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Old Jan 19, 2011 | 07:48 PM
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Default Help with a purchase question

I am looking at a car that has the engine block replaced under warranty. Here is how it is described. The cars motor although not original and without the (AIR) smog pump, does have the original CE (Chevrolet Engine) 5-year/50,000 mile powertrain warranty replacement block that was available to Chevrolet dealers in 1971 for any corvette built in 1969 that needed a replacement block. The original block was replace with the (CE) block in 1971 when the car had 48,000 miles on the odometer and is stamped accordingly.


Is this not just like having to change the block on any car which makes it not original? What does this mean in terms of value etc. Thanks
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Old Jan 19, 2011 | 08:15 PM
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Hi T,
The ideal situation would be if ALL the original parts (heads, intake, carb, manifolds, and on and on) were moved to the CE bock.
All these parts would still judge well.
Also, I really think that the originality and condition of the rest of the car has a lot to do with it's value too.
Regards,
Alan
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Old Jan 19, 2011 | 08:26 PM
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The short answer is that this car now has the same value as any other NOM car as there is no way to prove that the particular engine was the one installed in the car under warranty- which wouldn't make it the original anyway.

CE engines were not unique to Corvettes.
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Old Jan 19, 2011 | 08:26 PM
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If you have concerns about the car's value as compared to similar cars with original motors, the person you try to sell the car to, whenever that day comes, will likely have the same concerns. The car is NOM regardless of the reason or circumstance.
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Old Jan 19, 2011 | 08:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi T,
The ideal situation would be if ALL the original parts (heads, intake, carb, manifolds, and on and on) were moved to the CE bock.
All these parts would still judge well.
Also, I really think that the originality and condition of the rest of the car has a lot to do with it's value too.
Regards,
Alan
According to the seller all the parts you mentioned are on the car. I have no problem with the car being a different motor. I just want to pay for what I get. It is a very nice car & looks original. Its also advertised as a 350 hp car which I don't think can be verified either. I am willing to pay what the market is. (don't know if he will sell at market) Here is the car. Thanks http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969-Corvette-Stingray-convertable-/320644030076?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item 4aa7df9e7c
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Old Jan 19, 2011 | 08:56 PM
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Originally Posted by TuckerO
According to the seller all the parts you mentioned are on the car. I have no problem with the car being a different motor. I just want to pay for what I get. It is a very nice car & looks original. Its also advertised as a 350 hp car which I don't think can be verified either. I am willing to pay what the market is. (don't know if he will sell at market) Here is the car. Thanks http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969-Corvette-Stingray-convertable-/320644030076?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item 4aa7df9e7c
GM never had a warranty with 50,000 miles in 71. The car new was either 2 yrs 24,000 mi or 3 yrs 36,000 mi. After seller said this I would want to go over the car with a fine toothed comb
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Old Jan 19, 2011 | 09:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Phil Zell
GM never had a warranty with 50,000 miles in 71. The car new was either 2 yrs 24,000 mi or 3 yrs 36,000 mi. After seller said this I would want to go over the car with a fine toothed comb
Thanks. I thought that was a long time for back then. I may just call the guy & she what he says. I get the feeling he buys & sells cars although it does not say dealer. I would not buy the car without looking at it first. With the snow coming my way again I can't drive up for a few days. May be sold before then.
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Old Jan 19, 2011 | 09:07 PM
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"LIKE IT JUST ROLLED OFF THE SHOW ROOM FLOOR IN 1969' and was tele-ported right here to 2010'". Thats my personal favorite quote about this rig . By the way Tucker, that car has been on E-Bay numerous times for forever and a day. There is a good chance she will still be there when you get ready to take a look at her.
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Old Jan 19, 2011 | 10:08 PM
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Thanks for all the help. I did call the guy & he said he has owned the car for 4 months & a buddy put it up for sale for him. Selling because he needs the money said why but not my story to tell. He said he was told that the block was replaced under warranty. He said he knew the block was stamped CE. New question what is the market for this car if it looks as good in person as in pictures etc. I know this varies but would like to hear your thoughts. Thanks again

Tucker
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Old Jan 19, 2011 | 10:59 PM
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best price idea is what is it bid up to?.. looks like about 19K.. that is probably the best guess at what it is worth.
not only is it NOM , but the motor in it is 40 years old too.. if I was buying a NOM, then I would hope it was a younger one, or at least recently rebuilt.. having a 40 year old NOM is a double negative in my mind.

also observe the logic, the car went 48000 miles in its 1st 2 years and then 40K more in the next 40 years.. that is about the fishiest story I have heard in a while.. expect it to be 189,000 miles and not 89K..

that is why the car won't go much past 18K... it also might have rust problems, and a good reason why it doesn't sell.

a 'correct' fuel filter, oil filter and air cleaner lid doesn't float my boat either.. pictures of a non rusty frame would go alot further than bragging that the correct fuel filter is installed.
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Old Jan 19, 2011 | 11:20 PM
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Originally Posted by joewill
best price idea is what is it bid up to?.. looks like about 19K.. that is probably the best guess at what it is worth.
not only is it NOM , but the motor in it is 40 years old too.. if I was buying a NOM, then I would hope it was a younger one, or at least recently rebuilt.. having a 40 year old NOM is a double negative in my mind.

also observe the logic, the car went 48000 miles in its 1st 2 years and then 40K more in the next 40 years.. that is about the fishiest story I have heard in a while.. expect it to be 189,000 miles and not 89K..

that is why the car won't go much past 18K... it also might have rust problems, and a good reason why it doesn't sell.

a 'correct' fuel filter, oil filter and air cleaner lid doesn't float my boat either.. pictures of a non rusty frame would go alot further than bragging that the correct fuel filter is installed.
I agree with you on most points. The last car I sold on ebay was at 26k until the last 30 minutes. It sold for 35k which was the reserve. I think the car may go to around 22k which I might be willing to pay if the car is as advertised. Thanks for your input. If I was to buy the car it would be after a trip to see it. It is a buyers market. I have been on the wrong side lately & hope to get on the right side for a change.
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Old Jan 19, 2011 | 11:56 PM
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These cars are not about "vaule"...they're about love.


