Big Block Convertible Question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,023
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From: TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS
St. Jude Contributor
Big Block Convertible Question
I was looking at a '69 427 convertible today a fellow near here has for sale. It's a nice looking car but I'm a little unclear about a couple of things. He says it's all original, but it has what I've heard described here as an "L88 hood". Did other big blocks come with that sort of hood or is this an aftermarket piece someone has put on the car? The convertible top also looks a little "fresh" to me to be original--were the original tops kind of a slick looking polyester-type material with a plastic back window?
Last question--the fellow wants $28K for it, which seems a little steep to me, even for a '69 BB vert with (he says) 65K original miles. I was thinking of maybe offering $25K. Does that sound reasonable?
JB
'78SA
Last question--the fellow wants $28K for it, which seems a little steep to me, even for a '69 BB vert with (he says) 65K original miles. I was thinking of maybe offering $25K. Does that sound reasonable?
JB
'78SA
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,148
Likes: 5
From: Roxbury NJ
Re: Big Block Convertible Question (JB)
JB, the L88 hood only came the L88 equipped Corvettes, so it more than likely isn't original for that car. I would question why it was installed, since it's only necessary if you modify the engine and install a taller intake manifold.
Which 427 is it (HP)? Is it the verified original block? $28 sounds high unless the car is absolutely mint (unless it has a rare engine.)
Which 427 is it (HP)? Is it the verified original block? $28 sounds high unless the car is absolutely mint (unless it has a rare engine.)
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,023
Likes: 2
From: TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Big Block Convertible Question (Flareside)
The console tag & aircleaner said it was a 427ci/390HP car. It's in very good shape, but I certainly wouldn't call it mint (a few minor imperfections in the paint, engine compartment's a little dirty, stuff like that). I knew $28K was too high, and I'm thinking $25K may be, too. I just picked up the latest Corvette & Chevy Trader magazine and there a couple in there that look pretty good for closer to $20K. I'll keep looking--I'm not interested (at least at this point) in trying to buy something I'd have to travel to see and then have shipped.
I've read people here talking about "big block" hoods too--does that refer to same thing as "L88" hood, or did non-L88 big blocks have different hoods, too?
JB
'78SA
[Modified by JB, 3:12 PM 1/12/2002]
I've read people here talking about "big block" hoods too--does that refer to same thing as "L88" hood, or did non-L88 big blocks have different hoods, too?
JB
'78SA
[Modified by JB, 3:12 PM 1/12/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,214
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From: Casa Grande AZ
Re: Big Block Convertible Question (JB)
I've been thinking of changing my hood so I've looked into the different hoods.
The BB and L-88 are different. Here's some links to pics of the different hoods:
L-88 Hood Bottom: http://www.corvetteforum.net/c3/them...bercloseup.jpg
L-88 Hood Top: http://home.austin.rr.com/drunkendry...s_Corner_1.jpg
Small Block Hood: http://www.71corvette.com/photos/16535.jpg
Big Block Hood: http://www.71corvette.com/photos/00162.jpg
Stinger Hood: http://www.ecklers.com/assets/product_images/29661.jpg
The BB and L-88 are different. Here's some links to pics of the different hoods:
L-88 Hood Bottom: http://www.corvetteforum.net/c3/them...bercloseup.jpg
L-88 Hood Top: http://home.austin.rr.com/drunkendry...s_Corner_1.jpg
Small Block Hood: http://www.71corvette.com/photos/16535.jpg
Big Block Hood: http://www.71corvette.com/photos/00162.jpg
Stinger Hood: http://www.ecklers.com/assets/product_images/29661.jpg
Racer
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Texas
Re: Big Block Convertible Question (JB)
I got the same setup this time last year for 16,9k. Best thing to do when shopping for a vette is look awhile and be prepared to drive a ways to get it. I drove cross US with mine. It was fun. The economy is not too hot right now, so don't expect to pay too much of a premium. There are a lot of frame-off restos with the L36 390hp for less that what you are looking at here. Check out the classic care section of autottrader.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,502
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From: Atlanta Georiga
Re: Big Block Convertible Question (JB)
If I were thinking of shelling out that dough for a car that's supposed to all original, I'd be checking the head for the VIN number, pronto!. If you don't know what I'm talking about, the VIN number for the car is stamped onto the right side of the engine (passenger side) on the front. It should match the VIN number on the car. If not, the engine's not original. That's your first and easy check... Get a corvett black book. But, just from the sound, with the hood and all, it sounds fishy!!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 10,866
Likes: 717
From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
Re: Big Block Convertible Question (Brian-74-454)
Don't be too fast to give up on this one. A nice, original motor big block roadster is tough to find. I know. I looked for nearly 2 years before buying my 69. Check out the casting number, date, and stamp pad on the engine. Check the frame in the standard places. Check the body, not the paint. You want to look for evidence of poor repair, damage, etc. I live in the Baltimore/Washington, DC area, and 25K to 28K is not out of line HERE for a nice, OM BB roadster. You can always put a correct hood on it. Chuck
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: Big Block Convertible Question (Chuck Gongloff)
Chuck, as you may know I"m from that area, and everything is way overpriced around Wash d.c.....everything,.....bad as New York, maybe worse even...Pennsylvania is no releif either....
