Hi all, I'm new to the forum and need a little assistance from members more qualified than myself. I'm looking at buying a 68' 442 Turnpike cruiser from a co-worker but really can't find comparable cars for a price comparison. The car is all original except for a repaint in 1993 and in incredibly great shape, #'s matching and all original 2BBL 400, 107,000 miles, 2.78 12 bolt rear end, buckets with console shift, originally from California, has original build sheet, bill of sale, manual, proteco plate, every registration certificate from day one and all original service records from day one. The original interior looks almost new, the engine has never been out of the vehicle, runs like a top and doesn't burn a drop of oil. The paint and body is in very good shape overall, the black vinyl top is in also in superb condition. The chassis and frame have never been touched and there is literally zero rust anywhere on this car. The only thing that my co-worker has done since he has owned the car the last 16yrs is the front suspension. He has had it 16yrs and only put on 2500 miles. My question is approx. what is a fair price to offer him???? Does the "Turnpike Cruiser" add or take away from the overall value? I don't think it was a very popular option at the time. I have attached a few pics, the quality is not the best, they were printed on paper then scanned and emailed as a PDF, but they give you an idea of the car. Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.

 

What's he asking??
If he's asking for an offer, start at $7000 and work from there.

 

If it's as nice as you describe, $17,000+

 

It's not as desirable as a standard 442. I think $17k
would be on the high side. I'd be more inclined to say $10k-$14k. Nothing is selling right now

 

http://www.nadaguides.com/Classic-Ca...p-Coupe/Values.

Here is NADA classic car values link.

Pat

 

$15k

 

Sorry, but once again I have to question the validity of price data from a source like this that lists a 350 and a six cylinder engine as available options on a 1968 442. The NADA site also shows that the Turpike Cruiser option is worth about $2K MORE than a base 442.

I don't believe THAT, either...

Look, these price guides are composed of auction data. There simply aren't enough 442s sold at auction to develop a statistically valid database. I assume they are extrapolating from Chevy data (there probably ARE enough Chevelles and Camaros sold to build a database). I remain skeptical when they can't even get the facts correct.

This reminds me of an old Bazooka bubble gum comic where one character steps on a weight and fortune scale and tells the other "It says that I'll be rich and successful." His pal replies "Yeah, and it got your weight wrong, too."

 

If that was your car & someone offered you $7K for it would you laugh in their face & tell them to stop wasting your time? I know I would.

Seriously....if you are going to make an offer decide what the car is worth to YOU & offer 75% of that & work up from there. With the info offered & the accompanying pics that car will top out around $17K in this market.

 

My reply of $10K to $14k is based on auction results. Here's a very similar car that high bidded at Mecum in Kissimmee in Jan of this year for $14.5k (didn't meet reserve), It's later listed as SOLD for $15k. IMO it's as nice or nicer than the car above (if you look past the incorrect air cleaner).

If you look at auction results for the past year you'll be hard pressed to find ANY 68 hardtop that has sold for over $20k (automatic or 4 speed)

http://www.mecum.com/auctions/lot_de...=FL0112-121537

 

Auctions are not the real world. People with far more money than brains regularly overpay just to "win". I like to check completed auctions on ebay, where you'll find that the high dollar cars rarely ever meet reserve, and many that do sell end up relisted in a couple of weeks.

In the last 30 days there were eight 1968 442s listed on ebay, of which two apparently sold. One was a $3000 project and the other was a fairly nice 4bbl AT car (except for the incorrect W36 stripes, of course) that sold for $13K. The $95K Hurst/Olds did not sell, nor did the 442 with the "numbers matching W-31"...

I'd argue that a 2bbl Turnpike Cruiser (I guess that would make it a 422) is worth at least 10% less than a "real" 442. Starting at $7K may be a low-ball number, but the seller will never go BELOW what you offer. It's called a negotiation.

 

Thanks guys for all the input and opinions, I'm just having a hard time deciding whether to make him an offer and go for this car or wait and try to find a non "TC" 442. I was thinking 15K for this car but i am in north central Alberta and cars in that condition are difficult to find and when you do find them the seller wants a premium price. If I was in the Midwest or Southwest U.S. I would have my pick of many fine 442's but it can get expensive to travel down to buy a car I have only seen in pictures and be disappointed when seeing it in person. Looking at various auction results for 442's I have seen many that appear to be in great condition at a fair price, when I look at what is available for sale online most seem overpriced, maybe it's just me. I'm looking for a '68-71 442 with original equipment in above average condition, I want a nice looking driver not a trailer queen and I can't stand clones, tributes, etc.
I travel to Phoenix and Palm Springs often throughout the winter, if you know of a quality 442 in either of those areas drop me a PM.

 

Just be straight up and ask him what he wants for the car and negotiate from there. Yes you would definately want to find a nice one up there to save issues with cancer rust. I would think the TC pkge would a rare option I never even heard of it till reading this fourm. But don't negotiate until you can get a good look at the car and confirm it/condition. I'd guess 10-15k

 

And once again, "rare" does not mean "desirable" or "valuable". Three speed manual trans 442s are rare. Pontiac Azteks are rare.

 

The "mint turquoise" original color of my '70 GTO is rare. It's a one-year-only color and only 774 GTOs (out of over 40,000) in 1970 came in that color. It's ugly. I call it "baby s--- green"! Not too many people are excited about that color!

Having said that, the turnpike cruiser you are looking at certainly is interesting. It's a good color and it has some neat options (black vinyl top, console, and power antenna to name a few). I'd say it's worth what you are willing to pay for it. Because of the way this car is dressed out, it would be an interesting attraction at a car show and I would certainly be drawn to it because of its somewhat rareness - I've only seen one other real TP cruiser in my life!

Randy C.

 

My uncle has a '68 Turnpike Cuiser 442 that he's working on. IIRC the driver's side exhaust manifold had a different casting number on it than a normal X/Y/Z what ever's correct for that side.

 

The Turnpike Cruiser is NOT a 442.

- Eric

 

?????

 

Two posters have now referred to the Turnpike Cruiser as a 442.

The Turnpike Cruiser was not a 442. It was a Cutlass (I believe it was not available as an F-85, for the sticklers out there).

- Eric

 

Eric, Not sure I follow your logic????

 

67 it was a Cutlass
68 it was a 442

 

Correct. The 1968 Turnpike Cruiser WAS an option on the 442. The car does have a 344... VIN. Sorry, Eric, but you're thinking of the 1967 cars.

 

actually,
'67 it was a Cutlass Supreme
'68 it was a 442

 

I stand corrected.

TC was a 442 option in '68 (L65), a CS option in '67.

As far as I can tell it disappeared in '69, but it reappeared as the SX in '70.

Thanks,

- Eric

 

My best friend has owned one since 1996, but replaced the two bbl with a correct cast intake and a rochester, plus the 2:76's were replaced with a '70 O type 3:23 rear. I have seen many over the years...or maybe the same ones at Homecoming every year!