71 454 conv. 4 speed value
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 51
Likes: 1
71 454 conv. 4 speed value
Been doing alot of homework trying to determine if the block vin stamp is correct for this car as seen on a different thread. Nobody could say definitly not so I am going to say it is. This car has factory air, pw, ps, tilt, deluxe int. 3.08 rear, red with hardtop, white soft, black interior. Car appears numbers matching except carb. This is a driver quality car, it needs paint but would not be ashamed to drive as is. Interior is good showing only minor wear. Headlamps and wipers work well, Has many new suspention parts replaced which includes front and rear springs and front balljoints, 74,000 actual miles. Car appears to be a nice original car, found one tiny area on front fender that was repaired at one time, rest of body looked good except for crack by headlight door. Had car on hoist and saw many oil leaks so will need a mechanical refresh. Owner is standing firm at 29k. I know these cars can be money pits, what would a frame on restored car be worth? Wish I had pictures to share but only have motor compartment picture.
NEEDS
Paint
Mechanical refresh (seals and gaskets maybe more)
Hardtop headliner
Sending unit (gage flutters)
Clock repair
AC not blowing cold
Tires
Maybe exhaust
bumper rechrome
console woodgrain
brake caliper? pulled hard to one side
NEEDS
Paint
Mechanical refresh (seals and gaskets maybe more)
Hardtop headliner
Sending unit (gage flutters)
Clock repair
AC not blowing cold
Tires
Maybe exhaust
bumper rechrome
console woodgrain
brake caliper? pulled hard to one side
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,283
Likes: 4,373
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi j70,
If you assign a $ amount to each of the items you listed, add that up, and add 50%, you'll have an idea of how much you'll have in the car.
I came up with $20,000 plus the price of the car.
If it's then a NICE car that looks and drives terrific I'd think it may be worth $45,000 to $50,000.
But there's some wishing and hoping in there. So maybe paying $25,000 is plenty.
Will you be able to do at least some of the work and preparation for what needs to be done? If not, the cost of having first class people work on your car could see the amount of money you'll put into it soar quickly.
So?
Regards,
Alan
If you assign a $ amount to each of the items you listed, add that up, and add 50%, you'll have an idea of how much you'll have in the car.
I came up with $20,000 plus the price of the car.
If it's then a NICE car that looks and drives terrific I'd think it may be worth $45,000 to $50,000.
But there's some wishing and hoping in there. So maybe paying $25,000 is plenty.
Will you be able to do at least some of the work and preparation for what needs to be done? If not, the cost of having first class people work on your car could see the amount of money you'll put into it soar quickly.
So?
Regards,
Alan
Pro
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 692
Likes: 2
From: Seguin TX
Paint = $4000 and up easily
Mechanical refresh (seals and gaskets maybe more)= $1500 - $2500 to get engine ran through and new gaskets
Hardtop headliner = $600 plus installation so around $1000
Sending unit (gage flutters) = gauge is mechanical not electric so $5 for new line kit or $150 for new gauge
Clock repair = $165 for rebuilt
AC not blowing cold = $50 - $500 only Freon or new this and that
Tires = $500 for 15" to whatever your heart desires
Maybe exhaust = $300 to $2500 depending on what you want
bumper rechrome = front and rear $600 - $800
console woodgrain = custom console or veneer kit $?
brake caliper? pulled hard to one side = $100 to whatever you decide to upgrade to.
Then whatever else is wrong and needs replaced or refreshed. Interior can be an easy $3000 suspension can be another $1000-$3000 and so on and so forth.
Mechanical refresh (seals and gaskets maybe more)= $1500 - $2500 to get engine ran through and new gaskets
Hardtop headliner = $600 plus installation so around $1000
Sending unit (gage flutters) = gauge is mechanical not electric so $5 for new line kit or $150 for new gauge
Clock repair = $165 for rebuilt
AC not blowing cold = $50 - $500 only Freon or new this and that
Tires = $500 for 15" to whatever your heart desires
Maybe exhaust = $300 to $2500 depending on what you want
bumper rechrome = front and rear $600 - $800
console woodgrain = custom console or veneer kit $?
brake caliper? pulled hard to one side = $100 to whatever you decide to upgrade to.
Then whatever else is wrong and needs replaced or refreshed. Interior can be an easy $3000 suspension can be another $1000-$3000 and so on and so forth.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,988
Likes: 6,212
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Paint = $4000 and up easily
Mechanical refresh (seals and gaskets maybe more)= $1500 - $2500 to get engine ran through and new gaskets
Hardtop headliner = $600 plus installation so around $1000
Sending unit (gage flutters) = gauge is mechanical not electric so $5 for new line kit or $150 for new gauge
Clock repair = $165 for rebuilt
AC not blowing cold = $50 - $500 only Freon or new this and that
Tires = $500 for 15" to whatever your heart desires
Maybe exhaust = $300 to $2500 depending on what you want
bumper rechrome = front and rear $600 - $800
console woodgrain = custom console or veneer kit $?
brake caliper? pulled hard to one side = $100 to whatever you decide to upgrade to.
