Any classic car enthusiasts here?

[Rorey]

My daughter has finally given the word that she's ready to sell her '69 Chevy Nova. It's a project car. It used to be mine, but I signed it over to her a lot of years ago because her boyfriend wanted to restore it. The boyfriend is long gone. She has gotten a lot of offers through the years, but was never ready to sell. We just have no idea how much to ask for it, now that she's finally ready. It definitely needs a lot of work, and of course isn't in running condition, but it does have a 400 small block engine in it.

Does anyone here have any advice on how much to ask?

[machoneman]

1. Sure!

Go to sites like Hagerty, a insurance carrier or any Chevy enthusiast site. One should find similar cars and prices.

[Rorey]

2. Thank you

I'll check it out.

[MichMan]

3. What is the condition of the body? Two door or four door? Is it an SS model?

[Rorey]

7. It's not a SuperSport

For the age, and the fact that it's just been sitting there, the body isn't bad. It's definitely restorable, IMO. It's a two-door.

[Rorey]

15. Minimal rust

That's what they guy that looked at it today said. I don't know if I would use the word "minimal", but I guess considering it's 52 years old, it might be considered that way.

It looks like original glass and it actually looks great. That was kind of a surprise to me. The upholstery on the back seat also looks great, which I found amazing. Of course I didn't actually touch it, and looks can be deceiving.

[Best_man23]

4. Classic Car Enthusiast Here

There are numerous factors that can impact the price of a classic car. You've named just three. Some more information on the Nova. The 1969 Nova is considered third generation, and the years for the third generation are 1969-1972.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Chevy_II_/_Nova#Third_generation_

If the engine in the Nova is truly a 400 small block, then it may have been replaced. An engine that is different from the one originally installed can impact the price If the engine is original, its may be a 396 or 402 (both highly desirable) and is referred to as a big block. A quick way to tell the difference is by looking at the valve cover. The picture below is a 396 big block Chevy. Note the wide valve cover, and compare it to the ones in the Nova.



A frequently used guide for class cars is the Car Condition code rating system developed by Old Cars Price Guide

https://www.hagerty.com/media/buying-and-selling/car-conditions-what-the-numbers-mean/

From your brief description the car sounds like its somewhere between a 5 and a 6. A rating of 5 means the car is restorable and may or may not be running. A 6 is a car that is so far gone its only value is for the parts that are not too far gone. Here are some examples of Novas that would rate around a 5 that are in the same generation (1969-1972) as your Nova.

https://fredericksburg.craigslist.org/cto/d/partlow-1970-chevrolet-nova/7385877289.html

https://www.ebay.com/itm/255162528780?hash=item3b68df340c%3Ag%3A4aQAAOSwtNphTmi%7E&LH_ItemCondition=3000%7C1000%7C2500

https://www.ebay.com/itm/203637840749?hash=item2f69c2db6d%3Ag%3Ay3AAAOSwVOZhUJxH&LH_ItemCondition=3000%7C1000%7C2500

Hope this helps.

[Rorey]

5. You're right

My daughter's boyfriend put in the 400 small block engine. It's definitely restorable, and we'd both love for it to go to someone who would make it awesome.

A guy wants to look at it this afternoon, so we'll see what he says. Another person who responded asked how much we'd take as a cash offer. I mean, "cash offer" is the only kind in a case like this, right? I told him we were probably going to see what responses we get in the next day or two, so we'd have more of an idea of what it would bring. He didn't respond to that at all, so maybe he already lost interest.

I figured we didn't have anything to lose by listing it. We're not desperate to have it gone, but I think it's stupid to just let it sit there.

Thanks for your input.

[Best_man23]

6. Cash or a Cashiers Check from a reputable bank or Credit Union

And if it's a Cashier's check, call the bank to confirm authenticity before signing the title over.

[Rorey]

8. Thanks

I'll be very interested to see what offers, if any, come in. In the past, before my daughter was ready to part with it, she got some low-ball offers. I don't want her to feel ripped off, so I told her if she doesn't feel good about an offer, don't take it.

[Best_man23]

9. Before She Sells the car, Do This

Get the VIN and check it against this VIN Decoder. Classic Industries makes restoration parts for classic cars, and it would be one of the sources I would reference if I was looking to buy and restore this car.

https://news.classicindustries.com/chevy-nova-vin-decoder

Also to an earlier poster's response of "Is it an SS (Super Sport)". The way to identify this is to look at the VIN. The second and third numbers will tell you if the Nova is in fact a genuine SS. Look for a 1-7 or a 1-8, which are the factory numbers that correspond with an SS for the Nova. If the car is an SS, that does increase the value. If it is an SS, not having the original engine does detract from its potential value. The likelihood is its probably not an SS, as there were 17,654 produced in the 1969 model year.

