Should I?

[kblock108]

Hey folks, first timer looking for some expert advice from you.

The quick version is a friend getting up in age, has a 78 garaged (built and driveable) with a 350. It has been garaged for the past 10 years and driven very very sparingly. He wants me to have it and offered what I “THINK” is a good deal. I drove it 2-3 years ago and he has not since. He told me he will sell it to me for 10,000. Anyone have any thoughts that could help me out? Mind you, I may do a little off roading but more of a”cool” and rare car to cruise here in the south with my son and daughter. I recently sold a Chevelle and miss the nostalgia. Forgot to mention it has a SB 350 in it.

 

[kevos37]

At first glance, it seemed to be a tight looking rig. $10K seems more than fair in todays market. But of course more pictures are required to get a better idea of overall condition.

Good Luck
Kevo

 

[JohnnyC]

10K looks to be a VERY fair price for you... a give away for him.... however... deals between friends were like that many years ago

post more pics

IF its that good.... i'd say 10K+ a good meal out and a case (if he drinks) MANY thank yous and drives whenever he wants

 

[Godzirra]

Very nice looking rig. I think $10k is very fair subject to what the others have said.

 

[kblock108]

Thank you. I’m going to get some more pics ASAP, I have driven it before and it rides good. I drove it onetime and came out to a group of guys checking it out. My buddy is extremely well off and everything is done at a local hot rod shop. He doesn’t go cheap on anything. Doesn’t even leak, biggest problem is putting air in the tires since it’s driven so infrequently

 

[kblock108]

Gives me something to throw around...I don’t know values of these things. Wife said if I like to just buy it...but I’m a cheap ass and won’t spend anything unless I know if I needed to sell it, I could get my money back. The one thing I am trying to figure out, is the truck is in Arizona and I’m almost out of California to move to Tennessee. TN has a smog requirement and I hate to transport it all that way for it to not pass smog. In that event, not sure how I go about altering a carb 350 to pass. I’ve always owned 60’s and below, so smog has never been and issue

 

[apeterson]

if it runs and drives as good as that one pic is you are buying at least half price!! take a walk in the classifieds or craigslist and see the garbage people want 10k for.

 

[middlecalf]

Looks like a great deal, but that's only part of the equation. Since your friend is "extremely well off" and you're a "cheap a$$" these rigs do need a fair amount of maintenance, even the good ones. So make sure you've budgeted for some annual upkeep, and of course fuel money. Can't imagine that a vehicle not required to be smogged in California would need to be smogged in Tennessee, but who knows. And if that was a Chevelle SS, this will not be in that class of performance, LOL.

 

[kblock108]

Would you guys tow it via dolly? I have an ecoboost 16’ explorer. Not sure if it will handle a flat trailer and TOYT over 2000 miles

 

[JohnnyC]

Register it and ins... Drive it back

 

[1969FJ]

Do not use a dolly. Just get a uhaul truck and auto transport. Cost is low.

 

[bhsdriller]

Looks like a great deal, but that's only part of the equation. Since your friend is "extremely well off" and you're a "cheap a$$" these rigs do need a fair amount of maintenance, even the good ones. So make sure you've budgeted for some annual upkeep, and of course fuel money. Can't imagine that a vehicle not required to be smogged in California would need to be smogged in Tennessee, but who knows. And if that was a Chevelle SS, this will not be in that class of performance, LOL.

A 78 still has to pass smog in CA and this one probably wouldn't with the swap, this vehicle is in Arizona which probably doesn't care.

Not sure what the laws are in TN.

 

[GA Architect]

Load it and tow it East! If the TN laws prohibit it being road worthy, I can store it just South of ya, here in GA! Heck, I even have an extra bay for it, right now.

 

[franklin40]

waaay to much... can i have his phone number.

 

[rmckay1021]

waaay to much... can i have his phone number.

Gives me something to throw around...I don’t know values of these things. Wife said if I like to just buy it...but I’m a cheap ass and won’t spend anything unless I know if I needed to sell it, I could get my money back. The one thing I am trying to figure out, is the truck is in Arizona and I’m almost out of California to move to Tennessee. TN has a smog requirement and I hate to transport it all that way for it to not pass smog. In that event, not sure how I go about altering a carb 350 to pass. I’ve always owned 60’s and below, so smog has never been and issue

kblock108, the 40 you are considering is old enough that it should be exempt for smog certification requirements in TN. I live in Chattanooga and my 64 was exempt for title registration and continues to be exempt for tag renewal. Check it out!

 

[pjohnson]

Wife said if I like to just buy it

Well duh! There's your answer!

Seriously, from what you've described and the pic, it's more than a $10k truck.

 

[Rainman]

If it doesn't have any cancer, buy it. The TN laws are easy. '78 won't need to pass smog anywhere close to CA laws. If it's roadworthy there it'll fly through easily here. What part of TN are you moving to? If in middle TN, I'd enjoy helping you with it.

If you wait til you move here, you won't find a deal like that anywhere here.

 

[kblock108]

Thanks GA mighty kind of you LO

If it doesn't have any cancer, buy it. The TN laws are easy. '78 won't need to pass smog anywhere close to CA laws. If it's roadworthy there it'll fly through easily here. What part of TN are you moving to? If in middle TN, I'd enjoy helping you with it.

If you wait til you move here, you won't find a deal like that anywhere here.

thanks for the great info, yup middle TN win williamson. Right outside Franklin

 

[Rainman]

I'm in Leiper's Fork. "Right outside Franklin" could be next door. Where?

 

[kblock108]

Brentwood just near Franklin boarder. Near Split Log and Wilson Pike...I head over to Country Boy every so often for breakfast