Okay, I'm a C2 guy wanting a 70-72 bumper car.

Found a 71, completely restorated, except the engine & trany.

PS, PB, Auto, AC (new), 270 hp, tilt, all new interior, new paint (10/10), new suspension, new chrome, etc. Frame is solid and was completely cleaned (frame on) and re-painted. Birdcage is solid. All gauges work fine. Owner bought car for 15 and has 35k in restoration receipts.

The car looks like a 9/10....except the engine bay. No work done on engine bay (just the carb & AC replaced with new components).

110k miles

The owner wants 29.9.

I'm thinking this is LT1 or BB money at same quality.

What does the forum think...how much is it worth?

My research says about 20 - 25....but that's without seeing those cars face to face. I've seen this one.

 

Possibly less. What specifically has been done to the car, and by whom? Is there a photographic or video clip record of the repairs? Can you share photos of the car now? Is the car still in original interior/exterior colors? Is it a coupe or convertible? Has it been modified in any way or is it stock? In most general terms, restorations begin with fixing any mechanical systems and detailing them before the work proceeds to cosmetics. It is unusual that this car appears to have been done in a different order.

 

$29.9 w/o restoration of the engine and trans sounds like BIG money. We need more info and pics. Too early to speculate.

 

It's a coupe. I'd rather not post pics because I haven't seen it advertised. I saw it in person.

the car is completely stock, numbers matching. The only thing that is not NOS is the rear spring, its now mono-spring. Everything else has been restored to original.

Color is steel city grey, with black interior (all redone).

 

I'm sorry, what does this statement mean?

That kind of money for a coupe is off the charts. I assumed it was a roadster with that ticket.

 

HuH?

 

You've seen the car, but we have not, and, apparently, we will not be allowed that priviledge.

You're more or less on your own. What do you think it's worth?

 

I never understand threads like this. How can we answer or give our opinion on a car that we haven't seen.

I love how the op says...his research tells him 20-25k but that's without seeing the cars. Then asks us to give him a price on a car we haven't seen...hmm

If you don't want to pay the asking price...negotiate. It sounds like you want the car...how much are you willing to pay for it?

 

Forget the price.

Do you want a coupe or convertible?

Do you want a 4 speed or an auto?

If you want a 4 speed convertible, do not buy this car.

Like everyone else has already mentioned, you have not given enough info to put a price on this car.

Is the car running and driving?

 

How much money the owner has 'put into it' is completely irrelevant...at least, from the perspective of a buyer. The car has to compete with other less expensive cars. If you had another car available that was essentially identical and priced at $19K, would you buy the expensive one just because the owner put too much money into it? Of course not. Stop looking at the car from the owner's perspective and offer 'reasonable' money for the car.

Now, if you think a '71 SB coupe is worth $30K, go for it...

 

My only thought is that you're talking about real money in the $30k range. Real money.

The prices aren't THAT tight, especially for a '71. If you were looking at a '68 for example, the conversation would be a little different.

If he has $50k into the car and didn't touch the mechanicals, he either hired a really expensive shop to do EVERYTHING (he didn't turn a single wrench and 3/4 of the money is in 'labor'), put a $25k paint job on it, or had every single part dipped in platinum.

Your call, but it sounds a smidge on the expensive side. Like I said, especially for the year.

 

Also if he hasn't touched the engine or tranny or the engine bay in general....well sounds like to me he is looking for a sucker to buy a "pretty" car. He painted the frame... the parts that you can see...so you really don't know what's under the paint.

I love a pretty car...but I was taught to buy mechanically sound before nice and shiny. And for 30k I am sorry but the engine bay needs to be pristine if you know what I mean

 

I would doubt any claim about restoration if the engine and transmission were not done. It could have been a rattle can job on the underside and repaint. What else is there to restore if you don't take out the mechanicals? New seat covers. A ton of the restoration comes under the hood and the chassis. If they engine never came out, I doubt the chassis had much done at all. Sounds steep and like someone is trying to make money on a flip or something.

The places that need cleaned on the frame typically need the body off to get to them.

 

Sorry guys, but I didn't think I'd get flamed here for asking this question. I live on the C2 board and I wouldn't have gotten these response. I guess I have more cred over there.

What I meant by "haven't seen those cars", I'm talking about internet searches where you can guage pricing, but not really see the hidden issues. I also follow corvettes locally, and have been to many auctions.

Now why am I not posting pics.... the guy hasn't advertised it. For all I know, hes an active forum member and I didn't want to throw pics up without him formally advertising it. My crazy integrity getting in the way.

My questions were more about pricing in general for what I've described. Same question on a C2, and my personal experience along with others on that board could calibrate it, but not get it perfect.

The car is in great shape.....body, suspension, brakes, etc...until you get to the motor and tranny. It is the only part of the car that hasn't been restored. It runs fine and burns a small amount of oil. The engine/tranny have 110k on it. It's probably time for a rebuild or swap out.

Thanks for those that responded with info. I'm assumng @ 30k, this is BB money or LT1 money. I haven't seen 70-72 SB Coupes that haven't had the engines refreshed go this high. Therefore I agree with the comments that without a freshened/rebuilt eng&tranny, the price seems high.

For what I've described, I think the value is more in the low 20's. That's what I was trying to calibrate by asking the experts here.

 

 

Are you saying your C2 friends will give you a value for a car they have not seen?

 

I don't think anyone has tried to flame you. We have asked some questions regarding what condition the car is in and have discovered that it is "matching numbers" (does this mean "born with" or "correct replacement ???), is gray/black but not if those are the trim tag colors, that it has an incorrect rear spring and that it has been "restored" with "NOS" parts; but we have not been told what that restoration entailed exactly. And we now know that not only has the engine/trans/engine compartment somehow been left out of the "restoration" process, but the engine is smoking to boot. And that it looks REALLY nice until you open the hood. No photos, and answers to well directed questions are hazy and incomplete. I think we have been tolerant... and only a wee bit irreverent while we waited for sufficient information to help you make an informed decision.

 

Def not trying to flame you but like Markids stated...we can only work with the info provided.

You stated that it has New interior, New A/C, New Suspension, New Paint...
Then you stated...that the car was completely stock...

Actually now that I am re-reading this...I don't even think the car is worth 20k. Their are and have been Chrome Bumper cars for sale on the forum alone that have had everything that you have stated done to them...and for sale for under 20k.

Save your money...find a better car

 

Just my opinion.

 

I have a 68 Vert, mint original. But...has had the interior, engine replaced. Beautiful repaint of non original color and different wheels. I'm thinking mid 30's. What do you think?

I'm thinking you want someone to tell you it's worth "in the 20's" so you can give 15k (realistic value) and make a profit?