I am gonna look at a 72 corvette that has been repainted. I am reading to check frame and bird cage. Before I drive 2 hrs to see wondering your thoughts on price and things. Hes asking 14,000 says 12,200 is bottom. When I ask about bird cage he says heater core leaked and was replaced but birdcage is fine. Says small spot on frame was repaired. Fresh paint with couple emblems needing replacements and emergency brake dont work, passenger side vent cable dont work. Carpet fading and some small cuts in passenger door panel. Painted original color and engine rebuilt but not sure how long ago and numbers ground off.

I do not want something in need of large or expensive repairs. Does the price sound ok and should I be concerned enough about the bird cage and not go look at it or does it sound like price is fair and worth a look. Can I take it to chevy dealer and have them check bird cage for me??

Thanks in advance for any info you can give me since I dont have much info as it is.

 

Do you have any pictures? I will assume that it is a small block coupe? The red flag for me is the frame repair. Why was it repaired? Rust, accident? WHO did the repair? Door panel, heater core, faded carpet is expected for a 40 yr old car if its original.
I'm assuming that the block was decked thats why the numbers are ground off. If originality and numbers matching hype is important to you then this is a problem. If not then as long as it runs strong its ok. Check the birdcage yourself, look at where the vin is on the windshield pillar. You can see if theres rust there. If the owner will let you, take off the kick panels by the driver and passenger feet where the speakers are. You will get a good look at rust problems there. I would NOT take it to a Chevy dealer!
As far as expensive repairs, almost everything on these cars is expensive! If you can drive it safely and do repairs as you go then it won't seem so bad.
I would say at 12k it sounds like its worth the 2 hour trip to check it out! Why not? There are worse ways to spend a day! Good luck and post pictures if you have any!

PS I'm not sure where you are located, but maybe someone on the forum can check the car out with you. There are a lot of knowledgeable people on here that are willing to help!

 

I flew coast-to-coast to check out a '69 L-46 car.
2hrs. is a nice afternoon. Take a good flashlight with you. And one of those multi-tipped screwdrivers.
Check for rust in the frame kick ups in front of the rear wheels.
Don't wear your heart on your sleeve. Many cars on the market these days.
Carter

 

I would not drive the 2 hours unless the seller was willing to take photos and email them to me of areas I want to inspect. If he cant or wont I would keep looking. OR post a topic to see if anyone is local to the car and see if they would mind doing a look see for a case of beer or something .

 

Hi t,
72s are very nice cars! AND worth the trip!
I agree with the advice so far and would emphasize that if you don't know very much about 70-72 Corvettes you really should try to find someone who does to take a look at it with you.
They will see more in 5 or 10 minutes than we can suggest in a 50 item list.
The appearance isn't as important as how COMPLETE and SOLID the car is, and what is WORKING and what ISN"T.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

 

I do not have problem investing money but the major repairs I am talking about would be bird cage because it is so much tear down and rebuild. I figure already if I dont care for the way it runs I will get a built up engine with around 400 hp since I want a little get up n go anyways and I like the side pipes. I cant figure out how to post some of the pics I have but will keep trying. It is the original light color blue paint and has black leather interior (says original also). Checked color code with vin and its correct havent seen other numbers on car yet. It is a very nice looking ride and I like all I see so far in the pics. I never knew about the bird cage until started thinking of getting one and that has me nervous. I will keep trying on the pics and let you know how the car is when I go see it. THANKS,

 

Here are some pics of the vette I went to look at and planned to buy. Not sure its gonna work but am trying.



Anyways I drove to see the car. What a disappointment it turned out to be. The pics look nice but most don't show all the flaws. This car was repainted but they never fixed the body b4 painting. Several flaws and cracks in the fiberglass, Doors not alighned correct so passenger door wouldn't close all the way. The bumpers not as nice as hoped but could have worked with them. The engine wouldnt stay running and he said maybe the choke needed adjusting. I test drove it and put the pedal down 1 time. Big mistake that was the throttle froze and have to baby it back like that. Without touching the gas I was hitting the brake at 40 mph to slow down. Engine was burning oil from under hood and smoke and smell was leaking into cab of car. Owner says it was because the car hasnt been run in while to keep it burned away but still claimed there was no leaks anywhere.

I never checked out birdcage but frame looked clean. There were other things that stood out to me as wrong as soon as walking up to car so when I got back. I let him know I was disappointed in the condition of the car gave him the keys and left. Was thinking should have offered him the $6000 he paid for the car before he painted it and put the $11,000 he claimed he put into it for total of 17000.

WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT..

 

Hi t,
So often the seller's description just doesn't reflect the car he's selling! But you don't know it until you get there.
SURPRISE! SURPRISE!
Regards,
Alan

 

[QUOTE=trugley;1583565712
Engine was burning oil from under hood and smoke and smell was leaking into cab of car. Owner says it was because the car hasnt been run in while to keep it burned away but still claimed there was no leaks anywhere.

WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT..[/QUOTE]

No sir , no way this here car has any sort of leak .. That smell you be smelling is coming from this here drawing muck mother put on my toe boil. Surely aint the car, see here now , If it is I would know .

 

Every car you look at adds to your knowledge and experience base for the next time. Not a wasted trip.

 

I look at at least 10 for every one I buy.
Mark

 

Sorry it didn't work out.