[22687]

Hello all. I'm in completely uncharted waters asking about A-body cars so bear with me. I'm much more familiar with early 70s Firebirds. I am looking to the experts here for advice on a 69 Tempest.

What is a realistic price range for a 1969 Custom S 2 door hardtop? I'm thinking #2 and #3 level cars certainly not showroom level restorations. I've been told of a car but I haven't seen it yet so I am going off of one person's opinion. What I've been told is: average to good green paint, supposedly mostly original sheet metal (unknown what if any rust repairs), clean original black vinyl interior with general wear but nothing worn out, complete trim and bumpers with some slight pitting on bezels etc. V8 automatic not original motor. May now be a 400. Car has not been hacked up, appears complete and is regularly driven. Aftermarket rims and tires. I know that it's tough to give accurate opinions on WIW without photos so that is why I am just asking for a general range that I can ballpark with once I have gone over the car.

What are the suspect areas for rust on these cars? Any obvious red flag areas to steer clear of or look for?

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

[300deluxe]

I drove a 69 Custom S 2 door post in the 80's...I loved that car, she was rusty. IMO a Custom S like you described would be around 7-10 thousand. When I look at cars for sale, I lay underneath the car with a good flashlight and inspect everything for hidden rot. The underneath of a car can tell you a lot. Check for rear window leaks due to rust. Is it this car? http://sandiego.craigslist.org/ssd/cto/5726265401.html Just looking at the pics, and knowing it has engine issues, I'm sure $6000 cash would buy it. If the body is really solid, I would buy it for $6000. And whats really cool to me is that it is a post car like what I drove 30 years ago. If you have anyone in your area that knows A body cars, bring him along. I like having two or three guys looking a car over...you can't find all its problems with one person in a short time.

[Ron Landis]

would make an excellent "ET" tribute (Judge prototype)...was a post car. Emblems and such for Custom S are now repopped as well...so there's that.

[300deluxe]

Wonder if anyone has ever done a "ET" prototype?

[300deluxe]

[22687]

300deluxe thank you for your reply. No the car in the link is not it. I'm in eastern Canada and I'm told this one is down around Montreal. A friend on vacation sent me a pic he took and is going to be home Monday with some others and some more information. He's just not into cars but saw this and knows I like old Pontiacs so he sent me a text. The thing here is that until 1970 we didn't get a lot of Tempests and Lemans in Canada just a few GTOs. While we had all the Oldsmobiles and Buicks, for some reason GM Canada rebadged/rebodied Chevs as Pontiacs. All Chev running gear and engines. The Chevelle equivalent was called the Beaumont. 99% that this car has been brought in from the U.S. the last 10-15 years. While to you fellows it'd be just another Tempest, to me it appeals because it's unusual.

I agree that looking underneath is going to tell you a lot. At least these cars have full frames so I won't have to be concerned about frame rail integrity like the Firebirds. Good to know about the window issue thanks. If I go look I'll have to offer the owner a free car wash.

Thanks again

[north]

I'm in Montreal, I could check it out if you like. Pm me