Value of '69 L78 Nova

[L78Rules]

Hello, all,

What would be a value of a numbers matching '69 Nova SS L78 4-Speed Car?
The car has all numbers matching. The original engine is was gone through about five years ago, 0.030 over with TRW replacement 11.0:1 pistons, Crane blueprint-series cam matching the original specs and new matching Crane solid lifters, new GM rocker arms, balls, pushrods, rebuilt original water pump, original alternator, rebuilt original carb., new high volume oil pump, balanced and blueprinted, reconditioned original crank and rods. Engine has not been fired. All of the original parts were retained where possible, including exhaust manifolds. A NIB performance clutch & pressure plate are with the car. Front subframe is out, and rebuilt with Polygraphite bushings and other components. Body is original frost green color, with black interior and black vinyl top. One door (passenger side) appears to have been replaced at one time. All other sheetmetal is original. Original black bench front seat. Rubber floor mats. Original M21 four speed and 3.55:1 posi. Vintage Sun tach mounted on steering column. Power front disc brakes. AM Radio (not working). Body has nothing but light surface rust here and there. Body is straight other than basic nicks and dings. Has original radiator. Car has 65K original miles. Original shifter. Front end of car is off. Car has been stored indoors in heated garage for 9 years. All parts are there. There are a couple of original copies of the build sheet found in the car. This is a solid, original, numbers matching car that was taken apart for a restoration, and the owner just didn't have the time/money to finish the project.
The question is...in this condition, what is a reasonable retail asking price for this car?

[Jim Ferron]

28 views and everybody is chicken...ok I'll put out my 2 cents...$5000-$9,000. I see pretty decent L-78s out there 'done' under $50K...and it sounds like this car needs about $30 to finish it up..Nobody wants to pay 'retail' anymore...

[Schonyenko2]

If this is a car you personally want and don't care if it costs more to buy, and restore than the potential selling value, I think you're good up to 15k considering all that's there, and the condition. If you're not replacing sheetmetal, that's a big plus. A car at 5k that needs 10k worth of metal replacement may seem a bargain on purchase, but paying more on purchase for good metal is a better deal all the way around. JMHO

Pretty much anyway you look at it, you'll be upside down on the car. Specing it is not a good, or profitable option. If it's what you want, cost doesn't matter as much within reason.

[TDW]

I think a hell of a lot more than 5-9. The driveline is worth almost that much. If it really doesn't need any rust repair and all the parts are there, I'd say more like 20-24.

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

Quite a range, 5-24, a few pictures would give these Nova guys a better idea so they can better help you find the right selling price.

I like the combination, frost green, black VT, L78, M21, 3:55, and RUBBER FLOOR MAT very cool.

Ryan

[tom406]

I was thinking $10K. I agree with Jim, there's too many finished, nice cars on the market right now to stretch for something that's all apart.

[Jim Ferron]

Where's Wilma when you need him....

[TDW]

What is the asking price? Can you put it together yourself? Can you do the required body and paint work? Are you SURE all of the parts are there?

[WILMASBOYL78]

Wilma's here...not sure you need me anymore...you guys have become so well versed on BB Novas <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif

Not sure you need my wisdom <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/scholar.gif

I reached out to help this new member <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

wilma

[L78Rules]

This is a car that I have a line on being able to purchase, and I'm trying to figure out what a reasonable offer price would be. The owner does know that it is uncommon. It technically isn't for sale, but I want to be able to make him an offer that would be reasonable for me, and convince him that its time to let it go to a good home. That's why I said &quot;retail&quot; on my price request.

I would restore the car, and could do a lot of the work myself except for the body and paint, which I would have done. I'd probably also get the tranny and rear-end checked out and rebuilt if necessary by a third party with more knowledge about this stuff then myself.

The intent would not be for the car to be a flip. It would be restored for my own enjoyment and fun, and I'd probably end up keeping it for a long time. So, no worries about investment return or anything like that.

The car even has the original (local) dealer license plate frames on it. It has been local all of its life, and was known in the day as a force to be reckoned with in the local street racing scene in the late '60's and early '70's.

The mention of too many finished, nice cars being on the market today is something I wonder about. How many finished, nice original, numbers matching drivetrain '69 L78 Novas are left out there? Knowing what L78s were intended for, it seems that a lot engines/trans/rear-ends would have expired along the way. And, of course, a lot original small-block Novas have been &quot;upgraded&quot; along with the way with Mark IV engines. There are probably significantly more &quot;L78&quot; Novas that exist today than were originally built. Does the number of nice, finished cars on the market today factor in original drivetrain, or are many of these that are out there effectively &quot;tribute&quot; cars without full disclosure or documentation? With just less than 5000 of '69 L78 Novas made, and given the attrition rate of these kinds of cars over the years, it just seems that there wouldn't be all that many left that had the original numbers-matching drivetrain in them. Am I wrong here?

[SeattleCarGuy]

I would say that car, right now, sight unseen from what you describe would easily bring $20-$25k if it were listed for sale on Yenko.net with all the detail you gave, plus photos. If I weren't into a project restoration right now, I'd quickly offer $20k for it. Good luck. Sounds like a great car.

[Bill Pritchard]

I agree with Schonye on the $15K figure. Since this is a car that's always been local to you, with a known history, and having a couple build sheets, that seems like a very reasonable offer for both buyer and seller to me.