Then whatever else is wrong and needs replaced or refreshed. Interior can be an easy $3000 suspension can be another $1000-$3000 and so on and so forth.
Mechanical refresh (seals and gaskets maybe more)= $1500 - $2500 to get engine ran through and new gaskets
Hardtop headliner = $600 plus installation so around $1000
Sending unit (gage flutters) = gauge is mechanical not electric so $5 for new line kit or $150 for new gauge
Clock repair = $165 for rebuilt
AC not blowing cold = $50 - $500 only Freon or new this and that
Tires = $500 for 15" to whatever your heart desires
Maybe exhaust = $300 to $2500 depending on what you want
bumper rechrome = front and rear $600 - $800
console woodgrain = custom console or veneer kit $?
brake caliper? pulled hard to one side = $100 to whatever you decide to upgrade to.
Then whatever else is wrong and needs replaced or refreshed. Interior can be an easy $3000 suspension can be another $1000-$3000 and so on and so forth.
Woodgrain is likely that sticker used for the deluxe interiors for 1970. Not expensive.
$800 is right for 3 bumper rechrome... if the bumpers are decent, rechrome the originals rather than buy the cheap repros that dont fit.
AC never gets fixed with a recharge. It will be expensive.
You can buy an entire used HT for $600-1000.
Im with Alan, I think 25ish is pretty good. Especially if you believe the stamp is OK. A big block roadster with air for under $30k? How bad is that?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 40
Your list is probably only half of what us really wrong or is worn and partially functional.
Bearing, switches, lines, wiring, ......fuel pump , starter , alt , everything may need rebuilding , water pump , radio , speakers, lights .....how much is reliable ...how much did he rebuild or replace. How much us junk or borderline ready to fail....unless the previous owner is like Paul or Alan .....I would bet it's all on its last legs.
Rear end ? Has it ever been out and rebuilt or the trailing arms .....my car has had all that done and has 10 k less miles .
Tires for my Camaro were 800.00 for Firstone .
The est. seems way low to me all around .
You'll have 50 grand in it in five years .
Bearing, switches, lines, wiring, ......fuel pump , starter , alt , everything may need rebuilding , water pump , radio , speakers, lights .....how much is reliable ...how much did he rebuild or replace. How much us junk or borderline ready to fail....unless the previous owner is like Paul or Alan .....I would bet it's all on its last legs.
Rear end ? Has it ever been out and rebuilt or the trailing arms .....my car has had all that done and has 10 k less miles .
Tires for my Camaro were 800.00 for Firstone .
The est. seems way low to me all around .
You'll have 50 grand in it in five years .
Last edited by LS4 PILOT; May 5, 2014 at 06:10 PM.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 721
Likes: 105
From: hernando fl
my 2 cents worth.....if you are just looking for a corvette I would pass. however if you are like me and it HAS to have chrome bumpers ,HAS to be a convertible , HAS to be a big block , HAS to have factory air and HAS to be a 4 speed I would pay the price for several reasons.
first and probably most important , cars like that are hard to find in any condition , let alone relatively nice ones at realistic prices.
second , the longer you wait the higher the cost will be when you do decide to buy one.
third , paint , interior , trailing arms , almost everything cost the same for a BB convertible with air as it does for a small block base coupe. when you get done shoveling money out you have a 50k-60k car. not a 25kish car that are fairly easy to find .
as always , just my opinion
first and probably most important , cars like that are hard to find in any condition , let alone relatively nice ones at realistic prices.
second , the longer you wait the higher the cost will be when you do decide to buy one.
third , paint , interior , trailing arms , almost everything cost the same for a BB convertible with air as it does for a small block base coupe. when you get done shoveling money out you have a 50k-60k car. not a 25kish car that are fairly easy to find .
as always , just my opinion
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,578
Likes: 61
From: Austin TX
IMO, you're paying way too much for a worn out car, just because it is numbers matching. It's not an L88 or LS6. There are plenty of nom bbc's, so I'd keep looking. It took mr a year to find mine, and I'm glad I took my time.
Here's one, and I bet the price is negotiable:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3s-...-matching.html
Here's the one I was going to buy if my deal fell on the car I bought.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3s-...overtible.html
Here's one, and I bet the price is negotiable:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3s-...-matching.html
Here's the one I was going to buy if my deal fell on the car I bought.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3s-...overtible.html
Last edited by AirBusPilot; May 5, 2014 at 10:00 PM.
