Hard to put a price on it. Reverse your situation, how much more would you pay ? Finding the right buyer is key ... 
Original Owner Query 75
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: A garage in Southern Ca.
Original Owner Query 75
I have been watching the Mecum (American classics) auction for three days now. So, I have a 1975 Corvette in very good condition. I guess 1975 is not a banner year. But, almost everything is original and there are 83,000 original miles. The car is beautiful, eye candy.
How much additional value is there if I sell, because I am the original owner? I have the original owner's manual, the original invoice and sticker, original floor mats, and 38 years of service records? The car has not been restored, like the cars on the Mecum floor. But, it runs really well.
So, in sum, how much does having original ownership and records add to the stock price of the 1975 model (350 engine)?
How much additional value is there if I sell, because I am the original owner? I have the original owner's manual, the original invoice and sticker, original floor mats, and 38 years of service records? The car has not been restored, like the cars on the Mecum floor. But, it runs really well.
So, in sum, how much does having original ownership and records add to the stock price of the 1975 model (350 engine)?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,280
Likes: 4,372
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi 75W,
New Member! First Post! Welcome!
There are a few buyers who are interested in 'unrestored' cars and 'one owner' cars. They will pay you more for your unrestored car than a car that's had 5 owners and has been 'personalized' by each of them.
The trick is to find THAT buyer for your car.
I don't think you'll become a rich man from your sale though. Now if you'd have bought a new 70 LT-! convertible.......
I guess you'd be most likely to find a buyer for your with in the ranks of the NCRS members.
Regards,
Alan
I'm an original owner of a 71.
New Member! First Post! Welcome!
There are a few buyers who are interested in 'unrestored' cars and 'one owner' cars. They will pay you more for your unrestored car than a car that's had 5 owners and has been 'personalized' by each of them.
The trick is to find THAT buyer for your car.
I don't think you'll become a rich man from your sale though. Now if you'd have bought a new 70 LT-! convertible.......
I guess you'd be most likely to find a buyer for your with in the ranks of the NCRS members.
Regards,
Alan
I'm an original owner of a 71.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 5
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From: A garage in Southern Ca.
Well, if completeness and condition of car count for everything, the only way you can really assure that is by having one owner. Cars don't talk, owners do, and you do not have a real history otherwise.
The Mecum auction just confuses me. I recognize that I have a 1975, which is not a coveted year because of the CC. But, why is there a higher value placed on a tricked out Corvette that is restored to copy the original and will probably never race again, vis a vis a well running Corvette that is truly original!
The Mecum auction just confuses me. I recognize that I have a 1975, which is not a coveted year because of the CC. But, why is there a higher value placed on a tricked out Corvette that is restored to copy the original and will probably never race again, vis a vis a well running Corvette that is truly original!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,280
Likes: 4,372
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Mike,
I think the 'original owner' attraction is that it eliminates the need for an 'previous owner's search' and insures a complete car history.
Also, since original owners tend to be 'keepers of 'stuff' ' the car may come with some interesting original paperwork.
Regards,
Alan
The people who approach me about buying my car almost always begin with "Are you really the original owner of this car? How did that happen?"
I think the 'original owner' attraction is that it eliminates the need for an 'previous owner's search' and insures a complete car history.
Also, since original owners tend to be 'keepers of 'stuff' ' the car may come with some interesting original paperwork.
Regards,
Alan
The people who approach me about buying my car almost always begin with "Are you really the original owner of this car? How did that happen?"
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 6,333
Likes: 1,311
C3 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
C2 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
I would tend to be a tad more impressed that the car is an original owner car, but my fascination would end at that. I personally would not pay more. But that's me. Good luck with your sale.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
This would make a huge difference on an original owner '69 L88, not so much on a '75 either L48 or L82.
