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I found a '71 for sale yesterday at a local Muscle Car Dealer. It's a Steel Cities Grey (my fav color) #match 71 4-speed L-48 (270hp) Coupe with 35k miles.
No pwr anything...Paint blinds you it's so shinny, but has many road nicks. Chrome bumpers and grill are perfect. Ralleys and tires are perfect. No spider cracks. Black interior. The rad support has rusted through on the bottom, and the frame has small rust holes on both sides in front of rear tire. Welcome to the midwest. This rust has made me question milage! Interior is not bad. No cracks in door panel or dash, vynal seats have a few tears, and carpet is good but not original color. (red) All gages work, as does all accessories. (headlight doors, wiper doors, new heater core)
Starts and runs great. Will need shocks and strut bushings.
The guy wants 12.9K and will take my 99 Harley LowRider in trade. I would keep this car original stock...as a daily driver. What do you guys think? This car is one step closer to my ultimate Vette. It has the chrome bumpers and color I love...and all it needs is that 427 I ultamitly want!!!!
:cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Eddie
I agree with the price being a little high, especially with some rust issues and non-perfect paint. I can understand the rust on a low-miles car, even if it has been garaged most of its life. It IS over 30 years old. Mine has significantly deteriorated since I made the move further north, even though its exposure to the elements has been nil. I don't have a "climate-controlled" garage, and the rust keeps creeping. temperature and humidity can play a large factor in that. That being said, I think you'll find a good selection of '71's being sold around 10K in really good, driver condition, some with very nice paint and no significant rusting problems. On the other hand, if you feel these problems are fixable, and this is the "perfect" car for you, then at least make an offer on it. It doesn't sound like any of the problems you described are "deal-breakers", but you should not pay for a perfect car - this is not one. The lack of options is not a plus is my book either! Good luck!
The mileage sounds too low. See if there is wear on the pedals.
I have an orig california car & my rad supports rusted in the same place. I just took a wire brush to it & applied a few coats of POR-15.
Does the wiper door work?
I wouldn't be surprised if the mileage is correct. The car would be worth it if it did not have the rust issues. Even though it is a base coupe with no options. Nothing rare for a 71. Holes in frame can't be good news.
my rad supports rusted in the same place. I just took a wire brush to it & applied a few coats of POR-15.
Does the wiper door work?
yes.. the wiper door works :eek: The rad support is not too bad, but por-15 is a must!! I will go over it closer tonight...especially the trailing arms.
I am going to negotiate price tonight also. This is exatly the year and color of car I want. 4-speed...No options... :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod:
Will post results if she comes home with me tonight....
Thanks for all your responses...
Eddie
Price doesn't sound too bad to me. At least around here, I'm not seeing these cars for sale anymore. It's no longer a question of price, it's now availability. And the ones that are for sale I wouldn't touch, they require too much work.
We bought our 1972 last year for $12,500.00 it's a non-original motor, but the car is in EXCELLENT shape, no rust, no wear, I can beleive there were 69,000 original miles on the body. Wiper door, headlights, etc. are better than perfect, somebody actually expoxy-painted all vacuum actuators, they works great, new rubber throughout engine bay. Weatherstripping appears to be original, however it's in great shape. I could go on and on.
I paid too much for a 1972 base coupe with NOM? I don't think so, there's no way I could have bought a cheaper car in "average" condition and have what I have now for under $12,500. And I couldn't negotiate, the guy was FIRM. Somebody else offered him $12,000......he told them to go FK themselves :yesnod: :eek:
I f you really want a BB, wait until you find one. You will never be happy until you get it and by the time you do, you will have so much invested in the SB coupe that you won't be able to get out of it without a major hickey.....
Regardless of where you live, BB with air will hold their value better.
Just got back from the dealer. The car starts, runs and shifts very strong. Everything works except the tach, cause it's been HEI converted. Dash, door panels, console, and gage bezels are very good. Only bad thing is a few tears in the vynal seats. Trailing arms have surface rust, no holes. Chrome is perfect.. storage compartment new, but not screwed together. New mufflers on true duals, bad pipes. New carpet, but wrong color (red)
Will know tomorow, cause he's now hesitant about taking my bike in trade. Doesn't know if he can sell it???? Nothing to do with $$$ I find myself riding less and less as the years go by, so this is a great oppertunity for me. Will post results and pics if deal goes through....
A thanks goes out to all my consultants..... :D :D
Eddie
wait to buy a Corvette in the winter....prices are higher in the spring/summer. I bought mine just after Christmas and got a convertible for the same prices coupes were going for the summer before.... :yesnod:
I would say plan on replacing the frame, price to high to me with rust problems :eek: :eek:
After sleeping on it, and allowing my eyes to clear after being blinded by the shine.... I've decided to pass on it. I can sell my bike for more than the car is worth, then shop for something better with cash. Frame rust/manual steering were the biggest negative issues. If I have to "row my own" I want to be able to steer with one hand. On the upside, this expierence has made me fall in love with 68-73's. A shopping I will go......
Thanks again guys
Eddie :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: