Can I please have your views on these two vehicles?
Discussion
Hi all, maybe a bit of a brain dump so bear with me.
I’m interested in getting an American vehicle, it’s a box I need to tick and I feel like now is the time, my tastes are towards muscle cars and pickup trucks, not surprising I know.
Two I’m interested in at the moment are really different vehicles, and I’m hoping you can help me with some questions.
Car 1, is a fully restored Chevrolet Chevelle, link below.
This car is finished exactly to my tastes, I like it a lot. I’ve spoken to the owner, he’s sent me the refurbishment pictures and it’s been very thoroughly restored in Bulgaria, the body off the frame, sand blasted, repaired, seam sealed, and painted inside and out. Same treatment for the chassis, new bushes, disc brakes, etc. etc. It’s a non ‘matching numbers’ car, this doesn’t concern me in the slightest, after all, its 50 years old, but how much is this likely to bother a buyer when I sell it? It’s also not a pukka SS, it’s a 350 Malibu car, and again not something that bothers me.
What does bother me, is the value/price.
It’s a really unusual car in the UK being fully restored, there is not much to compare it to, there is the dollar versus the pound affecting the flow of cars into the UK, there is Brexit and the turmoil its causing, there is the reducing classic car/sports car market, and I can’t decide if it’s a good deal at the advertised £42k and if I do want it, want do I want to offer. Lots of cars seemingly are currently advertised at sky high prices to my untrained eye, but what they actually sell for is a mystery to me.
The American car market is a niche market anyway, and this is a real niche car in that niche market, so what do you guys think with your experience, what do you think its worth, and I know I’m asking an impossible question, but what do you think it’s likely to lose in the future over say, the next three years?
I’m expecting it to be pretty reliable given its condition, so that’s a big plus point that I expect to be able to use it whenever I want.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1970-Chevrolet-Chevelle...
Car 2, is an unrestored GMC C10 pickup truck, also 50 years old.
Now this car also appeals to be, I like the patina look, I like the steel wheels, I like the large rear window As yet, I have not got any more details on the car, the seller is sending through some pictures to me I believe. ‘Matching numbers’ truck.
So on the plus side for this one, it’s a lot cheaper, less risk and I’m more comfortable with having it in the garage. On the other hand, its unrestored, am I going to have structural corrosion issues, is the engine/gearbox going to cause me grief, how long /costly are parts for it going to be from America, can I even get parts for it. There is more comparable vehicles to get an estimate on the value, how do you think this one is priced? Anything I should specifically look for? Any general comments on truck ownership in the UK?
Can you tell from the pictures if it’s a short bed or a long bed? I can’t make it out, the short bed will fit in my garage but I’m not sure the long bed would, I’d have to measure it out.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1971-GMC-C10/1433726164...
A reoccurring theme with a lot of these cars is the small block Chevy engine. I had the marine version in a speed boat once, and it was a shocking pile of rubbish, I hated it with a passion, everything was massive, and iron, and hard to work on and it was one problem after the other, I’m wary of getting another one, with a 50 year old design.
Where tunes carbs and suchlike in the North West? Any relatively simple EFI conversions common in the UK? I know LS swaps are common in the USA but there engines aren’t cheap or plentiful here.
Both the above will need altering to take a three point seat belt, being able to fit my daughters car seat in is essential, I do all my own maintenance so that should be ok, I also have a sill lift assuming that I can position them on the lift and still fit in the garage, I intend to use the cars for pottering about to be honest, although some of that pottering could be considerable distance, I like doing euro road trips and being able to do it in one of these would be amazing.
Thanks in advance for any help getting into the Yankee car fraternity
Matt
I’m interested in getting an American vehicle, it’s a box I need to tick and I feel like now is the time, my tastes are towards muscle cars and pickup trucks, not surprising I know.
Two I’m interested in at the moment are really different vehicles, and I’m hoping you can help me with some questions.
Car 1, is a fully restored Chevrolet Chevelle, link below.
This car is finished exactly to my tastes, I like it a lot. I’ve spoken to the owner, he’s sent me the refurbishment pictures and it’s been very thoroughly restored in Bulgaria, the body off the frame, sand blasted, repaired, seam sealed, and painted inside and out. Same treatment for the chassis, new bushes, disc brakes, etc. etc. It’s a non ‘matching numbers’ car, this doesn’t concern me in the slightest, after all, its 50 years old, but how much is this likely to bother a buyer when I sell it? It’s also not a pukka SS, it’s a 350 Malibu car, and again not something that bothers me.
What does bother me, is the value/price.
It’s a really unusual car in the UK being fully restored, there is not much to compare it to, there is the dollar versus the pound affecting the flow of cars into the UK, there is Brexit and the turmoil its causing, there is the reducing classic car/sports car market, and I can’t decide if it’s a good deal at the advertised £42k and if I do want it, want do I want to offer. Lots of cars seemingly are currently advertised at sky high prices to my untrained eye, but what they actually sell for is a mystery to me.
The American car market is a niche market anyway, and this is a real niche car in that niche market, so what do you guys think with your experience, what do you think its worth, and I know I’m asking an impossible question, but what do you think it’s likely to lose in the future over say, the next three years?
