#'s Matching 1973 454 4-Speed, not perfect, how much would you offer?
#1
Intermediate
Thread Starter
#'s Matching 1973 454 4-Speed, not perfect, how much would you offer?
I've been looking into getting a project car for a while, and this one really stuck out, as the title said its a 73, 454, 4 speed (no A/C), but it needs a lot of work. First off, the engine is in pieces; the current owner said the previous owner had taken it out and apart and bored it 60 over, new cam, new lifters, refaced heads, new valves, pretty much everything as far as I can tell which I think would cost a lot if I had to get that stuff done, and I am fairly confident that I would be able to get the engine together correctly with the help ill have working on it. The owner also said he could add a 454 out of a pick up to the deal if that would help, and I think i'd take him up on that just to have in case. Another problem is the body in the rear, which the owner said had been hit by a motorcycle.
As you can see, the damage is pretty severe, and I am not completely proficient with fiber glassing, but I am willing to put in however much time and effort it takes to get it fixed myself. The biggest worry I have with the damage is whether it is structural or not, as far as I can tell, the lower bumper piece mounts seem fine, but there could be some that are supposed to be there but are broken off.
The last thing I was worried about was this firewall damage:
He said that it was from a carb fire from a previous owner, I don't really know how serious this is, but in my unprofessional opinion it really doesn't look that hard to patch back up.
The owner is asking 7000 for it, but I imagine the investment price will go way up when the repairs start, how much do you guys think this is worth? And how much would have to go into it to get it all fixed back up?
As you can see, the damage is pretty severe, and I am not completely proficient with fiber glassing, but I am willing to put in however much time and effort it takes to get it fixed myself. The biggest worry I have with the damage is whether it is structural or not, as far as I can tell, the lower bumper piece mounts seem fine, but there could be some that are supposed to be there but are broken off.
The last thing I was worried about was this firewall damage:
He said that it was from a carb fire from a previous owner, I don't really know how serious this is, but in my unprofessional opinion it really doesn't look that hard to patch back up.
The owner is asking 7000 for it, but I imagine the investment price will go way up when the repairs start, how much do you guys think this is worth? And how much would have to go into it to get it all fixed back up?
#2
Safety Car
Even if you could get that car for free you would be upside-down on it so fast it would make your head spin.
YMMV
YMMV
#3
Team Owner
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You may want to keep looking. $7000 is possibly on the high side when what will need to be done is considered. Can you do most of the work yourself? What does the rest of the car look like? Frame? Suspension. Birdcage? Any additional pics?
#4
Drifting
Wow that motorcycle must have went through the entire car to damage the firewall!
What would I offer for it? Exactly $0. Yeah, if I was going to invest the amount of time, labor and $ to resurrect a project like this, I'd pick a pre-'73 C3. Same amount of time, labor and $, but in the end I'd have something that is much more sought after/marketable should the need arise to sell it.
Just my $0.02.
What would I offer for it? Exactly $0. Yeah, if I was going to invest the amount of time, labor and $ to resurrect a project like this, I'd pick a pre-'73 C3. Same amount of time, labor and $, but in the end I'd have something that is much more sought after/marketable should the need arise to sell it.
Just my $0.02.
Last edited by Tonio; 06-25-2018 at 04:07 PM.
#5
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Wow not really the responses I was expecting but I really appreciate the input! I guess I'm just having a tough time putting the amount of work it will really take into perspective because I've never done a project car before. Here's some more pics though, and more thoughts would be fantastic!
Last edited by Shann; 06-25-2018 at 04:58 PM.
#6
Agree, too much money for too much work with little return.
#7
Race Director
If it's for free, it's for me! Unless it is that car. And you STILL have NO IDEA how bad the bad stuff is. Frame, bird cage rot. Rear suspension... Top of this section is a sticky thread. 10 rules before buying your first C3. Read it grasshopper.
Last edited by derekderek; 06-25-2018 at 07:18 PM.
#8
Safety Car
What would I offer for it? Exactly $0. Yeah, if I was going to invest the amount of time, labor and $ to resurrect a project like this, I'd pick a pre-'73 C3. Same amount of time, labor and $, but in the end I'd have something that is much more sought after/marketable should the need arise to sell it.
This pretty much covers it. If the guy is asking 7 grand, I don`t think there`s any chance of getting him to a more realistic number....
this thing is gonna be EXPENSIVE to bring back!
#10
Drifting
If the car is complete, and you can do all the work yourself, and I mean everything, engine, mechanical, bodywork, paint, etc. It could be a fun project, and I am assuming there's no issues with the title, it would be worth $5000. If not, don't walk away, run.
#11
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Ok, seems like the general consensus is to steer clear of it, but at what price could it be viable, if any? And everyone is saying that the workload on it would be huge but what would it include exactly? As far as my mental list goes it includes:
-Engine stuff - put it together, throw it into the car, and hook up all of the wiring and hoses necessary.
