Is this car reasonably priced

I own a number of foreign collectible cars but no American cars. Thinking about adding a 1969 Shelby GT500 to the stable which is presently listed for sale on eBay (item No. 140438430781). I may go see it tomorrow but want to get a reaction to the apparent condition and price of the car before doing so. The car has been repainted candy red (original color was Jade). Otherwise it is represented to be in original and very good condition. Can you 69 Shelby experts take a look and give me your thoughts? Anything look odd or incorrect to you? Anything to watch out for in buying this or another 69 Shelby? If the car is as represented what is a reasonable price for the car in the current market?

Thanks, Kevin (Austin, Texas)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...30781&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_24022wt_998

 

Thanks Vern. Hookem!

 

I inspected the car. I would say that the car is as represented on eBay by the dealership selling it. The car is leaking power steering fluid and some engine oil. The oil I think is from lack of use. The steering fluid leak is coming from the hoses, which look new, and the steering valve. The steering valve probably needs replacement or rebuilding. The engine bay and underside of the car are very well detailed. I would say an 8.5 out of 10.

The car is not represented by the dealer as numbers matching although the dealer said that they confirmed that the engine build date matches the build date of the car. Neither me nor the dealer were able to get to the engine block code to see if it was original to the car; just too difficult to get to. The engine looks to be original but we can't confirm it. I also can't confirm if the mileage is really 46k miles or 146k miles. The engine is very clean and looks to be rebuilt but I didn't confirm that. The door panel gaps were fair. The paint job is "ok", I would rate it a 6 out of 10. The interior was very nice. The clock didn't work and the passenger door light didn't either.

The engine started easily but ran with a slight miss. Perhaps this is just from lack of use and from stale gas. The car drove absolutely terribly. The dealer said they had only driven the car in their parking lot. The steering was so sloppy that it was totally unsafe to drive. There was absolutely huge play in the steering. The shocks feel as though they are worn out and the tires sounded very odd anytime the car was steered in any direction other than straight. It was very difficult to keep in a straight line. After driving for about a mile I pulled over and asked the salesperson to drive us back to the dealership as I did not want to wreck the car. The salesperson agreed with my assessment of how it drove.

I am sure that the steering problems can be fixed, but it may need a whole new rack assembly. The shocks need to be replaced. I would hope that the engine would run smoothly after it got some fresh gas and moderate use but I think a compression and leak down test is in order to determine if the valves are in good order . I think the tires should be replaced. Who knows what those repairs will entail - they could be more or less extensive. I wish the car was a confirmed numbers matching car but anyone who buys it should know that at the moment it's a toss up.

The car is worth something, but its anyone's guess as to what it is really worth. They are asking $84k.

 

Thanks very much. Good to know about the steering. Seemed pretty simple so perhaps the fix will be too. The dealer took it off eBay pending making it drivable. The dealer really seems reputable and wants the car to be right. Think I will in fact make an offer. Thanks for all the advice. You folks are great. I hope to report back that I am the newest member.

By the way, I did contact the SAAC for any info they had on the car. The info was spotty but helps fill in some of the history of the car.

Many thanks again,
Kevin

 

Thanks very much for the advice.