Looking for advice on a specific vehicle
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 145
Likes: 6
From: Roswell, Georgia
Looking for advice on a specific vehicle
I have been searching around for a '68 - '72 convertible recently and would love to get some opinions on a specific vehicle that I'm looking at. for backgrounder, I'm looking for something that I can drive and tinker with on the weekends. I'm not hung-up on numbers-matching or worried about how much the vehicle will appreciate (but it would be nice if it did). I started out thinking that a BBC was a must, but I've had a number of people tell me that a 350/350 can be a very nice car and provide a similar experience to a big-block.
Anyway, here's a link to some pictures of a vehicle that I'm currently considering: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2...WRoOVBLTmxkYlE
Vehicle details as I know them:
I'm really looking for 2 areas of advice. What's a fair ask for this vehicle based upon the pictures and info above, and what is it going to take (ballpark) to finish this vehicle? I'm pretty mechanically/electrically inclined (EE in college), but I don't want to get into something that will have me bleeding cash just to get it finished. I have my eye on a couple of other (finished) vehicles, but they are small-block varieties for more $$.
Any thoughts or advice you have is greatly appreciated.
Anyway, here's a link to some pictures of a vehicle that I'm currently considering: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2...WRoOVBLTmxkYlE
Vehicle details as I know them:
- All options except air
- Originally CA car
- Freshly painted original color
- Non-matching 427 freshly rebuilt (1969 dated 512 LS5)
- New radiator
- All wiring done (supposedly - need to confirm)
- All gauges work (supposedly - need to confirm)
- Needs small stuff (neutral safety, vacuum canister, relay in passenger fender
- New brakes, fuel-lines, weather-stripping, cooling system
- New wiring harness hooked-up
- Fiber optics needs to be hooked-up by shifter
- Needs soft-top, headrests, visors
- Minor damage inside rear (fixed)
- New door panels, seats
I'm really looking for 2 areas of advice. What's a fair ask for this vehicle based upon the pictures and info above, and what is it going to take (ballpark) to finish this vehicle? I'm pretty mechanically/electrically inclined (EE in college), but I don't want to get into something that will have me bleeding cash just to get it finished. I have my eye on a couple of other (finished) vehicles, but they are small-block varieties for more $$.
Any thoughts or advice you have is greatly appreciated.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 44,682
Likes: 1,831
From: Huntsville AL
Can't see the link due to it being block on this computer but will add that anyone who says a 350/350 provides a similar experience to a big-block has never drove a big block.
Two completely different driving experiences. Having owned both there is nothing wrong with a 350/350hp car.
Two completely different driving experiences. Having owned both there is nothing wrong with a 350/350hp car.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,740
Likes: 2,583
with so much of it disassembled and not knowing if anything works, looks like you might not even be able to start it with the completely missing dash, I would say you might want to spend a little more and get a finished, working, testable vehicle. Based on an app I have I came up with 7k to 11k but too many unknows to be more precise.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
...what is it going to take (ballpark) to finish this vehicle?...
It's not a bad looking car, but it's difficult to say from the pics how good it might be. Obviously, it's a project car for the seller. Have you asked why the seller has not finished the car?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 145
Likes: 6
From: Roswell, Georgia
That would depend on what you want to do with it. Restomod? Keep stock appearance?
It's not a bad looking car, but it's difficult to say from the pics how good it might be. Obviously, it's a project car for the seller. Have you asked why the seller has not finished the car?
It's not a bad looking car, but it's difficult to say from the pics how good it might be. Obviously, it's a project car for the seller. Have you asked why the seller has not finished the car?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 145
Likes: 6
From: Roswell, Georgia
I have someone whom I trust taking a look at the vehicle. He's stated that the major items are done, but it needs finishing. Wiper door, interior, wiring clean-up (although seller states everything works), alignment, neutral safety switch, vacuum canister all need to be done. Has all the parts, just not finished. I'm trying to determine if this is a project that is wise to take on, and what's fair $$ for doing so.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,738
Likes: 644
From: Lincoln, CA
Intake is painted? Iron or aluminum?
Does it run at this point?
Seems like most of the major stuff is complete including paint.
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,615
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From: Forth Worth TX
Can't see the link due to it being block on this computer but will add that anyone who says a 350/350 provides a similar experience to a big-block has never drove a big block.
Two completely different driving experiences. Having owned both there is nothing wrong with a 350/350hp car.
Two completely different driving experiences. Having owned both there is nothing wrong with a 350/350hp car.
My 70, 350/350, M-21, 3.70 walks away from a 70, AC, 454, TH400, 3.08. If we ran long enough, he'd have a better top speed though.
Last edited by Revi; Feb 24, 2017 at 01:43 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 145
Likes: 6
From: Roswell, Georgia
Seller didn't have a battery when my friend stopped by this week, but claims he will over the weekend so am interested in seeing everything working. That will be very important.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 145
Likes: 6
From: Roswell, Georgia
No kidding. Have you been burned by that little voice? I'm trying to be rational about how much I'm willing to take on and what sort of $$ is reasonable. Some of the pictures make it look like a mess, but it seems like the really big/hard things are done and the rest is finish/trim work.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,209
Likes: 33
From: Texas-out west
just be aware that many parts for 68 are 68 only and some hard to find so be very diligent in inspecting car for things working. if it runs and body is good etc. and you don't mind finishing no problem but there is a lot of work there, not horrible but work. good luck
big blocks i love torque great as is power, small block more driver friendly to some and smaller so little easier to work on. I currently have both SB and BB and both are hipo cars with solid lifters, BB is faster
big blocks i love torque great as is power, small block more driver friendly to some and smaller so little easier to work on. I currently have both SB and BB and both are hipo cars with solid lifters, BB is faster
Last edited by LT1driver; Feb 24, 2017 at 03:30 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,663
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From: Smyrna/Vinings, Georgia
My thoughts; 68 is a problem, missing headlight covers means probably stuffed in front. quality of paint job would be key, tough color to get right. If it's just ok paint job walk, if it's a spot on quality job, different story. don't like the front hood corner fit, both sides. That would lean toward walking. Wiper door can be troublesome.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,285
Likes: 4,374
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi rb,
A lot of work appears to have been done on this car. Both time and money has been spent.
I always wonder why people want to get out from under a half finished car?
Back pain is a reason…. but is it the truth in this case?
The finishing of a car generally takes lots more money and time than people think it will….. a whole lot more. It's a difficult job at best, and made even more difficult and frustrating when you're working on a car that someone else took apart.
Have we seen the stamped information on the engine, transmission and rear differential? Has a knowledgable/responsible person looked at them in person?
At $25,000 plus what it's going to take to finish this car it will be critical to know whether this motor was in this car when it left St.Louis.
???
Regards,
Alan
A lot of work appears to have been done on this car. Both time and money has been spent.
I always wonder why people want to get out from under a half finished car?
Back pain is a reason…. but is it the truth in this case?
The finishing of a car generally takes lots more money and time than people think it will….. a whole lot more. It's a difficult job at best, and made even more difficult and frustrating when you're working on a car that someone else took apart.
Have we seen the stamped information on the engine, transmission and rear differential? Has a knowledgable/responsible person looked at them in person?
At $25,000 plus what it's going to take to finish this car it will be critical to know whether this motor was in this car when it left St.Louis.
???
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Feb 24, 2017 at 03:54 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 145
Likes: 6
From: Roswell, Georgia
My thoughts; 68 is a problem, missing headlight covers means probably stuffed in front. quality of paint job would be key, tough color to get right. If it's just ok paint job walk, if it's a spot on quality job, different story. don't like the front hood corner fit, both sides. That would lean toward walking. Wiper door can be troublesome.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 145
Likes: 6
From: Roswell, Georgia
Hi rb,
Have we seen the stamped information on the engine, transmission and rear differential? Has a knowledgable/responsible person looked at them in person?
At $25,000 plus what it's going to take to finish this car it will be critical to know whether this motor was in this car when it left St.Louis.
???
Regards,
Alan
Have we seen the stamped information on the engine, transmission and rear differential? Has a knowledgable/responsible person looked at them in person?
At $25,000 plus what it's going to take to finish this car it will be critical to know whether this motor was in this car when it left St.Louis.
???
Regards,
Alan
I think I can get it for $21-22, but it begs the question -- take on a project like this which appears to be mostly labor (all finish parts come with the car), or spend $25-$26 on something like a 70 350/350 that is ready to drive?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 44,682
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From: Huntsville AL