roccobike

Three out of four is not bad. Yes the 66 Vettes drank gas like there's no tomorrow. Yes any Corvette from the C4, C5, C6 and C7 era can out handle it and as for the ride, yes it was kind of rough. But for your other statement, "horribly slow", uh, try again. The base 300HP, 66 Vette could still wipe up over 75% of the cars on the road today and the top dog 425HP, 427 (aka land rocket by insurance companies) didn't receive a serious challenge from a later model Vette until the 2002 C5 Z06, and that would be a tight race unless the C5 suckered the 66 into a turn. The first Vette that could seriously wipe up one of those old 427s was the C6 Z06. If I rolled up to a 66 427 with my base coupe C5, I'd just roll down the window and let him know, he won, no sense wasting the gas. As for a base C7, maybe it's a little faster, but not by much.
Must remember, the 60's era Corvette HP ratings were notorious for underrating the HP. The 69, L88's were rated at 430HP, but pushed out over 500HP easily.
Sorry, just had to respond to that one.

fender1

If you can't ascertain after an inspection & test ride you need to either:

1. Pony up and by a new bike with a warranty, to calm your mind.

2. Spend more time researching what & how to buy, before wasting the seller's time.

Its a bike. Its not too hard to see what wrong, if anything.

rgver

You can buy a lugged Mercian frame built with Reynolds 631 for around $1100, custom built and color with choice of braze ons. For more money you can have it built with higher spec tubes, you can get creative with the paint scheme and have a bike that is truly yours.
It will be in the perfect shape you want, with the geometry you want and the color you want. Or you can look for a NOS high end frame or a frame that you strip and paint there by losing value from it.
I think for what you want a new frame is the way to go.

Little Darwin

The joys of vintage American sports cars. Great at acceleration and top speed. Perfectly fine cars as long as the road was pretty straight.

3alarmer 

...most of the accessible stuff seems to be coming out of the UK now. Not custom to measure (although you can get that for a premium) but off the rack small production stuff.The affordability goes up and down with the exchange rate. There have been a couple of threads recently, probably will show up on a google search.

The Retrogrouch: The Return of Holdsworth

ABOUT | Holdsworth cycles

3alarmer 

...I have little honor, but my garage is full.

OldsCOOL

The same for the Mopar boys. The early 340 Magnum was rated at 275hp but we all knew it to be closer to 350.

TheManShow

Well I have not put all my cards, photos on the table for someone else to jump on the deal, and beat me out if I am do want it. I have asked about what I do noty know as this will be my first rodeo, and do not want to get hurt.

If I pull the triger I will start a thread about my project, if I do not, I will tell why with a picture. I have asked the seller for another look, and it is still for sale so I hope to hear back.

himespau 

If it seems undamaged and you can do the work yourself, it sounds like a fine idea if you can afford it. Just always remember that a project like this is going to cost at least 25% more than you expect going in.

TheManShow

If money grew on trees it would be no problem, I would just go pick some extra. But because money don't grow on trees I like to be careful. If I am unsure I asked questions to get information until I am sure, or move in a different direction.

fender1

You can't be "sure" with a used item. You could buy it have a tube snap the next day and be out of luck. I look for signs of abuse/neglect/condition and haggle accordingly. If a visual inspection and test ride showed no problems, why the hesitation? Driving two hours (there and back) is a serious time commitment. There is no way to have a group on the internet tell you that the bike is a solid deal without lots of close-up pictures etc.. Buying used is a of leap of faith.

gomango

True.

This notion that a bunch of people looking on Smartphones at 2 inch images of bikes can consistently nail an ID is rather silly.imho

We've all been stung by a poor purchase or two. It simply isn't the end of the world.

TheManShow

First off I am retired so my time has only the value I place on it, if I was still working it would be 350-500 bucks a day plus expenses, and royalties. The one thing about the internet there are people with a lot of information that I did not think of on my first trip. So I listened closely did migh glean some information to help push a decision. That have been several points made so far that are things I did not check, and will check this Saturday when I make my return trip. Owner is on the road most of the day, apprently he works a long way from home. So like I said if I get the project I will post before & after photos.

