Hey Guys, I'm looking for my first BB car and was wondering what you think is a reasonable budget? I'm looking for a 68-69 conv 427/ 390 Hp with original engine and transmission. I'm really just looking for a solid driver quality car, maybe needs paint, chrome, new interior.... all three..lol

Do you guys think this is still possible in the $25-30K range and if not, what is the range I should expect for these cars?

 

Check completed Ebay sales for cars similar to what you want. It's a nation-wide auction and represents true sales prices.

 

I'm not saying you can't find one in that range...depending on which 427...but it may require some work to make it a dependable driver.

Actually...I'm looking to sell my '69 L71 numbers matching convertible, but it's beyond that price range.

 

I'd love an L-71 but I'm likely in the 427/390 range at this time..

 

I have a runner driver 69 convertible 454, all new or rebuilt upgraded...nope, not what you want BUT I have less than 15K in it because I do it modded.
What you desire is about the most pricey c3 going....

 

with so many of these cars faked. if you would relax your requirement for original engine, you can get you a much better condition car for the same price. but if you do require originality, then do your homework and know how to verify what you are looking at.

 

I believe you can get a decent BB Roadster for $30K. They are out there.

 

Beautiful car!!! I'm a little jealous

 

Here was mine at the dealership.

I spend $36K. Correct block and date code but no VIN stamping because it was rebuilt.
It came from some guys collection so it needed a little suspension work to be a solid driver.

 

Just to echo some previous posts. For an economical purchase, forget the original engine issue. Priority issues are a rust free frame...repeat...a rust free frame. If the frame is rust free, probably the body birdcage/windshield frame is rust free...maybe not. Next issue....no hidden body damage...you don't want to buy a Bondo sculpture masterpiece...you don't want to buy a bent frame.

The better the original interior, the better. Restoration parts for the interior can be questionable in that they either don't fit or don't look exactly right..or both.

I'm really not competent to comment about $25,000 to $30,000 being a good priced range to get you into the good car you're looking for. However, from my limited knowledge, I think this price range will work for a 68/69 Conv that needs some work. Keep in mind that if you're not numbers matching, you can buy a 68/69 SB and put a GM Performance Parts catalog BB in it....427/454/502.

 

Seeing as you're a bit flexible on condition I don't think you're too far off. I paid 37k for a #s matching 68 L36 vert but it was in really good shape and other than fixing mods done to it over the years(headers, MSD ignition etc.) it really needed very little. I think if you wait around you will find what you're looking for in your price range.

 

According to NADA:

$30k to $32k for low retail
$52k to $58k for average retail
$75k to $81k for high retail

I bought my coupe for $25k some 11 years ago, when the range was from $10k low to $32k high. I have put another $27k hard money and a lot of hard labor working on the drivability and it still has the original paint, chrome and interior.

I never considered a NOM car. An original motor is the only way to get most of your money back when passed to the next caretaker.

 

I wanted to thank all of you for your input and advice. I'll just keep looking and add to my budget as time goes on. At some point the car and budget will match...lol thanks again!!

 

I paid $12,000 US for my 68 L36. Keep in mind that was in 1993. Good luck in your search. You will find the right one if you are patient.

 

Hi Dave,
Don't give up too easily on the original engine, transmission, rear end requirement.
These are the things that can set cars apart from each other.
I'd like to say no amount of money can change them but sadly that's not the case anymore.
Since you're willing to do paint, interior, chrome, I'd look for a very COMPLETE car, with it's original engine and transmission, and that has VERY little to no rust.
I think that having the patience to save the money to be able to buy a good car is good thing. It will take $$$ because you're looking at the most desirable group of 68-72 cars. People that have those cars for sale don't need to let them go at bargain prices.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

 

Never understood the obsession with numbers match when the buyer is really looking for a driver, trying to keep the budget down. That car is probably one with the highest risk of being faked, a high $$ reward for doing so. Best to do your homework, make sure you're getting what you pay for.

 

It's also the way to spend the most money to acquire the car in the first place. With today's prices being where they are I remain skeptical you'll get that much better return over a NOM in very good condition, the NOM selling for less to begin with.

 

There was , a yellow 69 car exactly like you want , near me......been a couple months ago . It was about a 7 or 8 out of 10 condition. Black interior , 4 spd , 390 427 .....I've seen better and worse. I never looked under hood . Told it was original motor and trans.

Asking 45K was what I was told . Must have been firm ..as it sat a long time.....unsure what happened . It was consigned I was told.


Unless it's a kinda ruff car, needing paint ( which is huge money for an Old corvette to paint one correct ) doubt you ll find one turn key in the range your talking about . You can drop 20 grand fast on paint, engine , rear end , interior etc fixing up a neglected ride ...plus for go the years of labor and not enjoying the car .

You can get a really nice turn key car , needing nothing for your budget . But, it won't have the original drive train probably ......like others said ...if your really going to drive it......then maybe NOM is the way to go. Buy a car already to go somebody else put the blood sweat and tears into.

 

Okay, you guys make a lot of good points and I've considered this over the past week or so.. Mostly about what I wanted the car for and what I planned to do with the car in the future..

And you're all right depending on wha a person wants.. I like local shows and cruise nights but I'm not looking for a Bloomington Gold car nor can I afford one at this time nor am I looking for a lengthy expensive restoration either.

I want to drive a nice corvette 68-69 convertible and like all of us get the most out of our money when buying one. With that said I think I will not only expand my search to NOM cars but also 327 and 350 cars.

I am a driver for sure and the years that I like and having a convertible are the most important to me. I guess in my mind I thought having a # matching car would be a good investment but in the end I plan on keeping this car for a very long time so I'm not really buying an investment but rather an experience!!!

That experience being the joy of cruising down the road in a vintage roadster with a nice exhaust note and the Florida sun in the air... AND lets face it I think we can all agree on one thing.

There's no better way than in a CORVETTE....lol, right? So, with that I have some editing to do on my WTB ad to include the above.

I also need to figure out how to add the animations your guys add so that my post don't look like they are from 1998.

 

Just got done watching Peter Klug of Legendary Motor Cars. He was brokering a beautifully restored '66 NOM 427 4 speed side exhaust coupe for around $75k to a friend of one of his wealthy clients. This rich car collector commented that the original motor would bring another $50k. That is a lot of room for return, depending of course on what the seller's cost was. I see this demand for original drivetrain '68/'69 C3s with any of the 427s doing nothing but increasing...over time, of course. Every year there are less real ones around...and a seemingly endless supply of wealthier car collectors.

Sounds like the OP wants a restored NOM car to both drive now and keep for a long time...a trade-off, for sure. You can't have it both ways.