Thoughts on this '75 383 Stroker?
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 344
Likes: 4
From: Island Lake IL
the stuff you mentioned as "bad" is not really all that bad. Did you drove the car? you mentioned unsure about trans but was anything wrong with it?AC is out? that's a good thing. 9k sounds good to me
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 20
From: Central Michigan
Let's replace "bad" with "items that should be addressed soon"
If I was buying the car I would consider each item a strike against it....OK I could personally do without AC, but the trans will need to be checked out, front end redone, plus those rear wheel bearings are on borrowed time as there is no proof they have ever been serviced
If I was buying the car I would consider each item a strike against it....OK I could personally do without AC, but the trans will need to be checked out, front end redone, plus those rear wheel bearings are on borrowed time as there is no proof they have ever been serviced
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,548
Likes: 379
From: Woodinville WA
how did it drive? - does it show signs the rear bushings are shot? Bearings can last a million miles - especially in a car that doesn't see snow, salt, or (much) rain.
Presuming it drove fine, 9k seems reasonable for a car that doesn't need paint, and has a item-replace-list that would allow enjoying the car by not having to do immediate repairs.
About the transmission.... if it's clean, it's probably been rebuilt within a reasonable time so that the rebuilding won't be necessary for awhile (YMMV). Still, it needs a manual transmission so why are you worked about a slush box?
Presuming it drove fine, 9k seems reasonable for a car that doesn't need paint, and has a item-replace-list that would allow enjoying the car by not having to do immediate repairs.
About the transmission.... if it's clean, it's probably been rebuilt within a reasonable time so that the rebuilding won't be necessary for awhile (YMMV). Still, it needs a manual transmission so why are you worked about a slush box?
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 344
Likes: 4
From: Island Lake IL
Let's replace "bad" with "items that should be addressed soon"
If I was buying the car I would consider each item a strike against it....OK I could personally do without AC, but the trans will need to be checked out, front end redone, plus those rear wheel bearings are on borrowed time as there is no proof they have ever been serviced
If I was buying the car I would consider each item a strike against it....OK I could personally do without AC, but the trans will need to be checked out, front end redone, plus those rear wheel bearings are on borrowed time as there is no proof they have ever been serviced
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
They all NEED something! Sometimes it's a little, sometimes it's a lot and it's part of owning these cars, I swear to God! That's all minor stuff that's not that tough to do. I still like the 75' and I agree, you need to go out on a good test drive with this car. If it hauls ***, with no harsh noises, handles well, idles good and sounds healthy I'd be intrigued.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 20
From: Central Michigan
Since the owner states that trans was rebuild ask him to push it hard on a test drive, if all is OK than it doesn't need addressing! the stock R12 (or whatever) AC would have been garbage by now so its good that its out! whats wrong with front end? I know it wasn't serviced but is there a problem with it? Same with the bearings - there is no proof they have been serviced, but is there a proof that they are bad? It almost seem like your imagining problems with this car! Someone took pretty good care of this one (compared to some swamp monsters we see from the late 70ties) And I doubt they would invest in a new engine or a 6k paint job and saved money on bearing grease.
The man wants to use any car he buys as a DD....I'm kinda 50/50 on this but if he uses the car every day(it'll see a lot of freeway use) it will need to have a dependable drivetrain among other things
My BIG mistake is I did not drive the car(they were gone for ~ 20 mins test driving)....was thinking about this last night...if the buyer has his heart set on this particular car(he's looking at others also) it's not far from here I'll shoot on over and drive it myself before any final deal is made
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
Not imagining anything...maybe I'm just picky, but if I'm helping someone else look at a car, I'm going to point out areas I think will need attention in the near future....and that's also why I listed these issues, to see what the Forum thinks
The man wants to use any car he buys as a DD....I'm kinda 50/50 on this but if he uses the car every day(it'll see a lot of freeway use) it will need to have a dependable drivetrain among other things
My BIG mistake is I did not drive the car(they were gone for ~ 20 mins test driving)....was thinking about this last night...if the buyer has his heart set on this particular car(he's looking at others also) it's not far from here I'll shoot on over and drive it myself before any final deal is made
The man wants to use any car he buys as a DD....I'm kinda 50/50 on this but if he uses the car every day(it'll see a lot of freeway use) it will need to have a dependable drivetrain among other things
My BIG mistake is I did not drive the car(they were gone for ~ 20 mins test driving)....was thinking about this last night...if the buyer has his heart set on this particular car(he's looking at others also) it's not far from here I'll shoot on over and drive it myself before any final deal is made
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 20
From: Central Michigan
just trying to help out the best I can...I can't just stand back and watch the man get ripped off or get into something over his head when I can help...especially when he wants to cruise with the Stingrays
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,548
Likes: 379
From: Woodinville WA
It is interesting to read and watch others buy driver cars - I never do, I've not yet bought a "weekend car" that didn't come home via a winch onto a trailer - but that's just my sick addiction to strays.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 344
Likes: 4
From: Island Lake IL
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 20
From: Central Michigan
I do the same thing - give them the whole 9 yards and enough information so they can make up their own mind. I really, really strive not to put my thumb on the scale unless it's a car that is spelled misery (then I buy it and show them what I saved them from -j/k)
It is interesting to read and watch others buy driver cars - I never do, I've not yet bought a "weekend car" that didn't come home via a winch onto a trailer - but that's just my sick addiction to strays.
It is interesting to read and watch others buy driver cars - I never do, I've not yet bought a "weekend car" that didn't come home via a winch onto a trailer - but that's just my sick addiction to strays.
I talked to Will last night...he really likes this 75, and we again went over the list of demerits I outlined earlier....decided that if he buys this car, #1 priority is to make sure the brakes/suspension/trans are in shape, so he will be in touch with a local shop today (Dave Herlinger http://www.corvetterepair.org/ for the locals, very well-respected Vette guy in our area) and let him make the call about what needs to be done now and what can wait
I'll keep you guys posted
Last edited by 682XLR8; Apr 22, 2013 at 05:50 PM.