Hi Folks- A local guy is selling a 1971 Skylark convertible, I was hoping you could help me judge its value. No pics yet, I'll do my best to explain: 1971 Skylark Convertible 350/th350 numbers matching, stock AC (all there, doesn't work) Manual windows/locks Newer model buckets Rust free, new paint, all new metal including fenders, floors, qtrs, trunk New paint New top New brakes and rebuilt suspension New weather strip Can anybody ballpark me on this one? Aesthetically the car is in great shape with the new paint and properly repaired rust. The inside is OK, the new carpet helps but the dash is original and it is column shifter. Mechanically it runs solid but is a totally stock motor with 100k+ on it (I think). Thanks for any help, I'll try and grab some pics of it!
"Whats it worth" posts are really tough due to soooo many variables. I'm not a Skylark guy but do pay some attention to prices so I'll take a stab at this one. Sometimes its easier to start with the value of the car assuming it was fully restored.....but not a concourse type resto. I'd guess restored and needing only small amount of TLC maybe $13000-15,000 and someone please correct me if wrong. Color and options can affect the price as much as 15% sometimes more depending on model. There are many factors that affect value and one variable is the amount of marketing and patience a seller has. Desperation on a sellers part drastically reduces the price but if someone doesn't really need to sell, they'll wait for a year until the perfect buyer or sucker comes along. Based on what you have told us and the time of year, or if any documentaion exists for all the work that was done I'd say maybe in the $5000-$6000 range but thats only one opinion and there a few reasons for it. No detailed pictures, non-original interior, uncertain mileage, time of year and most of all I personally would not buy a car that had so many panels replaced due to rust primarily because I was not there when the work was being done. Talk is cheap and the comment "properly repaired rust" can be very subjective. Maybe you know the owner personally but I am assuming you do not. To do all that work the right way is very expensive. Honestly I'd rather buy a car that was "back-halved" using a rust free shell vs all that cutting and welding. It takes someone with years of experience to spot repairs that were not done properly and if you don't have that experience use caution and/or find someone who does. You don't want to find out after that fact that the repairs were botched. This in itself can be a lengthy discussion but think the point has been made. I would rather buy a car from the southwest or arid climate with no rust ever that needs total restoration vs one that had several transplants by an unknown person but thats just a pet peeve with me. For many folks it makes no difference as long as the car looks pretty. The main thing is that you are 100% happy with the vehicle and its really what you want with no regrets. Post some pics when you can.
Thanks for getting back to me, I appreciate it! Post count not high enough for links... pics attached Let me know if that helps.
Thanks. I spoke to the owner on the phone earlier today. He has had the car for 1.5 years, and has no documentation on any of the work as it was done by the previous owner. It has 4 wheel drums, the AC and heat don't work, the gas gauge doesn't work, and he thinks the engine is rebuilt but isn't sure. The top and frame are trashed, but he has new items for both that haven't been installed yet. Oh, and it doesn't have seatbelts either. The rear is a 3.08 open with no swaybar. It'd be fun to have a vert in the garage, but I think I'll pass on this one.
Yea I'd pass - Even if you got this car dirt cheap I think you would be disappointed, vert or not. Sounds like it has been molested through and through. Nothing worse than trying to cleanup after someone elses butcher job.
We all know that pictures can be deceiving but that is usually the case when the car looks better in the pictures than it really is. With this car you can clearly see that nothing fits on the body so I would be extremely suspect of a statement like "properly replaced panels". If he can't fit sheet metal any better than that then he probably can't properly replace panels. The car also looks like it's had a less than protected life. Jacked up like it is, tires sticking out, steering wheel and seats, etc.. Personally, I'd stay away from it but that's just me. If you buy it just be prepared for cracking bodywork and paint in the future. Bill
You can buy GS verts for 15k allday long this car aint worth a dime over 5K I can see from the pics its been hacked up quick...rubber missing ,incorrect parts etc..
Wrong mirrors, Wrong seats, Wrong grille, No emblems, Cheezy aftermarket steering wheel, Cheap POS wheels and tires...Gas gauge, A/C , heat... ALL not working...No seatbelts? No top installed? Top mechanism not working? Several thousand alone to fix correctly... What ELSE needs to be done.HMMM...By the way ALL 70, 71, 72 Skylark convertibles are Skylark CUSTOM trim; 71 & 72 came with BENCH seats, except SCO cars... 8,000 For a SKYLARK? NO WAY
