You guys were very helpful when I last asked for purchase advice on a couple of chrome bumper C3 coupes. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to buy either one of those two coupes, So here I am again asking for your help and patience in providing some input in another couple of coupes I'm currently looking at. One is a 1972 with an LS-5 454 with an automatic. The other is a 1970 coupe with the base 350 engine and automatic.

Are the big block 1972 coupes actually pushing very high thirties in most parts of the country like they seem to be here? This one is that high on the asking price and it has no other options other than A/C. Its had many things done to it including an engine rebuild and repaint but its hasn't had all systems (like front end bushings, rear end bushings/bearings) redone.

The 1970 coupe is also in the very high thirties but it is a total frame off restoration that is done very nicely, Again, a nice car but really the only other option is A/C. It has, however, had every system and area of the car redone/replaced.

Both cars are numbers matching and check out OK on the birdcage/frame rust. However, the big block coupe seems high for not being totally restored and the 70 coupe seems high for having just a base engine even though the car has been totally gone through. So should I move on or------lowball them on the prices-------or are these prices getting close to reality in other parts of the country these days?

 

Id wait til you decide which one you really really want then shop around...20ish will buy you a damn nice C3, many with big blocks also.

Restored means different things to some. If asking all the money Id expect everything rebuilt...engine trans rear wiring etc. Not just paint an interior kit, engine paint rims etc gotta look past that and see what it really is.

 

both seem high to me.

You can expect to pay a premium for a chrome bumper car. You can also expect to pay a premium for a big block. Together, they do add up but even so that seems way high for me for a car that will likely need a fair amount of work.

 

^^^This^^^

Also expect to pay a premium for a 4 speed, and these cars are not.

 

Both sound very high, especially the ‘70. Coupes are really struggling in this market right now. It’s fine to buy one, but you should be taking advantage of the buyer’s market, not overpaying.

 

I really don't see much if any difference in prices between chrome bumper coupes and convertibles,
I think it depends on BB vs SB, 4-speed vs auto, and the overall condition this is based on the many
68-72s I have sold over the years

 

Thanks for the replies and thanks again for your patience with these purchase questions. I'm still somewhat confused on the values as big block C3's do seem to all push 40K around here unless they're trashed. Actually all the cheap C3's here are pretty much cosmetic and mechanical nightmares. So I have been gravitating to the higher priced cars that are nice since I don't want a long term project.

And I've been trying to stay local as to avoid the hassle of travel to inspect cars and transporting a purchased vehicle. Its not just the expense but the hassle and all the stomach bile involved in getting something transported. That's just not something I'd like to do again. I did it several times when I was into Tri-five Chevys and its not a lot of fun.

Concerning deciding what I want----I really don't care all that much as to what chrome bumper C3 I get. I'd take a small block or big block, coupe or convertible, 4 spd or auto. It doesn't even have to have the original engine although I prefer numbers matching. The big thing for me is that the condition be the best I can get; The only things I really need is a Tilt/Tele wheel and A/C plus I prefer a red car. That's about it for what I want.

 

Please tell me where you live as I have a beautiful 70, L46, 4-speed, AC Corvette that I'd love to sell for mid 30's... just asking...

And I had two cars shipped cross country last year. Paid $500 and $550 with no problems or headaches.

 

I'm in central Arizona and I'll PM you about your 70 coupe. However, concerning shipping, those abnormally low prices must have been for open transport using brokers instead of the direct transportation company that uses enclosed transports like Passport, Reliable, etc.

 

mid 30s is way too high for a sb auto base coupe. Lots asking but few selling in that range


Shipping is not that expensive unless you got to have it enclosed. Shipped a 1 ton from LA to NJ for $600, a C4 from Ca to TX for $500 bylegit insured co's with 0 hassles.

It makes me wonder when some respond to a car FS ad with "If only you were closer" for a $30k car.

 

For a truly restored car. All the systems. Asking price In the $30s and the seller is going to be loosing his ***.
I’m in final stages of restoring my 69 SB 2 top convertible.
including my initial purchase of $20,000 and doing all myself except the engine transmission rebuild and brake systems I could have bought a brand new C7.
I even have new car smell now.
Crap I have close to 20K in parts alone. But I’m building to drive, for dependablity to go on road trips, not to make a profit or just drive to local car show once a month.

IMO with low ball buyers don’t expect to find much that is truly restored (not just lipstick) except desperate sellers or divorce sales or need to sell due to illness

 

Ballpark..

1/2 of the cars for sale have claimed numbers matching, who knows how many are really original.
1/2 again of those left are in good condition or better, low to no rust, something you don't have to paint.
1/20th of those left are within a day trip of you ( since you don't want to ship)
1/3rd of those left don't have astronomical asking prices that you won't pay...
30-40% have tilt tele
30-40% have A/C and probably less half of those with AC that works.
finding one that meets criteria will be a tough call, since others are looking for similar criteria and will have already bought it..
then you have to watch out for history, title issues, restamps, cheap paint, lipstick in a pig. Know what you are looking for.

find one that meets your requirements and pay the extra 5 grand, or else you will be searching for years.

 

If I’m buying and seller says frame on or off restoration
I want to see the photo album and the parts list and receipts I’ve seen way too many people claim restoration when they just made every thing in working order. But still had 50 yo wiring ,fuel and brake lines switch’s relays etc etc

 

What do we think about this car? Looks like a beauty! https://www.ebay.com/itm/264283717293?ul_noapp=true

 

I bought a 71 Convertible in 2014, got the photo album of the frame off. It is a restomod with new engine, 5-speed manual, rack & pinion suspension, electric fan, electric motors for headlights, MSD electronic ignition, hydro boost for the brakes, 18" wheels, and on and on. I got all the receipts totaling over 70k. Paid half of that.

Hold out for your ideal, and I would hold out for a manual trans car and chrome bumpers. You will be happy that you did.

 

If that Red Vert is honest to the pics and description it is worth a real hard look.

 

I agree but it appears to to be sold.

 

Lookers loose out while buyers swoop in.

 

Buy the most original car with the most paperwork and most detailed service history you can afford to buy... you will not regret the decision, and if you have a specific color combo you want - buy it when you find it, the chances of locating the same combo again in your life time approaches zero.

Start with your do or dies...
DO or DIE - Mine was 70-72 LT1 with original paint and born with drive train - no exceptions -
M20 M21 3.55 3.70 or 4.11 was fine by me, PS PB PW none or all...
The actual quality of the paint I was not too concerned about - just don't want someone else's body work nightmares.

I was open to any year, and coupe or roadster and pretty much any color - with preference given to blue /blue or silver /blue silver/ red. white/red -may have taken a car with less originality for one of those combos.


I looked for over a year prior to buying and flew to look at multiple cars before finding and acquiring my Brandshatch Green car.
Preferred either extensive docs OR never apart engine never out of car with some docs.
I pretty much did not stray from it other than looking at a 20k mile 72 LT1 A/C coupe. which was loaded VERY original and had docs out the rear plus was sold new at Harry Mann Chev.