Try to buy the Chevelle and keep the Vette. As long as it is a 138 VIN you can't lose even with replaced engine. I had a 68 that I restored. Nice car but a Flintstones mobile compared to the Vette. At 18k you can drive it this summer and turn a profit on it in the fall. At least that is what I'd tell the wife.

 

I bought my 2000 vert in 2004. At the time I owned a very nice Street rod that I'd owned/built since 1993. After a year, I sold the Street Rod ( $45K) since I didn't drive it anymore. I've never regretted the decision or looked back since the Rod left. I drive the Vette all the time so my recommendation is drive the C5 and buy the Chevelle if you can afford both. If not, forget the "rod".! Good luck, Ron

 

I would keep the Corvette. As nice as the Chevelle is, your gonna want to drive it. Then its not going to come close to the Z in performance. When a Z pulls up next to you you`ll be kicking yourself as he disapears from view.

 

As somebody who has a 67 El Camino with a big block with a 4 speed, and a 04 MN6 Vert, there are joys with both cars. With manual steering and manual brakes, the El Camino really gives me the raw horsepower feeling of driving by the seat of your pants. No creature comforts or modern suspension, but the sheer fun of rowing through the gears and flat "getting it" never gets old. As we all know the Vette gives you the best of modern technology. They are two completely different driving experiences, but both are exhilarating.

One nice thing about the Chevelle is that it has all the good stuff (138 VIN,BB with a 4 speed), and it seem like a lot of the expensive work has been done. Those cars can get in your wallet fast even if you just restored it to nice driver condition. If it is everything it seems to be, $18K is a really fair price even with a NOM motor.

Sounds like a great opportunity to start building a stable of cars. Take the plunge and have the best of both worlds on one key ring.

 

The "138" VIN indicates it's a real SS car. You (and/or your spouse or S/O) have a decision to make.
If the car was done right, the price is certainly good for a buyer.
If it was done poorly, it'll cost you plenty to make it right. If you can afford both, that might be a wise decision. Selling it later shouldn't lose you any money at that price.
Personally, this is a decision I would not ask anyone in cyberspace to help me decide...

 

I have a 21 year history with Novas(a '68 and now a '69), and didn't get into Corvettes until 3 years ago. I still have my '69 Nova, and just recently painted it (Viper Yellow which is very close to MY). There are times I consider selling one or the other in order to go crazy with modding (forced induction), but the two cars have distinct characteristics that I still value. The Corvette is my daily driver, and with 380 rwhp and 26 mpg on my daily commute it keeps me happy. The Nova is for weekends. I don't own a trailer, so it gets driven to the track or occasional show. The Nova is a lot easier to work on, and normally cheaper to mod. But the Corvette is more pleasant to drive, and responds very nicely to upgrades. Hopefully i will be able to keep both running, and in good condition.

In your case, it sounds like you have already made up your mind to buy the Chevelle. If you are able to keep it in good condition for a few years, it will likely appreciate. Being a non-origianl car, it won't bring the mega $$ but there is still a lot of demand for nicely restored "driver" muscle cars and the big block/4-speed combination would be fun. From the non-stock engine in your brother's camaro, I am assuming it is a Yenko clone-restoration? It's a nice looking Camaro.

Here is a picture from drag racing 2 weeks ago - it is my first picture of the Nova hanging the front wheels in the air:

 

Very cool!!

 

Keep theVette.

Its 10X the car.

I came out of street rodding . I traded a 57 Dr 2 dr ht with C4 IRS and IFS and a ls1 project for a 2000 C5 and never looked back. the street rods are great and I still like them... But if you have to drive it ... well thats a different story.

The C5 is more comfortable better mileage. You dont worry that you may have forgotten to tighten that bolt... or whatever.

I guess its up top you but remember there is a reason that these cars have had many changes over the DECADES !!

Thanks Mike

PS.. You will always want a hot rod .. but the C5 should make that pain go away

 

Hey man, I saw you down in Vancouver 6 months ago..pulling onto the 205, I was in the MY coupe, we ran together for 10 miles or so..nice Z06 ya got.

 

If thats a ground up 68 BB for 18,000 your on drugs if you dont buy it. Vettes are vettes dont go up in value at least not now. Muscle will never go down in value. If that guy isnt yankin your chain and thats the real deal thats a 28 to 30 K car right now even with times being bad....... I play with old cars as a hobby and theres always somebody out there with money, that will pay you what you want for it......