Found this vette for sale at a car show today and it looked really good. I talked to the owner for a bit and he mentioned the car was in storage for 19 years. 89000 miles, numbers matching, all original. It runs really smooth and everything seems to be in order. All gauges work except the clock. Has power steering and brakes. When i asked about price he said "under 10 thousand, just make me an offer." I left it at that and told him i would call him later this week. I was just wondering where the usual places are to look for rust and where to check on the frame for problems. It has a 10 foot paint job, there's bubbling in alot of places and a couple small spiderweb cracks and also pinstripes on the fenders that im not sure where they came from. Chrome is in decent shape but not perfect. He also named a whole bunch of things that were recently new (rebuilt carburetor, gas tank, mufflers, fuel pump, water pump, brakes, master cyl., alternator, shocks, clutch)

It seems like a really good deal but will need weather striping and eventually need paint and probably some interior work to be a really great car.
Just wanted to see what everyone on here thinks and get some opinions.








not quite sure why he only popped one light up when i was taking pictures but he did it by hand


The drivers side door panel wasnt completely on











The only thing that really worries me now is how messy the engine compartment is. How hard would it be to clean up and make presentable?

This would be my first corvette. Im only 17 but i've been dying to get into the corvette community for my whole life. This sure would be a fun way to start off the summer!

 

From what I can see it doesn't look like a bad car; you could sell some of the vintage engine parts to recoup some of the cost. There are people who would pay good money for that Mallory distributor, the Edelbrock valve covers could be cleaned up I'm sure and the Edelbrock intake may be worth something to someone (if you want to return the car to 100% original).

Maybe you could talk him down a bit and make it a real nice driver; if there are no rust issues you probably could do worse for a chrome bumper C3.

 

yea im not very concerned at all with whats original and whats not i just love the style and beauty of the chrome bumper c3 but at the same time i want something that will hold its value

 

Needs all new belts and hoses. Look close at the frame rear kickup for rust. Also the windshield pillars (birdcage). The wiper door vacuum lines don't look to be hooked up so the wipers won't work. Only one headlight opened so there are vacuum issues with this car. If you want it to fix up and play with, it might be OK, but if you need a reliable daily driver, this might not be the best choice. Any pictures of the frame?

Gary

 

i have another car for my daily driver this would be a car just for fun and shows. ill try to get it up on a lift in this next week to get pictures of the frame. Birdcage had no rust that i noticed

 

Looks like a decent car, but there is a lot non-original: seat covers, exhaust, intake, carb, valve covers, air cleaner,distributor-probably more. Missing these parts certainly cuts the resale value. I would go carefully, but on the surface looks like it has some promise. I would be hesitant to have a car like this for a DD, not to mention what insurance would cost for a 17yo. These cars are a lot of fun, but without some maintenance may not be the best choice for a driver. You need to really read up on what to look for when buying a C3, if possible take someonje along who knows these cars. You also have to think with your head, not jump in brcause it is the coolest car ever. Don't get me wrong, I wanted a '69 since I was 8 in 1976 but it took a long time to actually get one.

 

Like i said it wouldnt be for a dd, just for fun. I've been reading up on these cars for years and have been following the market pretty closely for about a year and a half. I have 5 uncles who have all restored cars for their whole lives, including a 1970 corvette that one uncle still has. I'm not going to buy a car just because its cool or make any decisions on a whim. and those seat covers are just there because he likes them, the seats are still in really good shape

thanks for everyone's help so far

 

Why are you calling this a "survivor?" Generally that term refers to "unrestored original."

The engine compartment is not just messy, it has been changed at length. The Accel ignition box, air cleaner, valve covers, nightmarish contraption that is supposed to be a fuel filter assembly, wires, carb linkage... And what is going on with the Edelbrock intake with the oil filler tube in the front? Isnt this style from the 327s???

By the way... that blue overspray on the hood hinge and firewall? Not original. Not survivor.

I cant see enough of the interior to comment beyond the covers on the wheel and seats. Id love to see the frame and body closely.

You say its numbers matching... did you look? Or are you believing the seller? I have a feeling I know the answer.

You might be able to get a deal on this thing, but it needs far more examination than youve been told so far.

 

Remove interior kick panels to look at #2 body mount and bird cage. Carb. looks to be off a Pontiac/Olds/Buick. I do not think any Chevy carbs. had straight out the front fuel inlets. Definately repainted or major touch up around front clip. No diss. intended. Car looks to have great potential. Good luck with it. mike...