My advice is to know exactly what you have before entering the transaction. Also, do not overvalue what you have, as I've seen listings with crazy prices ($15K and higher) for classic cars with weeds growing around it in farm fields or chicken coops. All too often sellers will price a classic car in need of restoration at the potential price vice its present value.

[Rorey]

12. Well...

I learned a lot today. I know I need to learn much more, but it has been an eye-opening day.

I listed it at $5,000, but considering all reasonable offers, and so far got well over 20 responses. Out of those, six or seven were people who were very experienced in restoring classic cars.

I showed it to one local man today and he asked my daughter if she'd take $4,000 for it, and before I could shoot her a look she said yes, BUT then he talked himself out of it. He said his wife would kill him if he brought another project home. He wavered back and forth a lot. He said several times that it was definitely worth $5,000.

Tomorrow I'll be showing it to two different guys in the morning from out of town. I even got responses from out of state. Two people have said they'd pay the $5,000 without even seeing the car, other than the photos online.

It's been crazy. I'm trying to be very fair with everyone. Maybe I could get my daughter even more than the $5,000, but I think it's a fair price and she'll be very happy with it.

Thank you for that link. I'll run that vin decoder tomorrow.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

19. So pretty......

I can just hear it roar.

[bluecollar2]

10. I'm a bike restoration guy myself

So my $.02 is...

Take a few weeks to surf the net looking at overall prices asked and paid for that car, as-is and running. Since it's a 69 Chevy there's no shortage of parts out there so a restoration shouldn't be that much.

Personally I'd probably go for 50% of average restored value and 70% of as-is ( running ) value.

It's a 2 door Chevy, in reasonable condition. Somebody will give a fair price if you're patient.

Good luck.

[Rorey]

13. We discovered today that someone had stolen the headrests

AND they tried to take out the steering column. I hope it gets gone tomorrow so there will be nothing else to worry about.

[brush]

11. I'm curious about the 400 small block. Many restorers use the...

Chevy 350 small block in restoring/building Chevies. Is that a bored out 350, as a 400 is usual?

The fact that it's a 2-door is an asset.

[Rorey]

14. I know nothing

I mean, I seriously know nothing. Well, I know it's a 2-door.

[Best_man23]

17. That 400 Small Block is Likely from a 1970s Full Size Car

Think Malibu, Impala, or a Monte Carlo. The Nova in 1969 came with several engines from inline six cylinders to the 396 I mentioned earlier.

The 400 small block was coveted by hot rodders in the 1970s and 1980 as it was an economical way to upgrade a GM car like the Nova that came with a 6 or the malaise-era 307 V-8. However, the most important part of the 400 small block was the crankshaft, as the 400 block had the same crankshaft journal size as the 350 block. With the 400 crankshaft and a 350 block with cylinders bored .030 larger, you were able to create a 383 cubic inch small block, which are formidable engines even today.

[brush]

21. Thanks for the tech info on the 350/400 small block.

I have heard that the 383 is an economical way for Chevy to compete with Mopar engines.

A question, aren't there many options to get as much power out of a 350 crate engine?

[Best_man23]

27. Depends on where the crate engine comes from

If you're talking an AutoZone or GM Replacement engine, those engine configurations are pretty vanilla and your options are limited to intakes and ignition/fuel injection systems. If one is willing to part with a little more coin or if you have the skill set (or the time to learn it) there are higher performance crate engines that can perform quite well.

You are correct, the 383 can and does compete well against the Mopar engines (and some big block engines).

An additional consideration in trying to make power is if you live in an area that requires emissions controls. California has regulated (for obvious reasons) that cars built in model years where emissions controls were originally installed must have those controls in place if you want to operate the vehicle on road. I've always kept my emissions controls in place. If you install a modern engines like a GM LS or the Ford Coyote, its ideal to keep catalytic converters and other emissions devices in place as those engines were designed from the ground up with those controls in mind.

[electric_blue68]

16. Sorry to jump in...You might be the group of people to ask this question

Why to my sense of design have many regular cars turned
so chunky, and ugly-ish in the past ? 15-20 years?

Safety issues?

