70 vert is it worth the investment

[grisbrad]

Im looking at a 70 convertible the engine has been rebuilt w no miles on it. numbers may or may not match havent check yet. what I do know is that the door plate says that it is maroon with saddle trim, its been repainted and has red trim. how much does this detract from the worth if the all the other numbers match? Im looking at paying about 10 G. but it needs a new wiring harness and all the guts and gauges put back together. also it has the 454 and its an automatic

 

[vett boy]

At 10 G you'll probably be alright .

 

[grisbrad]

what is the value of a 70 convertible if everythings right except the paint and the inside trim, personally I dont like maroon is it acceptable to just paint it another color from that year. or is it that if its not original its not worth big money. also since it came with a 454 does that make it an LS5?

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

If it's only $10K there's probably something seriously wrong with it- how solid is the frame and birdcage?

 

[vetteboy86]

I would have someone else knowledgeable about these cars look at it if you don't feel comfortable. 1970 BB's especially roadsters are big dollar cars. Just a few years ago they were bringing 40k and more. Even today, unless the car is a total pit, only in decent condition would probably fetch 20k or so.

The paint and trim can be changed back to original colors. The motor may not match, check the serial number on the motor, which should match the VIN. Check the frame as has been suggested. Check the end cap's and feel up inside the frame rails. Often a frame appears to be solid, but significant scaling is occurring from the inside out.

 

[Crimson Thunder]

I would definitely heed Mikey's advice. A 70 454 for 10 grand is a smoking deal and would be an excellent investment if its not a rust bucket. I didn't like Marboro Maroon at first either but it has grown on me. Don't worry about painting it another color,its your car.Maroon is believed to be the second most popular color in 70 anyway.

 

[grisbrad]

Thank you all for the feed back, so It sound like 10,000 a good deal. if the number dont match should it be less than 10,or is 10, good either way? also how should I check the frame? by scaling I guess you mean rust. where are the best places to check for problems?
I figure it will cost me another 10 to fix the wiring and paint. it has 1 bad spot in the fiberglass in front under the nose cant see it unless your lying down. Seems to be all there, (has the hard top no soft top) just needs to be put back together. the motor was rebuilt and bored out 10, and a new quadjet carb. and I think he told me that he put new s/s brakes.

Bottom line fixed and in decent condition what would it be worth
matching number and non matching numbers

 

[vett boy]

If the car is correct and no rust in critical areas and good paint and everything works it's worth $30,000 or more .

Having owned and having restored a 69 vert there are many little tar pits that can cost and cost and cost.Buyer beware .My 69 was in pretty good condition and I invested at least $20,000 into the car and that was in the 80's. In 2003 after putting 280,000 miles on the car I sold it for $20,000 .Not what I'd call a great investment but a lot of fun.

If you plan on buying this car for 10 putting 5 in it and sell it for 40 It probably won't happen .

 

[Crimson Thunder]

Is there any way you can post some pictures of car?

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Bottom line fixed and in decent condition what would it be worth
matching number and non matching numbers

I hate the term 'matching numbers' as it's far too vague and nebulous to have much meaning. Be aware that a high dollar car in the $40K range will need to have every number of every part correct- alternator, starter, carb, water pump, radiator, etc etc and not just the engine block.

As I said before a BB convertible for $10K sounds too good to be true. Beware.

 

[catbert]

At 10 large, it doesn't have to be matching numbers or original anything. It a great deal for a driver. If you really use, drive, enjoys a car of that vintage, numbers don't matter.

 

[Yoda]

I will just add that NOT ALL Corvettes sell for Barrett Jackson cars sell for In the real world it takes just the right buyer that wants the year and options your are selling to make it come true.

There are far more tire kickers out there that really don't know what a Corvette is worth, and others that call them selves experts :eyerole the truth is most folks fall in love with the allure of owning an older Corvette, maybe they fell in love in there youth with a 1970 Corvette or they graduated in 1967 and want one and can afford to buy it.

Unless an older Corvette has been taken care of and attended to any and all issue's that has occurred over the years, well let me put it this way, problems don't fix themselves

Collectors NADA says my 1981 4-speed low mileage is worth about double what I figure I might could sell it for IF THE RIGHT PERSON comes along...

I've owned Corvettes since 1978, front clipped a 1974, did most the mech work on my 81 and still have over $30K invested in it, and never drive it :eyerole

The only Corvette I made money on was a 1954 basket case a buddy and I went in halves to buy back in 1980 we had it assembled enough to look like a 54, but were redoing a Blue Flame 6, the car had a 283 4-speed :eyerole, Long story short we used it in a Corvette Evolution Show back in 1983 and we sold it AS IS for FOUR X what we paid for it ($4,500)...

Just say'n


Bud

 

[6880 Mike]

Go slowly. You say you are looking to pay $10K. What is the seller asking?

It usually pays to ask lots of questions about any Corvette with what appears to be a Too-Good-To-Be-True asking price.

Good luck.