Thanks for the debate guys. I hope to have pics within a week.

How "exceptional" this one is depends on a lot of things going right... All the original parts are indeed there with the right hardware, the paint being as good as it appears in pictures, the interior as nice as described, no rust issues, no other surprises. All of these are big IFs. The fact that I can't see the headlight cover "bumps" typically in the paint leads me to believe the exterior is indeed high quality original, but we shall see. The more I talk with the owner the more will come to light. He's already proven to be a good yankee so will tell me everything he can recall as it comes up.

It will be interesting with an owner that bought his car at 19.

 

Yes, nothing worse than somone starting a thread asking for opinions on a purchase and then people posting their opinions on the purchase.

 

Dennis,

The hood alone won't keep you from a star on the exterior section. As a general rule, there tends to be a lot of touch up on original paint cars so don't be surprised if there is more done to the paint than just the hood.

A convertible is obviously a plus... Manual transmission would be too. A/C would really add value... Too bad on that one. Documentation, owner history and such are great to have... You know the drill on that one.

For resale, stay away from green and bronze (I'm personally fans of both, but the market is what is). Red is obviously the one to have. Rest are middle of the pack on a general basis.

If you want to discuss any of this in more detail, just give me a call!

Oh, by the way, I've been carrying your L-46 advance tube around for quite a few years... Been hoping to run into you at one of the shows to get it back to you. If you buy this car, I'll get to return it when you bring the car out!

Regards,

Stan Falenski

 

 

Greg,

Best of luck on your search!
You know more then you giving yourself credit for! Your last car was an outstanding example!

WB

 

Oh, by the way, I've been carrying your L-46 advance tube around for quite a few years... Been hoping to run into you at one of the shows to get it back to you. If you buy this car, I'll get to return it when you bring the car out!

Regards,

Stan Falenski[/QUOTE]

Stan, you might have me confused with someone else. I'm not missing an L46 tube. I sold that puppy. Someone else maybe?

Thanks for the great input!

 

Thanks a lot WB. you're the best! If I do get this one I will be leaning on you. 454 is new territory!

 

Greg,

Sorry for my confusion... Thought that you were someone else.

I do believe that I remember your car now... We judged it at Marlborough several years ago. Very original car from what I recall.

Good luck with your current search. If I can be of help, please let me know.

Regards,

Stan

 

Stan, yes it was Marlboro in 2009. Had a great time and miss the hobby.. I did manage to buy one of those repro vac tubes which was also a big help to bringing that car to it's point total. Thanks again for your help.

Greg

 

You got it!

You've got to LOVE the hunt!

WB

 

To me, there is a disconnect here, a car with 64K miles and a rebuilt engine? You would have a hard time convincing me of that one.

So, '70 vert, 454, auto or 4 spd? What is the interior like?

Pricing: A few years ago, I lost a couple of '70 454 coupes by bidding $30K and getting outbid. Prices don't seem to have moved much since then. These cars were in very good shape though. I ended up paying $48K for my vert, but it is well optioned, and had new paint, carpeting etc. I believe the drivetrain to be original, the clock said 36K, whch I would bet is either 136K or 236K. I am sure I overpaid by a few thousand, but people thinking they were going to get a car in the same league as mine for $20K (and believe me, there were a lot of them around) were dreaming IMO.

 

PK, it's a 4sp., no AC.

I agree low miles and a rebuilt engine don't necessarily add up, and I will wait to meet the owner face to face before making my conclusion, but after speaking at length with him a couple times I believe the following are in support of it being true:

1) Car is in snow country, was not driven in bad weather in the 40 yrs he has owned it. It was always a second car and a toy. The amount of rust I find underneath should confirm this. My Michigan car had a lot of surface rust but was very solid. I believe this one has been better taken care of than my old one.
2) Owner is a professional mechanic and has tooled on the car a lot more than I would prefer, but seems to have been meticulous in doing so. We shall see when I view the car and parts retained. Speaking with him off subject he described the way he works. He comes across as very particular. He told me he took the motor down not because it needed anything, just to freshen it up. He did this as part of the mods. I need to check if he bored the cylinders. He only mentioned new rings. More details to uncover.
3) Original paint in the condition it shows could not have survived 164k. Not sure it could have survived 64k, so this will also have to wait until I get there.
4) Interior remains to be seen. Front carpet was replaced for wear, but everything else he tells me is original. Seat covers have begun to show splits. Mine had them at 39k so that makes sense.

