Thinking of buying a 1974 Corvette
Thinking of buying a 1974 Corvette
My son's father-in-law has a 1974 corvette that is garaged and some work has been done.
Have no idea of the work performed.At this point they need money for reasons I don't know.
Question: What do anyone of you know what the car should cost if I wanted to buy?
Its a standard shift.
Thanks
Have no idea of the work performed.At this point they need money for reasons I don't know.
Question: What do anyone of you know what the car should cost if I wanted to buy?
Its a standard shift.
Thanks
Re: Thinking of buying a 1974 Corvette
One in good original condition with lowish miles would be $20k max.
"Some work has been done" suggests $8k or so.
L.
"Some work has been done" suggests $8k or so.
L.
You can get what you want, or you can just get old. (Billy Joel, "Vienna")
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Re: Thinking of buying a 1974 Corvette
The completed Ebay listings for a 1974 Corvette have sale prices between $4,000 and $20,000...so, it depends.
Re: Thinking of buying a 1974 Corvette
I suggest you find a vintage Corvette enthusiasts site. There must be lots of them, and the folks there will be able to give you an estimate.
Re: Thinking of buying a 1974 Corvette
The 70s were the "dark ages" for performance cars and Corvettes in particular. Emissions regulations strangled the performance, which suppresses both the prices and fun.
The most expensive classic car in the world is a cheap one. Restoring an old car will be a money pit. If you're looking to help the in-laws financially, I would look for other ways to do it.
The most expensive classic car in the world is a cheap one. Restoring an old car will be a money pit. If you're looking to help the in-laws financially, I would look for other ways to do it.
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Re: Thinking of buying a 1974 Corvette
The 1970s were the beginning of the dark ages for emissions-strangled engines. But 1974 is still early enough to get around the emissions BS without too much hassle. Emission "fixes" were still pretty rudimentary. Emission camshaft would be the worst thing to get rid of hassle-wise - everything else is a bolt on/rip off affair to fix for proper performance.
The 4-speed is a real plus.
The 4-speed is a real plus.
Re: Thinking of buying a 1974 Corvette
Why would a person buy a 40 year old car?
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Re: Thinking of buying a 1974 Corvette
I know from shinola about Crovettes but I can tell you that 1974 model year was the nadir of emissions and ugly bumpers. Lots of plumbing under the hood to choke things up, never ran right (at least that was true for my 1974 Valiant )
"Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race." H.G. Wells
Re: Thinking of buying a 1974 Corvette
This thread is now in the Personal Consumer Issues forum (Corvette).
This reminds me of a story someone told me (first hand witness) in the late 1970's of a guy who was fixing his 'Vette. He had a can of contact cleaner sitting on top of the battery and accidentally knocked the can over so it shorted across the battery terminals - which created a small spark.
In a few minutes, the Corvette was reduced to a flaming pile of plastic residue. There was nothing he could do.
(Spoiler: Corvettes have fiberglass bodies.)
This reminds me of a story someone told me (first hand witness) in the late 1970's of a guy who was fixing his 'Vette. He had a can of contact cleaner sitting on top of the battery and accidentally knocked the can over so it shorted across the battery terminals - which created a small spark.
In a few minutes, the Corvette was reduced to a flaming pile of plastic residue. There was nothing he could do.
(Spoiler: Corvettes have fiberglass bodies.)
Re: Thinking of buying a 1974 Corvette
Because they couldn't buy it 40 years ago when they first wanted it. This would be the perfect Boglehead car. You buy in 1974 for 8k and 40 years later sell it for 10k. See cars are appreciating assets if you use a buy and hold strategy. And ignore minor things like maintenance costs:)Calm Man wrote:Why would a person buy a 40 year old car?
- slheinlein
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Re: Thinking of buying a 1974 Corvette
unless you are interested in fixing up old cars, don't do it. I bought a 77 Corvete 20 years ago and it now sits in my garage. Hasn't been started for at least a year, which is not good for it. I view it as a pain right now.
Re: Thinking of buying a 1974 Corvette
The Hemmings site is also very useful with photos and prices.
Type 1974 Corvette into the search box or click on the second link below.
http://www.hemmings.com/
http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/?ad ... 4+Corvette
Type 1974 Corvette into the search box or click on the second link below.
http://www.hemmings.com/
http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/?ad ... 4+Corvette
Enjoying the Outdoors
Re: Thinking of buying a 1974 Corvette
The only way to get a good deal on a vintage auto is to buy a restored, finished, road ready vehicle from the estate of someone who paid for professional restoration and the family is selling. The large car auctions (Barrett Jackson, Mecum) have plenty of cars that are nice drivers, and much less than the cost of restoring one yourself. Unless you are a gear head and love working on cars, a partially restored car will not make you happy IMHO.
The mightiest Oak is just a nut who stayed the course.
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Re: Thinking of buying a 1974 Corvette
Don't buy a 1974 corvette.
It is not collectable, and is nothing more than a very old used car.
If its been sitting for a while it could be a nightmare once you fill it with current ethanol blended gas.
Also, with corvettes, there is a stigma about the '4'-years (64, 74).
