<VV> Pictures of 65 monza

[Steven J. Serenska]

Joe:
> Joe, just from the pictures it easily looks like its worth the asking
> price. The car looks well maintained and the engine compartment doesn't
> look chopped up, everything looks like its in its place. Go for it and
> enjoy the car!
With all due respect to Mark D., you should never buy an antique car 
unless you or a friend check it out first-hand, onsite.  Running a 
refrigerator magnet over the outside to look for bondo is worth the trip 
alone.  While you're there, look at the door pillars, cocktail shakers, 
and other things (see list below) and then take it for a vigorous drive 
and make sure it accelerates without bucking, steers without drifting, 
and stops without pulling (or even just stops period).  You can't tell 
any of that from a photo.

As noted on my website/checklist, it's VERY easy to hide many costly 
flaws with some well-staged photos.

HOWEVER, not to dampen your enthusiasm, I think what everyone else has 
said is true:

1) The photos look great.

2) You would spend much more than $10,500 bringing a car up to that 
car's apparent condition.

My only other thought would be to echo what someone else said, i.e., the 
seller may have over-priced it with the hope of settling on a somewhat 
lower price.  I think your best move is to make some credible offer, 
e.g., $7000-$7500 and hope to settle with the guy at $8500.  Even if he 
doesn't come down, it doesn't hurt to ask.  If that car inspects well by 
someone onsite, and you could get it for something less than $10K, 
you're a happy guy.

Steven "an offer isn't an offer if the seller isn't insulted" Serenska

http://www.serenska.com/IdealGarage/html/corvair_pre-purchase_questionn.cfm