Montezumas_Viper

This is my first time buying a car made before the 90's and in looking at this vette i'm considering, there's 2 very interesting things i see, first of all, the rear tires are only 225's that seems kind of low for a car with 350hp, whys it like that? And second the suspension seem to be rock hard. Also is there anything else I should know about this car before I buy it? I'm going to take it for a test run next week and probably buy it then.

PatsLs1vette

Main thing is check the frame for rust,especially in front of the rear tires where the frame kicks upwards.

Corey_68

The owner probably purchased the original size tires for the car. They didn't have 335 X 30 X 18's in the 1969. :D

Welcome to the forum :cheers:

Montezumas_Viper

won't oversized tires screw up the handleing tho?

WA 2 FST

Realize that back when the car was made, they didn't have nearly the tire technology we have today. A 225mm wide rear tire for a stock 15x8 wheel isn't abnormal. You can always upgrade that. I did. :D Do not let tires make or break a potential purchase.

As far as suspension goes, you get a lot more vibration and feel up through the steering wheel and chassis of these older cars compared to newer ones. Doesn't mean anything is wrong, necessarily. You should be able to tell by getting under it if the suspension parts have been replaced.

As Pat said, make _sure_ the car is rust-free...or very close to it. If there is any rust, make sure its just surface rust. Many cars have this and its not a big deal. Shoot, oxidation, surface rust can occur if something just sits for awhile. But, if the frame is pitted with rust, then run away. It could be swiss-cheese.

What is the rest of the condition of the car that you can tell so far?

WA 2 FST

Nope. Not within reason. When I bought my '69 roadster about 3 months ago, the owner (who had put the car on blocks for 2 years) had some 215/70-15 Goodyear AquaHandlers on it. :lol:

I bought some 17" wheels and put 245/45-17s on the front and 285/40-17s on the back. Looks great, and improved handling. The suspension has been completely rebuilt within the last 3-4 years though, so its in really good shape.

Montezumas_Viper

Well the interior has been redone and the paint is a little chiped (which he said he would fix) arround were the rack on the back was taken off, other then that the paints glossy and the car looks great.

Just out of curiousity which one do you like better your Z06 or your Stringray


[Modified by Montezumas_Viper, 5:02 AM 2/24/2003]

WA 2 FST

They are completely different cars. I bought the Stingray roadster as a sunny-day only car. The top is never up. It's loud and obnoxious. It's got a mild big-block in it, so its slower than the Z06 (even without the nitrous). I'm a late-model EFI hot-rodder, and the Z06 is an awesome performance car, IMHO.

If I had to sell one, it would be the roadster b/c it is just not as practical. The Z06 is put together better (and it SHOULD be). But again, this isn't a rip on the '69. Obviously it has a LOT more personality being as old as it is, in the great condition its in.