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Where are you finding a Chevelle to purchase and what to expect for a certain price range?

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SMS

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hi Fellas,
I've been a member here for over 20 years and have been through many cars. Chevelles, Buick GS, Grand Nationals, so I am familiar with the product! I'm recently retired now, no hot rod, and looking for a driver quality 68-72 A body Chevelle Malibu I can work on and improve as a project. FB marketplace doesn't ever seem to have much, and flippers seem to swoop in immediately if anything does show up. Not having a truck and trailer, I can't just instantly drive across the country to grab something, either. I hate to use a dealer, as the price premium is something I'd rather avoid. However, maybe that's just the way it is?

What can I expect to find in the $30k-35k range? I get that a 70 will bring more than a 72, and that a nice SS clone will bring more than a barn find 72 straight 6 car that has been sitting for 15 years. The last car I had was a super clean 70 Skylark that I found for $13k back in 2015 so I get that those days are gone.

Not interested in numbers matching cars, just a nice Malibu that doesn't need floors, quarters and paint, that I can drop a big block into and have some fun. Am I not realistic about finding this for the price I mentioned? Thanks.
 
#2 ·
Look in the What’s It Worth section, seen a nice looking 72? Recently that would probably sell for the $ you are thinking, of course it’ll need a close inspection but pic looked nice and clean, Inherited Malibu
 
#3 ·
Follow Rick's lead, that fella was just asking what his ride is worth.

Hemmings tends to have more "cream of the crop" yet once in a while something in that price range pops up. Too bad you dont like Elky's as they seem to hold a 25-30% discount. Keep your eyes/ears open. Jsut saw a CHERRY , and i mean CHERRY 70 wagon trade for mid 30's. Someone STOLE it imho.

I had to leave fakebook due to all the ignorant noise, yet its unfortunate to me that medium is our new "swap sheet". My son searches FBMP all the time.
 
#5 · (Edited)
El Paso, Texas. Have a friend / contact who crows about "marketplace" all the time. He is really dialed into that scene (personally find it to be a hot mess) and has bought and sold cars there fairly frequently. According to him, there are 15-20 specimens on the EP marketplace, now. I've sold housewares and building materials there, but almost no car parts. Just seems messy, and am frankly not well familiar with the platform, either.

If, and say IF, a particular car on the EP marketplace is actually FROM this area, it will almost ALWAYS be cleaner, metal part wise. Meaning in terms of rust, pits, scale, and ROT. One will be miles ahead, and potentially Thousands of dollars saved, by buying a specimen with cleaner body, and from an area with lower ambient humidity, near zero annual snowfall, and next to no road chemicals.

These specimens are likely not selling as fast as they would elsewhere due to several factors. 1. Poverty - most here are not huge wage earners, and hobby cars are not in the picture. 2. Monster truck fads - many here, especially those from the country to the south, are into these fancy new trucks, or fix up older trucks with wheels, lift kits, lights under the truck, and what not. So the young people with money, are into these monster trucks, not classic cars, even though there's raw material still left. 3. The area is Isolated, it is 400 miles W to Phoenix, and 650 miles E to DFW. 4. Many potential buyers are either Unwilling or Unable to travel here to pick up a project car. But yes, thousands can be saved, by traveling to acquire a cleaner example to start with.
Dave S. southern New Mexico
 
#6 ·
i think a 71 or 72 in really good shape could be had for what you are looking to spend. like someone else mentioned, someone popped in here recently with his fathers car......maybe looking to sell, but it looks like a super nice piece.
 
#7 ·
Are you anywhere near Ohio?

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Discussion starter · #8 ·
69SS454 said:
Are you anywhere near Ohio?

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I'm in SW Michigan, so not too far.
 
#9 ·
I know you had a ‘70 before so maybe you prefer that body style, but I’d look for a nice driver ‘68 or ‘69 instead. I watch many websites including Hemmings, and I've seen some stellar deals on ‘68-‘69 Chevelles recently.

As mentioned above, Hemmings is a great place to look and contact sellers privately.

Lastly, don’t blow off dealers as some are fine to work with! I bought my present ‘67 from a consignment dealer in NC a couple years ago and learned the history of the car, etc. ....you can speak with the owner too, etc. Yes, there will be a fee, but it really matters what you want and that fee is usually already in the asking price of the car! If the car is something you like and the dealer is good to deal with then don’t let that sway you away from a good car!

