Here we go again, got a call the other day the owner of the GSX is ready to make a deal. The car does not have the original block, but does come with the original heads, 4-speed etc. The body had been redone with new fenders and quarters, rad support and repainted. The GSX stripes on the fenders are not laid out correctly. It did sit outside for a few years and has a few surface rust spots on it. The undercarrige is pretty crusty looking but the frame seems solid. Had a patch repair in the trunk and has a hole in drivers floor near the gas pedal. Allright what is a fair price to offer for this car? It is beleived to be a 1971 GSX 350 4-SPEED CAR. It can not be #"s matching as the block is ruined. Right now it has a 1971 skylark 350, just to get it around. The car needs the complete interior redone . Has a repairable 71 GS grill. The dash is cracked/ ripped and has the GSX badge in it. For the car to be real nice the whole undercarrige needs to be scrapped and repainted along with the body, interior and a new motor. A 1970 350 partially rebuilt goes with the car. The owner is not naming a price and I need to make an offer. Thank for any ideas:beer :beer :beer :beer
Even if you are doing some of the work if you are putting a rebuilt 455 in it you are talking another 15K and probably 20K. I'm talking P&i of 8K, engine 5K on the cheap, body work 2K, and the inevitable unanticipated which is usually a lot--allow 5K. In the end I would figure it is a 30K car if everything is done because it is a converted 350 car. So I would be thinking 5-10K which may not be enough to get the car. Just one person's view in the sensitive area of evaluation.
This would be a good car when finished, but for it to achieve it's true value, it would need to be taken off the frame and totally restored. Check my website www.carstorations.com, there are two Cortez Gold GSX cars on the site. One doesn't have a hood tach. To do a proper restoration of the car, you will easily be in the 30,000 range. Question the guy about what happened to the original block, ya never know....Whatever happens, don't let the car get away too few were made and fewer remain. Good Luck, if I can help any way call or e-mail. Mark
Being a 4 speed helps, without the original motor I would go ahead with a 455. Then you are looking between 30,000 to 35,000. Doesn't seem to be a profitable deal to just fix and sell, but it is one of a very few rapidly appreciating models. I keep watching the various price guides and it seems the GSX cars and the Stage1 convertibles are outpacing most musclecars. (percentage of appreciation, not actual gross value). The serious collectors that I know all seem to be looking for Stage1 4-speed convertibles and 4 speed GSX cars.
Mark: I think that is a fair evaluation and illustrates the dilemma of spending the money to do the full boat. If you just want the car and heck with the value, I understand that and have been there. If you think you are going to make any money, well you are on the cum-- best case.
Thanks for the replies and keep them coming. I always figured the numbers matching cars were more valuable. I have a 72 GS455 that is a real clean Tenn car, it is built for street/strip with a beefed up drivetrain and a brand new 565 HP motor built by Automotive Machine and Performance. It will never be worth what a numbers matching one would. My complete drivetrain would run about 15 k alone, add another 10k for the car and interior. However I would never get 25k if I sold the car. My 72 GS350 convertible is numbers matching with 80k miles, 1 of 645 made. Probably be lucky to get 12 to 15 for it. Anyway I am in it for the love of the cars, not selling for profitt. I would take some comfort if the cars were gaining in value though. I never had a chance to buy a GSX untill this one came along. It wasnt really for sale when I found it. I talked to the owner a few times and the car was sitting outside for three years ou: If anyone hopes to save these cars PLEASE GARAGE THEM:ball: So what you guys are saying is matching number block is not as important as I thought? I plan on keeping and restoring the GSX as well as my other cars, but it does give peace of mind to know it could be worth alot, kinda like money in the bank:TU:
Going to look over the GSX again this week and make an offer.Wish me luck:beer :beer The funny thing is these cars always pop up when the money is tight, but if you let them go you always kick yourself in the :moonu: . I am going to post pictures this week also. Really cant afford it right now, but this buick thing is uncontrolable:laugh:
