78 El Camino / restore or sell as is ? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Brun · 08-06-2003, 03:56 PM

I have a 78 El Camino 305 V8 with 125K on it. Engine purrs.
No rust, very minor dents. Frame's perfect. New tranny 3yr ago but it's been sitting & the tranny now needs a front seal. Windshield probably needs to be replaced.
Overall, this vehicle is easily restoreable.
I'm moving out of state and need to get some cash together, but I could postpone the move briefly if it's worth it to put up to $500 into it to dramatically increase it's value.
What do you all suggest.

bagged81 · 08-06-2003, 04:48 PM

How drastic of an increase are we talking...$600...$2000...$3000? Those cars arent worth too much anyways, are they? What will you plan on doing for $500 though? I am sure that a paint job would do wonders, but that might not be worth it.

oklahomachevy · 08-06-2003, 04:53 PM

sell it.....

Kenneth · 08-06-2003, 06:08 PM

Hhmm, I'm not sure what you want out of the car. Do you want to be able to drive it around and use it as a functional car or do you actually want to turn it into something really nice?
"restoreable" is kind of subjective.
I'm partial to El Caminos so I wouldn't sell it, but bagged81 has a point, those cars ('78-'83), even restored, won't be worth that much.
Consider this, what kind of car would you rather put money into?
You could sell it and buy a 68-72 elky and happily restore that one.

78chevstepside · 08-06-2003, 07:22 PM

The 78 to 87 elcominos hold there value real well. Its hard to find one selling for less then a grand. They will hold there value better then the 73 to 77 body style. Parts for 78 to 87 elcominos ec parts and the elcomino store.

BaggedC10 · 08-06-2003, 08:20 PM

I say sell it and buy/restore a 68-72' El Camino.

Like said before, what would you use the car for...??? (Show, DD, etc..)

Brun · 08-06-2003, 08:21 PM

Thanx for the reponses.
I was thinking I could get ~$500 as is but that if I put $250 into the tranny & the same amount on paint & cosmetics, that it might get more like $2K, but maybe I'm dreaming. LOL

08-06-2003, 03:56 PM	#1
Brun Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Sacramento Posts: 4	78 El Camino / restore or sell as is ? I have a 78 El Camino 305 V8 with 125K on it. Engine purrs. No rust, very minor dents. Frame's perfect. New tranny 3yr ago but it's been sitting & the tranny now needs a front seal. Windshield probably needs to be replaced. Overall, this vehicle is easily restoreable. I'm moving out of state and need to get some cash together, but I could postpone the move briefly if it's worth it to put up to $500 into it to dramatically increase it's value. What do you all suggest. __________________ Robert L Weil

08-06-2003, 04:48 PM	#2
bagged81 Signals in the bumper. Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: East TN Posts: 856	How drastic of an increase are we talking...$600...$2000...$3000? Those cars arent worth too much anyways, are they? What will you plan on doing for $500 though? I am sure that a paint job would do wonders, but that might not be worth it. __________________ Jeff C. 1981 Chevrolet Silverado - Under major construction...again. link 1962 Chevrolet Impala 4D Sedan moredoorclassics.com 1936 Ford Pickup - Frame-off in progress link 1979 Chevrolet Camper Special Flatbed link

08-06-2003, 08:20 PM	#6
BaggedC10 Under construction! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: NorCal Posts: 1,065	I say sell it and buy/restore a 68-72' El Camino. Like said before, what would you use the car for...??? (Show, DD, etc..) __________________ 2001 Silverado bagged on 22's. Sold

08-06-2003, 08:21 PM	#7
Brun Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Sacramento Posts: 4	Thanx for the reponses. I was thinking I could get ~$500 as is but that if I put $250 into the tranny & the same amount on paint & cosmetics, that it might get more like $2K, but maybe I'm dreaming. LOL __________________ Robert L Weil

08-06-2003, 04:53 PM	#3
oklahomachevy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Mustang, Oklahoma Posts: 22	sell it.....

08-06-2003, 06:08 PM	#4
Kenneth Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 53	Hhmm, I'm not sure what you want out of the car. Do you want to be able to drive it around and use it as a functional car or do you actually want to turn it into something really nice? "restoreable" is kind of subjective. I'm partial to El Caminos so I wouldn't sell it, but bagged81 has a point, those cars ('78-'83), even restored, won't be worth that much. Consider this, what kind of car would you rather put money into? You could sell it and buy a 68-72 elky and happily restore that one.

08-06-2003, 07:22 PM	#5
78chevstepside Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: lacenter, washington Posts: 718	The 78 to 87 elcominos hold there value real well. Its hard to find one selling for less then a grand. They will hold there value better then the 73 to 77 body style. Parts for 78 to 87 elcominos ec parts and the elcomino store.



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