Advice Needed - 69 Convert purchase
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 989
Likes: 58
From: Bergen County NJ
Advice Needed - 69 Convert purchase
Looking for some experienced advice on potential purchase of a 1969 convertible. Abbreviated details below, buyer is asking $17,900. Is it a steal, overpriced or reasonable?
1969 base model. The 350 was traded out for a small block 327. Seems to run pretty well. Don't know why it was traded but was done some time ago.
Miles unknown on new motor.
Bird cage and frame look solid with surface rust only.
2nd owner, first was a family who passed it down.
Soft top is a 9, comes with a hard top which is an 8.5.
Paint is 8.5. Shows some overspray underneath and under the hood, but no signs of accident.
Fiberglass shows some sign of spiderwebbing but not crazy.
Interior is a 5. Seats are a 2. But with some minor exceptions, interior is all there.
Definitely a driver.
My intent would be to by it, probably drive it 4-5k miles a year, and fix up details that need fixing. I am not necessarily considering this an investment but don't want to get crushed if I want to sell it.
Is $17.9k too much money for a driver with a 327 in it? Or should, I scoop it up?
1969 base model. The 350 was traded out for a small block 327. Seems to run pretty well. Don't know why it was traded but was done some time ago.
Miles unknown on new motor.
Bird cage and frame look solid with surface rust only.
2nd owner, first was a family who passed it down.
Soft top is a 9, comes with a hard top which is an 8.5.
Paint is 8.5. Shows some overspray underneath and under the hood, but no signs of accident.
Fiberglass shows some sign of spiderwebbing but not crazy.
Interior is a 5. Seats are a 2. But with some minor exceptions, interior is all there.
Definitely a driver.
My intent would be to by it, probably drive it 4-5k miles a year, and fix up details that need fixing. I am not necessarily considering this an investment but don't want to get crushed if I want to sell it.
Is $17.9k too much money for a driver with a 327 in it? Or should, I scoop it up?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,160
Likes: 4,236
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi R,
It's hard to imagine the car from your limited description without pictures.
It sounds like it has an unknown engine (runs pretty well, miles unknown), exterior paint issues (fiberglass spider webbing), and will need interior work (interior 5, seats 2), and it will likely need other things you don't realize yet.
On the plus side is it's a 69 convertible, which are quite desirable. Is it a 4 speed?
From what you posted $17,900 seems too much by at least a few thousand dollars.
If you paint it, do the interior, and spend some other money on it, it would be pretty easy to get more money in it than it could easily be resold for.
The condition of the frame and birdcage is the thing you need to determine first. There's no room for a rusty car in that price range.
Pictures?
Regards,
Alan
Where in Bergen County? I grew up in Fair Lawn.
It's hard to imagine the car from your limited description without pictures.
It sounds like it has an unknown engine (runs pretty well, miles unknown), exterior paint issues (fiberglass spider webbing), and will need interior work (interior 5, seats 2), and it will likely need other things you don't realize yet.
On the plus side is it's a 69 convertible, which are quite desirable. Is it a 4 speed?
From what you posted $17,900 seems too much by at least a few thousand dollars.
If you paint it, do the interior, and spend some other money on it, it would be pretty easy to get more money in it than it could easily be resold for.
The condition of the frame and birdcage is the thing you need to determine first. There's no room for a rusty car in that price range.
Pictures?
Regards,
Alan
Where in Bergen County? I grew up in Fair Lawn.
Last edited by Alan 71; Sep 26, 2015 at 04:31 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,099
Likes: 800
From: Massapequa Park NY
Unless the frame is completely rotted out and the motor is about to grenade itself the asking price is about as good as you're going to get for a 69 vert. I don't think you can get too hurt on this car. It will never be a big dollar collector car as the original motor is gone and it was a small block anyway but you will probably have lots of fun with it.
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 19,350
Likes: 5,240
From: Cape Cod, Mass.
