I found a 138 66 SS Conv 396 360 HP 4 spd car. It has the # correct motor and rear. The colors are blue, blue and white top. The car needs restored but it was a calf car. The quarters are original and in great shape as is the trunk and frame. I have a price from the guy for the car with the body off restore finished. It would be a nice quality job but not where they do all the anodizing and paper tags. What do you think a car like this would be worth. I do not want to get stuck in it so I am looking for something fair where it would be an easy move.

The quality of the restoration determines alot about value in my opinion. I do not own an SS Convert (mine is a Malibu) but I would have to say the insurable value should be in the 36-40 range. I don't know if people are lining up to pay those figures though. Your best bet is to watch Hemmings or other Collector Car mags to see what people are asking for similar cars and keep in mind that they may not actually sell for that amount but a number 10 to 15 percent lower.

Not to clear on the question but I think you're asking what you should pay for a numbers matching, body off restored 66 Vert, 396 4spd? Tough question. If a guy does it himself, without figuring labor you could easily get up in the $30's depending on how "correct" you want to go and how many parts are needed. Add labor and you're near $50k. That would be what an "owner" would invest. As to what you could "be easy to move" you would probably get in the $20s for it. That's why you don't restore these to sell. If you could just redo these things for a profit, car lots would be full of them. And this is also why you have to be VERY careful when buying off one of the dealers that do exist. If the price seems to good............

Not to clear on the question but I think you're asking what you should pay for a numbers matching, body off restored 66 Vert, 396 4spd? Tough question. If a guy does it himself, without figuring labor you could easily get up in the $30's depending on how "correct" you want to go and how many parts are needed. Add labor and you're near $50k. That would be what an "owner" would invest. As to what you could "be easy to move" you would probably get in the $20s for it. That's why you don't restore these to sell. If you could just redo these things for a profit, car lots would be full of them. And this is also why you have to be VERY careful when buying off one of the dealers that do exist. If the price seems to good............

Real SS 66 convertibles that are nice are not selling in the $20s!!
A more realistic price would be in the $35,000 to $45,000 range for a number 2 driver. more if it is completely restored as a show car non driver.
you point out all the real 66 SS convertibles you find in the $20s, cause I'll buy every one of them!!

I'm just saying that "easy to move" means you have a broad purchasing base. You're not going to find many people with $20k to $30k CASH to buy. It takes the right person wanting what you have to do the deal. I'm sure you would buy all you could get seeing that you "like" '66s. Its like owning a Hemi Cuda Convert. Sure its worth a Mil or so, if you can find someone that wants it and HAS the Mil to spend. One out of a thousand that would look at it, has the money. Then you get down to options and color, etc........ not so easy to move all of a sudden. Same with the Chevelle market. Lots of lookers, not many that have the CASH.

I'm not sure I'm understanding this right, the individual that has this car is only selling it once he restores it? And then you are looking to buy it to re-sell?
:confused:

I'm not sure I'm understanding this right, the individual that has this car is only selling it once he restores it? And then you are looking to buy it to re-sell?
:confused:
Now that you put it that way,.......that is a crappy thing to do.
Let somebodyelse buy it for a fair price who actually wants the car.
shame when somebody needs to be in it for the $$$$ and not for the cars.

Well the car needs restored and he does not want to put the money into it. I buy the car then pay for the restore. We were talking about some trades. Everybody likes different styles and that is why I would not keep the 66. I like the 67 Conv better but my favorite is the 71 Conv. Different strokes for different folks. I would most likely drive it while it is for sale or trade. It would be a quality restoration. Thanks for all the replys

I recently put a 66 SS vert that needed TOTAL restoration (solid frame, complete numbers matching 360 4-speed car) on ebay and it brought 15K my .02 on this subject

I too have a in need of restoration 66 SS 396 325 auto convert , 2nd owner good daily driver , all matching #'S and do know it takes a wad of money too do a respectable restoration , labor rates are high in the restore shops , and the auto body shops prefer not tackling the every day re-paint stuff , motor .drivetrain I can do , and upholstery is mostly done /fresh , still feel the dollars to do my car are $$$$ 15,000.00 IN RESTORE DOLLARS. Then the question is after its done what will some one pay for it. I don't really know , but I have had 14 yrs of fun out of the car and you can.t put a price on all that good times !! I Know I would expect the car to sell for at least double the restoration cost - $30,000.00 - AND DON'T ask me how many guys come sniffing around too find my price and waffle about when a figure is giving about what I think its worth , oh well ya just can't findem anymore I say, if you find one for your price then more power too you I say , and a few years later their still looking . my 2 cents , now anybody know were I CAN FIND OUT the suffix code for a 348 motor I bought today?? PAD reads 19027 H ?? thanks

