'68 Roadster Value
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 34
Likes: 2
'68 Roadster Value
Hi all,
I am looking at a '68 small block 4-speed roadster. I have not seen it in person yet, just these photos and this description. Not numbers matching, all usual rust areas are solid, running and driving but not road worthy without some work (not sure exactly what but assuming the typical brakes/hoses, etc.) The body is supposed to be good but could use paint. Not sure about the condition of the top. Also he said the wiring is spliced, not sure where. Interior is original and probably a 5 out of 10. From what I understand, it could be a driver with maybe $2K-$3k worth of work but would need a total resto to be a show car. It looks like the front bumper is under the car, but not sure about the rears. I assume they are there.
I know it's very vague and difficult to estimate, but assuming the info to be accurate, I would appreciate any guesses and advice on what to look for. I'm very familiar with the coupes, but not the roadsters so much. Thanks!
I am looking at a '68 small block 4-speed roadster. I have not seen it in person yet, just these photos and this description. Not numbers matching, all usual rust areas are solid, running and driving but not road worthy without some work (not sure exactly what but assuming the typical brakes/hoses, etc.) The body is supposed to be good but could use paint. Not sure about the condition of the top. Also he said the wiring is spliced, not sure where. Interior is original and probably a 5 out of 10. From what I understand, it could be a driver with maybe $2K-$3k worth of work but would need a total resto to be a show car. It looks like the front bumper is under the car, but not sure about the rears. I assume they are there.
I know it's very vague and difficult to estimate, but assuming the info to be accurate, I would appreciate any guesses and advice on what to look for. I'm very familiar with the coupes, but not the roadsters so much. Thanks!
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,557
Likes: 7,006
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
I have a '68 hard-top in similar shape that I'm rebuilding.....I listed minimum prices......
New economy grade carpet............$200
New economy grade seat covers.............$200
New economy grade 3-point seat belts.....$140
New engine wiring harness......................$125
New belts/hoses/carb kit.........................$125
New brake pads/hoses/rebuild kits...........$250
New u-joints.................................. .......$100
Clutch/transmission rebuild.....................$200
Change all fluids/oils..............................$100
New tires (depending on Mfg. Date).........$600
Rebuild headlight vacuum system............$200
Miscellaneous items................................$20 0
........................................ .....Total........$2400
Economy/cheap paint job......................$3,000
........................................ .....Total........$5400
I did not include any parts to rebuild or repair the engine.
New economy grade carpet............$200
New economy grade seat covers.............$200
New economy grade 3-point seat belts.....$140
New engine wiring harness......................$125
New belts/hoses/carb kit.........................$125
New brake pads/hoses/rebuild kits...........$250
New u-joints.................................. .......$100
Clutch/transmission rebuild.....................$200
Change all fluids/oils..............................$100
New tires (depending on Mfg. Date).........$600
Rebuild headlight vacuum system............$200
Miscellaneous items................................$20 0
........................................ .....Total........$2400
Economy/cheap paint job......................$3,000
........................................ .....Total........$5400
I did not include any parts to rebuild or repair the engine.
Last edited by doorgunner; Nov 15, 2014 at 01:37 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,160
Likes: 4,241
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Bob,
The pictures are a bit misleading because the engine compartment and interior show a car that's been poorly taken care of and is going to take some money and a LOT of work.
The exterior SEEMS better because of the recent paint, but we have no idea what's under that paint. I'm thinking the exterior looked like the engine compartment and interior before some paint was quickly sprayed on it. I doubt anyone did a good job on just the exterior.
If you assess the total car (with it's exterior BEFORE it was painted) it's a pretty serious project. It needs EVERYTHING to be a nice car, and a LOT just to be a decent car.
As far as what to check because it's a convertible I think you need to check that the top mechanism isn't rusted and operates, that the deck lid operates, and assume it will need a new top.
Are you asking what you should pay for it?
Do you want it?
If so why?
Are you able to do what it'll need or will you have to pay to have it done?
Regards,
Alan
The pictures are a bit misleading because the engine compartment and interior show a car that's been poorly taken care of and is going to take some money and a LOT of work.
The exterior SEEMS better because of the recent paint, but we have no idea what's under that paint. I'm thinking the exterior looked like the engine compartment and interior before some paint was quickly sprayed on it. I doubt anyone did a good job on just the exterior.