(I've been wanting to post this in DU L for a while now)

[Best_man23]

18. The reasons for the ugly designs are aerodynamics and safety

In 1995 Oldsmobile released the Aurora, which was the flagship car for Olds at that time. When the first model arrived at the dealership, I told the Zone Manager the Aurora's body reminded me of a football. He told me "the body pulled .023 in the wind tunnel". Even though modern vehicles have unusual body panel shapes, they are formed to maximize aerodynamics. You can feel it in real life if you get too close to the back of a tractor-trailer and get into the dirty air coming off the truck.

Here is where the safety part comes in. In 2012, new safety standards required larger pillars (the metal parts supporting the roof) to support the car in the event of a rollover. The rounded bumpers were meant to dampen the impact to a pedestrian if they were hit by the car. Additionally the hood profiles were raised to create a larger crumple zone to better absorb impact in a frontal collision.

[electric_blue68]

22. Hey, thanks for the details! All that does make sense...

Interesting, and yeah got to put safety first.
The bumpers are good idea, all of it really, even if makes my design sesibelities cringe some. 😀

The areodynamic part is fascinating. I forget about that part, duh!
Ty, again. 👍

[Rorey]

23. A weird question

So, today has been a weird day. The two guys who were supposed to drive down to see the car didn't come today, and may come tomorrow. Two other guys checked it out. One made an offer that was a bit low. The other wants to see what others offer and then go a little higher. I don't like that. To me it seems a little shady.

I started updating serious respondents via email, and one guy, who lives four hours away, said he'd pay $8000, possibly $9000. He hasn't even seen the car. I mean, is he playing some kind of game? I responded that I really wanted him to see the car before throwing out a number. It just doesn't make sense to throw out a number that much higher than any number mentioned in the ad.

What is your opinion? I just don't know if he's serious, or if he's trying to play me for a fool. I decided to do what I usually do and act as if I believe he's got honest intentions.

Needless to say, any offer isn't accepted unless the cash is in my daughter's hand.

[Best_man23]

24. You will get people like this

They'll reach out to you with a "number" to try and gauge your position. You get people who will try to lowball you on the price, hoping you are just wanting to get rid of the car (which is the case sometimes). This is where the "knowing what you have" comes into play.

You'll also get the interested parties who just throw out arbitrary numbers, then when they get there will try to go low. Again, the "knowing what you have" serves the seller well here.

My suggestion, come up with a price that reflects similar condition cars (like the ones in the links I sent earlier), and go with the position that the price is firm (no negotiation). Anyone who is not serious about buying will likely look elsewhere if they know there is no room for bargaining.

Agree 100% no offer is accepted until cash money is in your daughter's hand.

[Rorey]

25. I am so thankful for your input on this

I've been trying to make clear that we're not selling this car out of any kind of desperation. If it sits around for another week, month, or even year, we won't be devastated. I even contemplated having it towed over to my house because I've got a huge, secure yard and a truck port that is currently protecting nothing. My daughter wants to wait to see what happens in the next few days.

I do want my daughter to have a nice little pile of cash to get herself some things that she might like to have but doesn't want to ask me for. She's got some health issues and definitely some emotional issues from years of extreme abuse by the father of her son. This car sale thing makes her nervous, which is why I'm handling it. I had hoped that she'd jump in and take over the talking and negotiating, but she has just been hanging back, watching in the background.

I've been intrigued by how this whole process works. Several guys have been obviously flirting, I suppose as a tactic to get us to take a lower price. I've reached a point in my life where I'm "flirt-proof", and so is my daughter, but we're still amused. I used to watch as my now-ex-husband negotiated things like this, and noticed how they were almost subtly squaring off with each other.

I don't know....maybe it's my imagination.

Anyway, thank you for all of your valuable input. I do appreciate it very much.

[Rorey]

26. The right people showed up today

I reposted the car this morning. A couple showed up and I knew from the look on the guy's face when he saw the car that it probably was going to go to him if he made a decent offer. He's picking it up in about an hour, after he returns with the cash and trailer.

Before he left he said that his son was going to flip out when he saw the car because he's a "Nova Guy". That just made me feel so good. This couple obviously have the passion and knowledge to do justice to the car.

I asked if maybe they'd send photos when the car is done, and they said they'd do better. They'd bring it and show us in person. I'm ecstatic. I saved the license plate and I'm going to make a display in my garage with the 1996 license plate and before and after photos of the car.

All parties are happy, so I don't think it can get better than that.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[Best_man23]

28. Happy to Help (and Inform)

When he brings the car over, you want a picture and a ride. Glad to hear the car has ended up in good hands!

[Rorey]

20. I hope this nightmare is over today

Well, it's not really a nightmare, but I'm definitely nervous. I never dreamt there would be so many responses. At least 27 so far in less than 24 hours.