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Where do people find project cars?

M

Mr N8

Diamond Member
I've checked ebay, and people pay insane prices for rolling chasis' and for cars that need a ton of work.

I'm looking for a late 60's Camaro, Firebird, 442, Cutlass, or GTO. I really don't care, since this will be my first project car. Anyway, I want to know how people find these at good prices. They don't need to be running, but if it had an engine, that would be great. I have a 350 big block from a '72 Chevy C-10, but that is probably going to be put in a '70 Lemans. (don't ask 🙁 )

Yes, I have access to storage and a body shop, so I won't be buying all the tools just for this car.
 
southern US is a safe haven for these cars as they don't usually ever see snow/ice... there are a LOT of nice cars down texas/arizona/cali from what i have seen. I want a 60's Mopar to build up myself 😀

oh, and if that doesn't answer your question, which it might not..
the reason i specified a place like that is because, with the amount of cars you will see there, (more than northern US) the prices might be better... now i am not CERTAIN, but thats just a hunch... as to who/where to buy from... no idea.
 
Thanks, CraigRT. I was thinking of looking around when we go to visit my sister-in-law's family in Dallas this summer. I may have to pull a trailer along.

I don't really want to buy local, because of all the salt used on our roads. Everything rusts around here if its not stored properly.
 
I have been looking for a 70-71 Torino GT convertible for the last three years and have only found two that were priced right. But I couldn't get to them in time before another buyer snatched them up.

Scrapyards down south or Autotrader's classic section are a good starting point.
 
I find my project car in my driveway every day.


A big primer grey hole I throw money into. Not that that's a bad thing. 😀

S.
 
texas and arizona don't get the snow and resulting rust because of all the salt on the roads, but the interiors, dash, any vinyl, etc. will usually be in really poor condition due to sun/heat damage.

as for places to get them, local classifieds, little nickle want ads, junk yards, car club newsletters and the like...
 
Save your sanity, your money and the skin on your knuckles by buying a turnkey complete car. Chances are, it's being given away for a fraction of the value of man hours that have been poured into it.

If you're hell bent on turning a wrench, make it worth your while. Get a car that hasn't been screwed around with, that has as much original equipment as possible, especially the engine and tranny. Perhaps skip the more popular cars, because you'll have to pay a premium for them. How about a personal luxury car instead?
 
http://www.collectorcartraderonline.com/adsearch.html

I am going to Kentucky to look at a car i found,at the linked site;
its over a 900 mile drive for me.One way.

Too many old cars near me are rot buckets due to salt.

Most old cars if they are reasonably priced will need some work.

Figure you will need to spend either time,or money,LOL Both really.

Pontiacs you can make real sleeper type cars with,😉
the 455 pontiac is the same external size as a 326,or 350 Poncho,so..... LOL.

Hemmings is another place,but,the prices seem to be higher,usually.

Local car show swap meets,which you can find some at

http://hemmings.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/events.main
 
Just my opinion: Ebay Motors is horrible for buyers. Great for sellers though because everything tends to go for top dollar regardless of whether it's in any condition to justify the price.

Look in the classifieds, local Auto Trader-like magazines, perhaps CarSoup.com if they have listings in your area. Word of mouth is also very useful. Every so often you'll hear about someone who'll be getting rid of a car for very little because its just sitting around taking up space. Those people will often admit that they might never have time to rebuild/restore it, and they (or his wife) wants the garage space back.
 
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