Should I have bought it?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 1,232
From: PHX AZ
For $10k, I would have. Don't ask me about the Ferrari 365 GTB/Daytona that I could have bought for $23,000..... lessons learned. (now worth $275k)
Good news is these DO show up occasionally...so with a bit of work you can redress your mistake.
Unkahal
Good news is these DO show up occasionally...so with a bit of work you can redress your mistake.
Unkahal
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
It would have been a good purchase. None of the 'problems' you listed sounded like really costly or troublesome fixes. But, you wouldn't know that if you didn't already have a C3 and had worked on it to repair those kinds of things. I think somewhere in the $10-15k price range would have been about right four years ago, for a '70 coupe with SB, 4-sp, and A/C (which wasn't working) and "iffy" paint.
I think that same car would bring $20K or so, today.
I think that same car would bring $20K or so, today.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Only you know the answer to your question.
You wouldn't have gone far wrong buying that car, but nor did you miss out on some fantastic windfall.
I'm still heartbroken over the 70 Superbird for $18,000 I asked the Credit Union to finance and they didn't think it was a good investment. I'm kicking myself for not at least trying another bank.
You wouldn't have gone far wrong buying that car, but nor did you miss out on some fantastic windfall.
I'm still heartbroken over the 70 Superbird for $18,000 I asked the Credit Union to finance and they didn't think it was a good investment. I'm kicking myself for not at least trying another bank.
Last edited by Priya; Apr 19, 2019 at 10:17 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Hey, we all have a skeleton or two in our 'closets'...the ones that 'got away', and all. But, we can only learn from our experiences--whether good or bad.
Buying that specific car [or not] was not going to change who you are or the course of your life. But, if you now find that you feel a "need" for such a car, go find the one that has your name on it.
Buying that specific car [or not] was not going to change who you are or the course of your life. But, if you now find that you feel a "need" for such a car, go find the one that has your name on it.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 430
Likes: 31
From: Ontario
No way to know what they actually sell for but I see lots of 16-20K usd asking prices here in Ontario. Really nice ones are 20-30K usd. Rubber bumper cars are half the price of the chromies ..at best.
Last edited by army; Apr 20, 2019 at 05:37 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
Likes: 2,038
From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
I'd like to think we can move on and never look back but I kick myself regularly for passing up a 1963 Split Window back in 1974 for $3,000. It was a friends dad's and he just didn't want it anymore. Needed interior work and $3,000 in 1974 was a stretch for me, not to mention the insurance. So lesson learned. Oh, and in 1973 I found a 1972 new Yenko 454 Nova new on a car lot, wanted it gone, $1,850. I missed that one too due to cold feet. It happens. Keep looking and it will happen. Get the guys and gals here on the forum looking for you and you just never know what might show up.
Good luck with your searches and finds.
David Howard
AllVettes4Me
Good luck with your searches and finds.
David Howard
AllVettes4Me
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Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
I left a 65 GTO convert on Memphis Navy base for junk. 77or 78. Paid 200 in 75. Pittsburgh salt car. Bought rust free straight 68 Firebird vert 50 bucks Jacksonville FL. Couldn't get it running well enough to get 1000 miles north to CT. Sold to junkyard 5 miles from Cecil Field for 300. I am sure that firebird red-white interior is one of the pricier ones in existence today. GTO probably crushed.
Last edited by derekderek; Apr 20, 2019 at 09:31 AM.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 420
Likes: 139
From: Indianapolis IN
We all have "the list" of what we turned down. My list:
1975 Laverda 1000 triple $500 (1989)
1972 Fiat Dino, driver quality, $2000 (1985)
1970 Lamborghini Miura with blown motor $7000 (1988)
1961 Aston Martin DB4 with SBC swap $3500 (1986)
1967 Shelby GT500, restored- straight up swap for my 57 Corvette (1990)
1985 Ferrari Testa Rossa, one owner, pristine - straight up swap for 57 Corvette (1995)
1968 Road Runner one owner, clean, unmodified $700 (1978)
1957 Ferrari 250 GT low roof Buono with 327, T-10, and Pontiac rear end $7500 (1988). I bought my 57 Corvette for 15K from my dad instead, who also owned the Ferrari. I laughed at him, and told him that bastard Ferrari would never be worth as much as an original 57. That car sold in the mid 90s, sans motor, for $170K.
