Ryoga23

I sold my '76 vette last year to get myself ready to get the car I really wanted. Ideally that car is a 68-72 Big Block convertible, but I do have a soft spot for all of the 68-74 Big Blocks an 70-72 LT1s (coupe or vert), but sadly my initial investment amount is limited - whose isn't?

So on to the actual meat of this post. I found a car of interest that is a decent drive from me (about 300 miles). They are asking $15k for this car. Its a numbers matching 1968 coupe with the 427 (appears to be the 390). 4 speed manual, power steering are the only other options I'm aware of at this point. The major catch here is that the car was pulled apart for a body off restoration and never completed due to less and less time available as I understand it. So far I have had him send me some pics and have gotten a few of them in, but am not entirely sure the value is right for me.

Off the bat, let me say that I have no problem putting the work in and reassembling, my key concerns come in regards to the condition and completeness of the parts and whether or not I could spend a similar amount and get one that may already be together as a drive, just need some love. My goal isn't necessarily a show car, primarily looking for a weekend, occasional office driver and man cave project car.

Without further adieu - here are the pics, I'd appreciate some opinions if what I'm looking at is fairly price at 15k per the REAL market or if I should be looking elsewhere as Hagerty's seemed to suggest.

Ryoga23

CaseyJones

(gulp) IMHO, that's a lot of money for a pile of parts. Body work, paint, and interior will double your investment not counting the remaining mechanical work. And that isn't counting what you have to purchase and/or refurbish that is missing from the pile.

It it was a driver that just looked that bad so you could evaluate it I might consider a figure significantly less than that.

Aside from the engine (which if I can't hear it run I assume the worse), the rest looks like a parts car for another project.

Sorry, but unless you have plenty of money and time, in that order, I'd pass.

And purple? really? that would have to change right off the bat.

Ontario73

I'm going to have to recommend you run away! IMHO a car in that condition would be worth $15,000 ONLY if it was an L-88 or a Motion racer. Others may differ, but, you should be able to find a decent driver for that money.

Alan 71

Hi R23,
I agree that buying a car that someone else has taken apart is an act of faith. You really don't know what you're getting until you do a full inventory.
I also agree that $15,000 is probably too much for this car unless it's special in some way.
I understand the 'time' reason, but my feeling is that there is often a more serious reason that projects are abandoned. For instance why is the front clip off the car? To work on the birdcage?
Too much money for too many unknowns.
Maybe $5000 tops!?!
Regards,
Alan

Ryoga23

You all pretty much said what I was feeling in my gut. I didn't consider the concern in knowing why the front clip was removed - there really is too much unknown with this the more I think about it. Guess its back to watching for another project.

Looks like I'll be walking away from this one - thanks for the input and helping set me straight.

Jasonb86

Ahhhhh!!!!

BOSTONCAMARO

too much imho.....and if it were me id want to take motor apart, make sure its right and like everyone said are all the parts ther, all the little parts, clips etc....that car would be a ton of work put together...maybe find something that needs a motor and trans or something....

Ryoga23

Heh, what was that? Running and screaming?

Jeff_Keryk

I don't want that car for free. It costs too much to fix 'em. $10K just to paint it.
My car is probably $25K and its a numbers L36 roadster.
And it runs all over hell...

chazde3

Of take it for free but I'm also about to start restoring a '68 so some spare parts would be nice and I'm not sure the condition of the frame yet.

Jasonb86

Exactly! I think you're wise to be running away as well. Best of luck in your search. Patience was never one of my virtues and looking for the right car is a pain.

doorgunner

I'm an optimist.....................but........ .......

Like other members said $5,000 (unless it's a rare $60,000 basket case)


EDIT: Some Forum members advised me NOT to buy my '68 basket case.....it was good advice!

Some members advised to go for it...it was good advice!

With under $9,000 invested, a daily-driver paint job and new tires will soon have it completed!

Keep looking.....!

20mercury

One way to do an analysis here is lets say you bought this one for

$5000

assume you do most all of the work so your labor is free
interior $5000
paint and body work $10000
engine and mechanical parts and trim another $5000

so we got $25K in it when finished, what kind of 68 can you buy on the open market for $25K? a very nice 68 I am thinking.

So, maybe my restoration costs are too high, but the point is it is very very easy to spend more on a Corvette than what it will be worth when completed. I would bet seller has $15K in this project already.

tokim

Walking away from this, is the wise move.
If you have second doubts, not to worry, I seriously doubt that project is going anywhere in a hurry (at half that price).

uxojerry

I bought a 68 project car last year that is little more than a rolling body for $2.5K. I think you would be wise to keep looking. Maybe post an ad as a WTB, in the for sale section. I dont think I would take on the above project if he dropped it off at the house for free, lol. Ive seen similar C1s and C2s projects in better condition go for less than the above car.

BOSTONCAMARO

saw this, seems to be complete running driving, fresh motor....CONVERTIBLE..
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/cto/4286724473.html

682XLR8

Reminds me of my 68 when I first got it(that's a story for another thread)....car was in pieces, even the trim/paint codes are the same

For the money the seller is asking, you can find a good 68-72 that you can drive home

loup68

Where are the door buttons on the doors? It looks like someone filled them in. Lou.

hotrodnick

Maybe a misprint with to many zeroes $1500.