I have a 1982 Corvette that I just don't think I can keep any longer. I love the car, but I am a pilot in the Army and just don't have time for it right now, especially with deployments and what not. I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on how much I might be able to sell it for. I have tried my best to look at what other 1982's are going for, but can't find any with the mods I have. I would love to be able to use what I sell it for to put toward a C5 that requires less time and care. The car has the following -

388 stroker (350 with 400 crank bored .60 over) with roller cam professionally built and installed. Never been dyno'd but it is estimated at 400HP and 450Ft/lbs TQ. Engine was installed 4 months ago and has less than 1,000 miles.

650 CFM Holley 4 Barrel Spreadbore Carb - The crossfire system and computer have been removed

Professionally built newer model (30 spline) 700R-4 built to hold 500 HP/TQ. Transmission was installed 4 months ago and has less than 1,000 miles.

Heddman Headers with 2.5" true dual exhaust with dual flowmasters

Converted to mechanical fuel pump

New starter, belts, hoses, plugs wires, cap and rotor etc

The interior is gray cloth not leather, I don't believe it is original. the seats are a little dirty the dash pad is a little worn. Overall the interior is in fair condition. It was painted the original black a few years ago, but the paint has begun to crack on the seam between the rear end cap and the body, but is overall in good condition and shiny. The headlights don't pop up (they must be moved manually) The power locks dont work, the ac doesnt work, and the driver window is slightly out of track. Can anyone please help me with a rough estimate of what it is worth. Thank you in advance.

 

I'm not really sure what corvettes are worth, especially the later models. It sounds like you have put too much time and work into your car to sell it. Your gonna end up loosing a lot of money by selling the car and buying another. I think you should keep what you created and enjoy it. You may reget selling it in the future. Plus everyone has c5's.

My prayers are with you as your flying. God bless and thanks for keeping all of America a safer place.

 

Thank you for the kind words addballer696. I have put a lot of time and work into the car, and would love to keep it. I am still deciding whether or not I am going to sell it, but it just does not seem feasible right now with everything I have going on. If I am going to own a Corvette right now it needs to be something that requires nothing more than an oil change and tires rotated, which is why I would get a C5. When I get out of the Army I'm sure I will get another C3 to enjoy.

 

Your 82 is very difficult to price - mostly because its hotrodded. A lot of guyslike an original 82 because its a great looking vette thats relatively inexpensive, and also a transition car- the last and arguably most "refined" C3, but the first since the mid 60's, with a fuel injected engine. The "NCRS" guys may not be very interested with your modified engine in a car that also needs some TLC. On the otherhand, hot rod guys may be very interested in your engine, but there may be less of them, or they're less inclined to only consider buying a vette.. I personnally side withe the hotrodders for most late 70's- early 80's C3's- the perfect car to drop a big motor into, and give it the power that Zora intended. But I'm almost sure that you will never get back the significant amount of money that you obviously put into the engine and drivetrain on your 82. Hotrodders always want a deal on a unique car. . and they can usually find it in this market.. You can check out the prices of similar near stock or modified vettes in the " for sale" section, or your local newspapers. You'll prbably find prices ranging from about $8K- $22K. A really big spred. If you've lost the love for the vette and really want to sell it quickly, then you're gonna have to price it low- maybe $12K- $16K, and ber wlling to negotiate when an interested buyer comes along. My 2 cents.... BTW, the C5 is an excellent and reliable vette... and you don't even rotate the 17" and 18" tires- but ya gotta spring for the pricey synthetic oil. Thanks for your service. Jim

 

Keep the car IMO, I think you are trying to sell it at the worst possible time for your year. If you sell now for the low price these are selling for in 2 or 3 years I think you will have to spring 30-40 percent more for the same car.

 

Thanks RIJVETTES, I know it is a tough car to price, which is why I was looking for some advice and input from everyone here. I have not lost the love for the vette, just mostly the time. I need to focus on flying right now and I don't have the time for the continuous research on parts and systems of the car, and all of the work a C3 takes. A C5 that I can keep in the garage during the week, take out for a drive on the weekends, and change the oil every 3,000 miles is about all I have the time for. I just honestly have no idea what I should be asking, or could get for the car. Admittedly it still needs some work and TLC, but it is very driveable and really an awesome machine with that strong 388 stroker. I was thinking the same thing as you about late 70's early 80's C3's when I bought it. I wouldn't dare mod a chrome bumper C3 like I did my 82. If anyone has any ideas of what this car might sell for please chime in. Thank you.

 

I have a 78 modified car, it has what you have, but a 383 stroker and 5 spd Tremec manual transmission. I hate to admit it, but I have to agree with the above that you will never get your money out of it. I paid $14k for mine in great shape, but have invested over $18k in engine/trans/suspension/interior. I like the 80-82 1/2 vettes- they have the most spoilers and look great. They will start to gain value soon like the pre74 vettes, but not in the time you need. If I were in the market for your car, I would offer $15k, just because there would be other things I would want to update or add. -DDBS

 

The car is only worth what someone is willing to pay.

If you really intend to sell it, you should decide on your target price (a number that you think is fair) and place an add here on the forum with O.B.O next to it. You'll get a good idea of what it's worth by the offers you get. Another option is e-bay- set the reserve at the minimum you'd be willing to accept and let the bidding begin. If you can, fix those few problems (window track/ power windows and lights) the car will be much more attractive. A modified is hard to sell; a modified with problems even harder.

Unfortunately, as others have said, it's likely to sell for significantly less than you invested. My guess, btwn $9k-$15k depending on who's in the market these days.

Good Luck!

 

If your prediction of 30-40% appreciation in 2-3 years is correct, we should all liquidate our IRA's/ 401K's and just buy late c3's!!

 

Yah I know what you mean daddybugs, I will never get back all that I put into it, so I want to stop putting money into it. But seriously, I had my fun working on the car while I am young, and now it's time I get something that isn't so time consuming and costly. That is until I retire, then it's right back to working on old Corvettes!

 

I was thinking the same about the car eventually appreciating, maybe not 30%-40% in 2-3 years, but I bet in 10 years they will. I am not in a hurry to sell my vette, but I don't want to wait that long. I have a chance of either deploying or going to Korea in about 5 months and would like to sell it by then. Anyone else have any input on what it might be worth? Thanks

 

I might be interested in a partial trade plus $$$. Not too far from each other either. I'm in Panama City. Check out my car. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2123676

 

You need to understand that the modifications are deductions on the value. This is not a case of the "NCRS guys" saying one thing and the "hot rodders" saying another. The fact is, if the hot rodders have the slightest clue about what they are doing, they will make the same deductions for the mods like anyone else would, whether they like the changes or not, because that's the market.

It comes down to how patient you need to be. Right now is an awful time to sell anyway, but there is always, always that newbie that doesn't know the market and just buys a Corvette because he likes the color and can get it financed. Just look at the first-time buyers who post on the C3 forum... it's incredible the mistakes they make. The rest of the buyers are pretty savvy and will beat you up on the mods.

Talking numbers, if I had the car and someone offered 15 like one of the above posters, I'd buy him a six pack and get him to sign the check before he changed his mind.

 

PM Sent BADMFR

 

I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with that one. I don't think anyone in their right mind can possibly say a completely stock 1982 non collectors edition is worth more than a 1982 with a NEW 388 stroker (instead of the stock 200 HP smog restricted crossfire motor) and NEW 700R-4 (instead of the worthless 27 spline stock 700r). We aren't talking about a numbers matching chrome bumper 1972 LT-1 here. The late 70's early 80's C3's are the best vettes to hotrod in my opinion.