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I am pretty versed in C5-C6-C7-C8s, and then did a lot of researched and stuff when buying my C2 Coupe.
My father and myself looking at 69 C3 Coupe. I found it and he is interested.
Car has good paint, looks good in person, did not find any body patches or changes in body seams, all smooth (was repainted I am told off frame, but body cushions have cracks but are somewhat soft), some small over spray on wires under very bottom of front grill. but sharp car in person. Rally wheels. Big block hood, probably not a factory one..
Frame does have black paint, seams solid in all areas and Infront of the rear wheels and stuff. Inside fender wells has some black paint as well, not sure that's normal? Not all rusted up, can see vin number on A pillar and not seeing bird cage issues or dash/windshield rust.
Rear end is super high, needs to be adjusted or something. Rear diff has some orange paint on it from marking before removal and putting back I assume.
Chrome is all good shiny and strait, inside is all original it seems, Hurst shifter. Center console needs pushed forward some and tightened as the 1-3 shift can bump the console.
Car is a 1969, 67K ish in odo (did not write details down should have) Small block, 4speed, factory AC car. Power brakes, Power steering, power windows as well.
Trim tag is still in door jam with a corner kinda over the edge, Google shows this is somewhat common when they did not get it on flat spot from factory? But also people replace them... Tag shows its a Le Mans Blue (976), standard black vinyl interior (ZQ4), Built October 7th, 1969 (C07). and car is le Mans blue and black basic insides.
Car was running and parked 3 years ago after the paint and stuff. Dude died, son has his old cars (45year old ish) got it. Selling off dads things. Went to look at it in person it was running when we got there, running but missing and some smoke as it was warming up and them revving it. Once we went to take it for a drive it would not start back up, dead battery... They where jumping it using a larker 110 charger/jump. once on battery wont turn over fast enought to fire up. Starter/ connection issue i assume. Tried fresh battery and same issue. Maybe old starter or bad connections or both. But it would run with some fresh gas, filter, gas, spark plugs and figure out starter issue, and is over all clean.
Its a small block car, told original (whole knows but does look all factory with the exception of a holly carb, all AC stuff there and old rusty exhaust manifolds that look like the have never been removed.)
Tach is a 5700 yellow, 6k redline, this leads me to believe its a 350/350hp not the 350/300hp motor? would love to know where to look to verify that, or to see if matching just because. I am not really worried about that, my 66 matches and I don't care that much ha.
SO what's the car worth/ what's good buy? range I know its all if this and that but just some general hey don't pay 30k, or for sure buy if less then X someone give me something ha.
Some pics. can see rear is high, the Wiper panel does go down, and the headlights did work, in pic one is not all the way down but it did go down later.
Hello,
Lot's of information but lot's of photos will help determine what this car is or isn't.
Start with the stamp pad on the engine. It's the front of the block just in front right side head.
It will help you determine what the engine configuration was originally and what car it was originally installed in.
Check the stamp on the side of the transmission. It will tell you what car this transmission was first installed in.
Should match the VIN tag on the driver's side windshield frame.
Lots to look at from there on.
Hidden rust can be a serious problem
Regards....
Although originality and numbers may not matter much to you it WILL determine what sort of $$ it may be worth.
Pics that I took are uploaded. Give you an idea of what it looks like. I did not take any pics inside the wheel wells of the body cushions and stuff, should have.
carb and valve covers are not original, but exhaust manifolds, AC, radiator, and stuff all does look stock.
Hello,
After seeing the photos I view it as quite a needy car.
It appears to have more than a few aftermarket parts and is missing some parts.
I'd like to see what the body looks like under that paint.
Any news about the engine stamp pad?
I'm hard on cars.
$10,000
This is a 'sloppy' car.... for example it looks like the hangers for the the spare-tire tub were just bent out of the way so the exhaust could be installed....in a 'sloppy' way.
