Duster, Is it good deal?

The only validity the car would have is if as stated the metal is clean with minimal repair needed. Call it primer/ crap paint or whatever but a dull sheen can make a car look like
Good grief man. Nit pick much? The carpet, door panels, and shackles could be replaced in an afternoon. Not only that, but they're parts that have to be replaced on 90% of the cars out there if you're spending less then $6k. Somebody just replaced them on the cheap. I'd include the blower motor in that category but it's probably missing the heater box too. If it isn't that's an easy fix. Heck it's an easy fix to install the heater box, you'd just have to find one.

Next up, a 360 making 400 hp is a pretty tame build nowadays. It doesn't have to be low vacuum at all. Although I would guess it isn't making 400 hp anyway. As far as the 833 OD, they'll hold 400 hp. I know of one that lived behind a solid 440 for a season at the drag strip and that was in a B body. People sell them short all the time, they're not that bad. Especially on the street with a light car. But it's probably not an OD anyway. All of these things would be a piece of cake to figure out in person. Heck I'd go look at the thing myself if it were in Northern California instead of SoCal.

I'd have to see it in person, and so would everyone here. The rattle can paint job is making it look like crap, and I personally think it's making it look a lot worse than it actually is. I bet that car has less rust than Kern Dogs project. Most of the stuff that's been done to it could be undone in a day or two by anyone that can turn a wrench. If it runs and isn't rusty it's not a bad car. For half of what the guy is asking of course, but it appears to have "solid bones" as they say. I'd rather buy a car like that than one with shiny fresh paint. Rattle can doesn't hide anything if you look at it up close and in person.

See this car? This car is hiding thousands of dollars worth of rust repair. It needs full quarters, frame rail sections, floor pans, the works. As it sits in THIS photo. I'd rather buy a car with a lousy rattle can paint job than this one again.
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No doubt everything you said is true. I personally saw a well educated Chevelle guy get one crammed right up his butthole and I mean kapowee like and most people would have thought it was a nice car. If the car was under 4500.00 then I would probably say go look at it and if you don't know what to look for find someone who does.....

JW