Chrome bumper convertible values?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 955
Likes: 50
From: Jersey Shore
Chrome bumper convertible values?
Been looking for a 68-72 chrome bumper project car to fix up for a few months now and Im curious as to what these cars actually sell for completed? Sometimes I cant tell if Im being cheap or if people think craigslist is like Barret Jackson?
I always thought a nice driver convertible with NOM and was not originally some special car usually sells for around $18-23k. I know there are a million variables, but figure a small block with a nice running motor, and no apparent drivetrain/suspension issues and decent paint.
Maybe its me thats way off?
I always thought a nice driver convertible with NOM and was not originally some special car usually sells for around $18-23k. I know there are a million variables, but figure a small block with a nice running motor, and no apparent drivetrain/suspension issues and decent paint.
Maybe its me thats way off?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,164
Likes: 4,243
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi v427,
I think everyones idea of what a 'nice driver' is varies, probably quite a bit.
For me I'd think the $18k to $23k price you mention is the bottom range of the values of a 'nice driver chrome bumper convertible'.
Regards,
Alan
I think everyones idea of what a 'nice driver' is varies, probably quite a bit.
For me I'd think the $18k to $23k price you mention is the bottom range of the values of a 'nice driver chrome bumper convertible'.
Regards,
Alan
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 158
Likes: 29
From: N. Florida
I'm in the market myself, and I have found a good number of nice driver quality small block convertible cars in the 24-26k range. If you step up to the 28-32k level you will find some very well-sorted cars at the moment. I've found so many lately, I think I might just buy a nicer one vs. fixing something up. From what I have found I couldn't put money into a nice driver and make out value wise.
The only thing that has kept me back so far is finding a car with both tilt/tele and A/C.
I don't know why that combination was seemingly so rare as almost all of the 74-75 convertibles seem to be equipped with both. Maybe my luck though - everything that catches my eye is missing one or the other.
The only thing that has kept me back so far is finding a car with both tilt/tele and A/C.
I don't know why that combination was seemingly so rare as almost all of the 74-75 convertibles seem to be equipped with both. Maybe my luck though - everything that catches my eye is missing one or the other.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
From the factory, my '72 vert had a 4 speed, L48 engine, a/c and fixed wheel, but it was turned into a show car by a series of two chicks in So. Maryland, near DC.....the flares were cut back and car painted a nice burgundy sometime in the mid 80's....I bought it in '95, and by the time 20 years rolled around, the paint had given up.....FLORIDA sun had an issue....that and some stupid crap that was not my fault.....
But immediately the car got a TT steering column, and then just literally every part on it is not stock, not even the frame....it's ALL modified, not enough room on the forum to mention all the mods.....
But immediately the car got a TT steering column, and then just literally every part on it is not stock, not even the frame....it's ALL modified, not enough room on the forum to mention all the mods.....
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 955
Likes: 50
From: Jersey Shore
Thanks for the input guys... "driver" can be a very subjective word so its hard to really gauge value based on that. Maybe I am a little on the low side of what I value these cars at. But what I really wonder is, you see alot of these cars listed in the 24-26k range, but what are they actually selling for?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,380
Likes: 415
From: N J
I dont think you're way off at all, you should be able to find a respectable driver small block convertible for 23k. Especially if its a NOM. Hang in there, its bound to turn up. Its still a buyers market, for how long, who knows? Good luck.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 158
Likes: 29
From: N. Florida
Hard to say what the actual transaction prices are, but I have noticed any chrome bumper convertible cars priced over the 24-26k spot seem to be available for a long while - months in fact.
I agree driver quality is very subjective, but I have noticed the 24-26k range will generally get you a car described exactly as you mention in your original post. When you step up to the next category 28k+ you usually find cars with freshened interiors, either rebuilt mechanicals (driveline and/or suspension) or recent paint.
I agree driver quality is very subjective, but I have noticed the 24-26k range will generally get you a car described exactly as you mention in your original post. When you step up to the next category 28k+ you usually find cars with freshened interiors, either rebuilt mechanicals (driveline and/or suspension) or recent paint.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,872
Likes: 3,548
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
Here's a fairly good idea of what they are "going" for-
Do a search on eBay for 68-72 - then click on "sold listings"- you've got about 20 or so cars from the last 30 days that have supposedly sold and price....a lot of them went for the teens....
Richard
Do a search on eBay for 68-72 - then click on "sold listings"- you've got about 20 or so cars from the last 30 days that have supposedly sold and price....a lot of them went for the teens....
Richard
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 32
From: Damascus MD
Driver quality bumper car
This is such a subjective term.
I looked for almost 2 years before I found an honest C3 bumper car without a lot of rust. Even then it needed work. It was a decent driver but soon showed its age.
I just do not think there are all that many really nice bumper cars out there. I must have looked at 20-25 and everyone had issues. Rust, Paint, interior etc.. Especially with working A/C.
If you want a driver with working A/C that has been gone through with fresh paint I am thinking 26k-30k.
That excludes a distressed sale or someone that is just ready to see the vette go.
"Patience Grasshooper."
Bill
I looked for almost 2 years before I found an honest C3 bumper car without a lot of rust. Even then it needed work. It was a decent driver but soon showed its age.
I just do not think there are all that many really nice bumper cars out there. I must have looked at 20-25 and everyone had issues. Rust, Paint, interior etc.. Especially with working A/C.
If you want a driver with working A/C that has been gone through with fresh paint I am thinking 26k-30k.
That excludes a distressed sale or someone that is just ready to see the vette go.
"Patience Grasshooper."
Bill
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 955
Likes: 50
From: Jersey Shore
The main reason I ask is not because Im looking to buy a driver convertible. Im looking to buy a fair condition project that I can spend a few thousand on and put my own time in and still have a car that I will not be in the red with (assuming my time is not worth much) when the time comes to sell. Believe me, I know this is not easy to do and I am in the red 3 fold with my current 69 coupe. But I think with some careful planning and the right buy, it could be done. I enjoy working on the cars and its good business for my shop. Now if anyone has a fair condition chrome bumper vert for sale, Id be interested
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 454
Likes: 7
From: SB County CA
You just touched on what I was thinking. We seem to lament at the trends of pony cars and family sedans outpacing a car that was superior from the factory...it seems a double-edged sword depending on which side of the fence you currently sit.
I've felt for some time the value of Corvettes is plagued by so many keeping them in stock trim. In my opinion, the value is in either Top NCRS condition or in an all out pro-touring update. There's not a lot of demand for anything in between. It also seems that the pony/muscle car guys are a lot more open to real modifications and therefore are creating a greater following and demand.
I've felt for some time the value of Corvettes is plagued by so many keeping them in stock trim. In my opinion, the value is in either Top NCRS condition or in an all out pro-touring update. There's not a lot of demand for anything in between. It also seems that the pony/muscle car guys are a lot more open to real modifications and therefore are creating a greater following and demand.