1973 Interior Replacement

[Vinn]

Hi all,

I've been shopping around for a '70-73 Vette over the past few months, and I am hoping some users here can help me out with this question:

I looked at a '73 4-speed coupe today, and while the exterior was near flawless, the interior needs complete replacement. When the owner changed the exterior color, he sprayed the saddle interior black to match. So not only are we talking about a few pieces, but EVERY piece of interior would need to be changed to look correct. This is a task I don’t mind undertaking, except I am concerned with the cost. Has anyone here performed a complete interior overhaul, and if so, how much did it cost??

Any information or advice would be greatly appreciated, as this site has helped me out immensely already!

And while I'm at it, what does everyone think about the price of this car? I can buy it for $12,500. Other than the interior work mentioned, the front bumper is split, the windshield is scratched badly, and the rear chrome would need replaced to make it look perfect. Mechanically and frame-wise it is in top shape to the best of my understanding. (It has the original base 350 block with slight performance mods)

Thanks,
Vince

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Vince,

Seems too much for me unless there is something special about the car.

Assuming you are going to do all the work your self the costs are approximately as indicated below, at least it was for my 77.

Carpet - $200
Seat Covers (leather) - $500
Dash pad - $400
Lower Dash Pads (2) - $600 for the pair
2 Door Panels - $600 - $700 for the pair

By the time all the odds and ends are added in this could easily cost you $2,500 - 3,000.

$10,000 or so would seem about right.

Bob

 

[Eric]

Vince,

When I think of interior relacement I think of the same stuff Bob listed. But you say that ALL of the interior has to be replaced. That means you need to add in the cost of left and right windshield piller trim (@ $45each) , windshield header trim (@ $50), and the seat backs if they need to be redone as well.

WOW! That's a lot of work.

As for price, I agree with Bob that it's too high. He's probably counting on someone not caring about the interior being the wrong color.

 

[Vinn]

Thanks for the quick reply guys!

I guess the "something special" which has kept me interested was the quality of the paint on the car. It was very impressive.

However, maybe I should see if anytihng else comes along. The only other car I've yet to eliminate in a 50 mile radius is a very, very nice '70 big block, that is loaded, that the asking price is $19,500 on. It's a class above what I was looking for, but maybe that's the best way to go.


Vince

 

[Eric]

Vince,

There is indeed something to be said for a nice paint job. If it's really nice it may be worth keeping on the guy about the price. Most folks will tell you a good Vette paint job is a bit pricey and most won't do it themselves. Drivetrain, interior, suspension work - that's all shade tree stuff. The season is right for getting one since a lot of people will drop prices this time of year insted of facing holding the car all winter long.

-Eric

 

[Fishman]

Just had the ENTIRE interior of my 78 replaced three months ago. I had the work done by a very trusted person. You name it, he replaced it... EVERYTHING. I have two young kids or I would have tried the work myself, no time. Parts ran over $4500 (believe me, you'll find something else wrong once you gut the beast...like a bad heater core). Another couple of grand for labor. It was money well spent, it now looks and smells brand new. Even had him replace the vinyl seats backs with 100% leather.
I really HAD to do this work as my 25th anniv edition has the oyster white dash, seats, and carpet. After 25 years you can imagine how bad it looked.

 

[CQRT]

Vince:
I'm having a similar experience with a 74 coupe-- great new paint, new 350/330 engine, rebuilt tranny, brakes, bushings, etc.. but a color-switched interior- tan to black-- and with "leather-like' black seat covers. I'm haunting E-bay and buying stuff a piece at a time on the $$$ stuff to supplement Corvette America, Ecklers, etc. I'm also considering switching to the 79-82 style seats...
I paid $7800 plus $650 shipping to Arizona. So, I agree with an earlier poster-- even if it's a big block ac car, $12.5 sounds a bit high...and don't be swayed by a "pretty face" - - check out the classic rust areas, bushings, and mechanicals before you take the leap! Good luck !
CQRT
AZ

 

[ChuckG]

If the exterior color has been changed, i.e., doesn't "match" the trim tag, that fact alone to many people is a negative, if you're into "originality" and NCRS/Bloomington type judging.

So...sounds like a "plain jane" 73 coupe with a nice "incorrect" "paint job", AND a bubba'ed up painted/dyed interior. No way it's worth 12.5K. Chuck

 

[Vinn]

Yeah, I've decided that the '73 is not the way to go. I think I'm going to buy the '70, which, although it is a custom paint job, everything else on the car is correct. If I keep it for as many years as I am currently planning on, a frame-off restoration, along with a factory correct paint job would be in order down the road anyway.

Vince