Opinions on '69 I found?

[Last Ride]

Sorry, just trying to get some more exposure for this thread. Not many people stopping by the for sale/wanted section. Thanks for looking! Hey all, check out this link to see pics of the '69 I found.

'69 Vette Pics

What do you all think? Supposedly, here is a little background: Originally a 427 car, now a 350. As you can tell from the pics, it's pretty rough and appears to have some racing history (from the looks). Story is that it has been sitting in a barn for the last 15 years. It runs, but probably not very well. I was not able to get the hood up to to take some snaps of the motor. I couldn't see the VIN because of a dash cap on it. What can be told from the trim tag (pic is on the page)? What do you guys think? The car is $4200, and someone actually is trying to come up with the money right now. As it is, it is still sitting on the lot, and I could write a check for it tomorrow. The couch would become a nice bed, but.... I told them my biggest holdup was the fact that I don't have room for it which is true. I would just like to get some more input. So what say you?

 

[HOTMOTORSPORTS]

That's a rough looking car. What gives you the idea it has racing history? The rear flares can be added whenever and they don't look like they were added very well. I don't see any other evidence.

That would be a project car. I'll bet you'd have 15K plus plus in this car by the time your done and for that money, there are plenty of very nice drivers out there. Unless you want to do it a little at a time.

Frame?
Brakes?
Suspension?
Steering?
Interior and console looks like someones been screwing with wiring.

One saving grace is that it's a big block car (if it really is).

Not being a hard butt and a put down, just seeing from my view.

Chuck

 

[matchframe]

Bryan,

I would really look into the condition of the frame and the birdcage as far as rust is concerned. It is a definite project car. I would bet that if it sat up for that long, there would be alot of suspension components that need attention. A frame-off is most likely in its future.

Since it is a Big Block Vette, that would keep my attention even if it does not have the original motor. That would give you the freedom to build it out anyway you would like and not offend the purist.

The interior shots have evidence of Bubba messing around. Those problems could run deeper.

I would also really look at the glasswork around the flares. It is hard to tell from the pictures, but to me they did not look very even.

Be very careful of the VIN number. Long time ago I bought a 66 Chevelle SS 396, drove it for a while, then sold it. Later it came out the car was stolen, and the guy I sold it to sat in jail for a few days until it was proven that he had no knowledge of it being stolen. I recently bought a wrecked tow truck for the Big Block, and other goodies I could use on my Vette. The first thing I did was compare the title with the VIN number to make sure they matched. It is always better to check those things out.

On the up side, it is a 69! A chrome bumper Shark, and basically looks solid, as long there are no rust issues that are hidden. If you bought it to bring it up to modern specs as far as suspension, brakes etc... You could sell it for a profit....or keep it as your own version of a Killer Vette!

Just from what you told us, and from the pictures, I would think $4,200 is a little steep. Maybe you can talk him down to $3,000 if it is drivable.

Let us hear what you do!

Bill

 

[Bob Chadwick]

I'll bet you'd have 15K plus plus in this car by the time your done

Including the purchase price, I would be surprised if you could get it put back together, painted, etc. for this amount. My car was all there and useable and it cost more than that.

 

[Last Ride]

Thanks for the replies. I saw some rust on the frame, but didn't delve in too deep there. My reasoning behind that is that I would be scrapping the frame anyway. I have been looking at having a tube frame built for my '78 with a C4 suspension, and that would transfer over to this car. I was thinking of racing history because of the wheels, the flares, and some missing interior pieces. There are also no rear view mirrors, any ideas? I suppose they could have just fallen off, but who knows? In any event, the car is pending sale (someone put down $500 on it and is having trouble getting the money). I could still go buy it as of now, but my wife actually likes my car better! I don't understand this, but I think it's partly her inability to see the potential. Granted, it's hard to see potential when the door panel almost falls off when you open the door, lol! Thanks for the input, and I will keep everyone up to speed!

