I am looking to purchase a corvette, and a I am trying to determine a fair market value. I know that there are many factors that help determine the value, but would need some help with this one. It is a 1961, hard top, with a n.o.m., it has slight rust on the frame and the interior upholstery is non original. It has the original radio (not working) and the paint and chrome is in fair condition. I know it is hard to give a price without seeing the vehichle, but if you could give me a range that would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

 

It's going to be hard for anyone to give you a price. These days almost any safe decent-running "daily driver" C1 or C2 brings more than $20k, more likely $25k or $30k+, even with a NOM... the question really is whether you can live with it "as is", or will you immediately set about trying to correct it's shortcomings.

As soon as you correct one item, something else will stick out like a sore thumb, etc, etc. The facts are that you generally can purchase a restored car for less than you'd spend buying and restoring a project car (not even counting the time & labor). If you intend to restore a car for the satisfaction of doing it, then perhaps it's best to spend as little as practicable on the project car (for example, a repaint requires about the same time and money whether the old paint is a decent 20-footer or flaking-off ugly, it's the underlying fiberglass that's important); even rough project cars, if most of the components are there, run in the $12k to $20k+ range.

If you're familiar with eBay, spend some time there perusing C1's that have sold (ie, a completed item search) to get an idea what people are paying... the prices there may be on the high side, but indicative.