[bsblguy]

I'm looking for a 70 GTO, found one pretty nice but has a YU code on engine block which should be a 350 I believe. I would want to put a 400 or 455 in it. Just wondering how much value is there to a numbers matching car. I found a 69 GTO that is numbers matching but has rust issues that I really would rather not deal with.

[A.W.Dille]

How far from Charlotte are these cars? Hard to tell value without looking at them in person or from pictures. The YU code is used on 69-71 350's but is also the block code for 74-75 455's also. The engine size should be embossee on the lower engine block just above the oil pan on the drivers side and that would tell you what engine it is. A numbers matching car is worth more as long as the block hasn't been restamped (a common practice these days) and sometimes rust issue can be remedied without being much of an issue.

[bsblguy]

Originally Posted by A.W.Dille

How far from Charlotte are these cars? Hard to tell value without looking at them in person or from pictures. The YU code is used on 69-71 350's but is also the block code for 74-75 455's also. The engine size should be embossee on the lower engine block just above the oil pan on the drivers side and that would tell you what engine it is. A numbers matching car is worth more as long as the block hasn't been restamped (a common practice these days) and sometimes rust issue can be remedied without being much of an issue.

One is 800 miles north, the other is 800 miles south. I told the guy to check the block for the engine size. I see that YU was used on later 400's as well. I'd be more interested if correct engine, not so much if it's a 350.
By the way hi Alan, this is Mark from the club with the '75 Trans Am. We were just at Streetside for the club meeting.

[A.W.Dille]

ok, glad to see you on the boards. I know everyone was surprised I didn't drive the GTO to the meeting. Have a trans leak I need to fix, have the gaskets, just have to find time to pull it and fix it. Anyway you can post pics>

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

A nice 70 GTO Vert 4spd AC for sale in the classifieds here, priced pretty reasonable.
Non #'s engine.
Think he has lowered to 31k

[68WarDog]

Mark I highly doubt the engine is original if it's a 350. CHECK THOSE NUMBERS(242). Clones/tribute cars seems to be coming up alot. I too have a engine/trans numbers 70 GTO that I have converted from air to non-air. The original engine/trans have been pulled and set aside for safe keeping. A ford 9" rear replaces the weaker 8.2(std for 400 GTO). The 455's got the stronger 12 bolt rear. Goodluck on your find.

[bsblguy]

The car is 800 miles away from me, have not seen it in person. It is a 24237 vin. I told him where to look for casting number and size on side of block, hasn't called me back. Looking into a 69 now but has some rust issues I'd rather not deal with but 1 owner all original but 700 miles away, in the other direction. Why can't there just be one close I can afford.

[Amigo-2k]

the price swing on numbers matching is about 4-5k as compared to a similar condition non-numbers matching GTO ....

[steve v]

You might open your search to include 71-72 GTO & T-41 equipped Lemans. I've seen quite a few of those in the past 12 months in Charlotte-Greensboro-Raleigh area in the $3500-$7000 range.
Good luck with your search!

[rcorrigan5]

In any case, I would make darn sure you first see the car in person that you eventually decide to buy, before you buy it. I'm thinking of a couple of cases that I saw happen that ended up costing the buyer (in one case) and the potential buyer (in the other case) money that they didn't intend, or need, to spend.

In the first case, a friend of mine got "armpits" and bought a car sight-unseen off of ebay. It sounded great (fully restored), the pictures looked great, but when the buyer paid $25K and the car arrived in Washington State from the seller in Georgia, there was a significant difference in what the car actually was, versus what it was advertised as. Two years and about $10K later, the car still is not done.

In the second case, the potential buyer drove his empty car trailer from Washington State to New Jersey, ready to buy and bring the car home. When he got there, it was obvious the car was not what the potential buyer had been told over the phone and what the pictures indicated. He drove home with an empty trailer. It didn't cost him as much as the the first guy but he stilll spent money he didn't have to spend.

I'm preaching to the choir, I know, but take the time and the road trip (or a flight if needed) to see what is really there. Take your tech manuals with you. And, if you have a friend who has detailed knowledge about what you want to buy, I'd suggest taking him along as well. That expense is well worth it in the final run. There's nothing better that having "eyes on" the object of your affection!

Randy C.

[bsblguy]

I would not buy it without looking at it first. This one is in Miami and I have relatives down that way anyway so I would drive down there. The price swing to matching and not is what I was after. My TA is not matching but knew it when I got it. Found a 69 one owner non molested with some rust in fenders and lower quarters but 12 hour drive or plane ride to go look at.
Really only interested in 69-70 gto, prefer 4speed.