Pricing a C-3
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Pricing a C-3
I want a C-3 and want specific specs for my buy. Im just wondering what price i would be looking at. Just a ball park estimate. 
Specs:
Any C-3 (probably later for lower price)
White paint job in O.K. condition
4-speed
Rolling body (no motor)
Average Black interior
No rust
Still learning
All help is appreciated
Specs:
Any C-3 (probably later for lower price)
White paint job in O.K. condition
4-speed
Rolling body (no motor)
Average Black interior
No rust
Still learning
All help is appreciated
Last edited by ngunter2; Apr 16, 2013 at 11:31 PM.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Those are general specs. I am not hard set on those. Mostly a 4-speed roller in ok condition as a 1-2 year project. I just wanted to know how much i would be looking at. ive been looking around but nothing really peaked my interest in terms of condition and specs.
ive been looking around but nothing really peaked my interest in terms of condition and specs.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,215
Likes: 1
From: Orlando FL
Crap shoot
the problem is that when you get down to a roller status people still think that it is a Corvette and there is $$ value beyond belief in that alone. (not true but that's the belief)
Look long and hard and be careful, should be able to score something in the 2500-3500 range I would think.
lower prices = more work and more parts and more $$ on back end so be careful
a 3500 car that needs just a motor is better than a 1000 car that has a rotted bird cage, bad wiring and 7000 to get it right.
Look long and hard and be careful, should be able to score something in the 2500-3500 range I would think.
lower prices = more work and more parts and more $$ on back end so be careful
a 3500 car that needs just a motor is better than a 1000 car that has a rotted bird cage, bad wiring and 7000 to get it right.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,267
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi ng,
A body and rolling frame can be bought very cheaply.
It's the exterior trim, glass, wheels, tires, interior, gauges, small under-hood parts that will need to be bought that can become very costly, very quickly.
People report that the incomplete car they bought cheaply is taking far more cash than they ever thought it would.
Buy as complete a car as you can.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
A body and rolling frame can be bought very cheaply.
It's the exterior trim, glass, wheels, tires, interior, gauges, small under-hood parts that will need to be bought that can become very costly, very quickly.
People report that the incomplete car they bought cheaply is taking far more cash than they ever thought it would.
Buy as complete a car as you can.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 93
From: shelbyville West Michigan
Back when I was purchasing my first vette, before the internet, Here's what I did. Bought every issue of auto trader and corvette trader for like 6 months. went through and memorized the asking prices for the various years and options combos. My wife would literally read an ad in bed at night and have me guess the price. By the time I was ready to buy, I could estimate asking and selling price within a couple hundred bucks.
Research, research, research. and remember your marketing, Time, Place, etc. will all contribute to the price you pay.
Research, research, research. and remember your marketing, Time, Place, etc. will all contribute to the price you pay.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
Back when I was purchasing my first vette, before the internet, Here's what I did. Bought every issue of auto trader and corvette trader for like 6 months. went through and memorized the asking prices for the various years and options combos. My wife would literally read an ad in bed at night and have me guess the price. By the time I was ready to buy, I could estimate asking and selling price within a couple hundred bucks.
Research, research, research. and remember your marketing, Time, Place, etc. will all contribute to the price you pay.
Research, research, research. and remember your marketing, Time, Place, etc. will all contribute to the price you pay.
take ebay for example. corvettes rarely make the buy it now price, or make reserve. you never know what they may ultimately sell for.
but in general I agree... research as much as you can.
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Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,734
Likes: 276
From: Port Huron MI
NGunter2,
If you're heart set on a project, as suggested, search allcraigslist for "corvette project", somethign will definately come up reasonably near you.
But check this out and see if that's really what you want.
[EMAIL="http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/cto/3723802214.html[/EMAIL]
Alan is definatelycorrect(as usual). The more complete car you buy to begin with, the less money you'll have in it at the end. Little interior pieces, new this and that, adds up crazy fast.
If you already have an engine you can still do a swap with a rolling resto and then sell off the 350 you pull.
There are reasonalbly priced C3's out there in reasonably complete condition, just be patient and as the gang says above: research.
If you're heart set on a project, as suggested, search allcraigslist for "corvette project", somethign will definately come up reasonably near you.
But check this out and see if that's really what you want.
[EMAIL="http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/cto/3723802214.html[/EMAIL]
Alan is definatelycorrect(as usual). The more complete car you buy to begin with, the less money you'll have in it at the end. Little interior pieces, new this and that, adds up crazy fast.
If you already have an engine you can still do a swap with a rolling resto and then sell off the 350 you pull.
There are reasonalbly priced C3's out there in reasonably complete condition, just be patient and as the gang says above: research.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
Read the advice carefully. It's not going to be easy to find a mid to late C3, needing 'just the motor'. If the motor is dead or gone, you can bet that there's usually more than that and as Alan said, those parts add up to a lot of money. I haven't seen one like what you're describing yet.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
thank you guys for all the feedback.Yes, I am planing for the long search for one that i feel would not overwhelm me with work. Pretty much just one that needs a motor and a little love here and there.