Hello

I was out and about driving my Corvette and I went inside the local Car Quest to buy some goodies. I came out and I noticed a guy pulling up in a very nice new Ferrari ragtop He was staring at my Corvette. I compliemented him on his car and he just kept staring at my Vette.

After, we were done brief chit chat. I got inside my car and started it up. He looked at my strangely and said "This is your car!!!" I said yes it is...He looked at me like I had stolen it!

Now granted, I had my old dirty oily HURST shifter shirt on and ripped up jeans my favorite old Holley baseball cap.

Are these cars becoming to valuable for the average guy to drive and buy anymore? Are we going to become like the Mopar camp?


I feel like this cars are out of the reach for the working man anymore...

 

We will never act like the Mopar camp....

Are they becoming too expensive for the average guy?? Good question but I think it depends on the desires of the prospective purchaser.

 

Too much for the average guy...probably. Most decent 1st and 2nd generation cost more than a new one, (without a waranty). I would think most people would find it easier to purchase a new one over spending money on an older model.

 

I don't think there's anything average about us. And I like it that way.

Chef AR

 

One of the main reasons I bought an 07 Z06 to compliment the 67 we have was cost of the old ones plus once you drive a newer one you find yourself going back for more. Older ones are dear to our hearts and can never be replaced but as previously stated, the cost makes people think twice. Another plus is people in general can enjoy a newer one more (weekend trips, etc.).

 

I know they are getting spendy for the "average" baby boomer retired person like myself--Had to "settle" for a project car (working on them is the FUN part right??) in order to get a c-2 again myself-- pacifico Glenn

 

There is a guy locally that has a yellow Ferrari ragtop and gives me the thumbs up every time I see him. I am trying to hunt him down for an even trade....LOL

 

In say 1967, a new Chevy cost maybe $2700 depending on model. A new Corvette cost around $4500. The average guy got a used 60,61 or 62 for $1800 or so. Do your own calculations at today's dollar value and compare the costs in the same relationship. Not really much difference if you leave out rising prices of the older Vettes.

 

Good question. I bought my 60 in 98 for 15K and probably spent 30 or 35K on it. I did do all the labor except paint. There are may people driving cars every day that cost more then 50K They can't believe I drive it!!?? Same with my 99. They are impressed even when they spent more on the SUV they drive??
With the 60, I think it's more because it's so rare to see one being driven. I never see a C1 just going down the street anymore.
Most popular question is "what's it worth?"
As far as expensive, how many hobbies can you get out for what you have in it?
If I couldn't drive it, I wouldn't have it.
LP

 

I think if he isnt a Corvette guy, he just doesnt know the market. I was at a show a couple weeks ago with the '58 and a guy kept asking, what's it worth? What's it worth? I think this is kinda tacky, so I brushed him off. He kept going $100,000? $150,000? I said, "yeah, but today only."

Plus a lot of people who know nothing about the cars (even if they own Ferraris) watch B/J for the first tme and think all the old cars have crazy prices on them. I suppose the first goof with a wallet as big as his imagination can have my car!

 

I am, and have been, a Corvette (early Corvettes that is) lover since I saw my first fuel injected 57 Vette in the summer of 1957. BUT, I always try VERY, VERY hard to maintain a properspective about them. I say that, because the above comment is a perfect example of why MANY, MANY people in the general public regard Corvette owners as premadonna snobs--------------------------AND I INCLUDE MYSELF IN THAT CATAGORY! Granted, not all Corvette owners fit into this catagory, but because of the owners who are like that, it makes it bad for those of us who are not. Also, over the years, I have found that these kind of Corvette owners are in adament denial, that is they don't see themselves as snooty people. Its very true, there are these kinds of people in EVERY automotive hobby crowd, but the Corvette owners lead the pack! You're offended, of course you are! Take a look at yourself and your attitude about owning and driving a Corvette and (to those whom it applies) maybe you will get a hint about what I'm talking about.
I sincerely consider myself a regular guy, and I work very hard to be respectful, humble, friendly and informative to all people who show interest in my 56 and other early Vettes.
And, I also don't go around flaunting my Corvette owner status with the jackets, belts, shoes, key fobs, shirts with crossed flags or Corvette in big letters, etc, etc, etc. I don't care if anyone knows whether or not I own a Corvette.
When I get a chance, I attend the Okla Chapter NCRS meetings because I'm treated like a normal person. But I have little or no use for other Corvette functions because of the typical premadonna attitude toward me because I own an "old" car when I'm in the presence of late model Corvette owners.
As I said, I'm sure I have offended some folks, but, most likely, its the snobs within the Corvette community--------------------and I really don't care if they are offended, because they could care less if they offend me, or anyone else except for their own ego.
If the shoe fits, wear it!

