Checked out a vette on the weekend... have a few questions for you guys.

[Flared69]

Checked out a vette on the weekend... have a few questions for you guys/gals.

Ok, here we go:

Checked out a '69 convertible vette on the weekend. Now, the guy that owned it is selling 'cause he is making a new '55 chevy up (not sure which model).

Now, there are a few gremlins on it, not engine, but aesthetics. So I've come to you guys/gals for some help.

The door and the door panels seem to have a little bit of distance between them on the top where the window goes up, I was considering redoing the entire interior just to make it all brand-spankin'-new. But anyway, is this a common thing? I've seen it on quite a few vettes anyway, and is it easy enough to fix?

The carpet condition in the back was pretty not-there. This still doesn't bother me as I'm quite happy to pay for the carpet etc as its not expensive in any way. Pretty much, im thinking about $1500 can pay for all interior work - which I would like to do anyway - again, I want it to feel new as new

The paint was ok, could do with a bit of touching up, and a respray later down the track, but nothing major and nothing requiring any immediate assistance.

And here we have the other stuff:
Lack of power steering. Upon looking at ecklers, there is a power steering kit for around $900. Was wondering if that would do the trick and if its reletively easy to install?

Also a lack of power brakes - can this be fixed easily enough?

The vacuum for the windscreen wiper cover is buggered but able to be lifted up by hand, how much would it cost to fix that?

Now, The vette itself is $10,500. It starts up great, runs great, shifts great, but just doesn't have power steering/brakes - which would obviously make things a lot easier.

I have the money for this vette. And due to my current situation, I virtually have absolutely no expenses myself. So, I can afford a few grand in fixups, but I don't honestly think that it will take that much in fixups (looking at my ecklers/corvette central catalogues).

Also of note:
It has new suspension, new brakes, new soft top, and a few other things. In my eyes, im getting a pretty good deal. The oil was also of good clean colour.

Think thats about it. Any help is greatly appreciated. 71Shark has been a great help, found it for me also

 

[matchframe]

Sounds like a fair deal to me!

The power steering can be remedied with the kits sold by the aftermarket dealers (Ecklers, MidAmerica, Zip Products, Corvette Central, etc..). The wiper door can be fixed with parts also sold by the same aftermarket dealers. The brakes can be made to be power brake with installing a booster. If you get power steering and brakes, you might entertain the idea of getting HydraBoost. That system uses hydraulic pressure from the power steering pump to assist the brakes to become power brakes.

The big plus is the new brakes and suspension, and top.

The oil could have been recently changed, therefore the good color. Most importantly not milky looking which is evidence of water in the oil.

The interior things might be a good bargaining chip for you! Even though you plan on replacing some of it. $10,500 sounds like a fair price for a '69, but I would tend to try to bring it down as much as I can, but cautiously as to not break the deal. If you think it will take you $1,500 to fix it up, then maybe try to bring the price down by that much. The owner may be set on his price, so be sensitive to that, and don't push too hard on bargaining.

Let us hear more about it if you buy it. Post pictures!

Bill

 

[SwaveDave]

I think you could get this guy down some more , cause not many people would buy a vette with manual steering ; no woman could drive it for sure..and most guys wouldnt enjoy fighting with it either . You must remember, that, even a vette in very good condition is still going to have 'some' things wrong with it (which you may or may not uncover just yet). Did i send you the Checklist i have on 75 things to look at ? Email me if i didnt.

If youre prepared to put some money into it and alot of time to restore it, and are sure the major mechanical systems are ok on it....then, i say , try to get him down at least the amount of money you have to put into it to bring it up to 'presentable condition' -- if you could wrap up the deal for $8500-9000 , then id say you did well. For a greater piece of mind though...id ask for a compression/leakdown test to be done on it by taking it in , or, by having a Car Checkers type company come out to perform it on the spot ; you dont need major engine fixes in addition to what youve already uncovered, right ?!

Dave

 

[Flared69]

I don't believe so.

Its got a 6yr old 350/350 in it I think. It may be newer, but i can't confirm that one.

 

[Flared69]

ok, could you please give me that list of 75 things to look at?