It's less for the 1964 because the other "mid-year" cars (63,65,66,67) have appreciated a lot.
If he needs to sell it, he should take it to a car show or a classic car auction.
If you want a corvette to drive, find a nice early 200x year car.
It is not collectable, and is nothing more than a very old used car.
If its been sitting for a while it could be a nightmare once you fill it with current ethanol blended gas.
Also, with corvettes, there is a stigma about the '4'-years (64, 74).
It's less for the 1964 because the other "mid-year" cars (63,65,66,67) have appreciated a lot.
If he needs to sell it, he should take it to a car show or a classic car auction.
If you want a corvette to drive, find a nice early 200x year car.
- Taylor Larimore
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Money pit.
Tuffy:tuffy7222 wrote:My son's father-in-law has a 1974 corvette that is garaged and some work has been done. -- At this point they need money for reasons I don't know.
The reason they need money may be because your son's father-in-law bought a 1974 corvette.
Best wishes.
Taylor
"Simplicity is the master key to financial success." -- Jack Bogle
Re: Money pit.
Taylor,Taylor Larimore wrote:Tuffy:tuffy7222 wrote:My son's father-in-law has a 1974 corvette that is garaged and some work has been done. -- At this point they need money for reasons I don't know.
The reason they need money may be because your son's father-in-law bought a 1974 corvette.
Best wishes.
Taylor
That is priceless!
L.
You can get what you want, or you can just get old. (Billy Joel, "Vienna")
- Taylor Larimore
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Re: Money pit.
L.Leeraar wrote:Taylor,Taylor Larimore wrote:Tuffy:tuffy7222 wrote:My son's father-in-law has a 1974 corvette that is garaged and some work has been done. -- At this point they need money for reasons I don't know.
The reason they need money may be because your son's father-in-law bought a 1974 corvette.
Best wishes.
Taylor
That is priceless!
L.
Couldn't resist.
Best wishes.
Taylor
"Simplicity is the master key to financial success." -- Jack Bogle
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Re: Thinking of buying a 1974 Corvette
74 had the one year rear split rubber bumper cover. If you want to keep the car original and have to replace it you will be spending a lot. The later year non split bumpers fit. Frames on these rust out like you read about. This was before GM cared about a car lasting more than 50k miles. Also beware of body repairs. If the frame was twisted in a crash, a common repair was to replace the shocks with air shocks and vary the pressures so it would sit straight. It would then handle like crap but they all do until 84. If the body was repaired on a twisted frame, good luck getting anything to fit or being able to close the doors easily. My sister had a 74 with every single issue I just listed. Bought about 79 and sold in 84. 74 was the absolute worst year for Vettes
Bogle: Smart Beta is stupid
Re: Thinking of buying a 1974 Corvette
1974 is not a desirable year right now. 70-73 are, but 74 is not.
If the body/paint is in very good condition, it might be worth $8K. Otherwise, don't touch it. Body/paint on a car like that will run you $15-$20K and will never be worth it.
I collect and restore cars and I win some and lose some.
I'd be interested in it for the right price. As well as that 77 sitting in your garage slheinlein
I agree with others. Unless you LIKE working on old cars, your best bet is to buy a restored one. Not cheap up front, but MUCH cheaper in the long run.
If the body/paint is in very good condition, it might be worth $8K. Otherwise, don't touch it. Body/paint on a car like that will run you $15-$20K and will never be worth it.
I collect and restore cars and I win some and lose some.
I'd be interested in it for the right price. As well as that 77 sitting in your garage slheinlein
I agree with others. Unless you LIKE working on old cars, your best bet is to buy a restored one. Not cheap up front, but MUCH cheaper in the long run.
Re: Money pit.
Taylor,Taylor Larimore wrote:L.Leeraar wrote:Taylor,Taylor Larimore wrote:Tuffy:tuffy7222 wrote:My son's father-in-law has a 1974 corvette that is garaged and some work has been done. -- At this point they need money for reasons I don't know.
The reason they need money may be because your son's father-in-law bought a 1974 corvette.
Best wishes.
Taylor
That is priceless!
L.
Couldn't resist.
Best wishes.
Taylor
Was it an O Henry story where he sold his watch to buy combs for her hair, while she sold her hair to buy a chain for his watch?
L.
You can get what you want, or you can just get old. (Billy Joel, "Vienna")
- Mister Whale
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Re: Thinking of buying a 1974 Corvette
This, absolutely, especially the bold part.LeeMKE wrote:The only way to get a good deal on a vintage auto is to buy a restored, finished, road ready vehicle from the estate of someone who paid for professional restoration and the family is selling. The large car auctions (Barrett Jackson, Mecum) have plenty of cars that are nice drivers, and much less than the cost of restoring one yourself. Unless you are a gear head and love working on cars, a partially restored car will not make you happy IMHO.
" ... advice is most useful and at its best, not when it is telling you what to do, but when it is illuminating aspects of the situation you hadn't thought about." --nisiprius
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Re: Money pit.
The Gift of the Magi.Leeraar wrote:Was it an O Henry story where he sold his watch to buy combs for her hair, while she sold her hair to buy a chain for his watch?