Phil310

We just moved my FIL into assisted living and he has a 63 convertible that he last drove in 1988. I need help with pricing it to sell it. I have been reading some of your posts, so here is some info. I am 99% sure the engine doesn't match the vin. It is red with red interior. Some of the paint has cracks. The top is white. The tires are nylon lol but have held some of the air as I towed it to my house.
I washed it gently and it looks much better, but haven't tried to start it. I live in Oklahoma. Any thoughts or ideas? Thanks! John

vettebuyer6369

Power brakes, that's nice. Check the number on the passenger side pad in front of the head and verify if the block is right or not. A picture of the trim tag and VIN tag could tell us a lot, too.

BlackbirdZ07

It looks like it would be a presentable driver with some clean up. Getting it running will definitely increase the value. Assuming non-original engine, no frame or birdcage rust, and running/drivable, I would put the value in the high $20Ks to low $30Ks.

Ken Sungela

I removed my post as it was not within forum policy, carry on.

vettebuyer6369

To the OP- please keep in mind the following:

The thread was moved from Cars For Sale to General discussion because the car is not yet for sale, there's no asking price provided and you are not allowed to sell cars that you do not own without prior Administrative approval.

If you decide to sell the car on the forum, please PM an Administrator to obtain approval first. At that time you can place an ad thread in the C1/2 Cars For Sale section, with an asking price listed.

Please keep the conversation in this thread to determining a price / value and do not conduct sales here. Thanks.

Frankie the Fink

Clean it up and get it running and you'll send it into the mid-to-high $30K area; possibly more with an original motor if that turns out to be the case. A good C2 body is worth $20K-$25K to restomodders and then the one-year-63-only parts are worth a ton...that power brake booster is worth into the 4 digits, dash cluster, shifter console/extensions, hood cookie metal "cookie sheets", I'd give you $350 for the dash clock right now, lots of other stuff...

Get your information straight on value before proceeding.

phil2302

Well geeez wht does your FIL have to say about the value??
Unless he is suffering from dementia he probably has an idea of what HE WANTS....................
It will be smart to get a qualified person to get it running well and cleaned up.
Dont get lowballed. It is worth a min of 45K once running well and without major defects.

DansYellow66

Post some more pictures when you can - particularly of the underside and the chassis. Even with NOM it looks like a very nice, complete 63 from the original pictures. Finding someone to help you get it started would probably add considerable value to it (provided it runs OK). I would start by pulling the plugs and squirting some penetrating oil (not WD40) liberally inside to start with. Then after a few days to a week, try to turn the engine over by hand with the crankshaft bolt (provided it has one) and if not, then by putting it in 4th gear and rolling the whole car back and forth. You can leave the plugs out to make this a little easier. Need to look down into the fuel tank also and see what that situation looks like. Corvettes don't have a drain plug on the tank but their is a section of rubber hose from the tank to the fuel line that can be removed or cut to drain it. The hose should need replacing anyway. If it seems loose then change the oil and filter, install new plugs, put a battery in it, add some fresh gas and see what happens. If the car is not rusted out underneath and it is up and running then it should have considerable value. There would still be some potential cost in getting it up into 100% running condition (possible brake work, complete tune up, some electrical issues (firewall connections are usually a problem), carb rebuild, etc - so I would consider that in setting your price. Good luck.

rtruman

Could be a 340 Corvette no power steering also has high HP tack reading
.

Phil310

Thanks so much! My FIL is pretty discouraged from the move into assisted living and doesn't want to mess with it. He was a true hoarder and we are cleaning his house. The car also reminds him of when his wife died...these things have a lot of sentimental pull on him. I don't know anything about this (like what is a birdcage?) but do have a good mechanic. So I guess I'll tow the car to him and have him get it running. I'll post some more pics later today. Thanks again so much. All info is so helpful, don't assume I know anything :-) Great to meet you guys. Sorry I posted in the wrong place.

GUSTO14

As you are cleaning up, especially in the garage, be on the look out for some of the original items that might belong to the car and are not on it. Things like the air cleaner, the ignition shielding, a radio side panel or anything that looks like it may have come from the Corvette. All of these items will add value to the sale of the car, even if not installed.

Air cleaner assembly.


Ignition shielding (some may be there, but some are missing).


Radio side panel (left side of the console is missing).


Anything else that looks like it might belong and you're not sure, just post a picture of the item and ask. Looking at how original the car appears, I think it's safe to say your FIL likely kept stuff like that around.

It also appears that it may have had a hardtop at one time, so be sure to look for that, although it shouldn't be hard to spot.

Good luck... GUSTO

Nowhere Man

It also might help to post a picture of the trim tag and vin tag that is attached to a steel bar under the glove box. That will tell us what the original colors were. Also if you can post all the numbers on the engine so we can decode that. The more we know the more we can help

Frankie the Fink

Even if you get the engine running, don't neglect the brakes - they are old drum brakes and will absolutely need attention - a complete 'redo' most likely. I did my '63 brakes when it came out of storage with about $250 of NAPA parts - you don't have to crazy with stuff - just make it safe...

Elba Mike

Keep your eyes open for any paperwork relating to the car. And I mean any paperwork, shop manuals, receipts, bill of sale, any and all. People like to know as much history as they can on these cars. A receipt for oil and oil filter may be desired, as it creates a paper trail. Put enough receipts together and you've got a maintenance record. Nothing is trash if it relates to the car.

71scgc

Lots of really good advice here. I would add:

Don't be in a hurry to sell.

Where in OK are you? There are several forum members there that could help with your inspections. A few would also be buyers for this, as it is a very nice car in a condition that lends itself to a gentle restoration.

Don't do anything to the patina of the car! Patina is way "in" right now.

Save EVERYTHING related to the car, as mentioned above. Even mundane stuff like receipts. Old car people LOVE this kinda stuff.

Have you thought of keeping it yourself? You too could become a part of this mutant society of Corvette devotees! I know that doesn't sound too inviting...

There's a lot of history there. Try to find out everything from your popinlaw you can. Try to slant your questions positively if discussing the car pains him. Might try keeping it to answering the Q's here, instead of the personal things that connect back to your MIL.

The more you can find out about the car the better off you'll be come sell time.

Have you thought about keeping it yourself? There's no way I could sell a car like that...

Keep us in the loop, and please, if you sell, sell to an enthusiast, not a dealer or flipper.

Carter

desertpilgrim

Oklahoma has a very active Chapter of the National Corvette Restorer's Society. It's current chairman and contact person is Kelly Bolton of Tulsa - 918-970-6877 or kellybolton@***.net. Whereever you are in Oklahoma, he should be able to put you in touch with someone who can help. Red/Red 340HP convertibles are worth saving.

Phil310

Here are some pics. I used a flash on some. I don't know anything about cars...looks rusted on some parts and I wonder if it has been repainted or just touched up. This is a true mystery as FIL doesn't know the history before he bought it in like 82 or 83.



















































hood










looking down in front of engine






















































hood






looking down into engine compartment from right front of car

Phil310

Engine pics...these with numbers:

rtruman

The trim plate has the vin stamped into it I have never seen that before ,someone will chime in to help me on that one. Could be convertible stuff ,or St Louis body
Was there another tag next to this on called the vin tag . also get picture of right front of
engine right below valve cover numbers that will tell us about engine and originality.
Rust could be surface only you would have to look under kick panels for birdcage condition. To be sure .

Phil310

Thank you. I'll look for the tag. What's a kick panel? (yes seriously