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the other thing with private sellers vs dealers. the private seller is trying to find the right caretaker for their baby. they usually have the car's history, or at least some of it and are eager to pass that info on with their car. the dealer only wants you to know two things: it is pretty and goes vroom vroom! they want their 5 to 10k mark up on the car they got from a private seller to make money on.
the other thing with private sellers vs dealers. the private seller is trying to find the right caretaker for their baby. they usually have the car's history, or at least some of it and are eager to pass that info on with their car. the dealer only wants you to know two things: it is pretty and goes vroom vroom! they want their 5 to 10k mark up on the car they got from a private seller to make money on.
For that money your engine should look like this at a minimum.... The lack of effort in the engine bay probably reflects the quality of the rest of the car.
Coronette
Lots of seller b.s. going on here. I believe you said it was a California car? Well, somewhere along the line it got newer plates. Nevertheless, if it s a California car then it had to be getting smogged until about 1996. Get the VIN and we can paste it in here to see what engine it had in 1996 (I know because my 1996 smog is still in the system). I looked up that plate but it's from this century.... not sure why anybody would go to new plates if it's been a California car all along.
I entered your new plate, but as expected, it did not exist in the system. Anyway, get the VIN...if it has been a California car all along, the system will have a record. Here you go. VIN or plate will work.... it will event state what engine was in vehicle (well, for december 1996 it would....in the dozen years before that-- half the time the smog guy was guessing at what I needed to have):
Coronette
I found the VIN in an earlier post - 194379S709534 Either this thing was not functioning for smog testing, between like 1984 and 1996, or it probably is NOT a California car.
Looks like a different hood surround (or one piece front clip with inner guards transferred back ) on it , the rain gutter is different (hand cut ?) its got wavvy edges and the edge is way wider than factory 69 cars. and there's new white sealer/glue where it joins the inner guard , corner fender panel and on top of heater box area ,(on one side anyway ? ) needs further investigation .
Also the rear crossmember , which the diff mounts to has a lot of rust pitting around the factory holes , I'm betting you can find loose layers of rust inside of the chassis. Rotting from inside out .
Thanks. This has been super educational. I’m going to look at the undercarriage photos again so I can recognize the rust and pitting that you guys saw.
I didn’t know any way to check the VIN. I did notice the CA plate was about a dozen years old, but sometimes upon sale new plates are issued, e.g. maybe it was a personal plate from the previous owner. It sounds like, however, it wasn’t a CA car at all until recently.
The odd hood surround makes sense, given that it’s apparently an aftermarket hood for the BB conversion.
Note that the rear valance is glassed in, so not only are the sidepipes added on, but instead of adding the correct sidepipes valance and making the seam, they just glassed the whole thing in.
While we are being picky, the headrests are incorrect. They should not be stitched.
What bugs me the most about this car is the rattle can restoration under the hood and on the underside of the car. They used the same can of flat black from the hardware store to spray the entire underside, including the spare tire cover. Its not a good look, and I wouldnt believe anything else the employee said about the underside being clean.
It appears they had some paint left in the can to cover up the actuator, firewall and apparently a sticker under the hood. Pass.
No doubt. This is exactly why I posted this. I am very up front about my lack of technical and mechanical knowledge. I am so appreciative of everyone weighing in, and it gives me a little more knowledge of what to look for.
As indicated, for the right car I’m totally ready to buy today, and am willing to pay a premium for condition. But, I also know this is an area which has complications beyond my ability. I’ve been reading the various do it yourself restoration threads here, and I am totally in awe of the technical expertise and mechanical ability of so many of you.
It’s also “Corvette buying season” so I imagine there are going to be a lot of cars for sale now, with some sellers hoping for overly-eager buyers who are willing to rush into a sale so they drive around this summer. As much as I want to join the ranks of C3 owners (and believe me, I do), I’m willing to be patient and not buy any car until it’s been properly vetted (yeah, a vetted ‘Vette!) and examined by a mechanic.
You guys have all been amazing. I’m certain this won’t be the last thread I create!
05-23-2022, 07:05 AM
under the hood. Pass.