When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
***PICTURES ADDED BELOW***I've got a friend who is helping to sell his late father in laws 1969 black convertible. He reached out to me because he knew I'm a vette guy but I don't have current knowledge on what these are going for. Could you guys help me with a range to start? I may make them an offer on it. I do have the vin but from what I found they weren't coded with options at the time. What were the desirable options on these years? Big block? Power brakes/steering? What else? This is what was relayed to me about the car so far;
1 owner triple black
72k miles
original spare tire
no accidents
4speed
350hp turbojet
370 ratio axle
Last edited by ronman99vette; Jan 19, 2020 at 12:07 AM.
Well one of the biggest questions is if the car is truly a original BLACK car. You would need to see the trim tag to verify and you would need to examine everything very carefully to corroborate it. Short of that you would need to supply alot more info in order to come up with a true value. The condition of any car, how its been maintained and how original help determine value. Otherwise it could be a $10K or a $50K car.
Good luck and post some more info!!! Ike
Last edited by general ike; Dec 15, 2019 at 08:14 PM.
General Ike hit the highlights. As for options, in addition to those options you already mentioned, if it has a factory hardtop, tele-tilt steering, headrest seats... those are big plusses. If it's a documented 1 owner car with the original paperwork and protecto plate AND it's an original triple black car in very good condition with no frame or birdcage issues and has its original drivetrain -- if it's a survivor wearing mostly original paint-- then, yeah, 30K-50K wouldn't be unreasonable. (IMO)
I'm going to go take a look at it this weekend and get some pictures. He said that the car has never been painted except for the drivers door which was painted due to a couple scratches found when the car was purchased from the dealership.
Even though you are pretty sure it’s original, be sure to take a picture of the trim tag in the driver’s side forward door jamb.
I speak from experience shopping for a real triple black car how many “original” black cars started life in Fathom Green. The price difference follows.
Roman.... from what I glean the car is very similar to mine (L-46) 4 spd M-21 (close ratio) and 3.70 posi. Tuxedo black was very popular in 69, a terrific color if the body is straight.
I might take a little exception on 'originality' of LACQUER paint vs a re-paint in the same color with 1 or 2 stage enamel. To whit, original but 'disheveled' vs prisitine but enamel. Personally, after 50 years the original lacquer is probably er ah 'past it'. I vote with pristine.
Check for rust in the birdcage and for sympathetic replacements of bushings and soft goods. Run the numbers on the engine and tranny.
Me...about $30k USA is about right for a 'proud' car! In the $20's is a good deal.
UPDATE - I went by today to look at the car. I confirmed via the trim tag, vin, and block stamp that it's an original car. The paint is very rough. They also have the factory hardtop for it. We weren't able to start it today due to a dead battery but they had it running a month or so ago. What's an estimate on the paint? Anybody got a rough estimate on value from the photos?
Needs paint Interior needs cleaning but looks good aftermarket carb paint is ruff crome is rough
Nice if drivable!
My guess is around $22k if engine has no problems. Paint will be $8-10k. If the car was a "3" leaning towards a "2" (on the condition scale) its worth about $35k.
VS
Nice if drivable!
My guess is around $22k if engine has no problems. Paint will be $8-10k. If the car was a "3" leaning towards a "2" (on the condition scale) its worth about $35k.
VS
I think VERYSOON is being a little bit too generous, The car is not a runner, as is, you may be hard pressed to find a buyer at $10K. Do you plan to get it running/driving? [the brakes may have to be gone through which can be expensive]
The paint work is beyond rough, prep for paint will be expensive, to get this car back to former glory is a major project and the new owner could easily get upside down in no time.
If you can, take the driver or passenger kick panels out and look at this area for rust - that will tell you a good idea of the condition of the birdcage. Paint is rough, but what would you expect from a 51 year old car anyway? Documentation looks good and the L46 is a plus along with the original hard top. Interior isn't bad and the suspension parts will probably have to be changed out anyway due to age. Did you guys get it to start?
