Hi all, first post and I've had a look through the forum and a bunch of online adds. I'm looking to buy a 1970 4 speed SS396, non matching numbers but want a tidy car. Just started reading through the buyers guides and was hoping someone could give me a heads up on whether my $25K budget is realistic or not. Matching number cars seem to be in the mid $30's at least. Will spend the next 6 months looking about while getting the Chevelle knowledge up and so far it's a steep learning curve.

david

Yes, your within reason if you realize the fact that if the original engine is already gone, that buying a Clone is of little additional consequence.

Prioritize the money you spend on build quality and cosmetics, starting with the Chassis and frame first and foremost. Anything else like interior, or engine detailing can come later.

Buy the best body/paint and frame you can.

You can even get into a 454 for 25K but expect some additional cosmetic needs.

If your seeking a 396, you should be able to pull a nice clean non numbers car for $25K, especially if pedigree isn't important to you.

Photos also hide the truth, be prepared to personnaly inspect yourself, or ask the help of a Team Member.

EDIT: I see your from new Zealand, that likely will have some significant impact with additional taxes/Shipping charges.

25K is a good price for a very nice cloned Malibu. Must have big block correct dash 12 bolt etc. A nice SS with docs even without the #matching motor will be more. But if your patient and shop hard and long enough you might luck up on a deal. Keep in mind all cars with no docs might as well be a clone and money should reflect that. But to take a very nice Bu to a well done SS clone you will be at 25K easy less your time. Good luck and let us know how you come out. This is one mans opinion. But I have watched 70's hard for the last 3 years.

markit is full of chevelles for 25 k or less, with todays gas price, you can have you pick of the liter, i have one myself i can only give it away, no one wants to buy it, 1000 hours of restoring , and i cant even get my labor back out of it to say nothing about all the money i have spent in new parts, so good luck , but building them is so much fun, this is a crazy world we live in

I think a really nice, clean 70 SS396 should run atleast 30K. Anything below that will be for a car that needs work. I think a ready to drive/drag race/car show 70 should not be below 30K. I look around a lot just for fun and that's what I see. I would hope my 69could get 30K. If you look at the Mecum auctions, which I think are for more real world people compared to Barrett-Jackson, 90% of restored Chevelles have sold at 30-90K (90K was an LS6). JMO. Good luck.

Here you go. I am sure there are Chicago are people that could look at it.


http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/car/702123326.html

Wow, thanks all for the replies. I don't want a clone and it's going to be doing about 5000 miles a year so I thought it was best not to pile miles on to a vehicle with matching numbers. I'll have to rethink that and see if I can drag my budget up closer to $30-33K which may make sense in the long run. Shipping/taxes etc for me are about $4k which I'm happy with.

I'm in the US all the time for work so now I need to get out and look at some vehicles.

David,you could buy a decent 70 SS for 25K...a little bit of patience will pay off. Don't be turned off by a well done clone either.

Alot of guys make this mistake.

They want an original SS, No clone. Yet ultimately purchase a Non original motor car.

Sometimes paying a premium for an original SS when it's no longer original.

A cars value is placed primarily on it's originality, it's quality, or both.

Once originality is tainted, focus primarily on quality.

Dont pay a premium for what it "used to be"

If you want an original SS because you can't get past the "Stigma" of a "Clone", that's OK....

Just dont pay a premium for it if the original drive train is gone.

Hello David. Is your $25,000. based on U.S. dollars?
How is the exchange rate with New Zealand $?

it's 25k in USD. The NZ dollar was racing up in strength for a while there until someone noticed the country's got half a dozen sheep and some mighty nice scenery and that's about it:D. So fortunately it's started dropping back a little. I'm on contract at the moment in Hong Kong and paid in USD so it's not such a problem.