 

You know DZ, you have a point about the primadonas within the Vette world, but I've always found them to act that way towards OTHER Vette owners! C6 vs C4, NCRS vs custom, big money Top Flight vs entry level. You know what I mean.

As far as Vette owners vs others... well, to be honest, I know a lot of big money exotics people and the foreign car "Road and Track" crowd who look down their snooty noses at Corvettes and their owners, so I don't see where Corvette owners would get off feeling like they are the kings of the world. I certainly don't.

I suppose we act a certain way towrds Ford people, etc, but that seems more like "my team vs yours" than anything.

You are right though, DZ, there are Corvette owners who shake their gold chains and peek over their mirrored sunglasses and embarrass the heck out of me.

 

I agree! I have more fun at the cruises with all the street rods and musle cars. Those guys all talk to each other and swap stories. At the all Vette stuff I've met some real jerks. (and some real nice people)
LP

 

I think you must define "average guy". C-1 and 2 vettes are way past my means of buying one anymore. The prices have gone up so high,that even a basket case purchase is more than some new cars. The love of my life ( car wise) are pre 68 vettes,yet I will never own one with todays prices.
I do find that most owners of old vettes are pretty good guys,willing to get grease under their finger nails,have no "attitudes", and are comfortable with the fact that " hey ,thats a nice car you have,but I just love old corvettes". Insert mustang, new vette,roadrunner,whatever,in that sentence.
Having been laid off yet once again and losing medical,( friday), a wife that needs cancer drugs for the next 3 years, a 3 year old house, the vette "dream" is once again dashed.
Your right, lol, I guess I am not average, but to answer your post...the cost is getting way above what an average guy can afford.

 

When I was a young teen-ager , we lived way out in the sticks. My sister’s Doberman had had pups and she was selling them. This couple drove up from the city in this bran new 65 nassau blue convt, with the top down, to buy one. I thought it was the most beautiful car I had ever seen and I had never seen a corvette before that, in person. All we had around there, was old pick-ups.

My point is, I don’t think C2’s were ever in reach of the average guy. They were very expensive new, expensive to maintain, expensive to insure and probably the most impractical, production car ever made. You can’t even conveniently go to the market and put a couple of sacks of groceries in the trunk. It’s always been a special car for people with special bank acts.

 

Was at a show in southern Ohio this weekend. The show had everything from new modified cars and trucks, hot rods, and all makes and models. I drive a 67 vette. While sitting by my car I had two different groups of people comment - "These are nothing but rich guy's cars" and kinda stomp off grumbling. I kinda felt like they almost didn't like me being there, and felt that since I owned one, I was just a rich guy with a toy that I knew nothing about. First time I've ever had comments like that. So, yea, I think vettes are starting to take on that bad rap! Too bad really.

 

IMHO this is probably the only time that guy in the Ferrari ever saw an old Vette that wasn't on Barrett-Jackson so his world view is probably a little skewed. He doesn't know that many of us still drive and work on these cars and don't just trailer them to an auction someplace.

 

And this is EXACTLY, PRECISELY my whole point!
Again, not all, but TOO MANY Vette folks have projected an image of being "holier than thou" and sadly, it has caused many of the rest of us "good guys" to be perceived in the same manner.

I noticed this image many years ago, but I have REALLY picked up on it in recent years since I now have my Chevelle. People are not quite so expressive around me when I'm somewhere in the Vette, but if I'm in the Chevelle with no Vette around, then the comments are more common because they don't know that I also own a Vette.

 

100%.

 

People buy different things for different reasons. Would I sell our 67 Coupe for $80,000? No! Would I buy it for $80,000? Heck No! Same line of thinking goes into my interpretation of ownership. It's your car, and if it floats your boat who am I to say anything other than something pleasant? Al W.