What do u think you see later model C3 coupes selling for in the future. If an 81 or 82 is selling between 10K-15K now in decent condition, do u think prices will rise or continue to hover where they have been?

 

I believe they will stay steady or even decline for anything after '75. My '74 vert has not "skyrocketed" as I had hoped. Keep an eye on '74 & '75 vert prices. When they start to shoot up, you're next.

 

I didn't know the 81-82's *were* selling for $10k-$12k ...maybe a 82 that's low mileage. It might take a popular movie that features a C3 to get the price up.

The only thing that bothers me about the low value is many owners let them run down and don't make an investment to fix them up. There are SO many C3s out there with 3 layers of bad, dull paint. It takes a special owner to want to put the time/money into stripping one and repainting it. It's kind of a chicken and egg thing. Personally, I like the idea of being able to get them (and parts) cheap. I don't mind that they are *affordable*.

Mark G

 

Some are, however most aren't, according to "completed auctions" on E-Stink:

http://motors.search-completed.ebay....QsofindtypeZ22

 

I think it depends on availability mostly. If there are plenty around for sale it's a buyers market. (lower price) If there are few for sale it's a sellers market (higher price) I know other factors do play a roll in prices, (year- condition- etc) but this I believe is the foundation of pricing. Just my 2 cents worth...

 

I remember seeing 80-81 Vettes on the Chevy dealer's used car lot back in the mid 80's. 10K-15K was about what they were selling for back then. Very little price movement over the years on the rubber bumper models as a general rule while the similar chrome bumper sharks have tripled or more over the same time period. The Chrome bumper sharks were 5K all day, every day back then.

Nice cars will apreciate outside the norm but the used up ones will not. Later C3's are undervalued in general. JMO

-Mark.

 

"As a group, C3's are up 4-5 percent this year.Interesting is 1973-1982's are begining to take off. Collectors are starting to judge them on their own merits..."
Corvette Enthusiast...

 

IMO our rubber bumper cars have nowhere to go but up but it will probably be a pretty slow climb. I think people who see our cars who don't know anything about their value assume they are worth far more than reality.

 

i agree that an excellent, low milage 80-82 C3 might be in that price range, but in my area (south florida) that's a bit on the pricy side. i have seen real nice late 70-early 80's C3 models going in the below 10K range consistantly. the chrome bumper stingrays seem to be the "hot" item here with interest (demand?) the highest. the 73 with the split bumper system (chrome out back and rubber up front) is of particular interest as it was the only year produced that way. of course pre-77 coverts have their own scale just because they are soft tops, lol. i believe that in the near future, interest will increase in the "forgotten" C3 years (78-82) and that will create a bit of demand and a rise in price. eventually that mentatility will spread to the early C4 models which currently are a relative bargain for an older (and in my opinion based upon technology) more sophisticated corvette.

steve

 

Let's face it, rubber bumper people (of which I'm one). The C3 to have are the chrome bumper ones. They just look better and go faster. We all want one. I know I do. I do like the fact my '75 has virtually the same look in the interior (seats, dash, instruments) as the early 70's models, before Chevy went to a different look soon thereafter. I don't think we'll see much price climbing in our rubber bumper cars. Someone said earlier that he likes the fact they are affordable. I do too since it allowed me to buy one. But beware, chrome is in my future.

 

I think they will all rise in time but the 78 pacers and anniv cars and the 82 collectors rising faster than the other 75-82s. I think 68-72 will continue to rise especially 69 with options. Maybe someday they will catch 67s when all the boomers get tired of fixing C2s. 73-74 will continue to rise in value somwhere in the middle of 68-72 and 75-82, especially verts. L82s and 4-speeds will continue to do better than L48s and automatics. My .02

 

C4's are very cheap in my area. It's tempting for buyers that always wanted a Vette, but don't have any tinkering experience, to skip the C3's in favor of computerized fuel injected models that are super cheap. Lucky for me, my wife dislikes the C4 look and thinks they look too common. "Is that a Camaro?" The pre-78 C3 is the last distinctive Corvette. My 2 cents. I hope they climb but I don't think they will appreciate significantly for at least 5 years. I bought my 76 L82 for $6200. I think it's worth $9000. Any takers?

