I am inspecting a possible purchase of a '67 coupe, the car is sagging slightly in the rear on one side (kind of like an old girlfriend of mine) anyway, does anyone know what can be causing this and is it possibly serious (frame damage)? It is a slight difference, 1/2 inch or so, but noticeable if you examine it long enough.
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Re: sagging '67...Why?
Gary:
If you look carefully at your AIM, you will see that 3/8" side-to-side height difference is within build specifications for the car. Assuming that your tire pressures are all the same, and the car is sitting on a flat-and-level surface, then it is probably the fault of spring link bushings. A somewhat less likely explanation is a rear leaf which is slightly weaker (flatter) on one side, very likely the drivers' side.
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Re: sagging '67...Why?
Hi Gary Another thing to look at might be the front springs. On my 62 I had the same problem in the rear left side. Replaced the rear spings and it still sagged. Decided to replace the front and that did it. I reasoned, with the weak spring in the front(right side)it raised the left rear slightly. Good Luck DaleComment
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Re: sagging '67...Why?
What do the rear spring link cushions look like? When were they last changed? Are the link bolts correct and the same length side to side?
DukeComment
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Re: sagging '67...Why?
Hi Mike,
Thanks for the feedback. I guess I am trying to get a lock on the value of '67 big blocks and I am finding it difficult since they are all so different and you actually have to see a car to evaluate it. I see 390hp coupes that are selling near $79K and some have doc's to back it up. It sounds to me like you believe this car is a good deal.Comment
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Re: sagging '67...Why?
Not necessarily. You question the engine. So that may be against it. If the engine is not original, you can still Top Flight, but in the market, most seem to categorized engines into two classes - original and NOM.
They don't seem to understand "Correct", not in the big dollars anyway.
Then they will fool you such as at B-J Auctions.
The car is probably straight. It is probably a good deal with regards to today's market HOWEVER, I don't consider any of these '67s a good deal when you are thinking of spending the price of a house for one or more.
A good deal would be $40-$50,000.
It is just about impossible to evaluate one without seeing it.
About the only think I believe on this car is that you are in very nervous territory money-wise, and with that, your wisest course is probably to pass unless you can get second and third opinions from those who know these and who can see it.
Before you get too deep, ask yourself if you can afford to buy it at $80,000, and lose $30,000 on it if you have to sell in the next six months. Not that the market will collapse, but if you discover things wrong or would have to sell and can't get a buyer willing to overlook whatever has it at this price to start with, you could easily lose that much.
Or if you are willing to pay $80,000 and then drop another $10 or $20,000 in it to correct whatever may be wrong.
Basically, do you have $100,000 free money sitting around burning a hole in your pocket?
If you do, then first thing is to pay someone who is really good on 1967 big block coupes to look it over and give you a report. Maybe two. $100-$200 evaluation fee plus maybe an airplane ticket to get them there is cheap insurance on the price of a car in this price range. You'd pay that for a home inspection readily and the risk is much less on a house.
So your questions at this point should not be "is this car worth it?" but rather "who really knows these cars and is interested in looking at it for me?"
And also you probably should have posted several pictures here so we would see something. You'd be amazed at what some of these guys can see in a decent size picture.
If you have pictures, post a web site with them or put them up here and I bet you get a lot of input.
It was a lot easier to do when these were $5000 cars.Comment
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Mike is offering some excellent advice here.
But I might add that "now" isn't the time to jump in.... There is just too much emotionalism driving today's market.
Prices will go back down someday. It will happen when the "big time investment boys" get tired of messing with these cars, they will start dumping them and the price/market will return to the people who love them for what they are... fun cars to drive.
good luck,
tcComment
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Re: sagging '67...Why?
There is a good chance the bracket that is welded into the corner of the frame and supports the rear axle attaching cross member has broken on one side. This bracket is welded on 2 sides and with a Big Block it is possible the welds have yielded. I had a car with a nice frame that had the bracket separated from the frame. No big deal to replace, I think the bracket is reproduced.Comment
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Prices won't come down in our lifetime. *NM*
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Heard that in the 80's too... *NM*
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Re: Heard that in the 80's too...
Right up to around '90-'91, maybe?Comment
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