Part it out or rebuild as a street rod?

[BarryK]

well, I came across a MAJOR project '76 last week. It's sitting at the shop that did the AC system work on my '78.

He wants to get rid of it as he doesn't have the time to bother with it.
What do you think? Is it even worth trying to rebuild or is it so far gone that it's only value is as a parts car?

The pictures I grabbed are here on my site:
'76 Vette project

The deal on the car is this:
car included what you see in the pictures PLUS;
1. an extra frame he has that's already been sandblasted and primed. This extra frame is almost a completeld rolling chassis with the frame, front and rear suspension. Only thing it neede to complete it as a rolling chassis is to finish rebuilding and reinstalling the rear trailing arms (that are included).
2. An L48 motor. This is not the original motor from the car but it came out of another Vette. Motor would need a complete rebuild but supposbably did run when it was pulled out. also includes an auto trans with the motor
3. He has a complete replacement interior from another '76. Not brand new, but a customer of his ordered a complete new interior from Al Knoch and replaced it in his car and each part of the "old" interior was repacked in all the replacement part boxes and than the customer gave it to my shop for this car. I figure some of those interior parts may not be acceptable to reuse but many very well may be saving some money.

so, we have a body, with an extra "almost" rolling chassis, motor & auto trans, and at least a partially usable replacement interior as a start.

He wants $1,600 for the whole lot

This would be a HUGE, MAJOR project but is the car too far gone to consider for that or at the very least with what's included would it worth paying $1,600 and parting it out? I honestly have no clue what different parts would bring if it was parted out.

Opinions?
don't worry about hurting my feelings as it's not my car - just something I stumbled across and was wondering if it was worth anything in any aspect.

 

[waterboy1976]

Ouch.....$1600...how about free....it definitely is a PROJECT car......however the amount of money youd need to get her on the road again is probably double what it is worth restored.....I noticed obvious no brake calipers....no rear end cover, spring etc....... I would buy it to part it out, but even at 1600 that may be tough to double your money..thats my $.02 worth..

 

[BarryK]

spring, brakes, rear end are part of the 2nd frame that he is throwing in. That all came off of a 2nd Vette that had been in a fire and the body destroyed. He's already sandblasted and painted the frame, trailing arms, etc on that second unit

 

[ChuckG]

Hmmm. I don't know, Barry. That's the kind of car that if somebody GAVE it to you, you'd have second thoughts about restoring it.

With the risk of offending someone, I'll say that 76's aren't worth a ton of money "done". Costs as much to restore a more valuable car as it does to restore a less valuable car.

Personally, I'd pass on it. Not worth the trouble. Chuck

 

[Yoda]

If it would be free... I'd think seriously about converting it into a nice little tow behind trailer :dance

Bud

 

[BarryK]

Chuck

not really considering restoring it at all and rebuilding it as a street rod would really be too much money and far beyond what my limited abilites are.
I'm really thinking more olong the parting out idea.

The body really isn't bad at all - a basically no hit body from what I can tell and all four fenders are the original fiberglass with the factory bonding strips.
The frame under it in the pics is worthless as it's been twisted somehow but with the second frame as a rolling chassis and the motor and trans I figure there has to be somer value in those parts and even in the body maybe?

I'm not sure, just thinking about it and trying to determine if there is enough value in the parts to make it worthwhile to part out. I'm sure i could get the $1600 back out of it but not sure how much value there is in the parts over and above that.

Bud, that would be neat. Take the rear clip and rear end and make a Shark trailer for cruises and tow it behind a Shark!

 

[waterboy1976]

You could probably get your $1600 back with the other frame youre talking about too...however....it takes time to advertise and sell and take a part so what is your time worth? and would you egt enough money to make it worth it....It would be fun to part one out again, but its a lot of work plus having to keep the car(s) at your place plus once you start parting it out some parts will go some wont and how long will it take to completely sell everything....Just a few more of my $.02.....

 

[BarryK]

You could probably get your $1600 back with the other frame youre talking about too...however....it takes time to advertise and sell and take a part so what is your time worth? and would you egt enough money to make it worth it....It would be fun to part one out again, but its a lot of work plus having to keep the car(s) at your place plus once you start parting it out some parts will go some wont and how long will it take to completely sell everything....Just a few more of my $.02.....

yep, and that's exactly what i'm trying to figure out - would there be enough in it total to make it worthwhile.
The other issue is space. I only have a 2-car garage and my '65 does NOT give up her spot in the one side so that leaves the problem of dealing with two frames, body, motor in the other side and that doesn't add up as to fitting too well.......

 

[gmjunkie]

yep, and that's exactly what i'm trying to figure out - would there be enough in it total to make it worthwhile.
The other issue is space. I only have a 2-car garage and my '65 does NOT give up her spot in the one side so that leaves the problem of dealing with two frames, body, motor in the other side and that doesn't add up as to fitting too well.......