If you assess the total car (with it's exterior BEFORE it was painted) it's a pretty serious project. It needs EVERYTHING to be a nice car, and a LOT just to be a decent car.
As far as what to check because it's a convertible I think you need to check that the top mechanism isn't rusted and operates, that the deck lid operates, and assume it will need a new top.
Are you asking what you should pay for it?
Do you want it?
If so why?
Are you able to do what it'll need or will you have to pay to have it done?
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Nov 15, 2014 at 07:48 AM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 34
Likes: 2
Hi Bob,
The pictures are a bit misleading because the engine compartment and interior show a car that's been poorly taken care of and is going to take some money and a LOT of work.
The exterior SEEMS better because of the recent paint, but we have no idea what's under that paint. I'm thinking the exterior looked like the engine compartment and interior before some paint was quickly sprayed on it. I doubt anyone did a good job on just the exterior.
If you assess the total car (with it's exterior BEFORE it was painted) it's a pretty serious project. It needs EVERYTHING to be a nice car, and a LOT just to be a decent car.
As far as what to check because it's a convertible I think you need to check that the top mechanism isn't rusted and operates, that the deck lid operates, and assume it will need a new top.
Are you asking what you should pay for it?
Do you want it?
If so why?
Are you able to do what it'll need or will you have to pay to have it done?
Regards,
Alan
The pictures are a bit misleading because the engine compartment and interior show a car that's been poorly taken care of and is going to take some money and a LOT of work.
The exterior SEEMS better because of the recent paint, but we have no idea what's under that paint. I'm thinking the exterior looked like the engine compartment and interior before some paint was quickly sprayed on it. I doubt anyone did a good job on just the exterior.
If you assess the total car (with it's exterior BEFORE it was painted) it's a pretty serious project. It needs EVERYTHING to be a nice car, and a LOT just to be a decent car.
As far as what to check because it's a convertible I think you need to check that the top mechanism isn't rusted and operates, that the deck lid operates, and assume it will need a new top.
Are you asking what you should pay for it?
Do you want it?
If so why?
Are you able to do what it'll need or will you have to pay to have it done?
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by bobs66440; Nov 15, 2014 at 08:55 AM.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,160
Likes: 4,241
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Bob,
I liked your reply until I got to "do a LTTLE work on it and probably sell it".
That means you're going to want more for it than you paid for it and you'll need to find someone that you can convince that this still needy car is worth some amount more than $7000.
Remember, the people saying 'buy it' are spending your money at this point, not theirs.
I don't know that $2000-$3000 makes this a much better car. I think it takes more $ than that and a LOT of work.
This car has some upside, but it's not even close to that upside now!
Regards,
Alan
I liked your reply until I got to "do a LTTLE work on it and probably sell it".
That means you're going to want more for it than you paid for it and you'll need to find someone that you can convince that this still needy car is worth some amount more than $7000.
Remember, the people saying 'buy it' are spending your money at this point, not theirs.
I don't know that $2000-$3000 makes this a much better car. I think it takes more $ than that and a LOT of work.
This car has some upside, but it's not even close to that upside now!
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 34
Likes: 2
Hi Bob,
I liked your reply until I got to "do a LTTLE work on it and probably sell it".
That means you're going to want more for it than you paid for it and you'll need to find someone that you can convince that this still needy car is worth some amount more than $7000.
Remember, the people saying 'buy it' are spending your money at this point, not theirs.
I don't know that $2000-$3000 makes this a much better car. I think it takes more $ than that and a LOT of work.
This car has some upside, but it's not even close to that upside now!
Regards,
Alan
I liked your reply until I got to "do a LTTLE work on it and probably sell it".
That means you're going to want more for it than you paid for it and you'll need to find someone that you can convince that this still needy car is worth some amount more than $7000.
Remember, the people saying 'buy it' are spending your money at this point, not theirs.
I don't know that $2000-$3000 makes this a much better car. I think it takes more $ than that and a LOT of work.
This car has some upside, but it's not even close to that upside now!
Regards,
Alan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 40
I have a '68 hard-top in similar shape that I'm rebuilding.....I listed minimum prices......
