Hello everyone, this is all new to me. Looks like lots of great people and info on here. I need all the help I can get on this classic car stuff. I grew up around a gas station my dad had but that was along time ago. I had a 68 cutlass when I was young so that is what I am after now. I am looking at 68 conv. The car has all original interior,top,engine,trans ect. The car has been refinished but the finish is checked on the hood and deck lid. The lower rear 1/4s' and lower fenders also have been repaired. Does anyone have any idea of what price range this type of car should be in? I was also wondering if you can still get 1/4s' and fenders and things like that? I worked in a body shop in late 70s to late 80s so I know how to do all the work. I have been looking for awhile seems like these cars are hard to find. Anyone who can offer info it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Brad

 

Welcome aboard

Rust in the lower front fenders, quarters are most common. Patch pannels etc. are avaliable.Check out Fusick's on line catalog [as well as others] for Oldsmobile parts.

Post some pics, sounds like you're looking at a great project to put your skills to work.

Glad you joined up

 

Good morning Brad, welcome to the site! I'll have to let someone else with more knowledge of the 1968 Convertibles answer your questions though. Sounds like a fun project that could result in a very nice car. What part of the country are you in? John

 

Iam from central Illinois about 100 miles south of Chicago

 

Welcome Brad, I could give you tech help but I don't think giving you a price for a 68 convet in Thai baht would help you much.

 

Finding body repairs on a 40+ year can is very common and if done well does not detract from the value of the car. Determining what the car is worth is another issue. There are several members with 68's they will chime in on the how best way to place a price on what your looking for. With the work your capable of doing you should be able to find a good deal.

 

The Old Cars Price Guide puts the value of a '68 Cutlass convertible in #4 condition, which is what this car sounds like, at $4800. That's a very average price, and certainly any individual car could be worth more or less depending on the particulars of that car. But it should give you a rough idea.

What's the asking price on this car?

 

The asking price is $8400

 

That could be a fair price. Other than the checked paint on the deck lid and hood, you really haven't identified any negatives. You say that the lower quarters and fenders have been repaired, but as long as those repairs are of good quality, there's no reason that that should detract from the value. On the other hand, you're asking about availability of quarters and fenders, which suggests that the repairs are not good and that you're figuring on having to redo those jobs. That does detract from the value.

You also say that many things are original, but just being original isn't a negative or a positive. We need to know their current condition, too.

Any chance you could post some photos?

 

The engine and trans are in excellent condition. The car runs and drives like it's new. The top looks good but the edges are a little frayed, looks like it is from putting it in and out. The seats are in pretty good condition, drivers seat has some wear. The carpet looks like it just needs to be cleaned good. All of the chrome is in great shape and all of the pieces are there. The only thing that is not with car is the wheels. Let me know if this helps.

Thanks

Brad

 

Based on all of this, the value of $4800 is probably low. The next level up in the price guide, condition #3, is valued at about $10,000, so his asking price of $8400 is probably not unreasonable given that the car sounds better than #4 but maybe not quite a #3. As I said, these values are just averages, but they can give you some idea of price ranges. You've have to weight the pluses and minuses of this particular vehicle, but it sounds to me like you're starting out with a pretty solid car, and a bit of work on your part could raise its value substantially. On the other hand, a new top alone can cost $500 to $1000 installed, so if that's in the near future, that's something to consider, too.

You can always offer him something below his asking price and see what happens. The worst he can do is say no, and if you're still interested, you can increase the offer. I mean, you'd hate to offer him $8000 and have him quickly say yes, which leaves you wondering if you couldn't have gotten it for $7000!

 

Thats true I can use the extra $1000 as well as him. Thanks for all your advise. I will see what happens.

 

Two things, welcome to CO and I hope you end up with the '68 that is right for you. Good luck.