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 [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif[/img]

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

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

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?