68 firebird.... is it worth it?

[BL72]

Hey all,

I have a 72 firebird that has been a long time coming and will still be a long time to go. I havent had a muscle car to drive in years and i want to build this the way i want the first time. This will take yrs. For sure. In the mean time im looking at a 68 thats not really a resto-mod, just a nice cruiser. How do i know if 20k is fair though? It seems super solids. Well built but not stock. It has a 455 (468) 5 speed T5. 3.73 10 bolt 8.5". The guy did it all his self, he is 71 worked in a machine shop all his life welding and engine building. Im not sure if that constitutes a "professional" but id say hes somewhat exp!? He has, at 71, a 39 project, a 29 project and a 60 COE all going on. I trust him, but i just dont know if its a 12k car or a 20k car plus.

https://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/6136577888.html

I dont care to show anyone lol. Ive been out twice to look at. Had it on a lift and its clean as can be under neath. The engine has 6x-4 heads, mild cam but manifolds and 2.5 inch exhaust. 850? Quadrajet i believe. 4 wheel disc brakes. The build is about 7 yrs old. No cracks in the body anywhere so i dont think its full of body filler.

I just want a nice turn key cruiser now while i build my other one and i just want to know how to tell.

Thanks all!

[T_Raven]

I always look at a car and consider what it would cost for me to duplicate it, and how much I'd do differently vs what they are asking. If I could do it for the same money, I'd rather buy a project and build it how I want it. I passed up a 69 Firebird back in 2009 because he wouldn't come down from $28k. It was a nice car, but really everything he did to it could've been done better for the same money. He built a 350 rather than a 400, had a Richmond 5 speed rather than a TKO, upgraded the internals of the 8.2" axle rather than upgrading to a 8.5", etc. So I bought a $2000 project car to build instead. Although my car is still on my rotisserie 8 years later, so there's some value in having a drivable car lol.

That 68 looks decent. I'm not a fan of the hood or the trans, but the engine and axle sound good. If the body work and paint were done right, that's a big plus. That's one reason I shy away from restored cars. I've seen too many cases of people paying $30k for a car that has pop cans and bondo covering rust holes. Kinda hard to say what it's worth, but if you like it as is, figure what it would cost to duplicate and offer a price you think would be a good deal.

[1965gp]

The car looks pretty clean- like has been said I would do a few things different but overall the car looks nice. Right year, right motor and a good color I think you are okay at 20k. I would swap out the hood or at least put a factory shaker on it the day I bought it but other than that it's probably a fun car to drive

[BL72]

Thanks for the input guys. Its reassuring that i didnt get a resounding hell no lol I tried looking for comps and its damn near impossible. i thought it might be OK. we agreed on 21K so if i pull the trigger....

I told my wife, while i love the shaker actually, that Id like to have a steel hood also. She hated the hood in the pictures but it thought it was tuff in person. He made that with a buddy of his from hand, I was impressed!
My biggest issue is the trans, but like was said, im getting someone else's build. It wont be exactly what I want but its nice and driveable and maybe a trans swap over the winter would be ok. I figure I could make a similar one for 20K, BUT I know it would spiral out of control and I don't need a another project.

Thanks again, much appreciated!