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1970 worth?

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Old Nov 8, 2013 | 10:18 AM
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Default 1970 worth?

A friend of mine has a brother with a survivor 1970 orange T-top. He bought it new, drove it a few years then put it in a shed. It has 12,000 miles on it and has not been driven on the road since the early 70s. He starts it up once or twice a year and drives it around the yard. I haven't seen it for decades, but he says it looks pretty good. He thinks it is worth a fortune, but I am not so sure. It is just the base 350, nothing all that collectible and I would guess the motor would need to be rebuilt and all the rubber replaced.
Anyone have an idea what he should ask for it? I am thinking 15K to 20K. He is thinking a lot more.

Last edited by JR-01; Nov 8, 2013 at 01:40 PM.
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Old Nov 8, 2013 | 10:22 AM
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Originally Posted by JR-01
...I am thinking 15K to 20K. He is thinking a lot more...
Does it matter? It's his car.

Why would an unmolested, low mile, base engine car not be collectible?
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Old Nov 8, 2013 | 10:28 AM
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Impossible to say without a close inspection to see what has deteriorated over the years. Anywhere between $15K and $50K.
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Old Nov 8, 2013 | 11:14 AM
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I don't think you'll be able to convince a corvette owner that the car he bought brand new, babies it, and still owns to this day is not priceless.

Is he trying to sell it?
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Old Nov 8, 2013 | 12:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Easy Mike
Does it matter? It's his car.

Why would an unmolested, low mile, base engine car not be collectible?
He wants to know what it's worth because he is going to sell it. That's why it matters.
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Old Nov 8, 2013 | 12:19 PM
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Originally Posted by LeMans Pete
I don't think you'll be able to convince a corvette owner that the car he bought brand new, babies it, and still owns to this day is not priceless.

Is he trying to sell it?
Yes, He is thinking of selling it, but he really didn't baby it. It was stored in an unheated shed and he didn't do much preventive maintainence or use proper storage methods. He just never drove it again, probably because he got so big, he had a hard time getting into it. It probably has the same fluids from the 70s in it.

Last edited by JR-01; Nov 8, 2013 at 12:22 PM.
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Old Nov 8, 2013 | 12:48 PM
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Originally Posted by JR-01
He wants to know what it's worth because he is going to sell it. That's why it matters.
He already has a value in mind.
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Old Nov 8, 2013 | 01:13 PM
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Does he have all the original paperwork? Is the original motor still in it? Is the paint falling off? Is the frame rotted? Did mice eat the interior and wiring?

"He says it looks pretty good" is not helpful.

Without pictures and a ton more info, it could be between $3000 and whatever.

Just for fun, what number is he thinking?
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Old Nov 8, 2013 | 01:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Easy Mike
He already has a value in mind.
Not really, he thinks it's priceless. I think it needs a boatload of money just to make it road worthy. His brother told me this morning he doesn't think it's been started for 5 to ten years.
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Old Nov 8, 2013 | 01:17 PM
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hard to say without pics but from what im picturing its gonna need lots of work and money. i think your in the ballpark at 15k. maybe less.
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Old Nov 8, 2013 | 01:18 PM
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Originally Posted by JR-01
I haven't seen it for decades, .
Originally Posted by JR-01
His brother told me this morning he doesn't think it's been started for 5 to ten years.
That makes it much easier to calculate a number then.

$8739.21, plus or minus about $5-8K.
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Old Nov 8, 2013 | 01:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Vettebuyer5869
Does he have all the original paperwork? Is the original motor still in it? Is the paint falling off? Is the frame rotted? Did mice eat the interior and wiring?

"He says it looks pretty good" is not helpful.

Without pictures and a ton more info, it could be between $3000 and whatever.

Just for fun, what number is he thinking?
I rarely see him, I usually get my info from his brother who I see all the time. A few years ago he was thinking $30K to 50K. The last time I saw it was in '74 or 75 right before he quit driving it. I think I am going to stay out of it and see what happens.
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Old Nov 8, 2013 | 01:22 PM
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Originally Posted by JR-01
...he thinks it's priceless...
"Priceless" is a value. I can understand wanting to help him out, JR, but it sounds like you and his brother are not likely to change his mind. You could suggest that he have the car appraised, but that might not go anywhere either.

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Old Nov 8, 2013 | 01:23 PM
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Starting it up "once a year" vs possibly not started for 10 years..big difference.
Sitting dormant for 10 years can take its toll.
4 spd or a/t?
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Old Nov 8, 2013 | 01:24 PM
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Location might help in this case too. Being in a dry Texas barn vs. a humid Florida barn would have a big impact on how it aged. Really the only way to truly estimate a value is a ton more info and pics.
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Old Nov 8, 2013 | 01:28 PM
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Since the car's been stored in an unheated garage and not tended to for 5 -10 years, you have to treat it like any other old vette: inspect the frame and birdcage for rust, check the entire drive train for god knows what. All soft items (weather strips, seat foam, dash pads, etc) could be pretty crispy especially if exposed to heat in the summer (you don't say where you are). Without close inspection by someone who knows what to look for it's a crap shoot.
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Old Nov 8, 2013 | 01:45 PM
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It's in Wisconsin, stored in a dry shed on a concrete floor, I do believe. He is in his 70s and not really a car guy. I believe the only reason he thinks it's worth a fortune is because of the low miles. I seriously doubt if he has changed any of the fluids since he put it away.
If he really does decide to sell it, I will post his ad.
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Old Nov 8, 2013 | 02:06 PM
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Concrete floors are not dry. They wick moisture and sweat. Not much better than dirt over the long term.
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Old Nov 8, 2013 | 02:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Raphiki
Concrete floors are not dry. They wick moisture and sweat. Not much better than dirt over the long term.
Yes. One should lay a vapor barrier down if storing on concrete or dirt. I meant the shed was dry, no leaks in the roof and walls.
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Old Nov 8, 2013 | 02:59 PM
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The car is worth $12.00 (American). I have cash, call me.
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