Bryan

 

[JrdnsEdu]

Bryan,

Not sure if you got some of your answers yet, but just by looking at the trim tag only, it looks like a 936 paint code but there was no 936 paint code in 69.
However, there was a 986 which was Cortez Silver and had choice of black,white or beige soft top;Interior-bright blue, black,green ,gunmetal, red or saddle choices. The ZQ4 code on the tag just meant standard Black Vinyl seats. You cant tell anything else from the tag. If you were able to get a hold of the 2 letter suffix code, original head #, carb #, block #, distibutor , alternator, (you get my point); you would be able to tell if it was really a 427 or not.
In the shape it's in, I'm not sure any of that matter however. That machine is gonna need some real labor of love hours. I'd bet 10K -15Kin parts alone + whatever labor hrs you plan on spending.
To give you just a ball park- I spent more on my 69 but just judging from the pics, it needed a lot less work. I'm 21K in so far and I could probably stop here, but of course now I'm hooked so I won't. I just have to convince my wife every few months to turn the other way while I buy something. My line "The money spent in the Vette will last longer than any womans shoe or fancy dinner".
I just hope she doesn't end up walking or eating on the hood.
-Eric

 

[HOTMOTORSPORTS]

WOW JrdnsEdu,

"The money spent in the Vette will last longer than any womans shoe or fancy dinner".

You must have caught crap for that line.

Shouldn't have gone there!


Chuck

 

[matchframe]

Eric,

You are a braver man than I am!


I understand what you are saying, and can appreciate your passion for the Vette, because I share the same passion. But my wife is not as understanding as yours! I have to walk through the minefield when I am planning a major purchase.

I bought a wrecked tow truck a couple of weeks ago for the 454 that was in it; my mistake was I used the vacation money for the purchase. I knew I would regain it by selling the remainder of the truck in parts, which I have. But for a few days I had oatmeal and bagels for supper, and my kids were really thinking that Disney World was not going to happen this year. I was nobody's friend around the house until money started coming back in as truck parts were sold.

I learn more everyday!

Bill

 

[HOTMOTORSPORTS]

Geesh matchframe that's even worse!!

Vacation Money??? nnoooo FAMILY VACATION MONEY!!!

wow

Chuck

 

[matchframe]

I got it back! Plus some.

BUT, I will NEVER do that again!

Even the kids were against me.

Only the dogs understood...or did they just know who put their food dishes out every night?

Bill

 

[Evolution1980]

Last Ride,

The "usual" rule of thumb for vettes is that to get a vette of the condition you envision, it will cost you more to rebuild an older car than to get all the money together and outright buy the car you envision. Unless you are going totally custom like 69MyWay and have the expertise (AND time AND resources) to handle this job, you may be better off passing. Many people have had the same vision only to end up with a slightly modified bucket of vette 10 years down the road.

 

[69MyWay]

This car is very rough.

The rear fender flares are the "cheaper" version of the L88 flares. Those on there are designed to slap a set of wider than 8" rims and go.

They reworked the lower rear 1/4 panel as well. It almost makes me wonder if they bonded that in, or if that is a clip from a 70-73 Vette.

The only thing that would make this car valuable as a 427 is if

1. It was truly a 427 car with the numbers matching parts

2. You intended to put it back together as a 427.

With the amount of work needed to get that body in shape, and slice off those rear flares, you could bond a chrome bumper shark front and rear clip to your doors and bird cage from the 78 and drop it all on a tube chassis.

I would suggest, unless you get this car for $2,000 or less, let it pass on to somebody else.

Now...if it was a convertible....you would have a wider range of options.

 

[Last Ride]

This car is very rough.

The rear fender flares are the "cheaper" version of the L88 flares. Those on there are designed to slap a set of wider than 8" rims and go.

They reworked the lower rear 1/4 panel as well. It almost makes me wonder if they bonded that in, or if that is a clip from a 70-73 Vette.

The only thing that would make this car valuable as a 427 is if

1. It was truly a 427 car with the numbers matching parts

2. You intended to put it back together as a 427.

With the amount of work needed to get that body in shape, and slice off those rear flares, you could bond a chrome bumper shark front and rear clip to your doors and bird cage from the 78 and drop it all on a tube chassis.

I would suggest, unless you get this car for $2,000 or less, let it pass on to somebody else.

Now...if it was a convertible....you would have a wider range of options.

Chris et al--
Thanks for the advice. I believe the guy that had put money down on the car has now come up with the additional funds, so I think the car is sold. The guy seemed to think he could put it back to original shape for $10,000-$15,000 and then sell it for $40,000-$60,000. I say good luck to him on that! The whole reason it was appealing to me was that it was not original! Oh well, I just ordered the suspension for the '78 (again), so now I need to start looking at the frame a little more closely....

Bryan