Question: 1969 2 top roadster

[Toms007]

Yesterday while talking to my daughter, she tells me one of her friends' mom has a 69 Corvette roadster that she is talking about selling. My daughter has seen the car (but she's not a car person), she says it has 2 tops (convert and removable hard top). The mother says it runs but has "some problems". She has had it 12-15 years and hasn't driven much, but it has always been garaged. My daughter tells her that "My dad might be interested in buying it." All I know about it is, what I've listed. Question is this what is a ball park figure as to the worth.

Yes I know there isn't much to go on, but I would like to have some idea. I am going to be up in the area where the car is next month and I hope to have a chance to go see it for myself. She has had it appraised (by who? I don't know), and was told it hasn't depreciated much since she bought it, so she is thinking about $8K. Now I know if it is a big-block it's worth more than a small-block, but what else do I need to look at?

Sorry to leave this so wide open but any help/insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[6880 Mike]

You will have to see the car and look it over before speculating on a price. This car could be a real sweetheart or it's possible the only two remaining stock items on the car are the tops.

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

so she is thinking about $8K. Now I know if it is a big-block it's worth more than a small-block, d.

If it's a roadworthy big block, there's a digit missing from the price. Might mean 28k?

 

[Red Vette]

Tom, I don't understand why you are interested in the C3 (other than it is a great model). I believe you want a ZR1 and buying the C3 will cut into the capital you need for the ZR1. But then again, maybe Rosie is giving it to you as a late birthday present.
Barrett

 

[lagnaf]

If it's 8K, buy it.

 

[Toms007]

Tom, I don't understand why you are interested in the C3 (other than it is a great model). I believe you want a ZR1 and buying the C3 will cut into the capital you need for the ZR1. But then again, maybe Rosie is giving it to you as a late birthday present.
Barrett

Actually Barrett, I was thinking that if this is a great deal, I might be able to turn it over for a bit of a profit and have that much more for the possible Z purchase. But who knows maybe I'll really take a liking to the C3 and fix it up and keep it (they are very attractive cars). I never thought that I could get into a decent one for that kind of money. At this point, I just don't know. No Rosie isn't giving this to me as a late birthday present, I'm not sure that she's too keen on the idea of another Corvette at all.

 

[Curby]

Hmmmm..

I have been looking for a 1969 roadster.

My dad lives in Kansas City.

I have $8,000.00 - I could even kick in a feh hundred more for your troubles.

Definitely get some pictures of the car and more specifics.

I would like first dibs on it, if you decide to buy and re-sell, or decide not to buy.

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[Toms007]

Hmmmm..

I have been looking for a 1969 roadster.

My dad lives in Kansas City.

I have $8,000.00 - I could even kick in a feh hundred more for your troubles.

Definitely get some pictures of the car and more specifics.

I would like first dibs on it, if you decide to buy and re-sell, or decide not to buy.

Thanks,

Jeff

Jeff, I'll keep you in mind, but realize that I live in the far southwest corner of the state....400 miles from KC. I am hoping to see the car the weekend of the Feb. 2-3.

 

[Rudy's Stingray]

Let's see...
A 69' roadster with 2 tops.
Whether or not its an original car -
motor, trans, auto or 4-speed, if its not wrecked and it runs,
I wouldn't drag my feet and wait a month to go look at it.

For a steel bumper roadster at $8000.00, anywhere else in the
US of A that car would be gone in a heartbeat!

 

[lagnaf]

I would definitely agree... $8000 for that car is quite a steel... that is if it isn't in shambles.

 

[Red Vette]

Tom, I understand your logic on purchasing the C3. My wife likes having two corvettes and wishes we could get a third if we had room in the garages, but they are full with 6 vehicles. Of course she said she would build me a corvette barn to house them in, but she does not have any plans to do so in the immediate future. But at least she does not object to my corvette fever. After all, when she met me 39years ago, I had 2 1966s, so she knows my passion will not go away.
I grew up in KC and bought my first 5 vettes there. My brother lives there, but I don't know if he could be of any help, but I could ask him if you need anything. Best of luck in your quest.
Barrett

 

[jrzvette]

It's already been said, a 69 vert with 2 tops, unless it's a basket case buy it.

