68 Chevelle- opinions on value?
- Thread starter hickslawns
- Start date
Looks like a clean car from that pic. If you want give me a call. I shopped and researched el caminos for over a year before buying one for Connor. I will be happy to share what I know or what I think I know. I have a soft place in my heart for the elkies.
Took another look at it. Heard it run. Checked fluids. Next step: I'm paying a guy to put it on a rollback, take it to his shop, and thoroughly checking the undercarriage. Then comes offer making time and negotiations.
Ultimately, car looks great if looking at it in a driveway while driving by. Looks pretty good standing 20yds away, looks fairly decent at an arms length. When scrutinized, it looks like a very good DIY restoration from 15-20yrs back or average work of a body shop who doesn't specialize in classic restorations. There are some flaws and blemishes. If I were buying it to be a show car, I'd walk away. To be a driver and enjoy it, it is perfect. IF nothing major is found when I check out the bottom, I foresee 5-10 yrs of enjoyment, then a $5-7k rust and paint/frame on restoration. With current prices, the money we spend in 5-10 yrs will put us AT today's market values. I think it is a fair buy if he accepts my offer. I am only hitting him $700 below his asking and it will be a one time cash offer.
Ultimately, car looks great if looking at it in a driveway while driving by. Looks pretty good standing 20yds away, looks fairly decent at an arms length. When scrutinized, it looks like a very good DIY restoration from 15-20yrs back or average work of a body shop who doesn't specialize in classic restorations. There are some flaws and blemishes. If I were buying it to be a show car, I'd walk away. To be a driver and enjoy it, it is perfect. IF nothing major is found when I check out the bottom, I foresee 5-10 yrs of enjoyment, then a $5-7k rust and paint/frame on restoration. With current prices, the money we spend in 5-10 yrs will put us AT today's market values. I think it is a fair buy if he accepts my offer. I am only hitting him $700 below his asking and it will be a one time cash offer.
Buckmaster
Senior Member
Needs a rocker panel and a door skin.....plan on $1.5k if you don't do it yourself. Those blisters will get away from you real fast.
Yep. Rocker on passenger side is a little better than this pic, but similar. I showed that pic to give you guys a more honest representation than the far away pic. It is damn nice. Not a show car. Not perfect. Not too bad though.
Buckmaster
Senior Member
If it needs rockers...it probably needs floor pans too. Be sure to check those out when on the lift. Lower front and rear window areas are prone to rust (where the water sits) and around the battery box.
I don't know much about old cars Phil but Im thinking you and the little lady will have a lot of fun with it.
I believe floor pans are original. Frankly, they are not bad at all. Where rockers and rear quarter skins were previously replaced you can see where they maybe should have gone just a little further. There is some rust inside the rockers. Not terrible. Just not fun to repair. Exhaust leak was blatantly obvious once up on the rack. Donut gasket on drivers side where exhaust manifold meets tailpipe. Easy fix. Transmission has some leaks. Oil pan has some leaks. Carb is very varnished.
I believe some carb work, exhaust work, and brake work will put it on the road. Rear window leaks. I'll pay someone to fix that who does windows. Then it will need carpet.
The million dollar question isn't whether it is a fair price now. It is how deep will we be into it whenever we do the body.
These projects never end. Body mounts, steering components, bushings, wiring gremlins. . . .You never stop working on them. Then comes normal maintenance like brakes, timing, some minor repairs like securing emblems or body molding. Occasional ujoints or repacking wheel bearings. I can figure dollars for rust and paint repair or rebuilding an engine. The little things add up more than most realize.
I believe some carb work, exhaust work, and brake work will put it on the road. Rear window leaks. I'll pay someone to fix that who does windows. Then it will need carpet.
The million dollar question isn't whether it is a fair price now. It is how deep will we be into it whenever we do the body.
These projects never end. Body mounts, steering components, bushings, wiring gremlins. . . .You never stop working on them. Then comes normal maintenance like brakes, timing, some minor repairs like securing emblems or body molding. Occasional ujoints or repacking wheel bearings. I can figure dollars for rust and paint repair or rebuilding an engine. The little things add up more than most realize.
Who cares? Sounds like you are sold. Buy it and enjoy it! In the end, it's just a toy and they all cost money.
No it doesn't. That doesn't mean i want to lose my shirt though. I don't know. It is just how my brain is wired I guess.
Don't forget I have a truck to start working on as well. That is in the back of my mind too. Not sure when I will get to the truck, but the truck will be done before the El.
I hear ya Phil, kinda like land...they ain't making it anymore and it ain't getting any cheaper. I say but it!
Mist of the repairs seem minor. Wouldn't worry about the rockers until you are ready to do whole paint and body repairs. Enjoy it until then. Once you decide to repair then you can decide how you want to do that. Do you want it as close to show quality or just fix the rust issues and paint it as a driver. That will dictate cost. When it comes that time I will be more than happy to help.
Thank you Jon. Thank you for all the kind words, insight, and input you have offered the last few days. You are a great man. You fit in well at TOO.
I made an offer. Dude won't budge. He did come from $6700 to 6500 but he won't move. I offered $5500. Realistically, when it is time to paint and do rust repair, I will have another $5500 in it at a minimum. Currently needs brakes gone thru. Needs carb rebuilt or possibly replaced. Needs exhaust fix repaired. Needs rear window sealed to keep water out and then it needs carpet. These items are necessary to make it driveable. Eventually the front end will need it, all body mounts are original. Suspension will likely need freshened up. I don't know how it drives down the road or if the transmission seals have dried out as it sat the last 15yrs. I think for a $10-15k car (finished with fresh paint), I made a fair offer. There is no way to verify if it is a true SS or not.
I would be further ahead saving longer and spending $10-12k on one which someone has already completely gone thru. Or maybe the guy calls me back with his mind changed and I get to do all the repairs. Either way, it was fun to check it out and kick around just like the Chevelle. I am certain this thread will not end here. There will always be another out there. People buy and sell stuff every day. Someone, somewhere, right now is shedding a tear and admitting they have to sell their hot rod to pay the bills. Their blood, sweat, tears, and dollars will have a price on it. With any luck it will be in my price range and I will find it. Hate to say it that way, but it is true. Happens every day.
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Hicks. Give my FIL a call and run it by him for estimates on repairs. He's got a shop with a paint and body guy and done plenty of frame up restores on cars. He's had a couple el caminos in for work. I think he still has one sitting out back for donor parts but I think he wants to keep the body whole as it's in good shape.
Google Jim's Chevelle alley.
Or forget about the El and buy a rolling frame from him and start your Chevelle build.
Google Jim's Chevelle alley.
Or forget about the El and buy a rolling frame from him and start your Chevelle build.
