As mentioned in another post, I may be back in the market for another C3. I've noticed since I bought my '77 in 2002 that prices have definitely jumped. I could use some help in nailing down fair price ranges.

Keep in mind I would be looking for basically a nice driver (when I had mine I drove it every day, otherwise what's the point!) and not a trailer queen, supermuscle, or all original. In 02 I paid $6,500 for my '77 driver which had a rebuilt 350 with some nice engine work done, decent paint and interior and needed about $1k of work, which made it real nice.

This time around I would like to possibly get an earlier C3 - although I know it may be tough. I'm partial to the look of the 70-73 Stingray over the later C3s, but of course those run at a premium. Definitely the sexier rear end and chrome bumpers are it. But I would still be happy with a C3 regardless, no matter what year if it's the right car.

So I have been watching eBay, vettefinders, etc for the last couple months. This is what I am gathering based on my needs as stated above:

71-73: $12-$15k
74-76: $10-$14k
77-82: $8-$12k

Is that about right-ish? Any input is greatly appreciated. My ceiling is probably going to be $10k - low I know, but if I do it that is what I'll have to work with.

Thanks!

Tom

 

Prices vary across the county. My advice would be to use the figures off eBay, VetteFinders, or other dealers with a grain of salt and only as a ballpark figure.

Your best bet is to purchase from an individual.

Good luck with the hunt.

 

Right, I should have mentioned I am in the Chicago suburbs. And I should have mentioned I will 99.9% not buy from a dealer for sure, and I would never purchase a car at auction. My plan is to buy from an individual like before.

 

I found my best prices in the local paper and at classicautotrader.com. I find the prices on the Corvette for sale websites to be a little inflated. The only chromies I've found in that price range that qualify as driver's did not have the original motors. That's just what I've noticed locally.

 

10k for a early C3 is very low.For that price you cannot expect much.

 

Yep, I realize that, which is why I have the earlier ones marked at a higher range. So far it sounds like my figures are at least in the ballpark...

 

more like.......

71-73: $14-$19k
74-76: $12-$16k
77-82: $10-$14k

 

In what condition of car were you thinking of with those prices?

 

I don't know where you guys are looking for prices, but my 75, according to ebay is worth 8-10k at best. I just searched completed items and 74, 75, 76's are not more than about 10 or 11k unless they are 74 or 75 verts. Those prices on other vette sites are way inflated. And see how long the cars have been on there. I'll take 14k for mine anytime and it has been all redone, no not frame off. It didn't need it.

 

That is why I asked, because I have been watching eBay pretty closely - and the key is not to watch the current bid, but to "watch item" in your account, so you can see what the car CLOSES at.

In other words, I can see a list of all the vettes that don't sell because the price is too hight and the reserve is not met.

There seems to be a pretty good percentage of vettes that re-list at a lower price because they shoot too high - you see the bids top out and just stop.

I've seen plenty of vettes selling for 8-10k, some fairly nice ones too - ones that I would not mind owning assuming all the data the seller made was legit. I do think the 70-73's are selling at a higher premium than the later years, but that is to be expected.

Look at this 4-speed 77:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT

Topped out at 9,250 - that's a pretty nice car although I am not partial to the color.

here's a nice 75 that went for $6,100

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT

Sure, it's not a trailer queen or a hot rod, but hey it's a decent vette. That's the kind of car I'm looking for.

So I do think while the cars are getting more popular - that these "big money" buyers are going after the cream of the crop - and that leaves a LOT of other cars out there that can be had.

At least, that's what I'm seeing so far