I currently have a 69 vert (limelight green with white top) that still needs work to be a daily driver. I am considering this car that recently came up for sale in my city.
I'm thinking if the cost to restore my vert (plus what it is worth now ~5K) is close to what this car is, maybe I should just sell mine and get this one. And I could be driving this summer!
But I have no idea how to evaluate this car's value. Any estimates? Of course, I am assuming, and would have to verify, that there is NO rust and the drivetrain was good. But assuming they are, is 22.5K too high?
Just gotta confirm the body especially underneath. See mine below...I'm have it torn down completely (frame off) due to rust in the pinch welds for floor, rockers etc.
The icing on the cake looks great, just what nightmares lurk underneath.
Get it on a lift and take approx 100+ pics and send us a link and we can identify most potential issues.
Engine Test Stand Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwoxyUwptUcdqEb-o2ArqyiUaHW0G_C88 restoring my 1968 Firebird 400 HO convertible (Firedawg) 1965 Pontiac Catalina Safari Wagon 389 TriPower (Catwagon) 1999 JD AWS LX Lawn tractor 17hp (my daily driver) 2006 Sequoia 2017 Murano (wife's car) 202? Electric car 203? 68 Firebird /w electric engine 2007 Bayliner 175 runabout /w 3.0L Mercuiser__________________________________________________________
Assuming there are no hidden" issues " that seems to be a very realistic price for that car.
Would it be "illegal" to put this car "for sale" on Ebay to get an idea of fair market value? What I mean is:
1) Copy and paste the pics and description 2) Set Reserve Price ridiculously high so no one can win the auction
This way, Ebay gets paid for its services, the car could not possibly be sold, and I get an idea of what it is worth. Think about it, sometimes, people buy and sell stocks short. They actually sell it before they even buy it (hoping to make a profit). Technically, I could be "flipping" this car.
There is an interesting '68 'vert just listed over on PY for the same cash. Custom color and interior, but otherwise decent.
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
You talking about putting a car that you don't own? Unethical yes illegal no.
How would it not be fraudulent? What if I hit his reserve price at a ridiculously high number and he didn't have the item to sell?
1968 400 Coupe, verdoro green, black vinyl top 1968 400 Convertible, verdoro green, black top 1971 Trans Am, cameo white, auto 1970 Buick Skylark Custom Convertible 350-4(driver)
If I was the actual owner of the car, I would bid it up to whatever it took to buy it. That would teach the person that posted the ad a nice little lesson.
Boy am I glad I did not do the eBay thing! I spoke with the owner who is about to put it on eBay himself! That would have been awkward!!!!
But I did get photos today while the car was on a lift. How do I post a whole bunch so people can see?
The car drives nice. The steering is a little loose, but the car stays straight and brakes well and straight. I did see some signs of oil/fluid which can be seen in some photos. The other thing is that the driver windshield wiper hits the chrome trim at the top of the windshield and bonds. Also, has no cocktail shakers.
Let me know what you pros think. I already have a project that was supposed to be a daily driver which is more like a weekly or monthly driver.
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
In VA, there are laws covering "attempting to obtain money under false pretenses". So, you could be prosecuted under those for listing someone else's property for sale.
1968 400 Coupe, verdoro green, black vinyl top 1968 400 Convertible, verdoro green, black top 1971 Trans Am, cameo white, auto 1970 Buick Skylark Custom Convertible 350-4(driver)
It's not a good idea to list it on eBay just to get a estimated value. Anyone smart guy would look or have someone look at the car before buying it. eBay will trash your account as well.
BTW: I'm seeing 10+ new ad's for first gens everyday now! No idea as to how they are selling ... but big volume and most are ready to drive!
Engine Test Stand Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwoxyUwptUcdqEb-o2ArqyiUaHW0G_C88 restoring my 1968 Firebird 400 HO convertible (Firedawg) 1965 Pontiac Catalina Safari Wagon 389 TriPower (Catwagon) 1999 JD AWS LX Lawn tractor 17hp (my daily driver) 2006 Sequoia 2017 Murano (wife's car) 202? Electric car 203? 68 Firebird /w electric engine 2007 Bayliner 175 runabout /w 3.0L Mercuiser__________________________________________________________
It is about 70 photos, so hopefully not too boring. See my post 2 or 3 above for what I noticed during an inspection today. For original photos, see first post for craigslist ad:
Quite a bit of rust issues on the underside with some shiny new paint on the topside.
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
Quite a bit of rust issues on the underside with some shiny new paint on the topside.
I like to buy my cars rusted everywhere. That way I can't blame anything or anyone else.
1968 400 Coupe, verdoro green, black vinyl top 1968 400 Convertible, verdoro green, black top 1971 Trans Am, cameo white, auto 1970 Buick Skylark Custom Convertible 350-4(driver)
Car looks pretty good. No major flaws that I can see. Front and rear rockers need to be fixed (metal patching). Fender bolt broken at the bottom (rust). You may have additional rust issues in your lower cowls and front floor pans, No idea how the quarters, doors and front lower fenders were fixed with new metal or not. This car likely had trunk pan, quarters, front lower door and fender lower RUST issues that had to be fixed when it was restored. Also, no pics of the front floor boards from underneath so no idea as to the extend of any damage there. Alignment & gap issues (minor).
