Help Please in buying my first vette

[Robert G.]

Re: Help Please in buying my first vette

Here's a photo of a block in a car about 300 after yours. The date stamp looks the same. A birthday calculator on the c2 registry shows the car built on 2/21 and the engine was assembled on 2/20. Those 2 dates are pretty close together.
11789block.jpg

[Paul J.]

Re: Help Please in buying my first vette

Can you give me a feel for what these other things are?....

Mostly serial numbers and date codes, Mark. You want to have as many original parts as possible, or parts that are correct for the time in which the car was built. Starter, alternator, expansion tank, etc., etc. Other things like the interior soft trim and overall condition of the car with respect to wear will factor into your decision. The person who looked at the car for you could help with this. If these things are not there it does'nt detract from the car, it detracts from the price.

If the horn did'nt blow loud, probably only one is working. If the dates on the horn are correct, don't let the dealer replace the horn. This is something that you'll want to do so you can retain a "correctly" dated part.

Since this is your first Corvette, buying a vintage Corvette is a different type of car buying experience. Things that you would'nt normally think of as important actually are. The two things that you need to know before you buy is how are you going to use the car (is it a driver, or will you have it judged), and what is the price related to the market.

Paul

[Mark G.]

Re: Help Please in buying my first vette

The underside was inspected and only found minor surface rust, and all of the suspension was inspected. I doubt he looked anywhere else or looked at it like the other posts said. Thanks, I do appreciate it.

[Mark G.]

Re: Help Please in buying my first vette

Thanks

I am going to use it as a driver like it really is now. It really looks like it have been kept in a garage most of its life, with 80k miles I believe to be original according to the two titles. I will check out the other stuff. I am paying about 2K above Hegartys #4 price. Considering what I see going through the acutions, I thought that was pretty good considering those folks end up paying an additional 17% in fees and taxes. My price is out the door all in.

Thanks again. Wow I had no idea what I was getting into.

[Michael J.]

Re: Help Please in buying my first vette

The price looks very good for a driver, and if you want to keep it a driver, without going through the Top Flight Wars , you have a much simpler, cheaper, and relaxed ownership experience, enjoy!

[Paul J.]

Re: Help Please in buying my first vette

Thanks

I am going to use it as a driver like it really is now. It really looks like it have been kept in a garage most of its life, with 80k miles I believe to be original according to the two titles. I will check out the other stuff. I am paying about 2K above Hegartys #4 price. Considering what I see going through the acutions, I thought that was pretty good considering those folks end up paying an additional 17% in fees and taxes. My price is out the door all in.

Thanks again. Wow I had no idea what I was getting into.

Try the links in Post #2. They will give you some ideas as to the market. Don't forget that C2 prices are down. It is a great time to buy. Without seeing the car in person I can't say much about the $43k price, but I think it is at the high end, and that the dealer wants a premium price for an "original engine".

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...ighlight=sales sites&uid=7896

[Michael J.]

Re: Help Please in buying my first vette

Here's another market link I think is good. Again, I think the price looks fine.

http://collectorcarmarket.com/menus/ccmprcs/67chcote.html

[Bruce B.]

Re: Help Please in buying my first vette

Mark,
Like a few others on this Forum I have purchases (and sold) many Corvettes.
Here is my advice to you:
First get some good books about the vintage Corvette you are interested in which appears to be C2. Check out books in the NCRS store. My favorite book is Essentials A Corvette collectors guide 19567-1962 by Chuck Brigermann it can be found online.
look at lots of cars, try places like the dealers in your area. Around here in Ohio we have Mershons in Springfield, Ohio, ProTeam in Napolean, Oh or possibly Ray Skillmans Collection in Greenwood Indiana, do this to educate yourself.
Then , my rule is try not to buy one of the first 5 cars you look at. There are exceptions but be careful.
Last but not least, my wife's advice which is "don't fall in love with a car", sounds funny but sometimes a first impression tells you that you have to have it.
Good luck
Bruce B

[Michael J.]

Re: Help Please in buying my first vette

Mark,
Last but not least, my wife's advice which is "don't fall in love with a car", sounds funny but sometimes a first impression tells you that you have to have it.

Bruce B

Oh, now wait a minute. I don't think I could ever buy a classic car, especially a Corvette, unless I loved it. Sometimes that "love at first sight" works well, and it did with my wife too, we have been married 41 years and counting. She also knows I fall in love with my classic cars and understands it, otherwise, why not just buy a Honda .

[Mike M.]

Re: Help Please in buying my first vette

Mark: Is there any chance of talking to owner #1? Such a conversation can tell you lots. I bought a '65 Coupe 1 1/2 years ago, sight unseen. I had looked at so many that I had become an unwilling expert. The owner (#2) was honest and it all worked out for me. That was perhaps the exception however. I almost bought two other cars (from dealers) that (I see now) would have been disasters. So, be careful and go slow (something I am not very good at). I did do the NCRS judging routine with this car and got a Top Flight 11/12. But only after about 9 months worth of work and $10k in parts. So, try to get as original a car as you can in case you take that road.

[Dick W.]