hey fellas, i was just thinking about all the experience here. having just bought my first 1968 ss 396 , i wondered if maybe we can prepare a short list of what all should be done upon delivery.this would include what all to check, test, inspect, and maybe even repair or replace. my vehicle was restored but you can never tell about a 40 year old car.maybe it can help others.thanks for listening.

imho..

Wheelcovers
doors (especcially near the hinges and under)
radiator support
front/back left chassis
all floor/trunk pans

the rest aint a problem

Steering, brakes - all that safety stuff.
If you're planning on driving it, those are the most important areas to inspect as far as I'm concerned.

I also like to get my cars up on lifts or jack stands and check the torque of my bolts. Not to spec, but to eliminate hardware rattling off of the drive shaft, rear end, trans mount, exhaust, engine accesories etc.

All Fluids obviously, changing the Oil and checking the Coolant.

That's for safety, now checking how much Bondo is in the car or if frame repair is evident, or if the cowl tag matches the VIN sequence, or if the VIN matches the CON VIN covering up a stolen vehicle or standard Malibu origin is another story altogether. :)

My point is, that all of these issues need to be inspected prior to purchase rather than prior to delivery.

After verifying all the numbers, frame condition is probably one of the most important items on a long list as far as expensive repairs go.

Change all the fluids and check the lines and hoses. Safety stuff first. Make sure brakes and steering are in good order.

A mean burnout is alway's good.
Or you could wait untill your infront of hundreds of people cheering you on just to have it cough back and catch on fire when you mash on it.........
Not that it happened to me or anything :noway:

Check enough of the fluids, etc to see that it is temporarily safe, and then drive it a good bit in private, ie, go 15 miles, and shut it off in your own driveway, to see that it will restart easily when hot.

This way you can find any bugs before you are dropping the hammer in front of a crowd.

I recommend driving them awhile before modding. Otherwise you may buy some stuff, only to learn that you need to spend twice as much money on something you did not plan on...