69 Coupe Project Question
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,794
Likes: 430
From: Aarhus, Denmark
Hi v1500,
I'd think long and hard about buying a car that you want to restore KNOWING that it has a rusty frame and birdcage.
I think most people who have restored cars would say to buy a car that costs a few thousand dollars more but has a good frame and birdcage.
I'd also caution you to buy as complete a car as possible if your plan is to do a restoration to bring it to what it originally was.
I'd say paying someone to do a serious restoration would cost more than the value of the car would be.
If you can do the majority of the work yourself you might about break-even if and when you sell it if you consider that you worked for free.
A serious restoration is a tremendous amount of work and quite costly but is also a great experience if that's what you're looking for.
I'd certainly advise you to get some help looking at cars you're considering if you're not too knowledgable about them.
There are cars that people are asking $20,000 for that are worth half that, and also cars that people are asking $5,000 for that are worth that.
You ask what might it be worth? If you make it the finest restored 69 in existence I guess we're talking $40,000-$45,000?
If you paid someone to restore it you'd have considerably more in it and if you do it yourself you might break even as I said above.
This is why people often say financially it wiser to buy a car that's been restored…. but then of course you're missing out on the pleasures and horrors of doing your own restoration!
So!?!
Regards,
Alan
I'd think long and hard about buying a car that you want to restore KNOWING that it has a rusty frame and birdcage.
I think most people who have restored cars would say to buy a car that costs a few thousand dollars more but has a good frame and birdcage.
I'd also caution you to buy as complete a car as possible if your plan is to do a restoration to bring it to what it originally was.
I'd say paying someone to do a serious restoration would cost more than the value of the car would be.
If you can do the majority of the work yourself you might about break-even if and when you sell it if you consider that you worked for free.
A serious restoration is a tremendous amount of work and quite costly but is also a great experience if that's what you're looking for.
I'd certainly advise you to get some help looking at cars you're considering if you're not too knowledgable about them.
There are cars that people are asking $20,000 for that are worth half that, and also cars that people are asking $5,000 for that are worth that.
You ask what might it be worth? If you make it the finest restored 69 in existence I guess we're talking $40,000-$45,000?
If you paid someone to restore it you'd have considerably more in it and if you do it yourself you might break even as I said above.
This is why people often say financially it wiser to buy a car that's been restored…. but then of course you're missing out on the pleasures and horrors of doing your own restoration!
So!?!
Regards,
Alan
In all 3 cases, you have to also look in the wallet, to see what is in there !
For me it is a hobby, I was not looking for a restored 69 Coupe, I was only looking for at project car. That is what it is all about for me.
Before I bought my 69 project, then I knew that it would be cheaper to buy restored car, but that is not what I was looking for. I would like to make my "own" 69 Coupe.
Last edited by c3_dk; Feb 22, 2015 at 01:54 AM.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
I am looking for some advice on a potential 69 coupe project. I am contemplating the project as it needs a frame as well as some work on the birdcage. It is a base SB/Auto car with original engine and trans. It is originally a RS Gold car with Black interior. Any thoughts to it's value when all restored as well as the merits of a full-scale undertaking on the car? Just trying to get a feel for the value of getting into this project.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Steve
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 58
From: God's Country The Old Dominion
This is just a hypothetical question that was playing on my mind after reading this and some other posts and viewing some other non Corvette projects. If we have a bunch of cars out there that need frame swaps or windshield/birdcage structural repair, do we just forget them and let them go to scrap? Have you guys seen what torment the steel body car guys (Chevelles/Cudas/Mustangs) go through with inner and outer panel, trunk and subframe repairs? Again, I am not saying that I disagree with any of the comments, just wondering what to think about these old cars that they aren't ever going to make again…
Steve
Steve
I get the question however I don't think I would ever knowingly take on something like the car you describe. If I started taking it apart and found the issues I may still want to drop back and punt. I don't know if I would let it go to scrap though. There are plenty of guys who would need many of the parts. You might consider it as bringing another one back to life through the left over parts....kind of like a heart transplant.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,399
Likes: 793
This is just a hypothetical question that was playing on my mind after reading this and some other posts and viewing some other non Corvette projects. If we have a bunch of cars out there that need frame swaps or windshield/birdcage structural repair, do we just forget them and let them go to scrap? Have you guys seen what torment the steel body car guys (Chevelles/Cudas/Mustangs) go through with inner and outer panel, trunk and subframe repairs? Again, I am not saying that I disagree with any of the comments, just wondering what to think about these old cars that they aren't ever going to make again…
Steve
Steve
I guess I am confused between the 2 posts. Anyway from what I have learned from my restore so far is that although it is a 69 I would never had purchased it other then to part it out so others could complete there projects. Seems to me that would be a win win situation and the more we could save either way is good. Now I'll get off my soap box.
r
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Hi Steve, I think for me when I read your original post thought you were a newbie. Trying to give some friendly advice on what to look for. Your second post indicates the you have done this before and sounds like a few times as well as being an experienced mechanic.
