I know this is a hard question to "nail down" with an actual price so I'm just looking for some guidance here... a ballpark price...

I'm looking for a 68-69 tri-power restoration project and I'm having a bit of a time trying to figure out what certain cars are worth because to be honest a lot of the cars for sale are already restored or claim to be "restored". Rather than ask all your advice on the various models I'll just concentrate on two that are on the higher end and then I'll try and work my way down on my own.

So here goes... A typical no options but complete 69 L71 or L89 4spd convert with what appears to be the original engine and one or two pieces of original documentation to verify that it is in fact a L71 or L89. A good frame and body with no major collision history, in running condition but needing a full restoration. What do you think something like this would be worth?

I figure that if I start at the "upper end" that I should be able to get a better idea of the MOST that I should have to spend for a tri-power convert.

Any advice/thoughts are greatly appreciated!

 

just a guesstimate
68-69 tri power vert matching # with documentation needing a resto
$25,000 - $30,000 area

 

Running or not running?

I'd say $40K even...

 

Go to the NADA site.
Low is $19K, high is $90K.
Yep, that's a pretty big range!

 

40K for a tri-power car with supposed docs needing full resto? I must be out of touch on the value of these cars. I would think 20-25K would be more in line, if you consider the cost to do a full restoration on one can easily exceed 30K. JMHO.

 

Thanks so far guys, you're really helping me a lot!

I guess asking and getting are two different things So if a L71 like I described is in say the 25k-35k range what kind of a price difference would you expect to see if it was an L89...5k,10k,15k...??? Or would there even be much difference?

 

There is almost a zero chance of finding a Tri Power for $30K or under. It is even rare to find a 390 near this price. I'd answer your question by saying I'd feel good going to $35-40 if the restoration was reasonable.
Randy

 

I remember one for sale on here not too long ago,a 69 427 tripower coupe for 25k.

 

For your consideration: there may not be any of these.
You are likely to be looking a long, long time for a tri-power car which a previous owner hasn't already gone through. With all respect, if the car you describe is out there, it probably has Survivor status.

 

A 69 roadster went for $87k at B-J Palm Beach last month (#660.1). I believe that includes B-J's cut so say it went for $75k. I saw the car, a low optioned L71 that had been restored to a clean but by no means perfect condition. I'd give it a 2 maybe a 2+. So depending on the 'value' of your restoration, you can derive a value. Paint, interior and cosmetics, it may be 'worth' $30k-$35k. Add mechanical issues and start subtracting. L89 aluminum heads will add 25%-35% just because there are so few out there. Unfortunately, as some of the others have said, it's hard to find anything with a 427 for under $30k. Finally, there was a post a week or two ago with a C3 price guide from one of the Corvette publications. You may want to find it as it had each year's values broken down by coupe/roadster and drive train config. Hope this helps.

 

I once looked at an unrestored 68 vert 427 tri-power 4 speed with build sheet,hard top,etc....they were asking $25 K....some ***** had painted marroon over the original Le Mans blue....engine was stroked to 460 Hp complete with engine dyno sheet...I passed and bought a 69 502 complete frame off for about same $$$....
Good luck finding an original for less than $30 K...

Rich

 

Thanks again guys for all your comments. For what it's worth I really don't expect to find a restorable L71 convert for under 30k but I do know of some that have recently sold in the mid 20k range...just a matter of being in the right place at the right time. I don't have the contacts to come across these deals so I'm expecting to have to pay market value which is fine by me....I just don't want to get taken to the cleaners though. There was actually a L68 in Hemming at a dealer for a few issues and the asking price was 30k. The car needed full resto but it looked like it was all there and correct so they are out there.

So from what I'm learning here I should be able to pick up a GOOD restorable L71 convert for around 35k that has most or all of the big dollar, 427 specific parts still on it, hood, air cleaner, carbs, etc.

Lets assume that this same typical car was an L89....then what would it be worth...

Yes I have found an L89 convert that needs it all but is missing some very expensive 427 specific parts like the hood, air cleaner, ignition shielding, and smog system but he is asking way over the NADA and Corvette Magazine value guides and I'm just trying to figure out if he is trying to take me because he knows that I want it or if it really is worth his asking price. If he is out to lunch then I'll forget about it and continue with my L71 search now that I have a better idea of what I should have to pay.

If someone wants to PM me to discuss this L89 further I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks

 

I'm no expert,but heres a few things to consider.

Production numbers for the 68' L89 shows only 624 cars made....even less for the 69' L89,at 390 cars total...so,I would expect any body selling one will want 30% to 40% more than the same L71,just because the only Vette with less production numbers is the L88.

Just my opinion,but I wouldn't expect to find a complete documented project car for less than 40 to 50 thousand,unless ya find some one that doen't know what they have.

An intersting fact on the L68 cars,is they produced about 1000 less than the L71's....but I can't ever see them bringing more money than the 435 hp cars.


Tom

 

What is the asking price for the L89?

 

Well he doesn't have an asking price...he is taking offers. He knows my max budget is 50k but realisicaly there is around 5k worth of parts missing so I offered 40k. Then he said that he would like to get 50k. So at this point I don't know if he really wants 50k or if he thinks I'll pay 50k just because it's in my budget. At any rate I think the car is worth 40-45 IF it was complete...maybe a little more because, well, L89 aside, it looks to be a good solid car for a restoration. So with having to add another 5k in parts to complete it I felt that 40k was quite reasonable.

FYI, The car needs FULL restoration but it is road worthy, the frame is nice and the body looks good with only a very minor bump on the nose at one time way back and no other major glass work obvious. Other than that it is a plane jane, typical low options 435hp convert.

tcl71 you brought up a good point about the lower L68 production numbers and how they won't likely ever be more expensive that the L71. I agree with you 100% on that so I don't really look a low numbers as being a reason for increased value and this holds true for the L89 because after all it is still really just an 435hp engine with aluminum heads. I guess the real question that I need to ask myself is how bad do I want the lighter version of the L71?

 

This is just my opinion,but @50k and another 5k for missing parts.....sounds like a lot of money for a project car,that still needs restored.Of course the aluminum heads and L89 papers make it sound more interesting......but for the extra 25k,you could restore a L71 and buy some 842 aluminum heads,and probably still have less than 50k in the whole completed project.

just my two cents

BTW
I'm watching a silver 68'L89 coupe on ebay starting at 50k,should be interesting to see what it brings....or if it even sells.


Tom

 

A loaded L-68 may bring more than a basic L-71 since no L-71s came with AC. Even though it's NOM, my 69 L-68 coupe has PS, PW, AC, rear defogger, etc. They are much rarer than the L-71s and may eventually bring more. This is IMO and purely speculative...

 

Randy they are indeed out there. I just picked up a 435 last year for <$30K and it had a tank sticker!