how much is a 1976 corvette with t-tops and 115.000 miles all original

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Asked by kevincorvette1976 Mar 17, 2015 at 04:38 PM about the 1976 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe

Question type: Shopping & Pricing

12 Answers

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Thanks Mark it is an auto that is the bad part but I guess I did ok I bought it today for 4500 even has a valid inspection sticker

2 people found this helpful.
51,265

You did good from the picture. I'd have everything gone through, from belts, hoses, brake pads, transmission fluid change, shocks, A/C, half shaft bearings and wheel bearings. Anything that could keep you from driving home some day. Very good price. I'd even had a compression check done so you'd know if there is any pending issues you can keep an eye on. Spend a little now, save a bunch later. Old cars are just that, old, tired, and parts are worn or worn out. Oops that just described me. Make sure the vacuum lines are new and not cracked or lose. Enjoy the car.

2 people found this helpful.
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Hey mark I have a question I haven't decided if I want the Vette or not my wife wants the 1972 VW BEETLE CONCERTIBLE which is at the same lot for sale it is fully restored and has a rebuilt engine with supposedly around 1000 miles 85,000 miles on car RESTORED IN 2001 it is $7000 which is a little higher than I want to spend . I am wondering if I could flip the VETTE for a profit to save $ on the VW . I think I could get $7000 or more for the VETTE WHAT ARE SOME THINGS I SHOULD CHECK OUT ON VETTE . It seems to run well but has a couple things with it . The exhaust smells and it seems to shift a little hard it is an automatic but shifts with a jerk . The owner says that he had the transfer checked out and was told that this is normal what's your opinion ? The engine seems strong but looks like it has some miles on it not clean . There are a couple of things the owner is going to fix like a leak in the windshield and the seat doesn't move and seatbelt isn't working . If the leak is the T-Tops is that an easy fix there doesn't seem to be any water damage but floor in front of seats on both sides were preyyy wet after a rain . Int isn't perfect but dash and seats are ok no cracks or tears seams split little in seat normal wear and tear for its age the engine hasn't been restored but paint is very good on car . Just wondering if u can give me an idea if its worth flipping maybe some chrome . Does smell skittle musty or moldy is it easy to change carpet and will that increase or hurt value originality ? Just curious? Thanks for the input if u have any let me know I can still change my mind on buying the VETTE it is $4500 as is , Thanks Kevin

51,265

Yes you can flip it, but you need to make a list of what you feel is necessary to replace. Weatherstripping for the t-tops is not expensive, but don't forget the glue to hold them in place and seal the seams. Have the car detailed, which will include steam cleaning the engine. There are $55 cans of engine bay touch up coloring that can be added to make the engine bay look new factory fresh. New carpets will run around 200 to 250 and make the interior look good, not distract from originality. The smelly exhaust could be from oil leaking onto the exhaust pipes. Old Corvettes and old or even new Harley Davidson's do leak oil. Given fact. Find the leak. It could be valve cover gaskets, intake gaskets, or rear main. Actually easy fix on most if you want to. The detailing company will treat the seats, dash, and wheels. If the paint and body is in good shape, that is a plus, as nothing more that perhaps a clay rub out or even wet sanding from a paint shop will make the paint look new. All this for way under a thousand dollars. The transmission? Have a pro trans shop look at it and get an opinion on what could fix and for how much. If you get it for 4 grand, spend between 1 to even 3 grand you got at tops 7 grand into a 12 to 16 thousand dollar car. 1976 was not a bad year for Corvettes even though it was a low HP era with smog bogging it down. The exhaust smell also could mean $250 catalytic converter is needed. To buy and get it registered, do you need to pass smog? Go on line and type 1976 Corvette. Go to 1976 Corvettes for sale and look at what is there. 16,000 to 7,000 are being asked. Now is the season high school kids need cars. So if you want to invest in it, go for it. Worse case is you get to keep it. You may fall in love with it, as will your wife. I owned, well my daughter did, an old bug. It was like a boat or bad wife. Kept taking money to keep happy. Check all the things I mentioned above, but remember your getting an "as is" car for dirt cheap. A complete cheap engine rebuild with heads runs 2 grand, but that is a selling point and adds 4 grand to the price.

1 people found this helpful.
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Thanks Marc now to the 2001 Chrysler Sebring Convertible .i bought this car last summer it was $3800 looks great and drives and (FOR NOW WELL) I have done some research on the 2.7 envying since it had a whitish brown foam in radiator expansion tank but the o looks fine no water I thought it was trans fluid in water I tightened up transmission pan which was leaking but now seems to be ok I cleaned out the resovior tank and that seems to be staying green . I also smelled like antifreeze when it was warming up on a very cold day this could.be heater core .i was told is about $400 to fix big job to take apart I'm not a mechanic and don't want to be either but other than that we love the sebring but it seems to be a lot of problems with 2.7 engine this is why we were looking to buy another car to be a semi daily driver I also have a 2007 murano which I love and a 2001 ranger so that's where I'm at Not sure what's to do Buy the Beetle sell the VETTE for a profit and what about the sebring which has 106,000 miles on it . Thanks for your input you seem very knowledgable .Kevin

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Who is Mark? At the bottom of each page is a sentence "Mark helpful" That means to click on the pink box and "MARK it as having a helpful input. Only two people responded to your question, Tom, who is a very knowledgeable person, and me, califcarson. There is also a spot to mark, "best answer." This is how we accumulate the points you see under our picture. The more answers marked helpful get so many points, best answer gets more points. In all reality, it means little except that is our thanks for using or looking at our suggestions. Hope this clears it up for you and Mark.

2 people found this helpful.
Best Answer Mark helpful
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Thanks sorry about that Califcarson I guess I should wear my glasses more often thanks for clearing that up .what is your opinion on the Sebring ? Kevin Thanks Califcarson

51,265

Mo problem. When I first started on this, I did the same thing and I see it often enough I don't feel left out. I personally do not care for Chrysler products. My Dad had an old Chrysler he put over 300,000 miles on, and then my brother bought it for his son in high school. I went back a couple of years ago to Iowa an drove it all over. Still ran, but it ran like an old tired car. If you like it, have no problems with it, ride it until you have to bury it. My wife and I drive our cars for years and enjoy life without car payments and low insurance rates. Some people must have new cars, and that's great for the economy. As long as it is polished and clean, put the top down in the summer and enjoy it. I always feel a major repair is worth two monthly car payments, so I'm not out anything to fix it. As far as the coolant, You might change it out, as it may be old and in the winter may not work as advertised. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of worry.

1 people found this helpful.
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Thanks CALIFCARSON you were very informative and I appriciat your time .i think I'm gonna buy the VETTE clean it up skittle then maybe try to make some money on it .my wife really likes the 1972 VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE FULLY RESTORED BUT SEEMS A LITTLE HIGH PRICED AT &7000 it is yellow with white roof and int I can't remember how I put the Vette photo up I would like to post a pic of Bug . Oh we'll nice chatting . Thanks

51,265

The price for the VW Bug is standard depending where you live. I have a great garage that is tops with older VWs. Unique Imports in Orange County California. Picture of what I have done so far with my engine. Faster than the Z06 Corvette when they came back in the 2010s.

1 people found this helpful.
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I live in a small town of 1000 people on a huge lake called Clarksville , Va nice little town but not much in the way of good performance garages

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