Hey guys, i have a quick question. My girlfriends dad has a #'s matching 1969 L89 corvette. This thing has been in body shop limbo for 2 years and he has lost the drive to complete it. He also just had knee surgery so he really can't work on it. He is looking into selling some of the stuff and i have no idea what that type of stuff is worth. He said the motor has been rebuilt about 3 years ago but just rings and gaskets and stuff, nothing crazy. It is all there and numbers matching with the aluminum heads and the tri-power intake with the carbs. Would this be something valuable to a corvette guy do you think? He is just looking to get rid of some stuff, he is selling his harley also. It is sad to see him have to get rid of this stuff, so i want to help him make it easier. I don't have the money or i would take it off his hands and take good care of it. Really though i have no idea what it is worth. We have the whole drivetrain sitting on his garage floor, motor, tranny (m-22? or m-21?), and the clutch and bellhousing. I appreciate any help, and like i said before this is not a for sale ad, just an honest question.

Daniel

Go here and then to the C3 forum. They will have the answers and probably a buyer. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zeromain

Yeah, If he has the whole car, seems a shame to sell it in parts. :(

Unless its to me so I could upgrade my 68 Corvette.

If the number matching drivetrain matches the car, it would be a shame to separate them. Sell them as a package.

Hi Daniel, Corvettes are what I really like, 66-67 Chevelles are next. I can't give you a good value on it unless I know a few other things. First, what color is it? Is it a Coupe or roadster? Does he have the protect-o-plate? It's a metal tag that came with the warranty book. Is there any other original paperwork that proves what it is? What other options does it have? You mentioned the car is in a body shop, does it have damage or is it just being painted? Being that the car is apart will also reduce the value. You see what I mean? Low ball on the car without knowing much more I would only be able to guess about $30k to $35k. Let me know what you have there and I'll be more than glad to help you. :cool:

With only 390 L89 Vettes produced in 1969, this is obviously a very rare car. Agree with most of the above comments that it would be a shame to part out. Should be very good value in the whole car, in pieces or otherwise. Good luck.

Ok, that is interesting. I don't know if he has any documentation for sure, but as far as he tells me the entire car is matching numbers, engine and tranny as well as everything else match the car, vin stamps and all. He said he looked for a build sheet once but didn't find anything, i might get ahold of it and see what i can find for him.

It has been at the body shop getting the thing painted. It was one of those things where he knows the guy and he is doing it for him in his spare time. Well Nick, (my girlfriends father) has lost interest, so he hasn't really pressed the body shop guy in a long time to get it done. I want to find out what shop it is at so i can go check it out myself. I know it would take a little work to get it all put back together, but would it be worth it in terms of a selling price, or would the buyer like to put it back together himself and restore it properly or something like that since it is such a rare car apparently. Only 390 built, wow that isnt very many is it. Is there demand for this type of car?

It is really cool though, i saw the motor in his garage last week. Original tri-power setup with the air cleaner and aluminum heads and everything. Even has the red air cleaner sticker still on it.

Daniel

Daniel, the build sheet, or broadcast sheet as the
factory guys liked to call it is usually pasted on top of the gas tank. Maybe he's already looked
there but just in case I thought I'd mention it.
Although the axiom that the value of the sum of the parts is greater than the whole is always tempting to folks to me it would be sacreligious to part it out. You're obviously getting that sentiment from other posts on this subject. There are guys out there who'll take the car either way, assembled or apart, so that's no problem but as I said before a turn key car is obviously worth more. Best, Raymond :cool:

*Edit* oops, I confused some option codes! Corrected by next reply. Documentation will make a big difference in value, along with a proper restoration.

Good luck, Thomas

Daniel, no L89's were equipped with the tri-power. Also, an L88/L89 had a very specific hood.
Thomas,
Sorry, but I think you are confused. The L89 aluminum head option was an option on the L71 435HP Tri-Power engine. The L88 is a completely different option. This car should have the standard big block hood. A completely restored L71/L89 isn't worth as much as a comparable L88, but it is worth a pretty penny, too.

Is there demand for this type of car?
If you ever drove a 427 Corvette, you wouldn't have to ask that. :D

I got to drive a 69 390 horse 427 with a 4 speed, and sidepipes.
It was the most fun I've ever had driving a car.
Think about the way a 396 moves a Chevelle, then concider a hundred more horsepower in a car that weighs 500 to 700 lbs less. :eek:

Not quite the power to weight ratio, of a 427 Cobra, but closer than any other production car, from that time period. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

If I could afford a 427 Corvette, I'd have one. :(

Lol, no thad, i have never driven one. I like my chevelle and all, but i have never driven anything that light that old. I have driven a modern C5 but not a C2. Oh well, if we happen to put it back together before he gets rid of it i will have to take it for a spin. Although that might not be a good thing. I might like it to much and not let him sell it. Really though i dont' have the money for that sort of thing. Hmmmm, maybe if i marry his daughter he will give it to me as a wedding present... She is worth way more than that car to me though. She is all i neeed from him! But still, Hmmmm!!!