New economy grade carpet............$200
New economy grade seat covers.............$200
New economy grade 3-point seat belts.....$140
New engine wiring harness......................$125
New belts/hoses/carb kit.........................$125
New brake pads/hoses/rebuild kits...........$250
New u-joints.................................. .......$100
Clutch/transmission rebuild.....................$200
Change all fluids/oils..............................$100
New tires (depending on Mfg. Date).........$600
Rebuild headlight vacuum system............$200
Miscellaneous items................................$20 0
........................................ .....Total........$2400
Economy/cheap paint job......................$3,000
........................................ .....Total........$5400
I did not include any parts to rebuild or repair the engine.
New economy grade carpet............$200
New economy grade seat covers.............$200
New economy grade 3-point seat belts.....$140
New engine wiring harness......................$125
New belts/hoses/carb kit.........................$125
New brake pads/hoses/rebuild kits...........$250
New u-joints.................................. .......$100
Clutch/transmission rebuild.....................$200
Change all fluids/oils..............................$100
New tires (depending on Mfg. Date).........$600
Rebuild headlight vacuum system............$200
Miscellaneous items................................$20 0
........................................ .....Total........$2400
Economy/cheap paint job......................$3,000
........................................ .....Total........$5400
I did not include any parts to rebuild or repair the engine.
At some point during my 26 years of owning my car , I ve addressed most of these and many others and some multiple times....brakes ..ugh The tiny parts , like seat back buttons , and all the detail items add up fast . So there is little use in getting excited about trying to do something cheap.
If it is done correct .....it won't be cheap .
To make ME happy ...tooling around ....I'm picky .....realistic in couple years I'd have 6 or 7 grand more in this .
First thing I'd do .....is change those hideous valve covers ....eek.....they make my skin crawl.
Last edited by LS4 PILOT; Nov 16, 2014 at 08:12 AM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 34
Likes: 2
That's a very helpful list .....especially for first time owners.
At some point during my 26 years of owning my car , I ve addressed most of these and many others and some multiple times....brakes ..ugh The tiny parts , like seat back buttons , and all the detail items add up fast . So there is little use in getting excited about trying to do something cheap.
If it is done correct .....it won't be cheap .
To make ME happy ...tooling around ....I'm picky .....realistic in couple years I'd have 6 or 7 grand more in this .
First thing I'd do .....is change those hideous valve covers ....eek.....they make my skin crawl.
At some point during my 26 years of owning my car , I ve addressed most of these and many others and some multiple times....brakes ..ugh The tiny parts , like seat back buttons , and all the detail items add up fast . So there is little use in getting excited about trying to do something cheap.
If it is done correct .....it won't be cheap .
To make ME happy ...tooling around ....I'm picky .....realistic in couple years I'd have 6 or 7 grand more in this .
First thing I'd do .....is change those hideous valve covers ....eek.....they make my skin crawl.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,747
Likes: 713
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Here is a thought for you....
Here is a thought for you:
You might consider this logic. If this 68 convertible was all fixed up, nice driver, everything reasonably nice, still with NOM engine, can not change that, and checking completed ebay sales (the green ones), {and I would assume that the completed ebay sales in red (that is, did not sell) maybe sold outside of ebay for less money than what they were asking and not for more}, then my tea leaves say this Corvette all fixed up would go for 15 to 16.
Now assuming we do not plan on wanting to get upside down on your purchase, if you bought this one for 7, you have 8 to 9 to go spend on stuff, and just for fun, assume your labor for the things you can do yourself is free. So, if you make the "realistic and with knowledge need to do/buy" list and price it out, what is the answer??? I think you are in the ballpark, but on the cusp of go/no go.
Hope this might help. (Not that I ever took my own advice, but it does make a lot of sense to me!
)
You might consider this logic. If this 68 convertible was all fixed up, nice driver, everything reasonably nice, still with NOM engine, can not change that, and checking completed ebay sales (the green ones), {and I would assume that the completed ebay sales in red (that is, did not sell) maybe sold outside of ebay for less money than what they were asking and not for more}, then my tea leaves say this Corvette all fixed up would go for 15 to 16.
Now assuming we do not plan on wanting to get upside down on your purchase, if you bought this one for 7, you have 8 to 9 to go spend on stuff, and just for fun, assume your labor for the things you can do yourself is free. So, if you make the "realistic and with knowledge need to do/buy" list and price it out, what is the answer??? I think you are in the ballpark, but on the cusp of go/no go.
Hope this might help. (Not that I ever took my own advice, but it does make a lot of sense to me!
)
Last edited by 20mercury; Nov 16, 2014 at 07:40 PM.