Thank you for the contrary viewpoint. I need to keep my guard up as I get closer to checking it over. I intend to make a day of it.

 

My first question when we get together is: Now hold on, you bought the car in October when you were 19 and you didn't drive it through that winter? Really? The rust will tell the story and I feel as though he will be truthful.

 

The prices on 70 454's both coupes and verts,in clean original condition are slowly but surely going up. I always follow thr 68-72 prices and the original,un-bastardardized ones aways bring the moneyand always will.

 

Wow, I didn't realize until today you and I are in the same boat looking for the right chrome bumper corvette.

It is FUN looking but I would much rather HAVE one. Good luck and keep us posted!!!!!

 

I wish you all the luck with your hunting. After reading this, I'm happy with the purchase of my 73 about 6 months ago. Mine was on blocks from 1984 till I bought it. All original (including paint) and under 37,000 miles with service records proving it. I would have wanted to find a 72 or younger but in this condition, I couldn't pass it up for 12K.

So as I said, good luck and way all your options.

 

Well guys it took a while but I finally got my chance to go view this car. Some disappointments uncovered, and some impressions have improved. The car is definitely a solid example, but tinkered with a little more than I thought. The guy has enjoyed working on the car and mechanically modifying things but almost all has been done with minimal impact. Nuts and bolts with none of the crazy alterations typical of other cars.

The good:
-Solid frame and nice mostly original paint. Any paint work was done within the first two years of it's life, but there has been some touch up that I found.
-Interior is very nice. Radio has not been removed, gauge cluster trim is not cracked, passenger seat is perfect. Drivers has one split. Perfect dash pad. 8 track player mounted to rear carpeting, no holes.
- Frame is rock solid. For a New England car it is amazingly clean.
- Top is outstanding. No cracks or tears. Window badly yellowed.

The bad:
- Engine mods but parts are all there minus carb.
- Replaced springs (apparently there was an issue with these on BB?)
- Rear end gear changed.
- Engine has been out for some time. He had put a L88 engine with supercharger in the car, changed the shifter plate to match. The car was driven hard a few times but I'm certain it was put away properly. This guy is meticulous.
- While the owner has taken care of it, the past 10 years it has sat and is getting some mice.
- Lots of mechanical work needed to get back to NCRS standards, but again most parts are there.
- He is not ready to sell and I almost feel like I hope he doesn't. But if he must it should go to me!

Here are some pics.

http://s217.photobucket.com/user/gcc...?sort=3&page=1

 

Hi gccch,
I really enjoyed looking at your pictures!
There's certainly a lot to like about that car.
A few different ways to go with it depending on a new owner's interests.
Regards,
Alan

 

Hi Alan,
Not sure what you are getting at. I truly value your opinions on it.
Greg

 

Hi Greg,
I was referring to the fact that it's a 1970, Big Block, 4-Speed, Convertible. A LOT to like there for someone interested in 68-72 cars.
I then meant that someone might see it as time capsule, someone else might just do enough to make it drive like it should, and someone else might see it as being a candidate for a serious restoration.
Certainly to do the last the car would need to be purchased for a sane amount and then the budget for the restoration would need to hold water.
Someone could fall in love with the car..... and then even the budget could go out the window, (my wife would say I just mixed my metaphors here)..... but WHAT A NICE CAR to spend too much time and money on.
Since I have a 'restorer' brain you know what I'd have do.
What are you thinking?
Regards,
Alan