Just got the new issue of Corvette Magazine, and it has the new C3 Values study showing the change from last year. The only models to lose any significant value were 1973 T-Top (-6%), 1976 (-4%), 1977 (-4%), 1980 (-3%) and 1981 (-3%).

The other models throughout the C3 generation were basically unchanged or showed slight gains. The biggest gainers were 1969 T-Top (+4%), 1974 Convertible (+4%), 1975 T-Top (+4%), 1975 Convertible (+7%), 1978 Silver Anniversary (+5%), 1982 T-Top (+4%) ... and the biggest gainer was a 1982 CE Hatchback (+9%).

Do those numbers match what you're seeing in your local area?

 

That is bizarre the the 75 coupe gained value and the 76 dropped considering they are pretty much an identical car. I never paid much thought to these value guides anyways. All just opinion when it comes to the value of any car anyways.

 

How can you establish a value of a car when you've had a 34 year history with it? Even though I've only owned the car for five of those 34 years it's special to me. No one in their right mind would be able to buy my car.

 

I've owned a dozen Corvettes and at least one of each generation up to C7 - - and C3 remains my favorite years - - -

I think there are 'dogs' in the c3 years as there certainly are for c4s, but if you're the owner- who wants to hear someone else say you married an ugly woman ?

They're ALL beautiful !

 

That is pretty interesting. I am assuming their study is based off of actual sales. I wonder how large is the sample?

 

Corvette Magazine says the study information is provided by www.vettenvestments.com and their parent, A&B Investments. I looked them up online and it's a person named Bob Kroupa who publishes the Corvette Pricing Guide and an online marketing newsletter.

I don't know where they get their data.

 

It's true the '75 and '76 models were essentially identical. There were a few small changes; different tach drive, and '75 was the final year of the cowl induction.

But, I'm guessing that '75 may've increased in wholesale value because in California, at least, it's the last 'smog-free' registration year. I consider that a positive selling point.

 

In California the 75 model year is smog exempt which is probably why the 75 gained value over the 76 which needs to be smogged.

 

I saw this... and I hope it is accurate. If so, I got a SMOKIN' HOT DEAL on my 1977 L82!

 

their website is from 2007

 

Come on people. These are old Corvettes not stocks sold in the stock market. Again price guides are not worth the paper there written on. Most of the prices are gleaned from auctions & not people to people sales. If you bought your Corvette to make money you will be disappointed especially a later C-3. Lets just drive our Corvettes & have Fun no matter what some price guide says.

 

 

When I started looking for a rubber bumper car between 74-77, my first choice was a 75.
Why? Because it still had the cowl induction hood and air cleaner. Plus it still had the cool 3 spoke aluminum steering wheel.

2nd choice 74. dislikes , split in rear bumper and points distributer.
3rd choice 76. dislikes, steering wheel and air cleaner.
4th choice 77 dislikes , mixture of old and new style interior.

I know I could change most of this stuff out to my liking , but I was looking for an all original car.

 

Agree!!!

IMHO, a few thoughts....
1. to get this info in a magazine and printed, I would guess you might have to submit your article 3 or 4 months ago or more??
2. to get a "statistically accurate" result, I want to remember you need 25 data points or more which is still +/-2%??? (need to dig out the statistics text book, LOL's)
3. So, where to get 25 accurate data points??? My guess is there is not 25 L82 1976 data points. So, there is probably a lot of judgement calls going on. And therefore, my guess is the numbers are likely only accurate within +/- 5 or 10% so if you want to make any conclusions about up or down or the same, a 4% change is within the data "noise" and so you cannot really draw too many conclusions here, probably only that the market is pretty much flat as of 4 months ago.
4. Lastly to prove I am cynical in my old age, who owns this survey and pays the bills??? If owned and the bills are paid by Corvette sales groups, might it be to their benefit to report prices on the high side?? hmmm....

But it is a fun read, I have bought these every several years and the writeup does not seem to change much plus these prices always look high to me.

 

So the drop of 30-45 HP from '74 to '75 didn't bother you?

 

Their data is so accurate that they don't even list a value for removable hardtops for 68-69. That didn't fit on the single line they allotted for options. The many sales of L-88s and L-89s are factored in, however.

 

Lets face it! None of the rubber bumper cars are impressive HP wise in stock form. This includes the L82. So what' s an extra 30- 45 HP in an already slow car. It was just an era when the engineers did not know how to make HP with the added emission standards.

A modern technology camshaft change would easily make the 30-45 HP difference if It was a concern.

 

It's easier than that. I remember tests from that era showing the horrible pancake style cats they had easily cost 40hp. Get a modern replacement cat and it will run cleaner and you'll get the 40 hp back.

 

Repost from active string last week:
This could affectionately turn into another `what is the best C3 to own?' string. Those of us in our 40's and early 50's most fondly remember the early 1980's C3 cars with their EPA-refined powertrains. Hey, let's first admit that we collectively voted for better air and MPG soas to avoid middle east involvement and GM delivered without apology. As well as their option/technology-rich features for the time. C3's were always way ahead of their time - GM did not stand still. I'm referring to the post `73 vehicles, and my own is a beloved `82. I completely understand, and have an everlasting respect/admiration for the pre-`74 Vettes as they ushered in much of the C3's performance legacy and reputation. We all owe them for that. And, their incredible paint-jobs, and head-turning designs/horse power were to die for. Americans LOVED them. BUT, and a big "but", I have a hard time relating to them. I was too young. Most of us want to re-live the `wow' moment of our own Corvette era - and, it puts a helluva smile on our face or we wouldn't be in it - its not exactly an inexpensive hobby. And, mine is the memory of seeing (drooling over) a Chevy dealer's new car lot with probably a dozen gleaming 1981-82 Corvette's of every trim/color on the lot -- and, also seeing the Corvette-owning fellows (yes, with the `Member's Only' jackets and longer trimmed hair) on the road, parked in parking lots, or at restaurants, often with an attractive girl in tow. They often had this professional, confident look about them, during this early Reagan era that I aspired to, and you could tell that they earned their car. They had a confident, purposeful way about them, and God knows the car was drop-dead gorgeous - forget the fast-emerging Datsun, and Porsche competition.

