MMJ

Hi guys, I'm usually over on the C3 threads because I have a 69, but my dad is looking at buying a 63 convertible. The car is a numbers matching 340hp. It has two things that could cause problems to it's value that I see. One, it has a beautiful, slick paint job, but it's maroon, not it's correct white color from the factory. Two, it's a three speed instead of a four. The car is in great shape, I just worry about how negatively those two items should affect it's value. Also, it has rally wheels. Were they even an option on a 63? The guy is asking about $37,000. I would appreciate any help you guys can give me. Thanks

Mark

Boyan

The color change is a huge problem in my opinion. It will affect value the most. I would not recommend anyone buy a color changed corvette for anywhere near market value. Rally wheels were not an option, but easy to change.
Boyan

Bluestripe67

Are basing your observation on a survey done by an experienced C-2 person? If not, you should. The '63 has many one off things that can make or break the car. Numbers matching is only a statement shared by many sellers. What does the stamp pad look like. What is the casting number, the casting date on the block. Is the vin stamped on the side of the trans. A 340 horse engine mated to a 3 speed trans sounds funny to me. My literature says 59 3 speed trans were installed in a total combination of L-76 (340HP) and L-84 (360HP/FI) Dennis

MMJ

So Boyan, are you saying that if he spends another $6000 or so and has it repainted to the original color, he is going to have over the value of the car invested? I was thinking it was probably worth $45000.

Dennis, If all the numbers check out ok, how much would the 3 speed negatively affect the value? Or since it is rare would it be a wash? I know a rare bad thing is not necessarily a good thing.

Thanks for your help.

Bluestripe67

I don't think enough data exists to put a number out there about lower value. It would most likely just be less appealing to someone and they would want to pay some amount less than asking. Don't forget that when you repaint, the old needs to be stripped and you may open up a can of worms in the form of bad body work. It's not uncommon to spend a good bit more than $6K for a color change. Dennis

RatDog

Hey Mark,

Does your dad like the maroon color? Sounds like a nice job was done on it when it was repainted. Some people (like the previous owner who painted it) don't rank white up there with the popular colors. The reason I ask is that if your dad digs the color and doesn't mind a 3-speed or the rally wheels and the car checks out OK in all other respects, the price might not be out of line for him.

I'm big on buying a car that I like, not one the next guy will like. But that's just me.

Good luck on whatever you decide.

-- Steve

Powershift

A couple of Corvette Value Guides I have (one includes Hagerty Insurance Valuation Guide) show a -20% valuation hit for a 3-speed versus a 4-speed.

I think this is too much of a hit, but probably a 10% value drop is realistic…..especially for a "driver" type car and not a $$$$ Bloomington Show Car with a documented pedigree.

Go to the Hagerty website and read for yourself.

Larry

Powershift

High quality paint jobs (especially involving a color change) can run $10,000 or more if you have someone else do all the work.

Larry

Zoomin

If it has a "beautiful, slick" paint job, that would add value over a car with 3 layers of paint flaking off so that's a wash in my book. If the 3 speed is original to the car, that's preferable to non numbers match four speed.

$37,000 is below market right now. I say buy.

Blk63Vette

Well, just remember cars in general are terrible investments. If you are going the NCRS route. Color is a huge deal. If its a driver then I wouldn't change it until it needs a new a paint job. I like Maroon, plus when you start stripping it down you might not be happy with what you find. I know I'm not going to be happy when that day comes for me.

1963 has specialized parts...I think someone told me 200 different piece compared to 1964-67. They are always $$$ Example I bought a correct 1963 Corvette 3461S carburetor for my vette. 2004 for $375.00 it needed a rebuilt before it could be used. Now they are in the $875 to $1000 for a nice one. Parts aren't getting any cheaper that's for sure..

Zoomin

You're right, but the OP didn't say anything about NCRS or parts availability- he just asked about value. If he's looking for a car he can drive and enjoy, and he likes maroon, then it looks like he found it.

Boyan

What Larry said. 10k maybe more. Plus downtime.
Boyan

OldKarz

MMJ

Thanks for all the input guys. I showed my Dad this thread and I think we scared him off of the 63. I think he really wants a correct color Vette. We have seen several for sale for $45000. And by the time he would have that one painted, he would have about the same money in it. Plus he would still be stuck with the three speed. I really appreciate the help!

jasonsamara

If you like the car buy it. Drive it maroon and down the road when you want to sell it have it painted correct. Then it would be correct with a brand new paint job and that would turn a negative into a huge positive because it's fresh. I would just be worried about what is going on under that paint?