1969 SS 396 Value opinions

[427TJ]

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Throw a sweet cam in it and take the AC off; some vintage mags and tires, maybe headers and purple hornies and have some fun

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Now you're talking!

[redeuce]

DW

Looks like the Camaro has possibilities. But I have to caution you, as a member of the NADA Classic and Collectible Advisory Board and the IAAA, how to interpret NADA price guide values. NADA is not the same as Old Car Price Guide, which goes all the way down to parts car value. Nada essentially evaluates only investment grades. Many classics out there aren’t even gradable on the NADA scale. Although high retail is not undrivable, trailer queen status, it is only a step below it. High value would be an accurate guide for many of the vehicles owned and discussed by the members of this board. Fully restored, low mileage, documented investment quality vehicles. Unfortunately, most vehicles you see for sale out there are not high, but average, low, and below. Even the low category is referring to vehicles needing only minor reconditioning. Technically, there isn’t even a NADA category for project.

With that said, it is impossible to rate your car on one picture. However, by your description, it falls below low retail, which is $17,000 and change.

Now the other side of the coin. In this economy and this depressed market, Documentation and provenance are still at the forefront pertaining to sellable classics, but rarity is now of utmost importance. Quite frankly, a 325 HP Camaro is no longer on everyone’s want list, so if you are looking for a quick flip for profit, there are better deals out there for you. Now, if this is your dream car, and you want to restore and keep it in your collection, then you have to look strictly at restoration costs. It sounds as if the car needs complete body and paint, add in new chrome because the old chrome will look bad with new paint, new seals, jam seals, weatherstripping, interior, etc. You also don’t know how fresh the drive train is and what would be required to freshen it. At his selling price of $27,500, and possible restoration costs of $15,000 or more, you will now have invested in the car exactly what high retail value is today. That’s OK if this is the car you must have, but not investment smart.

As an appraiser, collector, and General Manager of a muscle car store, I can’t see the car being worth more than $14,000- $18,000. This is only my .02.

[JRSully]

If you can get it in the low 20's, take the orig Lo-Po BB out and drop an LS6 BB crate motor. Go have some fun now and restore it later to a 100 point trailer queen when the market comes back