How many times has someone come on this board,told us about some great "barn find" and disappeared...
Dan
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2012
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1982 Barn Find... what's it worth?
I just found a 1982 C3 with only 3,500 original miles. It's been parked in a garage since 1983 when the owner got sick. I'd love to hot rod the car... but between it's beautiful original condition and low miles I'm worried that I may destroy the value by making any changes. Can I solicit some advice as to whether I should leave it alone or go ahead and repaint/modify? What kind of premium value would low miles like that demand? It's in brand new condition... has had a heavy car cover on it for the past 30 years. Seats and everything look brand new. If it's not worth that much more than something with 50,000 miles I'll just tear it apart and have fun... what are your suggestions?
Last edited by dbateman; May 30, 2012 at 07:01 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Ontario
I just found a 1982 C3 with only 3,500 original miles. It's been parked in a garage since 1983 when the owner got sick. I'd love to hot rod the car... but between it's beautiful original condition and low miles I'm worried that I may destroy the value by making any changes. Can I solicit some advice as to whether I should leave it alone or go ahead and repaint/modify? What kind of premium value would low miles like that demand? It's in brand new condition... has had a heavy car cover on it for the past 30 years. Seats and everything look brand new. If it's not worth that much more than something with 50,000 miles I'll just tear it apart and have fun... what are your suggestions?
Race Director
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From: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
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Pics would help but I agree it should be left as original as possible. I'm sure all of the rubber is shot.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: iowa city iowa
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Wow, sounds like a great car. I am all for having fun with a car but that may not be the one to do it with. Depending on the price, is it possible to get it running, clean it up, and sell it to somebody that wants that car and then buy what you want?
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2012
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Barn find
I'll take some pics this weekend and post them for you all to see. I haven't discussed a price... but she's motivated. She sold the house where the car's been stored... and has no where to put it. Wish me luck!!!
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Melting Slicks
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From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
Big deal, it's an '82 with slushbox trans. Go ahead and molest to your heart's content. Now if you had a chrome bumper car with that low mileage then you'd be doing a disservice to the Corvette community. Modding an '82 can only be an improvement.
Drifting
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From: Schererville IN
A low mileage original is only that way once.
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There are certainly more suitable candidates to hot rod than an original, 3500 mile 82. It is worth far more in original condition. How bad is the paint? It might be nice to have the car inspected by someone knowledgeable to assess it's originality. Maybe you can save the original paint with a good buffing. Sounds like a nice time capsule 
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
If the car is as you described it, and you can buy it for less than $4000, resell the car as "an unmolested original '82 Corvette with only 3500 miles"; then, with more money, go buy the car you want to 'mod up'. Take advantage of the car/deal you found...but don't ruin the '82 car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Peoria Arizona