Well the car needs restored and he does not want to put the money into it. I buy the car then pay for the restore. We were talking about some trades. Everybody likes different styles and that is why I would not keep the 66. I like the 67 Conv better but my favorite is the 71 Conv. Different strokes for different folks. I would most likely drive it while it is for sale or trade. It would be a quality restoration. Thanks for all the replys

As for driving it after the resto... Probably the wrong thing to do IF you are out to profit... Any dirt, rock chips, etc are going to detract from the value of a completed restoration, minimizing any potential profit...

I also wonder just how much "quality" will be in that "quality restoration"... A quality restoration will cost alot, and unless you are picking up the car really cheap, or skimping on the quality of the resto, I think it will be difficult to turn a profit... Probably a better value to sell the car "as-is" and let a buyer sink the money into the restoration...

I know the prices have been escalating, BUT the people that are willing to pay Top dollar are going to look the car over very carefully... Especially a fresh restoration... If it was performed by an unknown shop or individual, many buyers might be hesitant to pay the high dollar, not knowing the reputation or quality of the work performed, or will look more closely...

As most of these guys know it cost a bundle to do a quality resto on anything. I am restoring my 66 ss in this way as we speak it has been 2-1/2 years since I bought and I did everthing on the except the headliner and machine work on the motor. If my intention was to sell it I don't believe I could get my labor back. Materials I would say probably break even. If I were in your shoes I think I would buy it and put it right on ebay. Then buy your '71 conv. with the money you get from that. I think the biggest reason in my opinion is time especially if you do it yourself. Why waste 1, 2 or 3 years on the '66 even though in the end it may be worth it when you sell it you could put that energy into a '71. I suppose you could buy a '71 already done when you get done with the '66 but I don't think that there is nothing better than driving something you have built from the ground up. Maybe you could even trade it for something that your looking for. Just my 2 cents.

This guy obviously wants to make money off it. Sounds like another one only after the money and thats all he is intrested in. :sad:

This guy obviously wants to make money off it. Sounds like another one only after the money and thats all he is intrested in. :sad:

And what is wrong with making money off of it? I see you are another HATER. I'll sell every single one i can get.

Sorry Chris didn’t mean to offend. Thanks fast. I stated my intensions up front to him and everyone here. I have a 71 BB Conv and a 72 Heavy. I was talking to the guy about a restoration on my 71 when the 66 came up. I would be in the car ok but I do not know if I want to tie my money up. Would you want to put your money it and break even? My 71 is very correct and that is why I was looking for another 71 to customize to my liking. I would most likely paint it radar blue with white interior and either a blue or white top. I have many power options like PW, PL, P seat release, Map light, rear defog, P trunk release and a couple more that I want to install. I am concerned that doing this to my 71 would hurt the value especially since I just found the build sheet last night. That is why I would like to find a SB so I can put the drivetrain in it that I want. If someone is interested in the 66 email me.

And what is wrong with making money off of it? I see you are another HATER. I'll sell every single one i can get.

And people wonder why this hobby is to expensive for the average person to get into now days? :sad:

Im into cars because its my hobby and I enjoy it, not to make a profit off of it.

And no, I wasnt offended Redman. Just making an observation (About the seller).

You'll most likely come out much more ahead of the game if you do like fast67 and find a sucker,,,err, I mean buyer on ebay before doing anything to it.

If you try to pay for the restoration, you will probably loose money unless maybe you don't drive it and wait a while until it appreciates.

I have lost money and I have made money on cars that I have had. I would rather make money it is less painful. I have been into cars for close to 30 years and have been blessed enough to have owned a very wide variety. I had a collection of 11 cars and now only 2. I lost right 67K on the ZR1’s that I bought new and sold so I think I an entitled to make up a couple $’s. I have done my own fiberglass, metal, body, paint and mechanic work. Unfortunately I no longer have a 4700 sq ft garage and with my asthma I no longer paint or weld. The paint and motor building were my favorites besides driving them. I guess we are all suckers when it comes too what’s close to our hearts. As far as the 66 SS conv I doubt that I would get hurt on a full restore all it @ $26K. Yes I think there is room for profit there but I am not sure I want to tie my money up to wait for a sale. I am not into these cars just for profit but we are Americans and are entitled to our own public observations. Best wishes