I had a TH350 in a 1960 with no cutting needed.
WIW '57 Corvette
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 8,506
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From: Calhoun, GA_______ Let It Rock
WIW '57 Corvette
Ex-drag car. Looks like the floor pan had been modified for a TH 350. Nothing to do with the drive train is original - motor, trans., or rear. No hard top. Cross member was somehow modified to give it a gasser look back in the 60s/70s, along with spacers. Today it no longer has the gasser look - sits correctly. Driver quality paint/chrome. He says frame is solid as far as rust issues. Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,497
Likes: 1,313
From: Huntsville AL
Ex-drag car. Looks like the floor pan had been modified for a TH 350. Nothing to do with the drive train is original - motor, trans., or rear. No hard top. Cross member was somehow modified to give it a gasser look back in the 60s/70s, along with spacers. Today it no longer has the gasser look - sits correctly. Driver quality paint/chrome. He says frame is solid as far as rust issues. Thanks.
Running / driving car?
Pictures?
Last edited by emccomas; Jun 10, 2013 at 07:03 PM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 8,506
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From: Calhoun, GA_______ Let It Rock
Yes, running driver - driver condition on everything. Looks like a huge tunnel added for the trans. and carpeted over. Maybe it is/was something to do with the cross member modification vs. TH 350, itself...?
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,497
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From: Huntsville AL
OK, given a non-orignial drivetrain, driver quality everything else, seems like one of the biggest driving factors would be the condition of the body underneath the paint. And that will make a BIG difference in value.
Also what original parts (non-drivetrain related) are missing?
As I am sure you know, original 57 Corvette parts (even good used parts) are not cheap.
OK, lets see...driver quality 57 Corvette, automatic trans, floor pan mods to accommodate trans...
Assuming original guages and radio, exterior and interior stainless in decent shape, not missing hard to find original interior or exterior parts, frame is solid...
....AND it has a correct 57 VIN plate and title (or appropriate paperwork)
$40K (rough estimate)
Also what original parts (non-drivetrain related) are missing?
As I am sure you know, original 57 Corvette parts (even good used parts) are not cheap.
OK, lets see...driver quality 57 Corvette, automatic trans, floor pan mods to accommodate trans...
Assuming original guages and radio, exterior and interior stainless in decent shape, not missing hard to find original interior or exterior parts, frame is solid...
....AND it has a correct 57 VIN plate and title (or appropriate paperwork)
$40K (rough estimate)
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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From: Eagle, Idaho
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,497
Likes: 1,313
From: Huntsville AL
I have seen simliar cars a bit cheaper, but usually not much, and there is allmost always something wrong with them.
If this 57 has an honest no-hit body, $40K is a good price for it. The fiberglass on these year cars is always a pain to deal with.
There are not a lot of rare / hard to find parts on a 57, and you could turn in into anything you wanted.
Good luck on your search.
If this 57 has an honest no-hit body, $40K is a good price for it. The fiberglass on these year cars is always a pain to deal with.
There are not a lot of rare / hard to find parts on a 57, and you could turn in into anything you wanted.
Good luck on your search.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,497
Likes: 1,313
From: Huntsville AL
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Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
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From: Huntsville AL
I am revising my $40K estimate.
Wrong steering wheel, wrong gauges, and I can almost assure you that the dash holes have been "opened up" to fit those gauges.
If "this interior" is consistent with the rest of the car, I think you are closer to $35K.
This looks more like an old school hot rod than a semi-nice original 57 Corvette.
Here is a perfect example of why pictures are so important.
Wrong steering wheel, wrong gauges, and I can almost assure you that the dash holes have been "opened up" to fit those gauges.
If "this interior" is consistent with the rest of the car, I think you are closer to $35K.
This looks more like an old school hot rod than a semi-nice original 57 Corvette.
Here is a perfect example of why pictures are so important.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 8,506
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From: Calhoun, GA_______ Let It Rock
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,497
Likes: 1,313
From: Huntsville AL
High end of market value at $40K. I really don't get the huge hump either, unless it has something MUCH bigger at one time.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Between Tally and Gatorville ,Florida
Ex drag car. This is the part that would make me worry. Drag cars especially fiberglass ones take a beating. I would almost bet that it has some body damage along the way during its drag days, stress cracks. I would have the frame inspected and checked to make sure its straight. I would personally would stay away and be willing to pay more for a good one. 30k max would be my number,just because of its history.