I'm a C4 guy but I recently came across a '71 coupe in 'barn find' condition and was wondering what it might be worth. It's black on black, 350 auto, probably NOM, with vintage Cragars (too wide and not as cool as they could be, spinner caps) and exposed chrome side pipes. Some previous owner put in diamond-pattern seat covers and tore out the a/c, although the garage owner who's storing it thinks the parts may still exist somewhere. The body looks fairly straight and crack-free, from what I could see through the dust. The garage owner said he had it running 6 years ago when the current owner left it.

I'm thinking you'd have to get a set of Rallys and new tires, restore the a/c to working condition, replace the seat covers (and possibly carpeting) - all told about $5-6K to bring it to presentable condition. That said, it would still be a driver worth maybe $20K?

My questions: What would it be worth? What would I need to look for? What would be a reasonable offer?

I know this is a little long, but after all it's a Corvette and I hate to see it languishing in the corner of a shop. I also know that Corvette guys always overvalue their cars (myself included - '95 coupe, 32K miles).

Any thoughts, C3 guys & girls? I need a REALLY convincing argument for my wife...

 

I'm thinking it's about a $12K car as it sits, afterward it ought to be worth close to what you've got in it. More fun than blowing money on gambling and hookers in Vegas.

Oh wait.... n/m

 

Do you have some pictures that you can post to this thread? It would make it much easier to assess the value.

 

It totally depends on your version of presentable...
Obviously pics would help but based on your description, a 327 would absolutely be NOM as the 327 was gone after 1968.

Is the chrome pitted? Is the bodywork and paint all straight? Black wasn't a factory option in 71' so it has been repainted at least once. Biggest issues on these are rust. Frame and birdcage okay? I assume it doesn't run? Is this guy trying to sell or did you really "find" it?

If I were looking, I would go in order of
1. Frame and birdcage rust
2. Engine/transmission condition
3. Suspension/brakes.

If you can get it to start and stop and maybe even go in a straight line it greatly changes how much it is worth. Unless those things check out I wouldn't go over 8-10k and I would assume it needs 7-8k in work

just my 2 cents.

Moose

 

Moving 'whats it worth' thread from C3 Cars For Sale classifieds to General discussion area.



PS: wrong paint, wrong engine, a minimum (its more) of $6k in repairs, etc. Definitely not $20k.

 

Any pics you can post ?

 

Sounds high to me based on the description.

 

Yes, they do.

 

If I had to sell my turnkey driver, totally redone with all original parts tomorrow for some reason, in the real world I think I would be lucky to get 20k for it.

 

Hi ccrvt,
I think a 71 coupe with a missing original engine, an automatic transmission, "torn out a/c", that needs paint and an interior, and probably LOT'S more, is really no more than a $5000 car.
Cars like the one you describe can eat money at a frightening pace. Everything you improve will lead your eye towards something else that'll need attention.
Buy a better, (more expensive) foundation if you need to be concerned with what the car will be worth when you're finished working on it.
Regards,
Alan

There's usually a reason a car is pushed to the side and ignored.

 

All points well-taken. My mistake - it's a 350 motor. I'd like to get some pics up because I feel strongly that this car needs a rescue. Present owner allegedly has health issues (It's a b---- getting old. I know.) and could be prodded into selling, but I think the price would have to be quite low, especially in light of Mick71's comment. Thanks for the feedback. Don't nobody tell my wife...

 

Lot of work and money will be spent only to find out you have spent more than the car is worth. If you are going to do a fixer upper do one that is a high value car.

 

I've found the Hagerty Valuations to be helpful and accurate.

http://www.hagerty.com/valuationtool...port?vc=210878

The prices given are an average. 4-Speeds are usually worth a little above average while automatics are usually a little under average. That's the only option that really carries a big punch one way or the other that is not detailed in Hagerty values.