65GGvert

I'll try. After one year a C7 will be worth 20,000 less. After one year, my C2 will be worth the same or maybe a little more than now, whether it sits in my garage or I "use it up".

450hp mike9

A $55k Z51 C7 will not be worth $35k in one year. The price increase for 2015 might put a 2014 Z51 @ $43k to $45k depending on miles. Once again driving one for a year is worth every penny . Hey I'm 66 and you can't take it with you. My 67 coupe will go to car shows , but the 2014 is going to be enjoyed for it's thrill factor.

chevahaulic

Could not agree more. The new kid will hold value far better than its predecessors. Fresh style, aluminum frame, engine refinements, and kick azz looks will draw crowds. A comfortable cruiser with stellar performance in a go anywhere crowd. My old remain in the stable while the newer convertible gets driven but not daily. After the big demand subsides I am a new coupe customer. My 3 D picture ( C-2s in storage ) remain just that. As the caretaker I will pass them on to my children as mementos of the past. Chances are they won't continue the tradition or share the fondness of yesterdays classics. It is a computer generation !

450hp mike9

The two sting ray coupes together. One show and the other one GO .

65GGvert

The actual amount wasn't the point. chevahaulic said explain how a C2 will appreciate more than a C7. One goes up, the other goes down. The C7 value definitely won't "appreciate" and the C2 will. And by the way, the window sticker on a Z51 C7 is 73K with the 3LT. If you "use it up" as he says, $20K depreciation isn't unreasonable.

450hp mike9

The 3LT option @ $8k is a waste of money for some of us. I'm sure the dealers like them. You are right the depreciation is higher. Since the Corvette team really made the 1LT interior more up scale , in black it's very close. The HUD is no longer needed cause the Dash configuration lets you do the same display. Way to much to explain here. The 3LT makes the car a little heavier also.

ptjsk

Hey Steve,

You're so right!

I find that more and more people would rather be critical versus complimentary.

I think it's mostly due to jealousy, or the feeling that somebody has done better than they have.

Instead of complimenting, or appreciating another individual's car, several individuals would rather try to point out the flaws on the vehicle.

Funny thing is, most of the critics don't even own a classic car, much less a Corvette!

Pat

VeroWing

I think most of the '64 haters are jealous because they know that the '64 has the most HP of any C2 n/a smallblock (365), and therefore was the quickest/fastest of all the factory smallblock C2s.

327Heaven

My 64 story.

Bought my baby sight unseen about 15 years ago on ebay. Paid $17K for a non posi, rust free frame, stock bodied, glassed in head lights, with side pipes, original a/c coupe. Shipped it to Hawaii and began my mods. I spent an additional $17k to return the headlights to stock, a 5 speed transmission, 17x9 PSE wheels with 255/275 rubber on stock quarters (backspacing is the key), Van Steel offset trailing arms, complete suspension rebuild with lowered front and rear stance, an LT-1 cammed engine, a 65 posi unit with 3.36's, 67 BB hood, 4 wheel power disc brakes from a '69 shark donor, and a few other items. Although there were some previous owner changes like 67 seats and a 65/66 instrument panel, for about $35k I have a 64 that will hold its own against any other C2. I actually prefer the 64 side coves (having once owned a 66 427/450 coupe) and the nifty glassed in exterior exhaust vents. She's a traffic stopper on any day of the week and built to my standards and taste. Still plan on adding Autometer gauges and modern seats while these old hands can still wrench Don't knock the red headed step child

KM1959

Yeah we're also smart enough to KNOW that the '65 fuelie has 375 HP which makes it even quicker.

MikeM

Quicker that what?

Rich Yanulis

I thought everyone knew that a '63 has the best looking gauges

z06scentair

Yes they do especially the 340/360 hp cars lets not forget that beautiful console as well

KM1959

Really? You couldn't follow?

VeroWing

Actually you're mistaken there KM. I stated na (normally aspirated) and you're stating FI, in which case the '64 FI 327 also made 375hp, BUT achieved this HP at 5800 rpms, whereas the '65 had to wind out to 6200 rpms to achieve 375hp. By that time all you would see of the '64 would be the taillights! This is mostly because the '64 FI 327 had 11.25 compression, and the '65 was reduced to 10.50. But hey, you're a close second, so don't feel bad.

vt65

don't matter what year it is, just find the one you like and enjoy the heck out of it, that's what we are doing powerglide and all! :

sub006

After wandering in the wilderness with that '64 opinion for decades, somebody else finally said it!

sub006

Very close but no cigar IMO, Zora thought the speedo and tach numbers were easier to see at night without the "brightwork".

ifitgoesfast

I hope this helps the OP, since the OT delved as usual in the Falling Off of the Wagon Bashing of the '64's once again.

If you refer to Hagerty's charts which visualize sales of C2's recently, you'll notice that the valuation realizations aren't necessarily for the year, but instead the options; namely engine HP or rarity. The sales realizations in which the crowd here uses compares the big block 65-67's to the small block '64's, SWC being the exception (50 year anniversary). If you compare small block to small block (same HP ratings), the only real appreciation is the 1967 Corvette; I'd speculate last year and first year hold higher realizations for that reason. However, comparing only small blocks, and using Hagerty's sales as objective advice, you'll see no significant realized sales price advantages of one year over another year.

Numbers tell the story when compare 300 HP to 300 HP, not 250 HP to 300 HP, or 65-66 big block prices to 63-64 small block prices (except SWC).

So you're basically right in seeking out a non-optioned low HP coup without A/C. You can add your own A/C and build to your liking any year.

alexandervdr

To the OP....and the Original Question

I am in you league I did build a Cobra Replica and then bought a 64 for body-off restoration. That was actually not needed (no birdcage/chassis rust, paint reasonable, engine running fine etc) But I wanted to have a hobby activity, and I have a ball taking the car apart and rebuild it and just make it better. It may cost me 50K or more (stopped counting long time ago...) once finished, but then it will have new paint (after gone to the fibreglass), blasted and repainted chassis, airco (Vintage Air) , powersteering (Borgeson), all new bushings for suspension, new springs front/back, new brake system, power brakes, radial tires, interior like new, 5speed gearbox, new exhauset etc etc. Would be happy to get 300Hp but I don't care too much about power, cause I want to use it as an almost daily driver. Will never make money on it, but I don't care...
And after all: what is there less in fact&figures in a 64 compared to a 63SWC...?