i got a very clean one owner 45,000 mile super sport.original paint,and interior that looks great.the problem is the car has sat in a garage since 1983.it doesnt run.nobody seemsto remember why it was parked.im not a mechanic so i had it brought to a shop for them to go over it.anyways long story short it has a blown head gasket,they say i should rebuild the motor,have the gas tank flushed,it needs wheel cylinders,and who knows what other things it mite need.should i sell it and buy a driver?when i bought the car it looked great and i got all the dealer paper work,but i wasnt expecting a project.im scared that im going to nickle and dime myself to death and i really want to drive something now!should i sell and get something thats done and has all the bugs worked out?remember im no mechanic so i cant do it myself.thank you

.

Sell it for what you have into it,or make a little if you can and buy something more driveable that is ready to go. Do you what feels right for you.
Thanks
Mike

first off this car has sat for 25 YEARS and there was a reason for it.......when a car sits that long thing go bad even if you drive it or not.all the stuff that talk about are easy fixes except for the motor rebuild.that will cost you some money depending on what they really need to do to the motor.if you keep it all to stock specs it should not run you more then 3k for a good rebuilt motor.it might be cheaper if they dont have to do to much to the motor.
what you really need to do is ask yourself what you really want out this car or any other muscle car that you might buy.if you do think about selling your car. you will most likely pay way more for the new car,then you spent on this car to get some thing a little more to your taste.so you need to think about what its going to cost to fix this up and get it running to where you will be happy.compared to selling it and buying a new one.
you see these guy chiming in on wanting to buy your car is because ONE owner cars like yours dont come around to much any more.plus it really might not take that much to get it up and going.i know what you list may seem like alot of work .but to some of these guys its nothing compared to the rust buckets that are being sold for big dollars and need a complete restoration done on them.plus its winter time and a really good time to have all your work done to the car.so you can have it ready for summer when you really will want to take it on the road.if you really like these cars this also might be a good car to start learning on how to work on them even if just the basic stuff.thats part of the fun of owning these muscle cars.
so once again think about what you want,the costs(selling verse keeping and fixing) and what you really need.that should help you make up your mind.if it were me i would keep it, fix it up and have fun driving it.rare finds like yours dont come around every day.good luck

With the car being parked that long it will need a complete brake system rebuild to be reliable for use, replace the water pump, radiator hoses and heater hoses, and ask why the motor needs a rebuild, flush the fuel lines if possible, and clean or replace the fuel if need be. It is going to cost you some time and money to get the car running agan but if the body is rust free and the paint OK for now I would do the needed maintenance and keep the car. I would kill to find a car like that even thought it needs alot of drive train work but it would be worth all the work. So keep the car and get to work and learn mechanics to save yourself alot of money. If you do not want to invest a lot of time in the car you would probably be better off selling the car so you do not lose interest in the hobby. Have fun

manx96

I think with your present thoughts about this car, that if you started working on it, you will never finish it.
Theres guys out there that are dieing to get this type of car and go to town on it. Not for me, I like things next to done myself.
Sell it for your own good.

"very clean one owner 45,000 mile super sports" are very hard to come by, in fact almost impossible to find now days.

Fix one thing at a time and you'll be very glad you did.
It shouldn't be all that hard to get the brakes and the engine up to par.

If you just can't wait to have a driver, you can probably get the best price out of it on ebay, cars seem to sell there for much more than they're actually worth and that one should be worth a lot.

You didn't say what condition the body was in.Rusted body's are where you really can start dropping serious money into a car.Personally if the body's in good shape I'd keep it.It's not that much money to put brakes on it.Pull the heads and get a valve job and surface. At least you know what have,you could buy a running driver but you might not know how reliable it is and your back where you started

I would keep it, One think at a time like said in previous post. I look at it this way, if you sold the car and bought a driver how much work is the driver going to need?. I f you have a numbers matching car, which I know you didnt state but if is keep it, you wont regret it.
We would love to see some pictures of your new car if you would like to post some. and were here to help you, all your answers are here on T.C

I would keep it, One think at a time like said in previous post. I look at it this way, if you sold the car and bought a driver how much work is the driver going to need?. I f you have a numbers matching car, which I know you didnt state but if is keep it, you wont regret it.
We would love to see some pictures of your new car if you would like to post some. and were here to help you, all your answers are here on T.C

here here we need pictures...

here here we need pictures...

^^:yes::yes:

You didn't say what you paid for the car. Compare what you paid versus what you would have to pay for the driver of your choice and see what the difference is. Then figure out what needs to be done to the car to get it in drivable condition.

