a arms mount is a little funky, that's a common weak spot on these cars. A multitude of options are available to fix that, most of which are cheap but involve a bit of elbow grease. Overall the car is awesome and doesn't need much money-just a bit of time. Unfortunately that's what I don't have much of, or else I wouldn't even be selling it"
Anyone know what he is talking about with the A arms? And what are these cheap fixes? Of course Ill inspect it well when I see it in the morning, I just want to have an idea what Im getting into when I go there. Again, the goal is for a project, something for me to tinker on, and to learn and improve my mechanics abilities. Thanks again, hopefully Ill be adding a C3 to my collection soon!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 156
From: Navarre FL
So heres the deal. The A arm where it mounts to the frame looks a little questionable. Really just looks like a messy weld. and the a arm itself looks to have some damage. But the rest of the car looks GREAT. Paint is a 7 only because of a few chips in the fiberglass, otherwise its an 8 easy. Needs new weather seals all around and new carpet, but has new seats already (they look really good actually).
Now the part that will make some of you squeamish...it has a rebuilt title. I dont see it as a huge deal, Im just looking to have a driver that I can enjoy. Dont care about showing it or anything. Its already titled in this state and a call to the DMV verifies that it is ok. Any other problems I may be missing with a rebuilt title?
Now the part that will make some of you squeamish...it has a rebuilt title. I dont see it as a huge deal, Im just looking to have a driver that I can enjoy. Dont care about showing it or anything. Its already titled in this state and a call to the DMV verifies that it is ok. Any other problems I may be missing with a rebuilt title?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 156
From: Navarre FL
Got him down to $3000...Seems fair to me for what it is. Engine needs mild work, tranny is good. I hanvt seen too many cars cheaper than this especially with as nice a body and paint as this. Am I off in my estimate of the market?
