Price on a '77?
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Fort Gordon GA
Price on a '77?
I hope this is the right forum. I test drove a '77 today that I really want!!! He is asking $8500. Here is the info:
1977 Vette
No A/C (bummer)
Short throw 4 speed (1 of 2060, I think)
Not original engine (350 4bbl replaced 100,000 miles ago)
Power windows
Average 6 month old paint job
Above average interior
Body looks great
Drives great!
Fishtailed left and right during testdrive!
Died and wouldn't restart at end of test drive (my guess is alternator, had to jump car before testdrive)
Haven't had a chance to look underneath for rust/leaks
So is $8,500 a good deal? I think I'll call and offer $7,000 and see what he says. I've looked at a couple of corvette pricing guides and NADA and $8,500 seems pretty good.
I appreciate your comments!
Brett
PS She will be my first vette if I get her!
1977 Vette
No A/C (bummer)
Short throw 4 speed (1 of 2060, I think)
Not original engine (350 4bbl replaced 100,000 miles ago)
Power windows
Average 6 month old paint job
Above average interior
Body looks great
Drives great!
Fishtailed left and right during testdrive!
Died and wouldn't restart at end of test drive (my guess is alternator, had to jump car before testdrive)
Haven't had a chance to look underneath for rust/leaks
So is $8,500 a good deal? I think I'll call and offer $7,000 and see what he says. I've looked at a couple of corvette pricing guides and NADA and $8,500 seems pretty good.
I appreciate your comments!
Brett
PS She will be my first vette if I get her!
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Shawnee KS
Did you mean 1,000 or 10,000 miles ago?
I personally wouldn't buy any car that had to be jump-started for a test drive!
I'm no expert but it seems to be priced a little on the high side considering it sounds like it's going to need some work and the motor is not original. Pricing guides are usually high. Sometimes it's good to see what they sold for on Ebay by doing a search on completed items. If you do get her, be prepared to spend a lot of time and money. There are a lot of questions to ask such as what will it be used for? Do you have another car? Can I afford to fix it if it breaks? Can I fix it myself when it breaks? C4's are cheap and plentiful right now.
I personally wouldn't buy any car that had to be jump-started for a test drive!
I'm no expert but it seems to be priced a little on the high side considering it sounds like it's going to need some work and the motor is not original. Pricing guides are usually high. Sometimes it's good to see what they sold for on Ebay by doing a search on completed items. If you do get her, be prepared to spend a lot of time and money. There are a lot of questions to ask such as what will it be used for? Do you have another car? Can I afford to fix it if it breaks? Can I fix it myself when it breaks? C4's are cheap and plentiful right now.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Fort Gordon GA
100,000 miles ago! He said it had about 190,000 on the body. It drove great, once he jump started it! He said it had been sitting about a month. It's a dealer who is selling it for his brother.
I'll check ebay, good idea!
And I am looking at some C4s right now too!
Thanks!
Brett
I'll check ebay, good idea!
And I am looking at some C4s right now too!
Thanks!
Brett
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Orangepark Fl
i would say take the car 2 a mechanic and get teh car checked out before i would pay that much i bought mine for 2,700 but i knew the condtion of mine has been started for 3 years had 2 fix the windsheild frame i added new interior which itsnt cheap at all the door panals cost the most right now mines almost done just painted it last wensday 
added raceing stripes on it last night
added raceing stripes on it last night
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2004
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i can tell you right away the fishtailing is bad trailing arm bushings, does it rear steer one way under acceleration and the other way under deacceleration? if so, then control arm rebuild, about 750 bucks if thats all that is wrong, about 1500-2000 if complete trailing arm rebuild is necessary. but it will be worth it in the end.
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From: Fort Gordon GA
[QUOTE=mbrown24]i can tell you right away the fishtailing is bad trailing arm bushings, does it rear steer one way under acceleration and the other way under deacceleration? QUOTE]
If it did, I didn't really notice, but then again I took it for a real quick test drive. If I get more serious, I will take it for an overnight testdrive!
If it did, I didn't really notice, but then again I took it for a real quick test drive. If I get more serious, I will take it for an overnight testdrive!
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Novelty OH
if the frame is showing major rust (doesn't sound solid when rapped with a hammer lightly) then it is worth much less than 7000, at least to me.
Maybe you can take a forum member with you for the low low price of a beer or two *grin*
I'm too far north sorry
Maybe you can take a forum member with you for the low low price of a beer or two *grin*
I'm too far north sorry
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Chattanooga TN
A little high for a complete, nice car. Check for rust in the frame, windshield frame, and trailing arms. No way I buy a car that has to be jump started and/or won't restart at the end. Nobody buys mine when they have trouble on a test drive, why should I buy theirs. I say let them fix it and have another look, or just keep shopping. Also 100k on the engine is a lot of miles. Just bear in mind that you will probably have to replace it again in the not-too-distant future, not to mention that 200k on a C3 chassis almost certainly means that it will need bushings, rear diff work, etc. Finally 77 is a transition year and has some unique parts. Bear this in mind when looking at anything that is broken (dash pad, turn signal stalk, some console parts...)
Last edited by markdtn; Jul 22, 2004 at 12:13 PM.
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Fort Gordon GA
Here is the website with one pic of the car:
http://www.selectmotorcarsinc.com/pages/6/index.htm
It's most of the way down the page.
http://www.selectmotorcarsinc.com/pages/6/index.htm
It's most of the way down the page.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by wilsoncj6
Here is the website with one pic of the car:
http://www.selectmotorcarsinc.com/pages/6/index.htm
It's most of the way down the page.
http://www.selectmotorcarsinc.com/pages/6/index.htm
It's most of the way down the page.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,665
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From: Ontario
Originally Posted by brystheguy
Don't rush it, the right car will show up.
Look at a whole bunch of corvettes before you buy. Just think - when you buy apples at the grocery store how many do you pick up look at and put back because of a small blemish. Now you are looking at spending $8500 on a corvette make sure you get a decent one. 
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Buffalo New York
I bought a '77 last summer for $5200...the engine is strong and runs great, the frame and bird cage are in good condition, but I had to sink almost $1500 into the interior, tires, brakes and other small replacement parts. I would say that if the engine runs strong (which isn't a given since it wouldn't start on the test drive), the frame is in good condition as well as the interior, then it is worth $7-8 grand.
Team Owner
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From: Sometimes I wonder... why is that frisbee getting bigger? Then it hits me.
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St. Jude Donor '06
#1 never trust a "dealer" that can't afford a paved parking lot or works out of a "building" that has wheels
I bought my 77 for 6 grand, but it has a new frame, new suspension, LT1 and ZF6 out of a 92 and brand new 16" aluminum rims and tires.
She needs paint and a bunch of annoying little things but she is solid as a rock.
Bubba has done some bad things but nothing that isn't easily repaired. I know I got a good deal even though she needs some work.
My suggestion is to keep looking.
I bought my 77 for 6 grand, but it has a new frame, new suspension, LT1 and ZF6 out of a 92 and brand new 16" aluminum rims and tires.
She needs paint and a bunch of annoying little things but she is solid as a rock.
Bubba has done some bad things but nothing that isn't easily repaired. I know I got a good deal even though she needs some work.
My suggestion is to keep looking.
