My father turned over his 77 to me. He special ordered it when I was 6, so its been in the family since the beginning.

I know this is subjective, but just looking for a range.

1977 L48 A/C (works)/PS, PW, Auto, Coupe (t-tops, don't leak).
58k miles. Garage kept its whole life, no accidents.
One crack (2in X 3in) on the rear RH fender (I hit it with my bike as a kid.) Paint is good, but you can see the Fiber Glass joint over the front RH fender. In pictures it looks close to perfect.

Runs perfect, starts right up, its even passed CA smog check first try.
Doesn't drip a SINGLE fluid from anywhere.

Original radio (no 8-track, sorry ABBA fans.)

One mod, a power antenna in-place of the stock one.
Front Brakes completely replaced (with SS sleeves).
Complete suspension rebuild (minus the rear leaf spring).

Interior could use carpets and interior door panels, seats are faded a bit (on the cloth part) but NO rips are tears.

Like I said just a range, I am trying to decided whether it would be worth selling given the years of memories.

Additionally, would replacing the interior myself pay me back in a sale, or should I just let her go as is? I'll try and get some pics online soon.

Thanks for the help my brothas!

 

When your selling a car first impression means everything.

If you replaced the interior you have to shell out ~$1500 worst case...... NOTE - I said worst case. A nice interior goes a long way, plus the excellent mechanical condition you mention means a lot. The bodywork is the downfall as fixing seams and your bike dent could be deemed expensive to a potential buyer.

I believe any mechanically sound Corvette is worth 12 - 16k price range. Then again when I look at these cars I take the sellers price and start deducting what's wrong and reduce the price in my head on what it takes to fix it. But that is the "what it is worth" price in my head.

I too own a family owned (since new) 77 corvette. I will never sell it due to sentimental reasons. I do believe however that I will never get anything more than 16k for it in a good economy and all fixed up.

There are a lot of dudes with mid-life crisis syndrome who just want a nice running, nice looking ride. I believe this is the target market that most buyers will be in.

Considering you said your Dad said he turned the car over to you, anything you get for the car will be profit for you. The interior replacement is a small investment in the car that I believe you will gain back in price. In other words it is worth it in my book.

This is all subjective and opinion on my part. That is what you asked for. It is possible I could walk up to your car and see something that makes it worth 10k or see something to make it worth 15k. I also did not make any "Plastic bumper" comments or any crap like that.

Good luck! Look forward to some pictures!

Rd

 

rdrunnur makes some good points, but I would have to go a little less on the value of the car. My '77 is in what I would consider "very good" condition, and I don't think I could get 15K for it. I think you could sell the car "as is" in a short amount of time for between 7,500 and 10K. Redo the interior and fix the dings you described and you might go 12-13K. I base these prices on what Vettes are selling for here in central Mississippi. May be a whole different ballgame where you're located. Good luck.
KC

 

Regardless of whether you decide to sell or to keep, collect all the paperwork you can find on her. You have a one-owner, unmolested '77.

Good luck.

 

Ok...this is just my opinion, and I do not mean to infer any disrespect, so please do not take what I am about to say as a slam on you...just an opinion.

You say your Dad turned over his 1977 Corvette that he ordered when you were 6. He has kept it and cared for it all it's life.

This would lead me to believe the true value of this car is in the fact that it was your Fathers, and he has chosen to pass it down to you to enjoy, as he has for the past 32 years.

If you have no desire to keep this car, and you just look at it as "How much money can I get for it?" ,my opinion would be for you to turn it back over to him, saying:

"Thank You Dad, but I have no interest in it, so I am giving it back to you."

Tell him he should sell it and use the money to take a vacation, put it in the bank for a rainy day, or just treat himself to something nice.

Again...I do not know you. And I do not have the right, or the intentions of passing judgement on whatever you decide to do.

This is just my opinion on "What it's worth".

 

Unless dad already said to go ahead and sell it and keep the money.

 

with above, it's a 1-owner car. If you don't want it, give it back to him.

As far as a value, it's an L48 Auto thus not an L82 4-sp so that devalues it some. It's a buyers market right now. I think you'd be hard pressed to get $10k for it right now. Also, bear in mind '77 has several 1-year only parts so the interior may not be as inexpensive as other years surrounding it. I'd sell it as is, but wait a year-if you don't give it back.

 

The fact that's its a one owner car makes it more attractive than your average '77, (how much paper is there?) but estimates in the mid-teens are way out of line. It's still an entry level car regardless.

I would think this car would have more value to you personally than anyone else, but it doesn't sound like that's the case. If you are set on flipping it, $10k might be very high end on this thing.

 

Great feedback, thanks so much!

Yep, I have EVERY piece of paper for this car (down to its first oil change), even the owner's manual and moroney sticker.

Regarding the reasons for selling, they are fairly private and I am understating the love and memories I have for this car. [It was the very first car I ever drove. I went to the prom in it, married that same girl 5 years later - it was the getaway car.] I have always wanted it. My father got a 50th anniversary and needed garage space and told me to do what ever I want with it (he wants a percentage if I sell though I've had it for 5 years now and frankly need some cash. Like I said, just trying to see whether it is worth it to sell. 10k is not, so my question is answered.

Anyway, you know what's it like when you start restoring... it makes it that much harder to let er go. I just ordered door panels and carpets (and of course ANOTHER master cylinder).

Thanks again all!

 

Hi again smitsc05

I just want to re-state some of the things I said. I was not intending to "slam" you...nor would I judge you on whatever decision you make.

I can see by what you wrote the car really means something to you...but...priorities and responsibilities come before anything. We all have to make tough decisions...and I hope circumstances fall into place that will allow you to keep your wonderfull piece of family history.

Have a great day!

And (thinking positively) good luck on the restoration!

Bobby

 

I don't think it's worth selling. The family history alone would be plenty enough reason to keep her. And all the paperwork. Pretty much untouched. That's special. If you have kids you could hand it down to them someday.

 

I am not a C3 owner, although I intend on bing one next year so My opinion is not worth much. But to me with the history of this car alone I would be willing to pay more than I would on one that has had several owners. This vette to me would seem that it was well taken care of and that is a huge selling point to me when I go to purchase one. With that said I would also prefer the repairs were completed and then I wouldn't hesitate to pay market price and possibly a little more for a particular vette like this.

 

Hey Bobby, I took NO offense and didn't think you were judging, what you said was right on the nose. It is a wonderful piece of family history (unless you talk to my wife and I am just testing the waters for a potential sale if I can't pull the cash together. I have a Ducati to sell too, and I am sure that will go quickly and might cover most of what I need.

Thanks for saying what you really think. (I don't get much of that here in CA.)

 

First, let me say, Thank You for serving Sir.

My father is a retired (I know they never retire) Marine. I'll PM you my info, maybe most of the repairs will be completed when you are ready.

I'll take the Marine Air Wings off the dash before I take pics.

 

Maybe not today, maybe not tomorow, maybe not for a while, but soon, and then for the rest of your life, you will regret selling your (Dad's) Vette. My first car was a '67 Rally Sport Camaro. Damn I wish I had that car still. It's gonna cost me $20 Grand to replace it now. I learned my lesson though, I still have my first new car, my '79 Vette.
Bee Jay

 

all I have of my Dad's are a couple of tools with his name engraved from when he worked at the Watertown Arsenal. Your Dad obviously cherished this car for 30+ years. Even if I could get a hold of one of his (my Dad) old 'beach wagons' I'd be all over it.

at least drive it for a while. you'll be able 'be just like Dad'