Hey guys this is my first post and hopefully will be posting a lot more soon!

Need help on a first time Chevelle purchase. I know a picture tells a thousand words but I dont have one. I have looked the car over and can describe it as such:

1970 Chevelle convertible 4 speed 454BB 12 bolt. The seller stated that he had three 70 chevelles 2 SS coupes and one convertible. All the SS equipment from the coupes went into the convertible because of the rust free body so I know it is not an orignal BB or maybe not even an SS.

It is an older restoration but done very nicely. The paint is very nice Red with white stripes, cowl induction hood, rust free and straight as far as I could tell.

Interior is black and is in excellent condition, as is the convertible top.

Basically the car has a stock appearance but with period correct 70 SS guts. It also runs and drives nicely.

At first the guy wanted 30K, then three months later called and said he was going through a divorce and needs 24K for it. Well fast forward two weeks later and now he is willing to take 18K maybe 16K... This is more in my price range... I dont really want to wait any longer to see if he will go down any.

So is it worth it?

Thanks Josh

If it is in as good of shape as you say, for 16K buy it or someone else will.

Ditto!!!

What's his phone number?:D

I'd RUN, not walk, for that deal!

Sounds like a great deal to me. He is right about it not being an SS if its not an actual big block car. Only engines in SS were BBC. Thats not a reason that you should stay away though, its nice that he came out with what he did to the convert right off the bat and for the price he is asking. Even 24K would have been reasonable if its as nice as you say.

Ok well thanks for the responses...

Just got back from the sellers house and got some nice pics...

Also, from the VIN I think it may have been a Malibu? does this matter?

Sorry this is my first Chevelle... Only got a Camaro and a few Vettes...

As for the pictures, can I send them to someone to post for me?

Thanks Josh

If you want to give me his number, I will do some investigating for you.

Seriously, if it has front disc brakes, round pods in the dash, 12 bolt, running condition, and you are happy with the looks, you better buy it quick.

Make sure it has the reinforced convertible frame and it is solid.

16K's not a bad price for a ragtop even if it still had all the small block stuff. As long as the body is straight and solid and the frame's still good JUMP on it before someone beats you to it.

What are you doing sitting on the computer you better get over their now with the CASH $$$ and get that convertible between 16K-18K is a STEAL.
If its in as good of shape as you say I see them go for much higher in the 23K-35K easy. If you dont get it atleast tell me were it is.:thumbsup:

Ok well thanks for the responses...

Just got back from the sellers house and got some nice pics...

Also, from the VIN I think it may have been a Malibu? does this matter?

Sorry this is my first Chevelle... Only got a Camaro and a few Vettes...

As for the pictures, can I send them to someone to post for me?

Thanks Josh

The only engines in the 70 model SS were 396/402 and 454, no small blocks until 71. From 1969 on the SS was an option just like A/C, radio, or anything else not standard equipment so the VIN will indicate a Malibu or El Camino (and/or a 300 Deluxe for 1969 only). Prior to 1969 the SS was a separate series from the Malibu and could be identified by the VIN - after 1968 the SS option could not be indentified by the VIN. The exception would be for 1972 when the engine size was put into the VIN; a "W" indicated a 454 and the 454 mandated the SS option.

Whether originally a SS car or not, without the original engine it's not worth as much as it might be. Still 16K-18K is a very good price even for a clone if it's mechanically sound. Sounds like his misfortune could be a good opportunity for you.

Depending on how many pictures you have I could host a couple for you but for long term there are sites that will host pictures for free; Cardomain.com (http://www.cardomain.com) is one but there are others as well.

How do I tell if it is a reinforced convertible frame?

Here are some pics:

http://www.fileden.com/files/1477/Dsc00126.jpg
http://www.fileden.com/files/1477/Dsc00128.jpg
http://www.fileden.com/files/1477/Dsc00130.jpg

If you don't buy that car. I will go take a loan out first thing Monday morning and go get it :D.

I think you did okay if you got it. It looks like it has some bubbling on the passenger side rear corner? It also looks like it might have drum brakes on the front (don't see the metering valve). Is that the side marker harness for the driver side laying on the wash bottle? An SS would also have clear turn signal lenses on front. Still at 16k I would give it a hard look. :cool:

It also has a 71 Chevelle trunklid emblem :)

This is the 70 emblem:

https://www.opgi.com/nChevelle/10680.jpg

There is a little bubbling on the pass side rear corner. didnt see that till today.. As far as the emblem and the side marker lenses, I dont mind being that the car is not an orignal SS. There is front disc.

The seller mentioned something about having somekind of fiber optic system for the washer bottle or lights? not sure what he meant? was this an option?

So its just an ok buy? I really dont have 16K laying around now, so I need to be sure its worth it!

Thanks again

Josh.

Buy it or give the phone number out. That guy will have a bidding war if a few people find out about it.

