What's wrong with the C3's
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Easton CT
What's wrong with the C3's
I've been watching the car auctions and dealer prices on C2 and C3 Vettes. Compared to a chrome bumper C3, a 67 that is mechanically equivalent will sell for about twice as much money. That's with almost exactly the same engine, tranny, suspension, brakes, etc. etc. The only thing that is different is the styling. And I like the C3 styling better, myself. TWICE the price!
I was driving around with my wife in my 69 and she commented about how much nicer it was than my 62. But she said she still likes the looks of the 62 better. Maybe that's it. The C3 is too modern looking. If you look at the C2's (and especially the C1's) they are kind of odd-looking. Nice, somehow, but odd.
Anyway, it's a good deal as far as I'm concerned since I get a great car at not such a ridiculous price.
I was driving around with my wife in my 69 and she commented about how much nicer it was than my 62. But she said she still likes the looks of the 62 better. Maybe that's it. The C3 is too modern looking. If you look at the C2's (and especially the C1's) they are kind of odd-looking. Nice, somehow, but odd.
Anyway, it's a good deal as far as I'm concerned since I get a great car at not such a ridiculous price.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Taylor Michigan
Whats Wrong!
I would give a lot of credit to that statement because of the enormous quantity that was built. Probably should have made a better change than those little ones every year and divided them as 68-72, 73-77, and 78-82. With well over a 1/2 million made there are way too many left, especially the later ones. The more there are, the easier to obtain. Plus there newer with less damages on most of them. Net result, lower overall prices. In fact just by word usage they are unofficially being classified to almost what I suggested by buyers and sellers using the words such as "Chrome bumpers" for some Vettes. But they all had chrome bumpers front and rear until the 73`s
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 707
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From: Pitman NJ
There's nothing 'wrong' with them. It's just supply and demand. There is much more supply of C3's, then the C2's.
I would get a c2 if I could afford one... so in some way, that creates more demand, and make them more expensive.
I would get a c2 if I could afford one... so in some way, that creates more demand, and make them more expensive.
Race Director
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From: Salt Lake City Utah
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Who on this forum doesn't lust for a 67 427 car? I sure do, but that will have to wait. It's amusing, if you look at the C4 forum they have many threads trying to compare the C4s to the C3s, they can't see why C3s have more value than C4s, it's the same argument. I don't know about late C3s, but before long the early C3 big block cars will be the ones everyone in the C4 forum is lusting after
I have one of each, I'll still hang onto the C3 long after I swap out the C4.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Lawrenceville GA
There were more C2's built than were 68-72 C3's. In fact, when the 68's were finally released, it was a smash hit and you couldn't even get one unless you knew someone. Factory orders were packed and many people waited until 69 to get their new C3. The 68 immediately dated all C2's. You could buy a C2 vette for next to nothing from that point forward through the 70's & 80's. The C1's suffered even worse and their value didn't rise a whole lot until just the last 8-10 years.
The early C3's will find there way back some day. I've been buying old original 69 parts for years. Now it's getting very expensive and much harder to find. Hard to find parts like an original date coded BB altenator might fetch up to $1500, date coded BB carburetor $1200. I lost an Ebay auction on a date coded BB AIR pump at $650 and that was 2 years ago. Last week I bought 2 NOS heater hoses (with ribs) at $125 ea. with NOS clamps $15 ea. Based on parts trends, my prediction is the early BB C3 will zoom in the next 5 years with a better economy.
Jeff
The early C3's will find there way back some day. I've been buying old original 69 parts for years. Now it's getting very expensive and much harder to find. Hard to find parts like an original date coded BB altenator might fetch up to $1500, date coded BB carburetor $1200. I lost an Ebay auction on a date coded BB AIR pump at $650 and that was 2 years ago. Last week I bought 2 NOS heater hoses (with ribs) at $125 ea. with NOS clamps $15 ea. Based on parts trends, my prediction is the early BB C3 will zoom in the next 5 years with a better economy.
Jeff
Last edited by selectgear; Apr 5, 2009 at 09:46 AM.
Race Director
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When I bought my '76 new I paid $8100. At that time you could pick up a '67 BB Coupe in great shape for $3000 or less..............
So I could of picked up about three C2s for what I paid.....
Damn..............
So I could of picked up about three C2s for what I paid.....
Damn..............
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From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
They're pretty, but 6,502 '78 PC's aren't exactly a rarity IMHO. I remember when they were brand new and many an unscrupulous dealer was attempting to sell them for upwards of $40K in 1978. How many speculator types bought into the hype at such inflated prices are still waiting for the big pay off? It may be possible that even a museum quality, low-miles trailer queen PC would be worth more parted out on the open market...
As for C2 values generally being higher than C3's, another factor may be that many of those buying C2's to recapture their youth don't have as long to do so. Not being cold, just doing the math; I've got an appointment with the same fate some day.
TSW
As for C2 values generally being higher than C3's, another factor may be that many of those buying C2's to recapture their youth don't have as long to do so. Not being cold, just doing the math; I've got an appointment with the same fate some day.
TSW
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From: Pace Florida
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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I prefer driving my 68 big block to either my 61 or my 65. It's a better driving car. Perception and myths often drive the market. Once the notion that 63-67's were superior to C3's was entrenched it's hard to change that. I think the later C3's (all due respect to those that own them) were a bit performance challenged and may have diminished C3's in many people's minds.
Last edited by capevettes; Apr 5, 2009 at 08:38 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Little Egg Harbor N.J.
I've wondered this very same thing and to expand on it even more I've also wondered why the Corvette, in some cases, is valued less than many of the muscle cars of the same era.
