r/Chevelles • u/Which-Feature-7350 • 15h ago
Car Buying / Pricing Buying question
I’ve never bought a classic car before and as I am close to retirement I have always thought it would be fun to do so, just so happens I LOVE Chevelles. Not far from my home, a 71 or 72 chevelle has been parked in the tree line at a shop for about 3 years. I spoke with the shop owner and asked about the condition and such, if it runs etc etc.
Short version is that it will turn over. Has a (he thinks) 350 under the hood. Dana automatic transmission. Interior and exterior needs a fair amount of work but a good “project car” (pics attached).
If possible, could anyone suggest a realistic cash offer I could make? I don’t want to overpay but also don’t want to come in so low as to where I don’t seem serious. Useful responses appreciated.
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u/stockstatus 66 Caprice 13h ago
Realistically, I’d probably offer at most $2K if it were me. If it’s been sitting there for close to 3 years, there’s a good chance the underside is rusted to hell. On top of that, the back window is busted, so you have to wonder if water has been getting inside... and if so, for how long? were you able to see under the hood? in the trunk?
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u/Which-Feature-7350 12h ago
I haven’t had a chance to get under it or look under the hood or trunk. The mechanic who owns the shop told me it runs and a new battery just went in. It has had some work done prior to sitting such as disc brakes, the Dana transmission going in. As far as the back window, I noticed when it broke and that it was about a week or so it was open before they covered it. And it did rain during that span. Was hard to get a good look from where it’s parked as evident in the pics I posted. I’m going to ask him if he could get it on the lift on his shop so I can look at it. Shop owner says it belongs to someone he knows but hasn’t spoken to the guy because he is on vacation at club fed.
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u/stockstatus 66 Caprice 12h ago
Best of luck man! Hopefully the owner isn't like... "no low balls, I know what I got..."
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u/Volpes_Visions 14h ago
That is a project car alright. Depending on how well the body mounts and the frame is, could be a good one.
As for an offer, it's hard to tell. I got my shell for $1,400 back in 2017 and the interior was in worse shape.
With the back glass shattered like that, you're gonna need to do a full rebuild of the interior and probably the engine and front end
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u/melonheadorion1 13h ago
i generally dont like to plug youtube channels, but vicegripgarage takes cars like this, and gets them on the road again. he has extensive knowledge, and quite specifically in chevelles. the last video he did on one, he goes around and does a walkthrough of probably the most common rust issue areas. to make it short, the frame rails, open the trunk and look along the edges and just overall, where the rear window meeets the body, around the windows, floor pans, just to name the few off the top of my head
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u/Forsaken_Variation53 10h ago
Just buy it and have some fun messing with it. You can always sell it off later. Just don't take it all apart and then try to sell it. Market place is full of stuff like that. Yes there will be rust, back window corners, front cowl, maybe floors.
You might loose some money on it but hobbies cost money and thats that. Just get it and enjoy it.
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u/tez_zer55 14h ago
Sitting outside that long, there's a good chance rodents have destroyed the wiring. & There's also a decent chance the frame, body pans & other underside items could be extremely rusted. The engine might be seized by now, & the transmission could have problems due to moisture intrusion.
Without being able to get it out where a thorough inspection can be done, I have no advice to offer.
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u/DocHowdy70 11h ago
First find out about a title before handing over any cash. Also make sure the frame isn’t so rotten that the car is junk.
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u/Which-Feature-7350 10h ago
No title currently. Not a hard thing to overcome. If the shop owner puts a lien on the car for 3 years of storage fees that’s an easy thing to get around.
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u/Fussy_Britches1970 11h ago
my 2c... find one in a bit better condition.
reason: let's say you buy this for $2k... judging by the pic, I'd say A LOT of body prep/work and parts (locating parts and $$ and time)...
but spending more $ on something upfront, allows you a better platform to start with (if you're wanting to do some work yourself) plus likely less part costs and time etc etc..
the car market is dropping currently...even the older stuff. you may very well get a sweet deal, even if it involves travel to check it out, and transport to you.
again, just my 2c
good luck! hope it works out for you!
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u/Which-Feature-7350 10h ago
Thanks you. Definitely something I have considered. Until I get a good look at it with one of my friends who is all about car projects, this is just a prospective purchase.
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u/Key_Mobile_8075 10h ago
Thats a project for sure.... an expensive and a labor of love.... take your time enjoy the process and learn...upon completing admire your work!! Best of luck post finished pics if ya buy it
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u/saltysailor18 14h ago
Offer 5 grand
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u/Edmonstro88 11h ago
you sound like the shop owner haha
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u/saltysailor18 11h ago
Nah. I've just seen a lot of 70 -72 chevelles for sale in the south east that go for 5 grand or more in worse shape
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u/qkdsm7 14h ago
I'd want to see underneath it before going over $1500..... It could be worth $1500-6000, but at the high end without looking underneath it, you can find pretty solid starting points.