If you want to make a dollar on a car - you have the wrong one.

Really...99.9% of the folks here couldn't care less what they could sell their baby for.....

"A nickle ain't worth a dime no more"...Yogi Bera


Last edited by MrJlr; Jan 19, 2011 at 11:59 PM.
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Old Jan 20, 2011 | 12:31 AM
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Originally Posted by TuckerO
Thanks. I thought that was a long time for back then. I may just call the guy & she what he says. I get the feeling he buys & sells cars although it does not say dealer. I would not buy the car without looking at it first. With the snow coming my way again I can't drive up for a few days. May be sold before then.
The drive train warranty was 50,000 in 1969.
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Old Jan 20, 2011 | 12:34 AM
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Originally Posted by Phil Zell
GM never had a warranty with 50,000 miles in 71. The car new was either 2 yrs 24,000 mi or 3 yrs 36,000 mi.
Sure about that?
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Old Jan 20, 2011 | 12:35 AM
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Originally Posted by MrJlr
These cars are not about "vaule"...they're about love.


If you want to make a dollar on a car - you have the wrong one.

Really...99.9% of the folks here couldn't care less what they could sell their baby for.....
Sorry, but this is just wrong. Understanding your car's value has absolutely nothing to do with whether you love it or not. Intentionally ignoring what the car's place is in the marketplace is lazy and the quickest way to lose a fortune.

This potential buyer is not trying to "make a dollar"; he's trying not to pay many times more dollars than an informed buyer should pay.

And 99.9% is pretty far off. You don't have to want to sell your car to want to know what the real value is.
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Old Jan 20, 2011 | 12:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Mike Ward
Sure about that?
I beat ya Mike.
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Old Jan 20, 2011 | 12:41 AM
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"drivetrain...engine block...50,000 miles"
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Old Jan 20, 2011 | 06:29 AM
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Originally Posted by Vettebuyer5869
Sorry, but this is just wrong. Understanding your car's value has absolutely nothing to do with whether you love it or not. Intentionally ignoring what the car's place is in the marketplace is lazy and the quickest way to lose a fortune.

This potential buyer is not trying to "make a dollar"; he's trying not to pay many times more dollars than an informed buyer should pay.

And 99.9% is pretty far off. You don't have to want to sell your car to want to know what the real value is.

Maybe I was a bit harsh....but it just seems that every day there's another "What this worth" thread...and I think most here have no intention of trying to "flip" our cars...
No ofence intended...

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Old Jan 20, 2011 | 07:42 AM
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Originally Posted by Vettebuyer5869
Sorry, but this is just wrong. Understanding your car's value has absolutely nothing to do with whether you love it or not. Intentionally ignoring what the car's place is in the marketplace is lazy and the quickest way to lose a fortune.

This potential buyer is not trying to "make a dollar"; he's trying not to pay many times more dollars than an informed buyer should pay.

And 99.9% is pretty far off. You don't have to want to sell your car to want to know what the real value is.
You are right, I am not looking to flip this car. I am looking to enjoy the car. I am not trying to take advantage of anyone just pay marked value. I also know that it is very likely in a few years I may grow tired of the car & see or want something different. The reason I know this is I have seen me do it. The time & money I spend on this car after purchase is like green fees to me & I don't expect to get it back. I enjoy cars especially corvettes. Cars are toys to me like other items we own that we don't need. By the way did you notice the color. The silver is growing on me & that gunmetal interior is very classy to me. Sorry about the whats it worth thread. This place is a wealth of information & most are more that willing to share. I also wanted to know about the block because it is old. If I do have any issues I might put another higher hp engine in the car & it sounds as if it would not hurt the value as long as it still had the original look. Anyway thanks for understanding my position & reason for this thread.

Tucker

Last edited by TuckerO; Jan 20, 2011 at 07:44 AM.
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Old Jan 20, 2011 | 08:30 AM
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Originally Posted by TuckerO
You are right, I am not looking to flip this car. I am looking to enjoy the car. I am not trying to take advantage of anyone just pay marked value. I also know that it is very likely in a few years I may grow tired of the car & see or want something different. The reason I know this is I have seen me do it. The time & money I spend on this car after purchase is like green fees to me & I don't expect to get it back. I enjoy cars especially corvettes. Cars are toys to me like other items we own that we don't need. By the way did you notice the color. The silver is growing on me & that gunmetal interior is very classy to me. Sorry about the whats it worth thread. This place is a wealth of information & most are more that willing to share. I also wanted to know about the block because it is old. If I do have any issues I might put another higher hp engine in the car & it sounds as if it would not hurt the value as long as it still had the original look. Anyway thanks for understanding my position & reason for this thread.

Tucker
Again - no ofence intended...guess I worded it a bit strong...
Cheers...
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