Not hating on any comments as I asked. But I don't see any shiny running and driving C3s for 10k. 10k is like bodys and frames missing motor stuff
Originally Posted by SEVNT6
Hagerty shows $15,700 for a #4 fair condition L46 Coupe. Maybe somewhere in between a 4 & 3...maybe.
15,700 plus 2kk for AC? 15k is like bad paint maybe running from my searching used C3s on the market. But asking is not selling price either. But yes this is not some show stopper rare car. But possibly fun driver for my dad, and play with in the family with the C2 and others.
I agree that without being in the same room as the car and looking at the body up close and the frame up close, the biggest determinant of market value here is the stamp pad as Alan has asked for twice.
Even if you dont know what you are looking at, take a pic of that and you will be told a lot.
I dont see the value starting with a 2 or more, though. Is the spare tire tub included? This car is going to have to be gone through completely.
The trim tag doesnt bother me, but id want to look more closely at body repair/rivets/lifting above both headlight doors. Might be a reflection.
Not hating on any comments as I asked. But I don't see any shiny running and driving C3s for 10k. 10k is like bodys and frames missing motor stuff
15,700 plus 2kk for AC? 15k is like bad paint maybe running from my searching used C3s on the market. But asking is not selling price either. But yes this is not some show stopper rare car. But possibly fun driver for my dad, and play with in the family with the C2 and others.
see what happens on pricing.
Originally Posted by mittens
Coupe sorry I added that to the original post. so 29-33k for the car is normal pricing ish. thanks for the info, i need to look at Hagarty.
These posts sound like you are too ready to spend too much on this car. Get a C3 owner from a local club to look at it and ask them to be critical.
These posts sound like you are too ready to spend too much on this car. Get a C3 owner from a local club to look at it and ask them to be critical.
will not be spending that kind of money on it, thinking like 20 may buy it. Just was wanting to reach out to other C3 guys to double check my thoughts and assumptions. and over all kinda in the ballpark I think.
The car's body mounts should be aluminum not rubber. GM put rubber mounts on C-3s starting in 73. Perhaps the rubber mounts are part of the problem with the "lift" of the car. Same thing with the exhaust in the rear being too low. Make a list of what you think the car needs and subtract that out from the price. Once sorted out, your dad should be happy with it. Good luck. Jerry
Surface rust, bushings shot, weird paint on wet rear end, missing spare tire tub like vettebuyer said. Interior is on the worn side too.
Why leave everything like that after a decent paint job unless it was to just to flip? Have you asked how long he's had it & when the paint was done?
The story of the car, guy did the paint and stuff, and died 2 weeks after it was done. This guy bought it, parked with his 67 and 66 GTO, and a el camino and some motor cycles. few year later this guys dies. His son around 45 is selling some of the stuff. all this stuff was in a big warehouse. Surface rust and worn bushings just part of old car, not looking or have money for fully restored toys. my 66 is on original bushings too which I am about to replace now. ha
Originally Posted by 633BR
I would also check the birdcage for rust before making any offer.
As far as I can tell the birdcage looks good, no flaking, hole or chucks. some slight surface rust around the vin, but looks solid, under dash, and around windshield. I have not pulled headliner or vizor down, not sure he wants me taking it apart. ha
Originally Posted by Tampa Jerry
The car's body mounts should be aluminum not rubber. GM put rubber mounts on C-3s starting in 73. Perhaps the rubber mounts are part of the problem with the "lift" of the car. Same thing with the exhaust in the rear being too low. Make a list of what you think the car needs and subtract that out from the price. Once sorted out, your dad should be happy with it. Good luck. Jerry
I am confused, my 66 Coupe has rubber cushions between the body and frame (maybe i am rememebring it wrong?), people replace them as they wear out and rot. This 69 does as well I can see the one behind the rear tire? The exhaust is too low as the body is too high. I assume once body is lowered down they will sink back into the cut outs? maybe I am thinking about it wrong.
Help with Pricing (Buying a 1969)
Hagerty shows $15,700 for a #4 fair condition L46 Coupe. Maybe somewhere in between a 4 & 3...maybe.
But the underhood & chassis look a little scary
