Advice on buying a classic project car.

mplogic · Post by **mplogic** » Sat Jul 21, 2001 1:41 am

Ok, my mechanic friend has a genuine 72 Chevelle SS that has been sitting for about 10 years. It needs absolutely everything but is complete with the original 454. The engine is in the interior and the interior is in the trunk.

I know originals like this can go for $20-30K when restored but, I have no idea what to offer him for it in the shape it's in now. I'm told some of the parts alone are worth a lot (around $800 for a good block or the munci 4 speed, couple hundred for the cowl hood or 12bolt posi, etc.). I also know it's going to be a money pit, but It's been a dream of mine to do a ground up resto on a car like this. He knows the value of the parts, so he's not going to give it away. How much should I offer for it and be in the right ballpark?

sethpa · Post by **sethpa** » Sat Jul 21, 2001 5:37 am

Do a search on Google for classic cars, automobile restorations, muscle cars, and other stuff that comes to mind. Check out some want ads mainly and compare some prices. The 454 version SS models were quite a bit rarer than the others. An old friend of mine recently restored a 50 Plymouth from the ground up, he spent over 4 grand just having the interior redone! Have fun, sounds like a neat project for sure on an awesome ride.

sethpa

EvilHorace · Post by **EvilHorace** » Sat Jul 21, 2001 12:07 pm

Go on Ebay and look at 'Muscle cars' as you'll probably be able to find cars like that one already restored, nice looking, driveable for FAR LESS money than it'll cost you to finish a tired old roach.
It will be a serious money pit and in the end, you'll never get your money back out of it if you someday decide to sell it.
Realize that people who own old muscle cars and decide to sell them one day (because either they need cash, bored of it/lost interest, lost employment, health problems, etc) almost NEVER get the money back that they put into it unless it's an extremely rare or collectors car (like a '63-'67 'Vette for example...big $$$ now).
I think you can probably find a decent muscle car for less than 10K but you'll probably have to travel for it. That's how I got my Mustang and to me, it was worth it.

Answering your question (if you're really THAT determined anyways), IMHO as it is it's not worth much. If the body's still original, solid, no rust, not badly dented.....maybe $1000 ?

Here's some Chevelles at Ebay (for example):
http://search.ebaymotors.com/search/sea ... dyear=1972
Trust me, buying ANY one of those will most likely be far cheaper than trying to restore a car now in pieces (questionable condition). You can then do a carfax on any of them and if really interested, it's always best to go there in person to check it out before spending any real money, bring a mechanic or knowledgeable car guy along too if you don't know that much about it.
Properly restoring an older car is nothing that an amateur should try if you want good results and if you're looking into old classic muscle cars, you'll want good results.

Hipnotic_Tranz · Post by **Hipnotic_Tranz** » Wed Jul 25, 2001 12:57 pm

Evils right. You never will get your money back out. If you like doin' that sort of thing then it's definitly worth it. You can go out there some nights when youre bored and work your heart out and when you are done, you will have a ton more pride in it. But if you don't really like doin' the work and just want the end result, it would be cheaper/easier to just buy a fully restored one.

mplogic · Post by **mplogic** » Wed Jul 25, 2001 2:47 pm

Thanks for the input guys. I didn't expect it to be a money making project and I love the thought of building something with my own hands and learning everything about it. I also figure it will probably take at least a couple years to do a project like this. The more I think about it, I like the fact that this is an original car. I've done some shopping online and found tons of Malibu's that were converted to SSs but real SS cars are totally rare and I couldn't find any that had an original 454. If I were to buy the drivetrain parts from junkyards or resellers I'd pay around $2000 so I'm thinking of offering like $1500 and seeing where that goes.

Hipnotic_Tranz · Post by **Hipnotic_Tranz** » Wed Jul 25, 2001 4:04 pm

Sounds fun, man. I've always liked the idea of restoring a car, even though I know nothing about it. I, like you, like the thought of knowing a car inside and out and knowing that all the work done to it (or the majority) was done by myself. I think it's sweet

Hope ya enjoy the car!

PreDatoR · Post by **PreDatoR** » Wed Jul 25, 2001 9:42 pm

I've been workin' on a 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4x4 for the last year. It started out as a 2 wheel drive frame and built it from the ground up. Its 100% driveable but ugly as sin right now. Need to do all the body work and interior work but hey its ugly so i can take it to the mountains and get dents and not cry too much right now. After i get it all done its gonna be my baby and probalby won't leave the street but will look hella cool...