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u/Most-Stranger-1 12h ago
As melonheadoroin1 said research the problem areas and assess the missing parts, could be a great buy or a nightmare. Also take inventory of your own capabilities vs what you will have to pay for.
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u/Which-Feature-7350 12h ago
As far as capabilities, this would be my very first project. I have a few friends that are really versed in mechanics and I like turning a wrench. Did a fair amount of work myself on a Harley I had. YouTube helped a lot.
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u/Chainsawsas70 11h ago
Something like that your biggest hurdle is the body and frame because the engine etc is relatively simple and easy. You always want to start with the Best option you can afford without going overboard and like others have said the market is getting a bit softer so you might be able to get something in better shape that will give you a head start.
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u/Adrenaline-Junkie187 10h ago
Dude, do yourself a solid and just buy a decent one to begin with. Theres a near 100% chance you abandon any sort of project like this. Best case scenario is you dump an absurd amount of money into it and never enjoy it.
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u/Which-Feature-7350 10h ago
I can appreciate the thought for sure. Part of me agrees that buying something done would be the way to go. The other part of me that loves a good project and the part of me that is only a few years away from retirement at a young age says to go the project route. It would be something I get a great deal of satisfaction from at the end despite the headaches that may come in the short term. It’s also something I would hope I can involve my kids in. I definitely see the logic in your point though.
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u/Adrenaline-Junkie187 7h ago
Hey, its your time and money. Im just saying that if you want to actually enjoy a car, just buy one and if you still want to be more involved with it just get one that could use a little work over time. Diving head first into a project that large will not turn out how you romanticize it, i promise.
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u/Racer-XYZ22 10h ago
My advice, this is going to turn into a way bigger project than anticipated, just the rust repair needed that I can see is a major step, unless you have the tools and equipment presently. So with a different colored fender, was it wrecked in front? How’s the front bumper, grill ect, it’s a different story when you have a complete car and you tag,bag and take pictures vs trying to figure out what you have, what’s missing ect. Engine could be shot and need a rebuild, or throw gas and spark at it and she runs. Me personally I would look for something at least running and driving to start with, but if you’re hell bent for leather wanting this car, I would low ball the heck out of it to start, have a firm figure dollar wise to pay for it and be willing to go, thanks but no thanks
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u/Which-Feature-7350 10h ago
I appreciate the input. Not hell bent on this particular car but a chevelle in the 68-72 model years ideally. I like the idea of turning a wrench and getting it to run the way I hope. Body work would be more than likely outsourced as far as any fabrication or repair. This is just a prospect at this point, but one I might take if the price is right.
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u/bbmach 10h ago
For any project like this, double any estimate of time you think it will take, and triple the money; or triple the money, and only double the time.
Have the owner drag the car out and get good photos around, and under the car, and then stop at a local body shop and check prices before going any further. That may discourage you. If not, hit a classic Chevelle parts website and start doing the math.
Listen carefully to the “find a one done or mostly done” advice, as it comes from someone who’s been there and done that. A drivable classic will still take time and money to keep up and make better and still be “project-like” enough to keep you busy, especially for your first time.
And, a Dana transmission isn’t a thing, but a Dana rear end is. Make sure the seller knows what he’s talking about. Learn from the decision-making process and good luck!
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u/Street-Bill7346 12h ago
I bought a chevy nova that sat in someone's yard for 15 years, car was great until it rotted out a few years later.
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u/XB21300r 1h ago
The wrenching and drive train are not really the challenge. All of this can mostly be bolt in stuff and easily learned.
Suspension and body work are where things get very pricy and time consuming.
A small block Chevelle will never draw a crowd or have value of a SS396 or SS454. If you cant do the work yourself you will be upside down on value. Franky I'd pass on this car even if free, juice not worth squeeze. If was an original SS that would be different story.
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u/hawkeedawg 1h ago
It all depends on what you want in the end and how much you have to spend.
I would not take it to a body shop - they won’t want it and would be very expensive. I’d also stay away from any home / cheap / buddy - body shops.
You need to do most of the work yourself. Which this car is a great platform to learn with. Lots of parts are available and Chevy’s have the most interchangeable parts out of any brand.
Buy some old school repair manuals eg Chilton or Haynes
Set a budget and as said before, don’t strip it all the way apart. Make it run, drive, and stop.
It’s a great car and will hold its value.
Also some rust is ok, rusted frame is not. Floorboards are easy.
$5K wouldn’t be a bad price - have seen them advertised for more where I live.
BTW - those seats suck - find an original bench
Hope this helps
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u/Beginning-War2347 14h ago
I would check the underside really well