LK

There is a little bubbling on the pass side rear corner. didnt see that till today.. As far as the emblem and the side marker lenses, I dont mind being that the car is not an orignal SS. There is front disc.

The seller mentioned something about having somekind of fiber optic system for the washer bottle or lights? not sure what he meant? was this an option?

So its just an ok buy? I really dont have 16K laying around now, so I need to be sure its worth it!

Thanks again

Josh.

Josh,

Convertible frames are boxed on the side rails and also have a stiffening gusset that goes inward to the floor pan, under the rear seat side panels (remove the rear seat to view).

Check the VIN to make sure the first 6 digits are 136670 car.
1=Chevrolet
36=malibu 8 cylinder
67=convertible
0=1970

Check the Trim Tag to make sure it is ST 70 13667.
ST=Style
70=1970

What state are you located?

Good luck,
Tim

Tim, the VIN starts with the 13667 as you stated... Havent had a chance to check the trim tag.

any idea what the seller meant by the fiber optic system or the washer bottle level checker thingy? were these options? Also was the power top an option also or did all verts have this.



Here are some additional interior pictures



http://www.fileden.com/files/1477/Dsc00134.jpg
http://www.fileden.com/files/1477/Dsc00133.jpg
http://www.fileden.com/files/1477/Dsc00132.jpg
http://www.fileden.com/files/1477/Dsc00131.jpg

From what I see, I would say it was a small block car. It does not have a big block fan shroud, and the front lenses should be clear. But, this car looks nice, and from what I have seen convertibles go for seems like a great deal. I would definetly check out underneath the car, checking the frame and all floor braces. Remember, a really nice LS6 clone convertible can bring in over 100k if done correctly

Am I the only one who noticed that the exterior color changed from red to gold? What gives? And yes I think the red convertible is well worth that kind of money.

Where do you see gold? The red on the door of the interior pic looks a little washed out, probably from editing the pic.

IMO you should be seriously thinking of getting it. Any BB-4spd Chevelle is probably worth $16k these days. Being a rag-top is icing on the cake :cool:

Where do you see gold? The red on the door of the interior pic looks a little washed out, probably from editing the pic.

3rd pic. looks gold to me....but then again i am color blind...

3rd pic. looks gold to me....but then again i am color blind... Thats just the over exposed photo from the color red.
You better buy that car, dont wait and twittle your fingers and miss out on it.
Here is my frame from my 69 convertible
http://img479.imageshack.us/img479/6524/1000886sz1.jpg

I'd worry more about the details at this point. A solid convertible is worth that in the states, because there are plenty of buyers. Still a great deal, even in Hawaii - just not as many takers on an island....

Are the gauge lenses really smoked like that? I would wonder about that - but an interior is easily replaced, there are replacement gauges and places that fix them up.

Overall, looks like he mixed what parts he could to get the car in good shape. I think a woodgrain steering wheel is off a Monte Carlo. But it's still a nice looking car - you could probably sell it for a bit more if you had time to wait.

Divorce? Make sure he has a clean title before you spend the cash.

Anyone check out the convertible top? Does it look like it's sitting correctly? It doesn't look quite right to me, but I'm not as familiar with them.

Id buy it if I had the money....even tho it is a bit rough around the edges it all can easily be fixed or replaced.

X22L78,

The fiber optics option for windshield washer fluid level, code CD2, is definitely an option on these cars. It doesn't look like the lid to the washer bottle is correct for the option but I do see one of the parts laying on top of the water container.

Look at the bottom of your dash panel, just to the left of the steering wheel, you will see the Fluid Monitor attached to the bottom of your dash. The harness that is laying on top of your fluid container goes to that monitor. When the fluid is low, the light will come on.

I think you need the correct lid and then the sensor sits down inside the fluid container.

The Power Top, code CO6 is an option. I see the switch in the picture.

Are you going to buy it?

Which one of the Hawaiian Islands is holding this car?

I'm still up in the air about buying this one... The seller wont come down from 17K. Still a good deal?

I was thinking of going back today and take another look at it, anything I should look at while im there?

Josh

Took another (closer) look at the car today...

THE BAD:
1 Has patch work done to all four floor pans. The fronts are not too bad but the rear has a patch panel about 6x8 in size.
2 there is light surface rust on the front bumper.. would be best to just change it.
3 Needs carpet and a set of black rear seat belts (is light blue now)
4 there is bubbling from the rear pass tail panel. (see pics)

Overall its not a bad car at all just been sitting (covered) for the past 5 or 6 years... The frame is nice and solid...

Ive decided to offer 15K.... Still a good deal?

