970fizz

Hi new to this forum and the corvette world. Any way a family friend let me know he is selling his corvette, told me I could have first shot at buying It.

It's a 1974 350 4 speed convertible 49k original miles, original paint, original interior. I'm about 90% sure nothing has Ben touched on the car, all stock. The owner didn't want to loose the beauty rings so he took them off and put them in a box. Lol. No a/c the clutch is bad, but starts up and engine sounds great. Been sitting for about 2 years, front and rear bumper are trash, but has a new oem front bumper in the box.

I just don't know the value of something like this.
Thanks for any help.

970fizz

Interior pic, covered in dust

Brcmpbl

Really need to see underneath the thing, and under the hood. Was it sitting outside or inside?

There's good information here regarding things to look for when considering a Corvette of this vintage, I suggest you read it: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-corvette.html

970fizz

That had good info. I didn't take any engine pics, but it looks all original, all chevy orange, lots of grease / oil and grim on it. But I think it would clean up nice! As for the under side, it's dirty but doesn't look bad, no rust. The car has been a driver for meany years, and lived in a garage for most of its life, however it did sit out front of the garage for the last 1.5 to 2 years. The owner stoped driving it after the clutch went out.

Brcmpbl

The primary concern I would have with a C3 that has been sitting outside for any length of time is that they are leaky old things. You'd have a fibreglass floor in 1974, but it's important to check the condition of the metal frame around the windshield (the "birdcage"). When C3s leak, this area can rust badly. You would need to pull the windshield pillar trim and the header molding to see that area. I would also pop off the plastic kick panel cover at the sides of the footwells inside the car. The condition of the metal in there, as well as the body mount that can be seen in that area, will tell you something about the condition of the birdcage and frame.

The bottom line is that rust is your main enemy on a C3, and it's tougher to find than on a metal-bodied car. Corvettes are pretty easy to fix up mechanically, but frame rust is a killer financially. I would get more information on the frame and birdcage's condition and share it here, then you can get a more accurate idea of what a good price for the car might be (or if you should just save your money for another day).

970fizz

Ok, I'm going to look at it again tomorrow. The car is a few hrs away from my house, so I would like to make him an offer. So if the bird cage is rusty, I'll just pass on the deal. But let's say there is no rust and its all in good.

With the info I've givin, think anyone can give me a ball park on value of this car,
Thanks

cobrachuck

I have a 75 coupe & have been working on it since Aug 2013. What are you thinking?
My guess would be 4 to 5 K provided the frame & bird cage are OK. Then spend a grand fixing it the way you want it.

Easy Mike

The car is a little rough. What is the seller asking? If the asking price is beyond reason, no sense going back for a second look.

970fizz

I was thinking in the $5-5500 range for an as is price on the car. The owner wants $6500 for it, I guess since its a convertible with a hard top and 4 speed, he thinks it's worth more.

What are the average value on 74 convertibles?

GUSTO14

If the car has been sitting outside with the hardtop on, and the birdcage is in reasonably good shape (minor rust but no visible holes) I would say if you can get it for $6500, it would be hard to go wrong.

If it's an L-82 and it is as good underneath as it appears on the outside and the interior, I would be willing to go $10,000 possibly more, but only after inspecting it.

Good luck... GUSTO

Brcmpbl

For me it would likely be $5k

Calo69

Learn everything you can about rust areas on these cars and ways to find it.
Could mean difference between an upside down money pit and a good deal.

970fizz

Thanks for the info. I understands every one is going to have a different opinion on value. I'm a little shocked the value is so low. As long as there is no rust, I think if I can get it for $6k ish. That's a fare price for both of us. And the car has a J in the vin, so no L-82

resdoggie

You need to ask yourself how much money are you willing to put into it over and above the purchase price. $6500 may be a fair price. You may need to put in another $10K for repairs/body work/paint and unkowns. Is it worth say $16500 to you? This number can vary by several thousands - up or down. Nice to buy for a low price but no sense having it sit in front of your driveway due to lack of funds to properly fix it up.

LT-1 kid

I think 6500 asking is a fair price, 74 4 speed convertibles are not that easy to find.
that if the car has no major issues.

Ironcross

It's not a beauty queen, and personally I would not even park it in my garage at any price...even zero

970fizz

I've spent the last few days thinking about total cost to get this back on the road, and looking nice. The paint is orignal and in great shape for its age. ( not show paint but good for a nice driver) interior is good, just needs a good cleaning. Runs good, but needs a clutch. Needs both bumper painted ( got to buy a rear bumper) Needs tires, and just a good tune up. If I can get the car for around 6k, I'm thinking a totle of $9k to have here up and going.

I have new bfg 235/60/15 and 295/50/60 tires that came off my mustang, I'll just do the clutch and the tune up myself, and pay to to have the bumpers painted and installed.

But if anyone else has an opinion on value please let me know.
And where should I buy a rear bumper ( split 2 price )

mickey5

Last summer I purchased a '74 L48 M20 roadster with 37K miles. Enthusiast maintained for the last 35 years. Needed a complete brake overhaul and PS rebuild. Paint is a respray about 10 years old and still looks vg. It has an almost new set of BFG tires. Interior is mostly original except for replacement door panels and dash.

Hagerty shows a retail for a #3 74 roadster driver at $16K. To that you add $$ for the options it has. I paid $12K for the Vette and put another $1K into it to fix the problems.

I now have a great looking weekend cruiser that performs well at a price that I feel comfortable with.

If your car has a good numbers matching drive train, only needs a clutch and a body that only needs paint and bumpers I'd say you have good deal. If you follow ebay C3 pricing you'll find most nice #3 74-75 roadster drivers start in the upper teens to mid twentys.

Good luck in your quest.

Easy Mike

Fair is possibly moot, but $6500 is realistic.

7t9l82

Color matching paint that old to just do the bumpers is a job I wouldn't want.it will need a clutch and lots of other things. 6500 is maybe slightly high but if the car has good bones it may not be out of line. Convertible and 4 speed do help. Would have been a nice car with an L-82.. if you get into it and you have serious problems the extra thousand bucks isn't really that big a deal.