nunus79

I just checked out a 78 for a friend of mine who has wanted a Vette for a long, long time. For the past 16 months, he has been looking at Vettes in the under $4000 range. He enjoys mechanical repairs, so he has been looking for a decent conditioned Vette in need of drivetrain work to keep the price affordable. I think we saw one today that fits the bill.

This Vette is a former 1988 show winner, that was put in storage since 92. The current owner is a mechanic and started to do a frame off restoration in his shop. The shop is in the process of moving to a different location so the partially disassembled Vette is up for sale. The engine and transmission are out. Brake calipers off. Body mounting bolts off. Seat & carpets out. Frame good.

The suspension rubber parts have been upgraded to polyurethane. Monospring rear suspension. Could be aftermarket front springs. The L48 engine has a fresh ring & bearing job. New radiator. Minimal rust around support. Transmission looks untouched.

The stock black interior will clean-up well without much effort. The black metallic paint is decent and shiny with very few blemishes. Glass-tops, new tires, 49,000 miles, new monza mufflers & unmounted headers, & all of the miscellaneous small parts & brackets included.

$5500.

What do you guys think?

bence13_33

That sounds like a steal if you are the mechanical type....I know if I had the money I would be interested in that car (sounds like a fun project).

Mac

I would be highly suspicious of a Vette which had to have it's motor rebuilt after 49,000 miles. Either the speedo has been jiggered or someone did very nasty things to it.

nunus79

According to the current owner, they were in the process of rebuilding the engine since it was pulled out. But he found the engine condition to be good, so they just reused the stock rods & pistons. I guess, since you have it out it is wise to install new bearing & rings? It is not unusual in Hawaii to find low, low mileage vehicles. The overall condition kind of supports the claimed mileage. But of course, I could be wrong.

JB

Personally, I'd say that's fair for the shape the car seems to be in from your description. Back together, that puppy'd probably sell for close to 8 or 9K.

JB

'78SA


[Modified by JB, 12:15 AM 1/25/2002]

SevenT1Shark

Try yo get it for a little less, even still it is not to bad a deal as long as your buddy doesn't have to depend on other people to do the work, plus it is a good feeling knowing, wow i built this. :cool: :cheers: :seeya ........

woodworkr

I agree with Ed T here, $5500 and it's apart with the body off!!! (you did say frame off resto right) I agree with while the motor was out to go through it but as said will it run, who did the work? If I had $5500 to spend on the C3 I would look for car that is clean and needs some work but not final assembly. They are out there.
Just my .02
JoeB

Alwyn678

Sounds WAY High in my opinion

Marks69BB

Sounds like it was in pretty bad shape for a former 'show winner'! Someone must have really abused it to require a frame-off! I'd be skeptical as hell unless he can get it for half that price to ease the later element of surprise when stuff is found to be missing.

Cruzmeisters

Lay $3500 on the hood :yesnod: ; if the owner reaches for it, you've made a deal ;) When sellers see $$$, they're tempted :cool: g'luck :cheers:
Cruz

74-Roadster

Quote:

Lay $3500 on the hood :yesnod: ; if the owner reaches for it, you've made a deal ;) When sellers see $$$, they're tempted Cruz

I concur!!!!! Money talks! How many buyers in Hawaii want that car? And if the seller's goal is to sell the car before he moves, then money will talk. If your had that car and needed to sell it, how optimist would you be that you could unload it quickly at a good price???? :confused:

I just sold a truck for $9,400 that was easily worth $12,000+ on a Dealer's lot but barely $8,000 on trade-in. I took the cash because I was tired of waiting for top dollar and not sure if I'd ever get it. :(