I am considering selling my chevelle even though it is not finished yet. There are several reasons for this; I have purchased another farm and my interests and finances have changed accordingly. I am also tired of getting the run-around with body shops trying to get my car painted. I am at the point that I cannot do anything else on the car until it is painted. My question is this: Do you guys think that I will take a big hit on selling price if I sell the car as an unfinished project? It is running and I have the seats re-covered and all of the interior parts. I also have all of the weather stripping, new grill, emblems, drip rail moldings, bumpers, etc. It basically needs painting, weatherstipping, emblems, bumpers and interior installed. I have everything ready to go; I'm just waiting on a paint job. I know that the car will not bring as much in it's current state, but I thought that it may help for potential buyers to see how solid the car is before it is painted. What do you guys think, would I be better off selling as-is and letting the future buyer get his own paint job and complete the car or hold on to it for another couple of months and finish it. The car is a 1971 low mile, rock solid, documented
SS454 4-speed car with original engine and non-original trans (1971). I appreciate any opinions.

I would finish it without a doubt. A complete, drive home car is going to sell much easier than a car in parts.
Just my experience, good luck!! Kevin

I agree with Kevin. I've bought old cars for years and watched some others as well. It's always amazed me that most people will pay a LOT more for a car that has to be taken home stripped (paint) and dissassembled, than one that somebody else has disassembled and done tons of work on. Personally I like to buy em that way, not only to take advantage of the work progress, but also because they're usually cheaper and the pool of perspective buyers is smaller.

What kinda price as is ?

You will most likely take a big beating selling it unfinished and only a small beating after finishing the project. Very few come out ahead on these projects that is why it is a "hobby" for the most part.

The Paint sounds like a real Hassle for you. It depends on if you want to go thru the hassle of a paint job and maybe problems with it when its done. Some of these paint shops can be ruff unless you know them GOOD. A decision you have to make. If you feel you don't want to hassle it get rid of it as is. If you want to take the chance that the paint will come out with no problems than go for it. Like Redrum said, you'll probably take a smaller beating with it painted. Being a 4 sp BB SS car, its worth some bucks unfinished and finished. Good luck

haveit painted....
that way when you see it come out of "paint jail"
you see it done and won't want to part with it.. ;)

Ok Guys, I ended up completing the car (all but a very few small things at this point anyway). I'm glad I did because it turned out very nice. The odd thing is that I don't have the desire to drive the car now that it's done and I am leaning towards sellingl. I'm hoping to get an idea from some of you on the value of the car so that I can put a price on it that will be fair to me and the buyer. It would also help me decide if it is worthwhile to sell. I plan on using the money to expand my farm. I will post a couple pics of the car to help you guys help me. I don't want this to turn into a classified add, because it's probably going to be a month or so before I make the final decision on selling (I want to drive it on some pretty days before I make my mind up). Here are the specifics on the car:
1971 SS454 4-speed with original numbers matching motor and non original transmission. I also have the build sheet. It is a cowl induction car, but it is not hooked up. The car was originally code 43 green with black stripes and green interior. It is now mulsanne blue with white stripes and white interior. The car has 55,300 actual miles and a rock solid body and all original body panels including trunk pan and floor pans (it spent it's whole life in Colorado until a couple of years ago when I bought it). I have before, during, and after pictures of the car while it was being restored to show how solid the car is. The motor was bored .020 and is build very mild (9.5:1 compression ratio, 268 cam, balanced, roller rockers, MSD E-curve distributor, Alumitech radiator (painted black), BFG tires, etc.etc.) It has been "frame on" restored because it didn't need suspension work because of the mileage. I did install new body bushings because the old ones were in bad shape. I'll quit rambling now, but I would appreciate any input on value. I'm thinking it's worth somewhere in the $35,000 - $38,000 range, but I would like to hear what you think. I'll post some pictures tomorrow (my youngest daughter is rushing me to get off of the computer).

Thanks in advance!

It sounds like a nice car. How about a few pics?

You just sound like youre burned out from the project and still like it. You sell it now, youll regret it. Believe me, Ive come very close to selling mine also quite a few times...eventually you just buy another one and start all over, might as well keep it youll just get lowballed anyway.

Ok guys, heres a couple of pictures to give you an idea of the condition of the car. Thanks!

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w140/cdmchevelle/2007_0222Image0059xx-1.jpg



http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w140/cdmchevelle/2007_0222Image0063xx.jpg

Keep it! Its a very nice car. I think down the road, you'll wish you still had it.:)

Definetly Keep The car If You Can.
My Two Cents

$ 30,000 - $ 32,000

This Coming From A Recent Buyer

I think your hopes of receiving 35-38K are lofty. You have a nice car but are not able to sell it back to yourself. The market seems to be adjusting and there are just a lot of cars like yours that have been built in the last 5 years and many for sale. I agree with the others and do not sell for all the wrong reasons and become the whippin post. Let the sun come out, crank up the stereo, and make sure you do not want to own a car now. It is awfully hard to replace a car built for yourself that will be as nice, and you know its history, for the same money. Remorse can become a painful and expensive mistress. Best of luck.

She's a keeper!!!!!!!!!!

Beautiful car. $30-$35k range is my guesstimate.

Thanks guys for the compliments and comments. I guess I was hoping that the car would be worth a little more since it's got all of the desirable features (454, solid body, low miles, original motor, build sheet, 4-speed, cowl induction, etc.). I know I could never replace it for the amounts that we are talking about (even the high end of what I suggested). My wife, two teenage daughters (I'm getting old) and I drove it to church this morning and I enjoyed that. Maybe I'll start enjoying it more when warmer weather arrives.

It may be "worth" 35-40k in general, but to the right buyer you will get a lot more than that. If you can wait, put it for sale at $50 and enjoy it in the meantime. At some point, that right buyer will come along.