I have begun a search for a C 1/2 Corvette. I am curious about values. There was a 1963 white convertible fuelie that I missed out on recently. It was posted for sale on this forum. He was asking 60 grand for what appeared to be a very high quality car. On other sites I see many Corvettes that have been for sale for quite some time. Before I jump in, I would appreciate getting educated about current prevailing values.

 

Brenda; that is a topic that could occupy a forum full time by itself. There are no hard and fast thumbrules, only history and informal guidelines.

What are you hoping to find? A driver, a museum piece, a Top Flight fuelie?

 

Values are all over the map. So figure out what type of car you want to narrow down your search

 

Looking for a high quality driver, weekend car shows, probably driven 3 or 4 times a month. Needs to be a convertible, highly liked: side exhaust, knock off rims, non numbers matching ok, non black interior desirable but not a deal killer for the right car. White with red interior or red with white interior really is the ideal candidate.

 

Do you really want to deal with a fuelie?

The car you describe in an NOM should be significantly less than 60k.

 

I was hoping you would see this thread Vettebuyer. You know the car I speak of, the fuelie whose account was suspended do to health issues. That seems like a lot of car for 60 grand. Beautiful car, fuelie, very nice. I am not planning on driving it much so I thought if the fuel injection was working properly it would last me a long time till it needed service

 

Figure out what year,style,color and options. Then think about what is important to you. Are you looking for an original motor car? Original motor cars bring more money. If it does not really matter do not pay original motor price. Do you have to have the colors match the trim tag? If not do not pay for it. Then after narrowing the field down buy the best example of the car that you are looking for. I have known several that knew exactly what they wanted. Let's say a really nice driver '67 roadster, 4sp, small block in red with nice paint,interior,top and chrome. They looked at a bunch of cars not seeing exactly what they were looking for. They stumble upon a decent looking blue '65. The paint,interior,top and chrome are all in average condition. It seems like a deal compared what he was seeing for sale in the exact car he had been looking for. So he buys it. He has it a little while. He has some fun but. Then looking at that average condition interior he sees the carpet is worn. He looks at one of the many parts seller and finds that carpet is only a few hundred. How hard can it be? So he buys the carpet and after learning that the first time that you do it,it is actually harder than it looked. But he is happy. Then he looks at the average seat covers next to the new carpet. Now they do not look so good. He finds that he can not handle the new seat covers,foam,trim,etc so he has to farm it out. He spends a couple of thousand $. But they look great. Until the average door panels look very below average. They are not cheap. Next thing you know he has spent several thousand but the interior looks nice. After a little while that average paint,chrome and top are not looking so good either. That is really expensive. Meanwhile he finds a car exactly like he was originally looking for. Now he has to sell the car that he settled for. Since he has to move quickly he sells at a loss. Now he ends up paying more for the car then he needed to because he lost money on that car that he settled for.
So really know what you want and buy the best one that you can afford. It will be cheaper in the long run.

 

Kountry Coprvettes has what looks like nice one in the 50 s in arkansas . I bought my car from them Good service

 

Here is a thread that has been going for many years were forum members post cars for sale from different venues around the country. Some are good others, not so good. Before you put money down on any car, have the car inspected by a well qualified C1/C2 Corvette inspector. It will be the best money you could ever spend, too many horror stories posted here by members who bought a lemon. Good luck in your search

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

 

I would stay away from a fuelie if you're just looking for a nice driver. Some on here may disagree but if you're not mechanically inclined they can be finicky animals, even more so when they aren't driven very much.

 

You live in PHOENIX Metro area. Many great cars live there. The NCRS Arizona Chapter is very active and have great members that are very well informed Vintage Corvette owners.

See NCRS.org for more info . Join, and the look at CONTACTS. All the chapters around the world are listed. Over 14,500 members at last count

 

So really know what you want and buy the best one that you can afford. It will be cheaper in the long run.
Let these words be your guide. Provetts67 has been into Corvettes a long time & should be listened to .If you need help finding a Corvette or want a second set of eyes PM me. I live in north Phoenix.

 

Brenda - I see you live in Fountain Hills. The Concours in the Hills Car Show is tomorrow in Fountain Hills and while it's open to all makes and models, it's expected to have a good number of Corvettes there too. https://www.concoursinthehills.org/
Heard they expect to have over 1,000 cars in attendance. I was going to be taking my Black '61 Vette Hot Rod down there with the For Sale sign but other commitments have cropped up so won't be able to make it. Check it out, might be worthwhile.
Mike T - Prescott AZ

 

A 53 year old plus used Chevy is worth what someone is willing to pay. IMO asking prices on these old Vette are just that a asking price, Funny how some guys price their stuff to "be for sale" vice pricing it "to Sell".

Guess what I'm trying to say is if someone prices their car to sell and not just be for sale than said car won't last long on the market. Those cars are your benchmark for determining value. Lastly if you do come across a car you really like don't be afraid to step up and pay a little extra because at the end of the day we get one shot at being happy.

 

KEN knows his stuff

 

Will definitely be there Mike. It really has a focus on Imports but there is a fair share of American Muscle as well. If anyone from this forum will be there lets meet up and say HI.

 

It took me about three weeks to decide what year, colors and options I want in my midyear. However, it took me three years to find her. Finding the right car will bring joy, a wrong car a headache. So my first bit of advice is to be patient and before you buy have it inspected by an expert.

As to value? I have own my sweet silver going on 11 years this July. I have met many other owners at car shows and several have become friends. I have witnessed the laughter and excitement of many sitting in the passenger seat as I went thru the gears. I have spent many hours with my then teenage daughter talking about life while we cruised the neighborhood in the corvette. I have enjoyed countless waves, thumps up and car honks. Years ago a couple with their 5 year old daughter came over to here the corvette start. I will never ever forget the expression of surprise on her face when those pipes began to sing. Value: Priceless!

Good luck, the hunt is part of the fun.

 

I love fuelies, and they are more likely to hold their value, but you would want to have easy access to a FI expert reasonably closely because they are few and far between, and getting more scarce over time. Plus, any original fuelie brings a steep price premium.

Other than that, what you describe should be easily found under $60K or possibly into the low $50s, given that you are okay with a NOM drivetrain. Convertibles were built in greater numbers than coupes, so that helps your search, and possibly your price point.

Good luck with your search, and show us what you end up with.

 

Any advice you get from provette 67 is priceless and that's not to take anything away from all the great advice you have already received in this thread. If there is one word that should resonate with you it's patience.
Good luck in your search.

 

If you find one that looks good and is priced right, don't hesitate, it wont last long at that price.
I was looking for a 57 to restore and found 7 in my area that were not for sale, so I bought the first one that I found for sale. The price was higher than a "restorable) car, but at least I found one!