[TDW]

Rick, here is something to think about, along the lines of your statement of &quot;small-block upgrades&quot;. About six-seven years ago, I wanted a BB 70 Nova. Couldn't find what I wanted, so I bought a pretty nice 70 SS, SB, 4 speed car from an ad posted on this site. I paid 26,000 for the car. I bought a 427 from a member here that needed a complete rebuild. Spent a ton of dough on that. I bought all the Genuine GM parts that I could find, some NOS parts, new tires and wheels, complete clutch, radiator,headers and exhaust, springs, shocks, and a ton of small stuff. All to make it as close to a real BB car that I could. By the time I was done, I have 46 grand in the car. I have two folders of receipts for the build. The car didn't need any paint or body work, except I removed the rocker trim and had the holes welded and painted. Talk about being upside-down, I am the poster-child! Look back through the for-sale ads here and see what a decnt body only sells for. If you can get that car for a decent price, defiantly go for it. These guys that know a lot more about BB Novas than I do, I'd suggest that you listen to them for values. I'm only going by my own personal experience and what I seen out there for sale when I was looking. Best of luck if you go for it. Oh yeah, you can see mine in the &quot;members rides&quot; section.

[TDW]

That's the longest post that I have ever made!!!!!

[Xplantdad]

Good info Tony!

[L78Rules]

I want to state that I meant no malice to those who build a car for their own enjoyment that may not be &quot;original&quot; or &quot;numbers matching&quot;. I totally get and support the idea of putting together a car for one's own use and enjoyment.

What I do have an issue with is those that &quot;manufacture&quot; a car, and put it on the market as an original without disclosing the fact that it is a &quot;tribute&quot; or &quot;reproduction&quot; car. That to me crosses my personal ethical boundaries. I have heard too many stories about people who have spent lots of hard earned money on a vehicle advertised as an original, only to find at some time after the purchase that the car was pieced together.

There, of course, is the notion of buyer beware, but some of the less-than-ethical folks (in my opinion) that are building cars like this have become so good at what they do that it's difficult for all but seasoned experts to detect the deception.

I loved Tony's story about the 70 Nova that he built - I looked it up in the Member's Rides section, and it's a stunning beauty, and is something that anyone should be very proud to have built and own. Thumbs up to Tony!

[TDW]

Thanks Rick. About the only &quot;problem&quot; with mine is the 427 emblems that I put on the fenders. You wouldn't believe how many know-it-alls want to educate me on how &quot;you caint git no 427 in one of dem cars, so it must be a 396&quot;. Well, that and the guys that say &quot;I had one just like it with a 427 from the factory&quot;.

[jasonL78]

It really doesn't matter what everyone thinks on the board. I know you are looking for a rough idea what to pay. It sounds like you don't want to be in over what the car is worth in the end. Very smart. But at the end of the day you personally have to feel like it was ment to be. Not everyone has the same out look on a project like this. The car is disassembled. I know the guy says its all there but you will never really know. You are walking in where someone else left off. Do you know where every bolt goes on a nova? Its a lot easier when you remove them bolts,nuts brackets, etc. then take them out of an old coffee can. Its hard to evaluate a car in pieces. Thats just my honest opinion. To me a car like this in pieces is a 12-15k car needing 20-25k in work if you do the car yourself. The small parts add up real fast. Hope this helps.

[BARRY]

JASON is right i have restored cars where the customer said every thing is bagged and tagged ....right lots of parts missing

[Salvatore]

I say $10,000ish cause when you think you are absolutely done you will still have 2-3 thousand that you overlooked somewhere. Always seems to happen. Remember novas are great cars but are on the bottom of the food chain.

[L78Rules]

I will be making another trip to the owner's place soon, and I will let y'all know what happens. I plan on trying to get some photos, and doing more schmoozing with the owner. If I feel the atmosphere is right, I will be making an offer.

I certainly suspect that there will be a bunch of stuff that I'll need to put into this car. While it seems that all of the parts are there, and they appear to be well organized (not just a bunch of stuff thrown in coffee cans or boxes), I'm sure that there will be a slew of things that either must be replaced, reconditioned, or otherwise require investment in order to be serviceable.

Thanks to all of those who responded for their thoughts and input. Don't stop -- I love hearing the thoughts.

Rick

[Salvatore]

Honestly Rick I love novas and they are really a deserving car to do. They started to grab some more respect a few years ago and we all thought that it was going to help them take off some but the economy hurts that kind of growth. If the price you offer works for you do it. Novas are easy to work on and pretty easy to find parts for. They also respond to Day 2 stuff real well.

[WILMASBOYL78]

The L78 setup in the Nova was basically identical to the Chevelle and Camaro...with a few exceptions (engine fan, cowl air cleaners, etc.)all of the bolt on engine components and internals were the same..

So, if you need date coded hi-perf parts you will pay a premium because you are competing with folks chasing parts for the other two cars. A 4346 carb or 499 distributor isn't worth less because you are installing it in a Nova...just look at the parts for sale on this site or on Flea-Bay and the answer is clear. Novas may not command the premium that Camaros and Chevelles do...but the parts cost just the same.

wilma <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/scholar.gif

[mockingbird812]

<span style="font-size: 17pt">See Tom, you are still needed around here. Your knowledge and experience is <span style="font-style: italic">invaluable!</span> </span>

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-style: italic">I love it when he gets in the zone with his beloved L78 Nova talk!!!!!!!!!</span></span> <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[WILMASBOYL78]

Thanks Sam..it is great to be loved <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif

This car being discussed has a lot of the rare parts....when you combine that with the born with driveline...an engine that has already been rebuilt...rust free original body...and the documentation...it seems like a very desirable vehicle.

<span style="font-weight: bold">Assuming you feel the way I do about my beloved L78 Novas!!</span>

***and even if you don't..the parts alone are worth the price of admission <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/scholar.gif

Wilma...feeling the love <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[ban617]

The car is worth more in parts than together ..... If all that is removed is the subframe and front sheetmetal easy car to put back together ..JMO