Inspection needed?
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Inspection needed?
Thinking about buying a '74 C3 with an asking price of $5,000. I am not in the area and can not see it for myself in person, so do you think it would be worth it to find and pay someone a couple hundred dollars to perform an inspection or at that price is it not worth it?
Any help is appreciated!
Any help is appreciated!
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 115
Likes: 25
From: Los Angeles
I don't think I would be willing to buy any car sight unseen. Maybe if you could get some pictures and post them here, some of the more knowledgeable members could give you some advice (free of charge 
).
).
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 224
Likes: 2
From: St. Charles Missouri
Thinking about buying a '74 C3 with an asking price of $5,000. I am not in the area and can not see it for myself in person, so do you think it would be worth it to find and pay someone a couple hundred dollars to perform an inspection or at that price is it not worth it?
Any help is appreciated!
Any help is appreciated!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,503
Likes: 33
From: McGrady NC
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
It's a decent car if you don't have big plans for it. There are a few expensive things it needs just looking at the pictures. The rear end side seals are leaking and that is a pretty big job. The paint is questionable with the dings and missing chunks showing the original color peeking through. Depending on the mileage, it could need a bunch of suspension work. It doesn't appear to have A/C. One picture seems to show carpet padding under the gas tank to stop the squeaks (and hold water like a sponge). I believe I'd pass on it for that money. If you could get it for $3500 or maybe $4K I might consider it. Nothing really going for it except the carpet, which the owner seems to be proud of.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
It's a decent car if you don't have big plans for it. There are a few expensive things it needs just looking at the pictures. The rear end side seals are leaking and that is a pretty big job. The paint is questionable with the dings and missing chunks showing the original color peeking through. Depending on the mileage, it could need a bunch of suspension work. It doesn't appear to have A/C. One picture seems to show carpet padding under the gas tank to stop the squeaks (and hold water like a sponge). I believe I'd pass on it for that money. If you could get it for $3500 or maybe $4K I might consider it. Nothing really going for it except the carpet, which the owner seems to be proud of.
But am more or less looking for an affordable and driveable option to get me rolling that wouldn't require much, if any, work to do so.
I was thinking if I could get him down to 4K or less that it would be more feasible as well, just not sure what repairs/upgrades would be necessary or beneficial to make it into a weekend warrior C3 for me
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
WHERE is the car located and WHEN do you need feedback on the condition of it?
If you give a general location, folks in that area might volunteer or be willing to look it over for reimbursement of gas/time (or lunch). Without knowing where it is located, no one can assist you.
If you give a general location, folks in that area might volunteer or be willing to look it over for reimbursement of gas/time (or lunch
). Without knowing where it is located, no one can assist you.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
WHERE is the car located and WHEN do you need feedback on the condition of it?
If you give a general location, folks in that area might volunteer or be willing to look it over for reimbursement of gas/time (or lunch). Without knowing where it is located, no one can assist you.
If you give a general location, folks in that area might volunteer or be willing to look it over for reimbursement of gas/time (or lunch
). Without knowing where it is located, no one can assist you.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
I am a big scaredy cat about rust since my 69 is getting a frame swap,
My 69 looked way better than this car and it's frame had big issues in hidding places,
there is also a leak place where the top of the front fenders mount, water comes in down the kick panels people think its the wiper tranny and other reasons but nothing fixes the leak, you have to pull the fender to fix it right as the pad is metal and rusty if its leaking and many c3's suffer from this.....
My 69 looked way better than this car and it's frame had big issues in hidding places,
there is also a leak place where the top of the front fenders mount, water comes in down the kick panels people think its the wiper tranny and other reasons but nothing fixes the leak, you have to pull the fender to fix it right as the pad is metal and rusty if its leaking and many c3's suffer from this.....
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If I were to make a recommendation only based on those photos, I would recommend a "Pass". Too many indicators of heavy rusting in the frame areas.
You just don't want to buy a C3 with a bad frame....at any price.
You just don't want to buy a C3 with a bad frame....at any price.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
I had many vettes but always wanted my deram car a 69 convertible with big block,
I got my car in 09 really dirt cheap, the seller hated vettes,
I daily drove the car until I busted a rear strut on a pot hole, tat showed me a rusted out hole where the trailing arm meets the frame, while my 66 was worse and I kept driving it this isnt right and looking for issues,
I love the car it's just what I wanted so it have that "value" to me,
I have no interest in ncrs stuff I like mods again just what I wanted so I bought a chassis powder coated with sweet vette brakes aftermarket suspension to swap in under my car, it will be like a new 69 well a hair better because of the aftremarket parts, now I am about 12K into my 69 and that is still a good value.
this 74...is it your dream car? do you have sentiment attachments?
then hold them toad pelt that are getting hot in your pocket and find a lot more bang for the buck, you dont wanna have to do a frame swap.....i sold a really clean 76 that ran, drove light mods needed brakes but the frame was super I let her go for 3800.00 and was happy to get it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 93
From: Bellmore NY
Even if this car was local,and I was in the market, I wouldnt be itching to go see it.
The first pics show a pretty presentable car, but nothing that I wouldnt think you couldn't find locally.
The second set showing the scaly frame and botched up paint on the pass 1/4 panel is a huge turnoff.
Keep in mind, GM made a gazillion rubber bumper cars...I'll bet there are plenty of them that are fairly local and priced reasonably. Keep looking
The first pics show a pretty presentable car, but nothing that I wouldnt think you couldn't find locally.
The second set showing the scaly frame and botched up paint on the pass 1/4 panel is a huge turnoff.
Keep in mind, GM made a gazillion rubber bumper cars...I'll bet there are plenty of them that are fairly local and priced reasonably. Keep looking
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 53
Likes: 1
From: North East Ohio
Keep looking
From what you have shared, I would keep looking. I won't judge what that car is worth but you need to consider what you are looking for. A car to drive or a fixer upper. (I hope you enjoy doing your own work either way.) I also wanted a c3 and spent over a year to find the car I bought. I did spend in the end more than I had ever thought I would for the purchase of my car. I have a 80 that still had the original brakes, tires and paint and only 14,000 miles on it. But, remember, these cars are 30 to 40 years old and no matter how well kept they still need money and time to be made ready for the road. Even with only 14,000 miles on my car and no rust I spent thousands in brakes, tires and minor missing parts. These are fun cars to own and drive, I will never figure out why they don't demand a higher price but since they are plentiful and affordable, take the time to find the one that meets your needs.