What would you do??
03-24-2004, 09:09 PM
#1
Pro
Thread Starter
What would you do??
My dad has offered to GIVE me a 76 coupe with an "original" L-48 engine and 38,000 original miles. The catch is that this car has been sitting for 15 years, the exterior (body) is actually in very good shape, but it needs a paint job and the front/rear bumpers replaced. In addition, the interior is a basket case and will need complete replacement. The engine does start and run, although it smokes for about ten minutes.
Having said that, last year I rebuilt my 69 SB, and with the exception of paint, I replaced the entire interior, pulled the engine (L-46) and had it rebuilt. While it was out, I stripped the engine compartment and refinished it.
So, my question is, knowing how much work and money would be involved in rebuilding, is it worth the effort on a 76??
Mark
Having said that, last year I rebuilt my 69 SB, and with the exception of paint, I replaced the entire interior, pulled the engine (L-46) and had it rebuilt. While it was out, I stripped the engine compartment and refinished it.
So, my question is, knowing how much work and money would be involved in rebuilding, is it worth the effort on a 76??
Mark
03-24-2004, 09:19 PM
#2
Racer
Member Since: Jan 2004
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Re: What would you do?? (Burgundy 69)
considering the car is free..........Yea, I'd do it.
If you decide not to I bet you'd get plenty of takers here......espically if it's still free :jester
If you decide not to I bet you'd get plenty of takers here......espically if it's still free :jester
03-24-2004, 09:22 PM
#3
Melting Slicks
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Re: What would you do?? (Burgundy 69)
Depends, if the car has no sentimental value and you are doing it for PROFIT, I'd say no.
Better off selling the car as it sits.
If you are going to get some years of driving enjoyment out of it, go for it.
I doubt you would park the 69 to drive it, would you? :D
Just my opinion...
Terry
Better off selling the car as it sits.
If you are going to get some years of driving enjoyment out of it, go for it.
I doubt you would park the 69 to drive it, would you? :D
Just my opinion...
Terry
03-24-2004, 09:25 PM
#4
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Re: What would you do?? (Burgundy 69)
it will cost you some $$$'s but in the end you will be driving a nice corvette. it's worth it in the long run. :thumbs:
03-25-2004, 07:54 AM
#9
Tech Contributor
Re: What would you do?? (Burgundy 69)
You've already worked on a vette so you have a head start on someone who hasn't. I don't see 76 being a high dollar car-don't flame me guys I bought a 75. So a couple of things I'd consider:
Are you going to be married to the car? if not then stop and walk away.
Do you do any of the major work yourself-engine,tranny,rear end,suspension,interior,paint.etc. The more you do the better the prospect of building the car. If you have to farm out everything- walk away.
A car sititng that long will need a brake system, seals, possibly tranny & rear end bearings. My buddy let his 62 sit for that long and the engine was good but the tranny bearings were junk and they were new when he let it sit.
Add up the costs to get the car into a nice driver then ask yourself would I buy it for that price and drive it or could I mark up the price to sell it?
All this is of course if the frmae and birdcage are not rusted out.
Gary
Are you going to be married to the car? if not then stop and walk away.
Do you do any of the major work yourself-engine,tranny,rear end,suspension,interior,paint.etc. The more you do the better the prospect of building the car. If you have to farm out everything- walk away.
A car sititng that long will need a brake system, seals, possibly tranny & rear end bearings. My buddy let his 62 sit for that long and the engine was good but the tranny bearings were junk and they were new when he let it sit.
Add up the costs to get the car into a nice driver then ask yourself would I buy it for that price and drive it or could I mark up the price to sell it?
All this is of course if the frmae and birdcage are not rusted out.
Gary
03-25-2004, 09:21 AM
#10
Pro
Thread Starter
Re: What would you do?? (gtr1999)
Fortunately, I am able to do most of the grunt work myself (replace interior, pull engine, replace bumpers). Painting would need to be done by a professional (I would have that done while the engine and interior are out).
I will stop in next week to take a closer look at the birdcage, trailing arms, frame to get a sense of structural issues.
Since I have no time frame to complete the project, I feel I could pick away at it over the course of a year.
My main concern is not getting too deeply involved financially (yeah, the car is free, but I don't want to spend more money restoring than its worth in the end - I just did that on my 69).
Any thoughts as to what a nicely restored 76 vette with a new paint job andinterior, with an engine rebuild might reasonably be worth?
Mark
I will stop in next week to take a closer look at the birdcage, trailing arms, frame to get a sense of structural issues.
Since I have no time frame to complete the project, I feel I could pick away at it over the course of a year.
My main concern is not getting too deeply involved financially (yeah, the car is free, but I don't want to spend more money restoring than its worth in the end - I just did that on my 69).
Any thoughts as to what a nicely restored 76 vette with a new paint job andinterior, with an engine rebuild might reasonably be worth?
Mark
03-25-2004, 11:10 AM
#11
Tech Contributor
Re: What would you do?? (Burgundy 69)
Well Mark for a comparision I bought a 75 original L82, 4 speed, 3:55 car last year with 68k miles on it for $3,000. It needed some work so last summer we rebuilt the engine,tranny,rear end,rear suspension, replaced the #3 mounts,and exhaust. We put about $5k into it and did ALL the work only thing sent out was the flywheel and alignment costs. In fact the engine work was similar to the 75 L-82 story in CF this month but we have about 20 more hp.
We still have to replace the bumpers and the carpet but it's a keeper for us. This car in now in better mechanical condition then any we looked at for sale for $8-15k,but what would it get it we wanted to sell it???... maybe $10k.
It sounds like you would want your money back and that might be a problem for that car. Again price it out and see what the totals are and add another 20% to help cover hidden things.
Your 69 is a much better deal.
Gary
[Modified by gtr1999, 11:12 AM 3/25/2004]
[Modified by gtr1999, 11:13 AM 3/25/2004]
We still have to replace the bumpers and the carpet but it's a keeper for us. This car in now in better mechanical condition then any we looked at for sale for $8-15k,but what would it get it we wanted to sell it???... maybe $10k.
It sounds like you would want your money back and that might be a problem for that car. Again price it out and see what the totals are and add another 20% to help cover hidden things.
Your 69 is a much better deal.
Gary
[Modified by gtr1999, 11:12 AM 3/25/2004]
[Modified by gtr1999, 11:13 AM 3/25/2004]