I am in the process of purchasing a chevelle and was looking for some advice on price. I have the option to buy a 1972 SS clone. I need to be able to get out of the car without taking a loss if something happens to my primary vehicle.

1972 SS badged
454 bored Dyno @ 400hp engine rebuilt 3 years ago 1500 miles since (unknown source for block)
770 holly carb
edlebrock intake
interior is correct with SS dash and guages (all new)
bucket seats with console shifter
turbo 350 with shift kit
paint is all new
all new suspension in front end

I cant talk the onwner into less than $17,500 because of what he has in it. Would i be ok at this price? Thanks in advance and be kind this is my first post.

Even though the muscle car market appears to be stronger than ever, entering into the deal predicated upon the ability to get out without taking a loss, if something happens to your primary vehicle is a risk. I would try to approach this hobby as something that cannot affect your primary transportation requirements.

It wouldnt really affect my primary...:) I have always wanted one and now is financially the right time. I guess i should restate my question. Is this car worth $17,500? I cant find many 1972's with this config to approx. price.

How is the chassis, body and paint?

I paid a little over half that my genuine, original '72 SS w/402 in 1998, but maybe they've gone up in price this much by now.

I paid 6000 for mine. It needs some work but I think if I were you I would keep looking.
Shane

Chassis is solid and was blasted and painted. Body is perfect appears to be mostly new sheetmetal and paint is less than one year old. Not a $15,000 paint job but no blemishes at all. Also the tires are new and the rims were blasted and painted.

17k still sounds kind of high to me, it seems that your original post means that if something happens to your primary driver you'd have to sell this Chevelle and come out ahead, which you may or may not in the immediate future.

It'll appreciate over time for sure as long as you take care of it though.

so it sounds like it had a frame off resto, which is a good chunk of coin if you cant do it yourself(LIKE ME). I think it also depends on what you want out of it or what your intentions are. For me I didnt care if it was a clone because I wanted to personalize it to my taste anyway.
Mine has a tired 454 with a tired TH350 and a weak 10 bolt that came with the original 307. A good 10ft paint job and a descent interior. I dont want an immaculate car show car, I want a street cruiser/brawler that looks good and performs better. So I can handle a greasy frame and some chipping paint, but I dont want to leave it stock.
So my question for you would be do you want to leave it the way your buying it or save a ton of loot and do some work and make the car the way you want?
Shane

I don't know a whole lot more about the car. Previous owner had the engine rebuilt with a mild cam and all performance components. Current owner says no bondo and rust when he had it repainted. Suspension including all bushings are new in front. Rear shocks are new as well. Car looks like an original SS. I couldnt find anything that doesnt look original on body or interior. The plus for me is the car would not require anything since i lack space and know.

I agree that it seems high and your not really getting anything special like a moser 12 bolt w/ disc brakes or a t56 tranny. Just a semi hopped up 454 with a weaker tranny and Im not sure about the rear. Kinda seems like you would just be paying off this guys CC debt and buying something thats not all that special.
I say keep looking.
Shane

Yes..between the last two owner the car has had a frame off resto...I would leave it the way it is at least in the near term. My taste is as close to unmolested as possible. But without paying #'s matching original $$$ With my limited knowledge i just want to make sure its not a total rip off.

It sounds like it has a good foundation. I would want a different tranny begind that 454 though. I think you could still get a car thats not showroom quality for about 5k less but still pretty nice.

Supposidly had the tranny professionaly rebuilt to handle the hp. Smme of it has to do with living in the midwest. No survivors so the nice ones have all been completely restored at some point and everyone wants to get there money back.

I would definately pass, but thats me. This is something that you really have to be patient with. Good luck
Shane

What would be a reasonable price for this car? I will probably wait this one out. Guy had a buddy sell one on ebay and now this guy wants to do the same. Thanks for the advice

Im not sure not seeing or driving the car, but based on what youve said maybe 13-15k. Does the seller have any receipts? Something to tell you what parts are in the engine and tranny and something detailing what was done and how much they paid? How much the paint job was and if there is a warranty?
Also do you know what rearend is in the car(e.g. 10 or 12 bolt)?
Shane

Yes...he has most of the reciepts. 10bolt 3.73ish not positive but very highway drivable.

13-15k seems more reasonable given the available. If you didn't have to do anything to the car at all, $17 would be good to go.