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I have the opportunity to buy a 71 LT1 car without the motor or transmission. No front clip but headlight assemblies are there. The interior is complete. The rear end is in the car. It is a true lt1 car but no paperwork to prove it and no LT1 motor. The rear wheel wells have been flared. Has been in storage since 1986. Has some surface rust on it, but is solid. It is a friend of mine so I would want to be fair, but I don’t think it’s worth much. It was hit hard in the front and will need a frame. I would just put it together as a driver. Not looking to do a tribute or LT1 clone probably just go with aftermarket clip and hood
Last edited by Eleanor 55; May 29, 2024 at 03:46 PM.
Reason: Left out some information
If no engine, how are you determining its an LT1?
Tach? fuel line? Emission sticker?
I'd say $2500 for that car.
With no LT1 engine to verify and no documentation, the value of this car will never be very high. Anybody "restoring" this car will be upside down from day one.
Have you checked the frame with a frame diagram...being an optimist maybe only the frame horns/extensions are damaged. 1969 frame shown below....
Measure your friend's frame and write down measurements...post them for us to see
Last edited by doorgunner; May 29, 2024 at 10:49 PM.
Have to agree. It's worth what you can sell the remaining parts for. Nothing more.
putting it back together with a frame, front clip, complete driveline and paint. Man you'll be upside down. Big time!
Have to agree. It's worth what you can sell the remaining parts for. Nothing more.
putting it back together with a frame, front clip, complete driveline and paint. Man you'll be upside down. Big time!
Being Upside Down is not a bad thing......until you have to urinate
If your not looking to take advantage of the fact that it was an LT1 car as you mention, than why bother paying more at all for it and taking on the project? Id say if you found another car cheap with a rotted frame and birdcage and you wanted to do the work yourself, than it has value as those parts but nothing more than any other combo of those parts from that year car.
Have to agree. It's worth what you can sell the remaining parts for. Nothing more.
putting it back together with a frame, front clip, complete driveline and paint. Man you'll be upside down. Big time!
You'd be upside-down if you got it for free and did anything but part it out.
That said, I'd pay $2K for it. Even if all you get is the body (from the firewall back), and a title, you could build a great Gen 5 LT1 restomod, with an 80-82 nose, SRIII chassis, front and rear flares, custom paint, 6-speed manual, big brakes, wheels, and tires, really make it your own.
Sure, you'll have spent $75K to build a car worth $40K, but it would (might?) be a real LT-1, unlike Jimmie Johnson's similar LT1 restomod.
If your not looking to take advantage of the fact that it was an LT1 car as you mention, than why bother paying more at all for it and taking on the project? Id say if you found another car cheap with a rotted frame and birdcage and you wanted to do the work yourself, than it has value as those parts but nothing more than any other combo of those parts from that year car.
I think you missed the fact that the OP says it needs a frame due to the crash.
If the birdcage is 100% solid it may be worth a few hundred $ to the guy who owns a hopelessly rusted birdcage car and has taken on a mercy mission to restore his complete car.
Take the advice from the many of us who have owned, worked on, and restored C3's...... Pass on that one (even if its free). Sorry to bust your bubble, but it's just not worth it.
Thanks for all the replies. I agree with those that said I’d be upside down from day one. I left out the fact that this car belonged to my best friend growing up. He passed away early this year at 57 years old. It’s probably ball about having something that was his. If I got the car I couldn’t sell it or part it out due to my relationship with the family. I am going to walk away. Thanks for the honest feedback.
What’s this car worth?
