It's a classic story... I was at a car show last night and someone drove up in a 67 Firebird Conv 400 with 76,000 original miles, A/C, Chrome engine package, hood tach & manual 3 speed. FOR SALE!

It was the son-in-law of the original owner, who is a 70 year old widow, and he's selling it for her.

She & her late husband, bought the car new in 1967, it has the original title, plates, invoice, & EVERY maintenance receipt... literally boxes of papers. "It was their baby."

So its a fully documented, 100% original(repainted 10 years ago in the original color), 1st owner car. It is red with black interior and a white top.

I could see only light surface rust in the trunk, (might be able to just wipe it off) and a few minor paint nicks. The seats had only minor seam separation in a few areas.

From 10 feet it looked perfect.

Does anyone have any idea what this car might be worth? I need to know what to offer. He is asking $20k obo.

(Yes, I got the guy's phone number)

Here - try the N.A.D.A site under "Classic Cars".

NADA Guides

Another source is Hemmings Motor news on-line.

Kind of steep for a 3 speed manual car...Although the milage is low..

I doubt anyone would pay the 20k for a 400 car with a 3 speed manual..but there are buyers out there who "had one" when they were younger and will pay the dinero.

Check the traderonline.com site and see what comparable cars are going for to get an idea..

Offer 15k and see what happens..

I have given up on the low milage claims and one owner stories as they sometimes are far fetched and too good to be true. And the $5-7000 extra for these nicities is just that.

I realized over 20 years and owning 8 67 Firebirds that my money is better spent looking for a solid body, non running car, not the color I want, for a low selling price. That way I can justify rebuilding the motor, trans, gear it my way and what color I want and paint it. That way, you do not have to pay for something you do not necessarily want or need.

But then again....If it feels right, go for it.

i looked up the value of my car on nada a couple days ago. 5xxx on the low end 19xxx on the high end. for a hardtop. middle price was about 11xxx and they wanted me to subtract 10% for my rare, collectable, OHC 6cyl.

if you like this car, it may be worth 20xxx, but for 15xxx, you would like it better. you'll have to spend a couple grand for a good paint job anyway, not to mention all the rubber rot on a 35 year old car.

Tom and Scott have made excellent points to consider. If you have the $$$ to spare, go buy it. But, if you want a nice older Firebird to drive and enjoy as much as possible, the one you found may not be the one unless it needs no repairs of any kind.
I was lucky enough to find an original car that sat in a barn for 14 years and bought her for $8,000. After about $3,000 she is nice looking, road worthy and reliable. She is not perfect so I have no problem driving her as much as possible and don't even worry about how many miles I put on her.
Do what's best for you but keep in mind that there are more Birds out there that will satsfy your needs and will cost you much less.

Vince
'67 400 ragtop

If all his claims can be substanciated , maybe its worth it ,esp. if you want it!
I got mine for $8000 , a 69 conv., not orig engine and an earlier restoration...had since been 'used' a bit...I thought the car just needed a few things, well those "few" things became more and now $8000 later my car is pretty nice , but still not perfect or 'correct'...I doubt I could sell it for 16K , figure more like 12-13K ? But Toms idea of offering 15K for it sounds about right , who knows you might get it for 17K? And maybe both of you will be happy..
There`s ALWAYS negotiating room on any item!

Bjorn

Sixstarved, I know what you mean about knocking off 10% for a sprint. 8 years ago BH (before Haggerty) I had to have my 69 4-speed sprint "appraised" for the insurance company. And the appraised apologized for only being able to put a value of $9600.00 on it, and made the remark that if it was a small block Camaro he could but it at over 16,000.00
Good luck on the 67 convt. if is is as nice as you say, offer $15K as previously suggested, I think it will be available for awile if they insist on 20K.

Jeff

Thanks to everyone for the replies.

I ended up offering $18k, but was turned down. Her recently deceased husband told her to sell it for $20k and they were firm on that price.


I'm glad my offer wasn't accepted now. I think there were some very good points about replacing rubber, paying for 1st owner "niceties", etc.

Best,
Kevin

keep looking. there's plenty of rust free candidates out there, but most are still going to need rubber replaced among other things. and be careful. i saw a '68 hartop on ebay that said rust free, and it didnt have the cutouts for the arrowhead on the quarterpanel correct for '68. and it looked like it had camaro side markers.

that all origional vert might really be worth $20k, but i'd be scared to drive an all origional. i'd rather have something i can do what i want to, and drive whenever i want.

show dont make it go
and chrome dont get ya home.

good luck on your search