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I recently found a 69 350/300 coupe that I am considering. My angst is around the fact that the car looks real nice and cared for, however it has been sitting in storage for about 6 years. Family member of current owner has recently taken it out of storage and said the car fired up relatively easily and has since driven it 30-40 miles without issue. He has also replaced brakes, brake lines, calipers, and has put new tires on it. I am considering buying it, however the car is about 800 miles from me so just going off of the 10 or so conversations I have had with the owner and about 100 pics and a few videos of the car. Seems like a very honest owner, but you don't know what you don't know. Any thoughts on how to proceed/what to do to give me a little more piece of mind. I have thought of having the owner take it to a local mechanic of my choice or having it looked at by a classic car appraiser. Always appreciate the feedback from this incredibly knowledgeable group and thanks in advance for all the input. Attaching a few pics as I'd be interested in any valuation thoughts. Car has AC that is working BTW.
Where are you located and in what State/City is the vehicle of interest? It is not unusual to ask someone on the Corvette Forum who lives in the area of that car to do an inspection and provide feedback to the potential buyer. If the deal is successful and the buyer travels to see the car in person, it provides the opportunity for the buyer to meet [and maybe buy dinner for] the 'stand-in' inspector.
P.S. The car looks nice and the engine compartment is reasonably complete. If you purchase it, please get rid of that flex-fan...before it fails and sends shards thru the hood, etc.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Jul 31, 2020 at 04:02 PM.
Those are not 350/300 valve covers.
That is not a 350/300 intake manifold.
Factory fan and clutch are not there.
Jury rigged rubber gas line.
Original hood replaced by long version, check how it lines up with fenders near windshield.
*We have made a number of road trips to check out Corvettes, a lot of fun to go to some places we would not have ordinarily gone to and all were adventures and we met some great people. If associated with an ebay win, I tell the seller I reserve to right to get out of the deal if not represented as described and all were ok with that.
*Post photos here and you will get lots of helpful feedback
*Look at in person, you, before you pay the big money.
*Here and Corvette clubs will likely have somebody happy to go look for say $100. I love to check out Corvettes, LOL's! That is what car shows are about
Original engine/trans can swing the value significantly. Likewise bad rust problems which are hard for anybody to detect with 100% certainty.
"but you don't know what you don't know", I agree, but buying a 50+yr old auto is not a risk free venture. The last 68 Corvette Coupe I bought as a Calif auto, super condition frame, straight up seller and when I got the windshield out, I had a few rust holes to fix, oh well, you just got to deal with it.
And finally, I think you tell a whole lot from many photos and talking with the seller. If it does not "feel" right or you get the sense something is "funny" , walk away, half the fun is looking I always say.
Good luck and hope this might help!
Last edited by 20mercury; Jul 31, 2020 at 06:16 PM.
Have seller send you a picture of the trim tag. Located on drivers door pillar. If the car is a real black car from the factory the paint code will be 900....Your value just went up substantially. He can send you a video and if it runs and sounds good then you're over that hurdle It's a 50 year old car and no inspection can guarantee you are not going to have nickel and dime problems. Your biggest worry is rust and your best assurance is to have the seller remove the kick panels and take pictures of the body mounts. That will give you an indication of the condition of the birdcage surrounding the passenger compartment. You also need under the car pictures of the frame, particularly the kick up in the frame ahead of the rear wheels. Don't know if you care about matching numbers but a picture of the stamp pad on the engine will start you on that road to see if the engine stamping matches the Vin on the window,. If that matches your value just went up again. It does not have to have matching numbers and be a black car from the factory to be a nice driver. The price just needs to reflect that. .
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Whats the price, post pics of the interior. All the stuff thats mentioned is after market stuff, non of its a big deal...its all stuff that gets thrown on an engine fir looks or its supposed to work better, like a flex fan that really doesnt work..The only worry about rubber fuel lines is whether or not the Ethanlol fuel is dissolving it or not....get the oil changed though and make sure its high in zinc and phosphorous, ZDDP, if it isnt you will flatten the lobes pretty quickly
Last edited by Rescue Rogers; Aug 2, 2020 at 03:26 PM.
69 Coupe Find
