Buyers Check List for: '74 Convertible

[Hemato Cryt]

I'm a novice. I've never rebuilt or restored a car. I've always loved 'vettes and have been looking at a '74 convertible (automatic). The problem is I don't know what I'm looking at!

The engine runs, but the car hasn't been on the road in 12 years. It has not been stored on blocks. Looks like it's been out in the elements uncovered for about a year.

I apologize if this Q has been asked a thousand times, but I was not able to locate an answer in the archives.

So the question is:

Does someone have a check list or can provide a link for what to look for and what to pay?

Best,

Hemato

[Jack H.]

Re: Buyers Check List for: '74 Convertible

What to pay is an economic decision; your personal call. Each year Vette Vues magazine publishes a 'guideline' based on survey data from various sources and that's a reasonable starting place to get a 'feel' for going market....

On what to look for, that's a complicated question. Much depends on your 'objective' with the car. Do you intend to simply drive it and enjoy it? If so, you can tolerate a LOT of factory concours changes in the vehicle from its original build silhouette.

Do you intend to show it/have it judged in a factory concours setting? If so, you're now more concerned with 'numbers matching' issues. This can be a COMPLEX pre-sale survey task because just about every part on these cars has some form of 'factory original/correct' detail to them.

When NCRS does Flight Judging, the club uses 11-judges per car and the process takes the better part of a day. Also, we 'apologize' for the effort not being fully exhaustive and 'correct'. That's a LOT of pre-sale inspection!

But, you can short cut this process in one of two ways. First, you can go to the STORE on this web site and purchase the Technical Information Manual and Judging Guide applicable to the '74 you're looking at. This will tell you QUITE a bit about what the judges look for when they do their work, including key 'numbers' to check, where these numbers 'live' and what's expected for a given VIN number car.

The second thing you can do, is reach out and contact someone 'skilled in the art' from NCRS who's close to you & the car and hire or 'entice' him to go with you and do a 'mini inspection' of the car with/for you....

[Ryan Clark]

Re: Buyers Check List for: '74 Convertible

Here is a website that you can go to and get an idea about buying a vette.
This site has a print-out sheet that is a checklist for evaluating a car.
www.corvetteactioncenter.com/tech/buying.html

Once you look at the car, make a list of the items that will have to be replaced to make it acceptable to you. Go thru the various corvette catalogs to get an idea of the cost to buy and install all of these items. Add that all up to get an idea of how much money it will cost you to bring the car back to the way you want it. Then, as many of the people who have already restored cars in this forum can tell you, you will need to double or even triple that estimate to get the actual amount you will spend.

Ryan

[Todd H 26112]

Re: Buyers Check List for: '74 Convertible

I'll have to check that link out too - I'm toying w/ the idea of a non NCRS '74 or '75 coupe to play w/ and modify to my heart's content.

I'll add to what Ryan said and suggest that you generally come out ahead buying a car in restored or good original state vs a 'project' car. In the end many bargain cars seem to often end up costing more to make up for those differences. That may be oversimplifying and depend on your own skills and such of course.

There are some common or known 'weaknesses' to look for in C3s but there's no way I have the memory or experience to tell you much. THings like rust around the rear frame rails would be one as well as rust around the A-pillers. They added metal floorpans somewhere in the mid 70s but not sure when. But I'm only scratching the surface.

Sometimes the popular Vette rags publish buyers guides (as well as price guides) specific to the C generations and give good insights into specific maladies to watch for. But I haven't subscribed in years so can't speak for recent times. But they have been published in the past and would prove valuable if you are looking for a 'driver' or project car.

To give you better ideas - probably need to tell us what the car is for, like show car? driver...?

[Bill Braun 33186]

But what's your REAL name?

Have someone who knows these cars have a look at it.

Too easy to get burned.

My 2 cents.

B 33186

[Hemato Cryt]

Re: Buyers Check List for: '74 Convertible

Thanks Jack. Good advice.

I think for me, I'd be looking to get it operational and safe first... then restore what needs fixin'. I probably don't have the patience to go to the extent many folks here will go. I'm looking for fun. I would like to drive the car. I guess first up would be to make sure the frame is intact.

[Hemato Cryt]

Re: Buyers Check List for: '74 Convertible

Thanks Ryan. That's what I was afraid of. You fall in love with it and then it get's a hand in your wallet.

[Hemato Cryt]

Re: But what's your REAL name?

Makes sense Bill. Looks like I have a bit of homework to do.

[Patrick H.]

Fulla Blood? *NM*

[Chuck S.]

Di Ogenes ? *NM*

[Gary S.]

Re: But what's your REAL name?

Bill, perhaps that question was TOO subtle? I wonder what the bulletin board rules are?
Gary

[Bill Braun 33186]

Re: But what's your REAL name?

Gary,

Subtle is my middle name! NOT!



Bill 33186