justicepool

Hello,

I'm looking to purchase a 65-67 Corvette Convertible. Ideally, I would like to find something that has a chance of holding most of its value over time that I can still drive a couple hundred miles a year and not worry about diminishing it's value too much.

I've found this one locally:

http://www.texascorvette.net/1967-Ch...-79424/5891776

He is asking 85K for it. I know he purchased it a couple of weeks ago at a Mecum auction here:

https://www.mecum.com/lot-detail/SC0...tible/4-Speed/

The Mecum price was 62K. I don't know if that includes the buyer's fee or not??

I've done some research and to me the car seems to fall between a condition #2 and #3 on Hagerty's scale.
https://www.hagerty.com/apps/valuati...ette?id=103825

The car does look really clean, however I did notice a few small blemishes in the paint. When I drove it the brakes were not working well, it seems like they needed bled. Also, the throwout bearing in the tranny was making some noise. The A/C is not original factory equipment.

Thus far, they have not been able to provide me with any information about the restoration and when it was done (they may have this, but I haven't received it yet). When the motor was rebuilt, etc.,.

Any and all advice is much appreciated. I'm looking forward to acquiring my first classic Corvette!


John





I've had quite a few members PM with info on cars available (Thank you!!!), so I thought I'd let everyone know my first choice is Rally Red, second would be Nassau blue. Third, but one I have not see that I could afford would be Tuxedo black!

Oh, and I do not want saddle interior.

65hihp

John
you can do a lot better than that one.
why help a dealer do a $20k two week flip?
You have a much greater chance of getting value for your money from a pri party selling a good car he has owned for a while. There are a lot of them out there if your budget is around $80K. Watch the CF C2 Cars for Sale, or better, join NCRS and make friends with members of your local chapter. NCRS classifieds has some good C2s for sale. Be patient, and you will get what you want.

justicepool

Thanks for the prompt reply. Yes, I'm not interested in a two week 20k flip. My budget is up to 85K, but I would be more comfortable at 60K. I have registered with NCRS, but haven't received any material yet.

I will definitely be patient, because I know me....and this won't be my last classic car purchase.

My daily driver is a Tesla Model S which I really like and enjoy driving, but I miss the sound of the exhaust and a standard transmission for the good weekend weather days.

R66

If this is your first "Child", get an OLD MAN in the forum to look at it for a few hundred bucks. The brakes and throw out bearing are hen feed (not even a full chicken). Sounds like a dealer wanting a quick profit.
I bought one at an auction and found a few things that were not original that could be big bucks.
If you blow $60 to 70K at the bar regularly, do it on your own.
We bought a numbers matching 66 at an estate auction and spent 6 months and a couple of $K just getting it road worthy and comfortable. Probably spent more than it is worth.

If you want an investment, go into farming, you may only lose half of what it is worth.

If you buy it for enjoyment, then forget the price and the numbers as it will drive you nuts. Kinda like a WIFE, you have to hang on to them and spend thousands before you really have one worth GOLD.

tuxnharley

Hmmm, well, that car wouldn't be my first choice - at least not at that price and with the info shown and not shown.

First off, I think it's at least $15/20 k overpriced, even if everything is correct.

Secondly there are some things about the data provided that do not seem to "line up" correctly to me.

According to the trim tag, the body was assembled on September 1 (B01) 1966, and is the 47th convertible body made at the A O Smith plant. Those two do correspond well.

However, the VIN indicates a production sequence of #8,229 for the 1967 model year - when a total of 22,940 Corvettes were produced starting in August of 1966. There is no way that 8229 Corvettes were produced in the first month - that would be 36% of the total production in the first month. No way that happened. Something is wrong with either the trim tag or the VIN plate.

As a reality check, my two owner (45 years by me) known to be original '67 convertible has sequence # 4,111 and was assembled on November 17, 1966........

The fact that neither the Mecom ad nor this one shows the engine stamp pad makes me even more suspicious

You can do better. Have you seen the long running thread by Forum member Revfan? Start by checking out some cars there, and learn as you go

.https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-for-sale.html


Good Luck!

justicepool

I agree on the pricing and there is no way I'm paying even close to 85K for it.

I'll look into the engine stamp, thanks for the observation!

No, I haven't seen that thread, thanks for the link!

Frankie the Fink

Yes, if you want to make a small fortune on a classic Corvette, start out with a large fortune

tuxnharley has given you some good thoughts to chew on

MarkC

I would recommend you talk to Greg Wyatt. He owns Greg Yatt Auto Sales in GA. He deals in high end corvettes. His prices are high but he only deals in really nice cars. He has a good reputation on this forum. He also delivers cars so that helps.

RatDog

I bought my car from Greg Wyatt Vintage Corvettes a few years ago. If you have an $85K budget, you'll do well there. My '67 convertible cost a bit less than the one you're looking at and I believe it's a better car. And no trim tag, VIN tag, or engine stamp drama.

