Classic/Antique Car Repair: Chevrolet Impala (1978), old cars price guide, car freak

Question
Hi there,
My dad has a Chevy Impala from 1978 (the old taxicab cars!) that is not in bad condition at all. At most it needs a paint job and a couple of inside panels fixing it up but the interior red leather seats are all still there, the AM radio etc...
He is thinking of selling it now as my parents need the money. I am trying to convince them to put some money INTO it and do it up, then sell it on for more. But we don't really know what it would be worth. We live in the Cayman Islands and my dad was thinking of selling it for $2500 CI (about $3000 US). I think it could be worth sooo much more than that if we invest in a paint job and some minor repairs. He has a friend who's a car freak and anything that they can do themselves they would.
Any advice? Thanks a lot!

Answer
If he has an offer of that much money for the car in its present condition, he would be very wise to take the money and run.  The car is not worth anything like that in the real world.

If you can find one on eBay, you'll get a pretty good idea what they bring after you watch the auction for a while.  The old cars price guide suggests it is worth about $1500 (US) tops in the condition you describe.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Dick.