DANGER SIGN , leave the love part out of it at this stage , don't talk yourself into it by saying "that's not too bad " "I can fix that". You might end up with a lemon/money pit because of a list as long as your arm of "little " things to fix .

Especially don't tell the owner you "love " it or he will not accept any low offers .

get someone who knows these things or take more pics of the chassis and rust prone areas (look at the thread , how to buy a c3 in the sticky section) and post them here . It can save you from a terrible experience .

Nice looking car so take your emotion out of the negotiation and look at it properly. If it ticks the "little corrosion" box then move forward .

 

okay thanks for the advice, is there anybody that anybody knows that I could send the carb to and get it replaced?

 

The carb is almost a non issue at this point its just one of many things that car will need to run and drive in a safe manner,

Sure im partly speculating, im allowed, been into vettes over 40 years and know whats probable, so do lots of guys here, and its all going back to one thing....RUST.

You need to check out the rust situation...period.

Btw,
Love the car, passion in the hobby is great,
However,
Love is blind, and there are a heck of a lot of wide bodies out there....

 

The car is a well done, flowing old school custom, its just cool,

But i was just razzing you as we both know there are no cars like we described for 3 to 3500 out there,

But i wouldnt lowball a factory stocker just because im a custom guy....

I lowball basket cases that are likely more rust than car.

 

OK, I checked out last evening, before these two posts were made. Keep in mind, I'm NOT trying to be a "wise guy", but if you feel you need someone to do a "rebuild" of a Holley 4 barrel carb for you, maybe you better let this car go. My point is that Holley 4 barrels, are pretty easy to work on, and quite possibly, the one on the car needs nothing more than some proper adjustment. (If you said that it had a Quadra-Jet on it, then yeah, I would share your concern.....they're a bit tricky to work on) But if that carb has you concerned, then the rest of what that car might need, could be beyond the scope of your current abilities.

Again, I'm not trying to bust your chops, just injecting a little realism into the discussion. One other thing, you still haven't mentioned, is what kind of money you have available, to invest in this project. I know it's not polite to discuss people's personal financial matters, so I'll make this VERY general.....Beyond the initial purchase price of the car, do you have another $3-4000 readily available, to invest in it, if necessary? Also, does the seller have a list of what has actually been done to the car, in terms of rebuilt/replaced parts? That could give you an idea of what it will take, to make the car roadworthy.

 

the car has been sitting for 10 years and the gas evaporated inside the carbs, that is why they need to be rebuilt.

 

After reading the ad that you just posted, I don't know what to say, as there is SO much incorrect terminology and mis-spellings. The owner MAY be referring to a "Greenwood" suspension package, which would indeed be a very good thing. Automatic transmission equipped Corvettes, at least from the factory, had either a Turbo 350 or Turbo 400, NOT a C-6. A C-6 is a Ford transmission.

If the "small leaks" in the OP unit and the transmission pan are indeed that small, why doesn't HE fix them? Also, if you really want to sell a car, having it running properly, is a good thing. Why doesn't HE rebuild/replace the carb? It would certainly make the car look a lot more desirable, if he could at least get into it, turn the key, and fire it up.

Maybe I'm being picky, but 12 years of attending private schools made me VERY conscious of spelling and grammar. It was drilled into me and my fellow students. When I read something like that, it makes me cringe, and wonder if the car was put together as inaccurate as his ad was.

Again, the car could indeed be worthwhile, but you'll need to take a real hard look at it, and hopefully, have somebody with you, who has some experience with Corvettes. We're not trying to discourage you, just hoping to keep you from buying yourself a "money pit". On that note, in your communications with the seller, has he given you any hint as to why he wants to sell it?

 

He said that he had another "project corvette" in the shop and he just needed money for the payments on the car, he's only had it for two months though

 

Sounds like he thought he could "flip it", and realized that it would take more time or money than he wanted to invest. Still might not be a really bad deal, but then again.......


Tread lightly, VERY lightly!!

 

Who determined the carburetor is preventing the engine from running?
With that type of carburetor, no airhorn, and that type of intake manifold, single plane, high rise, that engine saw high rpm's. Almost anything could be preventing it from starting.

 

we started it up with starter fluid, he told me about the carburetor, thats the only thing he told me that was keeping it from running

 

so no noticeable abnormal sounds once it started?
repeatedly cracking the throttle open wouldn't keep it running?
there is no choke and no manifold heat so starting will always be a problem with that set up in anything but warm weather.

 

nothing abnormal, started up and woukd stay running withstarting fluid, i live in texas where it is always hot so starting it up shouldn't be a problem

 

I believe the rear suspension needs attention

 

And


https://nh.craigslist.org/cto/d/1980...319454696.html


https://daytona.craigslist.org/cto/d...344310955.html

 

I'll assume, which could be a mistake, that if the car has been sitting for 10 years, the fuel tank, and therefore the carb, are both dry. Consequently, "cracking the throttle" won't accomplish anything, as there's no gasoline to light the fire. With respect to the carb itself, I would say that it, as well as the intake manifold, would be less than ideal for street use. They could, however, be sold off for a decent amount, and something more suitable could be installed.


Good point!


However, on the plus side, I looked at the Craigslist listing, where there are more photos of the car. There do seem to be some "interesting" parts on this car. Somebody did indeed spend some money on it. It would be VERY interesting to be able to find the previous owner, to get the "backstory".....

 

By reading what was written and the description on the Corvette....and how he wrote: 'Price is form"

Before getting more and more into it...throw him an offer and see what he says....and actually have the CASH in 100's on hand so he can see it DOES often times make a decision. Like the old saying goes "Money talks---B.S. walks". Unless you feel you might get robbed...then don't.

As for the price to offer him..I am leaving that up to you and how important having this Corvette is to you...which form what I previously red that your wrote...you REALLY like it....and regardless what anyone else says...it is your decision.

For what this is worth:

I have purchased many things that my friends and random people 'felt' that I made a big mistake ( only because they could not see my 'vision')....and more times than not...in time...I was RIGHT and those friends who commented that I made a mistake came back and said they were wrong and I was actually right. Granted ...I did not do good on each and every purchase...but I know my gut and when I have a feeling that is so overpowering.... I KNOW that I am right...regardless what others feel....because I have a vision and nothing is going to stop me from getting that vision achieved...regardless of time and money....it is all about getting what I want. But that is just me.

DUB

 

All good advice, "DUB", and I agree with what you said. Only thing I might differ with you on, is that while you, me, and a few others here, have the experience within our back pockets, that it will take, to finish this car, the OP is a young fellow just starting out. It might be too big or too expensive a project for him to tackle at this point in time.....

 

i don't have the money but I have the resources to get this finished, I have the tools and knowledge to finish this the right way

 

Perhaps the car doesnt have any rust issues and is laden with cool old school race parts,

I read the sellers ad and know the type, he said 7500 firm,

It might be worth that or might not,

I wouldnt make any offer without knowing the rust situation and more about it, i am not allowed to be foolish no matter how i wrap it up,

I might be a dreamer but money, life, health etc is real,

I might be silly enough but not bucks up enough to overpay for a stressful moneypit nightmare, some can afford to gamble and loose i cant, likely i have missed a few gems.....

I could go take an hour look this car over and then with that knowledge pay the 7500 or offer less or pass, but then know what i was getting better....

Thats just me,