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Hey guys,
I have a 58 panama yellow driver. Nice car but non matching motor. 4 speed car, disc brake conversion. I've been wanting to buy a DRIVER 63 split window in same type condition. In your opinion what car has more value and by how much? Its so hard to tell in this market . thanks ! Steve
Right now the 63 is in high demand. How long that will last I have no clue. They always were a little more then others. But here of late the prices have been crazy. Like your 58 there is a bunch of one year only parts. The more of those parts that are on it and the better the condition of those parts greatly effect the value
I had both cars. When I bought my '58, I decided to sell my split because I wanted a car where the top went down as I drove it mostly in nicer weather. This was around 2007.
About five minutes later, the value of the split went straight to the moon. In the last couple years, after mistakenly believing it was a bump due to the 50th anniversary, I had to accept the split was on its own price plane as compared to other C1/C2 cars right now.
I always wanted to replace the split after I sold it, and bought another last year for more than I ever expected to pay. I did sell the 58 this year- it was a beautiful car that I loved and held its value well- but the splits have been flat-out insane.
The moral of the story is this, sometimes no matter how much you think you know, some value issues are impossible to predict. I do know the splits have not slowed down at all, and the prices of their parts have gone up with them.
I turned down an offer of $80K from a guy from New Jersey last weekend for my red/red 250hp split window coupe. He'd just gotten a big legal settlement. He had his checkbook in hand and his wife was egging him on to buy it. No sale. He hung around the car all that evening anyway (I thought I was being stalked) and he insisted on leaving me his name and phone number. Keep your '58 if you want to drive regularly...you'll be a long time finding a driver SWC at a decent price.
I own one of each. Not bragging, I had bought them when they were dirt cheap. The 58 was purchased in the 70s and the 63 was in the 90s. After years of buying restoration parts for both I restored the 63 in 2010. I'm restoring the 1958 currently. Even though I had been buying the restoration parts for the 58 much earlier so they were cheaper than the 63 parts, the cost of doing the 58 has far surpassed the 63.
For years I have said buy any solid axle you can find.
You didn't say......Are you selling the '58? Trading it for a '63? Or keeping the '58 and looking for the "Driver" '63 to add to the garage?
It seems you're thinking of a trade based on your question.
I own a '59, nice driver, and also owned a nice driver '63 coupe. Personally, I liked driving the '59 better than the '63. Quite honestly, I hated that rear window obstruction. However, I sure miss staring at that '63's beautiful body sitting in the garage.
Rich,
I would have to sell or trade. I only have a two car garage. Kind of a good thing to keep me in line ! I've sold so many cars over the years to buy another due to space. I have a buddy that was over last week and he said " Add another 8 foot to the garage and you could add another car! "
Its a pretty big 2 car garage now but I'm thinking it needs to be a 3 car!
Rich,
I would have to sell or trade. I only have a two car garage. Kind of a good thing to keep me in line ! I've sold so many cars over the years to buy another due to space. I have a buddy that was over last week and he said " Add another 8 foot to the garage and you could add another car! "
Its a pretty big 2 car garage now but I'm thinking it needs to be a 3 car!
Hmm, That's what I thought when I read "between the lines". Yes space is always a issue. Sounds like the other "half" gets the "other" space, right?
Well, here's what you need to do. Buy the '63 coupe...... for the "other half", and say it needs to go in the "other" garage space next to the '58, and that daily driver can sit outside. (btw that's what I did!)
Kidding aside......Any chance you can raise that roof a bit and get a 4-post lift?
Quite honestly, I hated that rear window obstruction. However, I sure miss staring at that '63's beautiful body sitting in the garage.
Rich
Before I started restoring the 63 and even today I have relocated the interior rear view mirror 9 inches to the passenger side and hang the mirror from one (only one required) of the window trim screw locations. What an improved rear view you get and no unnecessary extra screw holes.
Before I started restoring the 63 and even today I have relocated the interior rear view mirror 9 inches to the passenger side and hang the mirror from one (only one required) of the window trim screw locations. What an improved rear view you get and no unnecessary extra screw holes.
once again just my thoughts.
That's a clever idea, I like it.
When we bought our coupe, it already had a passenger side mirror installed. Early car so it had the long base. It actually looked nice. Looking back, imo the factory should have installed a pass side mirror as standard equipment on those coupes.
BTW, I have to admit.....the '63 was "Hers". I'm just the mechanic.
Rich,
I wish it was that easy... I have a 70s style street freak z28 in the other side of the garage. My 18 year old has a 69 Camaro father and son project and my 16 year old has a 67 stang that we have building together. The boys cars are in the driveway under car covers and they are always trying to get a spot in the garage ! Sold my nomad after 17 years for the vette. Just an old hot rodder I guess. I think its time so start saving for the garage extension. Its still all good !
The 63 slit is a timeless timeless design and the 1958 is no slouch either! Two of my favorite Corvettes. I think that the 63 will be about $25 K on up more valuable as time goes on. For a base coupe #2 grade comparison. I am 52 right now and when I get into my late 70's I wont't be so crazy about cars..
08-30-2014, 12:20 PM
63 split VS. 58
However, I sure miss staring at that '63's beautiful body sitting in the garage.