I think with today's stinkey economy, the chances of finding a great BB convertible for well under 18 grand are excellant....very good indeed....
GENE
I think with today's stinkey economy, the chances of finding a great BB convertible for well under 18 grand are excellant....very good indeed....
GENE
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Texas
Re: Big Block Convertible Question (JB)
For example: Here is one from http://www.collectorcartraderonline.com
Just EAMPLES I found - not saying buy one of these :)
1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE , t-top, 427, 4-speed, silver, black leather interior, needs paint, brakes, detailing, engine, trans, etc rebuilt, 130000 miles before rebuilt, 500 after, in garage since 1985, scale of 1 to 10: 7.5-8.5, $15000 or best offer, e-mail for detailed description FRINTZWM@aol.com, 818-361-0575
and another
1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE T-top, 427-390hp, L36, numbers match, 56000 original miles, red w/balck interior, M-21, 4 speed, posi, factory air conditioning, power steering, power windows $17900 (314)568-8186 00144617305
Just EAMPLES I found - not saying buy one of these :)
1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE , t-top, 427, 4-speed, silver, black leather interior, needs paint, brakes, detailing, engine, trans, etc rebuilt, 130000 miles before rebuilt, 500 after, in garage since 1985, scale of 1 to 10: 7.5-8.5, $15000 or best offer, e-mail for detailed description FRINTZWM@aol.com, 818-361-0575
and another
1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE T-top, 427-390hp, L36, numbers match, 56000 original miles, red w/balck interior, M-21, 4 speed, posi, factory air conditioning, power steering, power windows $17900 (314)568-8186 00144617305
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,023
Likes: 2
From: TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Big Block Convertible Question (Chuck Gongloff)
I think I'll wait a while and see what turns up (though I've been looking in a low-key way for a while now, and damned few BB vette verts show up in the papers in this area--Austin, Houston, San Antonio). I'll talk to this fellow again in a few months--he belongs to the local vette club (Texas Corvette Association of San Antonio), and who knows, he might get more reasonable. Though my impression is that people who belong to vette clubs tend to be a little less liable to let their rides go cheap than other folks.
Chuck--BTW, the car looks exactly like your '69, same color, etc., except the top's black instead of white.
JB
'78SA
Chuck--BTW, the car looks exactly like your '69, same color, etc., except the top's black instead of white.
JB
'78SA
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 43,136
Likes: 155
From: Thomson Georgia
Re: Big Block Convertible Question (noskillz)
For example: Here is one from http://www.collectorcartraderonline.com
Just EAMPLES I found - not saying buy one of these :)
1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE , t-top, 427, 4-speed, silver, black leather interior, needs paint, brakes, detailing, engine, trans, etc rebuilt, 130000 miles before rebuilt, 500 after, in garage since 1985, scale of 1 to 10: 7.5-8.5, $15000 or best offer, e-mail for detailed description FRINTZWM@aol.com, 818-361-0575
and another
1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE T-top, 427-390hp, L36, numbers match, 56000 original miles, red w/balck interior, M-21, 4 speed, posi, factory air conditioning, power steering, power windows $17900 (314)568-8186 00144617305
Just EAMPLES I found - not saying buy one of these :)
1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE , t-top, 427, 4-speed, silver, black leather interior, needs paint, brakes, detailing, engine, trans, etc rebuilt, 130000 miles before rebuilt, 500 after, in garage since 1985, scale of 1 to 10: 7.5-8.5, $15000 or best offer, e-mail for detailed description FRINTZWM@aol.com, 818-361-0575
and another
1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE T-top, 427-390hp, L36, numbers match, 56000 original miles, red w/balck interior, M-21, 4 speed, posi, factory air conditioning, power steering, power windows $17900 (314)568-8186 00144617305
Sorry No Skilz but those are not convertibles......Better add another 30 to 40 percent for a vert :cheers:
