A friend of mine has a 74 corvette that he wants to get rid of. It has a couple of body dings, and the interior needs some work. It has 120,000 total miles and about 10,000 on a rebuilt 350. He will sell me the car for $2000, just to get it outof his garage, the problem is that I have to ship it from New Mexico to Chicago. Are there any things that I should be leary of with a 74 vette?? Is it worth the shipping to play around with a fixer upper? Any and all comments would be appreciated.
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Re: 1974 Corvette, Should I or Shouldn't I; help!!
Clay, I would go for it. A 74 is not the greatest but it does have true dual exhausts. There was an L82 available also. At 2K you can't go wrong. There are plenty of open air shippers who can get the car to you safe and cheap. Unless the thing is a total rust bucket roach you can't really go wrong. The rear split soft bumper can be a problem to paint but other than that I don't know of any real drawbacks - especially at that price.
regards
Bill -
Re: 1974 Corvette, Should I or Shouldn't I; help!!
I would do it, as Bill said it's basically worth that much in parts. As for shipping the car, check with Hemmings.grr.#33570Comment
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Re: 1974 Corvette, Should I or Shouldn't I; help!!
Thanks for the info, what is Hemmings?? Sorry if that is a dumb question, but I am kind of new to this Corvette thing, lifelong dreamer, but never an owner, til now.Comment
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Re: 1974 Corvette, YES!
Hi Clay, BY IT! NOW ,before the guy changes his mind. Drive it home. Shipping is generally $1-$2 per mile.Where's your spirit of adventure?
NCRS-Texas ChapterComment
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Re: 1974 Corvette, Should I or Shouldn't I; help!!
Clay, Hemmings is the BIBLE of the old car hobby. You can get a copy at just about any bookstore, Borders, etc. As grr said "get a copy" you can find a reputable shipper there plus ANYTHING else you want on old cars.
regards
BillComment
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Re: 1974 Corvette, Should I or Shouldn't I; help!!
Hemings Motor News, P.O. Box 300, Bennington, Vt. 05201-9936. Car freak's, "BIBLE".
Varooom!
CLICK HEREComment
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Re: 1974 Corvette, Should I or Shouldn't I; help!!
Clay, two more things...follow the lead of Bob Cook...be adventuresome and buy it. Also, check the fifth digit in the VIN number, if that digit is s a "T" then you have an L-82 (350-250HP) car. All the more reason to buy it!!!!
We expect to see you at the nearest chapter/regional with your '74!!!
regards
BillComment
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Re: 1974 Corvette, Should I or Shouldn't I; help!!
Try their web sight www.hemmings.com and get their phone number or go to your local barnes and noble and ask for a book. They come out monthly but the web may be your answer. Look under transporting etc. Remember there is not such thing as a stupid question,so don't be shy.I'm still learnig from the membership all the time. Lots of sharp cats on this line. I take notes as I never know when I may not have the answer to something I'm working on.grr#33570Comment
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Re: 1974 Corvette, Should I or Shouldn't I; help!!
I can't believe all the help that you all offered in such a short time. Thanks a lot!! Keep the comments coming. Any ideas on what it would cost to transport the car the 1300 miles to Chicago?Comment
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Sounds like a steal...
...especially if it's a L-82 four-speed. No converter, real dual exhaust,probably no need to smog test in your area. I can't believe it's only two grand! The NADA Guide lists a low end range of $4975. If the car is complete and runs, I don't see how you can go wrong. Grab an adventurous friend, fly to New Mexico, and drive it home before the weather starts getting real hot.
DukeComment
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Re: 1974 Corvette, Should I or Shouldn't I; help!!
Clay, I shipped my 66 (open trailer) from Dayton, Ohio to Denver for $750. Took 3 days no damage, delivered direct to the house. Very happy with it all, I used Allen Auto of Marina Del Ray, Calif. 310-306-2264,
good luck
regards
BillComment
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You guys are great
I can't believe how helpful everyone is, if everyone that collects, restores Corvettes are as good as everyone that I met in the last couple of hours, this is going to be a great hobby. One more dumb question -- when all cars say all the numbers match, is that for every part on the car or just the engine? I know that this Vette has had a rebuilt engine (I don't know if that means new or rebuilt) if it has a new engine does that mean the numbers no longer match, and what do I need to do to get the numbers to match again, or can I??
Thanks for all your help,
hope to see everyone end of June in Bloomington! My 74 won't be ready to be there but I will be.Comment
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Engine Originality
Clay, a couple of ideas on the engine:
1) The engine could be origianl and rebuilt and the numbers will still match. 2) The engine could be original and rebuilt and some or all of the numbers on the stamp pad could be gone (the engine has been decked). 3) A replacement engine and the stamp pad is wrong and or blank.
If a car has matching numbers one HOPES this means ALL numbers including but not limited to engine stamp pad casting number and cast date, head cast number & date, rear end cast number & date, transmission cast number & date and the list goes on and on and on it even includes codes on the glass!!!. Again at 2 grand you are still in good shape if some of the numbers don't match. Get a copy of the most recent NCRS Specifications Guide for 1968 to 1982 Corvettes by Amgwert. Every number you will need is listed there.
Have fun
regards
Bill #8620Comment
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Get the history
Interview you friend and have him tell you everything he knows and can remember. Take notes. Once you've sorted everthing out, as him to write you a letter explaining when/where he bought the car, where he's lived during the period of ownership and significant maintenance or repair work. Ask him to dig out any repair orders he has for the car or any other documentation like old registration certificates. Never throw anything away. Save everything. (He might find something months or years from now). A Corvette is a historical arifact, and any and all documentation about it's history is important. It may not count in NCRS judging, but it should be important to the owner and may translate to dollars if/when you sell it.
One other thing. As you work on the car, never turn in an original part for the core charge, and never through away an unserviceable original part unless you are abolutely positively certain to a 99.9999 percent confidence level that the part or component can nerver, ever by repaired or otherwise bought back into serviceable condition. SAVE EVERYTHING!
DukeComment
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