 

The price of the '73s-82s is lower than 68s-72s due to supply and demand more than any other factor. Just looking at the coupes, look at how many were made and thus are in the "supply"

68 = 9936
69 = 22129
70 = 10668
71 = 14680
72 = 20496
73 = 25521
74 = 32028
75 = 33836
76 = 46558
77 = 49213
78 = 46776
79 = 53807
80 = 40614
81 = 40606
82 = 25407

And yes, I agree that the hp ratings of the earlier cars causes them to have first choice higher demand. When you look at the numbers and see twice as many available (on average more in some years), you don't see the price differences doubled. The 74s-82s may be in the 7500-17500k range and the 68s-72s could be in the 10000-20000k range. Long winded explanation as to why the non-chrome bumpers are rising at a slower rate than their sisters.

 

My .02...the chrome bumpers are cash cows, original cars only more so.

Again, my .02 but the 74 to 82 (74, 75 verts are the exception) cars will not rise in value very much. I watch the '82s pretty close. The '82 has shown some increase in value and the non-CEs have actually increased in value due to an oversupply of CEs in the market...IMHO.

I also believe an original car will only bring more cash in the long run. Lots of cars are being modified on this site, I love seeing these cars modified but will keep mine original...if it didn't leave BG on my car it don't belong on my car!

 

I read a recent article I thought was interesting. I think it was in Corvette Enthusiest Magazine. A number of traders and auction watchers feel the collector car market is in a general bubble much the way it was in the late 80's. The C1 and C2 pricing is out of control in the opinion of some of these buyers. A few felt we may be heading to a devaluation period similar to how the corvette and muscle car market crashed in the 90's. Guys that were paying 60-80 grand for Hemi's got spanked big time.

If that's the case and a general devaluation of the early Vettes and muscle cars does occur, I don't see how C3 values will climb significantly.

OTOH, a lot of guys I know in my age range (late 30's) grew up with the C3 generation and to my suprise a lot of them think it was the nicest looking Corvette of all (I know I do). If more of these guys get into collecting/restoring, it may drive prices up.

I agree that the chrome cars and BB definitely have the advantage.

Mark G

 

It will be interesting. I look at the demographics of who's buying the collector cars to determine what will go up in value and what will go down. I do agree that the current market is a bubble. $100,000 to $250,000 for Mopar of the late 60's & early '70's proves it. Whether you are a lover of Chrysler products or not, this is absurd and these people who paid this money better love their cars because in a year or so they will be worth half or less. look at what has happened to Model A's, T's and cars of the 40's. Their overall value is way down. Selling a Model A is difficult. Why? Because the generation that coveted these cars is either downsizing or unfortunately dying off. The market for C-3's and even late C-3's should pick up. When I was in High School there were basically 3 cars that every red blooded kid wanted. A Corvette, Trans Am or 280-Z. In my High School days you didn't want to be caught dead in a Chrysler, with exception to the '68 to '70 Charger. As people who grew up in the late 70's and early 80's become empty nesters, the Vetts, TA's and maybe 280-Z's are the cars they will want to spend their money on. TA's already are moving up in value. Currently late C-3's are a great value, I won't say undervalued because it's what the market dictates, relative to what else is out there at similar price points. I have a 1964 MGB that's worth more than my '79 Vette. The MG is a fun car and is considered a classic. However, when I look at a C-3 with "objective" eyes I see a car that was radical even to today's standard. It really was a show car brought to market. I don't think we'll ever see a car with the same kind of styling impact again. It is also a kick to drive. Even my '79, with a shortage of horse power, is fun to drive. It handles well, it's relatively comfortable and it looks great. Does an early Mustang, Camaro or Mopar compare? NO! These are the reasons I think the late '70's early 80's will start to appreciate. While I don't see it skyrocketing (too many out there) the really nice one's will appreciate noticeably.

 

The values should rise propotionatly to the rising cost of new cars. As steel prices continue to climb along with health insurance and other production costs, new car prices should go way up. This should drive up prices of desirable used cars like Vettes.

 

.... PT Cruiser


Mark G

 

i have a 72 with 49000 original miles i even have the original floor mats in it the thing is mint right i wouldnt take less than 25000 for it wait i would never sell it but anyway i might buy 80-82 just to drive around alot so i dont have to drive the72 you can get a nice 80-82 around here for 8500 alittle less if you want to get one that needs paint i hope the price of the bumper vettes goes out of the world and yes i do like the c-2 but they are out of range for me and probably many other people also so this will make early c-3 chrome bumpers climb up near the c-2 level

 

i dont think mid 70s and on C3s will increase in value for a long time. but i think this is a good thing. it allows gear heads to buy a corvette and build it to be whatever they want without feeling guilty about ruining their investment. because there was no investment.