Noob Question
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Springfield MO
Noob Question
Hello all, new to the forum with a noobie question. So I turned 50 this year and decided I wanted the car that I couldn't have back in the 70s, a C3 vette. I have done a lot of research, including surfing this forum, bough the Black Book, looked at quite a few cars, and have a question. I have found a 75 L-82 4sp that I like. It looks nice (one repaint in 2000), drives nice (new suspension in 2000), and runs strong (rebuilt L-82 in 2000). About 90K miles (not documented, but looks about right). Trouble is, when they rebuilt the engine, they decked the block and no numbers now. So, I understand from my research the car has to be looked at as a nom car, since it can't be verified. So, how much impact does that have on value? How hard will it be to sell down the road? Personally, I don't care, but I don't want to take it in the shorts when I decide to sell or find it difficult to sell.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
No numbers devalues the car a little, but need not necessarily be a deal breaker.
At resale time, a third of potential buyers would want the numbers; a third (like you) won't really care. The remaining third are not likely to know about the numbers or what to look for.
Good luck.
At resale time, a third of potential buyers would want the numbers; a third (like you) won't really care. The remaining third are not likely to know about the numbers or what to look for.
Good luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
No numbers devalues the car a little, but need not necessarily be a deal breaker.
At resale time, a third of potential buyers would want the numbers; a third (like you) won't really care. The remaining third are not likely to know about the numbers or what to look for.
Good luck.
At resale time, a third of potential buyers would want the numbers; a third (like you) won't really care. The remaining third are not likely to know about the numbers or what to look for.
Good luck.
The lack of numbers will devalue the car a bit. The higher the value the more the lack of numbers will hurt. High end Corvettes IE big blocks or LT1s take a bigger hit. Not necessarily a deal breaker but do your homework, know what the market generally pays for a NOM of the vintage and configuration. There are a lot of hidden problems which can cost a new owner big $$. Rust being #1. For newbies, a very good idea to have a veteran Vette owner take a look.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 58
Likes: 1
From: Austin TX
C3Man,
I would not be concerned about the numbers matching being machined from the block at all. The bottom line is a '75 Vette is not a high-dollar machine. A 1,000 point car in perfect condition with your options is worth what, $12K? A good running-order car is worth $8K? So do your research for the problems that will cost you--rusted birdcage, possibly rusted frame, and other broken stuff that will nickel and dime your budget, and don't worry about the block being decked in my opinion.
Good luck!
I would not be concerned about the numbers matching being machined from the block at all. The bottom line is a '75 Vette is not a high-dollar machine. A 1,000 point car in perfect condition with your options is worth what, $12K? A good running-order car is worth $8K? So do your research for the problems that will cost you--rusted birdcage, possibly rusted frame, and other broken stuff that will nickel and dime your budget, and don't worry about the block being decked in my opinion.
Good luck!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
Some people consider matching numbers in a mid 70s car to be a big deal, I don't. You don't have to worry about selling it as a NOM car in the future because you're buying it as an NOM car. You should therefore be paying the discounted price up front.
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Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Springfield MO
Thanks everyone for all of the advice. Easy Mike, I agree I should be my own specialist, and I have read all of the posts on what to look for, but I am still going to seek some expert help. On that point, anyone know somebody in the St. Louis area that could help evaluate a car? I am willing to pay for the time. Thanks!
