Preparing to sell my 1974 Chevrolet Caprice Estate Wagon

I have one right now,(the one that got hit by the drunk)
and all I have had had perfect window rails and spare tire areas. But there are guys who will spend 3000 PLUS just to derby that, simply because it's a chevy instead of a BOP

 

Here's an eBay example for comparison from this summer. Low option 1975 Impala with some rust issues but very clean. Purportedly SOLD for $6766 (and if the sale had not gone through, I expect we would have seen it relisted.)

http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/threads/1975-chevrolet-impala.37068/

 

Why is it the Chevys are preferred over the other clamshells to derby?

 

Because they are SHORTER between the front and rear wheels and tend not to belly out as fast. Also the front bumper brackets welded to the frame. Simply put they are stronger.

 

It is ALWAYS worse underneath. I didn't have that visible of rot in the curves before the trim came off but...

Let the pictures do the talking.

Water is getting in under the glass and rotting it out from inside. It's virtually impossible to find a car that doesn't have this problem (my '73 is fortunate to not have rot here) and even harder to find anyone willing to fix it for you.

 

Ok. Fair enough. If also true for this '74 CE, the argument to try to unload it on eBay is even stronger. Buyer beware!

 

Then there also is this '74 CE. Supposedly SOLD earlier 2015 for $6200, but....?

http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/threads/1974-chevrolet-caprice-estate.36619/

 

Anyway, Lapionoman, I think you should advertise and hold out for best offer, which should be a lot more than $3000!

 

I agree. A 29000 mile wagon with what looks like perfect woodgrain and a decent amount of options. I can't see it being worth less than 5K. I guess there are a ridiculous number of body shops around where I live who are very competitive. Popping the glass in and out on both sides would be maybe $200.00. I can't see paying more than $1,000 to fix the rust. If the rest of the wagon is nice and doesn't need work, even if someone paid $5000 for the car and $2500 to fix it, $7500 is still a deal for a very low mileage good looking original owner Caprice wagon with a nice color combo. Yes definitely eBay for this one with a reserve I'd suggest also. Just maybe do a little detail work first like repainting the air cleaner lid.

 

I can tell you have NEVER pulled glass out of one of these! 200? NO WAY! Bad thing is the rust makes pulling the glass a good bit harder and the bad/rusty spots are generally going to come out WITH the window making them a LOT bigger.

 

Yes in fact I did with my Buddy who works at a glass shop. The hardest part was cutting the glue and cleaning the rails afterwards. It didn't take very long and I didn't have to pay anything until I reinstall them. Here's a picture of my 76 with the windows out. ( Note the chrome trim pieces on the bottom are the ones I got from your wagon. Still need to polish and install them. )

 

Guess it depends how you look at it. You can spend 3000 for a 100,000 mile+ wagon with nice rear window rails,
then redo the powertrain, interior, body, suspension and probably have a minimum of 10K in it and you still won't have
a 29,000 mile wagon that I bet drives tighter than a restored one.( including mine ).

 

Nice wagon, to bad about the rust.

With the low miles and the general condition that should bring 5K to 6K, maybe even up to 10K at the right time. BUT , factor in the rust and I think that lowers it to 3.5K to 4K. ( in the midwest). Personally, I am from the rust belt, I would do like others have said, put some rust stop on it hoping to keep it from getting worse, touch up the paint, and drive the wheels off it. Where can you find a vehicle as versatile for that kind of money?

The rust removal can cost half as much as the cars value due to its location and difficulty to repair.
Good luck,
Jim

 

All good sugestions. Also it's possible the rust problem started before the wagon went to Florida and sat outside. I'm not familiar with these but most likely sweating on the inner glass may have caused it.

 

Please let us know when you list it and where. Thanks.