Confused Corvette

[SVO]

Out and about today and ran across what appeared to be a '70-'72 Steel Gray Coupe for sale. Talking with the owner revealed that the car was a '73 model titled as a '70 model. The front clip was from a '72, the rear clip was from a '71. VIN tag decoded as a '73 big block coupe, motor was the original '73 454. A car with a lot of "Don't Knows". Owner was asking $20,000 and wanted my opinion. All I could say was it was worth what someone was willing to pay. At least the owner was pretty straight forward with the car's origins but I suspect the DPS would be highly interested in a car with a title that didn't match the VIN.

Buyer beware.

 

[bill81vette]

something doesn't pass the sniff test on that vette.....:ugh

 

[KANE]

Out and about today and ran across what appeared to be a '70-'72 Steel Gray Coupe for sale. Talking with the owner revealed that the car was a '73 model titled as a '70 model. The front clip was from a '72, the rear clip was from a '71. VIN tag decoded as a '73 big block coupe, motor was the original '73 454. A car with a lot of "Don't Knows". Owner was asking $20,000 and wanted my opinion. All I could say was it was worth what someone was willing to pay. At least the owner was pretty straight forward with the car's origins but I suspect the DPS would be highly interested in a car with a title that didn't match the VIN.

Buyer beware.

:ugh

Wow! That's bad.

Given the history, it would be a fun car... for 1/4 of the asking price!

 

[SVO]

In reading my post, I would like to clarify something. In no way did I post this for the purpose of helping to sell this car. I was attempting to offer this up as an example of cars that are out there that need to be avoided. That I think I failed in doing.

When purchasing a Corvette, which has desirability, one needs to check it out carefully. The fact that the owner was as honest about it's past history surprised me. Paint and auto body repair is my thing. I have an associates degree in Collision repair, I have a I-CAR certification for welding and a PPG painting certification. Whoever did the paint and bodywork knew what they were doing, as it looked nice. Looking at the car casually, If the owner had not mentioned the title issue, I would have not taken the trouble to look at the VIN tag or the motor pad. Here in Texas, it's possible that the car is registered on a salvage/rebuilt title. But if so, the '73 VIN tag should have been removed and replaced with a state issued VIN tag. As a minimum, one needs to check that the title & VIN tag match. Never buy a vehicle that has a salvage title, as it cuts it's insurance value in half. Make sure what you are buying is what you are getting.

@ KANE - even at $5000, one would need to investigate how legal the car is before purchasing.

 

[bill81vette]

SVO- I didn't think you were trying to sell it for someone else.
you just happen to see in your travels...

First thought was it had been in an accident and someone did a low buck repair job.
2nd,however after reading about the title,I would be more concerned that it was a salvage job,IF the seller had
had given an explanation for the discrepancy or
3rd it was stolen vehicle

 

[KANE]

SVO- no problem.


People will routinely post "hey look at this Vette" links not because they are trying to sell something for someone but rather for either the education or feedback on what's going on with a car. I think you actually succeeded in your post.


I think your investigative work on the VIN, title, and story was really interesting. And that makes it a completely BUYER BEWARE situation: what you are told/shown to be isn't really what's there.