Hello. Thinking of selling my 1980 Corvette in the fall or early spring. I've been checking Swap Sheet, Auto Trader, EBAy, and the prices vary wildly, so I thought I'd come to the experts. Just looking ballpark to see if I'm right. Here's the set-up: 1980 Corvette, white on burgundy, t-tops, L-82. New hood, paint is a 10 footer, actually very nice but not perfect. I suspect it was repainted at some point - still shiny and clean. Leather seats -backs are pristine, seats have some lines and small tears (is it worth it to have these repaired?) A/c works but needs recharge; clock doesn't work; everything else works great (power windows, locks, rear defrost, intermittent wipers, headlights, heat, cruise, etc,) Newer am/fm cd stereo with new rear speakers. I've literally poured $ into this over the winter and spring to get it up to snuff: NEW rear shocks, battery, starter, alternator, window motors, power lock motors, assorted wiring, relays, etc., distributor, fuel pump, blower motor, power steering hoses, radiator, hoses etc. Now for the big stuff: 71K miles -but a newly (150 miles) and professionally rebuilt original engine: 350 L-82 bored 30 over, new flat top pistons, new cam, new timing chain and gears, remilled heads, new valves, rockers, springs, pushrods (entire top and bottom end rebuild). Q-jet professionally rebuilt also. #'s match for block, heads, manifold, carb, tranny (all the big parts.) Underneath the car looks good -some surface rust but no rot or severe rusting anywhere. A few frame dents from where I place the jackstands to remove the engine, but that's it. Brakes are strong (I haven't touched those) and exhaust is fine. Tires are brand new. Passed New York State inspection. Runs strong, shifts smoothly (automatic), steers crisply. I'm probably leaving out something, but at least I've got most of it down. On a scale of 1-10 I'd give it a strong 7. What do you think? Again, NOT selling right now, just interested in finding out approximate value. Thanks in advance! JG700
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Need photos to give a good opinion.

 

I just bought a 1980 L-82 with 73,000 miles a few months ago where everything worked but the rear defroster, power locks, and cruise control. The car was basically all stock and in great shape aside from being repainted (repainted the correct color, there are a couple of blemishes though. No one seems to notice them until I point them out). The front bumper is a little warped. Original motor & tranny, not sure if the motor had been rebuilt or not, probably not since only 70k miles. I could tell the radiator, air compressor, and one of the headlight actuators had been replaced. I think that's pretty much it.

Was priced at $15k, I paid $12,500 after 3 days of haggling. I'm told the next day someone else who had looked at it earlier than me called back and offered $14k, but too bad for him and the seller

Anyway, that might help you find a starting point. You might just want to go have the car appraised, just make sure if you do that you find an appraiser who knows Corvettes. If you don't, they'll consider a lot of your mods and upgrades "repair" which doesn't add to the value. Someone who knows Corvettes will know the difference and price it accordingly.

Also, I don't know what the New York market is like, but I know in Florida if the A/C doesn't work you're going to get about $1,000 less for it than you would otherwise.

 

Actually, an appraiser who knows Corvettes will NOT add to the value for mods, which are worth essentially nothing, and are often a deduct. If you meant new stock-appearing parts, then they should add a little bit.

However, I would not go anywhere near an appraiser. The vast majority of those appraising Corvettes give appraisals that are not worth the paper they are printed on. They rarely know the Corvette market, and often add on for things like custom touches that hurt the car's value. Generally, "appraisers" simply make the appraisee (is that a word?) by writing down the number they want so they can give their insurance company an inflated value.

Get someone who actually knows Corvettes, someone who knows what to look for and understands the market. Find a local NCRS member, a local club member or at least someone who has owned that model Corvette before, so they know their way around the car.

Post some good pics of the car and you can get some limited help here.

 

The rust question comes to mind when you said "NYS Inspection passed". Is the frame and bird cage in good condition?

-Mark.

 

This guy knows what he is talking about.

 

vettebuyer, i would have to respectfully have to disagree with some of your points. i know that you know what your talking about, but, you and i are on different spectrums of the corvette world.

to make a blanket statement that any modifications to a corvette distracts from it's value is not entirely true. it all depends on the buyer. people like different things.

72 and older especially 67 and older your 99.9% correct. 73 and newer is a little different story. not all people in the corvette community are concerned if the carpet is vacuumed in the "correct" direction.

as you know, the price difference between a 67 and an 80 is enormous. 73 and newer are not nearly as prized in the corvette world as their older brothers. so, some modification can add to the value. nice paint, some nice aftermarket wheels and a little more power can add value easily.

a classic vehicle appraiser needs to know ALL markets to be efficient. not just the restoration crowd

 

Seriously....theres a "correct" direction to vacuum the carpet??? You've got to be kidding, right?

 

FWIW: why not wait until you're ready to sell? Summer prices may not be the same you could expect in the fall or winter, or next year.

 

yes, just over emphasizing the point that not everyone is concerned about every little part being numbers matching.

 

Is $11900 too much? Too little? The prices on these things vary so wildly its hard to know.

 

I just bought a very nice 1981 with new factory correct paint, well optioned, everything works, 76,000 miles, great origninal interior and even has new tires for $8,800 a couple of months ago. Problem is that there are deals out there if some one is willing to look and it's easy to over price your car.

I looked at many cars for $10K and less that were very nice. I also looked at many more for more than $10K that were nicer, just depends on the buyer and what he is looking for.

Good Luck!

 

Not all Corvette owners need or want an NCRS car, some upgrades to the C3 are justified.

 

"Corvette" magazine does an annual re-appraisal of the value of all Corvettes - get a copy!

 

I'd have to agree with vettebuyer on this one. Although a modified car is worth more based on the sum of its parts, and it is certainly worth more to the owner or if you can find the special person out there that likes all the custom parts/mods that has been done, they typically detract from the value of the vehicle. That said, this car sounds like it will appear stock and won't have any of these issues. I suppose that if the appraiser/interested buyer would pull the head off the motor and bring a micrometer with them, they could notice a difference. There is certainly a better market for a "un-fooled-around-with" car. A warmed over rebuild of an original motor is not going to hurt value. Now if he said "it has a nice mural of "dogs playing poker" on the hood....

 

 

I finally figured out how to post photos (see above!) Tell me what you think.

 

Looks good! and the engine compartment has that "not fooled around with" look. I'd say it's a good investment and a good looking fun ride!

 

I looked the car pix over and it does look like a nice one. There are some things about the car that seem curious. The tach does not match the car for one reason or another. The L-82 tach should have a higher redline and have "L-82" written on the face of the tach at the bottom.

If the VIN has a "6" as the 5th digit, you have an L-82 car. If the 5th digit is an "8" the car was originaly an L-48 engined car.

The engine compartment looks stock but the air cleaner lid is usualy black in color for that year and model. Not a big deal but it is odd. It may have been changed out or? I also own that year and model and have the same chrome lid on mine. I think it looks better that way. This alone should not affect value in any way.

Maybe you can look that VIN over and check the digits. This will make a difference to a potential buyer in many cases.

-Mark.

 

Your 1980 is worth whatever someone want's to pay for it.

You could be asking $20,000 for it, but if your best offer is $15,000 and you agree to sell, than that is what it is worth (to you). The next day, somebody offers you $21,000 after you put the "SOLD" sign on it. Is it worth $15,000 or $21,000?

My .02