q2quest

Hello all, there is a car near me that I am interested in and was hoping for some realistic opinions on what it's worth. It's an original 350/350 4 speed car, Lemans Blue with bright blue interior. It has 160k miles on it. The owner is 82 years old and has had this car for 56 years. He is the second owner. It's been garaged its whole life and is in good condition. He's replaced the interior at some point with new upholstery, carpet and door panels in the same bright blue, but other than that it's never been off the frame and everything else is original. It's had a repaint in the same color about 20 years ago. The bad news is that he put a replacement crate 350 (290 HP) motor in it a few years ago and the original is long gone. It also needs a new soft top. He's asking $34,000. I haven't yet seen the car in person, but even assuming it presents really well that number seems a little high to me. What do you guys think? Thank you.

Paul

ignatz

Agree with you that price seems high. With another motor under the hood and an interior redo, originality is long gone. Gives you some negotiating room. Sounds like you want to replace the motor, that's your starting point.

q2quest

Thanks for the reply. I don't mind that the motor has been replaced. It actually takes some pressure off. I'm just concerned about over paying on something I might decide to sell after a year or so.

Hopper12

Hi, I can understand your interest - pretty car. IMO, here we go.

First, the good news. Great color combo. Long time owner and he definitely cares about the car. Garaged and probably no rust, correct? Probably runs great? HT. Stick car.

Now, the downsides, again IMO. Non-original motor - that 350 hp motor would have been great, but no longer an option. To me, that would be a big deal. How's the paint?

To me, the owner really blew it when he tossed the original motor and replaced it with a crate engine rather than rebuilding it (unless the engine was trashed beyond use). A no-rust 350 hp that checks the other boxes would probably bring around $35-40k, maybe a bit more. If the car passes all the checks and has decent paint, I think he's probably around $5-6k too high. If the car really floats your boat, you can decide differently! Good luck and let us know what you do.

Yogi1

Did you buy it?

vettebuyer6369

Moved thread asking questions to General Discussion area.

Buccaneer

WOW! putting that low compression 290hp crate motor in that car hurts its value for sure. The rest looks good, what does the engine compartment look like? did you look under the car as well? Is it all just surface rust? If you could get the car for say $28-30 with all other things being good and in working order, it would probably be a good driver, but definitely not a performance car. If you want to sell it in a few years and get good money, pull the motor and at least rebuild it to the cars year engine stats. That would go a long way to not only bring the value back up a bit, but also make for a much better performance car, thus also making it easier to sell. Just my opinion. GL on whatever you decide.

SEVNT6

If it still had it's L46, Hagerty shows $40,700 for this Vette in #3 good condition.

Price might not be that bad with the history..

q2quest

I actually never looked at the car in person. I decided against driving down to look at it because I thought we'd be too far apart on price and I didn't want to waste the seller's time. But I agree with everything that has been said. The color combo is really difficult to find being offered from a private seller within driving distance and the motor could definitely be replaced in time. Not a bad price for a car you would keep long term. I just wasn't sure about it. The 350/290 has dished pistons and isn't even a roller cam motor. It's just a turd. Ultimately I decided that finding a numbers matching car in the same condition was less expensive and smarter than getting this car sorted.

60 SHARK

Rescue Rogers

The motor would be worth $4000 for the value in 2015....might be a bit more with inflation now....I would agree that it's $6000 to high...offer $26K for the motor and soft top deduction..go as high as $28.5k, but be sure you really want it.

q2quest

Via email, I suggested $28k was what I was comfortable with provided the rest of the car was as nice as he described over the phone and he never responded. Well, I guess that WAS the response.

Tally Ho

Let him sit on it for a while and he'll realise he's above market. He might get that buyer that doesn't know or care about the changes and pony up more than your offer.

q2quest

I just noticed today that he listed it on FB Marketplace for $32k.

60 SHARK

Hay man,, dont look back. That wasn't the one for you. Better cars at better priceing are out there. Be patient, you'll find the one..

theandies

I would probably price my Base model '71 convertible 4-speed (original) with a ZZ4 crate engine (soon to have a Sniper 2) one owner car (I'm the second) repainted in the early '80's by original owner, good 15 foot paint job but I want to drive my car and not worry about a $10,000 paint job, Rebuilt everything under the car, offset trailing arms for 10 inch wide tires if you will, Al Knock cloth convertible top installed by yours truly, factory hard top car verified by tank sticker. Fiero seats with custom Mr. Mikes covers installed by me as well. It's a no power anything car. No power brakes, steering, window.

EDIT - I forgot to mention it weighs 2994lbs by the dumps scale and the ZZ4 is hopped up to the ZZ430 specs. 430 HP @ 6000 RPM, 430 ft. lbs. of torque @ 4200 RPM Never dynoed but she sure is fun.

“She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, kid.”

― Han Solo

$1,000,000 - She's priceless to me right now.
Market value I'd say at this moment $18 to $25 depending on the sucker..........