 

[minifridge1138]

It runs but has "some problems". $8k for a running 69 roadster is a great deal. I'm sure you could sell it for a profit.

If the owner is not a car person, "some problems" could be solved with a change of spark plugs and resetting the timing. If the car is drivable, then it can't be too bad (unless the frame/body scrape the ground as you drive).

Let us know more when you get to see it.

 

[TimAT]

If it's been garaged and not driven, it's possible that the brakes are leaking. That may be the "some problems". Rebuild the calipers, some fresh gas, new fluids, and a tuneup, your 8k investment just went up. A bunch.

 

[Toms007]

Well, I am actually going to see the car tomorrow evening. My daughter talked to her friends mom (who owns the car) and arraigned for us to go look at it tomorrow evening. I realize that this isn't the most ideal time to look at a car, but if everything pans out I'll try and look at it again in the daylight.

I know some people were probably thinking that this is one of the "urban legends", but I think it is for real. I've got my camera and a list of things to look out for, and a blank check (up to a limit). I'm trying to not get my hopes up too high, just in case it's a POS.

Any last minute advice, things that I should check? Wish me luck (I'm secretly hoping it's a 427, original motor, 50K miles, what a find that would be.) I try to post my findings tomorrow evening sometime.

 

[XLR8]

Tom... don't forget to print this out and take it along. It will serve as a great reminder of things to look for, at a time when you may not remember everything.

Buying a Corvette Checklist

Good luck - have fun!
Jane Ann

 

[Toms007]

Well, it was rough! It did have a 427 NOM (originally a 350) 4 speed (they said it had an M22 in it, questionable). ZL1 hood (said he had an original BB hood in the shed with the hardtop), the 427 (claimed it to be an L88 block, again I question that) Edelbrock manifold/Holley carb, no vacuum supply so the headlights and wiper door would work. Hooker headers/sidepipes (chrome but poor shape). The interior was rough, several cracks in the body (in the hood where someone had dropped it shut and the air cleaner wasn't down right, the passenger side rear quarter, about a foot long crack appeared to be along a bonding strip and the rear end where someone had back it into something). I didn't even look at the frame. The mom I think would like to sell it, but her Hubby, I could tell wasn't going to at all (even though it is not his). I am glad that I didn't get my hopes up, it was quite a disappointment. Not nearly as good of shape as indicated. As it sat I would not have given them $8K. Oh well it just wasn't meant to be.

Thanks to all who posted with advice.

 

[fine69]

Well, it was rough! It did have a 427 NOM (originally a 350) 4 speed (they said it had an M22 in it, questionable). ZL1 hood (said he had an original BB hood in the shed with the hardtop), the 427 (claimed it to be an L88 block, again I question that) Edelbrock manifold/Holley carb, no vacuum supply so the headlights and wiper door would work. Hooker headers/sidepipes (chrome but poor shape). The interior was rough, several cracks in the body (in the hood where someone had dropped it shut and the air cleaner wasn't down right, the passenger side rear quarter, about a foot long crack appeared to be along a bonding strip and the rear end where someone had back it into something). I didn't even look at the frame. The mom I think would like to sell it, but her Hubby, I could tell wasn't going to at all (even though it is not his). I am glad that I didn't get my hopes up, it was quite a disappointment. Not nearly as good of shape as indicated. As it sat I would not have given them $8K. Oh well it just wasn't meant to be.

Thanks to all who posted with advice.

Did you happen to look at the frame? Was the $8K firm, or do you think they would accept less? It could be worth restoring.

 

[Toms007]

Did you happen to look at the frame? Was the $8K firm, or do you think they would accept less? It could be worth restoring.

I got the feeling when I was there that Mom would sell, but it was pretty obvious that dad didn't have any intention. No I didn't look at the frame. But remember, these are really good friends of my daughter and I could still have the opportunity to have a chance at the car down the road. When dad figures out that he's not going to have time to fix it.

 

[lagnaf]

Post some pictures too.