I guess I am confused between the 2 posts. Anyway from what I have learned from my restore so far is that although it is a 69 I would never had purchased it other then to part it out so others could complete there projects. Seems to me that would be a win win situation and the more we could save either way is good. Now I'll get off my soap box.
r
I guess I am confused between the 2 posts. Anyway from what I have learned from my restore so far is that although it is a 69 I would never had purchased it other then to part it out so others could complete there projects. Seems to me that would be a win win situation and the more we could save either way is good. Now I'll get off my soap box.
r
Sorry, did not mean to be confusing in my original post. You are correct, I do have some experience with Corvettes. That being said, I have not chopped out a windshield frame or welded repair panels into a birdcage. The purpose of my post was to gauge opinion from people like yourself who have performed significant work on a 69 as to whether the value was there in these cars to embark on this journey. There is a part of me who would love to do a frame swap, windshield frame replacement/birdcage restoration. That being said, I think that I would only be interested in doing so to a car that would have significant value in it after it was done.
Steve
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,399
Likes: 793
Hi R!
Sorry, did not mean to be confusing in my original post. You are correct, I do have some experience with Corvettes. That being said, I have not chopped out a windshield frame or welded repair panels into a birdcage. The purpose of my post was to gauge opinion from people like yourself who have performed significant work on a 69 as to whether the value was there in these cars to embark on this journey. There is a part of me who would love to do a frame swap, windshield frame replacement/birdcage restoration. That being said, I think that I would only be interested in doing so to a car that would have significant value in it after it was done.
Steve
Sorry, did not mean to be confusing in my original post. You are correct, I do have some experience with Corvettes. That being said, I have not chopped out a windshield frame or welded repair panels into a birdcage. The purpose of my post was to gauge opinion from people like yourself who have performed significant work on a 69 as to whether the value was there in these cars to embark on this journey. There is a part of me who would love to do a frame swap, windshield frame replacement/birdcage restoration. That being said, I think that I would only be interested in doing so to a car that would have significant value in it after it was done.
Steve
r
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
I got you Steve but beauty and value are in the eye's of the beholder. I understand that a simple base model is not the top of the heap money wise and that's okay with me. Just want to see if I can do it and enjoy driving a safe and fun ride. To each his own I guess. It is pretty cool seeing all the things people do to these vettes on the forum. Good luck with what you choose to do.
r
r
I hear you, that is very true! It was the situation for me when I fixed my base/auto 72' coupe 20 years ago (frame on driver resto). You are doing a lot better than I am with the fact that yours is a 69!
I am likely going to pass on this project. Always another one to come along…Steve
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,399
Likes: 793
Hi R!
I hear you, that is very true! It was the situation for me when I fixed my base/auto 72' coupe 20 years ago (frame on driver resto). You are doing a lot better than I am with the fact that yours is a 69! I am likely going to pass on this project. Always another one to come along…
Steve
I hear you, that is very true! It was the situation for me when I fixed my base/auto 72' coupe 20 years ago (frame on driver resto). You are doing a lot better than I am with the fact that yours is a 69!
I am likely going to pass on this project. Always another one to come along…Steve
be anxious to see it. Good Luck1
r
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 916
Likes: 1,207
From: Beavercreek Ohio Currently own: 1958 Silver Blue Corvette & 1969 Riverside Gold Corvette Coupe
2025 C1 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
2024 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Thanks :- )
It is a Californian car, with no rust, and not been on the road since 1991
The pallet on the right in a new transmission, the first pallet on the left are parts for the car.
It a tank sticker car in monaco orange (990) from factory, it will go back to monaco orange and with 69 side pipes (I have a set of 69 side pipes in "stock" :- )
It is a Californian car, with no rust, and not been on the road since 1991
The pallet on the right in a new transmission, the first pallet on the left are parts for the car.
It a tank sticker car in monaco orange (990) from factory, it will go back to monaco orange and with 69 side pipes (I have a set of 69 side pipes in "stock" :- )
