Base BB Coupe vs Base SB Convert
#1
Base BB Coupe vs Base SB Convert
With these 2 Vettes about equal in value (Hagerty has the BB coupe slightly higher), which C3 would you choose? I would go with the Convertible. I was wondering what other CF members prefer?
Thank you for you opinion!
Thank you for you opinion!
#2
Race Director
Member Since: Mar 2003
Location: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Posts: 11,608
Received 772 Likes
on
645 Posts
I am happy you already said convertible, so doesnt matter to you what others like, It's far easier to swap a bb into a car that got stuck with a sb than to convert a coupe to a convertible, so I go with the convertible, if it had a stick I might not even swap to a bb too soon...
#4
#6
Melting Slicks
So long as you're asking for opinions, I'd take a coupe any day over a convertible. Had a convertible once, didn't care for it at all. I prefer the look of the coupe roof line and added rigidity. I'm a BB person as well.
My opinions. Go with what YOU prefer, it's your car.
My opinions. Go with what YOU prefer, it's your car.
#7
Melting Slicks
There is no way a base 427/390 coupe is equal in value to a base 350/300hp convertible (assuming everything being equal and original) The big block will always bring more money if that is your concern. There are small block cars asking big block money and they are not selling. Nor will they anytime soon. Just look at the for sale section on this forum.
Hagertys value guide is not very accurate and lacks the details that seperate valuable cars from run of the mill. Many small details can make a big difference.
I prefer convertible over coupe but that has nothing to do with comparative value. I would prefer a small block vert but would not pay big block coupe prices for it.
Hagertys value guide is not very accurate and lacks the details that seperate valuable cars from run of the mill. Many small details can make a big difference.
I prefer convertible over coupe but that has nothing to do with comparative value. I would prefer a small block vert but would not pay big block coupe prices for it.
Last edited by ed427vette; 05-03-2016 at 01:01 AM.
The following users liked this post:
Yankeededandy (05-03-2016)
#8
Safety Car
This is an easy call for me as I like coupes more than convertibles. YMMV
The following users liked this post:
xpoc454 (05-04-2016)
#9
There is no way a base 427/390 coupe is equal in value to a base 350/300hp convertible (assuming everything being equal and original) The big block will always bring more money if that is your concern. There are small block cars asking big block money and they are not selling. Nor will they anytime soon. Just look at the for sale section on this forum.
Hagertys value guide is not very accurate and lacks the details that seperate valuable cars from run of the mill. Many small details can make a big difference.
I prefer convertible over coupe but that has nothing to do with comparative value. I would prefer a small block vert but would not pay big block coupe prices for it.
Hagertys value guide is not very accurate and lacks the details that seperate valuable cars from run of the mill. Many small details can make a big difference.
I prefer convertible over coupe but that has nothing to do with comparative value. I would prefer a small block vert but would not pay big block coupe prices for it.
#10
Burning Brakes
#11
Racer
I'm a coupe fan. Never liked messing with the rag tops and love the look of the coupes. As for the engines, big blocks are a plus but you can't go wrong with an aggressive small block, i.e.. the L79, L46, and LT-1.
I also agree that the base big block will fetch more than a base small block no matter what the body style.
I also agree that the base big block will fetch more than a base small block no matter what the body style.
#13
Le Mans Master
Of course as they say, YMMV.
#15
Race Director
Member Since: Feb 2003
Location: YANKEES UNIVERSE 70 454-LS5 500 ft-lbs Torque
Posts: 13,248
Received 1,069 Likes
on
755 Posts
I agree with Ed as I am a Big Block coupe guy and those value guides don't tell the whole story. My belief is always,whether coupe or vert, a no nonsense umollested original with factory docs and no bs,does and will always bring the money.
#16
Melting Slicks
Is Hagartys a starting point for some understand? Yes. But its not something to be used as a GUIDE. I know it sounds ridiculous but the only way to be on top of prices is to look for yourself what sells for how much and why.
They may claim they take real world sale prices but unless you know why someone paid $100k for one 69 435hp but then another sells for $55k on the same day then your value guide is useless. Cars my LOOK the same and both might even have the original drive train but many factors can dramatically change value. Low ownership, real docs, original equipment like vac relays, original dated tower clamps, water pump, master cylinder, radiator all the little things that make a big difference.
The only way to get familiar with that kind of thing is by looking all the time. And current market prices can seem to change quickly. What was accurate 6 months ago my be totally off today.
They lump too much together. It's a source, but should be taken with a grain of salt. NADA? That's another story entirely. They seem to add 50% mark up on everything.
Just my useless opinion (also to be taken with a grain of salt....)
Last edited by ed427vette; 05-03-2016 at 11:17 PM.
#17
You still have the '71 BB convert?
#18
That's exactly it JR. I don't believe they distinguish enough between an umolested car and one with all replacement parts. Replacing a correct rochester in place of a replacement carb on an early C3 is a $1000 (give or take), maybe a little less with an alternator and maybe a little less for a starter if originality is what you are into.
