'71 LS-5 conv......worth it?

[Bob Booth]

I looked at a '71 LS-5 conv. (454/365 h.p.). It has 4 sp., a/c, p/w, p/b, leather deluxe interior (I think) etc., etc. The engine is original (I checked the numbers), don't know about the trans. or rear. It needs a complete resoration except maybe for some interior items. Checked for rust in the usual places as best I could and it doesn't seem too bad. It has a bad case of dimpling on the nose between the headlight doors and front hood gap (I know this is common due to the rivets that hold the support beam to the front surround but this is BAD! Can it be fixed without ripping it all apart?) It has junk aftermarket wheels worth nothing and junk tires. I assume it needs a complete engine and brake rebuild as it has been sitting idle outside for a few years. He's looking to get $10,000 for it (sounds a bit high to me). Is it worth it?


Thanks,


Bob Booth

[Patrick H.]

Re: '71 LS-5 conv......worth it?

Bob,


Of course, it depends, as always, what you want to do with it, and how far you're willing to go. Knowing that, the next, and most expensive question, is who will be doing the work to restore it? If you do everything (and I mean everything) yourself, you might easily put in $15,000. Maybe more. I'm doing a 72 convertible for my Dad that already had new paint, top and half an interior, and we will have $7000 to $8000 in it with me doing EVERYTHING else to the car, including motor (didn't need much), suspension, dash and carpet, interior miscellaneous (which eats up cash), brakes, and lots of cleaning and detailing. All I will farm out is the small bit of machine work on some motor parts, and hooking up the AC next spring. Add, in your case (and I'm guessing here) seats, door panels, more misc interior, tires and wheels, paint and top, and of course motor, and you could easily add $5000 to what we spent. Have someone else paint, and its $2000 to $5000 more.


A friend with a 70 conv has $7000 into a new interior (seats, covers, carpet and door panels), brakes, exhaust, rear bearing (left side), a paint job where he did most of the work himself, and new tires. The suspension and engine compartment haven't been touched.


So yes, this is the long way of saying that it seems like a lot, unless you're really looking for this exact car, it has documentation, and you love projects. Generally, you will find that the best car in the long run is the one that is in the best shape when you first purchase it, having let someone else pay to fix it up. We bought ours for less than your price, and only because I like projects and have done everything myself could we ever get out what we've got into it. Of course, its so nice we don't want to sell it now. :)


Good luck,


Patrick Hulst

[Jerry]

Re: '71 LS-5 conv......worth it?

Hi Bob: I think your own opinion is steering you to the correct conclusion on this particular car. It sounds like its only redeeming characteristic is that it is a big block with the right engine, I generally try to find either cosmetics or mechanicals, preferably cosmetics, but this has neither, you are looking at a huge restoration expenditure in my opinion, but then again , it's getting difficult to find a big block anything for under this figure.


Best of luck


Jerry

[Richard Garguilo]

Re: '71 LS-5 conv......worth it?

Bob, I restored a 72 10 years ago and spent over $30,000 on restoration, thats with doing all the work but body and paint!I recently got smart and bought a 72 already restored with bloomington and NCRS awards.The previous owner spent over $40,000 on restoration,I bought it for $19,500.Unless you want a project it is always cheaper to buy a restored car.

[Arne]

Re: '71 LS-5 conv......worth it?

Bob, I have the identical 71 that you refer to in my garage. The only addition to the options you memtioned is P/W as well. Its Classic White on Delux Black Leather. Had it for over 18 years and its in "average" condition. I'm also 3/4 finished my '63 air coupe. Ground Up total NCRS...Paint yet to be done and I have over $22,000 already in, done over 1/2 myself over 3 years. Contrary to what I thought 3 years ago....there is no way I would do the same for my 71 BB. Wrong year and too much money!!! Find one done (proven paperwork and Top Flight) and sit back....pay your Banker a little bit more....and enjoy! The only way I'll do my 71 is when my 6 year old turns more like 16 and helps me. AC

[Bob Booth]

Re: Patrick, Jerry, Rich, Arne.......Thanks.

Thanks for the response guys. I guess what Patrick said is true. If I want this particular car it will be worth it, otherwise I guess you would probably have to get the car for free to make it a wise financial decision (even doing the work myself). Big Blocks are getting pretty scarce at a reasonable price and I would really like to get one but......


Maybe I should just drop one in my '72 coupe....hmmmm.


Thanks again,


Bob

[Jerry]

Re: Patrick, Jerry, Rich, Arne.......Thanks.

Hey Bob :


A $5,500 investment will get you a nice 502 aluminum head 502 horse monster with a three year GM warranty, put the original away for safe keeping and go have fun meltin tires.


Jerry

[Jack H.]

Disagree....

"only redeeming quality is" -- I think you'll find factory original BB A/C roadsters are high demand items (keying off A/C)....

[Jack H.]

Re: '71 LS-5 conv......worth it?

Excellent advice other than when you do it yourself (the restoration) you know what's what instead of playing the second guessing game....

[Jack H.]

Point missed....

Thread responses concentrate on value, desire, and do the restoration yourself vs. buy pre-done. They miss talking to one point you raise, the 'dimples' on the nose due to reinforcement bar and rivets.


To my knowledge there's no 'simple' fix and much depends here on what's meant by simple. Doesn't take a rocket scientist, but DOES require labor, fiberglass fill, and repaint (above and below) to fix properly. Seach the archives for 1-2 threads on this Shark issue....

[Roberto L.]

Re: Point missed....

I was told that original nose cars should show those dimples clearly. Is that correct or is part of the fantasy of the enthusiasts? I tend to think that those dimples show up when problem/rust is inside. Thanks in advance, Roberto

[Bob Booth]

Re: Point missed....

I agree with you. What else but rust could cause it? And if that's the case, what a job it would be to rapair! Whether these dimples are considered an asset or not, they are godawful ugly and I would do my best to remove them. Thankfully, mine is dimple-free.


Bob

[Bob Booth]

Re: Patrick, Jerry, Rich, Arne.......Thanks.

Jerry,


Don't think I wasn't droolin' over that beast when I saw the ad for it! Pure testosterone baby!


Bob

[Bob Booth]

Re: Thanks Jack.......not so cute dimples

Thanks for raising that point. They sure don't look like they're any fun to fix.


Bob

[Patrick H.]

Re: Point missed....

Jack,


I didn't miss it, but it is only a part of the overall equation, and I didn't think a major + or - as to "why to buy." Many cars of this era have it, especially fixer-uppers, so it shouldn't affect the overall decision if one wants a Shark to fix up, especially if full resto is needed.


Patrick