Are convertibles desireable?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2005
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Are convertibles desireable?
I am new to corvettes. My wife has a 1974 L48, convertible that she purchased years before we got married so you could say I married into the car. Of late I have shown an interest in corvettes and had a question or two. It seems like year and engine size is very important in determining value, obviously. Does the fact that it is a convertible put it in a class that may boost it's value more than just marginally? I just don't see that the convertible is a hot commodity in the corvette community. Is this not that desireabe of an option in corvettes? I have read that in the 1970s T tops were more in demand than convertibles. Can that be said to be true of today?
Last edited by 97widerider; Aug 26, 2011 at 10:50 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 103
From: Southern Indiana
I would imagine a convt is desirable, but back in the day it probably added to the already rich person high price and knowing that all other vettes from 68 to 82 were t-top cars anyway for free it wasnt that popular.
But yes it does positively affect the price and desirability factor.
But yes it does positively affect the price and desirability factor.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 147
From: S Nevada
I think it depends more on the person and what they are looking for. And maybe their locale. AZ summers make convertibles impractical. But come winter time, oh yeah! I own coupes, but my next will be a vert. Nice thing about corvette coupes is the tops come off, essentially making it a vert. Your wifes convertible may make it slightly more desirable for that yr. Now if it were only a 454.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,400
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From: Tampa Florida
given equal condition and equal options , all C3 corvette convertibles sell for more than coupes. I think they are more desireable, but they cost more. then and now. except 68, which was a funny year since they didn't start making coupes for a few months after production started.
back in the day, I expect that people wanted convertibles, but would not pay for them. that is why more coupes were built and sold
back in the day, I expect that people wanted convertibles, but would not pay for them. that is why more coupes were built and sold
Guys that were cheap bought convertibles, the others paid extra for the new removable top design.
Currently, it appears that convertibles bring more $ than coupes, but I don't understand why. Same with SB/BB.
1968 Coupe base price, $4663
1968 Convertible base price, $4320
1969 Coupe base price, $4781
1969 Convertible base, $4438
1970 Coupe base price, $5192
1970 Convertible base price, $4898
1971 Coupe base price, $5496
1971 Convertible base price, $5259
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
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From: Tolland CT
I had a 67 Convertible for a while. Didn't care for the poor fit of weatherstrips, fogged back window, and rattles. I did like the open feeling at times. I prefer coupes but the market definitely pays more for Convertibles.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,169
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From: Cemetery of a town Montana
Me too
Two of my three Vettes are drop tops. Last week I made a 1600 mile run in my 98, most of it with the top down the tunes up (I made sure Heart's Barracuda was playing when I rolled through West Yellowstone at dusk). Only way to fly.
Two of my three Vettes are drop tops. Last week I made a 1600 mile run in my 98, most of it with the top down the tunes up (I made sure Heart's Barracuda was playing when I rolled through West Yellowstone at dusk). Only way to fly.
Last edited by UberLegend; Aug 27, 2011 at 05:54 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
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From: Vero Beach FL
It used to be in general a "classic" car convertible would bring about 33% more than a coupe. Not so true today example is early Mustangs. Fastbacks are in more demand. I think C2 coupes are in higher demand than convertibles.It seems that in C3 convertibles still bring more than coupes. For the purist early convertibles with factory A/C are usually rare and can really add to the value of a car. I do not know this for a fact but rather its my perception. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
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2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I have never considered buying a ragtop...ever...any make of car. They may look good when down, but they sure look like crap when they are up, new or old. To each his own I guess. I drive around with my T-Tops on more than off. My skin is so fried having lived in Miami for the last 31 years that any break from the sun is welcomed. Black interiors also get a bit toasty when exposed to direct sunlight.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2005
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Great responses. I like to have the top down on moderately warm days and like that I have that option but to be honest, the T-Top seems to more signify what a Corvette really is. Just like the look of them better and you really get the same effect (affect ?) We had few 100 degree days here in Indiana where I took it for a spin and baked at the stop lights. Had to pull the vinyl up. Well at least I know for what it is, a 74 vette with a entry level engine (34,000 miles at that), it has a little more value with the convertible. Maybe that is what makes it a little more unique even if not always more desireable.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
In general convertibles are more rare & there are expressions like when the top goes down, the price goes up.
The clean design of the 74-75 Vette convertibles puts them up at the top w/ best convertibles.
I had several convs. before the Vette & wanted the stiffer T-Top coupe for performance reasons.
The clean design of the 74-75 Vette convertibles puts them up at the top w/ best convertibles.
I had several convs. before the Vette & wanted the stiffer T-Top coupe for performance reasons.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,280
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
In 71 when I bought my car I really didn't consider a convertible. Now I wish it was a convertible.
I think the coupe 'feeling' with the roof panels off changed a great deal when the rear window couldn't be removed anymore.
Now, the storage solutions for the top panels and rear window seem pretty lo-tech, and unsatisfactory, but seemed o.k. 40 years ago.
The way the convertible top disappears was pretty cool then and is still pretty cool today.
So... to the question ... I think the convertibles are a bit more popular than coupes today.
Regards,
Alan
In 71 when I bought my car I really didn't consider a convertible. Now I wish it was a convertible.
I think the coupe 'feeling' with the roof panels off changed a great deal when the rear window couldn't be removed anymore.
Now, the storage solutions for the top panels and rear window seem pretty lo-tech, and unsatisfactory, but seemed o.k. 40 years ago.
The way the convertible top disappears was pretty cool then and is still pretty cool today.
So... to the question ... I think the convertibles are a bit more popular than coupes today.
Regards,
Alan
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
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From: Ontario
I don't buy and sell frequently but various guides seem to show a marginally higher price for a convertible over a coupe.
Desirable? As with anything, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. I wanted a convertible and enjoy it very much. But it is just a sunny-Sunday-afternoon car and basically a hobby. After the winter, I put the top down in April and back up in October although I did encounter rain once this year (top went up). Others who drive more frequently, or enjoy competitive events, might prefer the more rigid body of the coupe and the quasi-convertible convenience of the t-tops.
Re Roco's comment, I do have A/C but have never used it. The summers are pretty moderate here.
So in sum, the prices seem a little higher but I have no quantitative evidence that a convertible is overall more "desirable".
Desirable? As with anything, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. I wanted a convertible and enjoy it very much. But it is just a sunny-Sunday-afternoon car and basically a hobby. After the winter, I put the top down in April and back up in October although I did encounter rain once this year (top went up). Others who drive more frequently, or enjoy competitive events, might prefer the more rigid body of the coupe and the quasi-convertible convenience of the t-tops.
Re Roco's comment, I do have A/C but have never used it. The summers are pretty moderate here.
So in sum, the prices seem a little higher but I have no quantitative evidence that a convertible is overall more "desirable".
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2005
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I agree. I think there is a definite market for convertibles and that buyer may not settle for anything else if he/she gets it in their mind that is what they want. If convertibles are rarer, then that buyer may pay a premium if they find one in excellent condition within their driving range. My wife had to have a convertible and got this one in Missouri (10 hour one way) in '95. Had 25K miles then and only 35K now. It is all original and very clean. Not my favorite color but some really prefer the silver.
Last edited by 97widerider; Aug 27, 2011 at 09:29 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
...Is this not that desireabe of an option in corvettes?...
... I have read that in the 1970s T tops were more in demand than convertibles...
Your wife's car sounds as if it is an original, unmolested 74 convertible. It has value and desirability, make no mistake about that.
Good reading here:
Very good photo reference:
Last edited by Easy Mike; Aug 27, 2011 at 09:48 AM.
