I've been toying with the idea of fulfilling a long time dream of buying a mid year coupe and I ran across Conte's Corvettes website and his prices seem pretty fair compared to some of the dealers who sell these cars. He seems to have some nice mid years and as I said the prices are reasonable but he is after all a dealer, and pictures can be misleading so I thought I'd ask for input from anyone who has any experience dealing with him. He's located in NJ which worries me a little because of potential rust problems and I know all too well what a rotten frame can cost to replace or repair as I experienced on a 72 coupe I owned several years back. I haven't been looking too long and some of the prices I've seen are scary. It's hard to find any that look as good as the few on Conte's website and most of those are well over $50k whereas he even has an "entry level" 64 for $35k that looks pretty sharp. Sorry for the long winded post but I would appreciate opinions on his cars. Thanks.

 

Never bought a vehicle from him, but when I lived in Egg Harbor Township, NJ I dropped in a couple of times and spoke with him and looked around at his inventory. I had nothing but good encounters,
and everything I've heard was positive.

 

I've never bought from Joe conte but he has an excellent reputation (says a lot right there for a dealer). I stopped in there a few times when I was looking for a car and the way they represented their cars I would have purchased if I found the right car for me.
They were willing to tell as much about the "bad" as well as the "good".
A number of people in my local Vette Club have purchased cars there and have been very satisfied with the cars and their dealings with Joe.

His location being in NJ isn't a negative. Like any dealer he will buy cars from all over so the cars can be from anywhere.
As far as being concerned about frame rust and frame rot, you need to look the cars over just like you would from any seller and evaluate the cars based on your own inspection. Just look underneath, see how things look, bring an awl or a screwdriver and start poking the frame (I did this and they never said a word). If the frame feels soft or the screwdriver starts going thru the frame than move on.

Like ANY seller, dealer or private, they are there to sell cars so your best bet is to know what to look for on these cars and if not, take someone with you that does to help evaluate the cars you are interested in.

As far as pricing and values go, Joe's pricing on the cars i've looked at at his place were fair prices for the car. Not cheap, but you aren't going to find cheap anywhere but not overpriced either like at a lot of places. Overall, FAIR, HONEST prices on the cars he has. That's about all you can ask for and expect.
Prices on the C2's are constantly rising and $50K for a nice SB restored car is about right unless it's a big block which can be much more. Overall, probably the best "value" you can find right now is on the '64's which for some reason seem to be the "black sheep" of the C2's in terms of pricing. a nice '64 can be had for less than most of the comparable '63's, '65's-'67's. If your budget is tight than look for a nice '64 and you can proabably find a very nice car at a more reasonable price than the other years generally speaking.

i'm in DE only about an hour away from his place so if I can help out at all let me know - i'm always up for a trip to go see some nice cars I went over about 6 months ago to check out a car for a forum member that is in CA.

 

All his cars appear to be of very nice quality, and the pricing is fair. Everyone here seems to have very positive things to say about Joe. I will probably look there first when I am ready to buy my next 67.

 

not to rain on the Conte's parade (and I too have not seen anything negative about them) you might give Jim Gessner a shout, and tell him what you are looking for - he knows pretty much all of what is out there at any given time, and has leads on more . . . he is on here (try a pm) or he has a website: www.vettefinderjim.com

 

Last year I worked with Joe on a '66 but his honesty about the rust was commendable so I didn't by the car, but I will go back to him in the near future. Dennis

 

I've spoken to Joe a couple of times. He is a pleasure to speak with and always honest.

 

I got my 65 BB from Joe, he represented the car exactly right and the price was proubably low. I look all the time and havn't seen a deal better than what Joe charged me.

After owning the car a year there have been no unpleasent surprises and realy have found most itims better than I expected. Also I wouldn't sell now for $30,000 more than I paid Joe.

Lets put it this way I send frends up to see Joe when they are looking.

 

Joe Conte is probably the most HONEST Corvette dealer I have ever known.
I bought my 65 convt. from him and it was a pleasure doing business with him.
I have sent others to him and they were amazed at his honesty, and also bought from him.
Rick

 

I bought my '59 from him5 years ago. No surprises and no dissapointments. He put the car upon a lift at the shop and let me do my thing. Gave me the keys and said drive it as far and as fast as you want. I give him 5 stars. Save the Wave.

 

Thanks for the responses. Sounds like Conte's is a good place to start my search.

 

I have known Joe for many years, and bought and sold cars to and from him. He is probably one of the most honest, up front guys you will ever meet. And imagine he is a dealer.

He specializes in mid year Vettes with NOM's, that are in real nice condition. Lately he has started getting some correct, big $$ mid years also.

He has been in Vineland at this location for something like 30 years.

I can't give him a high enough recommendation.

 

Joe's the most honest guy your going to meet,