Is Hagartys a starting point for some understand? Yes. But its not something to be used as a GUIDE. I know it sounds ridiculous but the only way to be on top of prices is to look for yourself what sells for how much and why.
They may claim they take real world sale prices but unless you know why someone paid $100k for one 69 435hp but then another sells for $55k on the same day then your value guide is useless. Cars my LOOK the same and both might even have the original drive train but many factors can dramatically change value. Low ownership, real docs, original equipment like vac relays, original dated tower clamps, water pump, master cylinder, radiator all the little things that make a big difference.
The only way to get familiar with that kind of thing is by looking all the time. And current market prices can seem to change quickly. What was accurate 6 months ago my be totally off today.
They lump too much together. It's a source, but should be taken with a grain of salt. NADA? That's another story entirely. They seem to add 50% mark up on everything.
Just my useless opinion (also to be taken with a grain of salt....)
Is Hagartys a starting point for some understand? Yes. But its not something to be used as a GUIDE. I know it sounds ridiculous but the only way to be on top of prices is to look for yourself what sells for how much and why.
They may claim they take real world sale prices but unless you know why someone paid $100k for one 69 435hp but then another sells for $55k on the same day then your value guide is useless. Cars my LOOK the same and both might even have the original drive train but many factors can dramatically change value. Low ownership, real docs, original equipment like vac relays, original dated tower clamps, water pump, master cylinder, radiator all the little things that make a big difference.
The only way to get familiar with that kind of thing is by looking all the time. And current market prices can seem to change quickly. What was accurate 6 months ago my be totally off today.
They lump too much together. It's a source, but should be taken with a grain of salt. NADA? That's another story entirely. They seem to add 50% mark up on everything.
Just my useless opinion (also to be taken with a grain of salt....)
#19
Melting Slicks
That's exactly it JR. I don't believe they distinguish enough between an umolested car and one with all replacement parts. Replacing a correct rochester in place of a replacement carb on an early C3 is a $1000 (give or take), maybe a little less with an alternator and maybe a little less for a starter if originality is what you are into.
Is Hagartys a starting point for some understand? Yes. But its not something to be used as a GUIDE. I know it sounds ridiculous but the only way to be on top of prices is to look for yourself what sells for how much and why.
They may claim they take real world sale prices but unless you know why someone paid $100k for one 69 435hp but then another sells for $55k on the same day then your value guide is useless. Cars my LOOK the same and both might even have the original drive train but many factors can dramatically change value. Low ownership, real docs, original equipment like vac relays, original dated tower clamps, water pump, master cylinder, radiator all the little things that make a big difference.
The only way to get familiar with that kind of thing is by looking all the time. And current market prices can seem to change quickly. What was accurate 6 months ago my be totally off today.
They lump too much together. It's a source, but should be taken with a grain of salt. NADA? That's another story entirely. They seem to add 50% mark up on everything.
Just my useless opinion (also to be taken with a grain of salt....)
Is Hagartys a starting point for some understand? Yes. But its not something to be used as a GUIDE. I know it sounds ridiculous but the only way to be on top of prices is to look for yourself what sells for how much and why.
They may claim they take real world sale prices but unless you know why someone paid $100k for one 69 435hp but then another sells for $55k on the same day then your value guide is useless. Cars my LOOK the same and both might even have the original drive train but many factors can dramatically change value. Low ownership, real docs, original equipment like vac relays, original dated tower clamps, water pump, master cylinder, radiator all the little things that make a big difference.
The only way to get familiar with that kind of thing is by looking all the time. And current market prices can seem to change quickly. What was accurate 6 months ago my be totally off today.
They lump too much together. It's a source, but should be taken with a grain of salt. NADA? That's another story entirely. They seem to add 50% mark up on everything.
Just my useless opinion (also to be taken with a grain of salt....)
Condition is important regardless of originality, another factor which will affect price. Could be the $100K 69 was in considerably better condition than the $55K version. It may also be there was a buyer who badly wanted that particular 69 which sold for $100K, no other buyers for the remaining cars left willing to pay as much.
From what I recall Hagerty classifies daily drivers as class 4. Few if any collectors or investors would even look at these cars. Buyers of class 4 Corvettes may not care about originality?
I agree 100%, a buyer should do their homework, not rely on opinions of others which will often be quite biased either way. A buyer needs to decide what they want out of the car, investment, originality, or driver. From there look at sales prices for the cars which fit what they're looking for. Problem is there may not be much data to work with depending on what the buyer is looking for. Unless the sales data is accompanied by lots of photos and documentation, it may be tough to may valid comparisons.
Other than a rough guide for pricing I look at Hagerty's charts for trends in sales prices. I believe they do have a database of prices to work with even if they don't break them down by attributes which are most important to some. Their charts seem to show a somewhat flat trajectory in sales prices, contrary to what I often hear. Probably due to averaging which downplays the rare high $ sales of truly rare cars.
Last edited by BBCorv70; 05-04-2016 at 01:28 AM.