Daniel

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=729477

Its guys like these that give all Vette owners a bad name. :rolleyes:

Dwayne

I just helped a second owner of a 69 Corvette L-89 dark green /black leather convertible sell his car for $ 59000. Yes, only 390 were made. L-89's were the same as a 435 hp engine, but had aluminum heads to save weight.

Now how many of you know that in 1969, Chevrolet made 400 L-89 CHEVELLES ??????

It was the 375hp /396 motor but with aluminum heads.

In 2001, I saw a 21000 mile El Camino SS L-89 sell for $50000!!! A very documented car owned by a very well known collector.
It had the window sticker, protecto plate, and Purchase order all from Don Allen Chevrolet, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. The car was still in the 2nd owners name as it had been stored since 1975.

So, please keep the Corvette whole. I would love to help you sell it if you get control, but a lot more questions must be answered before you get too crazy. Like is it a convertible.......and has anyone seen the tank sticker or other factory paperwork? What are the numbers on the engine pad? It is MOST IMPORTANT to have all the documentation to avoid fraud conflicts down the road.

Example, a L-88 Corvette sold this week without any of its factory paperwork. Price $55000. Before the sale was complete, the paperwork was found. Final sale price......over $95000!!

Get the message? Go do some homework and report back.
Regards,
Jim Gessner
55 Corvettes besides my Chevelles

I dunno what the L89 is wortyh but have a L71 I'd like to know the approx value.

No intake, but is coded as a 1968 TriPower 435Hp motor.
840 casting heads, steel crank, dimple rods, etc..
All correct date coded for a '68 Vette.

Yeah I've gone over to the 'Vette site to ask and its a joke.

They never would even return my registration info until I registered as actually owning a 1968 BB Vette.

As soon as I did that I got registered.

What a crock.

So I just have an engine sitting here and hate to put it together to flog on it because some Vette yuppie probably needs it.


I can also buy a '71 365HP 454 car for less than 10K, Excellent shape, stored for the last 15 years, all original except for the wheels.

Low mileage too.

Probably buy it once I get done with dad's '68 Malibu project.

Jacob my man,
I will be happy to help you move your motor. Sorry you had so much problem with the corvetteforum.com guys. Generally, they are very helpful.

If you want to privately e-mail me,at jim@vettefinderjim.com , I will try and help.

I don't want to clog this post up. And the 71 car for $10 with the 454 could be a good deal.

Daniel, it's clear you shouldn't part it out. Whole is the way to go. But, if for some reason that doesnt work out, DO NOT waste that motor on a Vette. Stick it in a Chevelle with a minimum of a 4.10 rear axle ratio and have a blast DUDE! :D

Jim,
I'll email you or if you get a chance email me at jakeshoe@hotmail.com.

I'm in no hurry to get rid of it but it is taking up space.
I have the casting numbers, etc.. written down somewhere.

The heads were 840's, the intake setup is long gone, I bleive it still has the water pump, lower alt bracket.
It has the balancer too.

Code on the pad was IR or IRR off the top of my head.

It spun one rod bearing but crank will turn OK.

It would need a compelte rebuild, etc.. but it is a core with the right codes.

I had one of the guys at the forum that informed me it was in fact the L71 or L72 (can't remember and my notes are not here).
I was told it was an L88 when I got it, and I wasn't aware there were several variations of the 430 or 435 HP motors other than iron head/alum head, tri-power/holley.

I decoded the tag and saw it was a 435Hp and assumed it was an L88.

Either way it is worth something to a Vette restorer, but not me.
I picked up ANOTHER 454 core today that I don't need.
I have the 427 I pulled form my Chevelle sitting on the crate in the garage, the 505 I replaced it with in my Chevelle, and a fresh '68 code 396 on the stand I also don't need but a member here has said he wants.

I'm BBC poor, can't ya tell?

PARTING THAT CAR OUT WOULD BE A CRIME!!!
FIND A BUYER FOR THE WHOLE CAR AND ALL PARTS.
BUT, IF YOU MUST HOW MUCH DOR THE HEADS??? graemlins/clonk.gif