CTdave

I have the opportunity to buy a local 1973 from a friend.
He wants (or thinks it's worth) $7000 but it needs alot of work.

It has the origonal 454, auto trans, 54000 mi, factory a/c, power windows, new exhaust, new fuel tank.

It needs carpet, door pannels, a few odds & ends inside & a full paint job.
I could probably get it for $5000.
What do you think it's worth?

I also am looking at a 1968 convertible.
It is not an origonal car. It has a 327 & 4 speed. The body is the issue.
Apparently, it has a 1971 nose & rear quarters.
It looks nice but could use a paint job.
$9000 would take it.
What do you think??

Thanks for your input, I'm just getting back into the old cars after many years (god I wish I still had my 68 GTO, 71 Camaro, 70 SS Nova etc.. the prices are nuts!)
Dave

lostpatrolman

Im not really an expert on prices, but I think the 68 is way too much. If you are interested in it, I would take a good look at the frame and make sure it wasnt damaged in the accident, but would definately offer less. Im not sure about the 73 either. You say it needs alot of work. You need to be more specific. Is the body, suspension, drivetrain and brakes fine but it needs an interior and paint? How is the rest of the 68, other then the nose and quarters? What are you looking for, a turn key car or something you can work on as a project? How are you mechanical skills? It is safe to say that any vette you look at is going to need all new bushings for the suspension unless they were already previously replaced. Look closely at the frame for any rust, expecially right infront of the rear tires, at the joint where the frame stop and goes up to form the wheel well. Look for leaking calipers, it is pretty obvious, you will see a nice shiny area on the tire when the rest looks dull. Im sure others can help you out more. Just make sure to know the car as well as you can before you buy anything. That way you know what you are getting into. I bought my vette at night, and had no idea what to look for. I basically stepped back and said, wow, it looks cool i wnat it. After I bought it i foudn out the cam was wasted, engine was tired and needed rebuilding, interior was showing its age, the whole suspension needed to be gone through, brakes needed rebuilding, and all the vacuum lines for the headlight and windshield door were rotten and needed to be replaced, and the paint was very rough. Luckily the major items were there such as a matching motor and trans car, the frame had no rust at all, and the body appears to be all original. I guess I got lucky there. Anyways, Im just saying to make sure you know what you are buying before money exchanges hands. You could end up spending more then you anticipate down the road.


[Modified by lostpatrolman, 4:47 PM 6/26/2004]

LemansBlue68

I'll give my opinion, for what it's worth.....

Buy the '73!! For these reasons:

1) Your friend presently owns the car and he is much more likely to give you the straight scoop on all of its needs than any other seller you're likely to deal with (other than Mom and Dad). I bet your friend would even help you work on it to get it presentable again. It could be that lack of funds has held him back. Make sure that will not be a problem for you as well.

2) It's a numbers matching big block with air etc. and sounds reasonably well equipped.

3) Your friend is asking a fair price but if you can get him to come down, all the power to you. The $$$ you save can go towards getting the all the car's needs addressed.

4) 54K miles is pretty low miles if it's original.

I'd steer away from the '68 (and I'm partial to them ). The front end was most likely replaced due to an accident, and other aspects of the car sound pieced together. '68's also have a lot of unique parts so if an original style car is in your plans, you may be looking at a substantial investment (and treasure hunt).


Good luck on your Vette hunt, but I think a good one is right under your nose! Just make sure the frame and birdcage are solid and the rest of the repairs are definitely within your abilities.

ddecart

imho....

$5k sounds like a fair price for #1

$5k would be too much for #2

Eddie 70

I tend to agree with what the others are saying. The 73 sounds like the one, if I were to be picking from the two. I would also give it a good going over in the major areas of concern just to be sure. Look at the radiator support and the kickups just in front of the rear tires.

bamavettes

I would take a 68 roadster over a 73 any day of the week.

Offer him $7,500 and let him counter, and then split the difference.

Then have yourself a good time.

ddecart

I have to agree. For the same price, I'd definitely take the '68 Conv over a '73 coupe.

Tom73

You did not say if the 73 is a coupe or convertible. If a conv then the 73 hands down. By the price guides the LS4 adds about $5000 in value over the base L48. So for $5K you are buying the matching numbers engine and he is throwing in the rest of the car The '68 sounds too pieced together.

tom...

billlambeer

Well it sort of depends on your tastes, i would take the 68, but not at that price, no way, but if you can look at the 68 and see that the frame is good, i would take that, just cause its a 4 speed and has a 327, which i would personally have instead of a 454. On the other hand, buying from a friend is always a bonus and it sounds like a much better deal for that 73. So deal=73, but for fun a rebuild value, if you can get that price down i would take the 68

PRNDL

Look, I love my 68, but based on your descriptions above the 73 sounds like a good deal, and I wouldn't go near the 68. The bastadized body is not something I would care to deal with - certainly wouldn't leave it as-is, and wouldn't want the expense/and hassle of putting it back to stock.

CTdave

Thanks everyone for your opinions..........
The 73 is a T-top, not convertible.
As far as my mechanical skills, I am extremely capable & wouldn't hesitate to dismantle and re assemble the entire car if I had to. I actually have a lift in my home 3 car garage & every concevable tool. I have painted before but I wouldn't want to paint a vette myself. I'll leave that to the pros!
I love the 68's but your all right about it most likely being hit hard in the past & pieced together. The '73 is a little boring (next to the 68) but I think I might jump on it for my first Vette project.
If anyone knows of any other 68-71 (mild) projects, let me know. Cosmetics & mechanicals don't scare me. I just don't want to get into trying to put together a major train wreck.
Thanks for all your opinions!
Dave :flag

CTdave

PRND21.......
Ever see the Blue Man "complex tour" DVD?
Cool stuff!!

CTdave

p.s. everyone.....
The 73's body is 100% straight & all origonal. It just needs paint.
I'll be checking the frame on Monday.
Thanks again!

mscorvetteman

I would have to go with the 73, the # matching big block would be the kicker.