Josh

If you get that car for 15K thats a hellof a deal. Be careful and dont insult the owner of the car @ 15K. Like you said he did not want to go any lower than 17K.
Example: this is what I bought for a little over 9K and your only talking about another 8K for a 70 Vert
I paid for this and is was not drivable at all! and had mice living in the car.
http://img54.imageshack.us/img54/1497/firstday69ld1.th.jpg (http://img54.imageshack.us/my.php?image=firstday69ld1.jpg) http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/751/day169wl2.th.jpg (http://img216.imageshack.us/my.php?image=day169wl2.jpg)http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/8991/day1interiorvv0.th.jpg (http://img204.imageshack.us/my.php?image=day1interiorvv0.jpg)

Imho I Think You Should Stop Trying To Nickel And Dime This Guy, Get Off Yer Ass And Make Him An Offerof 16 Grand. He Will Likely Come Down To 16500 And That Would Be One Hell Of A Deal. Even If This Guy Wanted 20 Grand Or 22 Grand It Would Be A Steal!

Bottom Line Is This:

If You Lose Out On This Car, You Will Kick Yourself Forever....then Every Car You See Like This Will Remind You Of The Deal You Could Have Had, But Lost Out On!

Dont Be A Dolt.....get This Damned Car!

You Should Have Bought It Days Ago. Just Make Sure The Guy Has Clear Title!

Just My Two Cents!

1badss396

Do you think you could add that 8K to your purchase price of 9K and get it to the condition that this car is in?

Josh

That's the thing, if someone can do most or all of the work by themselves then the costs can be kept down. If you have to get most or all of the repairs done by someone else, it can add up in a hurry.

Thats the situation I was in, I have niether the time, tools, or know how to buy a rougher car and try to fix it up myself. I found a complete car that runs and drives right now and then anything I want to change or fix someday can happen when I have saved up the money to have it done. Mines in good shape but it's not perfect, and I couldn't be happier.

In case you haven't been influenced enough yet, if you can afford it and you like this car, BUY IT. From the sound and looks of it, this car is good to go and anything that you'd want to fix can be done later.

Dude: How many more times do you need to rephrase the question? If you like the car and you have the money, $17k is a damn good deal on that car. Sounds like you're trying to nickel and dime the seller to death. Based on the photos and your description -- and assuming the car runs and drives nicely -- buy the car already.
d

1badss396

Do you think you could add that 8K to your purchase price of 9K and get it to the condition that this car is in?

Josh I dont know, I have not seen the 70 vert besides the pictures but at 17K-20K its a steal of a deal for a 70!
Thats the Mother load of all.

Did you drive it? Did you like it? Did you look at the Tim Tag?

I agree with SK8, if you don't buy it, you will regret it.

If the car was anywhere near me, I would buy it. But since it is thousands of miles away, it could be a problem. I have never shipped a car across the ocean.

First off, as was stated … $17k (or whatever) is a great buy for a nice running convertible. If this is what you want, and you can swing the funds … do it, as you’re probably not going to find a better deal. Don’t dink the guy around with any other low-ball offers. 1badSS gave you a good example, except if memory serves me he has an original SS that he later found the original drivetrain. However, if you still are wondering I don’t think there is any way that his car could look like that one for $8k (even doing ALL work yourself).

Now with that being said … please make sure that you know what you are looking at! Some of your questions seem like you might not have looked at too many of these cars? If that’s the case, find a good honest friend to look at it with you … if it’s all you say, some dishonest friends might buy it before you get there!

At that price I would want to see a good running drivetrain. Nothing has to be fancy, but don’t let the red paint fool you into an engine that overheats, uses oil, and a tranny that won’t shift right. You can sink a lot more into a “lemon” drivetrain in a hurry.

Learn how to look at the 60’s cars … virtually every one of them have rust issues with the rear-window corners. If you’re noting bubbles there now, they’ll probably pop through in the next year. Look underneath this corner (from inside the trunk), is it all bondo, metal, etc? After that, just about all cars develop issues around the wheel wells … stupid GM thought it was a good idea to install foam-like sound deadener between panels, guess what it’s absorbs moisture.

If the car looks like, and has mostly original metal … or at least mostly metal. It would still be worth the asking price. If the bondo is inches deep, no I don’t it is worth that.

Anyhow … if the car is nice, it’s probably gone by today! You’ve got to be able to move fast on really good deals. If you’re unsure about your skills of looking at an old car, definitely find someone to help. Unfortunately, pictures don’t tell much as bondo and red paint can make even a rust-bucket look good for a few years. That would ONLY be a high price if the car was a lemon, and you don’t want to get yourself into that!

Thanks, Neal

If you havn't bought it yet...I can almost guarantee you that the next time you talk to the guy, he is going to tell you that it is sold!

Go get it now...