-Interior - New carpet, door panels, lower center console, and possibly any busted gauges
-Body - Firewall hole, and that busted up rear, and paint
I know that I way simplified all of this, but each different part seems doable enough. What components/major steps am I missing? (I'm sure there are plenty). And what are the common repairs that every one of these cars needs that maybe aren't so obvious? (ie: suspension bushings, weather trim, carpet, etc)
Again - really appreciate the responses, I think I might have been saved some from a serious money pit already
-Engine stuff - put it together, throw it into the car, and hook up all of the wiring and hoses necessary.
-Interior - New carpet, door panels, lower center console, and possibly any busted gauges
-Body - Firewall hole, and that busted up rear, and paint
I know that I way simplified all of this, but each different part seems doable enough. What components/major steps am I missing? (I'm sure there are plenty). And what are the common repairs that every one of these cars needs that maybe aren't so obvious? (ie: suspension bushings, weather trim, carpet, etc)
Again - really appreciate the responses, I think I might have been saved some from a serious money pit already
Last edited by Shann; 06-25-2018 at 10:14 PM.
#12
Race Director
$7K for that??? I've seen decent RUNNING complete cars for that kind of coin. I'd let it be someone else's project before I even gave it another minute's thought. Just my opinion. I'd take it for free, then sell all the parts.
#13
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Ok I understand where you guys are coming from, but would it help if I mentioned that I am doing this project for the experience of it? I'm not necessarily trying to make any profit off of it, but I would like to break even. Also having the corvette to drive around afterwords is a pretty appealing factor as well
#14
Safety Car
You have tapped into a lot of knowledge on this forum and you been told to run away as the car is a massive amount of work and a money pit...
How about you tell us what you would like to hear and we'll just tell you that...
How about you tell us what you would like to hear and we'll just tell you that...
#15
Race Director
You do not need this kind of experience. Ever experience a root canal, a heart attack, a night in prison with Bubba? (and I don't mean the guy who worked on all our cars before we got them.) And that melted heater box. How much damage to the wiring under the dash?
Last edited by derekderek; 06-25-2018 at 10:38 PM.
#16
Race Director
Ok I understand where you guys are coming from, but would it help if I mentioned that I am doing this project for the experience of it? I'm not necessarily trying to make any profit off of it, but I would like to break even. Also having the corvette to drive around afterwords is a pretty appealing factor as well
Unless you got quite a few VISA & Mastercards with very high limits, go for it. Estimate what it'l cost, then multiply X 3 and that's your more realistic "cost".
And you mention having the Corvette to drive around afterwards? Are you like talking 3-4 years from now OR 3-4 months from now? There is more work in that car than you 'll probably imagine. What about time? Are you retired or do you work a full time job? I'm retired now and even I wouldn't want to mess with that now. Too many other things to do in life.
#18
Burning Brakes
You got your answer, $5000 if you can do all the work yourself. If you have to pay for the work, you can find a nice driver for what you will spend in repairs.
That car will need every system rebuilt, cooling, braking, suspension, drivetrain, wiring, plus weatherstripping, bodywork and paint.
You have been warned.
That car will need every system rebuilt, cooling, braking, suspension, drivetrain, wiring, plus weatherstripping, bodywork and paint.
You have been warned.
#19
Drifting
$2500 for a learning experience- Tops.
At that price you could at least part it out and not get killed too badly.
As it sits, this is literally nothing more than a parts car and needs to be priced accordingly.
7K ??
Crazy money for this.....
Just my .02
At that price you could at least part it out and not get killed too badly.
As it sits, this is literally nothing more than a parts car and needs to be priced accordingly.
7K ??
Crazy money for this.....
Just my .02
#20
Race Director
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Derek, im laughing a bit too hard at your "experience" reply, good one
You seem a bit stubborn for this car, why?
Im seeing a near borderline basketcase That is over priced,
The engine in pieces, really?! You might get it together it might run, shake the dice and take a gamble,
A 454 truck engine is a low compression peanut headed smogger that fetch a couple 100 and are cores for budget builds,
You want to break even building a c3?
Even if this car was free you would have a hard not impossible time breaking even,
The car is a mess, the price is too high,
There are better cheaper ones out there,
How was that for me being a noisy negativist
Ok I understand where you guys are coming from, but would it help if I mentioned that I am doing this project for the experience of it? I'm not necessarily trying to make any profit off of it, but I would like to break even. Also having the corvette to drive around afterwords is a pretty appealing factor as well
You seem a bit stubborn for this car, why?
Im seeing a near borderline basketcase That is over priced,
The engine in pieces, really?! You might get it together it might run, shake the dice and take a gamble,
A 454 truck engine is a low compression peanut headed smogger that fetch a couple 100 and are cores for budget builds,
You want to break even building a c3?
Even if this car was free you would have a hard not impossible time breaking even,
The car is a mess, the price is too high,
There are better cheaper ones out there,
How was that for me being a noisy negativist
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Shann (06-26-2018)