Is this a bargain?
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
If you do, that's all that matters - depending on what you want to do with the car.
If you're going to make it your car, get it if you feel it's a good deal. The market value if you're trying to get it as an investment may be a different story however.
If you're going to make it your car, get it if you feel it's a good deal. The market value if you're trying to get it as an investment may be a different story however.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Thanks for the reply. Oh it is going to get heavy modifications so the resale value is going to be a different story regardless. I plan on dropping a LS1 in it with a T56 and some other goodies.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
Car's really really rough. The tops don't fit well at all, the front fenders appear to have been spliced using a fiberglass reinforced body filler instead of epoxy resin and mat. Back end looks unmodified to me... are there more body parts not shown in the pics? Most "Daytona" style body kits I have seen require mods to both ends of the doors to complete the arch of the wide fenders...these seem missing in your pics. I had also expected those skinny 8 inch wide rims to be seated somewhat deeper in the wheelwell since part of the reason for the widebody is to allow a much more agressive wheel/tire package. Might just be bad camera angles, but thought I'd share my observations.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 262
Likes: 16
From: Miami Florida
Like has been mentioned before...it's you that decides if it worth it or not....
However, I can tell you that I just bought a 77, numbers matching (not a concern of yours), with a complete body and interior, dead solid chassis and a decent cage for about $250 more than what you paid.
In the end the kit has a value... But this car is far rougher than what we found....
Again, however.... It's more important that it works for you....
However, I can tell you that I just bought a 77, numbers matching (not a concern of yours), with a complete body and interior, dead solid chassis and a decent cage for about $250 more than what you paid.
In the end the kit has a value... But this car is far rougher than what we found....
Again, however.... It's more important that it works for you....
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Im sorry not a full Daytona kit just the hood and rear it had the front bumper but something happened. It also looks to be rust free. I thank all of you for your opinions and I want more to help me decide on this thing.
Last edited by Unachievable; May 31, 2011 at 10:06 PM. Reason: Spell-Check
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
It needs about 200 hours of bodywork before paint. The body appears to have been assembled from at least two perhaps more donors. Doesn't give me a good feeling about what else might have been done to the car. I'd walk on this one.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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If they were going to pay ME $2,500 to take it away, I might consider that 
If you really like it, go for it 
If you really like it, go for it
Pro
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 576
Likes: 3
I'm no Corvette guru but I noticed a couple of things:
That rear end doesn't seem to be a '78. The spoiler looks to be more like 80-82.
Didn't think that the '78 had the flip-up rear window. Maybe it does maybe it doesn't.
Love the hood, just put one on my '79 but that is a "Twin Turbo" hood made by Ecklers.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1577743494-post15.html
Definitely not a stock '78.
If it's a running car I'd offer him $1500. That way you can always part it out if your project goes sour.
I'll buy your rims for starters.
That rear end doesn't seem to be a '78. The spoiler looks to be more like 80-82.
Didn't think that the '78 had the flip-up rear window. Maybe it does maybe it doesn't.
Love the hood, just put one on my '79 but that is a "Twin Turbo" hood made by Ecklers.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1577743494-post15.html
Definitely not a stock '78.
If it's a running car I'd offer him $1500. That way you can always part it out if your project goes sour.
I'll buy your rims for starters.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,221
Likes: 4,312
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi u,
No, it's not a bargain.
People stop working on projects like your pictures show for a reason...
REALITY sets in and they realize their labor alone isn't going to ever make this a car. It will take THOUSANDS of dollars too.
Can you make that kind of commitment?
Regards,
Alan
No, it's not a bargain.
People stop working on projects like your pictures show for a reason...
REALITY sets in and they realize their labor alone isn't going to ever make this a car. It will take THOUSANDS of dollars too.
Can you make that kind of commitment?
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Jun 1, 2011 at 05:03 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,931
Likes: 3,336
From: NYC NY
There is a ton of very labor intensive work in that car. Don't let the hood and the rear hatch keep you from realizing it. Start adding up the parts cost and throw in the time factor and decide if you want to make the time and financial commitment. If you're OK with that then it's a "bargain". I have a hard time seeing it though.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,246
Likes: 114
From: Watkins Glen NY
No.
Find a $2500 rubber bumpered C3 that lives on today as one car as it was made,....not the leftovers of several different cars owned by several different Bubbas.. You will be able to find a decent one.
The potential for a lot of nasty surprises exists here, starting with that front header panel breaking off. You can do a lot better for your money than this thing.
Find a $2500 rubber bumpered C3 that lives on today as one car as it was made,....not the leftovers of several different cars owned by several different Bubbas.. You will be able to find a decent one.