So, I - and, probably thousands of my age-group peers, aspired to own that same generation of car someday. The same as you aspired to own your pre-`74's with a "chrome bumper" (my experience is that they can pit or rust and are not as collision-safe, my experience with my first car, a 1968 Camaro). It had nothing whatsoever to do with their legendary rip-roaring performance. So, those of you (us) with the, currently more valuable - according to Barret-Jackson - C3's, I admire your devotion/dedication, based mostly on the horsepower performance factor, and disregarding the somewhat primitiveness of the first quarter design specific to squeaks/rattles, materials, etc. vs. the end of the C3 generation. Dave McLellan, the Corvette Chief Program Manager affirms this in their quality data so no denying they improved as time went on. I would personally prefer the more loaded/steamlined and modern technology-driven cars even though I can now pretty much choose between any C3 made. Just look at any of the C3 parts catalogs - GM continued to take out a lot of complexity and weight as the vehicle progressed, especially in the early 80's, in preparation for the C4. Probably 2/3 of the parts that applied to early C3's are entirely re-engineered, or often eliminated altogether. They were trying to improve the C3's all around, not just meeting the EPA mandates we voted-in as a country. Btw, I'm personally thrilled that lead was mandated out of our gas, and our air, and that catalytic converters were made standard after having lived in smoggy Riverside, CA, regardless of it's initial contribution to decimating the C3's horsepower.

No denying, the C3 is a wonderful machine across the year's spectrum - but, remember that GM kept investing to improve it each and every single year after 1968. Those of us late 40-50 year somethings whose kids are now in or graduating from high school or college are now able to re-live our own college days. I just can't take the smile off my face whenever I drive it. So, I just wanted to explain - with extreme due respect for pre-`74 C3's (I think nothing but positives) - that the next and final phase of us baby-boomers put as much or more value on the refined function and integrated design on the post-`73 C3's and you do with a pre-1974 C3's. Some say that the `68-`72's have peaked in value because the next generation, is coming of age, such as mine. Again, I personally have an `82 - and, could have basically acquired any C3 at my stage - but, but I literally WANTED the memory of my own C3 hay-days, which could be different from my respected brethren in their 60's+. As well, I wanted - regardless of any early "C3 purists" opinions (its my own hard earned money) - the leading edge comforts and technology of the later C3 era that were a relevant aspiration of my era. If I ever won the lottery, I would acquire one prime example of every C3 year's model - each year has it's attributes that are really that good. But, honestly, if I was forced to choose one representative, it would be the one that GM tried to make the very best, both on the drawing board and in their new, state-of-the art Bowling Green assembly plant. Please don't criticize the later C3's. What you lose in road-ripping horsepower, you gain in the steadily advanced technology and refinement as each year went by. The Corvette engineers and their leadership were an extremely proud team and did not stand still after 1973, especially during the dark days of EPA. They continued to improve each year, especially every 3rd year or so. The prices quadrupled between `72 and `82 and it wasn't all overhead costs. Improving technology, materials, features and exterior refreshes are expensive for a low-production car as the Corvette. Regardless of horsepower constraints, those of us that grew up with the later C3 models view them - rightly or wrongly - as superior, because that is what we associate our fond memories with - just exactly like you do; and no amount of kidding or looking down on them will ever (ever) change our minds. We envy your high-horsepower vehicles and for GM's break-through contributions of the pre-`73-74 era to our beloved hobby. As a young kid, I loved and identified with my pre-`73 miniature HO electric race track Corvettes. But, many - and, the majority of us entering the C3 hobby ranks - can value the benefits of owning the later stage C3's equally as much as you do with your pre-`74 beauties.

I would say that, both major generational C3 segment owners should pull together and be concerned with inspiring more youth to get into our C3 hobby in order to preserve/enhance our investments - and passions. Personally, I think it starts with handing our kids/grand kids the keys and trusting them to spend an evening enthralling their friends, assuming we did our jobs raising them to be trustworthy. Sure, there are risks - but, for the next generation to catch the bug - and, the C3 is a proven potentially addictive bug across generations - it will need to be on their terms or they won't have the same semi-life altering experience that we did. Remember, they didn't watch their older brothers/sisters/friends or parents with them, or see prime time TV shows & commercials with them, or see them glistening on Chevy dealer's lots.

Bottom line, there's something in it for all of us to appreciate each C3 generation. The early C3s are magnificent machines and I truly hope they continue to increase in value - I love them and they reinforce (invented) a great, no-nonsense mystique for our chosen hobby. But, I would not trade my late C3 for any one of them. If I had to, I would take it, re-sell it, and buy another later C3 because that is where my own personal fond memories, technological/refinement desire, heart - and pocket book - is. I'll respect yours, if you respect mine.
Regardless, any C3 - and I mean any C3 - will gather more admirers at a tail gate party than virtually any other car. Speaking of tail gates - Good job Spartans!

 

As anyone knows, it takes very little to get rid of the weak parts of the engine, and make it just as powerful as the early models. The truth is the difference between any C3 Corvette is mostly minor cosmetic and power issues, much thanks to the federal government mandates. Reading this forum on this subject would make some people believer there are actually any real differences across the whole C3 generation, when in truth they are all very similar. Of course, that is my opinion.