Long story short, my g/f's family lives in a small town in Arkansas, and it was mentioned that there was a 69 Stingray vert in one of her grandfathers barns on some property he owns. Not sure the condition, motor, color, or anything yet; I am driving back down to check it out this next weekend.

My question is, what are some things that I should look for with it? I am certain that if there is anything left I am bringing it home anyways, but I will have to buy it off her grandfather, and not really sure what it is worth. I know the car has sidepipes, not sure if it is a 427 or 350, or if it has any motor at all. Just trying to figure out a ballpark figure of what to expect and what to look for.
Thanks in advance

 

Hard to say without seeing it but here's what Corvette Magazine had to say in their June 2007 issue C3 market report: Needs TLC-$12,500 to Show-Ready-$53,000. Add $2,000 for 350/350, $5,000 for 427/390, $15,000 for 427/400, $20,000 for 427/435, 75% for L89, and 500for L88. Was about a 6% increase over last year. Happy hunting.

 

Boy, that could be the find of your life! Hope it turns out for you.

 

Thanks! I am hoping it is at least restorable and somewhat complete. It has always been a dream car for me, and it just seemed to fall into my lap (hopefully lol). I am guessing that it is going to be pretty trashed, sitting abandoned in a barn for years I can't imagine the wiring and interior to be okay.

Where can I find out more general info on the car? I consider myself highly experienced, but you can never know too much.

 

Cool!!!....I love barn finds. I live for 'em. Got a few of my own setting in, of all places, my barn, LOL. Good luck with it.

Oh yeah...That reminds me of a story for "true stories of..."

 

Best thing is to ask him what he wants for it. Value is hard to set sight unseen, but odds are your looking for a deal, and if it's been sitting for a long time, it seems like no one is all that interested in it. A big plus for you!
The first question is...are you going to keep it, or buy it to fix up and sell? A car to restore and sellshould be fairly intact with agood body and frame. Matching motor, trans, rear ect. is a BIG plus.
One to fix up for yourself would be nice to have all the same things, but it's not as critical.
The frame, especially the arches that go frominfront of the rear tire over the rear axel are one of the biggest places to look for rust. Not that it can't be repaired, but will require removing the body to do it right.Also check the frame where it runs under the doors, and under the hood where the front suspention atatches.
If the motor is in it, look for a small flat spot(about 1/2" by 4") just below the passenger side head. This is where the motor is stamped with the serial # . Then look at the drivers side windsheild pillar(from outside the car) for the vehicle Vin #. If the last 6 digits match the engine numbers you have the correct motor.
If the side pipes are factory, there's a good chance it's a big block car.
Most, if not all of the interior parts are available at a resonable cost, so don't get too discouraged if the mice, or time has had it's way with it.
And take a good bright flashlight!!!!!!
Go to Rowley corvette's web site.....it will list the numbers made, and all options and the number of cars ordered with them.
As the old story goes....It's worth what someone will pay for it, and I'v got $100.00 burning a hole in my pocket if you decide not to take it....lol
good luck with your find and let us know how it goes.

 

Thanks, that was pretty muchthe exact info I was looking for. I plan to keep the car and fix it up for myself, so I will pretty much take it in any condition. Just needed to know what to look for on it.

 

Back many years ago, more than I want to admit, I had a '69 forest green coupe with a 350-300 and a four speed. No air, just a base model. I put on a set of headers and added an Accel ignition. It was my first brand new car. I owned it for 9 years. I made the mistake of selling it to buy a BMW 3 Series (I turned "yuppie!"). I have been kicking myself ever since. They are a great car even with the small block. And, pretty fast. I hope you find it in good shape. Good luck!

 

Frostbite, If you look at the car and it is more than you can handle, let me know. I can get to theArkansas - Missouri border in 3 hours. I like tackling basket cases.

 

Finally got a chance to drive down and check out the car today, and there is good news and bad news. The car was in a nice dry barn, so there was no rot to the frame or anything else. The bad news is the car was pretty badly stripped. The entire interior is gone, including the dash and vert top. The hood, both doors, bumpers, headlights, windshield, and a bunch of other stuff is all gone. It is a 350/auto car, which are both there, but the motor is only a shortblock. The rolling chassis looks in amazing shape, and the remaining panels are almost perfect, including the panel under the top. I will post pics up shortly.