Looking at buying my first Corvette - 1976 C3
09-14-2018, 12:25 PM
#21
Imo, it looks good, but not $9,000 good. Looks pretty dirty. I would pull the pull the kick panels and check the mounts. Also check the back body mounts. The Odometer and tach repair is not an easy job. A/C will need to be fixed or the wife will complain. I would say $ 6,500 would be fair, as long as the mounts look good. Again, my own opinion.
He is asking a price that says its in GOOD condition and it's not close to the definition.
09-14-2018, 12:42 PM
#22
Heel & Toe
Thread Starter
We have verbally negotiated A price more in line with what you guys are saying. I will return tomorrow afternoon to take a second look at the car before committing. My understanding is that I should remove the kick panel covers inside the car and look in there for frame rot. Then there’s another area in the back that I should look at… But I don’t know where that is.
thanks again for everything. Y’all are awesome.
thanks again for everything. Y’all are awesome.
09-14-2018, 01:15 PM
#23
Le Mans Master
We have verbally negotiated A price more in line with what you guys are saying. I will return tomorrow afternoon to take a second look at the car before committing. My understanding is that I should remove the kick panel covers inside the car and look in there for frame rot. Then there’s another area in the back that I should look at… But I don’t know where that is.
thanks again for everything. Y’all are awesome.
thanks again for everything. Y’all are awesome.
09-14-2018, 11:02 PM
#25
Drifting
We have verbally negotiated A price more in line with what you guys are saying. I will return tomorrow afternoon to take a second look at the car before committing. My understanding is that I should remove the kick panel covers inside the car and look in there for frame rot. Then there’s another area in the back that I should look at… But I don’t know where that is.
thanks again for everything. Y’all are awesome.
thanks again for everything. Y’all are awesome.
Also, since the odometer doesn't work, do you know the true mileage?
09-16-2018, 09:55 AM
#26
Heel & Toe
Thread Starter
Well, I bought it. Pick it up next week. Here's how it went.... I arrived yesterday morning with a cordless drill and other implements of destruction. They handed me the keys to the car, access to their garage, and said do whatever I wanted, and left my Dad and I out there alone. We removed the sill plates and kick panels. Wow - looked great. Solid with just a little surface rust on the top of the bottom bolt that (I guess) attaches the birdcage to the frame. Both sides were the same. Rear upturns no rust found. Front wheel wells, no rust found. Floor pans under carpet were clean... barely any surface rust at all. Back body mount areas looked clean overall. Inspections in every crevice and under everything showed a car that had been well kept, no signs of any accidents, and was an honest survivor with a repaint possibly being the only body work the car had ever seen.
No, I don't know the true mileage since the odometer does not work - but that's okay with me. My Dad took the t-tops out - clean and tight. Seals looked good, mechanisms really strong, no rust. Around windshield pillars and dash - no rust. Coolant clean and green. Dipstick shows good oil that is NOT NEW, but not old, not foamy. My Dad, who is NOT a Corvette fan by any means, but has owned dozens and dozens of cars in his 76 years on Earth said that he saw no reason to not buy it. He drove it, and found transmission shifted easily and was tight. Ran started easily and ran strong, idled fine, accelerated good. Brakes excellent with new power brake booster and new master cylinder.
Thanks everyone for your help. I will be active on this forum and I work on the vehicle and learn more about this car. I really appreciate everyone's assistance in my first Corvette purchase having a solid grounding.
No, I don't know the true mileage since the odometer does not work - but that's okay with me. My Dad took the t-tops out - clean and tight. Seals looked good, mechanisms really strong, no rust. Around windshield pillars and dash - no rust. Coolant clean and green. Dipstick shows good oil that is NOT NEW, but not old, not foamy. My Dad, who is NOT a Corvette fan by any means, but has owned dozens and dozens of cars in his 76 years on Earth said that he saw no reason to not buy it. He drove it, and found transmission shifted easily and was tight. Ran started easily and ran strong, idled fine, accelerated good. Brakes excellent with new power brake booster and new master cylinder.
Thanks everyone for your help. I will be active on this forum and I work on the vehicle and learn more about this car. I really appreciate everyone's assistance in my first Corvette purchase having a solid grounding.
09-16-2018, 10:08 AM
#27
Race Director
frame pics look good. your description of the body mounts sez this is a good buy. but the map pocket is pulled out on one side!! what were you thinking!?!? JK. nice car.
09-16-2018, 01:14 PM
#28
Burning Brakes
guessing that's 116k miles?
I paid 10k for mine with 72,000 miles and it's a hair bit better rust wise shape, but very very close to yours, honestly, reading the horror stories of rust in these cars, an extra few $ is worth every penny for it for not having to fight the rust
honestly, to me 9 would be a fair price for a manual, BUT... your probably at the edge of the clutch life... 116k miles would be due for the clutch to go out if they were sloppy with it
I paid 10k for mine with 72,000 miles and it's a hair bit better rust wise shape, but very very close to yours, honestly, reading the horror stories of rust in these cars, an extra few $ is worth every penny for it for not having to fight the rust
honestly, to me 9 would be a fair price for a manual, BUT... your probably at the edge of the clutch life... 116k miles would be due for the clutch to go out if they were sloppy with it
Last edited by naramlee; 09-16-2018 at 01:17 PM.