That car is worth $1600.!! I'd give that For the Door to Door Front Complete with core support,Radiator and A/C cond. if it was a 80-82!!!!!! C3 Part aren't getting any Cheaper!!

 

[waterboy1976]

yep, and that's exactly what i'm trying to figure out - would there be enough in it total to make it worthwhile.
The other issue is space. I only have a 2-car garage and my '65 does NOT give up her spot in the one side so that leaves the problem of dealing with two frames, body, motor in the other side and that doesn't add up as to fitting too well.......

my point exactly....it takes up a lot of space....it would be fun though....

 

[Andy]

Barry.....Keep looking my friend....This will probably be around..Have u tried to talk him down, say to $1,000.00 or so....???
If u need somewhere to keep it...I can find space in my backyard behind my shed if need be...(seriously)...I have the room..

Andy

yep, and that's exactly what i'm trying to figure out - would there be enough in it total to make it worthwhile.
The other issue is space. I only have a 2-car garage and my '65 does NOT give up her spot in the one side so that leaves the problem of dealing with two frames, body, motor in the other side and that doesn't add up as to fitting too well.......

 

[BarryK]

wow, awesome Andy, I'll keep that in mind.

if I can get him down a little in price and than with room to work on it......... it MIGHT be a little more feasible.

 

[Andy]

..I have the room...NO ONE will know the cars their..We can cover it or NOT and your set....At least you'de have a spot...15 minutes from your house..Plus it's nice weather and you'de be able to work on her...

Andy

wow, awesome Andy, I'll keep that in mind.

if I can get him down a little in price and than with room to work on it......... it MIGHT be a little more feasible.

 

[L48]

For the short term, there has to be $1600 in parts there.

This car needs someone who loves restoring cars to put it back together.

If that is not you, and the rust demons have not reached it you might find a dry place to store it and park it there. It might not be worth the rebuild now, but just wait 10 years. just my 2 cents.

 

[GerryLP]

Ouch! Man, you're braver than I!

The only motivation I would have to restore this 76 Vette would be if it held some sort of sentimental value or meaning.

On the materialistic side, you can expect approximately $8K - $10K dollars in parts/materials alone and perhaps upwards of 900hrs - 1,100 hours of labor if you were to do most (if not all) of the work.

In the sensible side, we're talking about a 76 (no offense to our 76 Vette owning members ). I am partial to the L81's, and if this were an L81 I would still NOT change my opinion. There is so much missing, that it truly questions the sensibility of taking-on such a project.

At any rate, I like working with my Vette, and I do not depend on it for transportation, so I don't mind working on it; however, I do miss driving it! Perhaps, if I owned another Vette, then I could maybe appreciate the challenge.

GerryLP:cool

 

[Nut]

Barry.... unless you have a lot of free time and space; by the time you transported, cleaned up, stripped, cataloged then dumped the remaining flotsom; then......... repacked, hauled the parts to (wherever) to sell and assuming you could sell everything salvagable I doubt you'd get $1600 out of that, and in no way recoup the time and dollars spent just to get that far.

JMHO............... Good Luck!!

nut

 

[Evolution1980]

Barry, if your "time is money", then it's a losing deal. I'd pass that like corn kernals from 2 nights ago...

The time to strip, clean, advertise, sell, deal with people, blah blah blah... say you make $400 on it...over the course of MONTHS. Was it really worth it? Not in my opinion... Plus, you just picked up that other '76 or whatever it was for your ol' lady, so...do you really want another C3 project???? Be completely realistic about how long it's going to take you to recoup the money.

Or...since Junkie thinks it's worth $1600, make the quick buck. Offer the guy $1250 and sell it to Junkie for $1600... hahaahh... :L

The ONLY thing that may be of decent value is the rolling chassis.

HOWEVER...if you decide to take on this project... I have an L48 engine with all the AIR stuff, full exhaust front to back (sans headers), and TH350 that I'll sell ya. Lemme know if you are interested...

 

[BarryK]

evolution

unfortunately, right now I have more time on my hands than I know what to do with.

No way i'd try to tackle the '76 as a rebuild - it's too far gone and my abilities are anywhere near to that level of work yet, but to part it out is another story.

that's what i've been trying to work out and determine what thast thing would bring parted out with the body, the second rolling chassis, what usuable interior parts there are (he has a complete second interior that goes with the car also) and the L48 motor and auto trans that he is including.

If I thought it would part out and bring 2 or 3 times the cost, than great but if the total profit was only around $400 (your example) than of course it wouldn't be worth my time or trouble at all, that goes without saying.

 

[gmjunkie]

Or...since Junkie thinks it's worth $1600, make the quick buck. Offer the guy $1250 and sell it to Junkie for $1600... hahaahh... :L

I need a 80-82 door to door!!:ugh

 

[Evolution1980]

I need a 80-82 door to door!!:ugh

What would you offer me for mine? (Everyone has a price...:L)