"70 Convertible Value Today?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 374
Likes: 0
From: Southern California Ca
"70 Convertible Value Today?
Looking at a 1970 Bridgehampton blue ( 2 year old paint) black interior,
4 speed, 350/350 rebuilt engine. No power brakes, steering or air.
New black Convert. top.
Lots of replacement parts done. (needs new radial tires) Interior seats replaced. Good door panels. Dash pad good. All guages work and electrical. No rust. Not sure about suspension condition. Might need carpeting.
Seller says the car is a 7 to 8 on a scale of 1 to 10 and 10 being a show car.
So, what should I pay given the state of declining classic car market and the weak economy?
Sorry no pictures but you guys know what this Vette might look like.
Any and all opinions plus what should I check for on this year or be watchful for? Thanks for your help!
4 speed, 350/350 rebuilt engine. No power brakes, steering or air.
New black Convert. top.
Lots of replacement parts done. (needs new radial tires) Interior seats replaced. Good door panels. Dash pad good. All guages work and electrical. No rust. Not sure about suspension condition. Might need carpeting.
Seller says the car is a 7 to 8 on a scale of 1 to 10 and 10 being a show car.
So, what should I pay given the state of declining classic car market and the weak economy?
Sorry no pictures but you guys know what this Vette might look like.
Any and all opinions plus what should I check for on this year or be watchful for? Thanks for your help!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 12
From: Montgomery Alabama
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
"What should I pay?" is a tough question to answer.
Based on your description, I would feel comfortable at $15K.
You need to drive the car some to see how it drives. If it scares you in the corners and is a handfull at 75 MPH changing lanes, and scary when you get on the brakes, figure about $5,000 to $10,000 to get it driving like a new car.
If the motor cranks up and idles perfectly cold or hot, does not overheat, or stutter or skip from idle to redline, you are good there. If not, figure a couple grand to make it run good.
If it shifts great, the shifter is tight, and the clutch feels like a new car, great. If not, figure a few grand to get that up to spec.
If there is no whine, clunks, or creaks from the rear-end - great! if so, figure anothe few thoursand to get that up to snuff.
Completely restored, the car is worth about $25K, anything less, and figure it will cost you more than it is worth to get it in great shape.
If you are going to buy it and let it sit in the garage, just make sure it is pretty and pay what you can for it.
I drive my cars, so they have to drive and ride great. It costs money to get an old C3 to drive and ride great.
Good luck with the purchase.
Based on your description, I would feel comfortable at $15K.
You need to drive the car some to see how it drives. If it scares you in the corners and is a handfull at 75 MPH changing lanes, and scary when you get on the brakes, figure about $5,000 to $10,000 to get it driving like a new car.
If the motor cranks up and idles perfectly cold or hot, does not overheat, or stutter or skip from idle to redline, you are good there. If not, figure a couple grand to make it run good.
If it shifts great, the shifter is tight, and the clutch feels like a new car, great. If not, figure a few grand to get that up to spec.
If there is no whine, clunks, or creaks from the rear-end - great! if so, figure anothe few thoursand to get that up to snuff.
Completely restored, the car is worth about $25K, anything less, and figure it will cost you more than it is worth to get it in great shape.
If you are going to buy it and let it sit in the garage, just make sure it is pretty and pay what you can for it.
I drive my cars, so they have to drive and ride great. It costs money to get an old C3 to drive and ride great.
Good luck with the purchase.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 374
Likes: 0
From: Southern California Ca
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 12
From: Montgomery Alabama
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
I recently bought and sold a 70 convertible Bridgehampton Blue with Black interior and a white top, that needed paint, some engine work, some fiberglass work front and back, a complete vacuum system rebuild, a brake system rebuild, and a new top, but it ran and drove. I bought it to finish, but quicklly realized I had too many projects and let it go for $7,500.00
There was easily $15,000.00 worth of work that needed to be done on the car, but the buyer wanted to do it all himself, and was happy with the purchase.
The car was a numbers matching car, but the nose was an Ecklers aftermarket piece, replaced because of an accident. It was fittend on the car, and all the bonding strips were prepped and ready.
I doubt he will ever restore the car and sell it for a profit, but the car will give someone a lot of joy over the next 40 years.
There was easily $15,000.00 worth of work that needed to be done on the car, but the buyer wanted to do it all himself, and was happy with the purchase.
The car was a numbers matching car, but the nose was an Ecklers aftermarket piece, replaced because of an accident. It was fittend on the car, and all the bonding strips were prepped and ready.
I doubt he will ever restore the car and sell it for a profit, but the car will give someone a lot of joy over the next 40 years.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 12
From: Montgomery Alabama
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
You will not want to take it on road trips, if you have the C5 available, but you won't want to take the C5 to cruise-ins if the C3 is available.
Here is the best advice I can give you:
1. Buy the most expensive C3 you can afford in your favorite color.
2. Don't sell the C5.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,976
Likes: 6,202
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
We just sold our C5 because we were tired of it, but it clearly was a better driver than my '69 and '58.
My personal opinion is that $15k is too low for a numbers matching, 350 hp, 4 sp, correct color good chrome-bumper convertible. $15k is coupe money. What you have described is closer to $17.5-20k to me. JMO.