I think something is wrong here. Everyone on this forum has told this guy to buy the car and I wonder if there really is a car to be bought. I've seen small block 70 clones sell for the kind of money we are talking about for this car. Either the seller has no title and is running a scam of some kind or we are being conned. Why not buy the car for the guy's asking price and sell it to any one of us on Team Chevelle for a profit. That car wouldn't last a day in the classified section at 18 to 20K. So how could the seller be so naive. Probably because he doesn't actually have a title to it is my guess. If the title is clear and he isn't living in a cave he knows he can get a lot more money for that car than he has offered to sell it for. If he parted some other Chevelles to build this one as stated in an earlier post, the guy knows Chevelles. I think he is jerking you around or (don't take this wrong) you are jerking us around.

hehe jerking you around? believe me I do have better things to do than that. As I have stated before this is my FIRST chevelle... I am clue less about anything chevelle? Ask me about Camaros or Vettes well I can tell you a few things... I have recently purchased a 69 Camaro RS/SS L78 all orig.. and like many of you here have put a lot of cash into it... So for me to buy another car I need to be sure its a good deal.. I dont have 17K lying around...

I have listened to all of your comments and Im sure it is a good deal but banks are not open on the weekend and I could not get the funds, which is why I have not bought it yet...

I am waiting for a response from the bank as I write this... should be here soon...

The seller (yes is legit, is not running a scam, and yes does have a clear tittle) is willing to hold the vehicle for me untill today, then he is going to run the ad in the paper... he knows that his chevelle is a desirable car and is valueable but has been out of the game for years, so may not know exactly what he has. To be honest neither do I.

If it were a matter of 7K or even 10 K I would not ask but for 17K I need to be sure. (Police Officers in Hawaii do not make that much...)

Anyway as I stated before Im waiting for the bank to call back.. I have an hour, if I dont get approved then oh well, lucky for the next guy. If I dont get it then PM me and I'll gladly give you his number

Here is a Pic of my 69...(Hawaii5-0 on team camaro)

have a good day...
http://www.fileden.com/files/1477/69quartergood.bmp

The camaro looks sweet and would look excellent with the 70 convertible your about to get, hehe:thumbsup:
Cool 50 in the house do you know Steve McGarrett or Dano and Chin Ho.
I used to love that tv series.:D Loved the sound track the most.:thumbsup: (http://www.mjq.net/fiveo/50theme.wav)
And the famous one of all Book em Danno (http://www.mjq.net/fiveo/sounds/bookemdanno.wav)
Ever play the 50 drinking game? (http://www.mjq.net/fiveo/sirah.htm)
All I can say is you would be drunk as a skunk before the first commercial, LOL:beers:

What happened to the 2 SS coupes after he was done with them?

here is the trim tag info:

ST 70-13667 BL 00484
770 45A
04B 628034 100287

As for the other two coupes, they were cut up and thrown away... a shame.

here is the trim tag info:

ST 70-13667 BL 00484
770 45A
04B 628034 100287

As for the other two coupes, they were cut up and thrown away... a shame.
Car was mist green with a white top and saddle bench seat originally.Strange combo

Man, you guys have got to get off the ‘net buying cars! I would never, ever purchase this car solely with the information given thus far. I’ve been temped to buy a car sight-unseen a couple of times, but have typically found after a phone conversation that it’s wasn’t quite as nice as the pictures. You wouldn’t believe the horror stories I’ve heard from some of these car haulers when they deliver a vehicle.

I for one, have absolutely no notion that this is a fraud … I do fully believe this car is for sale, at that price. Please also don’t believe that someone from this website (or any other) is just simply going to wire you $20k to flip this car, without further questions. Truth is, based on the given information this car could be anything from a $10k lemon to a $30k show car. I don’t believe either is the case, but I don’t know anything more either.

Anyhow, I’ll say again … $17k probably is a good price on this car (probably a great price). You’ve also done the right thing in questioning it though. There is no Chevelle Conv. out there that is a guaranteed great deal because of a red paint job and BBC/4spd. I was just reading a guys post in the Body Forum, that had a ’66 restored full of body filler and non-running engine (didn’t sound like his fault though). If this car was the same, I wouldn’t pay that much for it.

Lots of luck, and keep us posted. I personally might still have a friend come check it out with me … no matter how much you know, a second opinion is always welcome.
Neal

Let us know how it goes-I've got my fingers crossed for ya!! 17K is a good deal!

its only worth what you think its worht to yourself,and if its not give me his number,lol

Just to let you guys know I bought it!

Thanks again for all your help.

Josh

$$$$$$$$$$$$????????

Just to let you guys know I bought it!

Thanks again for all your help.

Josh
Congrats on the 70 vert!:thumbsup: Take some more pictures of it, and be sure to keep us updated on the progress of the car again congrats on getting the car.

Congrats on the purchase, couldn't go wrong with this one.

Got it for 15K! Thought to myself I dont really need it, so if I didnt get then oh well... Guess he really needed to sell it.

Thanks again

Josh

Excellent price you did better than you thought.. Congrats on it now get to work on it and lets see some more pictures..