Hi everyone im new here and this is my first post..I was wondering if i could get a few questions answered...I have the option to purchase a 1973 ls5 454 4 speed convertable.all matching numbers car.for $5000.00 All new interior runs good needs alittle glass repair in the rear quarter where it was smacked and knocked the rear bumper through the qaurter but not that bad..This car has a salvaged title.What should i do.Is this a good buy.and how bad will the salvaged title effect the resale value of this car if i ever decided to sale it..And would the insurance company cover the car..I appreciate the help thanks.Les

I have never had to deal with a salvage title.
I think you should check with your local state police or your insurance agent and find out just exactly what limits the salvage title places on the car in your state. My father-in-law just had his car totaled and ended up keeping it with a salvage title. He told me there are too many hoops to jump through in Pa. to have the car fixed for resale. He did not go into much detail about it but he did say he has to send pictures and receipts to Harrisburg and if everything is not EXACTLY correct, he will not be able to resell the car cause Harrisburg won't make whatever changes to the title that are necessary. He decided just to call a junk yard and have it towed away.
I would think you could buy the car and part it out on e-bay and make a whole lot more than $5000.00.

I always wanted to know what a salvage title is so I did a search and came across this. I don't know what state your in but I'd be leary about any car with a salvage title. here is what Michigan says about this.

A salvage title is issued for a vehicle that has become a "distressed vehicle". A vehicle becomes "distressed" when one or more major component parts (such as bumpers, fenders, transmission, engine, hood, doors, frame, tailgate, body, etc.) have been wrecked, destroyed, damaged, stolen, or are missing to the extent the total estimated damage is from 75% to less than 91% of its pre-damaged cash value (by accident, fire, vandalism, etc.). The vehicle owner's insurance company will determine the amount of damage to the vehicle. The regular title is replaced with a salvage title.



A vehicle with a salvage title cannot be plated or used on public roads until it is recertified by a specially trained police officer and retitled. Through March 1990, vehicles retitled for road use were identified as "REBUILT" on the front of the title. Beginning April 2, 1990, the words "This vehicle was previously issued a salvage title"are used in place of "REBUILT". Since 1989, salvage and rebuilt titles are orange in color and list the vehicle's color and non-salvageable major component parts.



NOTE: Vehicles with only flood damage may be titled as salvage vehicles.

Other states must have similar laws.
Be very carful about buying this car.
Good Luck.
Joe V.

Great info, Joe! Heck, I live in Michigan and I didn't even know that!

Then again, I agree with Glenn, too. If you can find out what parts are unsalvageable you should be able to part it out on e-bay and make more than the $5,000.00 you pay for it. Isn't the motor alone worth at least a couple grand? Not to mention $500-$1000 for the interior. Then you have all the gauges, relays, switches, etc.

The decision is yours my friend!

Thanks everyone for the great info on a salvaged title i had no idea of the problems that would occur.I think im going to pass on the car and keep looking..Thanks again for the info...Les