74VETTE

Hi All,

I'm brand new here. Like most of you I have lusted after corvettes ever since high school. I've gotten to the point where I want to add one to my garage. Currently I am look at C3s sinced I think they will hold their values better than most C4s on up. I would love a C2 but they are simply out of my price range.

I have spotted a 1974 red Convertible 454. Turbo 400 auto. Numbers match. Paint used to be orange. It has 122K miles. Heads have been reworked but are still the originals. Lower half of engine has not been touched. The current owner has redone the full interior, new radiator, powersteering rack, distributor, added hooker headers and side pipes. He paid 25K for it back in 2007 and is the 3rd owner. The current paint has some chips since it is a driver. He rates the paint at a 8 out of 10. This is not a frame off restoration vehicle. Includes both tops.

Walkaround you tube video of the car is at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUlcZcJpaJk

I need some help in figuring out the fair value to pay for this car. I've talked to local corvette dealerships in Texas and they are telling me 15K max since the market for these cars has gone down the last couple of years. Any help you guys can provide me will be very much appreciated!

Imo Apita

Is 15K what they would pay for it in a trade-in or what they would ask for it in a sale?
As in is the 15K retail sale price?

jw72

Your Dealer is correct the market is very soft and I agree with him with nothing over 15K.
That said if you are looking for a Red, BB, Vert not a lot for sale for 15K even with a color change, Auto trans and rubber bumpers.

74VETTE

Yes, I was told retail sales price for this. I appreciate both of your feedback. What are some of the problem areas in this year model that I should look out for to see if they have materialized or already been remedied?

jkuzzy

I feel that you are in the same boat as I was over 4 years ago. Not to knock any C3's, but there are C2's out there due to the soft market as well. I got extremely lucky on mine and I have seen some
64's in the low $20k range.

74VETTE

I would love a 64 to 67 C2 preferably convertible. But in my searching in Texas I just haven't found any in that price range that would not require major work. I've got connections for the engine work, but I need something that doesn't need body work. Is there a 'best place' to look for a nice deal?

jrzvette

There are at least two 74 verts for sale on this forum right now. One is a SB auto the other a BB 4 speed. Both are in the $20K range, so your find at $15k seems pretty good. Of course, asking price doesn't mean selling price.

74VETTE

I do like the orange 73 vert BB. But I don't want to travel that far to take a look at it. BTW, the asking price on the red vert 454 I was looking at is 25K currently. The local Corvette business gave me the advice that a 1974 vert 454 that is fully restored is worth about 15K retail. But when I look around I sure don't see any listed at that price. On Ebay they seem to fall in the 17K to 18K range. But I would want to see and drive it before I plunk down my cash on something.

One other question, can you add side pipes to a 73 or earlier C3? If it has the rear cutouts for the exhaust, wouldn't that look wrong to leave them empty/open? Reason I ask is I love the look of side pipes and would consider adding them to a car I finally get, even if it didn't have them. That's why I was steering toward the 74s.

jkuzzy

How do you feel about a project?
http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cto/2088367657.html
This is gone now, but recent:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1s-...roit-area.html

74VETTE

I just don't have the time for a full scale project. if the body and interior were good and just needed engine or tranny work, I could deal with that. The one in the 2nd link looked sweet and was great price. But I'm willing to bet that kind of deal doesn't show up that often.

jkuzzy

I have found that it takes a little luck and the ability to pull the trigger quick. I am from Michigan and noticed that from about September to the end of the year you will see guys loosing their storage or the economy taking it's toll. That second one could have been just that. Whatever you decide, make sure that someone knowledgeable can look at it and give you a second opinion. It is money well spent.
The 64 is the "red headed stepchild" of the C2's so that will be your best bet.

74VETTE

I will keep my eye out for those as well too now that I now I might find some potential C2 candidates in my price range. Your 64 looks awesome!

ORANGEBROTHERS

Not a dime over 15K but its a nice looking BB Vert.

jkuzzy

Thanks. Wish we were closer. You could take it for a spin and see what you think.

jrzvette

You can add side pipes to any C3 (or C2 for that matter). The rear panels with the cutouts can be replaced.

74VETTE

Thanks jkuzzy, would certainly take you up on that as I have never had the opportunity to ride in a C2. Just got to admire them at car shows.

74VETTE

So how big a deal is it to replace rear panels both cost wise and effort wise? How much do these panels run?

jkuzzy

They got them all over Ebay. Match paint and install.

JasonC3

The problem you will have with this one is the owner just recently purchased it at the height of the market for $25K...no matter the true value of it today, he is highly unlikely to let it go for $15K unless he really needs the money. You might be much better off just looking for a different one that is priced right to begin with.

bigjohn85

There has been a '74 BB floating about on ebay recently for 14k and no one bid. Numbers matching and looking to be in great shape. My 2 cents.