Looking at a 68 - what would you offer?

[FoxNotch]

I'm looking at a 68, asking price is 4200, here's the run down.
Car is a coupe, with a black vinyl roof. I forgot to ask if it was origional paint or an origional v8 car, but I can find out.

GM crate engine, under 1000 miles, very clean underhood
under 100 mile rebuild on a super t10, looked like an sfi bellhousing, not sure.
10 bolt, open rear
Black interior, new headliner, recovered seats, cracked up dashpad (mint replacement included). The interior is very nice.

As for the body panels:
the quaters are rusted, will need skins at the least.
little bit of rust on the bottom of both doors and fenders, repairable.
little rust on the trunk, no biggie
I think there's a little rust on the sail panel, under the top, not sure though.
Floors are mint
Trunk is also very nice
a majority of the molding is there on the car, I didn't notice anything missing.

All in all, I did like the car, with the exception of the quaters. I'm thinking of offering 3500, and working from there.
What do you all think?

Thanks very much,
Matt

[The Big Al]

Does he have paper work to prove GM crate engine and warranty?

[FoxNotch]

Does he have paper work to prove GM crate engine and warranty?

I'm not sure. It looked (looks can be decieving) legit, and he definitely seemed like a stand up guy, but I'll ask if he has any papers on it. He has an edelbrock intake (didn't notice which one), and a 650 holley on top of it. Everything was definitely done cleanly.

BTW, it's this engine http://www.crateenginedepot.com/store/350-Crate-Engine-290-HP-HO-12499529-P824C53.aspx

Thanks.

[2doorpost]

Running driving 68 2 door that needs quarters and freshened up.

$3500.00 see what floats back .(we dont have pics to go on-or other details).

Sounds like a plan.

[FoxNotch]

http://images.craigslist.org/01010101150001161120080309ddf1a375a0b7997a3c007716 .jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/01010601150201161120080309f9b84a30d32a2d712400d158 .jpg

Those are the pictures from the add. Pretty useless in terms of really checking out the car, but it gives you an idea.

My father was leary about the quaters, and installing new ones, but I'll speak to him about only putting skins on tomorow and see what he thinks. Then I'll take it from there.

I really appreciate the input.
Matt

[71SS454]

If it runs and drives well, I'd say that a 68 that only needs the usual rust repair for one of these cars, that $4200 is a good price. Me personally, I'd offer him the $3500, but if he says no, I'd go up to $4000. But for $4200, I don't think I'd pass it up. Quarter skins aren't all that difficult to do, but take patience to do right. The other stuff is just making and welding in small patch panels. Grinding, a little mud and prime. Just really look at the underside of the car. Make sure the rear frame rails are not rusted, especially by the front of the springs and the very rear. Are there any signs of needing suspension work? Does it have air shocks on the rear or those twist in spring spacers in the front springs? This will cost you more money to fix. Make sure the subframe isn't rusted around the body mount bushings. If all that checks out, you should be in good shape, IMO. It looks like a car you could drive now and fix it up as you go. Also look for any "bubbles" in the vinyl top, that usually means there is rust under it right there.

[FoxNotch]

Thanks for the help.

First off, the car has stock suspension, so I suppose that's a good sign. The suspension didn't seem to need much work, if any. I didn't check the rear frame rails in paticular, but they didn't catch my eye as being bad. I'll check those for sure when I go back. I'll check the body mount bushing more thoroughly as well.

I'm definitely looking for a car to fix as I go, and probably never be a top notch show car, so I'm thinking of going for it. My one other concern is the roof condition under the top, since I'm not sure if I'm sold on the vinyl top style. It felt a little soft on the sail panel, maybe that's just the squishyness of the vinyl (I hope).

Thanks for all the input guys.

Matt

[FoxNotch]

It sold :(

I think I found a 72 more to my liking anyhow, we'll see how it looks.