For my money the 1969 Corvette is the sexiest body style going; all of those flowing lines, the side gills and the chrome bumpers. When I see them selling for under $20k and then see a basic '68-'70 Nova selling for that much or more, just makes me wonder what the heck happened.
Back in their day the Corvette was king, every little kid drooled over them and they were pretty much top dog at GM. (Granted there were many muscle cars that could out muscle the 'Vette but, the Corvette was state of the art for its time).
Being that I currently own a '69 L46, I look forward to the day when these great looking cars start to get the respect that they are due.
For my money the 1969 Corvette is the sexiest body style going; all of those flowing lines, the side gills and the chrome bumpers. When I see them selling for under $20k and then see a basic '68-'70 Nova selling for that much or more, just makes me wonder what the heck happened.
Back in their day the Corvette was king, every little kid drooled over them and they were pretty much top dog at GM. (Granted there were many muscle cars that could out muscle the 'Vette but, the Corvette was state of the art for its time).
Being that I currently own a '69 L46, I look forward to the day when these great looking cars start to get the respect that they are due.
Melting Slicks
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From: Westminster Maryland
One of the biggest regrets in my life was passing on 2 cars at a local used lot in '81. One was a white '66 427 4 spd convertible for $8,800. The other (right beside it on the same lot) was a black '67 427 4 spd convertible for $10,000. Could have owned both for $18,000, now worth around $200k-$250K. Shoulda, coulda, woulda. 
However, I am completely entranced by the styling of the early C 3s. Even more than chrome bumpers, the square tail is the change that I was the most upset to see disappear. I love my '68!!
However, I am completely entranced by the styling of the early C 3s. Even more than chrome bumpers, the square tail is the change that I was the most upset to see disappear. I love my '68!!
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Pitman NJ
Actually, when I was looking for a car, I was glad that the later c3's were so reasonable. Other wise, I wouldn't have been able to afford one. These cars are the most bang for the buck that you can get.
Actually, c4's are in that catagory also... In the back of mind, I was even thinking about getting one a daily driver.
Actually, c4's are in that catagory also... In the back of mind, I was even thinking about getting one a daily driver.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Upstate South Carolina
I'd rather drive my 70 than my 65, but as pretty as the 70 is I think the midyear was one of the most beautiful cars ever produced and I can sit and look at the 65 like a piece of art.
When you include the late C3s (owned two and loved them both) it is logical why C2s and early C3s are more expensive. (power, looks, numbers made)
However, I agree 100% with the OP point. If you take a 68 or 69 car and compare it to an almost mechanically identical 67 the disparity in price seems to be too great. I think part of the reason is many people buy for looks (body style) more than engine. If they can't pay for a BB C2 instead of looking for a BB C3 they look for a SM C2.
When you include the late C3s (owned two and loved them both) it is logical why C2s and early C3s are more expensive. (power, looks, numbers made)
However, I agree 100% with the OP point. If you take a 68 or 69 car and compare it to an almost mechanically identical 67 the disparity in price seems to be too great. I think part of the reason is many people buy for looks (body style) more than engine. If they can't pay for a BB C2 instead of looking for a BB C3 they look for a SM C2.
Burning Brakes
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From: Native Californian CALIFORNIA
Army
C3's have a stigma created by the production years 68 - 82. Then coupled with that the low compression (unleaded fuel) change in 73 with a whopping 190hp. You could go 0 -60 in two hours.
But at the end of the day we know what we bought, we should enjoy driving them and a car is NOT an investment.
But at the end of the day we know what we bought, we should enjoy driving them and a car is NOT an investment.
Le Mans Master
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From: Gladstone MO
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It's a numbers game. Look a the prices on the C-4's and even C-5's. I looked at a 96 GranSport yesterday- 32k asking price with 30k miles, And that's 1 of 1000 of those built. That didn't even have any of the "not very often ordered" options. That same 32k will get you into a 69-70-71 BB car. Probably won't have all the creature comforts but it's a hoot to drive.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
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(rant on)
What really gets me are the prices of those sold at Barrett-Jackson auctions. Those seem more as a "gotta have it" bidding (or P'ing) war that drives the prices through the roof as if money was no object. There's lots of C2s and C3s available out there to buy with all type of engine/tranny/color configurations but because someone paid X number of dollars for a specific year and model then that sets the price for future sales of the same, or similar, car. Sure the more rare combination narrows down its availability, but are there really only a small number of BBs C3s available with a manual transmission? I think these people at B-J's auctions are off their rocker panels playing $33k+ for a C3 and $50K+ for a C2. Alas, if someone wants a car bad enough then they will pay what ever price they can afford. That's how this whole monkey business started - the highest bidder gets to drive it home.
(rant off)
What really gets me are the prices of those sold at Barrett-Jackson auctions. Those seem more as a "gotta have it" bidding (or P'ing) war that drives the prices through the roof as if money was no object. There's lots of C2s and C3s available out there to buy with all type of engine/tranny/color configurations but because someone paid X number of dollars for a specific year and model then that sets the price for future sales of the same, or similar, car. Sure the more rare combination narrows down its availability, but are there really only a small number of BBs C3s available with a manual transmission? I think these people at B-J's auctions are off their rocker panels playing $33k+ for a C3 and $50K+ for a C2. Alas, if someone wants a car bad enough then they will pay what ever price they can afford. That's how this whole monkey business started - the highest bidder gets to drive it home.
(rant off)
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Lawrenceville GA
Jeff
Last edited by selectgear; Apr 5, 2009 at 04:22 PM.