The potential for a lot of nasty surprises exists here, starting with that front header panel breaking off. You can do a lot better for your money than this thing.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 355
Likes: 202
From: TEXAS
No...
Absolutely not....
That car is 7000 miles past the point of being a nightmare.
It is in its current condition for a REASON....
Even if my intent were to part it out.....it's still not a $2500 car..
These are NOT rare cars... And this is the third full year of a full blown recession... Go to Craigslist or Ebay and take your pick of the litter..
Absolutely not....
That car is 7000 miles past the point of being a nightmare.
It is in its current condition for a REASON....
Even if my intent were to part it out.....it's still not a $2500 car..
These are NOT rare cars... And this is the third full year of a full blown recession... Go to Craigslist or Ebay and take your pick of the litter..
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
That car looks like ti was pieced together from so many cars I can't count. I'd walk and look for something better. That's about only good to sell for a parts car now IMHO. It would be a nightmare to get up in decent shape. Better to pay a couple of thousand more for a better one and save the money in the long run.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,658
Likes: 3,117
From: Shamong, NJ
The hood is what they call a "Twin Turbo" hood, and the rear spoiler is just a stock 80-82 rear bumper. The front fenders and side grilles are stock 80-82 fenders, and from the shape of them, I can tell they're set up for a stock 80-82 front bumper, not a custom Daytona one.
That car is a 78, that someone has tried to make into an 80-82, with a custom hood. If the seller is claiming it's a "Daytona", they're either wrong, or an out right liar.
Thinking about it, with all the 80-82 parts on that car (those wheels are 80-82 also!), you might want to take a good look at the VIN number. I'd be real suspicious of whether it really is a 78, or maybe an 80-82 with the wrong or bogus title.
Is it worth it to build up a modified car from, that's up to you.
I spite of what others have said, I wouldn't think twice about buying it to part out. I think that parted out, it could be worth quite a bit more than the $2,500. That rear hatch glass is worth $1,500+ by itself. The glass tops (if not cracked) will bring $600-$800 for the pair, the aluminum wheels are worth $300, the headlight assemblies bring $250 each, the rear bumper $200, the seats $300 for the pair, and so on. After all that, you still have suspension, brakes, engine, trans, rear, and a ton of other parts to sell.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
There's nothing "Daytona" about that car.
The hood is what they call a "Twin Turbo" hood, and the rear spoiler is just a stock 80-82 rear bumper. The front fenders and side grilles are stock 80-82 fenders, and from the shape of them, I can tell they're set up for a stock 80-82 front bumper, not a custom Daytona one.
That car is a 78, that someone has tried to make into an 80-82, with a custom hood. If the seller is claiming it's a "Daytona", they're either wrong, or an out right liar.
Thinking about it, with all the 80-82 parts on that car (those wheels are 80-82 also!), you might want to take a good look at the VIN number. I'd be real suspicious of whether it really is a 78, or maybe an 80-82 with the wrong or bogus title.
Is it worth it to build up a modified car from, that's up to you.
I spite of what others have said, I wouldn't think twice about buying it to part out. I think that parted out, it could be worth quite a bit more than the $2,500. That rear hatch glass is worth $1,500+ by itself. The glass tops (if not cracked) will bring $600-$800 for the pair, the aluminum wheels are worth $300, the headlight assemblies bring $250 each, the rear bumper $200, the seats $300 for the pair, and so on. After all that, you still have suspension, brakes, engine, trans, rear, and a ton of other parts to sell.
The hood is what they call a "Twin Turbo" hood, and the rear spoiler is just a stock 80-82 rear bumper. The front fenders and side grilles are stock 80-82 fenders, and from the shape of them, I can tell they're set up for a stock 80-82 front bumper, not a custom Daytona one.
That car is a 78, that someone has tried to make into an 80-82, with a custom hood. If the seller is claiming it's a "Daytona", they're either wrong, or an out right liar.
Thinking about it, with all the 80-82 parts on that car (those wheels are 80-82 also!), you might want to take a good look at the VIN number. I'd be real suspicious of whether it really is a 78, or maybe an 80-82 with the wrong or bogus title.
Is it worth it to build up a modified car from, that's up to you.
I spite of what others have said, I wouldn't think twice about buying it to part out. I think that parted out, it could be worth quite a bit more than the $2,500. That rear hatch glass is worth $1,500+ by itself. The glass tops (if not cracked) will bring $600-$800 for the pair, the aluminum wheels are worth $300, the headlight assemblies bring $250 each, the rear bumper $200, the seats $300 for the pair, and so on. After all that, you still have suspension, brakes, engine, trans, rear, and a ton of other parts to sell.
Thanks for the information and that is exactly the type of reply I was looking for as far as the parts totaling more then what I am paying