Hell, even my first car that I bought for $25 with a blown motor, a 1973 Mazda RX2 that went to the junkyard in 1980, is coveted by collectors for 10K. Enjoy what you have. We all have the same nightmares and hard cries
Marc in Indy
1975 Laverda 1000 triple $500 (1989)
1972 Fiat Dino, driver quality, $2000 (1985)
1970 Lamborghini Miura with blown motor $7000 (1988)
1961 Aston Martin DB4 with SBC swap $3500 (1986)
1967 Shelby GT500, restored- straight up swap for my 57 Corvette (1990)
1985 Ferrari Testa Rossa, one owner, pristine - straight up swap for 57 Corvette (1995)
1968 Road Runner one owner, clean, unmodified $700 (1978)
1957 Ferrari 250 GT low roof Buono with 327, T-10, and Pontiac rear end $7500 (1988). I bought my 57 Corvette for 15K from my dad instead, who also owned the Ferrari. I laughed at him, and told him that bastard Ferrari would never be worth as much as an original 57. That car sold in the mid 90s, sans motor, for $170K.
Hell, even my first car that I bought for $25 with a blown motor, a 1973 Mazda RX2 that went to the junkyard in 1980, is coveted by collectors for 10K. Enjoy what you have. We all have the same nightmares and hard cries
Marc in Indy
Last edited by 128racecar; Apr 20, 2019 at 03:22 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 9,248
Likes: 221
From: Dryden MI
At least you are not asking yourself what was I thinking when I bought this thing? I think these victims are the silent majority! Patience when buying a used Corvette is a good thing. Bring a friend to help point out the obvious problems. Wiper door, drivers door not working, cracks in the fiberglass weather stripping will add to the final cost to the car. Then there is the while I am at it added expenses that are not expected can add a lot to the cost. The guy that did buy it probably found many other issues to the car and dumped it. Consider your personal time you are willing to use to work on the car or how much will you have to pay someone else to do the work. Good luck, you will find one!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,380
Likes: 838
From: New York
2017 C3 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '20- '21
This is a fishy story, If you like used cars there is always one, if not many that got away!!!!!! Would you have kept it for yourself?? Would you have been happy with the paint? Were you going to do the work and paint it yourself? If the answer is no then good thing you walked. Paint alone would had put lets say $8 to10K in it and then you are upside down!!! If you were looking to flip it maybe. Prices have changed in four years.
Unless you are stealing the car or its rare, paint and rust are the killers on these things. I just looked at a one owner 1972 one owner convertible today. Needed to be repainted, probably poorly done 15 yrs ago, but it also had extensive rust at a minimum around the birdcage. There is no price would take it at!! A great paint job is a must at this point.
So I wouldn't sweat it!!!! Ike
Unless you are stealing the car or its rare, paint and rust are the killers on these things. I just looked at a one owner 1972 one owner convertible today. Needed to be repainted, probably poorly done 15 yrs ago, but it also had extensive rust at a minimum around the birdcage. There is no price would take it at!! A great paint job is a must at this point.
So I wouldn't sweat it!!!! Ike
Last edited by general ike; Apr 20, 2019 at 06:10 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 13,248
Likes: 79
Though not in the exotic class of some of the cars mentioned I'm thinking about a '68 or '69 Firebird in nice condition my parents wouldn't let me buy when I was in high school for as I recall about $1500. Of course there's no telling what would have happened if I'd gotten it, might have wrapped it around a tree or whatever but it would go for a tad more than $1500 today.
On the other hand, I'm thankful for all the 'Vettes I didn't pull the trigger on in my recent search to acquire one, ended up stumbling across a great deal on a much more intact, clean and way faster Vette than any of the others I looked at previously.
Had a buddy whose Dad wouldn't make him a loan to get a '70 or '71 Chevelle SS 396 - red, 4-speed, in super nice condition for as I recall about two grand. He was in the Navy at the time, his Dad didn't think it was a worthwhile investment. Lol.
On the other hand, I'm thankful for all the 'Vettes I didn't pull the trigger on in my recent search to acquire one, ended up stumbling across a great deal on a much more intact, clean and way faster Vette than any of the others I looked at previously.
Had a buddy whose Dad wouldn't make him a loan to get a '70 or '71 Chevelle SS 396 - red, 4-speed, in super nice condition for as I recall about two grand. He was in the Navy at the time, his Dad didn't think it was a worthwhile investment. Lol.
Last edited by brassplyer; Apr 21, 2019 at 01:56 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,380
Likes: 838
From: New York
2017 C3 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '20- '21
Sorry my attempt at humor. The one that got away?? The classic fisherman’s line how he hooked the big one but it got away.
Well it was funny to my yesterday!!!😆😆
Ike
Well it was funny to my yesterday!!!😆😆
Ike
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,380
Likes: 838
From: New York
2017 C3 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '20- '21
Nope nothing fraudulent. It was funny yesterday but I guess not if you have to explain it. Didn’t mean to derail the ops thread. Sorry. Ike
Last edited by general ike; Apr 22, 2019 at 06:26 PM.