My brother in law called me today saying he'd found a 1978 Vette, and he knew I've been interested in getting one. The body and frame look pretty good, but the interior is gone. Not worn out, it's just gone. I know some of you have replaced your entire interior- what ballpark figure would I be looking at? The owner said $1800, but that sounds a little conservative to me. I'd have to get everything from dash and gauges to seats. BTW, I'm also fixing up a 1980 International Scout II, so I don't mind spending some hours in the shop.

Here are a couple of pics of the car:

 

Rough stuff. Great opportunity to start a custom project!

I was lucky and found an interior from a 1970 that burned out, I paid $1000 for all the interior panels forward and aft, heater box, console, plus the seats, but with no gauges.

If you assemble it all from parts distributors I could see the pricetag easily breaking $3K.

I'd start watching ebay or other classifieds for someone who'se parting out a car... good luck.

 

First, you better have absolutely stolen that car. I've seen them in pretty fair shape for not a lot of money. Just like iNdigo said, ebay and the swap meets should be your friends for a while, unless you can't wait or don't want to spend the time. All of those parts are out there, you just have to find them. Sometimes that's half the fun. Good luck! The Scout might end up taking the back seat for a while. (Or might end up carrying Vette back seats for your new project )

 

I am replacing almost everything in my 80 interior, changing red to black. Everything is new except alot of the plastic peices, they were in good shape just had to dye them. I am up to about 2,200 and if had to guess I probably will have to spend another $800 to $1,000 to finish.

 

I replaced the entire dash, gauges, bezels and all for $500 on ebay. It took awhile, but I had plenty of time. The rest of the interior, less seats and carpeting, cost about $900. I have added a pair of 2002 Z06 seats for $500.

 

I haven't bought it yet- want to find out how much $$$ I'm getting into first. He's wanting $4000 for it. If it's around $3k for the interior, that would put me at $7K for a car that looks decent, with a brand new interior. Is that price reasonable, or do I need to talk him down some more? He originally listed it for $7500.

 

Looks Like you are missing gauges, speedo, tach, and everything else. f you put it all back with new repro parts I would bet on 4 to 5K. I have been thinking some about building a custom with an aluminum dash and autogauge gauges. Something similar to a stock car look. In your situation you might do something like that a lot cheaper.

 

I would take into consideration the engine, drivetrain, brakes, front & rear suspension's condition before meeting his asking price. If it's going to take another 1K just to make it drivable, in addition to the interior $$, might just be too much. You'll have to be the judge....
Eddie

 

Thanks for all the help.

My BIL is pretty knowledgable about cars, but more older Mustangs than Corvettes. He said that overall it looked pretty decent other than the interior. The owner said it runs and drives good, but he didn't drive it. I haven't seen it yet- it's about 3 hours or so from me- but I'll look it over good and drive it before I buy it.

I'll have to do some thinking about it. I'd like have one I can drive as I work on, but then again this is an good excuse to make one just like I want.

So the consenus is that this is an OK deal if everything is in normal condition?

 

Man I don't know.How good are you at wireing!!!That alone would scare me off as I know jack about wiring.You don't know what was taken out vrs.what was ripped out.Wiring harrnesses can get real expensive and if not done right you might burn up your brand new interior.

 

I put a complete wiring harness in mine. Took about a day and cost $600 Lectric Limited. Came with color coded instructions.

 

Yeah, that's another thing I was looking at. There's some potential headaches there for sure.

 

That's way too much for what I see. It better have a new engine and transmission in it for $4k. Also I thought 76 was the only year with the Vega steering wheel. It looks just like mine.

 

I agree with lucky that is almost 2 times more then its worth after interior your going to want to put a real engine and trans in to make the car something you really like and thats not counting the many other parts these cars need when they have been sitting a while.

Good luck be patient there are many out there.

Best Regards

 

I have a pair of 76s I will sell you for $5000
I would not buy that car at 4000....and I will buy almost anything
Im in NC...if you are really looking.

 

You guys are wrong.The Vega got the Vette wheel

 

I've bought almost everyting from Willcox for my 78 so far and I've replaced door panels, seat covers, carpet, console panels, screw set, shift ****, seat back, misc seat parts, coat hook, door handle, handle bezels, lock *****, speedo/tach lens, clock/batt/temp... lens, horn parts and button and I think I'm around $1500 so far.

My dash and everything is there, so I believe your going to be around $3000 for everything, maybe more.

GOOD LUCK!

 

Lucky, that's one nice interior!

Kyle, shoot me a PM with details if you're serious.

 

$4K for that car is WAY, WAY, WAY too much!
I probably wouldn't pay anything over $1500 as it sits and that's assuming the motor and tranny are good and the motor runs.

Beside a complete new interior including dash, seats, door panels, carpet, consel, instruments, new wiring harness, radio, parking brake cover/armrest, most likely new rear compartment doors, etc, etc you are most likey looking at over $3k - probably between $3k-$5k just for the interior.

What concerns me more is the amount of surface rust I see in the interior in the picture you posted. There should not be that much surface rust on the INTERIOR of the car so if you are serious about the car I'd inspect the rest of the car closely including not only the frame but also the birdcage and everything else very carefully.
If there is that much surface rust on the interior than the rest of the car most likely wasn't taken well care of either and you would have a lot of work and expense ahead of you on it - and I wouldn't be surprised to find out it's going to require a full body-off to get everything fixed and cleaned up properly.
It doesn't take much to see how a car has been cared for or not and if the interior looks this bad than I'd have to guess the rest of the car isn't significantly better once you get past some cosmetic improvements the owner may have made to try to make it sellable.

Before you consider buying this car I'd recommend strongly looking over EVERYTHING top to bottom, front to back, with a maginfying glass and than determine just how much work needs to be done.

BTW, I have a '78 L82 with only 10,500 original miles I would sell....... but it would be a LOT more than the cost of this car.

 

That is, indeed, a '76 Vega wheel. Unless there is something very special for you concerning this old girl, I believe I would walk away. There is a considerable amount of work there and indications the owner may have been playing with more than just the interior ( non-stock hood, aftermarket wheels). Does the seller have any of the parts removed from the interior?

Buy the '78 AIM; take a good look at the interior installation section and you'll be able to come up with the beginnings of an idea as to what this is going to take. Make a list. Check prices on eBay and your favorite Corvette aftermarket provider.

Now, if there is something extra special for you about this girl, dicker with the seller.