The one thing I learned in the business I was in was try and gather as much information as you can about any project, or assignment. never assume everything is like it was layed out by some editor who was three thousand miles away. Then your home work is done, and you are more prepared to tackle the assignment, project, or make an intellegent decision when buying something.

TheManShow

Boy Scout have a moto. Be Prepared. Marines accomplish goals inwar because they adapt, overcome & improvise. I was both...LOL

fender1

Good luck! Hope it is a solid deal.

mstateglfr 

I suggest you go ride it for 15minutes and buy it if you like it. You have said its a frame you've wanted. You have shown you know bikes and have experience, so anything off will most likely show itself in 15min of riding.
Pull the stem and seatpost to make sure they aren't stuck. During your ride, get off the bike and spin both wheels to listed for any noise in the hubs. Spin the crank and listen to the bottom bracket. If there is crackling/grinding in any of them, stuff is probably pitted and in rough shape. Its still probably worth buying, just factor replacing said parts while you replace the whole rest of the bike with 11speed.


As an aside- I just cant imagine having that 10th or 11th gear will suddenly make my rides better on doubles or triples. If I cant find a comfortable gear in 18 gears, I need to give up riding or get off the bike and walk as I doubt that 20th or 22nd gear will be the porridge that is just right. But hey- in all seriousness you have clearly worked hard for this opportunity, and you will be outfitting it with some choice components. Good luck and post a picture when you buy it so we can finally know what this secret is!

busdriver1959

There are tons of American builders out there that are very accessible. Some are new and looking to work their way into the market with very competitive pricing. The Bikeforums framebuilder forum would be a good place to see what's out there. Velocipede Salon is another place. Lugs, filet, tig. Take your pick.

puckett129

This.

And if you haven't picked up the parts, don't forget to check Ribble. Between the favorable exchange rate and their already low prices, they can't be beat. Ultegra full group is $560 right now.

TheManShow

Well I have spent some time on the internet today looking at old catalogues, color charts, photographs, and trying to authenticate if what I see is the real deal. So far everything looks real.


The Shimano Tri Color Group will go unless I can find replacement 8 speed stuff to make keeping it cost effective. But the rim will go, and the hubs will be rebuilt. Then I will do new bars, stem, bottom cartridge, seat post & seat.

My plan is dump the Tri Color Group everything with the exception of frame & fork, and rebuild the bicycle circa 2015 with either Athena 11 speed, Centar 10 Speed or Ultegra 11 Speed. New hubs, rims, bar, stem, seat post, seat, and I should be in the project way less then a custom steel frame.

davester

You sure about that? I do seem to recall that those Mercian frames are a bargain and I would guess that if you ordered a complete bike from them you'd get a better deal on the components than you will buying them retail at US prices separately. You'd no doubt get a used bike for less than a new Mercian but I don't know if it would be "way less".

lord_athlon

You are in a bit of a fantasy land with those numbers.

1966 Corvette 427 12.8@112 L72 427 425 4-Speed 3.36 CD 11/65

Was what a 66 'Vette 427 did in the 1/4 according to motor trend.
According to the National Corvette Museum, an 01 z06 (which would be the closest option package to the 427), ran the 1/4 in 12.6.
The LS2 z51 pulls does 12.7@112.3.

SO this 66 Vette blowing everything else out of the water is unsubstantiated.

DMC707

I dont know what brand The MAn Show is looking at, --- but as for me -- i'd take a 90's era Serotta, Waterford, Ciocc, DeRosa, MErckx, etc. over a new MErcian just for brand recognition and a bit of "bling factor" alone -- IF it fits (thats a big IF )

DMC707

No fantasy at all

A 66 Vette is On 6" wide bias ply tires --- get the old dog some rubber equivalent to what a new car is wearing and it would be a different story --- the 2-3 upshift alone in an old Vette would roast the baloneys a few hundred feet

72Paramount

My money says it's a pdg paramount.

TheManShow

One of them brands mentioned above.