Caveat is that I am not seeing the car in person. The low options does not help at all, but a correct chrome bumper convertible will always have decent value. I will admit fully restoring my '69 put me deep in the red, so significant restoration or paint can put you upside down in a hurry.
My personal opinion is that $15k is too low for a numbers matching, 350 hp, 4 sp, correct color good chrome-bumper convertible. $15k is coupe money. What you have described is closer to $17.5-20k to me. JMO.
Caveat is that I am not seeing the car in person. The low options does not help at all, but a correct chrome bumper convertible will always have decent value. I will admit fully restoring my '69 put me deep in the red, so significant restoration or paint can put you upside down in a hurry.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 103
From: Southern Indiana
My paint on my car compared to a guys with a quarter panel caved in is about a 9, on the other hand a guy with a new paint job would rate mine a 3.
Pictures help alot and this forum is the worse one I have ever been on in the last 20 years that just absolutely will not/cannot post pics whether wanting opinions on looks or trying to sell a car or part yet wants the viewer to give give an accurate estimate on a question or decision on buying something and hold them accountable for their appraisal!
Last edited by Tim H; Sep 30, 2012 at 10:34 AM.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 374
Likes: 0
From: Southern California Ca
My 7 to 8 on a scale of 1 to 10 is alot different than someone elses.
My paint on my car compared to a guys with a quarter panel caved in is about a 9, on the other hand a guy with a new paint job would rate mine a 3.
Pictures help alot and this forum is the worse one I have ever been on in the last 20 years that just absolutely will not/cannot post pics whether wanting opinions on looks or trying to sell a car or part yet wants the viewer to give give an accurate estimate on a question or decision on buying something and hold them accountable for their appraisal!
My paint on my car compared to a guys with a quarter panel caved in is about a 9, on the other hand a guy with a new paint job would rate mine a 3.
Pictures help alot and this forum is the worse one I have ever been on in the last 20 years that just absolutely will not/cannot post pics whether wanting opinions on looks or trying to sell a car or part yet wants the viewer to give give an accurate estimate on a question or decision on buying something and hold them accountable for their appraisal!
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 103
From: Southern Indiana
Looking at a 1970 Bridgehampton blue ( 2 year old paint) sitting inside or outside???
4 speed, 350/350 rebuilt engine. Big price difference in JC Whitney and Jegs rebuild parts also mechanics No power brakes, steering or air. To me a plus, to 95% other no sale.
New black Convert. top. Professional install or shade tree?
Lots of replacement parts done.Auto zone or GM (needs new radial tires) the right size or corner market mismatched? Interior seats replaced. with material or bath towels? Good door panels. Dash pad good. All guages work and electrical. No rust A convert with no floor rust???. Not sure about suspension condition. Might need carpeting.($290 bucks) and hours of installing, just did this.
Seller says the car is a 7 to 8 on a scale of 1 to 10 and 10 being a show car.
So, what should I pay given the state of declining classic car market and the weak economy? There is no declining classic car market that I have seen
Sorry no pictures but you guys know what this Vette might look like.
Any and all opinions plus what should I check for on this year or be watchful for? Thanks for your help!
4 speed, 350/350 rebuilt engine. Big price difference in JC Whitney and Jegs rebuild parts also mechanics No power brakes, steering or air. To me a plus, to 95% other no sale.
New black Convert. top. Professional install or shade tree?
Lots of replacement parts done.Auto zone or GM (needs new radial tires) the right size or corner market mismatched? Interior seats replaced. with material or bath towels? Good door panels. Dash pad good. All guages work and electrical. No rust A convert with no floor rust???. Not sure about suspension condition. Might need carpeting.($290 bucks) and hours of installing, just did this.
Seller says the car is a 7 to 8 on a scale of 1 to 10 and 10 being a show car.
So, what should I pay given the state of declining classic car market and the weak economy? There is no declining classic car market that I have seen
Sorry no pictures but you guys know what this Vette might look like.
Any and all opinions plus what should I check for on this year or be watchful for? Thanks for your help!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
If the declining market and the economy are actual concerns for you, now may not be the time to be buying.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
We just sold our C5 because we were tired of it, but it clearly was a better driver than my '69 and '58.
My personal opinion is that $15k is too low for a numbers matching, 350 hp, 4 sp, correct color good chrome-bumper convertible. $15k is coupe money. What you have described is closer to $17.5-20k to me. JMO.
Caveat is that I am not seeing the car in person. The low options does not help at all, but a correct chrome bumper convertible will always have decent value. I will admit fully restoring my '69 put me deep in the red, so significant restoration or paint can put you upside down in a hurry.
My personal opinion is that $15k is too low for a numbers matching, 350 hp, 4 sp, correct color good chrome-bumper convertible. $15k is coupe money. What you have described is closer to $17.5-20k to me. JMO.
Caveat is that I am not seeing the car in person. The low options does not help at all, but a correct chrome bumper convertible will always have decent value. I will admit fully restoring my '69 put me deep in the red, so significant restoration or paint can put you upside down in a hurry.