I've been reading more and more threads and learning a bunch, but would really like some advice on what I should expect to spend for a car.

I'm looking at 63-67 convertibles, 4 speeds, original motor small block cars. I am looking for an excellent driver, something that will be a seasonal car, but not needing any major work.

The prices I'm seeing are all over the place. I get that value is a combination of what someone can live with and what someone can spend, but I'm hoping some of you that have been following the sales for the past year or two could help me dial-in a range that would be realistic to expect.

Thanks much.

Bill

 

size of engine, options, and color combo plays a very big role in price.

 

Your assumptions are a little off the mark. To the uninitiated them may look all over the place, but they're not.
Primarily, cars are priced for their condition. Usually they fall into either projects, restored/original, or drivers, and are priced depending on current condition in each of those categories.

Projects- anywhere between 5K and 20K more or less
Drivers- anywhere between 20K and 40K more or less
Restored/original- 35K-60,80,90,?????? who knows!

Whatever you do, hire an expert, or take a knowledgeable buddy to go with you when you're serious.

 

have noticed that most of the cars sold are sold because someone wants to, not because someone has to- this makes a big factor in pricing- catch them at the right time, you've got a deal- wrong time and mega bucks couldn't buy it.

 

Take a look at ebay, the same cars keep coming back and I would bet 90% dont sell. Money is tight and getting tighter everyday. I would think you can get a nice driver for 40k, less if you really look hard. If you want docs and POPs and stickers be prepared to spend for them.If you are going to keep it forever get the best you can afford at the time. Cosmetics first and always rust free frame. Cars are out there you just have to look. Have someone check it out if you cant. Good Luck

 

A car that might fit you description, is Vetluvr's that was reposted on the For sale forum.

 

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1s-...-49-900-a.html

 

The VERY best advice that I can give you is:
Never buy a car for appreciation
Always buy a car that "you simply CAN'T live without owning....forever"

 

Kerrmudgeon looks to be pretty close, although I haven't seen a 63-67 basket case (that was not just a part of a car) for under $15K in 10 years. I tell people if you buy a Vette with chrome bumpers, you will never lose money... Unless you paid too much for it when you bought it. The market has changed over the last 30 years. Used to be matching numbers brought big money. NOM's are getting up to the same money. Again, depends on options, color, etc. Look at the sites on-line and read the descriptions. Do some studying, you'll figure it out.

Good luck,
Dan

 

Here is my advise:

1. Buy a 1965-1967. They are more refined with more safety features like disc brakes. As a result, they are much more in demand and it will be easier to sell when you are ready to move on.

2. Buy a 327/350 HP Car, preferably with documentation

3. Buy the most desirable colors of Black, any of the Blues or Red. These colors are much easier to sell than other colors

4. Expect to pay $35k to $45k for a decent to nice 1965 to 1966 driver depending on options and color combo

5. Expect to pay $45k to $55k for a decent to nice 1967 depending on options and color combo.

6. Stay away from automatics, 327/300 HP and and NOM cars unless you can get them for $30k or less

Good luck with your search.

 

Interesting.
Out of curiousity, where have you seen NOM's bringing in good money? I'm not challenging your assertion, just asking. NOMs take a regular beating from a few in the C3 section. Never get any current sales prices to back up the bashing. Wondering if the C2 section is a bit more forgiving?

 

I am constantly looking. Bought my first vette in '82. Have been looking for a '67 ever since. Also have a '69 that kinda fell in my lap. But I have been looking for a C3 convertible since my '69 is a coupe. I can tell you right now there are 2 '68 convertibles for sale (both @ 29k), one numbers match, one NOM, you never used to see that. The NOM's were so far below the numbers matching, it was obvious that long term, you wanted to get a numbers matching. Just my observations from my constant looking at sale prices on numerous sites. Everyone has opinions, obviously people with matching number cars are going to say they are worth so much more than NOM's. My observations, I'm just not seeing the gap any more. If I'm full of it, I'm full of it...

 

If the price is close, always buy the numbers matching motor, but your example with a 1968 is a bad one because most people looking for a C3 do not want a 1968 for many reasons.

 

There are a lot of variables which must be considered to determine whether this asking price is reasonable, options, condition, etc. Both sellers may be dreaming. In todays economy prices are way down. What counts is what the cars actually sell for.

What condition were the NOM's in? Were you comparing base models or high end versions? The high horsepower versions generally have a larger spread between numbers and NOMs from what I've heard. Problem I've had is I can find very few 'correct' NOMs when looking at prices.

The root of the problem, human nature. People who own numbers cars probably paid a premium for them and will insist they are superior to NOMs in many respects, especially value. People who own NOMs will argue the opposite. Each watching out for their own interests. I have been asking for sources of sales data to support these assertions, independent of personal interests. Nobody has ever come forward with a source of data comparing sales prices between numbers cars and NOMs. Without a decent sampling of prices the difference people refer to may or may not be exagerated.

What caught my eye was reading of a C2 NOM which sold for somewhere in the mid 30's. Unheard of in the C3 section. Could be because C3's sell for less than C2's, even the high horsepower early C3's?

I'd love to see some actual sales prices on NOMs. The specific group of NOMs being those which are otherwise identical to the numbers cars. Only way a comparison would make sense since restomods can vary widely, much depends on tastes of the buyers. I've seen only a few in the last few years. I don't know what they actually sold for.

Unless we're talking about a true original 'survivor' or a rare high end version, I find a big price difference between a NOM and a numbers car to be absurd. Once the cars are restored there's little originality left. The NCRS makes little distinction between a numbers car and a car with a 'correct' engine, even if the deck shows no numbers. If the car is 'correct' as built in the day it's treated virtually the same as a numbers car.

If NOMs really do sell for much less than identical numbers cars I'd see NOMs as being a great deal for people who want drivers. Same car for much less money. No restrictions on changing colors, adding options, replacing parts which wear with incorrect date coded parts, etc. They must appreciate in value to some degree, otherwise they should be free by now.

BTW: Good luck with your quest to find a 67. They seem to be the most valuable of all Corvettes.



From what I've been hearing, if the cars were in comparable condition it would seem the numbers car would be the better value. So far as people not being interested in 68's I can't agree. The 68's had their quirks which turns some people off but from what I've seen they still generate a lot of interest.

 

In my opinion the NOM cars are the way to go. You can do anything you want to them and if they are nice they are worth plenty. The real upside is that they will drive better and stop better and can have such luxuries as aftermarket AC and rack and pinion steering and your choice of wheels and tires with rubber compounds that were never even dreamed of in the sixties. The paint can be perfect which will lose you those precious points in a NCRS show. You can have any engine transmission combo you like with performance to match. You might pay more for an original and you might not, it really depends on a number of factors. I do notice that most folks think once their car gets a Top Flight they think its worth more than it is. I see these cars up for sale over and over. In the end its all what you want, but never buy a car for an investment, buy it because you love it and you'll never go wrong.