I am viewing a 1960 vette and need some help or supporting facts for a fair price offer.  The vette had the original engine removed and replaced with a 327 ? crate engine many years ago.  There is between 30,000 and 50,0000 on the current engine.  There is a minor crack in the rear from an accident in the 70's.  The front and rear emblems have been removed and the holes epoxyed.  Why I don't know.  The engine starts but will only run for about 1 min so there is some problem there.  The total interior needs replacing including the dash.  Been under a tarp for two years in Vt. mostly outside. 

No offense, but they all seem honorable, until you get the car home, then they become the D!&E PO.

If you take corvette enthusiast's word from their Feb 07 mag (orange 69 shark on cover), on page 93 they state the following:

An original, unrestored 1954 model in street driven condition, Polo White (the lead color for 54) sold at $30,000 (they state this is below market value)

Two 1959 Roadsters, both with the orig 283-270 and four speed manuals, in restored condition sold for $55k and $67k respectively.

A 1961 with a 283-270 sold for $65k.

These are all in driveable and complete condition, original motor/transmission (which as you know is unreplaceable). 

Since you know there is a crack, it could be from a harder hit that was "fixed" and is just starting to grow. 

I would use Paragon for my prices to replace everything you see or even suspect as bad.  You can also plan on all mechanicals for the front and rear end I would suspect if it has been outside that much.

I would think Hemmings is out the window as they probably don't have a near POS condition.  These cars can be brought back from almost nothing (mags show build ups from fires once in a while), but it ain't cheap.

Probably need to hear from Joel and others with regard to a thought from an NCRS type perspective what their thoughts are as well.

I'll be watching this one closely as the wife wants a straight axle and 60-62 is where we want to look at.  Probably too rich for my blood, but ya never know!

If the car is essentially complete, depending on what you might want to do with the car, maybe you can make deal for it. It may be worth it simply to resell for a profit, but there's no guarantee on that.

Last August at Corvettes at Carlisle, I saw a '57 Vette on a trailer for sale...allegedly an original fuelie. It was missing the entire front clip, no interior, no engine or tansmission, missing the convertible top with just some of the bows present, and mismatched door...the owner wanted $35k for it! I have no idea if someone eventually bought it or what an actual sales price could have been, but it does show what some of these cars go for.

Sounds to be like a candidate for a custom or resto-rod...disc brakes, custom wheels and interior, fuel injected or supercharged engine, etc. A full restoration is out of the question...it would merely be original in appearance, not actuality. That alone would reduce its future value while making ot the most expensive way to reconstruct the car.

I bought my 77 on only pictures.  It had been tarp-ed outside in New Hampshire for 12 years.  It was rough and rotting away from the inside out.  I did an NADA and took the worst condition and used that as my baseline.  It did start run and drive.  He was asking $3000 less than the lowest value so I bought it and had it trailered to me in Tennessee.   It was a basket case but thats what I wanted.  It really depends on what you want to get into and how many $ you want to throw at it.  As said above, they can all be brought back !!

I trailered a 60 back from Ohio a couple years ago for a friend of mine that he bought for 21K. It was all original with the exception that it had been repainted (org color) only flaw was a slight crack in the windsheild. My buddy spent over a year lookin before he located such a car. It was completely drivable and he had fun takin it to car shows and drivin his grandson around in it. He has since repaired the crack and done total body off (because he has the time, money, & wants to).

That being said there are cars out there that can be bought with some work needed for a reasonable price. I would say from your description if you could get it bought for around 15K you can come out on it. A well as drive it around for some fun. Course if ya wanna build one o them near perfect number cars then prepare to spend spend spend. That would be your choice.... just my .02.

Before I bought my 74, everything I read told me to get one that was as complete and functional as possible.  I did, and I payed more than I wanted to, but I'm not sorry.  There's lots of things that I still want to upgrade, improve or flat out fix, but there's nothing that keeps me from driving the car, enjoying it, showing it, and even winning a show here or there. manget12007-01-20 10:21:54

Thanks for the information.  At least I have somewhere to start.  The owner is in no hurry.  I know one of his neighbors and he knows we only travel up there once a year. 

The price range sounds reasonable to me, even as a basket case. Solid axle cars are goin up in value every day...even non-orig. eng. cars.
The questions you need to ax yourself are, what would I do with it, and can I afford to do it? Solid axle hardware can be $$$, and so can interior parts. If you want something to do a "resto-rod", then none of that would matter. If you want to put it back as close to original condition as possible, then you should be prepared for the financial consequences.
Absolutely take a knowledgeable solid-axle guy(or gurl) with you to look it over. Who knows how many "Bubbas" have worked on this car in the past?! The frames are just as susceptible to rust as any other early 'Vette, and the cowl area is also easily damaged by rust, and the weight of the windersheild/frame assy. A good solid axle person will be able to guide you, and let you know if it is feasible to put it back on the road, and at what cost. You could easily wind up with a $45,000 car that you spent $75,000 on. If you want to keep it, then the money isn't the real issue. If you plan on selling it, you might wind up taking a bath.
There are no solid answers...ya gotta go with what ya feel!(as long as the "banker" says it's OK!!!)

Any chance of getting some pics?Adams' Apple2007-01-20 18:14:31