RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

Not really. People inherit lots of things which seem meaningful but that they may not actually want or need, and/or can't afford to keep, including various types of collectibles and even homes.

Ep41382

Firebrian

There's no such thing as the "value" of a car like this. Only differences in opinions among potential buyers/sellers. Only when a real buyer steps up is there a data point for what it was worth. And the next day, that data point is not as meaningful to the next round of potential buyers who have different views, experiences, and finances. Whenever "value" is discussed it almost always has to have a series of 'whats' and 'ifs' along with it. No two are alike.

Fwiw, I had a similar silver 2002 Trans Am A4 in my area (48K miles one owner) back in 2011 at a new car dealership. It had been taken on trade. It looked like a 20k mile car...even in the engine bay. Drove great too. Their bottom line was $11,500 after starting out at $12,500. I was at $10,500. We couldn't get together. They called me for 5 months afterwards too, not budging on the price....and even after I told them I had bought a 1999 SS M6 with 12K miles for $12K...sort of confirming that their asking price was too strong. I would think that same Trans Am today would still be worth around $10K. Yours with 20K more miles, about $2,000 less.

BFK86

iTrader: (1)

hey RPM, i was reminded of this thread after scrolling through craigslist and coming across this ad, is this the nova you said youve seen for sale for a long time?

https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/c...766055220.html

Do you know anything about this car? Cant figure out if its a dealer that has it or if its on consignment or what..looks like an old drag car from the late 70s or early 80s..would be interesting to know it the history of it..

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

Good memory! And yes, that's the one. As mentioned above, this listing has been periodically posted on CL (same pics, same ad) since probably ~2010 or so. The price goes up and down by about $250 when reposted, but never moves further than that.

I've never seen this car in person and don't know anything about the owner, other than the fact that he doesn't seem to care whether or not the car ever sells based on how long it's been posted.

Honestly, it sounds like it could be a fun hotrod-type car for cruise nights or track events, etc. I'm sort of surprised it has never sold. Value on these early 3rd gen Novas can range quite a bit depending on various original details of the car, and how they actually look and drive in person. Based on the visible rust around the wheel well, perhaps the rust issues are worse than implied in the ad. Or maybe it has very poor street manners (related to the setup), or just general fatigue/mechanical problems which preclude it from being worth the asking price. I'm sure several folks must have gone to check this one out over the many years it's been for sale, probably made a range of different offers. I guess he's looking for more than anyone is willing to pay after inspecting it in person.

BFK86

iTrader: (1)

Based on this picture, the car has pre 85 IL plates on it...id guess the car hasnt been driven much in the past 30 years since it looks basically the same as it did in those photos..the price really doesnt seem that far out of line for a complete running 70 nova "ex drag car" might not have the best street manners but most guys with a car like this usually dont care about that anyway. And the slightly weathered original paint look seems to be in nowadays. Im sure it would need wheel arches or partial 1/4s if someone wanted to restore it, maybe floor/trunk pans or wherever else these novas usually rust. But it looks fairly solid to me, id leave it as is. It kind of has that Palmer Lazarus nova look to it.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

It definitely seems to be an older setup. The front bumper and hood swap are the only obvious changes since that one older pic.

I'm pretty sure that plate design was only in use until 1982 or '83 but, especially since it's a front plate, he may have left it on for many years after the new design was issued (similarly, I know some guys who are still using the pre-2001 AV plate to this day). But, judging by the older Ford truck behind it and the corner of another car next to it, I'd agree that one was taken a long time ago.

Assuming the 307 badges are factory, this wasn't an original SS car or anything else special so no additional collector value above and beyond other garden variety 2-door early 3rd gens. The drivetrain could be a significant boost in value if it's not tired or in disrepair, otherwise his price might be too firm for the necessary metal work. One way or another, something has prevented this car from selling for a very long time.

Are you planning to check it out?

BFK86

iTrader: (1)

yeah im sure the guy just wont budge on price, like you said for how long its been for sale im sure alot of people have come to look at it and made offers but just cant settle on a price, eventhough it looks to be a base model 307 car, its still fairly original, sheet metal and most likely paint. If i could swing having a 3rd car and place to put it i would love to have it, but realistically dont need it lol. I would bet if there's a nova forum this car has been discussed there at one time or another.

on a side note i looked up where that z frank dealer is or was and it looks like its been closed and torn down for a while, but it was near peterson and western, so those craigslist pics must be pretty old.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

Maybe the car sat outside for a period since those pics, making the rust issues even worse than what's apparent. No telling what it looks like today if those pics are all very old. Many years of track use could have really fatigued the drivetrain as well. You aren't going to get high teens for one of these if it needs serious metal work, unless perhaps the setup is still very competitive and fresh enough for immediate track use, and/or the shell is something originally very rare/desirable.

www.stevesnovasite.com is the best/busiest Nova forum of which I'm aware. I've been a member there for about 10 years and used to be pretty active, but I haven't visited much in last couple of years. Can't say that I've ever seen this car mentioned there before, but I might have missed it.