I’m expecting it to be pretty reliable given its condition, so that’s a big plus point that I expect to be able to use it whenever I want.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1970-Chevrolet-Chevelle...
Car 2, is an unrestored GMC C10 pickup truck, also 50 years old.
Now this car also appeals to be, I like the patina look, I like the steel wheels, I like the large rear window As yet, I have not got any more details on the car, the seller is sending through some pictures to me I believe. ‘Matching numbers’ truck.
So on the plus side for this one, it’s a lot cheaper, less risk and I’m more comfortable with having it in the garage. On the other hand, its unrestored, am I going to have structural corrosion issues, is the engine/gearbox going to cause me grief, how long /costly are parts for it going to be from America, can I even get parts for it. There is more comparable vehicles to get an estimate on the value, how do you think this one is priced? Anything I should specifically look for? Any general comments on truck ownership in the UK?
Can you tell from the pictures if it’s a short bed or a long bed? I can’t make it out, the short bed will fit in my garage but I’m not sure the long bed would, I’d have to measure it out.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1971-GMC-C10/1433726164...
A reoccurring theme with a lot of these cars is the small block Chevy engine. I had the marine version in a speed boat once, and it was a shocking pile of rubbish, I hated it with a passion, everything was massive, and iron, and hard to work on and it was one problem after the other, I’m wary of getting another one, with a 50 year old design.
Where tunes carbs and suchlike in the North West? Any relatively simple EFI conversions common in the UK? I know LS swaps are common in the USA but there engines aren’t cheap or plentiful here.
Both the above will need altering to take a three point seat belt, being able to fit my daughters car seat in is essential, I do all my own maintenance so that should be ok, I also have a sill lift assuming that I can position them on the lift and still fit in the garage, I intend to use the cars for pottering about to be honest, although some of that pottering could be considerable distance, I like doing euro road trips and being able to do it in one of these would be amazing.
Thanks in advance for any help getting into the Yankee car fraternity
Matt
Edited by StreetDragster on Thursday 5th September 09:41
Well I am slightly biased.....currently working in the USA and decided to tick the same box. Looked at various muscle cars but 3 years ago ended up with a 1970 Chevy C10.
LMC Truck or Classic Industries in the USA can supply any parts you need up to and including a new chassis and cab, but don't expect it to be cheap even before international shipping. Check their online catalogues for ideas on prices. Also copies of the original manuals are available if you want to do stuff yourself. One advantage for me is the truck bodywork is much simpler and just unbolts in smaller section when you need to treat rust/do stuff.
The photo looks like a shortbed.......but check underneath. Shortbeds are worth more so some longbeds get cut down. It also looks lowered but may just be bigger wheels.
My experience of the small block V8 is that it is really easy to work on, compared to a modern car there is plenty of space. Yes it is agricultural, but a new distributor and carb with electric choke and mine runs fine. With drum brakes all round the power is more than adequate!
My 1970 had the upper mounting points for seatbelts from the factory with blanks fitted so one of the first things I did was change the lap belts for 3 point inertia reels.
I would suggest look and drive both before deciding. I was thinking of a classic Mustang but was put off on closer inspection.
LMC Truck or Classic Industries in the USA can supply any parts you need up to and including a new chassis and cab, but don't expect it to be cheap even before international shipping. Check their online catalogues for ideas on prices. Also copies of the original manuals are available if you want to do stuff yourself. One advantage for me is the truck bodywork is much simpler and just unbolts in smaller section when you need to treat rust/do stuff.
The photo looks like a shortbed.......but check underneath. Shortbeds are worth more so some longbeds get cut down. It also looks lowered but may just be bigger wheels.
My experience of the small block V8 is that it is really easy to work on, compared to a modern car there is plenty of space. Yes it is agricultural, but a new distributor and carb with electric choke and mine runs fine. With drum brakes all round the power is more than adequate!
My 1970 had the upper mounting points for seatbelts from the factory with blanks fitted so one of the first things I did was change the lap belts for 3 point inertia reels.
I would suggest look and drive both before deciding. I was thinking of a classic Mustang but was put off on closer inspection.
The longbed to shortbed conversions I have seen have a doubler plate bolted & welded across the chassis cut so easy to spot underneath (the cut is under the front area of the bed). They then get hold of a short bed off another truck.
It is possible to lower the truck by replacing some of the suspension parts. The more extreme versions may include notches in the frame or replacement sections.
For me the biggest concern would be how bad the bodywork rust is. Typically bed floors, wheel arches, cab floors and corners, floor supports, lower door skins etc go. The only way to tell is to get underneath and look. Mine has filler in a couple of places but the areas are sufficiently localised that I am happy that when necesary I can fix.
Happy hunting!
It is possible to lower the truck by replacing some of the suspension parts. The more extreme versions may include notches in the frame or replacement sections.
For me the biggest concern would be how bad the bodywork rust is. Typically bed floors, wheel arches, cab floors and corners, floor supports, lower door skins etc go. The only way to tell is to get underneath and look. Mine has filler in a couple of places but the areas are sufficiently localised that I am happy that when necesary I can fix.
