A couple of years for a dream to come true (maybe...)

[moaibob]

In a year or two i’ll have to give away my VW Bora (Jetta) 1.9 TDI. The Tachymeter reached 360.000 Km so far. I was sailing on the web and I found out that a dream of mine could become true: 1970-71 Corvette C3 Stingray 350.

on a specialized website in Usa I’ve found a wonderful white 350, perfect, no rusted body, completely renewed inside, sparkling 300 hp engine @ 14.900$

Makin a little math, 15000$ = about 10.000 €, + 10% duties, +20% taxes, + 1300 € transport by container + coins for plating = about 15.000 €

Now, these of you that live in USA, pls explain: how come that an historic car like a stingray is sold in several cases, @ less than 15.000 $? Is there anything I should know before jumping the cliff? Any cheats in sight?

Note: with the current price of petrol, I’ll have to take an everyday-donkey-car (such as Chevrolet matiz…) and keep my American treasure for the weekend…

 

[Touring Mars]

Now, these of you that live in USA, pls explain: how come that an historic car like a stingray is sold in several cases, @ less than 15.000 $? Is there anything I should know before jumping the cliff? Any cheats in sight?

I don't think you need to be in the USA to say that you'd be wise to check it out in person and in detail before parting with any cash, let alone $15,000 of the stuff... Generally, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is... but that's not to say that the offer isn't genuine. But as a recent episode of Top Gear (famous UK motoring programme) demonstrated painfully, you can get your hands on a classic for under $20,000 - but don't expect it to perform anything like it used to - or even get you from A to B without alot of hassle, and probably alot of expense just keeping it on the road. That said, if you have the time, the knowledge and the cash to support the project, then go for it. But get someone who knows what to look for to give the car a serious eye-balling before you part with your money - historic car or not!

 

[moaibob]

Sure I won't buy a "closed box", but what i noticed is that in general this kinda vehicle rarely gets over 30 k$ and in average it goes somewhere between 15000 and 25000.

Who knows, it could be the chance to take another holyday in Usa... Museums, Broadway, Grand Canyon, Yosemite and Chevy dealers

P.s.: I love Top Gear (i see it on the sat, usually on Discovery)

 

[TheCracker]

In a year or two i’ll have to give away my VW Bora (Jetta) 1.9 TDI. The Tachymeter reached 360.000 Km so far. I was sailing on the web and I found out that a dream of mine could become true: 1970-71 Corvette C3 Stingray 350.

on a specialized website in Usa I’ve found a wonderful white 350, perfect, no rusted body, completely renewed inside, sparkling 300 hp engine @ 14.900$

Makin a little math, 15000$ = about 10.000 €, + 10% duties, +20% taxes, + 1300 € transport by container + coins for plating = about 15.000 €

Now, these of you that live in USA, pls explain: how come that an historic car like a stingray is sold in several cases, @ less than 15.000 $? Is there anything I should know before jumping the cliff? Any cheats in sight?

€15k sounds like a fairly average price for the C3 Vette in Europe, perhaps a little cheaper. Unless you can get out to the US and look at the car first, i'd have a look at similar models for sale in Europe first - it won't cost you much more (if any) and at least you can go and actually look at the car before you buy it to see if its everything you hope it is.

 

[Duke]

I'm glad to hear you like those great old American cars, but I'd be worried a little on this one. I would think that car, if it is in good condition, would be more like a $30,000 car. If it was 5 years NEWER, I could see it being very cheap. But 1971 was still a good year for Corvettes.

Just be very careful, and ask opinions on a variety of Corvette-owners web forums. Many of them know the individual cars, even, and might be able to give you some history.

Before investing 15.000 €, it would be worth having an inspection service examine the car. Several services advertise on Ebay.

 

[moaibob]

on autoscout.it, searching Europe there are several vettes but the cheapest 300 hp/350 cu-in starts from 22000 €.
lower prices for same model but with a 190-225 hp engine. Probably deepening the search there would come out something better, but that's it, so far.
it is a really amazing car, isn't it? Imho the best corvette ever! But I am in love with, so my opinion is influenced!

 

[Jim Prower]

I'm gonna guess that this Corvette has been modified with a crate motor, or may be a repaired wreck. Thus, the price is lower. Try getting a Carfax report on it's VIN, if you can. Also ask the owner about his options (of course, having a copy of an order sheet with you) and check everything for correctness. Original cars fetch more than modifieds, in most cases.

 

[TheCracker]

I'm gonna guess that this Corvette has been modified with a crate motor, or may be a repaired wreck. Thus, the price is lower. Try getting a Carfax report on it's VIN, if you can. Also ask the owner about his options (of course, having a copy of an order sheet with you) and check everything for correctness. Original cars fetch more than modifieds, in most cases.

A similar '71 350 C3 has recently been sold through the UK's biggest classic Vette dealer. This one has recently had a full restoration and is a verified very low milage matching numbers car. it still sold for less than £18k in the UK.

 

[Jim Prower]

But he's talking a U.S. car. Corvettes of any vintage (yes, even the anemic '70s models, to a point) are in demand, here. I'd think a Corvette with $15,000 on it, In the U.S., with, supposedly, a 350/300 would have something wrong with it.

On the other hand, finding one in Europe would probably be a smarter and easier decision.

 

[TheCracker]

But he's talking a U.S. car. Corvettes of any vintage (yes, even the anemic '70s models, to a point) are in demand, here. I'd think a Corvette with $15,000 on it, In the U.S., with, supposedly, a 350/300 would have something wrong with it.

Any Corvette still around in Europe, in any half decent condition, will have more than likely been recently purchased in the US and imported. So you still have to figure in the US purchase price and any import costs on top. The one that i mentioned had recently been imported to the UK.

 

[YSSMAN]

As the person who usually ends up as the "Corvette Guy," I have to say that it doesn't sound absolutely horrible, but I can't help but feel as though the price is just a little on the cheap side. The C3 is generally accepted by most folks as the Corvette as it was the generation that was produced the longest and certainly has some of the greatest amount of history behind it. This being said, people who I know who have them know that there are issues with the car. Some weren't screwed together all that well, the handling is at the very least a bit wishy-washy at times, really making it more of a muscle car than the sports car it was intended to be.

Honestly, while I love Classic American cars more than anything, if I was looking to spend $15K on a Corvette, I'd be more apt to looking for a newer C4 or C5 in good condition. That way, you know you've got a bit more sport thrown into the mix, the build quality is a little bit better, and if you're concerned about fuel economy, that should be a fair bit better as well.

You can't beat a classic though. They're easy to work on and to modify, and I can't fault that. I just wish I had more money to play with older cars like that...

 

[1X83Z]

Honestly, while I love Classic American cars more than anything, if I was looking to spend $15K on a Corvette, I'd be more apt to looking for a newer C4 or C5 in good condition. That way, you know you've got a bit more sport thrown into the mix, the build quality is a little bit better, and if you're concerned about fuel economy, that should be a fair bit better as well.

And then, if you're looking to modify it, I've heard "Direct Exhaust Injection" makes it significantly faster.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

But only if you're running Nitromethane.

 

[JCE]

Now, these of you that live in USA, pls explain: how come that an historic car like a stingray is sold in several cases, @ less than 15.000 $? Is there anything I should know before jumping the cliff? Any cheats in sight?

Corvettes from 1970-1993 are reletively cheap around here. I see 1970~1971 C3 Corvettes for sale in good shape for less than $8k around the Dallas area.

http://www.cars.com/go/search/searc..._|X-antique|Z-75067&aff=national&aff=national

I'm going to say be sure you check the VIN for accident records. If you get one take some pics!

As the person who usually ends up as the "Corvette Guy," I have to say that it doesn't sound absolutely horrible, but I can't help but feel as though the price is just a little on the cheap side. The C3 is generally accepted by most folks as the Corvette *snip*

I'm a Corvette guy...if you count from 1965 through 1981. The C3 was and is the best looking Corvette ever in my eyes. I'd love to get one and drop the LS2 in it along with a racing suspension setup.

 

[moaibob]

...people who I know who have them know that there are issues with the car. Some weren't screwed together all that well, the handling is at the very least a bit wishy-washy at times, really making it more of a muscle car than the sports car it was intended to be.

Honestly, while I love Classic American cars more than anything, if I was looking to spend $15K on a Corvette, I'd be more apt to looking for a newer C4 or C5 in good condition. That way, you know you've got a bit more sport thrown into the mix, the build quality is a little bit better, and if you're concerned about fuel economy, that should be a fair bit better as well.

You can't beat a classic though. They're easy to work on and to modify, and I can't fault that. I just wish I had more money to play with older cars like that...

Sure, a 30 years-old technology is something you have to deal with, but i am convinced that the sensations given by a sliding/angry/swooshing-tail 300 hp car are something that makes you feel a real driver;
More, if you spend only 15.000€ on the purchase, lots of money can be spent later on little repairs or mods (in my dreams, i have a 454 engine, sidepipes, and harder springs - just to begin);
Also, the design of this car puts all little defects it may have on a secondary level. Which sports car (not pricing 90.000 €+) have no defects?

You know, i had a 1973 Innocenti Mini Morris some years ago: I had to fill the oil tank every 1500 km, the rear axis was not aligned and others. I gave it away for a Daewoo (!!!) and i felt myself like i was dead.

No matter how many issues a car can have, it's a question of feelings.

And a "safe" crosslight burnout in a Vette every once in a while is a good reward for its defects.

Don't you all think so?

 

[JCE]

And a "safe" crosslight burnout in a Vette every once in a while is a good reward for its defects.

Don't you all think so?

Yes, I agree 100%. Driving should be fun, many people neglect this in the relm of opinion these days. I have fun in my Camaro--thats why I love it so much.