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Value of 69 project car.

  • Thread starter Thread starter BamaJohn
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BamaJohn

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I need some assistance with determining the value of a project car I found. I know with only my description it will be impossible to place an accurate valve on anything, but I need a ball park figure. I have been looking for a 60’s model Vette set up for a big block. (feel the need for speed). I found a 69 setting next to a barn a few miles from my house. Here are the particulars, no motor 4 speed, lake pipes, and interior needs lots of work. Body good, paint & small areas that need repair. I looked up the VIN and it indeed was a big block car. I have extensive experience with full restoration of classic autos but this would be my first Vette project. I have a 95 LT1/Auto drive train I could engineer into it, but a numbered 427 sounds better to me. Can anyone help place a value on the car so I’ll have a better position when I barter with the owner? Thanks BamaJohn
 
value

Value of car not an issue, it's what it's gonna cost you! I have a 74 small block, after two years of work i'm finally getting close to the engine/ trans. Suspension and interior is 100%, I have 15,000 in parts.

GOOD LUCK!
 
What are your plans for this car? Restoration to original, daily driver, hot rod? The fact that the car does not have the original motor and if you have found it to be a big-block car, the value of it will not be anywhere near as high as if it was complete with the original motor.

I have seen running, streetable early Sharks for around $3000 to $5000. Once you start pricing replacement items, your costs may rapidly approach that of just buying a running car in decent condition. for expample, expect to pay around $1000 for replacing the basic interior components like carpet, seats (foam and upholstery) and door panels.

I would suggest a GM crate motor as a powerplant; they are reasonable in price, come complete except for carb and brackets, and you get a GM warranty. The ZZ4 motor is an excellent choice for a 350 cubic inch motor and any one of the bigblock crate motors (454, 502) will provide lots of low-end torque and serious HP. Complete motors like these go from $3400 to $5000 or so.

Doing a frame off project will require a serious influx of cash. Things like suspension, steering, tranny and differential work can add up quickly. Even thing like weatherstripping can get very expensive on Vettes. Certain areas of the frame on Shark cars like the corner just in front of the rear wheel well opening are prone to rust so inspect the frame carefully and also look for accident damage.

Some owners of old Vettes sitting in their barns or covered with a tarp in the back yard know how much their car is worth. Sometime you just have to ask what they will take for it and go from there. One other thing to do is to make sure you can get a clear title to the car. Try to get the last registration and a license plate number. Fighting the DMV is no fun when you tell them you just bought this old Vette and you don't have a title to it.

Good Luck!! :D
 
Thanks for the replies. I am looking for a long term project that will culminate in a great looking daily driver with oomph! I am about 3-4 months way from finishing a hotrod project that I have 2 years work invested and about $15,000. I’m close enough to the end of the project that I am getting withdrawals. I have spent thousands of hours with a close friend working over his truck and mine. The process is as important as the outcome.

I plan on an off the frame restoration for whatever project I get. With the crate motor what ignition set-up would you use? Gee, I’m getting excited just talking about it. BamaJohn
 
check out my 69 at

www.mcspeed.homestead.com

I paid $1,500 for this car and have $50K plus in building it with 98% of the work done myself.

Is it worth it? Only the owner can determine that. I would do it again in a heartbeat!
 
MyWay, nice 69, I wish I had the forethought to document the progress of my last project the way you did. The cost of restoring or the value after completion isn’t a concern to me. I will never sell something that I’ve put that much time, attention and love into. What I need is someway to judge the value of the 69 as it sits. Sometimes I’ve let my wants cloud my judgment when it come to costs. What do you figure you would have to pay for a 69 in the condition yours was in at todays dollars? BamaJohn
 
I would not pay anymore than the $1,500 I paid just a few years ago, if I had to buy it again.

I agree, you can't put a "price" on doing this, but it is wise to consider as you proceed to help make sure the car will be finished some day.
 

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