Happy hunting!
I wouldn't worry about the engine over-much (so long as it's basically healthy in the first place) as they are quite hardy souls... the marinised versions get a MUCH harder life and do cause problems. Used to deal with American V8s in boats and they suffer from a lot of neglect and faults that the road-based counterparts don't. 
newsatten said:
Buy the truck and you'd have a ton of cash left to buy a proper Chevy , and if it has to be a full size sedan, a SS Impala is tough to better
For the money of that nasty Chevelle, you'd get a nice '66 SS big block 4 speed Impala Sport Coupe including shipping and import duty....
Or a small block, and have change to swap in an angry 383 stoker and a Hotchkis suspension kit.
Where do you find good quality vehicles in the usa?
The problem I have is I don't know specifically what I want, I know something I like when I see it, and I don't have the inclination to go to the usa to view cars.
I know I don't want rust, I know I'd prefer efi engines, I know that I would prefer a shorter vehicle that fits in my garage well, and I know I need a three point seat belt (either OEM or retrofit option).
The problem I have is I don't know specifically what I want, I know something I like when I see it, and I don't have the inclination to go to the usa to view cars.
I know I don't want rust, I know I'd prefer efi engines, I know that I would prefer a shorter vehicle that fits in my garage well, and I know I need a three point seat belt (either OEM or retrofit option).
StreetDragster said:
Where do you find good quality vehicles in the usa?
The 'bible' that is Hemmings is the best place to start a search.....at least it gives you a starting point.https://www.hemmings.com/
StreetDragster said:
I know I'd prefer efi engines, I know that I would prefer a shorter vehicle that fits in my garage well, and I know I need a three point seat belt (either OEM or retrofit option).
The problem with wanting EFI, is the associated mods required to run the electronics on an older car. Not a big issue, and things like the Edlebrock EFI system is good for this, looks like a 4 bbl carb and Edelbrock supply all that is needed.The only 'modern' EFI i would have is the Hilborn system, but its mega money, and I still don't want the added complication of the electrics. I'd prefer a traditional dual quad setup, but there's very little point other than looks.
As for size, without knowing your garage dims, that hard to make any suggestions. If standard UK 60's to 90's era built single garage, you'll be looking at a small choice I'm afraid.
Edited by aeropilot on Tuesday 10th September 09:48
Sooo much dross on this thread by some people who haven’t turned a wrench in anger, it is beyond funny... OP, if you want genuine opinion on the relative merits of the two cars - speak to a specialist or a dealer, who specialises in Americana... They do exist, even in this country...
aeropilot said:
The 'bible' that is Hemmings is the best place to start a search.....at least it gives you a starting point.
https://www.hemmings.com/
This has been a brilliant bit of guidance, thanks very much.https://www.hemmings.com/
I now know that i like-
Chevrolet Novas 1969 - 1973
Chevrolet Chevelle 1970-1972, with 72 being the favorite
Pontiac GTO 1964 to 1967
Chevrolet Camaro 1967 to 1979
Chevrolet C10 Fleetside Short bed, 1967 - 1982 (wide band on this one)
Any other suggests on models similar to the above which i can have a look at and see if i like them?
Thanks
Matt
Unless you have a double garage any full size yank would be to big, unless your like Mr Tibbs you wont get out! lol
i had a RM23 440 Road Runner with just about fitted in the space , but what a drama climbing out the poxy thing,
The RR now lives in Cheshire, very happily from all accounts, i did a lot of work on the old girl, the new owner up't the anti and the car was runner up at the Classic American car of the year 2018, so i think i know how a spanner works,
My current baby is a 4 owner from new 71' Dodge Challenger 340RT, which is a E body, and is considerable smaller the the Road Runner which was a B Body,
The Chally fits into my garage with no real problems ,
Your Chevelle is a intermediate frame and like the Goat etc would be a fair bit bigger than a Camaro etc,
I had a 69 GTO its a big motor son!
Have a look at a 70/71 400 Ram Air 111 Trans Am, these and a same gen Camaro , look period but a good one will drive almost like a modern motor, and they aint immense
The TA is pretty much my bucket list, but its got to have a M22 lol
i had a RM23 440 Road Runner with just about fitted in the space , but what a drama climbing out the poxy thing,
The RR now lives in Cheshire, very happily from all accounts, i did a lot of work on the old girl, the new owner up't the anti and the car was runner up at the Classic American car of the year 2018, so i think i know how a spanner works,
My current baby is a 4 owner from new 71' Dodge Challenger 340RT, which is a E body, and is considerable smaller the the Road Runner which was a B Body,
The Chally fits into my garage with no real problems ,
Your Chevelle is a intermediate frame and like the Goat etc would be a fair bit bigger than a Camaro etc,
I had a 69 GTO its a big motor son!
Have a look at a 70/71 400 Ram Air 111 Trans Am, these and a same gen Camaro , look period but a good one will drive almost like a modern motor, and they aint immense
The TA is pretty much my bucket list, but its got to have a M22 lol
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