Buying your first Corvette can be a difficult task if you're not sure what to look for. You've heard all the terms, "matching numbers", "body-off restoration", "frame-off restoration" etc. but you're not sure what they mean. Our goal here is to provide you with a little bit of knowledge before you go into the Corvette buying world and to supply you with a handy check list of items that you may want to check out the Corvette that you're interested in purchasing. Depending on options, some of the items on the list, may or may not apply to the particular Vette that you're looking at. Hopefully, we've compiled a fairly broad enough array of items to look at that will cover just about all Corvette model years.
Below, are a few of those definitions defined and we've added the checklist for you to take a look at. If you would like a copy of the check list to take with you on a potential lead, just press the "Print Version" button and the form will appear in a new browser window. Print the form out from your browser window and you're well on your way to becoming a new Corvette owner. Note: The form is 6 pages long. Good luck!
General Assessment |
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Model Year: ___________ Model: ___________________________ VIN: ________________________ |
1. Owner name: _________________________ Phone #: __________________ |
2. Exterior Color: _______________ Interior Color: ___________________ |
3. Mileage: ___________ |
4. Reason for selling the car? _________________________________________________________________ |
5. Documentation available? Window Sticker Build Sheet Protect-O-Plate None Miscellaneous:________________________________________________________________________________ |
6. Are maintenance records available? Yes No |
7. Who maintained the car and where?_______________________________ |
8. Are maintenance or upgrade receipts available? Yes No |
9. How many previous owners have there been? _______ |
10. Can the former owners be contacted? Yes No |
11. If so, what are their names and phone numbers? __________________________________________________________________________________ |
12. Is it currently registered? Yes No |
13. Does it have a current inspection sticker? Yes No Will it pass state inspection? Yes No |
14. Are there any modifications? Yes
No
List them: ____________________________________________________________________ |
15. If equipped with standard transmission, has the clutch ever been replaced? Yes No When? Where? What mileage?______________________________________________ |
16. Has the car ever been in an accident or had bodywork done? Yes
No
Why? _______________________________________________________________________________ |
17. Has the car been kept garaged? Yes No |
18. What have been the average driving conditions? (Sun only, rain, snow?) _______________________________________________________ |
19. Does the car need anything now? Yes No If so, what? ___________________________________________________ |
Body Condition |
1. Does the car sit level? Yes No |
2. Check body panels for uniformity. Pass Fail |
3. Check for body damage. Look at: Wheel wells, floor pan, rear hatch (pull up carpet), front and rear valance, fenders, quarter panels, uniform body molding. Check for paint over-spray in: headlights, gas door, door jams, fender skirts, engine compartment?. Is there evidence of body damage? Yes No |
4. Is the paint oxidized Yes No Some oxidation |
5. Has the car ever been repainted? Yes No |
6. If so, why, by whom, and how long ago? ______________________________________________________ |
7. Does sides of the car appear aligned? Yes No |
8. Are there any waves or stress cracks in the fiberglass? Yes No |
9. Are there any dings or stone chips in the paint? Yes No |
10. Are there any cracks or chips in the windshield or side and rear glass? Yes No |
11. Do the doors open and close normally? Yes No |
12. Do the doors and trunk lock and unlock correctly with the key? Yes No |
13. Do the doors and trunk (if applicable) lock/unlock correctly with remote key FOB (if applicable)? Yes No |
14. Does the rear hatch glass open properly? Yes No From inside? Yes No |
15. Do the struts hold the rear hatch? Yes No |
16. Does the hood release work? Yes No |
17. Does the color match the trim tag color code? Yes No |
18. Are there missing badges, or moldings? Yes No |
Chassis & Suspension |
1. Are the tires in good condition? Yes No Cracked or signs of dry rot? Yes No |
2. Is tire wear uniform. Yes No |
3. Are the wheels stock? Yes No What type of wheels? _______________ |
4. Are the wheels in good condition? Yes No |
5. Are the brake rotors in good condition? (check for cracks or scarring) Yes No |
6. Are there any wet spots under the car? Yes No |
7. Are the rubber axle boots in good condition? Yes No |
8. Inspect the tie rod ends and ball joints. Pass Fail |
