I purchased this car a few months ago as a project. Previous owner blew the head gasket and parked it in a warehouse.
I tore down the motor to the short block.
Replaced head gasket and had the heads checked for damage and resurfaced at a machine shop.
Installed new water pump and thermostat.
Installed new radiator hoses.
Installed new plugs and wires.
Installed new fuel filter.
Installed new oxygen sensor.
Installed new oil temp sensor.
Installed new air filter.
Ran the motor for a few hours after heads were installed and then changed the oil and filter again.
The motor is strong and runs great(158k).
The body is straight, no dents. Paint is in good condition with a couple chips here and there. Color is Charcoal metallic. (thanks dslater). Tires are falkens in good condition. Interior is in decent shape. No major holes or tears in the leather seats. Seat motors work on both sides but at some point will need replacing/reconditioning.
Currently the automatic transmission needs to be rebuilt or replaced to make this a great car. I've consulted numerous trans experts, including the in house guru PeteK(Thanks Pete ) Because of the blown headgasket the transmission overheated as well causing the clutch for the 3 and 4 gears(Drive and Overdrive) to go out. The car drives fine in 2nd gear. Driving around town or up to speeds of 50-60Mph are no problem. In D and OD the trans slips and disengages around 40mph. Even in this condition this car is fun as hell to drive. KBB for this year and model in fair running condition is $4300. My asking price is $4000. Anything less at this point won't be considered. Fix the trans, do some minor cosmetics, add a decent stereo and you'll have a great vette. If I end up putting a rebuilt trans in the car myself my asking price will be in the $6500 range. So if you know, or are a mechanic who can do a trans rebuild and or installation this is a good car for you to pick up. I'm hoping to get this sold so by the end of the summer I can move up to the LT4. The obsession has begun!
I purchased this car a few months ago as a project. Previous owner blew the head gasket and parked it in a warehouse.
I tore down the motor to the short block.
Replaced head gasket and had the heads checked for damage and resurfaced at a machine shop.
Installed new water pump and thermostat.
Installed new radiator hoses.
Installed new plugs and wires.
Installed new fuel filter.
Installed new oxygen sensor.
Installed new oil temp sensor.
Installed new air filter.
Ran the motor for a few hours after heads were installed and then changed the oil and filter again.
The motor is strong and runs great(158k).
The body is straight, no dents. Paint is in good condition with a couple chips here and there. Color is rootbeer(sounds better than brown). Tires are falkens in good condition. Interior is in decent shape. No major holes or tears in the leather seats. Seat motors work on both sides but at some point will need replacing/reconditioning.
Currently the automatic transmission needs to be rebuilt or replaced to make this a great car. I've consulted numerous trans experts, including the in house guru PeteK(Thanks Pete ) Because of the blown headgasket the transmission overheated as well causing the clutch for the 3 and 4 gears(Drive and Overdrive) to go out. The car drives fine in 2nd gear. Driving around town or up to speeds of 50-60Mph are no problem. In D and OD the trans slips and disengages around 40mph. Even in this condition this car is fun as hell to drive. KBB for this year and model in fair running condition is $4300. Fix the trans, do some minor cosmetics, add a decent stereo and you'll have a great vette. If I end up putting a rebuilt trans in the car myself my asking price will be in the $6500 range. So if you know, or are a mechanic who can do a trans rebuild and or installation this is a good car for you to pick up. I'm hoping to get this sold so by the end of the summer I can move up to the LT4. The obsession has begun!
If that color is original it is actually Charcoal Metallic...one of 1,046 produced in 1988. So not only have you done considerable work on the Vette it is one of the rarer colors...
If that color is original it is actually Charcoal Metallic...one of 1,046 produced in 1988. So not only have you done considerable work on the Vette it is one of the rarer colors...
Good Luck with your sale.
Thanks dslater. I knew it wasn't black and I wasn't quite sure about a peuter color. Yes Charcoal Metalic sounds better than brown or rootbeer. Thanks.
Bet ya someone on Ebay would snatch that right up.
Thanks for the advice. I'm contemplating putting it on Ebay soon. I wanted to post to the forum first and see if anyone was looking for a reasonable project car. I think I'm considering going ahead and putting in a rebuild from www.bowtieoverdrives.com who will be at a custom rod show near me on June 4th. I won't have to pay shipping if I pick up a transmission from them directly at the show. If anyone is discouraged from making an offer based on the transmission, don't hesitate to make a conditional offer. The condition being I'll install a rebuild and new torque coverter for a price of $6500 best offer vicinity.
Last edited by p51mustang; 05-24-2006 at 08:20 PM.
I'm attending a goodguys hodrod show this weekend. I'm likely going to purchase a new transmission from www.bowtieoverdrives.com. Amended asking price without new transmission $3500. Asking price with new transmission and torque coverter $5500.
damn, i'm just not ready.....just yet. That and the car is in Hayward
Damn, damn! I got $3300 but I have to spend some of that elsewhere. I have a RX7 to sell as well.......otherwise it would be a done deal.
if i don't make the sale this weekend i'll let you know and see what we can work out. i'll be looking for a cheap beater type car, honda etc...so we may be able to work something out with a trade and cash. i'll get back to you on monday.
if i don't make the sale this weekend i'll let you know and see what we can work out. i'll be looking for a cheap beater type car, honda etc...so we may be able to work something out with a trade and cash. i'll get back to you on monday.
Well I am not sure my RX7 is a cheap beater but......
Corvette Store
'88 Coupe, High Miles, Needs Transmission
) Because of the blown headgasket the transmission overheated as well causing the clutch for the 3 and 4 gears(Drive and Overdrive) to go out. The car drives fine in 2nd gear. Driving around town or up to speeds of 50-60Mph are no problem. In D and OD the trans slips and disengages around 40mph. Even in this condition this car is fun as hell to drive. KBB for this year and model in fair running condition is $4300. My asking price is $4000. Anything less at this point won't be considered. Fix the trans, do some minor cosmetics, add a decent stereo and you'll have a great vette. If I end up putting a rebuilt trans in the car myself my asking price will be in the $6500 range. So if you know, or are a mechanic who can do a trans rebuild and or installation this is a good car for you to pick up. I'm hoping to get this sold so by the end of the summer I can move up to the LT4. The obsession has begun! 
