The Chrysler is gone so its time to go Corvette shopping. Help me find one?

"cletus44 aka Clayton Seams" (cletus44)
05/11/2016 at 15:07 • Filed to: None

My beloved Newport is currently in a crate on a boat headed to Bremerhaven Germany to meet its new owner. Now it’s time to find my dream car.

Between the Chrysler sale and a year of saving, I have about $15,000 squirrelled away for the Corvette. It has to be a ‘69, it has to be a four-speed, and it has to be a coupe. I’m well aware that while $15k is a lot of money, it’s not a lot to buy a 1969 Corvette. The car I buy will be a project. I’m fine with doing work on the car myself but I really want to find one with an intact frame/birdcage. Paint doesn’t matter to me, interiors can be bought and engines can be fixed.

Basically, I’m looking for a 1969 Corvette with a solid frame for $15,000. I’ve already found this one with a rusty frame for $7,500 US.

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I also like this partially completed resto but the auction ends in 1 day and that’s not enough time for me to get a guy to inspect the car for me.

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If you know anyone selling a car that fits the bill, let me know, I’m willing to drive anywhere in North America to pick it up with a trailer.

DISCUSSION (23)

crowmolly > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/11/2016 at 15:10

The frame doesn’t have to be intact, FYI. You can pull it and replace it, and you may be doing that anyway to replace body mounts.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > crowmolly
05/11/2016 at 15:18

Anything can be fixed. But the price difference between one with a rotten frame and a good frame is about 3-4k and its worth that money to me to not have to go through the misery of removing a body and repairing a frame.

crowmolly > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/11/2016 at 15:19

Well, I think it depends. If you can get a 427/390 with rusty trailing arm pockets for the same price as a 350 base with an OK frame, I’d go with the 427.

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/11/2016 at 15:24

Know anyone in central PA?
Blue Coupe

OPPOsaurus WRX > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/11/2016 at 15:26

why does it HAVE to be a 69?

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/11/2016 at 15:27

We have some Wisconsin Opponauts

OPPOsaurus WRX > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/11/2016 at 15:30

http://providence.craigslist.org/cto/5547382966…

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/5577264260…

http://longisland.craigslist.org/cto/5528570006…

http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/cto/557046…

http://westernmass.craigslist.org/cto/5565671255…

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > OPPOsaurus WRX
05/11/2016 at 15:36

68's had weaker frames with fewer gussets and the 1970's got more flared fenders which I think made the car look less delicate. Silly reasons but it’s just always been my dream car.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > crowmolly
05/11/2016 at 15:37

Matching numbers don’t do much for me. I’d swap a 427 into any small block Corvette I’d buy. But yes, an original 427 would be cool.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
05/11/2016 at 15:38

Cool! Too bad about all the body mods. I’d be over my head once I de-flare the fenders, remove the deck spoiler and put the pop up headlights back. Too bad. Thanks for the suggestion!

crowmolly > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
05/11/2016 at 15:39

Then I’d spend money on the car with the nicest paint job. That should be above everything else. Good paint is very expensive.

Anything that can be bolted on should be secondary.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
05/11/2016 at 15:39

That looks seriously promising!

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > OPPOsaurus WRX
05/11/2016 at 15:41

I like the last one for $16.5! The modified one sitting outside is tragic