Need some help- what's it worth ?
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2014
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Need some help- what's it worth ?
Hello, my name is Eric. The reason I am posting is because I have a 1976 Corvette Stingray I want to sell. The front and rear bumper has substantial damage (we bought the car with the spoiler on) but the frame, suspension, and tires are all brand new. Also, Heat and sound dampening have been applied underneath the carpet we put in. I'm trying to get an idea of what this could be worth. I know a little about cars but not nearly enough to feel confident selling it. Attached are photos of the car and a copy of the receipt of the work done. I will do my best to answer any and all questions you have so please don't hesitate. Thank you in advance for your help.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Moving this from Cars For Sale classifieds to the General discussion section. When you determine how much you are asking for the car, then place an ad back here in the For Sale section. 
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
What is the assessed value for tax purposes? You could use that figure as a ballpark starting point. You could also consider having the car appraised.
A minor point, but do you have the driver's side top?
Good luck.
A minor point, but do you have the driver's side top?
Good luck.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,986
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From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Unless you can do the work yourself, or have a connection who does Corvette body & paint cheap, you could spend as much as you could expect to get for the car fixing it. Be careful.
What does the engine compartment look like? Is the engine original? What about the interior?
EDIT: I just looked at the doc detailing the work, so my related comments are deleted. You actually did replace the frame.
Do not spend another dime on this car before you sell it.
What does the engine compartment look like? Is the engine original? What about the interior?
EDIT: I just looked at the doc detailing the work, so my related comments are deleted. You actually did replace the frame.
Do not spend another dime on this car before you sell it.
Last edited by vettebuyer6369; Jun 12, 2014 at 01:46 PM. Reason: deleted frame comments after seeing invoice
Safety Car
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From: San Antonio TX
Le Mans Master
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From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Make it look pretty!
Hi Eric,
Your car presents very poorly. As a buyer I would first be very disappointed as I saw the car from the outside.
Next I get in and "What is that on the horn button"?
You have a receipt for things that were fixed but seeing the sill plates are on backwards I'd at least wonder what else was put together backwards.
Your car presents very poorly. As a buyer I would first be very disappointed as I saw the car from the outside.
Next I get in and "What is that on the horn button"?
You have a receipt for things that were fixed but seeing the sill plates are on backwards I'd at least wonder what else was put together backwards.
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Verdad Gallardo
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Too bad that you don't want to keep it....
another $3,000 (optimistic).....
and a daily driver paint job----and you are there!
OR.....show the prospective buyers your receipts and try to break even.
another $3,000 (optimistic).....
and a daily driver paint job----and you are there!
OR.....show the prospective buyers your receipts and try to break even.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
What car is better than that!
Take a one hour ride in it the way it is and count the number of people that give you a thumbs up. Check out the people that snap a photo as you drive by.
As doorgunner says a few grand more and you have a toy to be proud of.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Paoli, IN
St. Jude Donor '17, '19
I would say this is bad advice. The OP would spend more money in doing these things than he would make selling it. Or at the very least he wouldn't make as much in net as selling it outright. Unless he knows people that can do it for him with next to no cost.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Lincoln, CA
I'd say even if he listed it for $10K it's won't sell in it's current state. Also replacing the frame makes me question the bird cage.
If it's all solid from all the work I still see bodywork, paint, bumpers, interior and an unknown engine. Then add it's an Automatic.
I see an easy 10 grand more.
I'd rather have this for $13K and it's been for sale for awhile.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/4482077738.html
If it's all solid from all the work I still see bodywork, paint, bumpers, interior and an unknown engine. Then add it's an Automatic.
I see an easy 10 grand more.
I'd rather have this for $13K and it's been for sale for awhile.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/4482077738.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: N J
Do not spend another dime on this car before you sell it.
Hi Eric,
If you really want to get a good idea of what kind of $$$ the car will bring in, for a few dollars I would list it on Ebay for a week. Put in a high reserve and see what the bidding goes up to.
Be sure to list all the work that's been done on the car so far, and provide as many pics as possible.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 6
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Thank you for all the help. It does start up and run with a jump. Pretty sure it's only a bad battery though. It is all original engine parts. The reason I am selling is because my dad recently passed away and my mom needs the cash. Posting it on eBay sounds like a good idea. Never thought of that. As for the estimated tax value I would have to look into it. I do have both tops. I have pictures of the engine but I will have to post them later as I am not at home right now.
Please keep any and all questions coming. They are a great help.
Please keep any and all questions coming. They are a great help.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 607
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If I was looking at buying this car, the first thing that screams out at me is "Why was the frame replaced?". Looking under the hood, its dirty and rusty, but not too bad and it looks like most of it is still there. No belt on the AC compresor is troublesome, but not a deal breaker. Take that goofy ricky racer wing off the back of it and it will double in value even if theres just holes where it was.
Its worth as much as you can sell it for. Start at 10K and take what you can get. Good luck with the sale.
Its worth as much as you can sell it for. Start at 10K and take what you can get. Good luck with the sale.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
May not make a difference, but the air cleaner, valve covers, breathers, and the Chevrolet sticker on the distributor shield are not stock.
If it were me, I'd skip the Gunk and any other repairs/modifications. Sell the car as is. The new owner can take it from there.
If it were me, I'd skip the Gunk and any other repairs/modifications. Sell the car as is. The new owner can take it from there.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Jun 13, 2014 at 08:16 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 148
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From: Prairie Village Kansas
Try to clean it up as best as you can (interior carpets, seats, dash). Talk about what works (radio, instrument cluster, gauges, headlights?) and sell it as a project car. Take a look on the Forums, CL, and Ebay and price it accordingly. Good Luck!