I've been looking at another '68 SS Elky a few hours away. I need your opinion on whether or not it is a good deal for the money. It is a real 138 car, a true SS396 El Camino. Body is a 9 out of 10 - no rust anywhere, not even on the frame - just a few paint chips along the door edges and hood (easy stuff to fix). I give it a 9 because the bed chrome is badly faded. Not broken or missing, just faded. Paint is really nice - metallic blue. Bumpers look new - grill and extensions, headlight bezels all excellent. Interior is nice - maybe a 7 or 8 out of 10. All original but chrome on the knobs and vent doors is cracking. Carpet new, headliner new, door panels and seats obviously original but in very good shape. Dash good w/no cracks. All interior painted pieces match exterior color well and are in great shape. Has good CD player and speakers in back. Engine is a .030" over 454 (1973 truck block) 781s with 2.19/1.88s, Crane roller rockers, LS6 cam with solid roller lifters, single plane intake, Holley 4 bbl., new headers and 2.5" duals with H-pipe, Dynomax turbo mufflers. THM-400 trans. with shift kit and a 3.73 limited slip 12 bolt out back. Has 15 X 7 ralleys with 255/60s on front, Corvette 15 X 8 out back with 275/60s. All tires look new. Owner has only owned the car a few months, and was unsure if it had been restored or just really well taken care of. He bought it from an estate auction. It's really nice - I got a chance to drive it and it just flies like a rocket. Also has a fast ratio steering box. He drove it a few miles down the highway while I rode in it. Then I got to drive it back. He got on it once or twice just to show me what it was capable of - just amazing - it would eat my uncle's '04 Vette for lunch anyday. Engine compartment looks new - nicely detailed. Has small rear main seal leak otherwise no drips or leaks. Also the speedo is off by quite a bit. I realize it's hard to say without seeing the car, but what would you think is a fair price? I know what he is asking, but I want to wait and see what some of you think first. Sorry for the long post, but this is a big decision I'm about to make. Any input is welcome.

I would say around 18.

Thanks - any other opinions? I need to make a decision on this car within the next few days.

I'd say 12-15K. You're in a group of chevelle and elky people here, so everyone likes them. Elkys aren't as easy to sell as a chevelle because not everyone likes them like most do here. If it were a chevelle, I'd say 18+

when you state no rust at all. you need to get an experenced bodyman to look for bondo around the back glass. also under the carpet. look at the car a second time . sometimes our hearts(wants) blocks our vision. i have seen show cars that after sanding starts you will have a clever disquised rust bucket. not trying to discourage you ,just to give advice. if the car checks out and still meets your standards. the car is worth what you are willing to pay. graemlins/beers.gif

Not sure what you mean by faded chrome - never seen chrome fade myself - but otherwise if the sheetmetal is all solid, I would say about $15-16K.

Faded chrome - the tailgate top molding is new - shines great. You can tell the obvious age of the other moldings in comparison. Hard to describe, it looks like the old chrome is 'dull' or 'faded' next to the new one. Had a chance to look it over again earlier this afternoon. I'm not a bodyman, but either the rust is hidden so well it's not even noticable or there was never any rust. It's an original California car according to the VIN - guy says it was brought to Nebraska about 5 years ago and got maybe 10,000 miles on it since then. There's not really salt around here in the winter so I believe there to be no rust. He is asking $14,500 for it, which I thought to be pretty fair, and by most opinions here sounds like a legit deal to me. Think I might go through with it - I dunno - I'll keep you posted.

$14,500 sounds fair if it's what you're looking for. I think I'd start off with an offer of $12,000 and see how much discount I could get.

Whoever wants it bad enough, will pay almost anything for it. It sounds to me like you really like the car. If that is the case, how much can you afford? Without any of us looking at the car, it is difficult to guesstimate. But if your asking for a ballpark price, your just asking so you don't spend too much, and if your not looking for a resale, too much is not an issue. I guess what I am trying to say is, if you want it, and can afford it, buy it.

Dave