From what you've described, the only part that you couldn't do yourself would be the engine work. The rest of the stuff like rebuilding the brake system or dropping the tank and cleaning it or replacing it isn't really all that difficult and the cost of new parts are easily identifiable. Get a price on the engine work along with that other "stuff" and see where you are money-wise. I wouldn't be surprised if you wound up money ahead by fixing what needs to be fixed versus buying that driver. As other responders have pointed out, by nature of what it is, there's guys that would love to have your car. Just my opinion, but if it's in decent shape with only 45,000 original miles, I'd keep it.

guys I'm going to say what everyone is doing their best not too !!

it doesn't sound like your in a position / knowledge / Time frame / to restore a muscle car !!

if you were it wouldn't have been towed to a repair shop !!! if your trying to make a daily driver out of it .......:noway:

to expensive to run & restore ...... sell it to someone who can restore it / enjoy / keep it /
what it sounds like you found is a once in a life time find .... its to bad that it doesn't sound like your in a position to take advantage of it !!

i paid 14,000 for it.my brother inlaw is a bodyman and told me about the car.what he thought was the car was just parked.he and i didnt think it would have major prblems.we figured on the small stuff,radiator,hoses,belts tires and any other minor things, but not a blown head gasket or an engine rebuild.i only had 16,000 to spend on a running car and i just really want to be ridding soon.it has no rust anywhere and the two spots on the drivers side can be fixed and the paint blended in since he said it was low in the door.my brother inlaw now thinks i should sell it and get something thats running,and needs paint work since the labor would be free and i like the work in progress look "primer,rat rods look" anyways.before i get the car tore apart and l run out of money and time.

Chris for 16 k you are NOT going to get a car that is great shape. The older cars that are really in great shape are 25 to 30 K.
If you do the motor then it will a clutch or a convertor then you will find the trans leaks then the rear end will start to bump and grind as well as leak. If you do the entire drive line then you will find it needs the front and rear suspension done then the weather striping. Get my drift. These old cars are never done unless you spend 2 years on them and 50 K. Then when you are done it will be worth 25 / 30 K.
I am not trying to discourage you but it is what it is.
If you dont know how to work on them it will cost even more,

Now that you have some of the members drooling, LOL
post some pictures of the car I am sure you can sell it for what you have in it or more with ease.
You should try and look at the cars for sale on this site also. Or post something in the classifieds your car for a nice driver trade???

Sounds like you are new to cars, Chevelles in particular. You are lucky, that low mileage cars are not available any more, for way more than you paid for that car. The repairs you talk about on that car are not that big a deal. Even if you need to get the motor rebuilt, you will still not have much in it for what it is. A low mileage motor like that could be freshened up for not much money. Rering, bearings, gaskets, and labor probably less than $1000. I hope you realize what you have there and don't destroy it.

It would be a bad idea to sell this car. Its not often you find something like that. Your best bet is to fix a little at a time and find local help to get you there. Are there any local clubs in your area? There are a lot of people that would like to take it off your hands, dont let the fact that this is an abvious highly desireable lower mileage muscle that other people want sway you from selling it. With the way prices are now days, you may not ever be able to get another.

Personally, if you dont have the knowledge or skills, or cash to do all the work yourself. And you want a hotrod for a driver. Post that thing up in the classifieds or hemmings motor news. Offer it up as a TRADE! believe me you will probably get some pretty nice offers. And dont just settle for the first nice car that comes along. You've got yourself something alot of people are going to want. Just know this, some guys flip cars to make some serious money, they're going to tell you your car needs this and that. Just tell them thank you, now go away, your only interested trading for a nice driver.
If you go this route, post up what you get offered, I think we'll all like to hear what you end up with. jim

the chevelle is frost green,with a black vinyl roof,sport stripe,wood wheel,and all the original wheels.the only thing that seems to be missing is the smog pump and original carb and air cleaner the shop said.

to be honest i think im going to the trade or offers route with the car. i really dont want to go thru the time of putting up classifieds ads and stuff,at least right now.if anyone knows somebody with a 4spd camaro,or chevelle for trade let me know.i dont mind if its not numbers matching but its got to sound "cammed up" i like the resto-rod look.228 596 3473 the chevelle is frost green,with a black vinyl roof,sport stripe,wood wheel,and all the original wheels.the only thing that seems to be missing is the smog pump and original carb and air cleaner the shop said.

Just so you know, we don't allow for sale, trade type stuff in the forums. All that stuff goes here:

www.chevelles.com/classifieds (http://www.chevelles.com/classifieds)

That area gets more traffic than the forums anyways.

im sorry, how do i take it out?

Did you say "Wood wheel"? If it has a Rosewood wheel that alone is worth some coin.:yes: If it looks like this one its a Rosewood:yes:
Click the picture for high resolution.

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/5615/p1010160hx2.th.jpg (http://img141.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1010160hx2.jpg)

i think so... im going to the shop this wendsday after work to find out if its number matching or not.i will take some pictures but im going to need some help loading them in the computer and putting them on the forums.im not very computer wise.thanks and im sorry about mentioning trading it in the forums.my mistake.

