swtatno

The father of a friend of mine has a super nice 1970 model LS5 454 with matching numbers. It runs very well, and he has recently reupholstered the seats. He has also replaced the carpet, added a new jack and finally, rebuilt the engine. Two possible negatives are that he had the car repainted a different color than the original. It was white, and he had it professionally painted a very light baby blue. The hood is also an L88 version. The AC has been removed from the car, but he has the parts. All the bumper parts have been rechromed, both front and back. The engine is extremely clean and runs smoothly. There are no dings or dents, no scratches and all the lines where panels meet look straight. Everything works.

Does anyone know... what is this car really worth? I have the opportunity to buy it, but I don't know where to start in my negotiation with him.

Thanks, everyone.

eastltd

I've heard it said that changing the cars paint colour depreciates the value. If this is the case, changing it to baby blue must kill the value.

I would deduct $5k from his asking price for the re-paint.

swtato

Nice originality on the username!

But since we are buds I will let it slide

I know you don't know how to post pics so I will post the ones you sent me.

The color is not what you think it is eastltd. It is not as bad as I thought it might be in the pics. I told him I feel that is the only downfall and a bit of a negotiating point. I will not say what I thought it would be worth so that aothers give their opinion.

swtato

eastltd

You're right! Not as bad as I thought it would be I had visions of the old Pinto color

I still think it is a good negotiating point.

PRNDL

Car looks nice, but I have no idea what color it is in real life. That first pic looks white, then the others... maybe a light robins egg blue.... Carlisle Blue??

swtatno

The color is a very light blue. The last picture in the post is what it looks like in person. Any idea what a fair price is for this car?

swtato

He is ok with the color, he just wants opinions on starting price to negotiate. He does not want to insult the owner. Give some opinions on what you think a fair price is

UberLegend

These type of things I tell the seller to put a price on it, "it's yours, you know what you think it is worth, if it's within reason we can do business, if it isn't I walk".

You're dealing with friends, this complicates things.

Easy Mike

No.

What's he asking?

swtato

He tossed out $25-30k is what he would "like". I told my buddy he was a little high I thought at that price range.

Dose11

Hmm that sounds kinda high...how is the frame and birdcage? Has he replaced the brake system, suspension components.....or did he just make the car look good?

Manuel Azevedo

Well now the owners says somewhere around 25 to 30K. Ok that is a fair range by the pictures, so now how much is the car worth to you?!! That is the only thing that matters.

swtato

Car has been maintained and driven.

Easy Mike

Did you toss it back? I see a nice car, but not $30K nice.

Good luck.

dboz

Looks like a good 20-25k car to me. Of course pictures only show so much.

swtato

It is for my friend who started the post. I do not think he threw a price back at him. This was a soft introduction. His sons told my friend their dad was getting older and thinking of sellinghis car. I feel 22-24 is a good price on the car. Really the only fault I see is the color is not original but that would not be a deal breaker.

joewill

a great paint job for a new color is better that an old paint job the correct color and needing painted. so you can put your value on the car appropriately. if the paint is great but wrong color, then yes discount a little, but not the price of a full paint job. you will have buyers telling you the same thing when you go to sell it eventually. maybe 2 grand.

the AC makes it a pretty valuable car. looks like the setup is there except for the compressor. if it is all there besides the compressor and the owner has the parts, then just discount whatever would be a price to get it working, maybe a grand.

now you have to look deeper and confirm the numbers and dates on the engine. but looks like the wrong manifold and carb. at worst check the stamps and dates on the cylinder case block. power brakes and tilt/tele is nice. it needs ignition shielding.

The L88 hood I know i will take a hit at selling, but maybe just 1 grand.

now check for condition under the car. old suspension, exhaust, leaks, belts, hoses, discount from that.

check for rust in the frame and birdcage and windshield frame. if there are rust holes, then start your negotiation at 10K and work down from there.

if no rust, original engine, Working AC, great condition car, correct great paint, it is a 30K + car.

it's a rare 70. but discount for the paint and AC and hood about 5 grand. if no rust then its a 25K car. if not in great condition , then discount from 25K.

you will not find a numbers matching big block 70 with great paint and AC ( working or not, most don't even work anyway) for 20K..

if I was looking, 25K would make me go see it, maybe not 30K.

you may not care that there is alot incorrect on the car, but you have to factor this in because you will eventually have to sell it and will have buyers giving you the same story. don't take the hit, make the current owner take the hit.

i would rather have an L88 hood and wrong color than have any rust.. but these cars rust and make sure you look for that and run away if you see much.

Frank.luvstingrays

Hi swtatno,
just ten years ago the car was selling for over an easy 25K...if it was done off frame well then i can tell you the 70 thru 72 cars where really hot cars and went over 50k...
now it's a great time to buy!! if you can
everybody loves baby blue
Peace
Frank

swtatno

Frank, joewill and dboz,

Thanks very much for the data and guidance. It seems that $20K is where I need to be, possibly even a bit higher, to make this a good purchase. I really appreciate the help.

I will take a much closer look for any rust.

Joewill - You are right about the manifold and carb.

Pete