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I had no intentions of buying a Corvette, (not that I didn't want one) I had a neighbor approach me about a 62 he inherited 8 years ago from his Brother. He didn't have any interest in the car and after it being in the family for the last 8 years he offered to sell it to me. The car is a 4spd car but has a Aluminum case p/g in it now with an old 350 target engine. The recent upgrades are a Meyers front suspension, power brakes, power steering, rear disc and new exhaust. The paint is presentable but old and the interior is presentable but needs restoration. My plan is a 383 efi with a 4spd and upgraded rear. What is a ballpark value of this car? Thanks.
I'm confused. Your neighbor inherited the car 8 years ago, has no interest in it, but it has "recent upgrades".... I can't reconcile those facts. If ( a BIG IF ) the frame is good and its a two top car I'm thinking low-to-mid 30K range with the things that need fixed that are apparent...
If you pay much beyond that and do an engine/tranny swap you'll be underwater IMO...upgrading a non-original motor car to a different non-original motor is a wash value-wise if the current drivetrain is OK... If you don't have the 4-speed parts then pile that on top of the total cost..
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Jan 4, 2017 at 11:22 AM.
I'm confused. Your neighbor inherited the car 8 years ago, has no interest in it, but it has "recent upgrades".... I can't reconcile those facts. If ( a BIG IF ) the frame is good and its a two top car I'm thinking low-to-mid 30K range with the things that need fixed that are apparent...
If you pay much beyond that and do an engine/tranny swap you'll be underwater IMO...upgrading a non-original motor car to a different non-original motor is a wash value-wise if the current drivetrain is OK... If you don't have the 4-speed parts then pile that on top of the total cost..
Nah closer to 40k if it has the upgrades mentioned and drive-able. Maybe change the rear gears, add a 4 speed and freshen up (rebuild it) the 350. That would not cost that much to accomplish. Some work to get it there... Adding all of the necessary clutch linkage and shift linkage if missing.
We need more pictures. Does it drive right now? Presentable is fine maybe just clean it up. Buff the paint clean the chrome. Some deep cleaning will go a long way. An 8 year old restoration is fresh enough to work with it. It is hard to figure it out looking at the two pictures.
Get a grill and license bumperettes the front.
Both tops?
Please more pictures!
Last edited by jimh_1962; Jan 4, 2017 at 11:49 AM.
I'm confused. Your neighbor inherited the car 8 years ago, has no interest in it, but it has "recent upgrades".... I can't reconcile those facts. If ( a BIG IF ) the frame is good and its a two top car I'm thinking low-to-mid 30K range with the things that need fixed that are apparent...
If you pay much beyond that and do an engine/tranny swap you'll be underwater IMO...upgrading a non-original motor car to a different non-original motor is a wash value-wise if the current drivetrain is OK... If you don't have the 4-speed parts then pile that on top of the total cost..
Long story, he gave it to his daughter who had a shop do the upgrades. She didn't want the car anymore and they wanted it to go to someone they knew and would take care of it. The car runs and drives and the frame is good. New conv top, this is the first time the hardtop has been on in many years.
Well maybe...maybe mind you $35K-$40K... I'd start off low however...
What you THINK needs to be done and what ACTUALLY needs to be done are most often oceans apart...
Long story, he gave it to his daughter who had a shop do the upgrades. She didn't want the car anymore and they wanted it to go to someone they knew and would take care of it. The car runs and drives and the frame is good. New conv top, this is the first time the hardtop has been on in many years.
Now, definitely closer to 40K but you should find an appraiser in your area to get the fair price for both parties.
A tired 350 easy to check the bore size and rebuild. Definitely swap the transmission.
30k would be a steal, 40k would be all the money. Somewhere in between would be ideal. I picked up my near identical '61 in 2015 for a fair price with a hurt '67-block 383 and a 4 speed with a posi...I got it running and driving and have been driving it ever since. It still needs work, but it's a blast. Like yours, it's a ten-footer....the lacquer paint is 45-50 years old and shows it. I have about 32k into mine all-in, but I did all the labor on the engine, brakes, electrical, etc. Mine did come with the original 270HP 2x4 carbs and the high red line tach, so I suspect it was indeed a real 270 car.
1962 Value?
