1970 SS396 - Value

**Supergas990** · #1 06-13-2013, 01:09 PM

I'm going to look at a project 1970 Chevelle SS396 for my son and would like to get some help determining a ballpark value. The owner has had the car for 10 years, but car was in storage since 1993. He sent me a few pics that aren't terribly helpful, but this is what he told me about the car's condition:

The Bad
• Car needs paint (originally gold with Black stripes - I like)
• Missing original wheels and exhaust manifolds
• Bench seat 4 speed (I like the combo, but it hurts the value)
• Fenders need some minor work behind the wheels
• Probably needs quarters - wheel lip rust
• Trunk has scale rust, may be thin in some spots

The Good
• Car has it's born with drivetrain – Motor, trans and rear (didn’t’ give me the numbers, but I don’t believe he would know what I’m looking for)
• He says that all the other parts are original (distributor, alternator, radiator, carb, etc… This will have to be confirmed)
• Current owner is owner number three, so chasing down local history on the car may not be that difficult
• Kansas City build location – leaves a strong possibility of finding a buildsheet, assuming the car hasn’t been completely torn down at some point

The guy is asking $10,000, which seems high for an L34 car that needs sheetmetal. Based on the general condition description and the poor quality pics I’m more in the $7,000 - $8,000 range (knowing that sheetmetal and paint will cost $15,000+/-).

Anyone that is more current on the SS396 market that can offer some ranges, please do.

Thanks,

Blair

**Supergas990** · #2 06-13-2013, 01:18 PM

Here are some pics

**Mr70** · #3 06-13-2013, 01:27 PM

Which shade of gold?...Code 55 Champagne Gold or code 58 Autumn Gold?
Based on those photos & description,I think 10K is a very fair price today...Some might give a lot more,some a lot less.
Does it have a 3:31 posi & factory gauges?
I would not take his word for it,and look @ all the component numbers on it first,and hunt for a buildsheet too,regardless.
Kansas is a plus,as there a lot of places to look for the sheet.
How far do you want to take the car?...practice car?....weekend driver?..street freak?..full blown resto correct?

**XXXGoldL34M20** · #4 06-13-2013, 01:38 PM

It would be easy to part that car out and make the $10K if every component is correct like the owner says.

If you find the build sheet and see every component is correct, i say go for it.

If you can buy it a little lower than $10k it will be a bonus.

By the way the 4 speed with bench seat does not lower the value of the car [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] If it was an automatic with bench seat then it would.

Does the car have the optional gauge package with Tach, a Posi rear diff and also what is the original color of the interior?

**Supergas990** · #5 06-13-2013, 02:41 PM

Thanks for the quick feedback. I'm unsure about the cars interior appointments. I'm hoping for a gauge package, but expecting a standard dash.

Not sure on gear ratio or actual paint code. I'll take more pics and record all of numbers when I see the car.

My son is several years from driving, but wants a musclecar for his summer ride. This car is close to his price range and would actually hold some longterm value, as well as giving us a nice father-son project for the next couple of years.

Car would mostly be a summer dirver, but we would do home shop body-off resto on the car. It would be our second full resto, if we move forward.

Blair

**Jack_Tar** · #6 06-13-2013, 06:31 PM

Factory 396 with 4 speed and seemingly minor rust issues, $10k is not too bad. If you can get it for $7-8k then you are doing very well with it.

edcar70 · #7 06-13-2013, 07:40 PM

I paid 11,000 for an 1970 L78 a year ago. was all apart in boxes but good body. 10 seems like a good price. ed

**Mr70** · #8 06-13-2013, 07:51 PM

Blair
I know you said you were looking for a father/son project,but this done Autumn Gold L-34 was just posted on TC yesterday for only 5X more then the one you're looking at.
http://www.chevelles.com/classifieds...?product=56571
Looks & sounds pretty good.

Rick

**Supergas990** · #9 06-13-2013, 08:00 PM

Rick,

You're right, that's a sharp car. Way more than the ballpark I play in though.

Last fall my son won a boat at a fishing tournament. He opted to sell it and keep fishing from my boat (smart kid). Now he has a nice bank account and 3 years to get a nice car together.

This Chevelle is pretty close to home and may be the right project for a long-term investment and great first car.

Blair

**SeattleCarGuy** · #10 06-13-2013, 08:34 PM

If the drivetrain is original, I'd be all over that car for $10,000. Good luck with it!