Just my 2 cents.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
I think if the car is still in the original owners hands its probably more complete and in better condition than a similar car that's changed hands several times, so in most cases it does add value.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 5
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From: A garage in Southern Ca.
more from the original owner
..... If people do not value on cars from the original owner- then they should just go build themselves kit cars instead! Honestly, if you want a car with "new" parts and that new car smell, then you can get it from building a kit.
If being the original owner is of value, then so are the manuals, the sticker, the rich documentation, and most importantly, the knowledge, as others have said, that you know the condition and particularly usage. You will never know that once a car exchanges hands. Really, the car becomes another commodity when sold and resold.
If being the original owner is of value, then so are the manuals, the sticker, the rich documentation, and most importantly, the knowledge, as others have said, that you know the condition and particularly usage. You will never know that once a car exchanges hands. Really, the car becomes another commodity when sold and resold.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
I might be interested in buying a given car, not interested in buying it's owner.
I make no inherent association between 'original owner' and 'original car' or 'original components'. Possibly others do. I have no idea why.The original owner is just as likely to modify or abuse their car as the second or any other owner
What do you think about Alan71, who is a fellow original owner but did a complete restoration on his car. Betcha he used some reproduction parts. Oh my
I make no inherent association between 'original owner' and 'original car' or 'original components'. Possibly others do. I have no idea why.The original owner is just as likely to modify or abuse their car as the second or any other owner
What do you think about Alan71, who is a fellow original owner but did a complete restoration on his car. Betcha he used some reproduction parts. Oh my
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
I think that depends on the nature of the original owner. An original owner that modifies and abuses their car is more likely to sell it after relatively few years of ownership because they're not attached to it but an original owner that has had their car for a very long time is probably the sort of person who's attached to it and has cared for it with greater effort than a short term owner. So, if you're buying a 35 year old Corvette that has had one owner, that person is probably the sort that has taken better care of it than most people would have.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: May 2013
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From: A garage in Southern Ca.
I have to agree with Priya here- why would you hold on to a car for 35 years and mistreat it? And really, after 35 years it would fall apart if you did not take good care. If you are buying a historical car, what is the point if you don't value the history? Otherwise, as I said earlier, build a kit car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
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2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Original owner, unrestored, eye candy...they all sound like great selling points. However..market value is largely determined by the principle of substitution. Nobody (in their right mind) would pay more for any particular item than they can get an identical (or mostly similar) item for in the marketplace. I bought a '75 L48 auto in '76 and let me tell you...the car was not all that desirable back then.
The costs of parts and labor to repair, restore or maintain any C3 do not vary all that much. Therefore a potential buyer needs to seriously consider not only the purchase price but how much will be spent to make the car the way he/she wants it to be. The upside potential of a '75 may not warrant the additional expenditures required...of let's say an early big block C3.
As others have said...you need to find the right buyer who is willing to pay you the most for the car...given it's present condition and degree of correctness. That may require an intensive marketing effort on your part, because B-J is also not your venue.
The costs of parts and labor to repair, restore or maintain any C3 do not vary all that much. Therefore a potential buyer needs to seriously consider not only the purchase price but how much will be spent to make the car the way he/she wants it to be. The upside potential of a '75 may not warrant the additional expenditures required...of let's say an early big block C3.
As others have said...you need to find the right buyer who is willing to pay you the most for the car...given it's present condition and degree of correctness. That may require an intensive marketing effort on your part, because B-J is also not your venue.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 5
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From: A garage in Southern Ca.
Good point....Economic markets are also about supply and demand. The supply of cars with one owner, full papers and documentation is very small- much smaller market than cars that have been sold and resold over a 38 year period.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
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From: Palmdale CA
That's how I purchased my other, and first Corvette, a 95 C4. After looking at hundreds of ads, I noticed the best condition cars had the three following conditions: Original owner, lower than average mileage for the year and upscale neighborhood. My then 13 year old, Torch Red C4, was always garaged, fanatically maintained and had every single piece of paper or documentation, even the paper dealership key tags!
I think that it counts for something, even with the mid-C3's (74-76).
I think that it counts for something, even with the mid-C3's (74-76).