What makes this car worth twenty or more, is the fact that it is a stg1, a 72, or a convertible? Would it be less if we're a hard top, or a 70, or a 4 speed?
Writers vs Welders. Someone is always trying to create controversy where there wasn't any. The fact of the matter is, even if you can do a lot of work yourself, there's a bunch of checks that still need written with that '72 Stage 1 project. A 100k resto maybe 50k if you do a lot of your own work. Still a lot of coin after say a 25-50k price tag / buy in. So Mr. '72 Buick Enthusiast needs to be Mr. Bodywork, Mr. Self-wrench, Mr. Disposable Income, Mr. Spare Time, Mr. Fully Equipped Shop, and married to Mrs. Supportive wife. A one in million buyer is needed for a one of 81 car Writer or Welder.
Seen it. Love it. BUT. This ain't 1970 anymore. When was the last time you saw 2 20 year-olds racing cross country in a 50 to 70 year old big block car? Hollywood & History.
Yep, thats the predictable response from someone who is more worried about the ROI than enjoying the hobby of automotive restoration and cruising. All done here..
Stage 1 AND convertible IS the value. Would be worth more as a 4-sp., less as a hardtop, and more as a '70. '70 Stage 1 4-sp. convertible is arguably the holy grail of GS values. There's a similar to the subject car here '70 project for sale now for $65k. "Supposedly" it bid up to $46k (ish) on eBay and didn't meet reserve. Honestly I thought that was a $30k "car" (is totally apart). The seller of the subject '72 is dreaming @ $55k. That said, I'd rather have this '72 @ $15k than that '70 at $30k even though finished, the '70 is probably worth more than the $15k difference. I just like this car's options/colors better and I like '72's.
Disillusion. That will be the reality for most potential buyers. While a loaded car is often more desirable, there is no doubt it will make a full restoration that much more challenging. Especially a ragtop. Chances are it will turn back up fully disassembled and in baskets - not fully restored. Three and me. You have to be Taylor, Wilson, and Oates all rolled up in one these days. A welder also must be a writer. Investment has to be on one's radar, if your going after an investment grade vehicle. We're not talking about a set of Pep Boys radials, and throwing a single stage paint job on a '71 302 Maverick out in the backyard
Cleaned up and running probably at the cost of about $2000 the car would be much, much more desirable if you could drive it away. I think if that were the case someone might be able to squeeze nearly 30K out of it. A car that can be driven has much more potential than one that has the brakes locked up and all of the other problems that come with its long-term sitting. A really good clean up with some shiny correct wheels and tires can make a huge difference, especially with the top down and a gleaming white interior. That’s exactly what I would’ve done, flipped it because the reality is even I can’t spend the coin necessary to make it a trailer queen.
And by the way, if Adam does get involved, doesn’t that make him the ultimate muscle car restoration guy? He can weld, he can write, he writes checks, and he receives checks. I’d say he’s the big winner here
Hopefully, there are new people to this hobby looking at this thread. There’s some valuable thoughts being expressed. Joe- 462- makes a point about writing and welding. Think long and hard about taking a project of this magnitude. Do you have the space? Not only for the car, but to work on, store parts, etc? The tools? And there are many. How about the time? The skill? Welding, aligning, finishing, painting. The skill of finding, restoring, and storing parts? Mechanical abilities? Rebuilding an engine, trans, rear end. Electrical awareness and skill? Finally, the money for all of the above. Materials and all of the little nickle and dime crap add up. Oh, don’t forget sweat equity. I love this hobby and love working on these cars… however, work, family life, and other responsibilities limit when I can work on them. Hence, any major project i begin, I just do not have the time to finish. Last one was my 4 speed convertible. In 4 years, I got the frame off of the body and collected most of the parts, that was it. Chris P, CJP69, aka crack spider, has had many discussions about the benefits of buying one “done” and enjoying it. “Think about it. Someone already has done all of the legwork, etc, etc, spent hours of sweat equity into all aspects, or spent $80000, $100,000 on a restoration, and now they are selling it for pennies on the dollar”. I recently looked at 2 frame off restored, concours gold scored cars for people. One had $86,000 in restoration costs alone, the other had $116,000. One sold for $42,000, the other for ~$65,000…. Both buyers were able to drive the car out of the trailer and directly to a car show. There’s something to be said about owning a 1 of 2, restoring a 1 of 2, and restoring a basket case. Would hope that everyone would perform a hard assessment of the reality of owning/ restoring a car in this condition before jumping into it…
There is a middle ground…the seller could get realistic about the value and accept an offer from a buyer (not a flipper) and that buyer wants a driver-not a perfect show car-and does the basic body work, put single stage paint, new tires (not Pep Boys but not $400/each replo G60s) and then drives it. He gets to enjoy a rare big block convertible (what draws people to these cars to start with) and the car is maintained and preserved while, maybe, its value rises over time and justifies a resto some day. Patrick
You can make a small fortune in this hobby, but only if you start out with a large one… $55k for that car is crazy.
15k is crazy wait for the crash it's coming soon .I brought this 72 stage1 for under 20k after prior owner spent 65k restoring her
We're not talking about a set of Pep Boys radials, and throwing a single stage paint job on a '71 302 Maverick out in the backyard View attachment 568319 [/QUOTE] your WAY out of line with that maverick line! i had me a 71 grabber when i was a kid. so watch it.lol p.s that 302 2barrel was no slouch in that lightweight. charlie,
I believe he is saying you are one or the other. What I am suggesting is even if you're a welder ( do it yourselfer ) you have to be a check writer too. You're still looking at a substantial investment.