Last thing...your paying for the paint job so better confirm that it's good. Not sure how you can confirm it.
Good luck
Engine Test Stand Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwoxyUwptUcdqEb-o2ArqyiUaHW0G_C88 restoring my 1968 Firebird 400 HO convertible (Firedawg) 1965 Pontiac Catalina Safari Wagon 389 TriPower (Catwagon) 1999 JD AWS LX Lawn tractor 17hp (my daily driver) 2006 Sequoia 2017 Murano (wife's car) 202? Electric car 203? 68 Firebird /w electric engine 2007 Bayliner 175 runabout /w 3.0L Mercuiser__________________________________________________________
Car looks pretty good. No major flaws that I can see. Front and rear rockers need to be fixed (metal patching). Fender bolt broken at the bottom (rust). You may have additional rust issues in your lower cowls and front floor pans, No idea how the quarters, doors and front lower fenders were fixed with new metal or not. This car likely had trunk pan, quarters, front lower door and fender lower RUST issues that had to be fixed when it was restored. Also, no pics of the front floor boards from underneath so no idea as to the extend of any damage there. Alignment & gap issues (minor).
Last thing...your paying for the paint job so better confirm that it's good. Not sure how you can confirm it.
Good luck
I looked at the front floor pans, they looked the same as the rear floor pans. However, I am worried that the bottom may have been undercoated real pretty to cover up rust just like the top has a nice shiny new paint job to cover over rust.
Looking at what you have mentioned, how much do you think it would cost to have it fixed at a body shop?
Also, installing 4 cocktail shakers and cross brace? I guess I could install these myself, so I guess parts only here?
And wonder why the windshield wiper hits and binds on the chrome trim at the top of the windshield? The guy got a little upset at me because I tried the wiper and did this. He said, "You don't use the wipers on these old cars. The glass is a lot softer." I felt like I was in the twilight zone on that one!
Thanks guys for all the input! Would anyone here pay 22.5K for this?
If the wipers are hitting the chrome, its likely coupe wipers are on there. 'Vert wipers are shorter.
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
I looked at the front floor pans, they looked the same as the rear floor pans. However, I am worried that the bottom may have been undercoated real pretty to cover up rust just like the top has a nice shiny new paint job to cover over rust.
Looking at what you have mentioned, how much do you think it would cost to have it fixed at a body shop?
Also, installing 4 cocktail shakers and cross brace? I guess I could install these myself, so I guess parts only here?
And wonder why the windshield wiper hits and binds on the chrome trim at the top of the windshield? The guy got a little upset at me because I tried the wiper and did this. He said, "You don't use the wipers on these old cars. The glass is a lot softer." I felt like I was in the twilight zone on that one!
Thanks guys for all the input! Would anyone here pay 22.5K for this?
Undercoating covering problem area? Could be. I chipped my undercoating off to find blue paint on the floor boards. Rust issues are always at the seams, pinch welds and rocker connections at the front and back. Also the fender bolt on location and lower cowls.
What cross brace is missing?
Shakers are missing? That could be an issue. Were the front fenders, inner wheel well so damaged they could not get them back in?
Tough to invest many more $'s on this one. Pretty soon you could put in another $5-$10k into it. Hard to say what nightmare awaits underneath.
I think this guy touched it up and got her running for a quick flip. If you like it as a driver then offer him $13 and settle at $15k.
If you want it at $22k then I strongly suggest you get an experience 1st gen guy to go look at it.
Engine Test Stand Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwoxyUwptUcdqEb-o2ArqyiUaHW0G_C88 restoring my 1968 Firebird 400 HO convertible (Firedawg) 1965 Pontiac Catalina Safari Wagon 389 TriPower (Catwagon) 1999 JD AWS LX Lawn tractor 17hp (my daily driver) 2006 Sequoia 2017 Murano (wife's car) 202? Electric car 203? 68 Firebird /w electric engine 2007 Bayliner 175 runabout /w 3.0L Mercuiser__________________________________________________________
And not a single picture of the underside posted! That tells me to run the other way as fast as possible!
All we can surmise is that the seller is a liar!
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
And not a single picture of the underside posted! That tells me to run the other way as fast as possible!
All we can surmise is that the seller is a liar!
I feel bad that someone may get stuck with something they did not have the benefit of seeing them self like I did. Do you think it is worth trying to notify EBay and show them my pics?
It is up to each and every buyer to check out what they are buying beforehand. If a buyer does not do his (or her) homework, we can't force that on someone.
On the other hand, there may be buyers out there that don't care because they have more money that they could ever spend.
IMHO, he will never see that kind of money for that car. And if he ends up selling, he will end up in a lawsuit.
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
It is up to each and every buyer to check out what they are buying beforehand. If a buyer does not do his (or her) homework, we can't force that on someone.
On the other hand, there may be buyers out there that don't care because they have more money that they could ever spend.
IMHO, he will never see that kind of money for that car. And if he ends up selling, he will end up in a lawsuit.
Well, I'll be darned. With two days left in the auction on EBay, 14 bids had it around 18K. One of the bidders must have got nervous and took the bait and did the "Buy It Now" for 25K.
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
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