So my rant. You had an appointment to see the car I assume, correct? Did they not check to see that the battery was charged? I assume you don't live down the block, correct?
If they cannot get it running then you should assume it doesn't run, if you can't check the transmission, brakes, lights etc. you should assume they don't work. It's the owners responsibility to prove otherwise. To me its a bad sign and lack of very basic maintenance and the price should markedly reflect that. The pool of buyers greatly decreases if the car won't run. Be very careful unless you want a project car and the price should reflect that in the price!! Ike
UPDATE - I went by today to look at the car. I confirmed via the trim tag, vin, and block stamp that it's an original car. The paint is very rough. They also have the factory hardtop for it. We weren't able to start it today due to a dead battery but they had it running a month or so ago. What's an estimate on the paint? Anybody got a rough estimate on value from the photos?
Needs paint
Interior needs cleaning but looks good
aftermarket carb
paint is ruff
crome is rough
According to the factory paperwork this car did NOT come from the factory with the hardtop.
The prep for paint cost should not be any more than any other paint job as they need to get to bare fiberglass regardless. Unless the glass is damaged which I don’t see. Just old lacquer paint. Good paint should be between 10-13k.
This particular car will have value to many buyers as it’s a one owner triple black car with great documentation. Black 69’s are desirable today but they were not ordered in as great a numbers as the other colors in 69. It’s a roadster and it’s not a base motor with an automatic. The motor probably runs, anybody interested will verify that and when they do this car should go for no less than $25k as long as it doesn’t have any rust issues or serious mechanical issues.
So my rant. You had an appointment to see the car I assume, correct? Did they not check to see that the battery was charged? I assume you don't live down the block, correct?
If they cannot get it running then you should assume it doesn't run, if you can't check the transmission, brakes, lights etc. you should assume they don't work. It's the owners responsibility to prove otherwise. To me its a bad sign and lack of very basic maintenance and the price should markedly reflect that. The pool of buyers greatly decreases if the car won't run. Be very careful unless you want a project car and the price should reflect that in the price!! Ike
I'll clarify that this is a friends mother in laws car after the FIL passed away. I'm trying to help them price it fairly (and I'm also interested). The car was started and driven a month or so ago. The battery was dead the day I went by and I didn't have time to jump it off. I had very limited time to take a look at the car and if I become a serious buyer I will get it started and have it put up on a lift and gone through. I'm just trying to help an older lady sell the car.
Last edited by ronman99vette; Jan 19, 2020 at 06:51 PM.
According to the factory paperwork this car did NOT come from the factory with the hardtop.
The prep for paint cost should not be any more than any other paint job as they need to get to bare fiberglass regardless. Unless the glass is damaged which I don’t see. Just old lacquer paint. Good paint should be between 10-13k.
This particular car will have value to many buyers as it’s a one owner triple black car with great documentation. Black 69’s are desirable today but they were not ordered in as great a numbers as the other colors in 69. It’s a roadster and it’s not a base motor with an automatic. The motor probably runs, anybody interested will verify that and when they do this car should go for no less than $25k as long as it doesn’t have any rust issues or serious mechanical issues.
You are correct it is was not an original option. He bought the top separate and it is in the basement. Thanks for the information on paint cost.
Very nice of you to help her sell the car. My advise is for you and to make the car more attractive from a sales point of view, is to get it running if it simply needs a battery.
It will make it more sellable for her and you can get a better understanding of what you are buying.
You are correct it is was not an original option. He bought the top separate and it is in the basement. Thanks for the information on paint cost.
Having the hardtop still adds value. The fact this is a legit black/black roadster is a very big plus. So many black cars are not original and the most often with a faked trim tag. I am sure the window sticker is real. It has all the correct fonts, placement, etc and many cars lack that type of documentation that if this car is solid then it’s a great car to get. Good luck and keep us updated.
1969 Convertible Price Help
