Inherited 84 Corvette- Now what?

[tlannom]

My dad gave me his 1984 Corvette. He had gotten too old to drive it any longer. Here's the good part: runs well, 86K miles, tinted glass top, paint and body look good (some slight paint bubbling on the hood), new tires, after market seats that are in good shape.

Here's the bad: it sat outside several months with a leaky roof. As a result, there is a lot of mold on the inside and most of the electronics are shot. Radio, power seats, dash, trip computer, mirrors, electric hatch release are all NOT working.

I'm not certain what to do with the car. Fairly certain I don't want to keep it. Here are my options:

1. Try to get the electrical system working? (I've checked the main fuse panel. There doesn't appear to be any blown fuses.).
2. Sell it as is? If so, any ideas what it's worth?

Thanks in advance for the advice and help.

 

[catbert]

Is the inside dry now?

 

[tlannom]

Is the inside dry now?

Good question- yes, the inside is dry now. It sat outside for approximately a year, but it's been stored inside a garage for the past year.

 

[hcbph]

Sounds like at a minimum You're going to have to go through the electrical circuit by circuit. Open up every connection and clean them up and hope for the best. Worst case you're going to need a whole new electrical system to replace the bad stuff. This is assuming all the relays are still good.

Good luck

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

A 1984 Corvette in the condition you describe might be worth $2000. to the right person. You could easily spend $10K fixing the known flaws, it would then be worth around $6-7K.

Early C4s are still on the downhill side of the depreciation curve.

 

[DonB]

Did you check the fusable links and the main circuit grounds? Also; Get a factory service manual with electrical supplement from Corvette Central on CD. They are about $29.99. It'll be the best tool you have. You have a wealth of knowledgeable Corvette enthusiasts(fanatics) here that will be glad to assist you. All it takes is a little desire on your part. Plus the satisfaction of repairing one of the most difficult cars in the world to work on(and the greatest to drive) is exhilarating.

 

[AussieCorvetteNut]

Keep it Bud...make your old Dad smile!

Respectfully I would keep it.

I know it is only a C4 Vette, some say ugly, others say not worth anything, good for nothin...blah blah blah...its still a Corvette!

The Corvette has a very long and proud history in your Country and is admired by others in countries all over the world, including mine...Australia.

I have an 84 Vette, mine was lucky enough to be imported into Australia in 1995, had a right hand drive conversion and has been looked after all its life as it was always a special car to the current owner at the time.


If you can store it for a while until you are able or interested in restoring it, keep it for that time in your life when you just need a project...trust me that time will come.
It will also put a smile on your Dads face knowing that you kept it.


Now if you have your heart set on moving it on, then do the right thing by the car and make sure it is someone who will do it justice.
Its only a C4 yeah, but the C4's are classics now...

Don't get me wrong, I'm a mid year or shark guy, but truthfully if it has a 'Corvette' badge on it, ugly or not, I always stop what I'm doing and pause for it...the bloody things always make my heart skip a beat...

That's Corvette Fever!



Tony