How bad does it have to be?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Marco Island Florida
How bad does it have to be?
I was called last night to look at a 1974 vette. The owner died 7 or 8 years ago and all of his belongings have been tied up in probate. Finally that is all settled and the son is going through the dad's stuff. In the garage were two C3 corvettes. One of them had been promised to a nephew when he was very young, before the man's passing, so it's gone. Also in the garage was a 1974 C3, T-top, with both sets of tops, glass and painted. The son doesn't know anything about cars and corvette doesn't start so he wants it out now. I got him down to $2000 because he is in a major hurry to get the house rented or sold.
The body is in pretty good shape. Paint is peeling of the rear bumper cover and the front bumper cover is history. Interior is in decent shape, the door panels have come loose but they are still there and not cracked. No tears in the seats.
My wife is on the fence with another vette. My C4 is ready to be painted and reassembled. My question is this: How bad does a C3 need to be so that it's not worth $2000? (This question is for her)
The body is in pretty good shape. Paint is peeling of the rear bumper cover and the front bumper cover is history. Interior is in decent shape, the door panels have come loose but they are still there and not cracked. No tears in the seats.
My wife is on the fence with another vette. My C4 is ready to be painted and reassembled. My question is this: How bad does a C3 need to be so that it's not worth $2000? (This question is for her)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 67
From: Warrington PA
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
Well if its been in the garage for that amount of time, you probably will have surface rust on the frame if that. I would be really surprised if there was any bird cage rust. For 2k, you can have a nice 74, shouldn't be a big problem to get it running again, once you go through everything and change the fluids.
What color is it, what engine, auto or 4spd??? Tell us more....
What color is it, what engine, auto or 4spd??? Tell us more....
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,943
Likes: 44
From: Florham Park NJ Port Credit Ontario
Based on your description the 2k price is good. If there's no rust, you could have a deal on your hands.. if its a Big Block, even more of a deal..
Worst case, you'll be able to get your money back if you part it out..
Best of luck convincing he wife.
Stu
Worst case, you'll be able to get your money back if you part it out..
Best of luck convincing he wife.
Stu
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,986
Likes: 6,212
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
How does the seller feel about you negotiating him down to a rock bottom number "because he is in a major hurry to get the house rented or sold" and then didn't close the deal?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Marco Island Florida
I took my wife to look at it. I bought it. That was all it took. The seller is cool with the price, he was just happy to get it out of the garage so they can finish the house. Snowbirds start heading back in the fall and if the house isn't ready when the tourists get here, he will have to wait another year. One week's rent on that house is more than the sale price of the car.
The car definitely isn't perfect, but the frame is solid and the body is in good shape. I do need to find the front bumper cover or whatever was on this particular year. The interior is in decent shape except that it smells 40 years old. Wheels and tires look brand new. A couple of small rust areas in the normal areas, but nothing I can't handle over time. My wife decided she wants it for a daily driver around the island so the expectations aren't too high. She likes to ride around topless (the car not her, well not all the time) so it will be a fun ride.
We'll have his and hers corvettes.
The car definitely isn't perfect, but the frame is solid and the body is in good shape. I do need to find the front bumper cover or whatever was on this particular year. The interior is in decent shape except that it smells 40 years old. Wheels and tires look brand new. A couple of small rust areas in the normal areas, but nothing I can't handle over time. My wife decided she wants it for a daily driver around the island so the expectations aren't too high. She likes to ride around topless (the car not her, well not all the time) so it will be a fun ride.
We'll have his and hers corvettes.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
Will it run? If so, it sounds like a screaming good deal for you.
I was able to buy a front bumper cover for my 74 from the local Chevy dealer some years ago. For some reason, they wanted the serial number of the car before they would order it in for me. It's a 73-74 only part.
I was able to buy a front bumper cover for my 74 from the local Chevy dealer some years ago. For some reason, they wanted the serial number of the car before they would order it in for me. It's a 73-74 only part.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 741
Likes: 46
From: Hebron IN
Well if its been in the garage for that amount of time, you probably will have surface rust on the frame if that. I would be really surprised if there was any bird cage rust. For 2k, you can have a nice 74, shouldn't be a big problem to get it running again, once you go through everything and change the fluids.
What color is it, what engine, auto or 4spd??? Tell us more....
What color is it, what engine, auto or 4spd??? Tell us more....
I bet if I picked 10 random C3s off Craigslist, 5 of them would have serious hidden rust issues.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Marco Island Florida
For me, this will be a fun car. It's cream colored with black interior. It has the 270 hp engine with auto tranny. My wife has already laid claim to it. Once I get my vette put back together in a few weeks, I'll start the fun on this one. I've purchased a lot of old cars and trucks and fixed them up over the years and none of them was done as an investment - they were for my enjoyment. I'm sure I'll find hidden issues, but nothing that can't be repaired or replaced.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 10
From: Palm Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '12
Please check the date on those tires! You said the car was sitting for a long time, then you said the tires look new. They may have been new back in 1990, But once a tire reaches 4-7 years the rubber dries. Please do not let your wife drive with old tires. They may look good, but they will also blowout at any decent speed.
