RatDog

I know that restamped blocks are a concern when buying a big block car. But what about small blocks? Not as big of a concern, I'm assuming because of the value attached to big block cars, but how prevalent is small block restamping and does it ever make sense to have an expert authenticate a small block before buying?

For example, if you were looking at a small block car in the $75K to $90K range that was advertised as having its original engine, would it be worth the cost to you to have it verified?

Thanks,
-- Steve

Stewart Allison

Where do you stop for verification ? is the tranny re stamped is the diff re stamped ! If the numbers match and the castings dated are good I would be checking the rest of the stuff. There is so many dates and numbers to an original style car don't get to hung up on the motor.
Carby is that correct/ manifold/ heads/ sump pulleys/ heat shielding/ brackets etc etc. You will spend half a day searching for the correct stuff on a car with your Judging manuals. If you want verification on the motor get it but I think it's not that big a deal if the castings and numbers match up that's good enough in my book. Stewy

Geralds57

The answer is yes. Any SB or BB with matching numbers needs to be checked, especially when it's 75-90K.

MikeM

If you didn't pay a dime extra for the engine stamp and don't care what it says, the answer is no. Obviously. If you agree with this, then pay about half that for an otherwise just as nice car and skip what the stamp says.

If your real question is, "would the stamp pad pass judging" and a blue ribbon is very important to you and you're willing to pay a premium to get that blue ribbon, then it might pay you to get an informed opinion of the stamp.

Just bear in mind maybe only 20-35% of midyears still have the "real thing" under the hood.

If someone doesn't like my percentage, they're welcome to interject their own number.

Stewart Allison

That would be 20 -35% of 20% of midyears left in the world LOL. That would be not many original motors left LOL. Stewy

Mike Ward

OK, I'm the dummy then. What kind of small block C2 would go for $75-90K?

RatDog

Mike - First of all, from your posts that I've read I certainly wouldn't call you a dummy when it comes to these cars and you definitely know a lot more than I do about them .

To answer your question, most of the C2s here fall into that range:

www.vintagecorvettes.com

I don't know all of the prices but I believe the '66 Mosport Green Survivor is $79K (maybe $89K, I can't remember).

This one is sold and wasn't there for very long. I was told it was in the 90's range.

http://www.vintagecorvettes.com/1965white.html

This one sold earlier this year. I was quoted $75K:

http://www.vintagecorvettes.com/1967yellow.html



Thanks,
-- Steve

Nowhere Man

a 65 FI come to mind

John BX NY

63 SWC 360 hp

65 375 hp

67 350 hp high option good color

Either of these with a Regional NCRS top flight or Duntov and good documentation could be worth in that range in my opinion....

Geralds57

If Greg has the car you're looking at, it will be very nice.

csysman

not mine.. $74999.00 is all mine is worth

RatDog

I agree.

My wife and I met Greg in December. He was exceptionally nice to us, opened up his store for us and spent time with us showing us around his place even though he knew we weren't ready to buy anything yet. Very nice, laid back guy. He comes across as more of a "Corvette guy" than a "Corvette salesman". I believe he used to restore Corvettes so I assume he knows what he's doing.

I've also talked to other forum members who have bought from him and sold to him and were very happy. Haven't heard a complaint yet. His cars aren't cheap and I understand he's pretty firm on his prices, but he has very nice cars. No junk and no projects at his store.

If I'd had the money last summer, I would have bought this one:
http://www.vintagecorvettes.com/67mbconv350.html

I was quoted $95K for it. Another forum member bought it the same week it went for sale.

-- Steve

vettedreamer50

absolutely.

knight37128

BTW, the OP never said C2.

vettebuyer6369

The problem is, no matter how loud the "anti-numbers" people yell that they "wont pay a dime more" for correct numbers, that wont change the reality of the marketplace. Fact is, small block matching numbers should be looked at just as closely as big blocks because of their real world value premium in the market.

Big block matching number cars come with the expectation of close scrutiny. However, there's always those people who mistakenly think a SB isnt worth it. Really? Check the usual sale difference between a #s match SB Corvette vs an NOM. Yeah, worth a few hundred to stamp, I'd say.

Most people who pooh pooh this are just too lazy to protect their investments. Nowadays with the 'Net theres too much information to just ignore value issues. Anyone buying a correct car and paying the appropriate price should have a monocular lens (Broach Buster) and look closely at the pad and broach marks before buying. If not, he deserves to be fooled.

Mike Ward

Thanks guys- I'm obviously way out of touch with prices. Quite a surprise.

1955 copper

If you know who to go to and have the money any part number or engine pad can be changed to pass judging .It happens to often.BB or SB

MikeM

There is no problem unless you want to make it one by paying a premium for that feature at the point of sale.

SledgeHammer 2.0

Wow and all those cars right now are on ebay. I can't remember the last time someone told me theirs wasn't the original motor.

Mike67nv

I agree. I believe re-stamping of blocks, both small block and big block, is widespread and out of control. The market is driving it – for both higher value and perceived desirability.

I recently saw a ’67 300HP Powerglide advertised as having matching numbers with an obvious block re-stamp (numbers not spaced evenly nor lined up on a horizontally ground pad). So it’s not just a big block issue.

I would be suspect of any mid-year advertised as numbers matching.