I recently sold a C5 and will soon buy a C2. It seems that cars with auto. transmissions are for sale much longer & thus might be far less desirable than manual. Does anyone have any firm info or data comparing the two? I'm retired and don't want to saddle my kids with a selling issue when I'm gone, if one exists. Thanks.

 

Then don’t buy a old car if all your worried about is resell. Buy the best car for your money that YOU will enjoy. Any mid year will sell. If you read that lengthy thread below this about auto vs 4 speed you will see both sides.

 

Yes, buy what you want and don't worry about resale value, People are always swapping engines & transmissions out of old vintage cars and trucks. The 2017 Corvettes had 78% automatic transmissions. So, do what you want.

 

I think resale value at some unknown future date by a random unknown buyer is one of the worst reasons to buy a car. I would buy what I enjoyed and let my kids sort it out. I'm sure they will get more out of it than the work they have to put into it to find a buyer. Only a used car dealer should worry about resale value, and I've been told by a long time used car dealer that you don't make money on the resale value, you make it on the purchase price.

 

Very good advice by all...thanks much.

 

Future resale value is a crap shoot, research the Model A.

 

Model A street rods have better resale value than restored stock cars.....let that sink in for a while!

 

who wants to drive a car that is not very safe and can't do above 40 mph lets compare apples to apples

 

Buy the car you most want and can afford.

 

The model A and other older cars have pretty much lost their core group that had one when they were kids and the market has tanked for stock one. Street rods are still hot because they can still appeal to a wider range of buyers with money to spend to make them closer to the modern car performance and luxury.
Older Vetts are getting the same treatment and often moded ones bring far more money that a stock one, early fuely or speciality vehicles the exception. Mods also tend to cost more to build and very often have a short appeal life span.
As others have said it’s a hobby not an investment, buy something YOU enjoy and enjoy the ride.

 

Given the fact they made nearly 5 MILLION Model A stock cars, I’m guessing restored stock cars aren’t a good comparison point.

 

To the OP- out of the eight corvettes I have owned, all but three were an automatic / power glide. I recently bought a '64 coupe for the same reasons as before; they don't seem to be hot rodded, the ones I buy are mostly all original and they generally have the other options I like such as PW, PB and PS. I find automatics to have fewer owners, more documentation than most and have been serviced and well taken care of. Over time I have sold my cars to people just like me who appreciate the originality and provanance regardless of the transmission. I have always made money on the sale (one was a breakeven) of these cars. As the others guys have said, don't be afraid of automatics. Buy what you want and enjoy driving it.

 

If you are that worried about leaving your heirs a mess, Leave specific instructions on how your car is to be sold in your will. Either taken to and auction, left to a consignment dealer etc... That way they don't have to worry about it.

 

In short, 95%+ people who want a 60s muscle car want a manual transmission; preferably a 4 speed. I don't see that changing anytime soon.

THAT is your simple answer...

You can got to Hagerty's valuation guide if you want to get more data and compare... I'm betting you'll find a value 'deduction' for automatic...

 

I agree: don't worry about the car being an automatic. Buy it because you like it, all other things being equal. Yes, direct comparisons aren't easy, as it seems every C2 is unique in its own way because of options included, condition, mileage, color, etc.

My experience might be illuminating. About 4 years ago I went looking to buy a C2. After looking at a few 4-speed cars I came across the '67 coupe I wound up buying: an automatic. Why did I buy it? Initally i was a put off by the fact it had a 2-speed Powerglide. But, the car was in excellent condition and was highly optioned, including factory A/C. Ok, I thought. Let's take it for a drive. That convinced me. The car was tight, rattle free (relative to the others I'd driven), obviously well-cared for and eager to run! The 2 speed auto with its 1.76 first gear didn't make for startling acceleration, but it was more than adequate (i.e. push down on the gas pedal further!). The fact the car had electric windows, PS, PB, A/C, etc. surely made for a nice cruiser, which in reality was how I would mostly use the car. So, I bought it, and haven't regretted it since.

Yes, I wanted a bit more performance. So last year I swapped out the Powerglide for a TH-350. The cost was reasonable (about $2k) and the impact on the car's driveability was enormous. Living in a denser urban area as I do, the A/T is a bonus, IMO. Now, if I want to blister the tires off the line, I can, as the TH-350 has a much lower first gear than the PG: 2.52:1. At cruise, the car is as docile as before. And, yes, my wife can drive it which is a bonus because I'd rather have her involved and interested in my hobby than have it become a wedge between us. She loves the car and takes it out on occasion to visit (and impress) her girl friends. A win-win, I'd say. I put the old Powerglide aside for the next owner to reinstall if they want to return the car to stock.

Last point is this: It is said that Auto C2's generally bring about 10% less than an equivalent 4-speed car. They just don't have the mystique of a 4-speed Corvette. That price penalty is actually a good thing, because you can use this fact to negotiate a better price with the seller. That's certainly what i did. When you go to sell, you can accept getting a bit less because you paid less to begin with. Other pluses are that Auto C2's are less likely to have been abused, and when new these cars tended to have been loaded with more options that 4-speed cars.

 

Do you have a link to stats that backs that up? I know this isn't PR&C and I'm not LB, but that sounds a little exaggerated.

 

Haven't you watched any of the auctions in the last 10/20 years?

As FTF said, most people (I'll bet at least 85% ) prefer a 4 speed over an auto in a 60's muscle/sports car and, the prices prove it.

Gary

 

As long as I have a leg that will push in a clutch, I will always go for the 4 speed in a sports type car, especially a Corvette.

For what it's worth, that's just my opinion.

Others may feel differently, but I'll bet the large percentage will go for the 4 speed if given the choice.


But, like others have already stated, go for the car that you like to drive.

Pat

 

 

Welcome to the forum.

Have you read this thread?
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...owerglide.html

Personally, I would not be worrying about you kids having to sell it when you are gone, after all the car will be FREE th them.