[wags70ss]

Hello everyone, Im new here. I am a 46 year old auto mechanic with 30 years of expirience working on cars. I have owned dozens of cars through my life & hot rodded almost all of them. I love Chevelles & bought a '70 SS body when I was 19. It was a drag car & had been modified, but at that time I didnt care 'cause I wanted a hot rod, so I built it pro street with a small block & turbo 400 with 4.88s.

I am happy to say that after 27 years, I still own it! I also own a very rare 75 Cosworth Vega with less than 3000 miles on it!

Now my question: WHATS IT WORTH?

My dream car has always been a '70 SS Chevelle that is numbers matching. I am happy to say I found one this week that is very affordable, but I want to know WHATS IT WORTH?

Here are the stats;
Original SS 2 door coupe with a 350 horse 396, turbo 400, & 12 bolt posi. I found the VIN number stamped on the head boss below the alternator, so I know its numbers matching. It has a cowl hood, SS dash, but no tach, SS steering wheel, SS interior, SS emblems including the rear bumper pad, SS wheels, & all the other markings of a true SS car. I am 90 percent sure it is a numbers matching, true ss. It appears that it is a nearly complete car.

I plan to return to it & look it over more closely soon. I also hope to find a build sheet since it appears to have the original interior in it.

Now the bad news. It has been sitting outside for 15 years or so & is in horrible condition. all the floor pans are wasted, the 1/4s are shot, & the interior is junk except maybe the dash & console. It will need a total, extensive frame off restoration, but if it is a numbers matching car, I think it is worth it. The owner said he drove it for awhile, then parked it where it is now. He said the motor turns over so that is good. I think I can get it to run with a little work. I can get it for a cheap price, but I dont know what its value is in its current condition.

SO - WHATS IT WORTH?

 

[grandsport]

Hi Dave,welcome. We need pics.:yes:

 

[704EVER]

Pictures would help for sure and a little more info up front would help also. Does the car have buckets or a bench seat and what are the original colors of the car, in and out?

 

[wags70ss]

Black interior, bucket seats, dont know original exterior color. To far away to get pix right now.

If I go back it will probably be to buy it. I was just wondering if I could get a price range of its value based on what I posted.

 

[704EVER]

Dave, with the amount of metal work you describe as needed and without pictures maybe 2,3,4K. It's very hard to say without seeing it.

 

[blm]

Dave, with the amount of metal work you describe as needed and without pictures maybe 2,3,4K. It's very hard to say without seeing it.[/QUOT

Based on your description I agree with the estimate above. IF the present owner is realistic he will be asking in this range. It sounds like this car will soak up a lot of time and money. You may want to keep loooking for something in a little better shape.

 

[RyanNilcea05]

Just make sure the frame is solid before you do anything. That will greatly effect the price if it's bad.

 

[wags70ss]

Ya I didnt look at the frame, but if I go back to buy it, I would raise it up & look it over alot more closely & take pix. I would also take stuff to try to get it running too. Ill let you know what happens.

Thanks!:noway:

 

[wags70ss]

Hey do these cars have dual point distributors?

 

[travlinz28]

Not from the factory.

 

[wags70ss]

didnt think so.

 

[jeffschevelle]

Ya I didnt look at the frame, but if I go back to buy it, I would raise it up & look it over alot more closely & take pix. I would also take stuff to try to get it running too. Ill let you know what happens.

If it's been sitting there 15 years I don't think I'd try to get it running there on the spot :sad:. You may end up with scored cylinder walls and/or bent valves (from sticking) if you don't make sure it's all good and loose first. If you buy it you ought to drag it home, drain it, fill the block and cylinders up with Marvel Mystery Oil (or some other good penetrating oil), let it soak a few days at least, and then change the oil and filter, before you try to crank it.

 

[wags70ss]

Well, I will try to turn it over by hand first. Plus I intend to remove the plugs & dump WD40 or something in the cylinders first. I may remove the valve covers & dump oil all over the valves too. He said it turned over recently, so we will see what happens. I may even buy an engine primer & prime it too. If there is any issue at all, I wont mess with it there.

One concern I have is whether it has antifreeze that has protected it from cracking the block! I hope so.

Hey does anyone know if the VIN was stamped on the tranny anywhere, or how I would know its the original tranny? Also, where are the numbers on the rear axle?

 

[wags70ss]

Does anyone know the cars that can be used as donor cars for things like floor pans or cowl parts for the rusted out areas on a Chevelle?

 

[1966_L78]

Does anyone know the cars that can be used as donor cars for things like floor pans or cowl parts for the rusted out areas on a Chevelle?

1970-1972 A-bodies (Chevelles, Buick Skylarks, Olds Cutlass, Pontiac Lemans/GTO, Monte Carlos and Grand Prixs of the same vintage ). 68 and 69 might also work too...

 

[Chris R]

Well, I will try to turn it over by hand first. Plus I intend to remove the plugs & dump WD40 or something in the cylinders first. I may remove the valve covers & dump oil all over the valves too. He said it turned over recently, so we will see what happens. I may even buy an engine primer & prime it too. If there is any issue at all, I wont mess with it there.

One concern I have is whether it has antifreeze that has protected it from cracking the block! I hope so.

Hey does anyone know if the VIN was stamped on the tranny anywhere, or how I would know its the original tranny? Also, where are the numbers on the rear axle?

Unless you already have access to a parts car. I would recommend just going with a new panel and just cutting off what you need.

 

[wags70ss]

Hey does anyone know if the VIN was stamped on the tranny anywhere, or how I would know its the original tranny? Also, where are the numbers on the rear axle?