70' or 74'
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,135
Likes: 3,939
From: Connecticut, USA
Originally Posted by spooch22
Which car is a better investment?
If you want a driver then either one would be nice. Don't concern yourself with the paint on the 70 if you're going to drive it. The first chip you get on the road or at a show will drive you nuts.
Good luck,
Gary
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Gosh, you guys give a guy with a 70 vert a big head. I bought mine as a driver. Since I have had it I have been through everything from bumper to bumper. I have spent waaaay too much money on the car. But, I did not buy it as an investment nor was I thinking this way. I just wanted something to replace my vette that had been totalled. This was in my price range and I offered the guy money and he took it. (I low balled him, I thought) I have rebuilt the engine and put a small cam in it, aluminum heads the whole nine yards. I installed an OD tranny and now this car has a long set of legs that will allow me to cruise all day. All I am saying is buy the car that is gonna serve you the best. Get the most enjoyment out of the car you can. That is my plan.
Just Drive The Darn Thing!
Just Drive The Darn Thing!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,455
Likes: 1,482
From: Little Rock AR
I like the look of them both. The cost of the resto on the '70 will be more than you think. The real deal maker for me would be: which one will you like beter when they are both finished?
Think about what they will be when you have them both done. If the chrome bumper car would appeal to you more when finished, I would go with that one. If the cleaner lines of the rubber bumper car turn you on, go for that one. I like the '73 look best personaly. Chrome with the duck tail in back, smooth rubber bumper in front.
The '70 will apreciate more and faster than the '74 ever will. The '70 will perform better without question if both cars were at original specification. The '70 will be easier to sell if both cars were in the same condition. You will probably have more $$$ tied up in the '70 but that is not what this is all about IMHO.
Hope this helps.
-Mark.
Think about what they will be when you have them both done. If the chrome bumper car would appeal to you more when finished, I would go with that one. If the cleaner lines of the rubber bumper car turn you on, go for that one. I like the '73 look best personaly. Chrome with the duck tail in back, smooth rubber bumper in front.
The '70 will apreciate more and faster than the '74 ever will. The '70 will perform better without question if both cars were at original specification. The '70 will be easier to sell if both cars were in the same condition. You will probably have more $$$ tied up in the '70 but that is not what this is all about IMHO.
Hope this helps.
-Mark.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 3
From: Canberra AUSTRALIA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
GO WITH THE CHROME and HORSEPOWER
Originally Posted by spooch22
I have narrowed my search. The 70' is a 4spd,350/350, #'s match,conv,no a/c or p/w.The car is a two owner with the tank sticker and is in mostly original condition with a six year old paint job. There are two chips in the body that are 1-2 inches in length and will need repair. New brakes, tires, ball joints,and the car looks to be in great shape with only 80k. The 74' is a 4spd,350/?,#'s match,conv,no a/c,p/w and this car is fully restored with 53k. They both cost about the same.I am looking for a long term investment car. I know in the long run the 70' will be worth more but it will need a restoration and the 74' is already done. Which car is a better investment?
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 195
Likes: 21
From: Upstate SC
I'd pick the 70. But what do I know about 70's. I've only owned mine for 33 years. I still stand off an gaze at it from different angles. The chrome bumper cars are better looking and better running. The L46 is a great engine. Whatever you do, don't keep it garaged and trailered. I don't see the fun in trailering a car to an event and sitting in a lawn chair beside it all day. Drive em!!! It sounds like the 70 is ready to drive as is. If you buy the 74 and drive it you'll probably eventually upgrade some of the components anyway. So there goes your originality. Big deal. Don't buy an investment, buy what you'd rather drive. You can do a lot for your car by sweat equity so don't let restoration costs drive your decision. Good luck and remember to post your decision.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,216
Likes: 4
From: Smile, it's just the internet.
I've got $18K in repairs/upgrades in my '68 roadster and I haven't even done anything... It's not numbers matching and I don't pretend that it's original. It's MY vision of what the car should have been. Minor tweaks only, please. Body-Work is for the Chip Fooses of the world. I'm no Foose. Anyway, it's gonna be a driver. It'll go to work with me, too.
I grew up in a Corvette family. My dad got a brand new one for a HS graduation and kept adding through the years. The most miles he ever put on any one of them was 9,000. Sad. I never understood why he had all those cars rotting away under covers.
What ever you do, drive it. If you don't have intention of driving it, don't buy it.
I grew up in a Corvette family. My dad got a brand new one for a HS graduation and kept adding through the years. The most miles he ever put on any one of them was 9,000. Sad. I never understood why he had all those cars rotting away under covers.
What ever you do, drive it. If you don't have intention of driving it, don't buy it.
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UPDATE!! I checked out a 72' convertible tonight,it is a local car so I figured what the hell.The ad said it was restored in excellent condition. It is a 2 owner car,4spd,a/c,#'s match,64k,and a NJ car all it's life. The car was real nice and pretty much cancels out the 74'. I'm going back tomorrow(w/o the wife and kids)for a road test and thorough inspection. I can assure you that when I do buy one of these cars it will be driven!! I have owned a 74' vert and a 86' coupe that I drove all the time.I have been without a vette for ten years and I plan on enjoying this one just as much as the others.I will keep you posted. 
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,876
Likes: 39
From: cincinnati ohio
Cruise-In V Veteran
Well said 75RAG4SPEED I also have a low mileage numbers match 75 vert that I love.I would like for it to be more comfortable to drive on long trips but I don't want to ruin the originaltily of the car.I have a 86 coupe for longer trips but its not the same as driving a C3.I plan on buying a non original bumper car to build a modernized hot rod.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: Chambersburg PA
Now your talking Smooch...Personally the I think the 72 is a great pic...Check it from head to toe and and find some one with a lift. My car was a GA/FL car and its VERY clean underneath...I an very afraid of northern cars My 1970 caddy convert was a basket case. Don't be afraid to be a pain in the *** when shopping. Your gonna own the car a long time and you at least want to know what your getting into. be sure to check the trailing arms (on top especially) and windshield frames for rust....Any hint and pass on the car!!!
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Joined: Aug 2004
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Another Update!! I bought the72'!! It's sitting in my garage waiting for Hagerty to insure it.Monday they say. I slapped some plates on it and took her out for a spin with my 4 year old son who loved every minute of it.The car needs an engine detail and some small items replaced but runs great and is a blast to drive just like my old 74'.I'll try to post some pics one of these days.Thanks for all your suggestions.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,198
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Connecticut
congratulations.
I was going to recommend you buy the 74. the rule of thumb is buy the car in the nicest conditon. eventually the 70 will be worth more, but you'll put every bit of that into it to get there.
joe
I was going to recommend you buy the 74. the rule of thumb is buy the car in the nicest conditon. eventually the 70 will be worth more, but you'll put every bit of that into it to get there.
joe
