WASP

I just join on advice from a member of this forum. He tells me you should be able to answer my question. I don't own a Corvette now but had a 1979 many years ago.

I want to know the current value of a numbers' matching 1974 Corvette 454 with factory A/C and automatic transmission. It is Corvette Gray. The car runs but is not a show car by any means.

73Corvette

It's worth whatever your willing to pay for it....
Really hard to tell from the pics you have....for the most part what you see, isn't the issue with C3's it's what you can't see that bites you. You'll need to have someone experienced with what to look for to walk you thru a potential buy. OR, we need LOTS of pics..... under the car, behind the kick panels, behind the spare tire carrier, pillars......
What kind of options does the car have....etc.
The more information and pics you provide the better the experts can help you decide what a fair price would be......it's still only worth what your willing to pay for it.

WASP

73Corvette,

Thank you for taking the time to reply to my question. I am debating on taking an afternoon to go inspect the car. The car is located an hour drive from my home.

I do not need the car but I would like to have a nice C3 big block.

I had one phone conversation with the owner and he said it has A/C, tilt, factory AM/FM, power windows and the deluxe interior. What other options should I look for if I go to inspect the car?

What impresses me about the car at this point is it is original and seems to have all the emission equipment still attached to the big block.

bashcraft

It may just be the picture but it looks like it's in dire need of some paint. The bumper appears to be a completely different color. That alone would knock the value down considerably.

Is that primer dust on the air cleaner lid?

WASP

The car needs a paint job according to the car's current owner. I thought the car was in primer but that is how dull and bad the current paint is. He owns a body shop so that may be primer dust on the air cleaner lid.

73Corvette

Paint isn't that big of a deal.....it's cosmetic. If the car is structurally sound then if you can get a decent price...
go for it. I did notice the "shield" for the distributor is missing, the ring on the top of the air cleaner assembly and rubber seal are missing...but it does appear to be very original and just in need of some TLC.
Interior parts are very expensive....heck, all the parts that are "vette" specific parts are expensive. You could spend 3 grand on an interior and 3 grand on exterior without doing anything mechanical to the car pretty easily....so we still need to know the condition of door panels

$400.00 each,

dash pad$150.00,

seats $700.00,

carpet$300.00,

shifter and e-brake consoles, do the window motors work, is the steering column sound...wipers, turn signal, head lights work-- open and close ok? weather stripping, brakes, shift out ok, smoke? Everything that doesn't work YOU will need to repair or replace, OR have it done which is even MORE expensive....bottom line......make sure your NOT biting off more than you can chew. There are some great deals out there now, so if it's not a GREAT deal...... I would pass. But, if you want a project and what we can't see is all there and nice, and just needs some lovin....then make him an offer and see what happens.....GOOD luck have fun and welcome to the club.........

bashcraft

And it's expensive.

What I don't understand is if this guy owns a body shop, why wouldn't throw a coat of paint on it?

Easy Mike

Take the time off and go take a look. Underhood pic shows that most of what's there appears to be unmolested and probably original.

An afternoon with a polisher will possibly help. That old paint might still have a little shine in it.

What is the seller asking?

73Corvette

Sum this up in one word..RUST
Look for it......hunt for it.....scrutinize it......anywhere, everywhere, it's car cancer and it can be fatal....

WASP

He is asking $7,500. I don't know how firm he is on that price.

73Corvette

Maybe a little steep without knowing more about the condition..of what we can't see. I believe a BB car in really good condition would bring $15,000.00 to $20,000.00.

I wouldn't take a dime less than $30,000 for ours.....here are some pics of ours to give you an idea of what to look for.... ours is not a Top Flight car....but I think we could Certify it Bloomington Gold, or it's very close. So on a scale of 1- 10 ours is an 8 or 9
It's a survivor car, original unrestored...just lots of lovin.

Easy Mike

I like him. Definitely go take a look.

73Corvette

And lots of pics.......

myk7

If you buy it, be sure to ask for any original parts that have been taken off it.. like the distributor cover and bolts, carb possibly... anything.

xCCTer

Definitely worth a look. Some nice options and last of the BBs and no smog stuff. See if he'll let you remove the interior kick panels and check the front birdcage mounts. Only a couple screws on the panel and rocker moulding. Takes 10 minutes. Painting a C3 can be quite expensive for a job worthy of a '74 BB that's worth keeping. If frame and or birdcage rot is not an issue, this could be a very good deal. Good luck.

Dustup7T2

Welcome to the forum, WASP.

Looks like you are on the right track and getting good feedback. Ask all the questions you can think of and we'll provide the information.

Good luck and enjoy the ride...

xCCTer

Look for engine block stamp on flat spot in front of passenger side head with last digits of VIN and CWM, CWR, CWS or CWT.

Not this, but LIKE this.

WASP

Guys,

Thanks for the welcome to the forum and all your information and advice!

I just spoke with the car's owner and he told me his wife listed the car on eBay tonight. There are several photos of the car and it looks like it needs a lot of interior work and we know the interior parts are expensive!

This is a link to the eBay auction.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1974-...74f812ec#v4-43

WASP

73Corvette, You have a very nice looking Corvette!

73Corvette

Thank you.WASP looks like you may be having one of your own...
Our engine bay looked about like yours when I started cleaning it up......just lots of elbow grease and being a little creative.