I hope this doesnt break any CF rules but I'm thinking of selling my Vette. I just dont have the time or funds to finish it but i have NO clue how much to even put it up for sale for. I know it's worth whatever someone is willing to pay, but I've been away from the Vette world so I don't even have a guess as to what something similar might have sold for. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Here's what I started typing up yesterday about it (the question marks are things I need to double check):

1977 C3 Chevy Corvette T-top
L-48 V8 w K&N replacement filter
~85000? miles
4 speed manual transmission
Black (was originally red) paint / black interior
New-ish 255? tires
Family owned since new

What's new:
Rear diff was rebuilt w new Auburn limited slip and 3.38? gears
Rear wheel bearings were professionally replaced
Rear leaf spring was replaced with a fiberglass one and matching shocks
Custom dual exhaust system from the headers? back with H pipe and Flowmaster 40s
CD head unit with 6x9 boxes in the back compartment
Battery?
Wheel "spinners" - center caps, not spinner wheels

The bad:
The engine knocks a little bit
The paint on the plastic bumpers is bubbling and peeling in a few spots
The carpet needs replaced
The drivers seat has a hole
The radiator has been patched, but currently doesn't leak
E-brake kinda works sometimes
Trip odometer is tough to reset
Horn currently doesn't work
Luggage rack needs work - is included but not mounted
Emblems are included but not attached
The AC doesn't work but all new parts are included

What else is included:
AC parts (compressor, evaporator, and some tubes)
New front coils and shocks to match the rear suspension
Spare tire and cover maybe?
Box of various parts from the last 35 years

 

What is the assessed value for tax purposes?

 

Good start with the description - - but how about a couple photos?

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/help...es-thread.html

 

I'll definitely have photos with the ad, but I'm on my phone right now so I don't have any available

 

NADA says $8,717 Low Retail. Forget about Average or High Retail.

I just bought a used motorhome. Nobody pays more than NADA Low Retail in today's motorhome market, unless it is something special.

The old vette market isn't too good right now either.

Good luck with the sale.

 

If your car is a fresh 'frame off' restoration - then, you might be able to get NADA 'low retail'. The NADA values are WAY off.

If you were to try to sell it to someone who is familiar with C3's, you probably wouldn't get an offer higher that ~ $3k. There is way too much going against it - huge production run, so lots of 77's are out there. It's got bad paint, a bad interior, and an engine with a problem. That all adds up to it being a 'project car'.

Honestly, if you want to maximize what you can sell it for, I think you need to market it towards the local, uninformed, and impulsive buyer. See if you can get some 'cool' aftermarket wheels, seat covers, and floormats - 'bling' it up a bit. They might look over the paint, because in the back of their mind they are thinking of the last Maaco commercial, but they need to an interior they can feel cool in. You do that, and you might get some young kid who just has to have that car, and will pay double what it's really worth.

 

a 77 needing paint, carpet, seats and a knocking engine with non working AC is going to be a tough sell. the plus is the 4-speed..

maybe 3500....

 

Really? Do you mean all NADA values are too high? Million dollar cars, hundred dollar projects, everything? Got any statistics to back that up, or just your own personal opinion? I think you are trying to read too much into what NADA is trying to tell you. Do you think there is some sinister effort underway to misinform the buying public? And if so, why? I mean, I love to read about conspiracy theories. And if they are just a bunch of idiots, why don't you apply for a job there as CEO and see if you can straighten them out?

FYI, I have been tracking NADA values on my particular car since 2003. I find their values to be on the low side. Currently, the high retail value on my car is $59, 555. My twin just sold in January at Mecum for $70,500. Is the NADA value for my car too high? Some idiot evidently thought it was a good price and actually wrote a check. Hey, I'll take that anyday over an internet opinion given without all the necessary facts.

There are too many variables to accurately estimate the current market value of any particular old car...especially collector cars. On the other hand, a 3 year old Toyota Corolla (or an 11 year old motorhome) is a piece of cake, for an amateur estimator as well as NADA.

 

NADA prices make you feel GOOD. We can look up your Vette price and say mine is better then that catagory but not quite into the next one.
Hagerty has a guide too...
http://www.hagerty.com/price-guide
It means nothing, your car is worth what someone else will pay.

 

Not quite right. It is worth what MANY people are willing to pay, not just one particular idiot. That pendulum swings both ways, from Joe sixpack neighbor down the street who is willing to help you out by taking it off your hands because you are too lazy to make any more of an effort to sell it, to the more money than brains guy at the auction who just wants to beat the other guy. It all depends on exposure in the market...how, to whom and for how long.

 

NADA is comical on these cars, obviously.

 

You are 100% correct. There is a Corvette out there for everyone that wants one and in every price point and all degrees of restoration. I have my Vette insured for an amount I could live with if were totaled but it's worth more to my emotional side. To me a C-3 is the most beautiful car ever made and even a short ride on the back roads can lift your spirits.
Don't stop for gas if your in a hurry. So many people tell you there uncle or whoever had one and some story about it.
The OP has a project car and someday someone will offer him enough money for him to say OK. How much it will be, I don't have a clue.
Regards, Pete.


Enjoy your ride and save the wave.

 

Its been my experience that NADA prices are very, very high in most cases. People cutting and pasting NADA numbers on their ads just make claims that aren't close to market.

Tough to tell on the OPs car without pics, etc, but an unfinished, needs paint, needs interior, wrong color project '77 can't possibly top $4k in my best guess.

 

Here's a car that appears to be comparable to the OP's - minus the engine 'knock', and the torn seat, and carpet that needs replacing.

Sold price was $4,550.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1977-...item27c71b4d15

 

150%!

 

When your selling your vette, I would go with the "high" side, you can always come down on your price in negotiation.....but, you can't go up.
Advertise it high and or best offer.....if you don't like the offers....don't sell it.
Remember....One mans trash, is another mans treasure.......

 

I hope you sell it but try to sell it locally first as that is where you will get the best price for it. most of us on the forum already know how much it costs in time and money and will always subtract that when making an offer.

my best guess for you would be between 4 and 6 grand as you described. you may get lucky and some one will pay more so I would ask 8 in local adds with a or best offer.

as an example I bought a 76 last year for 2k and the only difference was the engine wouldn't start and it was an auto

 

Thanks for the opinions everyone! It's crazy to think that these awesome cars can sell for so little, even if it IS in less than stellar condition.

I'd love to get 8 for it, but I guess I need to prepare myself for the chance of only getting half that.

 

There's a reason why NADA calls itself a guide, there are a lot of variables involved in selling or buying a car. Whenever i'm in the market for a C3 Corvette i show my wife the corvette magazine market guide to show her how smart a buyer I am.

 

Ya think? The whole biz is a joke, really. Just can't quite figure out who it is on.