 

Under 10 grand. This car has potential to be a nice, fun car. From looking at the pics, I doubt the motor is the original with that old style oil filler neck. Check the numbers on the engine block pad against the VIN in the windshield pillar. Doesn't matter if you don't care. The carb is a later model with electric chokeas well as the other items mentioned already. Look at more pics of 1970's, especially the engine compartment to compare.
Looks like the vacuum system will need work. The head lamps & wipers must work to pass inspection and the system can be a real PITA to get working properly.
As stated, get it up on a lift for a thorough inspection. Check the bird cage. Bring your Uncle that restored the 70. Seems like the right things were fixed and replaced after sitting for so long. Does the owner have all the receipts for the work done and any of the original documentation that came with the car when new? That would be a bonus.
Check all the body mounts for rust issues as well.
Hope this works out for you, but go slowly before you buy.
Good luck, Glenn

 

The car is not perfect but if it were the price would be higher.
It looks like it would be a good candidate for you to fix up and also learn about the car, assuming there is no major frame or birdcage rust.
Since you have a daily driver already, you could take your time and do what you can as time and money permit.
Don't get discouraged, lots of help here on this forum to assist you with whatever you run into.
Good luck,
Kurt

 

Thank you all so much for the replies this is exactly what i was hoping for from you guys
I wanted to know what to check out and look over before i even consider making an offer

 

I agree that it has potential just be careful and check out the birdcage and make sure you have someone who knows C3's look at it for you. If your'e not familiar with mechanicals and body work - you should also see if you can get someone to check out the engine and body/frame, etc. (assure that it is #'s matching) It's not a deal breaker if it's not - but the price would drop significantly. There are quite a few issues with non-original/after market parts. If all checks out - you could probably get it for less (pointing out the known issues in addition to the fact a paint job is not going to be cheap), get her back to as original as you can and use it as a weekend driver. Good luck!

 

Yup, far from being a survivor. 'War weary' might be a better term. My biggest concern is the presence of an oil filler tube on what's supposed to be the original engine. Weird combo. Bubba done made a visit it seems.

 

not quite sure what you mean by that

but im glad you guys are pointing so many things out it'll give me things to look for as well as helping me make a reasonable offer. i'll also be asking for receipts for all the repairs he claims to have done on the car and be checking numbers and try to find out the history of the car

 

He just means that someone not terribly skilled in auto mechanics did some work in there, with obvious inattention to "originality."

Certainly not a Survivor which is actually a trademark owned by Bloomington Gold. But also not a survivor which is a term thrown about to mean an unrestored original car. Now it could be a SURVIVOR which has come to mean a person left alone with no tools on a dessert island. Just kidding, you are smart to be concerned about rust and structural issues. Aside from those potential pitfalls (which could mean disaster for you) the car looks like a good platform for you to get your hands dirty and turn it into something great - whether that becomes a hot rod or a car restored to original configuration.


Is there a drivers seat under that chair cushion?

If he presented the car as "numbers matching original" you should check the engine pad to see if the vin derivative is stamped there that matches the car's vin. Also check the trim plate (inside the drivers door) which will give you the original paint color, interior, and the date the car was built. That date should be consistent with the vin. (Vins were assigned in the order the cars were built, so form the vin you can get a general idea of when the car was built)

It makes me happy to see young people getting into the hobby, especially someone who appreciates the great looks of a chrome bumper vette. Without you, the future of the hobby is a bunch of old farts too feeble to work on their cars sitting around talking about how great they used to be.... oh wait... that's me right now!!!

 

There have been quite a few downgrades made under the hood. As always, spliced together rubber fuel lines are bubba's calling card. Dangerous.

Have a professional evaluate the car's condition to see if it's worth buying at that price.

 

Yes the seats are there and in good condition i cant remember why i didnt ask about the cushion or the weird seat covers

Will be having the car looked at by a professional without a doubt. A corvette is a big investment, as is any car for that matter. Any ideas on where i can find a good shop who knows alot about corvettes? I live about 40 minutes from Turner corvette (they specialize in corvettes)

and my apologies for calling the car a survivor as i now know its far from it

 

...IMHO, "Bubba" was a past owner.

...that car hasn't been a "Survivor" for decades.

 

Nope. Not "all original". If the owner is going to stick with "all original" claim, he/she does not know C3s.

A copy of this will help.


Otherwise, she looks like she could be a nice car.