Lots of opinions here...you obviously bought the car for a reason, even if you didn't have a great deal of knowledge. I can tell you first hand from a similar experience with a '63 Nova SS, you're in for a bunch of money rebuilding things...brakes are likely shot (wheels cylinders, master, etc.), trans may also need rebuild (at the very least, all seals) and then there's the engine. If you're good with tools, do as much as you (and brother in law) can and keep it...

Chris, if you had listed an email or private message addy in you profile, members here cound contact you.

ive already received a private message from someone,it shwed up when i logged in.im not sure how to do it though. good nite.....

You have found a great car and have the opportunity to spend $5000 or less and probably have a car worth $25000-$3500.

When you buy that running, finished car for $15,000 or so, be prepared to spend another $2000 or more to fix the stuff that is probably not right and that will give you problems. Most guys will back this up. A $15000 Chevelle is probably not as dependable as you might think. You would be surprised at how much half-a**ed stuff you will find on it after you own it for awhile and drive it regularly. Wait till you see what kind of repaired metal is under that shiny paint! How much oil the rear axles might leak, how hard it is to keep it cool when you drive it in summer. I'm just saying that with your dollar amount, it will be hard to find a finished car that is really top notch. There is a lot of junk in that price range. They look good, but underneath there will be lots of problems and repairs. You would be better off to spend the extra time and money to fix the car you found and have a right, valuable car when you are done. Things like brakes, electrical and cooling systems are pretty cheap repairs on the Chevelles, nothing like repairing a late model car. If you could find a good trustworthy small shop to work on it as you have the money, all the better. Might take a year or two, but you will really have something.

I hate to say this, but if you can't turn a wrench without at least a mid-range skill level, you really shouldn't own a 39 year old car.

I mean no offense by that, it's just a simple fact.

You will nickle and dime yourself 10 fold, if paying $65 an hour labor fees.

I'm not saying you have to be able to rebuild motors, I can't, but you should be able to tear it down and put it back together nut and bolt.

These cars require constant maintenance, carb, lifter and timing adjustments, etc, etc, etc....

If you buy a car in the 25K-35K range, it will still need plenty of work.

And at the 50K range..... Well, it will still need work, and plenty of things you want to upgrade.

I have well over 55K into mine and still wrenching..... That's one of the major parts of the enjoyment with this hobby.

You really can't have one without the other without major $$$$$$$$

I'd buy a Chiltons manual, some tools, and start learning.

Whatever you do, don't give the 69 away.

I agree that you need to be able to do repairs at the very least or you will quickly become frustrated with paying shop fees and will just want to get rid of it. Here is an idea. Maybe you could find someone willing to trade for a much newer Mustang GT. That way you would have a car that is still a hot rod but doesn't need a lot of immediate attention.

Again Jmo, but you should be able to have a set of head gastets put on for under $700.00, brakes, hoses and wheel cyls for around $500.00, drop gas tank for under $200.00. which this stuff should be done by someone that knows what there doing. You yourself can do fan belts and hoses.
If you do decide to trade your car, let us know what someone is offering you in trade, most likely one of us can tell you if its a good move or not, or even inspect it for you.

Good Luck

When you buy that running, finished car for $15,000 or so, be prepared to spend another $2000 or more to fix the stuff that is probably not right and that will give you problems. Most guys will back this up

Boy I wish I got off that cheap.

This is sounds like the best car to learn with. I still say your best bet is to keep it and learn to work on it instead of learning to fix problems with someone elses car your thinking about trading for. Who knows what the next guys car has in store for you. You already have an idea of what this car needs, why start that process over again with another car?

Boy I wish I got off that cheap.

You are right, that is about what I spent re-doing the mechanical issues on my Chevelle. that was parts, I did all the labor. Camshaft, engine oil leaks, mounts, belts, hoses new radiator. New headers, mufflers and pipes. throwout bearing, flywheel resurface. Clutch crosshaft replace. Front disc brakes, brake lines, booster, master cyl, and rear cylinders and hose, axles, bearings and new rear gear. Plenty of painting under the hood, sandblasting the front frame after the doghouse was off. 8 months of work so far. New rear control arms ordered. Maybe that is all the mechanicals. Seems to run and drive fine now.
Although body looked great when I got it, I now find all the poor work done in the past. Trunk floor goes in the next few weeks, then new quarters come off, to allow removal of the rusty originals that were left on under neat the new skins! What poor work. After that, a lot of blocking and then paint.
I bet I'm over $2000!

Chris,

As Jeff stated, there are no classifieds allowed in the forums. So I have removed all of the for sale references that I could find and left the thread open. Please if you have any interest in selling or trading place an ad in the free classifieds.

Thanks and good luck.

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