The Ultimate Classic Corvette Buyer s Check List

Transcription

1 When it comes time to buy a classic Corvette there are many things to consider and inspect. This guide summarizes the important aspects you should consider and provides a checklist prospective buyers can use while reviewing potential purchases. Combining this Corvette buyer s checklist with careful research of the model year(s) you re interested in will greatly improve the odds that you ll be proud of your purchase for years to come. As you begin don t be blinded by the excitement of buying your new wheels. Chances are the first Corvette you look at won t be the perfect car for you. Be prepared to look as long as it takes to find the right one. This is a cardinal rule that should never be broken but often is. A note on numbers matching Corvettes - cars where all components are factory original. Numbers matching cars demand a price premium. If you re in the market for one make be sure you re get what you pay for. Verifying that a car is truly numbers matching is an involved undertaking that s beyond the scope of this document. If this is important to you be sure to complete your research ahead of time to ensure you get what you pay for. For additional tips for buying or restoring your Corvette visit be sure to The Corvette Restoration Page ( a site dedicated to documenting the frame off restoration of a classic 1971 Corvette. General Information 1. Car location Asking Price 2. Current car owner Phone 3. Model Year Coupe / Convertible VIN number 4. Is owner s title available? Yes / No Does the VIN match the title? Yes / No 5. Options: PS / PB / PW / AC / Tilt 6. Where has car been stored and parked: Inside / Outside / Outside under cover Exterior & Body: 7. Exterior color Is paint original? Yes / No / Unknown 8. Paint condition: Like new / Excellent / Good / Fair / Poor 9. Any body and paint imperfections such as chips, scratches or cracks? Yes / No 10. Any evidence of accident damage, repair or panel replacement visible? Yes / No 11. Are there any known problems or previous repairs to the birdcage? Yes / No 12. Window post condition: Like new / Excellent / Good / Fair / Poor The Corvette Restoration Page Page 1 of 5

2 13. Do the doors, fenders and hood align properly? Yes / No 14. Chrome condition: Like new / Excellent / Good / Fair / Poor 15. Convertible top: Like new / Excellent / Good / Fair / Poor / Not Applicable 16. Are any cracks or tears in the convertible top? Yes / No / Not Applicable 17. Wheels: Like new / Excellent / Good / Fair / Poor 18. Tire condition: Like new / Excellent / Good / Fair / Poor 19. Overall frame condition: Like new / Excellent / Good / Fair / Poor 20. Frame condition around trailing arms: Like new / Excellent / Good / Fair / Poor 21. Any visible signs of previous frame repair? Yes / No 22. Radiator support Condition: Like new / Excellent / Good / Fair / Poor 23. Other exterior comments (dents, scratches, frame damage, etc.): Interior: 24. Color: Is this the original color? Yes / No / Unknown 25. Interior material: Leather / Vinyl 26. Dash pad condition: Like new / Excellent / Good / Fair / Poor / Cracked 27. Seat condition: Like new / Excellent / Good / Fair / Poor / Cracked 28. Carpet condition: Like new / Excellent / Good / Fair / Poor 29. Center console condition: Like new / Excellent / Good / Fair / Poor 30. Compartment doors: Like new / Excellent / Good / Fair / Poor 31. Door panel condition: Like new / Excellent / Good / Fair / Poor / Cracked 32. Weather stripping condition: Like new / Excellent / Good / Fair / Poor 33. Window glass condition: Excellent / Good / Cracked 34. Is window glass original? Yes / No / Unknown 35. Do all the gauges work? Yes / No If no, which gauges do not work: 36. Does the heater work? Yes / No 37. If equipped with air conditioning, does it work? Yes / No The Corvette Restoration Page Page 2 of 5

3 38. If tilt / telescoping steering column, does it work properly? Yes / No 39. Any areas of wet or damp carpeting? Yes / No If yes, look for water / coolant leaks and explain: 40. Is a musty or mildew smell present inside the passenger cabin? Yes / No If yes, look for water / coolant leaks and explain: 41. Any signs of water / rust staining on the door pillars (below windshield)? Yes / No 42. Other interior comments (cracks, missing knobs, wear marks, etc.): Engine Information: 43. Engine displacement: Horsepower (check center console): 44. Original engine: Yes / No / Unknown 45. Original engine accessories (carb., air filter, manifold, alternator, etc)? Yes / No If no, explain: 46. Does the engine start easily and run smoothly? Yes / No 47. Any knocking, pinging or other foreign sounds when running? Yes / No 48. Does the engine, PS pump or other components leak fluid? Yes / No 49. Is blue smoke visible in the exhaust when first started or revved? Yes / No 50. Any signs of sludge on underside of oil filler cap or on dipstick? Yes / No 51. Any signs of coolant leaks? Yes / No 52. Check fluid level and condition (engine oil, brake fluid, trans. fluid, coolant, etc.) Comments: 53. General engine comments: The Corvette Restoration Page Page 3 of 5

4 Driveline Information: 54. Transmission type: Automatic / Manual The Ultimate Classic Corvette 55. Is the transmission original: Yes / No / Unknown 56. Does the transmission operate smoothly and shift properly? Yes / No / Unknown 57. Clutch condition and operation: Like new / Excellent / Good / Fair / Poor 58. Does the transmission or differential leak fluid? Yes / No 59. Any excessive play in universal joints or wheel bearings? Yes / No / Unknown 60. Any unusual clanks or whining sounds from driveline? Yes / No / Unknown _ 61. Other driveline comments: Mechanical Information: 62. Do the head lights, wiper door and wipers operate properly? Yes / No / Unknown 63. If convertible does top open and close properly? Yes / No / Not Applicable 64. Do all windows crank up and down properly? Yes / No 65. Do door locks operate properly? Yes / No 66. Do all lights work properly (headlights, turn signals, brake lights, etc.)? Yes / No 67. Does the hood latch and release work properly? Yes / No 68. Battery condition: New / Good / Needs Replacement 69. Exhaust condition: Like new / Excellent / Good / Fair / Poor 70. Other mechanical comments: Brakes, Suspension and Steering: 71. Overall suspension condition: Like new / Excellent / Good / Fair / Poor 72. Ball joints: Like new / Excellent / Good / Fair / Poor The Corvette Restoration Page Page 4 of 5

5 73. Bushings: Like new / Good / Cracked / Need replacement 74. Shocks: Like new / Good / Poor 75. Brake system condition: Like new / Excellent / Good / Fair / Poor 76. Are brake lines intact and in good condition? Yes / No 77. Are brake calipers original? Yes / No Do they leak? Yes / No 78. Does the parking brake work properly? Yes / No 79. Does car pull to one side or pulsate when braking? Yes / No 80. Is brake pedal resistance unusually soft or firm? Soft / Firm / No 81. Are front wheels in alignment (no pull to the right or left when driving)? Yes / No 82. If equipped, does power steering appear to be working properly? Yes / No 83. Other brake, suspension and steering comments: Other Information 84. Other general comments: The Corvette Restoration Page Page 5 of 5