1973 corvette convertible.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
1973 corvette convertible.
Looking at a 1973 corvette convertible. Frame has been done. New trailing arms. Body is off. Front end is split and separate from body. No motor. No tranny. No interior. Rust repaired on rocker on drivers side. Bird cage okay. No top just frame. It is just a rolling frame with a bare split body. Has been working on it for 8 years. Lost interest in it. Body needs some TLC.Nose needs some work.
What is something like this worth.
Thanks Putts
What is something like this worth.
Thanks Putts
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
How "done" is done? Blasted and painted/not reassembled? New rear bearings/front bushings/shocks/brakes/steering components not reassembled? Completely rebuilt radiator support back to reman diff and ready to hang the body on? New tires? What kind of shape is the interior in? Are there any new as yet installed parts included in the deal? Are you ready to invest another 2 or 3 years gathering the missing bits, massaging them back to life and reassembling the whole thing? Do you have an adequate amount of room to store/stage/renew the car? How much is the owner asking... or is this one of those "make me an offer I can't refuse" deals? Is there a clear title for the vehicle? Can you post some detail photos?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Hey
Frame is assembled and painted brakes and steering. Tires not new. No interior. No other parts just rolling frame and body with bars for top. He is asking 4300.00 for it. It is out of province and would have to have a vehicle inspection when done. He is sure he has papers somewhere. I have room and time to work on it. I have a 1975 that is in rough shape I was going to use a a partial doner. No pics. he will send some. It is about a 200.00 tow job away from here.
Thanks
Frame is assembled and painted brakes and steering. Tires not new. No interior. No other parts just rolling frame and body with bars for top. He is asking 4300.00 for it. It is out of province and would have to have a vehicle inspection when done. He is sure he has papers somewhere. I have room and time to work on it. I have a 1975 that is in rough shape I was going to use a a partial doner. No pics. he will send some. It is about a 200.00 tow job away from here.
Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 15
From: Oxford Ohio
If the frame is done correctly, there would be a lot of work finished for you. It's a convertable so it is desirable. If all the parts are there (body parts, top related) I'd give from $3,500 to $4,000 I suspect.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
no motor, tranny, interior, lots of other missing parts? needs paint, tires, exhaust, top frame with top will cost you 2500..
you can buy a complete 73 that needs the same work for 4300, but at least you will have all the parts
you can buy a complete 73 that needs the same work for 4300, but at least you will have all the parts
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
Painting with broad strokes here's an idea of the costs you will incur to finish the car if you do all the labor yourself....and if the donor vehicle's parts will all fit and need only minor freshening.
Interior $2000 to 2500.
Top $300 to $1000?
Tires $500
Paint and body work $1500 just in materials
Mechanicals; exhaust,brake master, seals, filters, tune up etc. $1000
Slush for broken/missing small parts/ rechroming etc. $1000
You can see that even though you have a donor vehicle the costs to complete the car are large. I'm not trying to dissuade you from taking this on, I am going through a similar build now... just trying to share what my experience has been.
Interior $2000 to 2500.
Top $300 to $1000?
Tires $500
Paint and body work $1500 just in materials
Mechanicals; exhaust,brake master, seals, filters, tune up etc. $1000
Slush for broken/missing small parts/ rechroming etc. $1000
You can see that even though you have a donor vehicle the costs to complete the car are large. I'm not trying to dissuade you from taking this on, I am going through a similar build now... just trying to share what my experience has been.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 43,136
Likes: 155
From: Thomson Georgia
Painting with broad strokes here's an idea of the costs you will incur to finish the car if you do all the labor yourself....and if the donor vehicle's parts will all fit and need only minor freshening.
Interior $2000 to 2500.
Top $300 to $1000?
Tires $500
Paint and body work $1500 just in materials
Mechanicals; exhaust,brake master, seals, filters, tune up etc. $1000
Slush for broken/missing small parts/ rechroming etc. $1000
You can see that even though you have a donor vehicle the costs to complete the car are large. I'm not trying to dissuade you from taking this on, I am going through a similar build now... just trying to share what my experience has been.
Interior $2000 to 2500.
Top $300 to $1000?
Tires $500
Paint and body work $1500 just in materials
Mechanicals; exhaust,brake master, seals, filters, tune up etc. $1000
Slush for broken/missing small parts/ rechroming etc. $1000
You can see that even though you have a donor vehicle the costs to complete the car are large. I'm not trying to dissuade you from taking this on, I am going through a similar build now... just trying to share what my experience has been.
However the paint and body work can cost a LOT more than 1,500 depending on the condition of the body.
I would not spend more than 3k for the car as there will be a ton of labor and money spent on the car to bring it up to speed.
1973 is a great year and obviously being a convertible makes it much more desirable but based on what you have described, there is a LOT of work and $ left to be done.
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 383
Likes: 4
From: Charlotte NC
I agree with the above. Only way the project would be worth doing (IMO) is if it came with a '73 parts car, coupe, that was complete. With a car that's all apart you need another one together to take the parts off of and then put on the one to save. I started with a shell for my last project (69 S code Mach 1 Mustang) and regretted it. The car came out great but took years and endless searching for parts.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
When I bought my car it was in boxes and more boxes. The ad said 90% complete however I found out that most of the parts were incorrect for a 71 or useless. I spent a great deal of time sourcing the correct parts it has been educational and fun to some degree.
That ten percent has ended up costing about ten thousand and I am at least another 2 thousand away from completing my car. Nothing super rare or trick about the car either. I have done all the work myself.
Maybe not always but I think sometimes someone can give you a car in pieces for free and it still cost less to buy one already complete.
That ten percent has ended up costing about ten thousand and I am at least another 2 thousand away from completing my car. Nothing super rare or trick about the car either. I have done all the work myself.
Maybe not always but I think sometimes someone can give you a car in pieces for free and it still cost less to buy one already complete.