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C8 of the Year Finalist Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
Does the paint match the color code? NOM, probably could use paint. If you like the car throw 13 at him and settle in the middle. How does it drive?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 168
2018 C2 of Year Finalist
I've owned several chrome bumper C3's and my advice on this one (if you want it) would be to get it for the best price you can and then drive it. I wouldn't put any money in it at the selling price or you are going to be upside down. Look at the mirrors which are wrong, non matching #, needs interior, etc. etc. pretty soon you've got 25+ in it and it is still non matching. If you have followed the sale of the Steel Cities Gray car which although a 71 is matching, and really nice sold for only 22K. If you buy this 69 enjoy it but I wouldn't put much in it. Just my .02 worth. Good luck in your search.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,613
Likes: 347
From: No Where USA
http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/cto/5212408686.html
This looks like the same car, but there are some things that are different.
This looks like the same car, but there are some things that are different.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 168
2018 C2 of Year Finalist
http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/cto/5212408686.html
This looks like the same car, but there are some things that are different.
This looks like the same car, but there are some things that are different.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 989
Likes: 58
From: Bergen County NJ
Struck a deal at $15.5k.
There is no question that many original aspects of the car are changed. But I feel pretty good at that price based on the feedback you all have generously provided.
I'll be putting some $ in initially and then take my time deciding what to ultimately do with it.
This will be my 7th Vette I've owned but first one that is older than 1993. Wish me luck an I guess I'll be frequenting the C3 sections now!
There is no question that many original aspects of the car are changed. But I feel pretty good at that price based on the feedback you all have generously provided.
I'll be putting some $ in initially and then take my time deciding what to ultimately do with it.
This will be my 7th Vette I've owned but first one that is older than 1993. Wish me luck an I guess I'll be frequenting the C3 sections now!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 168
2018 C2 of Year Finalist
Struck a deal at $15.5k.
There is no question that many original aspects of the car are changed. But I feel pretty good at that price based on the feedback you all have generously provided.
I'll be putting some $ in initially and then take my time deciding what to ultimately do with it.
This will be my 7th Vette I've owned but first one that is older than 1993. Wish me luck an I guess I'll be frequenting the C3 sections now!
There is no question that many original aspects of the car are changed. But I feel pretty good at that price based on the feedback you all have generously provided.
I'll be putting some $ in initially and then take my time deciding what to ultimately do with it.
This will be my 7th Vette I've owned but first one that is older than 1993. Wish me luck an I guess I'll be frequenting the C3 sections now!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,160
Likes: 4,236
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi R4C,
The pictures show a pretty nice car!
If you're o.k. with the parts of it that aren't original and don't have overly grand plans for it I think you did good at $15,500.
Once you get to drive it for a while you'll begin to have a better idea of what it is, what it might need now, and what you might want to do to it and with it as time goes by.
As I said in my first post… a 69 convertible is a nice car to have!
Have Fun!
Regards,
Alan
PS: I'd like it better if it were sitting an inch or two lower (various reasons it might be sitting a bit 'high'), and also if it had a set of the proper 68-69 exhaust tips.
The pictures show a pretty nice car!
If you're o.k. with the parts of it that aren't original and don't have overly grand plans for it I think you did good at $15,500.
Once you get to drive it for a while you'll begin to have a better idea of what it is, what it might need now, and what you might want to do to it and with it as time goes by.
As I said in my first post… a 69 convertible is a nice car to have!
Have Fun!
Regards,
Alan
PS: I'd like it better if it were sitting an inch or two lower (various reasons it might be sitting a bit 'high'), and also if it had a set of the proper 68-69 exhaust tips.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,304
Likes: 278
From: Ocala FL
Looking for some experienced advice on potential purchase of a 1969 convertible. Abbreviated details below, buyer is asking $17,900. Is it a steal, overpriced or reasonable?
1969 base model. The 350 was traded out for a small block 327. Seems to run pretty well. Don't know why it was traded but was done some time ago.
Miles unknown on new motor.
Bird cage and frame look solid with surface rust only.
2nd owner, first was a family who passed it down.
Soft top is a 9, comes with a hard top which is an 8.5.
Paint is 8.5. Shows some overspray underneath and under the hood, but no signs of accident.
Fiberglass shows some sign of spiderwebbing but not crazy.
Interior is a 5. Seats are a 2. But with some minor exceptions, interior is all there.
Definitely a driver.
My intent would be to by it, probably drive it 4-5k miles a year, and fix up details that need fixing. I am not necessarily considering this an investment but don't want to get crushed if I want to sell it.
Is $17.9k too much money for a driver with a 327 in it? Or should, I scoop it up?
1969 base model. The 350 was traded out for a small block 327. Seems to run pretty well. Don't know why it was traded but was done some time ago.
Miles unknown on new motor.
Bird cage and frame look solid with surface rust only.
2nd owner, first was a family who passed it down.
Soft top is a 9, comes with a hard top which is an 8.5.
Paint is 8.5. Shows some overspray underneath and under the hood, but no signs of accident.
Fiberglass shows some sign of spiderwebbing but not crazy.
Interior is a 5. Seats are a 2. But with some minor exceptions, interior is all there.
Definitely a driver.
My intent would be to by it, probably drive it 4-5k miles a year, and fix up details that need fixing. I am not necessarily considering this an investment but don't want to get crushed if I want to sell it.
Is $17.9k too much money for a driver with a 327 in it? Or should, I scoop it up?
THIS seems to be the part most miss. It isn't an NCRS garage queen, it isn't the next car across the block at Barrett Jackson, but it is a good looking car you can have fun in, drive when you want, and have a good time with.
Too many get wrapped up in the "this isn't stock" and "that part is incorrect" to forget they are coming off like complete snobs that anything less than a 99 point car is somehow worthless.
It looks good. Mind yourself that anything could break at any time as it is 46 years old. There is always that possibility and yet it is quite possible with regular maintenance you have no issues for as long as you own it. Remember, it is NOT a new Corvette with 300,000 mile reliability. It is a Corvette that was lucky to make the 50,000 warranty they had and was realistically still the 12,000 mile warranty car they had been building which is now 46 years old.
Enjoy it, drive it, have fun, show it off, and have a thick skin to all who say "this part here is WRONG! It should be a ..."
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 147
From: S Nevada
THIS seems to be the part most miss. It isn't an NCRS garage queen, it isn't the next car across the block at Barrett Jackson, but it is a good looking car you can have fun in, drive when you want, and have a good time with.
Too many get wrapped up in the "this isn't stock" and "that part is incorrect" to forget they are coming off like complete snobs that anything less than a 99 point car is somehow worthless.
It looks good. Mind yourself that anything could break at any time as it is 46 years old. There is always that possibility and yet it is quite possible with regular maintenance you have no issues for as long as you own it. Remember, it is NOT a new Corvette with 300,000 mile reliability. It is a Corvette that was lucky to make the 50,000 warranty they had and was realistically still the 12,000 mile warranty car they had been building which is now 46 years old.
Enjoy it, drive it, have fun, show it off, and have a thick skin to all who say "this part here is WRONG! It should be a ..."
Too many get wrapped up in the "this isn't stock" and "that part is incorrect" to forget they are coming off like complete snobs that anything less than a 99 point car is somehow worthless.
It looks good. Mind yourself that anything could break at any time as it is 46 years old. There is always that possibility and yet it is quite possible with regular maintenance you have no issues for as long as you own it. Remember, it is NOT a new Corvette with 300,000 mile reliability. It is a Corvette that was lucky to make the 50,000 warranty they had and was realistically still the 12,000 mile warranty car they had been building which is now 46 years old.
Enjoy it, drive it, have fun, show it off, and have a thick skin to all who say "this part here is WRONG! It should be a ..."
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 24,592
Likes: 44
From: The Rock Arkansas
Elite Member
Cruise-In III Veteran
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 22,577
Likes: 250
From: Denison, TX
2022 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
CI 3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'16
I've had mine so long, I don't even remember what I paid for her! 
How's that for being totally unlike the "You'll never be able to get your money out of it" crowd?
There's always something on the "could stand to be done" list, but she fires up, drives well and sounds awesome. You definitely don't need a perfect, all original c3 to turn heads and have a lot of fun with the car!
How's that for being totally unlike the "You'll never be able to get your money out of it" crowd? There's always something on the "could stand to be done" list, but she fires up, drives well and sounds awesome. You definitely don't need a perfect, all original c3 to turn heads and have a lot of fun with the car!
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,102
Likes: 1,221
From: Madeira Beach, FL
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Looks like a very nice car for the $.
Welcome to our world
Can you say Vacuum.
Enjoy it they are a blast.
Marshal
Welcome to our world
Can you say Vacuum.
Enjoy it they are a blast.
Marshal
