No crystal ball, but following the current market, and demographics of buyers, my sense is that the 70-72's will be steadily moving upward over the next 5years. In fact, I will go out on the limb here and suggest the following: 70 to go up 35% consistent with condition and originality; 71 will be at 27% and 72's at roughly 20%. These numbers assume matching #'s number 2 quality with less owners the better. Frame off's, although will pull larger numbers especially BB vert's also with 4sp and A/C. Lt1's will show much better.

Ok, I've said it now bring on the doubters

 

Darn it....I was hoping original (survivor candidates)55k mile BB verts 4sp and A/C would appreciate some too.

 

...........but I think BBCorv70 visions are unfortunately where we're headed......

Take a look around us at what's happening with all the things we grew up with. Ever go to an "Oldies Concert"? Do you see any young people? Maybe a handfull. What has the NSRA done with the pre'49 rule? Why?
I think the Corvette hobby is safe and will live on long after we're gone but it won't be as we know it today. The "rare" correct stuff will hold it's value just as the rare stuff from the Art Deco Era has held it's value till this day (Dusenbergs as an example) but I think the "driver" quality stuff could turn into "hot rods" like the Model As, '32-'34 Fords, the "fat fendered cars", and the '50s cars. While that might not be what we had in mind that may not be a bad thing. At the very least there will still be interest and value.

While we're at it how are we doing with "save the wave"?

 

Could be but if 90% of Corvettes being sold are advertised as being original I have to wonder if there will be enough vintage car buyers in the future who want correct originals and will pay the price. I think there are quite a few more C3s out there than Dusenbergs.. There may always be a market for antiques but probably not as much demand as there is today. The truly rare ones should hold value, many others may not..

The majority of less rare Corvettes may be regarded as material to modify, put in a modern drive train, etc. Can't imagine originality will matter much to this crowd.

It may take many years for this to happen. For many of us it may not matter if we're not around...

Bigger question is whether the younger generations will be interested in cars at all? I'm not sure the level of interest is what it used to be during the 50's, 60's and up..

 

That's what I'm trying to say. Thanks for bringing it back on topic.

 

Lets really get hypothetical...... the way they are automating cars now, they can park themselves, even starting to brake to avoid accidents, follow sensors in the road, etc. They will drive themselves. Some day the government won't let you drive them. I can see it now, if you fight to drive them, because you simply like to drive, you will be considered a suspect, a risk to the safety of the public. Younger people at work will tell you your nuts. You will have to apply for a ferry permit and take a class so you can drive it a couple of times a year.

Case in point: I complained to a engineer, yes an engineer, at work that I had to replace the complete exhaust last weekend in my wife's Honda due to it rotting away from only having 55,000 miles in 15 years. He said, "You know how to do that stuff". I said it's easy, just requires me to get dirty and sore the next day.

Just about everyone did this stuff when I was a kid. That is why no one respects cars, they really don't require the attention as days past. They are marvels of engineering and are taken for granted. Everyone is spoiled on them.

 

Great point, just look at how many posts are in the thread entitled something like,, Putting an LS6 engine in your older Corvette.
Last time I looked it was like 2,000!

 

Enthusiasm is contagious. We all need to drive our cars whenever we can and talk up the hobby to everyone we meet. There are a couple of young tuners in the neighborhood who have been watching my restoration. All I need to do now is give them a ride and show them what a real car with 500 ft lbs of torque feels like. Climbing back in that turbo Honda Civic with the fart can muffler will be a real downer.

 

Kevin,

O.k., here am I. I wish I shared your "unbridled enthusiasm" (term from Seinfeld). Sounds like you are still waiting for the "Summer of Recovery" that never happened! But, considering the current climate in the U.S., with the rich getting richer & poor getting poorer, shrinking of the middle class, etc., there will be less disposable income for items like the C2 & C3. Less demand will result in excess supply, resulting in falling prices. A close examination will find that this is already happening. I give 3 examples:

1. a Nassau blue/blue 65 coupe offered in the Baltimore Sun for $35k recently would imo have fetched at least $10k more 3 yrs. ago.

2. an NCRS worthy 68 Vert currently available on CF is offered for $25k obo, where imo was also worth $5-10k more 3 or so yrs. ago.

3. a 69 427/390 4 sp. coupe is currently available on CF for $22k obo. Ditto for this one, where imo it probably would have sold for $5-10k more some years back.

The US Government and related Tree Hugger groups will be putting additional pressures on collector car owners for such things as emissions, exhaust noise, and safety requirements in the near future. If you doubt me, consider the vast oil reserves in the U.S. that we are unable to tap because of environmental pressures!! (Remember how each family was gonna SAVE (!!) about $2,500/yr. on their healthcare costs, according to the "Yes, we can, BUT......." President?)

Furthermore, it will no longer pay to restore the average C3 and hope to realize any profit or even recover your cost. The hobby won't disappear, but will level off. After all, anyone caring to restore a car could not find a better project than a C3. It will be known as the last generation of Corvette that the average person can restore, as C4's and C5's are just too sophisticated with their computer systems.

The bottom line is that we love our Corvettes and are addicted to them. Just be realistic about expectations when plunking down your ca$h for your next one. AND VOTE TOMORROW!!

Rickman

 

A lot more cars are getting the pro street treatment with updated drivetrains, but for GM products the drivetrains of choice are from Corvettes, so atleast old Vettes will just get new Vette drivetrains.

 

Thats fine with me, just means that my brother and I can get them cheaper and have more than one! Dont worry old guys, we will take care of your vettes for you!