I found "The Toy" on the internet located in western Pennsylvania. Burned up a lot of cell phone minutes talking with the seller about various things, requesting information, etc. Also spent a fair amount of time finding someone local to the car with good "Vette credentials" (sp?) to do a full inspection. To this point no money had changed hands. Only when the seller agreed to make the deal contingent on the car passing the inspection AND my liking it upon seeing and driving it did a refundable deposit get sent.

Then after reading the inspection report (best $125 I spent!) and liking the car once we arrived in Pittsburgh did the deal get sealed, title transferred, and remaining balance settled. The only thing I didn't have was a return ticket in case the deal fell apart.

From all accounts I guess I was pretty lucky based on some of the horror stories I've heard since then. Bottom line: DO YOUR HOMEWORK AS BEST YOU CAN and then cross your fingers that it all works out...!!!

ok..

I sure we have oklahoma members..

see if you can get one of the members to go and inspect it..

tell the guy youre sending someone and be sure hes going to allow someone to jack it up, drive it, etc etc..

hell if its eastern oaklahoma I might be able to go... my business partner's family is up there.. we both drive antiques, we'll go and "inspect" it.

or if you get a letter from him saying the deposit is refundable if the car was misrepresented than youre in pretty good shape..

Whoa! guys I definately sent an inspetion guy out there before I got this far, he sent me a written description plus many close up and detailed pictures. It turns out that it is a little rougher than I thought. All the instruments and lights work but the cosmetics (interior) are trashed (exterior is beautiful), it seems the car was not as pampered as once thought. Here is the deal though the car runs stops handles nice and every thing is original so, is this what I should expect from an "unmolested" 30 year old car?

How much does he want for it ?
Boatman

Even if it's in "unmolested/untouched" condition, it still can be in need of a lot of repairs. There's nothing like seeing the car yourself. I've seen cars that are truely untouched, some were pampered and looked and ran like new. Others were not taken care of and they showed the useage. I purchased mine through E-Bay, the write up and the pictures were great. It described an untouched all orginal condition, numbers matching BB car. Well, after the deal was done and I received it, I noticed quite a few things that needed repairs. Yes it was all orginal, the interior was in great shape, however, to make a long story short, I have spent over $15,000 on repairs, I expect to spend another $10,000 on it before I get it to were I want it. If I had known all of this I would have either pass or offer less money. I have found better deals and cars after I got this one.
Be patient, I wasn't ! You'll find what you want.

Boatman, I think, best case, $7,500

100,000 miles, even well maintained, is probably ready for quite a bit of work. If for no other reason just because it's 30 years old. It's pretty easy to spend $3,000 on an interior, another $3,000 on an engine rebuild, $1,000.00 for a transmission overhaul with new torque converter. Trailing arm rebuild would cost at least $1000 if you paid someone to do it. Shipping costs of the car another $1,000. I own a 75, and believe me when I say there is nothing special or unique about a 75. In fact, they were the slowest, most under-powered C3's ever built, with 76 and 77 running a close 2nd. That part can be fixed, just a matter of how much you want to spend doing it. Is it a convertible? That would make it worth a lot more then a coupe if everything else was equal, and 75 was the last year for a vert for a while. 7500 is not a bad price for an excellent quality driver though, especially if there is absolutely no rust issues. Did the appraiser remove kick panels to look inside at the condition of the rocker channels and body mounts? Also behind the inspection covers for the #3 body mounts, located forward of the rear wheels? I wish you only the best with your decision, but you might want to look around some more. If you spend more and buy one that someone has already restored you could probably save some big bucks over the long run.

For $7500, you should be getting a great driver that needs nothing more than a coat of wax. I've sold decent drivers with good interiors for around $6000.
My advice to a friend would be keep looking. Good cars at fair prices are still around.
Get some vendor catalogs and see what replacement interior packages go for. If you have to pay someone to install the interior, you can probably double the cost. If it's as trashed as you say, there may well be hidden damage that door panels and carpet won't fix.
Don't be disappointed, you're learning how to buy a vette!

Big Fish said: Did the appraiser remove kick panels to look inside at the condition of the rocker channels and body mounts? Also behind the inspection covers for the #3 body mounts, located forward of the rear wheels? I wish you only the best with your decision, but you might want to look around some more. If you spend more and buy one that someone has already restored you could probably save some big bucks over the long run.

I cannot stress enough how important these issues are !!

I bought mine knowing it needed a lot of work.. but the previous owner did his best to hide quite a bit

take a look at some of the hidden damage on mine.

http://www.vetteprojects.com/cthulhu/images/frame-off/prep/preparation.html

daveb12 said: Get some vendor catalogs and see what replacement interior packages go for. If you have to pay someone to install the interior, you can probably double the cost. If it's as trashed as you say, there may well be hidden damage that door panels and carpet won't fix.

Words of advice well spoken. Get the catalogs out and know what it will take to get the obvious things repaired and don't be surprised when, as you replace those parts, you find more that needs attention.

I know I have said this before as have many others, don't be in a rush. You will find your special Vette in good time.

It sounds like you are doing your homework before actually taking the plunge.... and that is a good thing.