I have an 88 GT in good running condition with a totally rotted out frame and cradle. It is not safe to drive anymore. I would like to sell it as a parts car to save all the time it would take me to part it all out. The car runs great, the body panels are all solid and has one good tail light. The interior is in really good shape, has factory leather seats but they are ripped. Has an aftermarket Sony CD player and Kenwood speakers. Also has a NOS GM exhaust that I had installed three weeks ago, a brand new Rodney select cable and an extra set of sail panels that are crazed but not cracked. A local guy has shown interest in buying it as a parts car but I don't know what a fair price would be. I only bought the car 6 months ago from a local club member who didn't think I needed to know how badly rotted it was, and I didn't know enough then to look at the trunk corners. I paid $1200 for the car and put another $800 into it since then.
What is a fair price for the car, or should I just part it out myself?
That area is repairable. What does the area under the car where the lower frame rail attaches to the floor pan look like? What do the rear cradle attachment points on the lower frame rail look like?
To the OP. You can make more money parting it out yourself, but you invest a lot more labor. GT tail lights and quarter windows should get you $500 if they are nice.
[This message has been edited by Gall757 (edited 04-10-2018).]
First time I've seen pictures. Lots of northern cars have rust in the rear section, many are repairable, I've done several. Certain areas cannot be repaired at reasonable cost. This one, from the picture, can be repaired. From the previous thread, it also needs a cradle.
The 'good decision' comment sounded to me like you thought the car should be parted out. If not, perhaps Dragonfish can post a few more pictures and the car can be saved.
I looked at available cars in your area. A few cars but kinda pricey.
Maybe you should wait and keep your eyes open for a non running 88 coupe for 500 bucks. They pop up around here every so often. You can also check wrecking yards. Maybe you can find a donor frame that is rust free. Or have one shipped from a non corrosive state.
The metal in the cradle is about twice as thick as the upper frame rails, so if you have a rust issue to the point the cradle is bad, then there is a very, very good chance the upper frame rails are beyond a reasonable repair. Remove the rear wheel liners and see what they are hiding. Same with the engine bay insulation on the sides - if you can prove to the buyer those areas are good, then you might get more $$$.
Most of us will assume you shared the best pics possible to get the highest $$$ for the car, so with what you have shown, and your descriptions of the other issues with the car, it will take a special person looking for something specific that your car has of value to get much more than $500 as a parts car.
Agree with oldjoedad in that the car may be repairable. IMO, best way to know is to remove the rear facia and wheelhouse as suggested. Look in with a flashlight and see how much is rusted out. Then look below the body at the frame rails but if the cradle is rotted through then it is most likely a parts car worth only a couple of hundred. In that case you can still part it out to make a few more bucks. Its a shame but another rare 88 is in jeopardy.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
I've seen otherwise good cradles rot and fail due to road chemicals setting around the lateral link mounting tabs. Repaired with new metal and good to go.
