I am looking at an original c3 and told numbers matching car. It has been in storage for 15 years and ran good when stored. It is located far from me and wondering if I could get thoughts on the pics from owner. Current owner says there are 2 spots on frame that need work but aren't real bad, I don't know enough to validate that. It is in remote location almost in Canada so sending someone for pre-purchase inspection would be very costly. Asking price is under 10k so not sure if would be worth it. Any help is appreciated.








Owner said it had side pipes from previous owner that were removed

 

What is considered "very costly" for a PPI?

 

It reminds me of the belief that to turn a 10K car into a 20K car all you have to do is invest 20K into the 10K purchase.

 

Is it running now?

 

Owner says he hasn't done anything to get it running.

 

I do pre-purchase inspections, and I'd say that easily half, if not more, of the "numbers matching" cars I look at, aren't. Sometimes it's because sellers truly don't know, but often it's just because they're liars. From the pictures (that aren't very good) I can see that it doesn't have the original water outlet, air cleaner, carb or valve covers, so how can you be sure the rest of it's matching numbers? You need to get a picture of the engine stamp pad, to have any idea if it really is "matching numbers".

The speedometer needle is broken, and since it's showing 110 mph when parked, it's a pretty good bet the speedo itself is. There's a chunk out of the right front fender, and the frame pictures don't show the areas where rust is usually found. Something funky is going on with the sills/rocker area too, which I guess is a result of it previously having some kind of side pipes. You say it's original, but the paint's not, and neither are the mirrors, seat covers, console cover, door panel trim or shifter.

It sounds like you're new to Corvettes, but without looking at it you're willing to spend $10K for a car that isn't running, needs paint, bodywork, an interior, exhaust, and the seller admits has "2 spots on the frame that need work"! That sounds like a recipe for disaster to me. It might be a decent car, but don't take the seller's word for it, and don't rely on pictures, because cars always look better in pictures. If you can't afford to look at it yourself, or pay someone else to do it, then you should probably keep looking.

 

I think gbvette62 is offering good advice. I would look for something else that's closer.

 

For 2x that you can buy one done?
If the frame appears the way it does in my mind the birdcage would be toast..Id pass.

 

.....If you were able to get it for Free....you would be buried in it when you are finished....Take a Pass !!!

 

I would pass on it.

 

Awesome feedback everyone just what I was hoping for. Yes I am new to buying a C3 and trying not to make a mistake. Thanks everyone for the help!! I will keep looking.

 

Run Forest, run.

 

Do you work on cars yourself? How much can you do, mechanically and cosmetically? Unless you can do a lot of work on your own and have the time to do it, the best advise given here over and over again is "BUY THE BEST CAR YOU CAN AFFORD".

Simple but critical. Working on these cars is expensive even if you do it all yourself. If your paying for it you will be in so deep financially you will never come out. So put all the money you would towards repairing this car add the $10K that you would spend buying it and buy a car that has good bones, finishes and mechanics. Simple!!! I took me a year and half to find my second Vette. Good luck!!

Ike

 

I wouldn't buy that car if it was 1 mile from my house and $3500. Not kidding. $30 K later you'll have a $18 K car. Buy one already finished, plenty out there

 

Rust deal breaker, 2000

 

As previously mentioned, this is NOT an original car.

Also - frame has a couple of issues... not bad? I'll *guarantee you* that the birdcage is more pious than the pope. Just looking at the pictures gave me deja-vu.

This isn't a driver. It needs a total restoration, and at that it's likely just a parts car.

Take a pass.

 

That car will be a money pit.

Can someone explain why/how the speedo needles break? I've seen quite a few pictures of broken ones online and can't figure out how it's possible

 

easy. thumb-fisted a-hole trying to make it a 22k orig car... OK, Romo. where is home? go on craigslist and look at all the vettes close enough to visit after work. ESPECIALLY the 3500 dollar POS cars. there is no better gauge of what you do not want than an up close inspection of a bad one.

 

I asume you are in west part of usa , check in denver craiglist , they just post a black / saddle 1971 for 10 K , much more car for the money ?

 

These cars are too old to go by pics most may have rust somewhere.

What area are you in fill your profile out maybe a member can check it for you many here have done it for me over the years.

Edit just saw the pics again forget it that needs a frame off, major rust every line needs replaced

"Ran when parked" means jack, it doesnt now. Its someones old hot rod which needs a good 30k thrown at it probably more just to be a good sound safe ride.