C3 peeps...need your help
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,872
Likes: 8
From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '03-'05
C3 peeps...need your help
My good friend is offering up his 74 coupe to me if I am interested in buying it. He needs the money for his other hobby. The car has a 454 with a manual tranny with air. It has been sitting in his garage since the early 80's. The engine is out of the car. The car needs just about everything except major body work. It has low original miles and he is the second owner. The first owner was a rep for GM. I am not sure what the car is worth. Any ideas on what I should offer him for it? What do you guys think? TIA.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 278
From: Olmsted Falls, Ohio
Re: C3 peeps...need your help (FireGuy)
The two questions I'd be asking myself are:
1. How much will it cost to get the "basket case" running and in the condition you can live with?
2. How much will it cost to find a running car with a BB and similar options?
1. How much will it cost to get the "basket case" running and in the condition you can live with?
2. How much will it cost to find a running car with a BB and similar options?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,135
Likes: 71
From: Umeå Sweden
Re: C3 peeps...need your help (KenSny)
thats a hard question..
how is the frame?
birdcage?
well you got to change every brakeline and fuel,vacuum hoses
if the frame is god it should be worth 6-9K
how is the frame?
birdcage?
well you got to change every brakeline and fuel,vacuum hoses
if the frame is god it should be worth 6-9K
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,872
Likes: 8
From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '03-'05
Re: C3 peeps...need your help (KenSny)
The car is not a wreck, but I guess it could be classified as a basket case. It needs engine work and new interior carpeting and probably seats since the car is moldy inside from being stored with the windows rolled up. The tires are dry rotted and calipers are probably need to be replaced along with the lines and hoses etc. And paint. And more. My friend stated that everything worked in the car last time it was on the road. :skep:
I have been checking Ebay for past auctions for similiar year and type and it looks as if you can get some pretty good deals. Some running cars can be had for 4-5k. And I know this one will be calling for 10k+ to get it back to ok shape. I obviously know it is a money losing proposition. But being the corvette addict that I am, I don't want an opportunity to slip by. Even at 3K I am left wondering. At 6-9K in this condition I would have to pass.
The birdcage and frame are ok. He has all the parts for the engine and even has a spare 350.
[Modified by FireGuy, 7:02 PM 4/25/2004]
I have been checking Ebay for past auctions for similiar year and type and it looks as if you can get some pretty good deals. Some running cars can be had for 4-5k. And I know this one will be calling for 10k+ to get it back to ok shape. I obviously know it is a money losing proposition. But being the corvette addict that I am, I don't want an opportunity to slip by. Even at 3K I am left wondering. At 6-9K in this condition I would have to pass.
The birdcage and frame are ok. He has all the parts for the engine and even has a spare 350.
[Modified by FireGuy, 7:02 PM 4/25/2004]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 3
From: Greensboro NC
Re: C3 peeps...need your help (Jughead)
I am in the process of doing a 73 with BB/4spd/Air the car finished should bring about $16,000 but I paid $10,500 + $4,000 in parts and about $650,000 in free labor (from me).
Restoring these cars is not an investment, (Microsoft is an investment) its a hobby and if you feel like dropping about 500 hours into it and have fun doing it go for it! :smash:
Restoring these cars is not an investment, (Microsoft is an investment) its a hobby and if you feel like dropping about 500 hours into it and have fun doing it go for it! :smash:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 278
From: Olmsted Falls, Ohio
Re: C3 peeps...need your help (FireGuy)
Didn't mean it was a wreck when I said "basket case". It's a loose term I use when I see a car for sale that BEFORE I can drive it everything will need to be removed and refurbished. Hence "in a basket".
That statement is not worth anything. It's based on the supposed condition of the car almost 25 years ago! It's been sitting, rotting, and rusting for that long.... So the question is still: why go to all the effort for a '74? For a early 60's ok, but there are still alot of '74's around in DAMN nice shape for what you will eventually have in this car. AND you'll get to enjoy it now, not years from now.
My friend stated that everything worked in the car last time it was on the road.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,872
Likes: 8
From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '03-'05
Re: C3 peeps...need your help (KenSny)
It's been sitting, rotting, and rusting for that long.... So the question is still: why go to all the effort for a '74?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Re: C3 peeps...need your help (FireGuy)
Nothin' wrong with a 74 .... legal with BB and sidepipes.
Is it worth it ? Only you can answer that one.
It's cheaper in the long-run to buy a 'good' one than a fixer-upper.
The fixer-upper puts you on sort of a payment plan.
Some people pay cash for cars ... some take loans.
:seeya
Is it worth it ? Only you can answer that one.
It's cheaper in the long-run to buy a 'good' one than a fixer-upper.
The fixer-upper puts you on sort of a payment plan.
Some people pay cash for cars ... some take loans.
:seeya
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,938
Likes: 1
From: San Diego CA
Re: C3 peeps...need your help (FireGuy)
I've been down this road 3 times. If you invest money into it like I did you'll end up with $28,000.00 in a Vette worth $15,000.00 and it almost gave me a heart attack. better off buying one almost done for $9,000.00 and give it your personal finishing touches.
Think hard and long on this one. I know it's tempting but they are a dime a dozen.
Think hard and long on this one. I know it's tempting but they are a dime a dozen.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 29,702
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From: Sometimes I wonder... why is that frisbee getting bigger? Then it hits me.
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Re: C3 peeps...need your help (FireGuy)
I would let this one go unless your ULTIMATE ride is a 74. Rubber Bumper cars are pretty cheap right now and for around 6-7k you can get a pretty damned nice running car to enjoy now instead of having a years worth of steady work ahead of you. in all reality that car needs a complete body off if it has been sitting that long. ALL new brakes, weatherstrip, tires, hoses, belts, fluids, mounts, suspension.. etc etc etc..
You are looking at a MINIMUM of 15k investment not including labor or purchase price.
Wait for another opportunity IMHO :cheers:
You are looking at a MINIMUM of 15k investment not including labor or purchase price.
Wait for another opportunity IMHO :cheers:
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,728
Likes: 1
From: Maple
Re: C3 peeps...need your help (FireGuy)
[QUOTE]I would really prefer a 69-70 but this offer just fell into my lap.[ /QUOTE]
i would think heavily about it after reading that statement...i bought a 73 BB when i really wanted a bumper car...looking back i would have got what i wanted not what was available..had i bought what i wanted 6-7 years ago it would have been cheaper then and probably would have saved money in the long run after all the mods i want would have been done... :steering:
i would think heavily about it after reading that statement...i bought a 73 BB when i really wanted a bumper car...looking back i would have got what i wanted not what was available..had i bought what i wanted 6-7 years ago it would have been cheaper then and probably would have saved money in the long run after all the mods i want would have been done... :steering:
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,872
Likes: 8
From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '03-'05
Re: C3 peeps...need your help (1bad69)
Prior to asking your opinions I was leaning toward buying this car. That is if he offered it up for a reasonable price. As of now I am leaning toward passing on the car. Learning from others experiences is definately a big help. I'll let you guys know how I make out. Thanks for the great advice! :cheers: