Hey all found a 71 corvette 350 4 speed car matching numbers.
Owned 30 years from the current owner asking $7000.
It needs a water pump & the tires are alittle dry rotted.

The seats and door panels are redone.
extra mint mirrored t-tops and extra hood has l88 on it.
I offered him $5500. and he didnt say no he said show me the money.
Is this a decent deal or what?

 

Yes, 7K likely cheap. But without seeing it couldn't say too much. Those are prone to rust in the hinge pillars, windshield frame, and frame.

 

Yeah they do but this one was inside all those years.
thanks

 

Show him da money!

 

If he owned it for 30 years, that leaves 11 prior years where conditions could have kicked off the rust process. Just washing these things puts them at risk if they aren't fully dry before you put them inside. If the car is truly rust free, buy it quick at $5500. Show him the money, but with the condition that you can:

- Remove the interior front kick panels to check the body mount area
- Pull the stainless around the windshield posts and header (windshield post rot may even be obvious by looking from the outside).

You should be able to check the frame/endcaps/rear kickups (behind the doors) without removing anything.

Also, lay underneath and shine light up under the rear deck above and around the gas tank and inside each of the wheelwell panels to look for any major damage repairs. Check the radiator support for rust too.

I've had five 69-74 Stingrays since 1998 and learned a little more with each one after discovering issues I overlooked. Some are far more difficult and expensive to correct than others. Birdcage rust is a deal killer in most cases.

Hope it works out for you!

Terry

 

7K sounds cheep for a 71 4speed. You need to check it out really, really well to make sure it hasn't been wrecked or had body work done to it. And he'd take 5500 cash? Run. He wants to dump it. JMO

 

I know right!!! The more i think about it the more i should have got it already. It's only been two days since i have looked at it.

 

Thanks good sound advice!!!
I am very famialiar with corvettes as i used to work at a corvette shop for about ten years. Thats the reason i like to get them because i know what to look for on them.
And those are the main places to look for rust the "bird cage" as you said rear frame under door and rad support.

 

I'd post this on the Corvette Forum, and pay someone knowledgeable of these these cars a few bucks, to look at it with you. The best money you'll ever spend, as the mentioned rusted out frame work, could put you in the the poor house, in a hurry.

 

well got the car told you guys it was really yellow lol


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Nice steering wheel preserved

clean seats!

 

I would say you stole it. the 71 was a no horsepower motor compared to the 70 but any chrome bumper car is worth double the 73 and up cars. car looks clean and for that money most are pretty rough. looks like a great buy.

 

Hey thats what i thought thanks!

 

opps

 

I have a '71 Corvette automatic (bought in AUG 78) and I believe you got a great deal. If the engine and transmission are original to the car, you are on your way! The other stuff would be interesting to look into if you are intent on making the car all "original". I see it has aftermarket wheels - mine was the same way when I bought it but I have since gone back to the 15X8 Chevy rally wheels.

A fun car to work with.

Randy C.

 

Hey thanks yeah i hate those aftermerket wheels that are on it.

 

Looks like a great score!
Time to have a blast with it.
Should turn a few heads with that color, lol.

 

You got a great deal.

 

Thanks oldcutlass!
Not too bad right?
I mean a chrome bumper vette that runs and drives for under 10k???
No brainer.
It needs a few things asap like the water pump and the radiator has a small leak and there is no wiper motor for some reson but the pop up wiper door works which is rare and it has a pop out rear window too.
I should get the rad repaired before replacing because it's probably a Harrison. The water pump dosn't matter too much i'll get a reblit or new one.
time to take it!!!
apart.

 

Looks like a great deal on the car. I've got a 68 vette convert. Love driving it as much as my 442. What are the plans for it?

 

So did you get it for your initial offer? You can put a bunch of money in that and still recoup your investment.

What wheels are on there from your pic looks like spokes?

 

'Back in the day', that color was called "Ticket Yellow" as a cop could identify it through his sunglasses!
Now, you'll probably get stopped so they can get a closer look!
Nice buy - good luck!

 

No i had to pay $500 more still worth it.
I got an extra set of mirror t-tops to sell and an extra hood.
The stock hood and an L88 one.
I'm bringing the tops to a corvette parts place tomorrow to see if i can get a quick $500 for the pair i think thats fair where they can still make a couple of bucksom them
The wheels are spokes they are pretty hammered i wanna get rallies in i can find a set.
The harmonic balancer is hitting the timing cover so i will have to replace that and i knew the water pump was bad along with the radiator needs a repair too.
i already replaced the plugs wires and the points and gunked down the engine. tomorrow im going to try and do the water punp and balancer.

 

Keep us posted on your progress. Love the yeller.