But the most important thing you should do, regardless of where you buy it, is to have it inspected be someone who knows these cars.

Steve

cblankin

You want go wrong by calling Greg Wyatt at Vintage Corvettes and talking to Greg about what you are looking for. I bought my 1965 Silver Pearl Coupe and I am very pleased with my purchase. Quality is not cheap. If he does not have it on the showroom floor he will locate one for you. I live close enough to him I could check it out for you.

Powershift

I believe this car has a very "checkered" past. Any car driven in Akron, Ohio during this time will have had rust issues unless the metal was replaced. The Akron natives used to put grease on all their chrome parts during the winter months to shield them from the massive salt that was used on the roads.

The engine is likely not the original. A LOT of stuff has been replaced.

The discrepancy between the body build in early September and the car build in January was due in part to the strike at AOS from early September 1966 to mid-January 1967. This car's body apparently just sat at AOS during the strike period.

I would pass on this car for many reasons...............$$$$$$$$ being only one of them.

Larry

justicepool

Many thanks for all the advice!

Lotsacubes

John, I watched C2s for sale on Hemmings, Usedcorvettesforsale, and here for about 2 years. Within 3-4 months following threads here I started to gain a sense of what's valued by Corvette buyers and fair prices. I narrowed down to what I wanted then waited for the right one at a fair price. I wasn't willing to wait for an unbelievable deal, just a price that if I had to sell immediately my max loss was 5-10K. Nothing wrong with a goal of preserving wealth in your purchase, but just like stock picks, you need to personally do your due diligence and recruit experts. Enjoy the research and hunt. You will have a much deeper appreciation when you stare at the car that finally ends up in your garage.

justicepool

There are soooo many options out there right now. I'm definitely going to take some time. I think I may even broaden my search to include "drivers" and restomods. I just want to enjoy the car!

Found a big block! Any advice on the driving experience in a big block vs. the small block? I've read where some prefer the small block. Obviously, this is subjective.

http://www.buyavette.net/1966%20Corv...ock%206491.php

JMG2

I completly agree with dong a private sale-- I was looking for a few years, but when I finally got serious, I found almost exactly what I was looking for on this forum within a few weeks ('67 convertible small block). I'm in NY, car was in FLA, forum member in florida took time out of his scheudle to go look at it for me, and within a week it was in my garage. The car as bought was at least a 3 (just finished a resto and it's a very strong 2 now). And I spent a helluva lot less than $60k on it.

Be patient. Go private.

As for BB vs. SB, I prefer the SB -- really only because this is purely a cruising car for me (I have a late model vette and an SRT, so going fast isn't an issue :-)) ) the 327 has plenty of pickup, it sounds awesome, and is overall cheaper --- in purchase price, and parts availability. Real small blocks are also easier to find.

That said, there is no "downside" to owning a BB in my book-- they are a thrill to drive, they sound even better, and parts really aren't that terrible to find. They are faked a lot more often than small blocks, so beware when buying that "numbers matching" BB.

vetsvette2002

In looking at this engine's stamp pad, two things really jump out.
1. The engine assembly numbers is not aligned, not even closely. The assembly numbers were stamped at the same time in a single holder.
2. Above the VIN I believe I see the remnants of the original VIN stamping.

Be very wary.

Don

justicepool

This forum absolutely rocks! The information and support is priceless.

I've had quite a few members PM with info on cars available (Thank you!!!), so I thought I'd let everyone know my first choice is Rally Red, second would be Nassau blue. Third, but one I have not see that I could afford would be Tuxedo black!

Oh, and I do not want saddle interior.

396/425

I always wondered who bought cars for 15 to 20 k too much at these dealers. I guess they are out there. If you hunt for it...I mean really dig...youll find someone who needs to unload their toy....divorce....their midlife crisis is over....whatever. Just do your homework....there are many who will cheat you out of your last buck on a POS car. Make a friend on here that will go with you to look if youre a c2 virgin. Dealers for the most part are 20k high...do what they do...hunt down your own. Dont pay those dirtbags. Hunting is 75% of the fun

warrenmj

Fill out your profile so we know where you live. Maybe there is a forum member nearby that could show you his car and help with your education. Just don't get in too much of a hurry and buy something you will regret. Do a lot of reading here on the forum and take a look at the "for sale" section to get an idea of asking prices on C2s.

And feel free to ask lots of questions on the forum as there is a tremendous amount of knowledge here.

RatDog

Not everyone enjoys the hunt. And the hunt can also cost money (and time) too. If a guy gets a recommendation to a dealer with a good rep with quality cars and doesn't want to go through the search process, it's a viable option.

Everyone approaches the process differently. No right or wrong here, I don't think .

Steve