I know we all have prejudices, see which C3 is best, but that aside, are there guidelines? If a 70 coupe, is xx,xxx, what does the presence or absence of options do?
Is a vert always a plus, if so +?
Is auto always a deduct, -?
BB is +, but how much?
AC, PB, etc?
Is originality valued over a nice restoration? How much?
Is a mod always a deduct, regardless of the quality of the work?
Please expand as needed, I've been looking at bumper cars and I cannot detect any pattern yet.
David

 

What do you mean, no pattern?

Do you see any patterns in Real Estate?

Beachfront property C-3

69 ZL-1 (2)
pedigreed L-88 racers (15)
certain L-88 cars (20)
ZR-2's (?)
L-88's (?)
LS-6 71's (188?)
L-89's
L-68 A/C convertibles
REAL L-71's (actually quite rare)
LT-1 AC's
L-68's
LT-1's
68-69 big blocks ect..
70-72 454 cars
69-68 small block 350 hp 4 speed verts...

But really most of the things you are asking don't matter or apply.

A 70 coupe can't become a vert so it doesn't add dollars to make it one. A convert is worth more, unless the car is so rare it does not matter. An auto car depending on engine is a plus or minus. Auto in a 71 350 coupe, well it doesn't really affect it too bad, the car isn't that much variance at either end. How bout a 69 L-88 or L-71 Auto? Rare, so add... A nice restoration costs 60,000 plus the car. Its valued at 50 cents on the dollar. An original car can be very expensive if it has the right options...An original Impala is rather plain...

Generally a mod is always a deduction, but that only applies if the car is maintained in otherwise original condition...except. One of my cars has a Richmond 6 speed instead of an M-22. The M-22 costs a lot less. Would I let it go for less than the price of the car with an M-22, well only if I keep the trans...

 

I would pick a t-top, SBC, auto over the opposite.
I don't like green or 235/60 tires.
I had a 73 and don't like them, they lost the removable back glass and turned into half 72 half 74, and is too hard to explain why its the way it is!
I like 69/70, 79/80s, and while owning this 77 Im seeing my way to liking this year also!
Now there are people out there that have an ichy left leg that always has to be stomping on something or folding down the top at the country buffet, thats them!

 

I'd say whatever you want should be worth the most. Personally, that's my only guideline or rule. I wouldn't mind a BB '69 vert, but I'd rather have a custom 73-75 with most of the lines filled in, door locks and ant. shaved, etc. I would do this with my '77 but I don't want to deal with CA smog. I could care less about the original this or that.

 

Rule no.1.....