Here is my $.02. Let's assume you have an all-original numbers-matching car. If you remove and store all of the original parts and do nothing but bolt-on modifications how can you hurt the collector value of the car? When it comes time to sell, you either sell the car as is and include all of the original parts, or remove the mods, sell them seperately, and sell the car with the original parts.

I'm putting a LS1/T56 into a 72 and so far I've had to drill 3 holes and I'll have to cut a 2X2" hole and a 1" hole in the fiberglass but other than that everything just bolts in.

My advice is to have fun with the car and don't worry so much about funding your retirement with the Vette.



Rick B.

 

i agree with the last post, if you keep all bolt in, it dosn't really change anything as long as you can return to the way it was. I've got to ask something though.....

how can you improve on a 69 big block corvette? I know, i know, modern schmodern, but seriously dude, isn't the old school harshness and brutality of the original car cool enough? My 80 L-82 is a good looking car and quicker then anything else i've owned so far, but isn't what it should be nor will it ever be worth tons of money so I'm going to mod the heck out of it.

If i had 69 big block, I'd keep it stock, not becuase i'm into numbers matching or investments, but because it's a cool car from the factory. New motors, transmissions, interior, all that does is down play the experience of something like that. Think about it.
Buy a new vette to drive, cruise the 69 on weekends.

 

How long do you plan to keep it? If you do these mods, keep it for 10-15 years, I have to wonder if things will be different then.. Who knew in 1991 that you would have to pay a quarter million for a Hemi Cuda now? I think I would have bought every muscle car I could find if I knew that! In 10,15, or 20 years, We may really be driving some new hybrid/solar/cow crap powered cars, and our vettes may be worthless living room art. OR-They may be 3 million for a BB original, and your mod will only be worth 1.5 million! It is all a guess. It's your car. Make it what you want.

 

If I keep it stock, what about the 10.25 compression ratio and unleaded gas? What are other stock BB 390hp owners doing to avoid engine pinging?

 

1) You don't want a stock car. 2) The value of the '69 is higher "as is" than what it would be modded [as pieces, or as assembled]. 3) You like the '69 look. 4) You can buy modded '69s from much less money than your stock car. Sooooo....

Sell your stock '69 to someone who WANTS a stock car...use the money to buy a modded '69 with poor condition components that you are going to replace anyway, and DO YOUR THING!

 

If you want to modify a Corvette I would sugest selling what you have to someone who will restore it. Then purchase a less unique small block car that you can modify and even install a Big Block. You could find a car that will suit you interest that has been modified and all you would need to do is personalize it to your list.

 

Put some open chamber aluminum heads on your motor and drop the ratio to 9:1. Put a direct fit 5 speed into it to be able to beat a Toyota Echo on the freeway. BE HAPPY with you Corvette for what it is or, buy a C5/6/7 if you don't like to work on cars (but be prepared to not get any "nice car!" coments while driving your "belly button" Vette.) I don't understand why you would want to do a "electric headlight" conversion. THE FACTORY VACUUM SYSTEM WORKS FINE! and can be repaired using a factory shop manual. Dr Rebuild is the place to go for vacuum system parts and if you have the wiper door still in place, you wil need a vacuum system anyhow. I don't know of a good repair shop in Vegas but, I think the first thing you should do is to join a local Vette club and talk with other "vintage Vette" owners about who does decent work on you Vette if your not capable of doing it your self.

 

After not much sleep and a lot of soul searching, I have decided to do the following.

Around Christmas time or January 2008, I will list my Corvette as a basket case (all in pieces) for Sale. However, I don't want to give it away; but I am not sure what it is worth. I am guessing that it should be somewhere around $15k to $30k. Please don't laugh at me. I would not pay that kind of money for a car that needs to be completely rebuilt (frame off), engine, paint, interior, etc....

Here's how I figured the ball park value:

69 Cpe SBC Project Car (OE Engine): $10k (CA & NV car 70k miles)
Convert w/Hard Top Premium: $5K - $10K
BB 390hp Premium: $15k - $25k
TOTAL Value: $30k - $45

Deduct: - $15k because of the status of the car

Net Value: $15k - $30k Looks to me like $20k

Sanity Check: I got a ball park estimate from a Corvette Restoration specialist for $40k to $50k.

For someone who did not want to get their hands dirty, they could have a Restored 69 BB 390hp Convertible/Hardtop for ($20k+$40k or $20k+$50k) $60k - $70k.

Which sounds reasonable????

Please let me know if this is way out of line; or if it is reasonable. If so, I will make an inventory and take lots of pictures before I list it.

PLS. Don't suggest I give the car away. If I can not sell it for a reasonable amount, I will make the car available to Corvette Restoration companies; or do a Non Stock Restoration myself.

Thanks for everyone's input and I do understand the various point of views.

If I can get $20k for it, I will sell it and look for something else to play with.

 

You have to ge these big numbers out of your head.
$25000 will buy one already togather.

 

100%

 

I have looked at several Corvette For Sale websites and all of the $25k 69s are not OE motors or BB verts w/Hardtop. In effect they will never have the potential of becoming a Top Level NCRS restored Corvette.

Where the numbers below reflect a Top Level completely (frame-off) restoration.

2K-C5 said: Again, I would not pay this kind of money; but for the person wanting a car to restore, I am told in previous responses that this car has big $$$ potential.

Where I and previous responders might be wrong, is that because it is a basket case it is almost worthless.

 

I am certain that there are a lot of Corvette folks drooling at the possibility of buying all the parts of a great '69 [and then getting the joy of putting it all back together] for some reasonable $$$. If you get the right money, you'll make two people very happy (the buyer....and YOU).

 

It appears that you have done extensive research on the value. As this is a BBC Vert you just may find a buyer. Never know until you try. Then buy your Corvette to mod and have fun.

 

Here is another thought; maybe there is another steel bumper SBC Vert out there in same condition that the owner may want to trade with some cash in the deal for the BBC Vert. Just another thought

 

 

And the issue you describe is the direct result of the Holy Cult of the Matching Number scaring buyers away from modified cars.

 

I believe that 2K-C5 is on track; he wants a modified car and his current car is a number matching, restorable, big block vert. Someone wants that car for it's potential and it will sell at a fair price.

Like many on this forum I also believe that 2K-C5 can appreciate a Corvette that fits a person’s need and the preservation of all C-3's. That is why he has taken all the time and effort in making his decision. Otherwise he would have just gone on with this car as his mod project without any care.

We need more C-3 enthusiast like 2K-C5 and less of the non-numbers thumping and just throw the car away because it lost its matching engine.

I don't personal know 2K-C5 and this is just what I read in the thread.