Hi everybody,

Newbie here, and I'm lookin' to buy a '76 Stingray. I'm going to look at one on Friday or Saturday and was wondering if you guys can give me any tips as to what to look for, trouble spots and the like.

This is what I know so far...

All numbers matching, automatic, L-48, 93,000 miles. Doesn't smoke, only leak is around the water pump. Master Cylinder is going to need replacing soon. It's orange, repainted 3 years ago. It also has sidepipes and the original wheels. He says it runs real strong, and the trans doesn't slip. Nothing has ever been rebuilt. He is the second owner, he bought it three years ago, shortly after it was repainted. He bought it to restore it and only put about 300 miles on it.

The only thing he has done is replaced the entire center console. The interior is in decent shape (which probably means it needs some serious TLC). The undercarriage was coated when he bought it, so he doesn't know how rusty the frame is. Floor pans don't crunch and there are a couple stress cracks in the fiberglass around the headlights. The headlights also go up and down without a problem. All accessories are in working order (including the clock). He's asking $5800. What do you guys think?

I'm very willing to put in the necessary wrench time, but my funds are limited and I'm looking for a 'vette that would make a good daily driver, even though it won't be. In other words, I don't want to put more than couple hundred bucks every few months into it just to keep it running.

Here's a picture of it


Sorry for such a long post, but I'm pretty excited about my first corvette :D

Thanks in advance.


[Modified by kpowr82, 6:24 AM 3/11/2003]

 

Check out http://www.corvettefaq.com They have a buyers checklist that you should take with you.

 

Sounds like a good price, definitely take it out for a spin first. and you could also see if there are any members in your area that could go look at it with you....

Do a search for here for anyone living close to you.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/ziplocator/locator.php

I'm sure that most CF members would be willing to help you out. :cheers:

 

I bet you can get it for $5000, but definitely take the checklist posted above and figure out the costs to make any repairs. Remember: Once you own the car, you will find more and more to spend money on.

 

Sounds like a fair price to me.

 

Thanks guys, I'll definitely take that list with me. I'm pretty sure I can get it for around $5000.

About how much has it cost you guys to maintain your 'vettes per month? Not including appearance or performance modification upgrades. Just keeping it running strong.

Also, I'd like to keep it numbers matching if I do purchase it, so are there rebuild kits for just about every component out there?

Thanks again,
Matt

 

I'd put it on a lift to get good access to check the frame, floors, body mount areas. You'd be suprised how much you can't see when the car is on the ground and how much undercoating can hide. You said at 93,000mi nothing's been rebuilt. Maybe time to check rear wheel bearings, steering box, ball joints, u-joints, etc. These are'nt cheap, but they are common maintenance items on C3 Corvettes. Also, check trailing arms, trailing arm pockets, windshield posts for corrosion. Cosmetic items such as door panels, carpet, consoles, seat covers are easy to deal with; frames, trailing arms, rear wheel bearings ARE'NT :yesnod:

 

My '76 needed a lot more than I thunk when I bought it last year. :hat And I 'm an ex-mechanic so I knew what to look out for. Things I didn't catch on the test drive were the front end clunk and the '*****' sound when it shifted into second gear.

Turned out that the control arm bushings on one side were gone and the automatic needed to be rebuilt. On the plus side, it too has been repainted and it's straight. All the body panels line up (unusual for an old vette) and the interior is good.

Look for a tilt telescoping wheel/you will be glad you did. Also the interior of these cars runs VERY warm even w/the heater hoses disconnected. Get Air cond.

 

Definately take it somewhere and put it on a lift. Perhaps a local Corvette shop can inspect it for you. Good luck. Don't rush, there are plenty of Corvettes for sale. If you don't like it, or something feels wrong. Walk away.

 

The price seems fair, but you know going in that you will probably need a water pump. Also, 76's had cats, if they were removed in order to install the side pipes you could have a major headache getting the car inspected. I don't know what the regs are in your state. In NJ it's old enough (25+ yrs) to qualify for historic plates and not need inspection, but if you plan to use it as a daily driver you might have problems.

 

---The price seems fair, but you know going in that you will probably need a water pump. Also, 76's had cats, if they were removed in order to install the side pipes you could have a major headache getting the car inspected. I don't know what the regs are in your state. In NJ it's old enough (25+ yrs) to qualify for historic plates and not need inspection, but if you plan to use it as a daily driver you might have problems.---

No inspections here in Michigan, so I'm not worried about the cats not being there. What I am worried about now is what exactly is the undercoat hiding
:confused:

Well, I'll have to go check it out and trust my gut, if something doesn't feel right I'm walkin'

Thanks for all the replies :cool:

 

I agree with the above mentioned buying tips found in the FAQ section. Also, it was suggested to me when I was purchasing my vette to decide ahead of time what year, color, and transmission I really wanted. I held out for the exact one I wanted and am still grinning every time I open the garage door. A 76 L-82 red 4-speed where I live is selling for 14,000 right now. Granted it is in beautiful condition but I am sure it will sell. Good luck in your hunt. :flag

 

definately have a look at the undercoating especially if the cars spent a lot of time in michigan. also check the window pillars and doorjams for rust as well. when you drive it listen carefully those little clinks and clunks will come back to haunt you. good luck. :thumbs:

 

kpowr82,
I would be willing to go look at it, but I am leaving for some sun and sun this weekend. I might have some time today or tomorrow, or next week. Also, I have a buddy with a shop on the Warren/Madison Heights border that might be willing to let you use the lift. I know there are a fair amount of members in this area, maybe start another thread with your location in the title to get some people to look. Make sure the vacuum stuff works and do a compression check.

Good luck.

 

All the above bu one further caution. I know some drive their Vettes daily but if you can afford it, I strongly suggest finding a beater to drive and the Vette is you fun car. It will be much more enjoyable to work on the Vette when you don';t have to depend on it for transportation. Good luck. :cheers:

 

All good suggestions.

You are in the heart of the rust belt. Has the vette lived it's life in MI ?
If it has, it's likely to have some rust. The question is where and how much ?

It's tough to check the susceptible spots without dissasembly. If the owner
lets you take the kick panels out, you get a good look at the basic condition
of the steel body frame at the door pillars. This is where mine was worst.
It was bad everywhere, though. The pics of my 75 - see website in sig - show
how bad it can be.

If you see something like this, RUN !!


Good luck. :seeya


[Modified by NHvette, 12:17 PM 3/11/2003]

 

If you want to take a look at a 76 near you for example and what you can do, take a trip over to Windsor on Sunday and I can show you what to look for and what Mods you can do and still keep it numbers matching. Email me and we can hook up at some time on Sunday.

 

$5,000 is fair price. The frame I would look at above all else. Motors can be fixed easier then a frame.

 

First of all, welcome to the forum. This place is an extremely valuable tool for you to use over and over. My car would not be running and driving without the forum.

Now then, ask the owner about the brake calipers. If they are original, don't stop, don't pass go, don't do anything before you replace them. IMO brakes are the most important working component on a car. Forum vendor Van Steel has remanufactured stainless steel sleeved caliper kits for around $400 or so. I've been hearing a lot of great reviews of Van Steel lately.

Check the frame for rust. Take a good look at the trailing arms. Check the body for cracks. Ask if there are any electrical problems you should know about before you buy the car.