1971vette454

Hey all,


I'm a first time corvette buyer and I'm fixing to buy a 1971 C3 with a 454 big block.

It's listed at $12,500 local to me and I need some guidance to see if it's worth the price.

Here are a few pictures of the vehicle.


Thanks,
FM

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vettebuyer6369

Moving to General Discussion

Daveinspain

Is that Bubas Vette... ? I don’t like the mods at all, the gages look way out of place but that’s just me... The head light are an issue too... I’d wait for another one to come along... Now if it’s numbers matching and you want a good project vette to bring back to its original glory could be just the car...

MelWff

cannt tell much from those pictures. What does the frame and suspension look like?

leigh1322

If you like the mods that's one thing. It looks clean. BBCs run great.
But putting the paint and bodywork (front end) back to stock would be very expensive.
In any case do check the frame and birdcage for rust before you buy, not after.

Rescue Rogers

It doesnt have the chrome bumpers anymore. Is the suspension changed because those wheels look like they are all back spacing and no dish like a more modern suspension setup.

I would pass unless thats the style you like

derekderek

the whole nose has been changed. i hate the red rugs. hate the gauges. hate the headlights. BUT: it looks like more than 12.5k worth of car. jump down to post 107. that is a repost of post 1 which was deleted. bunch of stuff to consider and detailed instructions for inspecting frame and bird cage. if you like the car as-is and aren't thinking new nose, new rear bumpers and correct this-and-that, this could be a very good deal.

Bikespace

That car has some expensive parts, and it was clearly someone's vision. If it is yours, too, great! It could be a bargain if it all checks out (birdcage and chassis).

If you want a chrome bumper C3 with a stock paint job, you are $15K away from that, minimum. Another $5K if you want a 5-speed.

So, don't let the price fool you. You ARE getting what you pay for. Is that what you want?

vettebuyer6369

People these days spend thousands of dollars making their rubber bumper cars look like the chrome bumper car they couldn’t afford. In this case you are spending a lot of money on a full custom (not sure I’d call it a restomod without more detail) that has had the chrome bumper removed to look like a rubber bumper car.

Is that really what you want? If so, have at it, but it seems there’s a ton better buys out there.

1971vette454

Hey all,


I appreciate the replies and your thoughts on this vehicle. I haven't handed the cashier's check to him yet and I am not going to until Friday.
However, this is the first car I am buying and it's a 71 vette - I originally wasn't even looking to buy a vehicle because I have my 13' charger R/T as a daily driver.
This car is something which caught my eye, it does have a lot of custom work done externally and when I went to check it out, the frame, birdcage, undercarriage all checked out to me (although I am no mechanic)

What it has:
- Custom taillight (which are rounded instead of the flat stock ones)
- The 'Monza' style front end (which didn't appeal to me as much as the stock with the chrome bumper - but it's grown on me, reminiscent of the F&F6 Daytona charger)
**Although it does have the chrome bumper in the rear**
- The custom wheels - which I actually like, and I personally think they complement the exterior red (which has a clear coat)
- The gauges look tacky to me also - I was planning to maybe do away with them but I haven't given that much thought as of yet
- The engine was rebuilt in Houston around the same time the paint job was done to it
- Custom exhaust (I have to find out which - although there was an Edelbrock badge in the engine bay probably from when it was rebuilt)

What it needs:
It needs to have it's fuel tank replaced (stainless steel), fuel pump, and new rear brakes - all of this should run me about $400 in parts

I know it's been heavily modified and to me it's past restoration to factory original so I'm not even going to try for that.

Mainly, I want to enjoy the car ( I have always wanted a classic muscle car) and eventually sell it for some profit because of the low price of $12,500 (but then again I'm not too well versed in Corvettes, let alone C3s)

Some info about the seller:
The seller bought the vehicle about a decade ago and is a car collector coming of age and trying to downsize his car collection and this is the last of his 3 corvettes he's selling (an 05, a 94, and this 71 BB)


Thank you all for your inputs. I will try and get better pictures of the car for you all and post them later this week.
Farris

vettebuyer6369

Again, if this is something that appeals to you, have at it. However, regarding your plan to sell it at a profit, I’d say that might not happen.

Bikespace

I sincerely hope you enjoy your car. They are a lot of fun to drive, and maintain. And while you may be able to sell the car for what you paid for it, prepare yourself to not be able to sell it for a profit (which includes what you spend ON it to keep it on the road). That's all part of the hobby! The "value" of the cars is in the fun you have with them.

So good luck, and have fun!

EDIT: And get it for (a lot) less than asking price, too.

Gold Dragon

Not my cup of tea...But..if it was, I would hit him at around 8500. There is alot to dislike about the car by true enthusiasts. Use that to your advantage if you are making a move on this one. Pass otherwise.

Al.

I would pass on this one.
Not what I would call a Restomod. More like a personal customization

Be bery hard to resell for $12,000 or even $10,000 IMO

suprspooky

If it's a nom coupe, $10,000 might be too much (unless near rust free everywhere) for you to have a chance to get your $ back (just my opinion as a watcher of prices on this Forum only, I purchased my 68 Vert nom 427 tri-power from my neighbor).

If it's numbers matching, then theoretically it'll be easier to get better roi later (this is assuming the younger generation will have any interest in these C3's).

Hopefully you'll enjoy it enough that $ roi won't matter.

The Punisher

If frame is solid buy it