Enjoy the “HUNT”! 👍
 
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Discussion starter · #10 ·
Chevelle SS 396/375 said:
I know you had a ‘70 before so maybe you prefer that body style, but I’d look for a nice driver ‘68 or ‘69 instead. I watch many websites including Hemmings, and I've seen some stellar deals on ‘68-‘69 Chevelles recently.

As mentioned above, Hemmings is a great place to look and contact sellers privately.

Lastly, don’t blow off dealers as some are fine to work with! I bought my present ‘67 from a consignment dealer in NC a couple years ago and learned the history of the car, etc. ....you can speak with the owner too, etc. Yes, there will be a fee, but it really matters what you want and that fee is usually already in the asking price of the car! If the car is something you like and the dealer is good to deal with then don’t let that sway you away from a good car!

Enjoy the “HUNT”! 👍
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I don’t think I could ever buy sight unseen.Id have to go look it over first. I sold my 70 as well as a GS455 that went o Germany sight unseen, buyers never batted an eye, just wired the money and had the car picked up. Taking a road trip to a dealer and paying to have it delivered might be better in the long run.
 
#11 ·
SMS said:
I don’t think I could ever buy sight unseen.Id have to go look it over first. I sold my 70 as well as a GS455 that went o Germany sight unseen, buyers never batted an eye, just wired the money and had the car picked up. Taking a road trip to a dealer and paying to have it delivered might be better in the long run.
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Generally, I’d agree with you and most people obviously, but situations can alter your thinking, and timing is everything! Especially if you’ve been looking for a long time and something pops up that’s what you were looking for! In my case the car was too original and numbers matching (and I don’t have the heart to change it like I had planned)! 🤣.
 
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#13 ·
SMS said:
I don’t think I could ever buy sight unseen.Id have to go look it over first. I sold my 70 as well as a GS455 that went o Germany sight unseen, buyers never batted an eye, just wired the money and had the car picked up. Taking a road trip to a dealer and paying to have it delivered might be better in the long run.
Click to expand...
There was a guy who listed a very clean looking Orange 69 SS in Prescott, AZ. Had Cragar slot wheels. I’ll see if I can find the listing if interested
 
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#14 ·
You could place an ad in some Craigslist in your area saying you are interested in buying a car. However I would be clear in the ad that you are not a dealer or flipper as I see them fairly regularly on CL.
Also go to local car shows and strike up a conversation with others at the show. Ask them if they know anyone that wants to sell. You may find a car that isn't even on the market.
 
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#15 ·
The last 20 years of car themed tv shows and circus type tv car auctions have ruined it for the hobbyist. With that said Facebook market place is your best bet to find deals I haven't used CL in years because of the spam on there. FB still has scams but much easier to spot and call them out. Also the old fashion way of driving around back country roads and looking in peoples back yards and driveways and knocking kn doors is fun too.
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
keithb said:
The last 20 years of car themed tv shows and circus type tv car auctions have ruined it for the hobbyist. With that said Facebook market place is your best bet to find deals I haven't used CL in years because of the spam on there. FB still has scams but much easier to spot and call them out. Also the old fashion way of driving around back country roads and looking in peoples back yards and driveways and knocking kn doors is fun too.
Click to expand...
No kidding. Today, $10k buys you a piece of junk that needs every panel replaced and a $10k+ paint job
 
#17 ·
keithb said:
The last 20 years of car themed tv shows and circus type tv car auctions have ruined it for the hobbyist.
Click to expand...
X2.
Glad I got in when things were much more reasonable. Wouldn't want to be buying now. Lots of overpriced cars on those shows. Misrepresented as well.
A friend of mines sister ask him " why do all the car owners at car shows have gray hair"? He responded " because they are the only ones that can afford them".
 
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#20 ·
blm said:
X2.
Glad I got in when things were much more reasonable. Wouldn't want to be buying now. Lots of overpriced cars on those shows. Misrepresented as well.
A friend of mines sister ask him " why do all the car owners at car shows have gray hair"? He responded " because they are the only ones that can afford them".
Click to expand...
I bought my 66 SS project in the fall of 04 just the beginning of all those tv shows. and not the good ol days of Mike Hanson of horse power tv :D. things where just starting to get out of hand.
 
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