My dad passed last August and left me the car.

Except. It needs restored. I don't know anything about fixing cars. I bought the Haynes manual and it wasn't much help. The Engine block is sitting on the floor of the garage. Some of the parts on are one one shelf, the rest on another.

How much are we talking? Any ideas? The paint is in sort of good condition, it cracked a bit on the *** end of the car from being exposed to sunlight I'm assuming.

And yeah. It really is a '71 Zr2. I've got a mess on my hands here.

In NY if that's any help?

 

NY is big, 12 hours from one end to the other.

Where in NY. Horseheads costs less than Ronkonkoma.

If you are thinking of paying someone think about $25k + for basic mechanical work. If you want full restoration then $70 to 80K.


You can PM me if you want...

 

Ouch. I was figuring around 50. I guess it's sitting in the garage a few more years lol

Thanks!

 

These cars don't sit well. The longer it sits, the less it's worth. I understand it's already sat a long time, but as you've noted, it's already deteriorated. Also, it is not easy finding a business or person who can deliver on a restoration, on time with minimal changes (as necessary) to the agreed upon budget. Watch a few episodes of Fantom Works and see how they deal with this. You might just be able to do it for $50K, but they're in VA. Research your options carefully, up to selling it for a fair price for what it is and what it's worth in the condition it's in at the moment.

 

You could easily be sitting on a couple of hundred thousand dollar car.
What are your intentions? Fixing, restoring, keeping?
A Corvette this rare would deserve a proper/correct restoration which could easily be six figures.
Proceed with caution.

 

First off you will need documented verification of what you have . Is everything there? Has the car been modified? Engine serial number to start . Then body plate. Do all the research you can find on the 71 ZR2 that you can before you make any decisions. The ZR2 is a rare car but just because you think or have been told that doesn't make it true. Correct numbers count. Without the correct numbers it's just anther C3 that will cost more to just to get it drivable than its worth. Don't get caught up with , well it was my dads. Lots of people have gone down that road and the restoration shop has ended up with their car because they couldn't come up with the big money .If you got tons of money go for it but even then do the home work.

 

My dad ordered it from GM. I have the original bill of sale. Only thing he changed was rear ... the things that go over the wheels? They're flared out because he had racing slicks on it.

And you know, missing the guts because he "borrowed" them for his other car. ::sigh::

 

I would contact someone associated with the National Corvette Restoration Society to come look at the car. Maybe pay them something to try to frame up the rarity of the car versus the condition/cost of restoration, especially if you are less than knowledgable about such things.

 

Those things that go over the wheels would be called fender flares. A common thing to do back in the day when running bigger tires. Even now they are called a wide body kit and use front and back. Depending on how it was done it could be a expensive fix alone. As MICHAEL T* noted above , contact the National Corvette Restoration Society for some information.

 

If it is a real 1971 ZR2 the Corvette DNA app for a project grade car with over 75K miles is $239,700.
A fully restored car can be as high as $424,600.

 

Welcome to the Forum.
I wish I had a 71 ZR2 sitting in my garage!
I would start by posting some photographs here on the forum so we can see what you have.
I have been collecting parts for the resto/mod of my 73 Coupe for over two years.
I am going overboard on engine performance, building a 496 cubic inch monster, upgrading to full road race coil over suspension, converting from an auto trans to a 5 speed manual, racing rear differential, upgrading the brake system, upgrading the steering, the cooling system, chassis modifications, wheel and tire upgrades, body work, paint and all to be completed to the best of performance and show quality.
So far I have around $30,000.00 invested in over the top upgrades and have about 90% of "everything" I need to complete my car except for paint.
I will do most of the work myself and if you take your time, research forums, make contacts, and develop working relationships, you may find that you could do much of the work needed to restore your fathers corvette and do it for $50,000.00.
If I wasn't going over the top performance and show quality, I could easily cut my cost by 50% in parts alone.
If you want to build an NCRS Top Flight award winning 71, sure you could spend the big bucks.
If you want to restore your fathers Corvette so you can drive it on a regular basis, and be proud of the Corvette you are driving,
You can do it and you can do it for $50,000.00.
Check out threads here by forum member like rvizo, doorgunner, painfullyslow, the force awakens, broke college student and see the amazing work they do on a budget.
There are also many members on this forum who also know nothing about cars, never turned a wrench and who are restoring classic Corvettes.
And there are several women doing wonderful jobs restoring their Corvettes here as well.
You might find its enjoyable and surprise yourself on what you can actually do.
Post some photos and get this 71 back on the road with you behind the wheel.

 

...you could really, really stir this crowd with some pics of the car, no matter what condition it's in it's still highly valuable and also pics of original window sticker, protecto plate or original dealer sales invoice!!! Lotta people biting their nails already. Hope it is legit and not a scam post.

 

I would be cautious on what paper work was given out online . Pictures of the car / engine would be enough

 

''STOP EVERYTHING''

get somebody in the ''NCRS'' to come out and look over the car,,or there probably a few guys around you on the corvette forum/here,

don't post any docs

a pic of the car and or parts is ok,,

you have a very ''RARE'' car,

copy any all docs you have for the car,put the originals in a safe deposit box

you need to really figure out what you have first

 

If you are in NY, you might looking into having Kevin MacKay look at the car.

This is not a run of the mill C3 where you should be considering “budget” fixes or learning as you go out of a manual or a few posts here. If it’s what you say it is, it’s a serious car and you should pay a real Corvette guy to look at it critically, tell you what you have and what your options are going forward. This is time and money extremely well spent.

Do not go to an “appraiser” that has no more Corvette-specific experience than Mario at the pizza place. Hook up with a local Corvette club or NCRS group and get input from experienced Corvette people on what could be a special car.

 

Next time I'm over there I'll get more

 

Ha. The "Engine" is in pieces on the floor.

 

Please do, and SOON! 🏁👍