Whats is worth?
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: DFW TX
Whats it worth?
Just looked at a 69 Convertible. Riverside Gold with Black interior. 350 4 speed, A/C. Motor and trans are out, but seem to be original. Body is in pretty decent shape (although repainted) Cosmetically the car is not presentable, but i could find no major rust, and it seems the car has never seen a collision. I am new to corvettes, what else can i look for? Besides the VIN, and the tag by the door hinges, how else can i determine what options this car originally had? What sort of range would this car be worth? Help appreciated Thanks
mark
[Modified by mriede, 11:34 PM 12/1/2001]
mark
[Modified by mriede, 11:34 PM 12/1/2001]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 7,032
Likes: 2
From: Newburgh NY
Re: Whats it worth? (mriede)
The only true way to determine exactly what the car had in it when it left the factory would be to have some original documentation. Probably the only original documentation that you might have a chance of finding is the Tank Sticker (aka Build Sheet) that is ussually located on top of the gas tank and a little tricky to get too. Chances are it's not there any longer anyway.
What is it you want to do with the car. Do you want to restore it to original condition, build a good daily driver, build a nice custom hot vette?
There are many things to look for. There are several good web sites and books you could check out. Some of the ussuals are:
Frame bent or rusted
Windshield frame rusted
Ball joints, u-joints and wheel bearings
Suspension Bushings (Front and rear)
Body Mounts (dry rotted?)
Brakes and line (and Master Cylinder)
Wiring and electrical (gauges)
Interior wear
Some of these (wiring/electrical) will be hard to check without the engine in. Check for loose wires behind the dash too. You said the car was repainted but cosmetically not presentable. Does it need much body work or to be repainted? What kinda shape does the owner say the engine was in and why was it pulled?
Any combination of the above that needs to be replaced / repaired / restored / repainted adds up. CAn you do the work yourself and do you have the tools / time / space?
Sorry for so many questions but I would be asking myself all of these if I were looking at it. There are a number of used vette price calculators out there (www.corvettemagazine.com). Calculate one in decent shape then subtract from that. It will cost much more to restore than to buy a decent driver in good shape already. Believe me, I've been down that path. But then again, you'd miss all the fun.
[Modified by 78Vette-SA, 9:00 AM 12/2/2001]
What is it you want to do with the car. Do you want to restore it to original condition, build a good daily driver, build a nice custom hot vette?
There are many things to look for. There are several good web sites and books you could check out. Some of the ussuals are:
Frame bent or rusted
Windshield frame rusted
Ball joints, u-joints and wheel bearings
Suspension Bushings (Front and rear)
Body Mounts (dry rotted?)
Brakes and line (and Master Cylinder)
Wiring and electrical (gauges)
Interior wear
Some of these (wiring/electrical) will be hard to check without the engine in. Check for loose wires behind the dash too. You said the car was repainted but cosmetically not presentable. Does it need much body work or to be repainted? What kinda shape does the owner say the engine was in and why was it pulled?
Any combination of the above that needs to be replaced / repaired / restored / repainted adds up. CAn you do the work yourself and do you have the tools / time / space?
Sorry for so many questions but I would be asking myself all of these if I were looking at it. There are a number of used vette price calculators out there (www.corvettemagazine.com). Calculate one in decent shape then subtract from that. It will cost much more to restore than to buy a decent driver in good shape already. Believe me, I've been down that path. But then again, you'd miss all the fun.
[Modified by 78Vette-SA, 9:00 AM 12/2/2001]
