Value Boosting Tips for C3 Restoration?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Value Boosting Tips for C3 Restoration?
Hello friends, I've had my C3 for over a year now, and its been a daily driver since I got it running again. I got the body from an older guy who'd been restoring it, but not making much progress. He claimed he'd found it in a junkyard, but I'm not sure why. The body panels were in GREAT shape for something dug out of the heap, the paint was still workable. So, I've put a new engine in the thing, an L31 small block with 60,000 on it that I had from a previous project. The odometer reads 63,000, but I can't say that it hasn't rolled over. I've got new shocks on the front, working on the shocks in the back. The transmission (a Turbo 350) shifts well, at least for a three speed.
I'll be honest, my plan is to eventually sell the car once I finish getting it back into shape. That includes fixing the headlight lifters and the carpeting. Its a mechanically sound car, a great daily driver, and with the new engine it's got around 20HP more than it did while getting 21mpg when I'm easy on it (that's about 5 more mpg that what I hear a normal 76 Vette got). My dream car is a 96 LT4 Vette, I'm working on that. What work would any of your recommend me do to maximize the value of what I have? I want to give my old buddy a new chance before I sell him. Thanks for the help, guys.
I'll be honest, my plan is to eventually sell the car once I finish getting it back into shape. That includes fixing the headlight lifters and the carpeting. Its a mechanically sound car, a great daily driver, and with the new engine it's got around 20HP more than it did while getting 21mpg when I'm easy on it (that's about 5 more mpg that what I hear a normal 76 Vette got). My dream car is a 96 LT4 Vette, I'm working on that. What work would any of your recommend me do to maximize the value of what I have? I want to give my old buddy a new chance before I sell him. Thanks for the help, guys.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Ah, right, I new I forgot something. Its a 76 Corvette, what I've been told is one of the most non-valuable models of the entire Corvette range. I disagree though, I've had more fun in that thing that in any other vehicle I've owned. I know that not having the original engine is not good for the value, I'm just wondering what impact this might have on this model year since its actually an improvement HP-wise over the original powertrain. What sort of price range does a 76 have anyways?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,352
Likes: 654
From: Tampa, Florida
My advice to is get a copy of the NCRS operations manual for your car and make sure everything works as it did from GM. Obviously somethings wont be possible like the smog system. Think of it this way, if you were buying a car would you more likely to buy one if everything worked correctly or if it didnt?
I am no way saying to do an NCRS resoration...jst saying to get everyting working.
Jim
I am no way saying to do an NCRS resoration...jst saying to get everyting working.
Jim
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 403
From: Nashville TN
St. Jude Donor '09
Ah, right, I new I forgot something. Its a 76 Corvette, what I've been told is one of the most non-valuable models of the entire Corvette range. I disagree though, I've had more fun in that thing that in any other vehicle I've owned. I know that not having the original engine is not good for the value, I'm just wondering what impact this might have on this model year since its actually an improvement HP-wise over the original powertrain. What sort of price range does a 76 have anyways?
) that I bought as a project car and would not have to worry about destroying a "collectable" as I modify it. Slap a big block or stroker motor in it, upgrade the suspenion, improve the brakes, install a killer stereo, put some performance gears in it, etc. It will just keep getting funner (sorry, that's a great country word) 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 872
Likes: 3
From: Cortlandt Manor New York
I would say just drive it and enjoy it. With a NOM and a junkyard body and the fact that it is a 76 it will never be worth much. At $4-5K you are better off driving it like you stole it for a while and then selling it. As long as you keep it in running condition it will probably not go down in price very much. Any money you put in it will not change its value as much as it would cost.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Thanks guys, all good advice. I was expecting somewhere in the 5-9 range, so that's no surprise. And I'm not exactly in a hurry to sell the thing, I'm bringing it up to my daily driver status, I was just checking if that was some cardinal sin or something I didn't know about. They are great models for entry, and you can do WACKY stuff to them with worry. Somewhere near me in NC there's a 74 with a 454 twin turbo and side exhausts, you couldn't do that to a 58 and sleep soundly.
Thanks for all your help, guys.
Thanks for all your help, guys.
