It must be me…and if you tell me it’s me, not a problem. I am just trying to educate future C3 owners and their expectations. 40 year old classics do not fall out of the sky and into your lap every day!

I try to help others here on the CF and elsewhere to find the car (C3) they want to buy. They tell me what they are looking for, year, color, price…etc, and I go to work. I put a great amount of time and effort into each and every contact, and please keep in mind, I do not charge for this service. Some of the buyer’s are very knowledgeable. Others haven’t a clue in regards to a C3 problem’s, condition, true worth, and / or its true market value. They all of course have some things in common, and that is: They all want to pay pennies for a quality car, one that is rare, and expect to find it in their backyard (within driving distance from their home).

This is where I take exception and is the crux of this post.

For the life of me I just don’t understand why a potential buyer would insist on a color combination over the condition of a great car for sale…..in their backyard!!!!!!!!!!! Now, I am not talking about a major color difference. But, if a car for sale is in close proximity to the buyer, the price is right, the year is right, and it’s even a NCRS Top Flight car, they say “NO”, I need a Black interior, or I wanted a Darker Blue, or its not Black or it has a luggage rack, or so on and so forth!

My major point of contention is these so called “ready to buy” buyers is that they will sacrifice the condition of a car over the color, and miss out on a great car, just because of some minor difference in their color preferences / scheme of the car. They would rather buy a car that is questionable at best, with the seller stating rust issues exist…. because it is the right color. Forget the fact it’s not the original color to begin with…it’s just the…….. right color!

The other side of the coin is: I have found numerous quality drop dead gorgeous C3’s for sale of late, but, since the buyer’s have requested a certain color scheme…they will not even consider it….even though it meets their pricing guidelines.

So, here is my question: Would you put color over quality / condition, with all the above taken into consideration? I know I would not!!!!!!!!!!! This is not a poll, just looking to see if other’s here share my view.

Hey folks, you can paint a car any color you want, but don’t expect a quality car to meet your over exacting specifications, be in your general (driving distance) area, and expect to pay pennies for the car. And if you do, you will be looking for a very long, long, long time.

That’s the way I see it, and with any luck, maybe this will just be a wake up call to others in search for a C3.

I apologize for the rant….I am all better now…..LOL ,LOL!

Stay in tune....

 

While I may have preferences, I think condition is better as it's easier to live with my second choice color in a great car than rebuild or repaint a worn out car in the color I like.

My '69 is Riverside Gold...one of the least popular colors that model year. People now rave over it so that shows how tastes have changed over the years. I do recognize that, everything else being equal, an identical car in red or black would likely be worth more, but that's OK...it also cost me a bit less to buy due to that.

If someone has a preference for a certain body/interior combination and is willing to wait or travel for it...more power to them. It's their money and time. To each his own.

 

Understood, the travel is an issue though. As to your car, my very first car...see below, was that color and I love it today. Try buying that for a song.....



Stay in tune....

 

I bought a Dark Blue ( repaint ) T-Top two years ago. All I knew was it was love at first sight and had no idea what I was getting into. Found out this year while working on brakes ( parking ) the fraim is in perfect condition, just need to fix a transmission pan leak and replace parking brake return springs.Exterior, interior color was never a concern.

 

Hi Greg,

I would never, ever, for the life over me choose color over condition. Previously a forum member posted that they were looking for a '69 big block, t-tops, stickshift car. They weren't looking for a top flight, but more or less a daily driver. I just happened to come across a car locally that fit the description to a T. Green on green. Notified the member, and he said, "I'm not a fan of this color combo." The car was for sale for $16,000. Two weeks later the car was at one of the large corvette dealerships for sale for $40,000.

To your point, your free services are probably best to the "open to anything" crowd. For the people who want to abuse your services, you should easily have a finders fee.

 

This is exactly why I advise them to shy away from the glorified dealership ad's and for the drawbacks in dealing with a dearlership. The private seller will almost certainly work out better for everyone.

In regards a fee, I simply ask for a tip if so desired or a simple thank you, either privately or via a social media message. At this point, I beleive I shall start charging a finder's fee....its just become too much trying to be a nice guy, and dealing with the whanna- a be's!

Stay in tune....

 

Since I am not looking for a quality car, I would go for color over condition every time. I am looking for a 70 project, or maybe a 70 driver that needs work to make it really road worthy and safe. My personal color choice is Mulsanne blue with Bright blue interior, and it must be a 4spd, and I would go for that first. I have been working on thses cars for almost 40 years, so nothing scares me away except a bad birdcage or bad frame. I love a project, so for me, color first, 4spd second.

 

If the C3 is in solid, safe mechanical shape and fits my price range...as long as the body is straight color usually comes last. Like GREGG-73 said, 40 year old classics don't just fall out of the sky!

Besides...I've never, ever seen an ugly C3!

 

I would choose color over condition, IF I was looking for a car to restore and or keep original. I keep my cars a long time and the heck if I’m going to drive a red LT-1 for the next 20 years when I wanted a blue one. You say a car can be painted any color, this is true if you don’t want to keep it original. If I was buying a driver, then condition would prevail.

 

Okay, maybe I did not make myself clear. In a "quality" car, I am speaking of a car that doesn't need to be restored or has been restored in the past to a respectable level. Numbers matching or not.

As to anyone seeking a car to restore, and prefers color over condition..... my advice to you is..... you should see a doctor....ASAP!

Unless, you are stupid rich and have nothing better to spend your monies on.....

Stay in tune....

 

IMHO, condition is most important and color comes, somewhere down the line. If I was a buyer with not alot of knowhow and just want to drive it yes. Depending on price and condition, to be restored, then it would be a toss up, you can fix them, you can paint them, but either way, color then becomes an issue, to restore for correct color, if that makes sense.

 

Sorry Gregg, posted a little late, while I was thinking. In that case I would have to say that color, now becomes a matter of less importance, and condition is definetly a priority, hands down.

 

Generally, a solid car with need of some mechanical repairs is a better buy than a car needing paint.

 

Not trying to be wise at all but if all the contenders are restored to a "respectable" level then condition shouldn't be a wide variable and color, option would become more important if all of the candidates met my minimum mechanical, cosmetic standard.

 

According to the Chip Foose commercial, "It's the paint that draws you in." I suppose the color of the paint is a factor with the majority of C3 wannabees, no different than many car show (beauty contest) gawkers. They stand back and look at the paint, then they look in the interior. Their first question is "what year is it?" Then they tell you that a relative or friend had something or other like it at one time. Most of them don't know anything about what is under the hood and they certainly aren't worried about what is underneath. If they are interested in buying a C3, that is something they hope will never be a problem. They always have a mechanic for a friend, who will undoubtedly fix it.

 

Well stated....clear as mud......next!

Stay in tune....

 

OK, let me try again, you are stating that all of the cars are in very nicely restored condition, so pick your color!

 

When purchasing a car...particularly a vintage C3/collector car...the buyer is basing his preferences purely on "emotion". There is very little "logic" involved with such a transaction. So, if you are advising potential buyers, your task is to educate them on the need to 'kick-in" the logic part of their brain to first consider condition and potential for being a money-pit BEFORE they get all enamored about a good looking car. Condition and function are the FIRST priority; appearance, etc. should take a back seat to the logical side of the transaction. Once they determine that the car is solid, mechanically sound, and will not be a "money-pit".....THEN they can let their hormones run wild.

 

Words of wisdom.

 

The Cubans have a saying in spanish that translates to:

"You can dress a monkey in silk, but it's still a monkey"

(I've been told they use that when referring to fat old ladies with all their jewelry)