Tips on buying, please
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Q bay BC
Tips on buying, please
This is the first time i've been to this forum, and i don't know much about corvettes, but i do need some help. I am looking at a 1974 coupe to buy tomorrow and was wondering if anyone could tell me if these cars have any specific problems i should look for. i've viewed it from the outside and the body looks good, exept for cracks on both front and rear bumpers. the frame has surface rust, no holes that i could see. interior is near perfect(rip in drivers seat) I was told the original L48 is still in it. The guy has been driving it up until now. I'm a bit sceptical because of the price($5000 Can about $3200 US) I thought maybe there could be a big expensive problem? any advice would be appreciated.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 43,136
Likes: 155
From: Thomson Georgia
Re: Tips on buying, please (GSX350)
That sounds like a very good price for a numbers matching car...anywhere from 3500 to 6k would still be a good price for a no's matching car...First I would make sure the numbers match....Is the interior original ? Do the lights work and the wipers....Look for electrical problems..A lot of these cars have been modded by backyard bubba's and can be a bear to fix..Are the bumpers repairable or do they need to be replaced....How is the paint .....A paint job can easily run 5k if done correctly..Is it a split bumber car..if it is a 74 it should have a split bumper rear and no bumperettes on the front...Do u have any pics? or a vin number or paint code?
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: winston salem nc
Re: Tips on buying, please (GSX350)
hmm
-Get underneath the radiator if you can and look for a rusted out radiator support system.
-The frames are prone to bad rust at the fenderwells.
front fenders check the frame area @ the back of the fenders.
back fenders check the frame area @ the front of the fenders.
-Run a business card under the front window chrome, shine light in the cracks look for rust in window frame basicly.
-Look at the firewall look to see if the wall is smooth or has someone sprayed a foaming type sealant to seal up leaks.
-Check the lights to see if the motor works, you can also look at the alignment of the light doors. They are not the easiest to line back up and that could be sign of collision. *shrug*
Find an online buyers guide for vettes, they are abundant and very helpful.
http://www.ocvette.com/guides.html
The price is good if the frame is not rusted out, etc...
[Modified by 1976C3, 4:42 PM 9/24/2001]
-Get underneath the radiator if you can and look for a rusted out radiator support system.
-The frames are prone to bad rust at the fenderwells.
front fenders check the frame area @ the back of the fenders.
back fenders check the frame area @ the front of the fenders.
-Run a business card under the front window chrome, shine light in the cracks look for rust in window frame basicly.
-Look at the firewall look to see if the wall is smooth or has someone sprayed a foaming type sealant to seal up leaks.
-Check the lights to see if the motor works, you can also look at the alignment of the light doors. They are not the easiest to line back up and that could be sign of collision. *shrug*
Find an online buyers guide for vettes, they are abundant and very helpful.
http://www.ocvette.com/guides.html
The price is good if the frame is not rusted out, etc...
[Modified by 1976C3, 4:42 PM 9/24/2001]
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Q bay BC
Re: Tips on buying, please (1976C3)
i don't have any pics... The bumper cracks are really minor, hopefully fixable.the paint is in good cond.(not original, black) i will have more info tomorrow when i take it for a test drive!