9. Inspect the shocks. Dry Wet If the shocks appear to be wet, they may be leaking and in need of repair. |
10. Is the exhaust in good condition? Yes No |
Interior Condition |
1. Are all door, hatch, and top seals in good condition? Yes No |
2. (If applicable) Is the ratchet wrench for the targa top there? Yes No |
3. Are the seats clean? Yes No Torn or cracked? Yes No Worn? Yes No |
4. Can you adjust the seats? Yes No |
5. Is the carpet clean? Yes No Worn? Yes No |
6. Can you adjust the mirrors? Yes No |
7. Does the interior light work? Yes No Does it work with the doors? Yes No |
8. Is the dash in good condition? Yes No |
9. Is the center console in good condition? Yes No |
10. Does the glove compartment door work properly? Yes No |
11. Do the windshield wipers function properly? Yes No |
12. Does the overall interior condition match the mileage? Yes No |
13. If equipped, does the tilt wheel work properly? Yes No |
14. If equipped does the alarm work? Yes No |
15. Does the clock work? Yes No |
Engine Evaluation |
1. What type of engine does it have? __________________________________ |
2. Is it original? Yes No |
3. Is the oil clean? Yes No Dark or black colored oil indicates a change is necessary and may be indicative of past maintenance trends. |
4. When was the last oil change? ______________ Overdue? Yes No |
5. Check for a leaking oil pan gasket. Pass Fail |
6. Check for a leaking front/rear main seal. Pass Fail |
7. Check the master cylinder and slave cylinder for leakage. Pass Fail |
8. Check all coolant lines for leakage. Pass Fail |
9. Check the coolant in the reservoir. A brown frothy mixture in the reservoir usually indicates oil and water mixing in the oil filter/cooler housing. Pass Fail |
10. Inspect the fuel lines going to the fuel rail for brittleness or cracking. Pass Fail |
11. Inspect the plug wires for brittleness or cracking. Pass Fail |
12. Inspect the brake fluid for color. Black colored brake fluid indicates a change is necessary. Pass Fail |
13. Is the air filter clean? Pass Fail |
14. Is the engine bay clean and neat? All hoses / wiring in correct place? Pass Fail |
Engine Operation |
1. Does the car start properly? Yes No |
2. The car should have a steady idle. Pass Fail |
3. (If equipped) Check the ECM (computer)? Engine Codes recorded? Pass
Fail
If so, what are the codes? __________________________________ |
4. Is the oil pressure normal? Pass Fail |
5. Engine coolant temperature: Normal? Yes No High? Yes No Fluctuating? Yes No Fluctuating coolant temperature may be indicative of a necessary water pump replacement. |
6. Is there valve chatter or excessive engine noise? Yes No |
7. Is there excessive engine vibration at idle or revving? (can indicate bad motor mount). Yes No |
8. With the engine running, listen for leaks at the exhaust manifolds and exhaust. Pass Fail |
9. Does the heat work? Yes No |
10. Does the AC work? Yes No Is the compressor quiet? Yes No |
11. Does the AC / heater blow at each speed? Yes No |
12. Does the radio work properly (tape and CD if applicable)? Yes No |
13. If equipped, does the power antenna work? Yes No |
14. If equipped, do the power windows and door locks work? Yes No |
15. Does the defroster work properly? Yes No |
16. Do all knobs / controls function correctly? Yes No |
17. Do all of the gauges / dashboard lights work properly? Yes No |
Test Drive Evaluation |
1. Does the parking brake work properly? Yes No |
2. How does the brake pedal feel? Firm Soft |
The following 3 questions assume manual transmission: |
3. How does the clutch pedal feel? Firm Soft |
4. Does the clutch operate in a smooth quiet manner? Yes No |
5. Does the shifter seem tight? Yes No |
6. Are there any squeaks / noises (specially over rough roads)? Yes No |
7. Is the steering smooth and responsive? Yes No |
8. When going straight is the wheel straight? Yes No Does the car drift to one side? Yes No |
9. Brake with your hands off the wheel does the car stop straight? Yes No |
10. At highway speeds does the car pull, or shake / shimmy? Yes No |
11. Does the cruise control work properly? Yes No |
12. Is there exceptional wind noise? Yes No |
13. If equipped, does the ABS system function properly? Yes No |
14. If equipped, does the Traction control system function properly? Yes No |
15. If equipped, does the Selective Ride Control function properly? Yes No |
Miscellaneous |
1. Is the battery in good condition? Yes No |
2. Do all lights / signals work correctly? Headlights?, (high and low beams), Yes No Brake lights: Yes No Parking/Side Marker Lights: Yes No Turn Signals: Yes No |
Standard Equipment: _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ |
Optional Equipment: ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ |
Price / Value |
Asking Price: _____________ |
Retail Value: _____________ Trade-In Value: _____________ |
Notes: ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ |