So Has the C3 BB Bubble Burst yet?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 43
From: Vernon CT
So Has the C3 BB Bubble Burst yet?
So Has the C3 BB Bubble Burst yet?
Ive been looking at some 1969 Convertible 427's and I see auctions falling short of the asking prices by HALF. Sellers asking $58-60k for tri-powers are getting max bids of $32-35.
Has the bud fell off the rose? Are these bidders not serious, or the sellers asking Blue-sky prices? Or both.
Should I wait to buy a 1969 Tri-power Convertible?
Ive been looking at some 1969 Convertible 427's and I see auctions falling short of the asking prices by HALF. Sellers asking $58-60k for tri-powers are getting max bids of $32-35.
Has the bud fell off the rose? Are these bidders not serious, or the sellers asking Blue-sky prices? Or both.
Should I wait to buy a 1969 Tri-power Convertible?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,400
Likes: 1,226
From: Tampa Florida
If you want a '69 Tri-power Connvertible, then concentrate on the one that fits your preference; color, condition, etc. I was looking at eBay ads and completed sales for '71 BB Convertibles for getting pricing ideas for selling mine. There's a lot of weird crap out there. Hard to determine an asking price.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 721
Likes: 105
From: hernando fl
I think there are a significant number of people who believe or are led to believe unless a corvette is an " original " numbers matching " and "documented " it is not worth having.
i'm not 100 % up to speed on other makes and brands but I don't think they are as caught up in the " numbers game " that vette people are.
for lack of a better way to say it , I think the vette people have shot themselves in the foot value wise by being so snobbish about less than perfect cars.
i'm not 100 % up to speed on other makes and brands but I don't think they are as caught up in the " numbers game " that vette people are.
for lack of a better way to say it , I think the vette people have shot themselves in the foot value wise by being so snobbish about less than perfect cars.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 43
From: Vernon CT
this one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-Corvette-Convertible-Numbers-Matching-427-Tri-Power-Rare-Monaco-Orange-/201151895073?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=Apd6y5LSRma%252FK53M4IckLnijG0c%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
and like this one (but not tri-power)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-Corvette-Convertible-smatching427-390hp-RetroA-C-Red-Red-STUNNINGCOSMETIC-/181508751150?viewitem=&sspagename=ADME%3AX%3ARTQ%3AMOTORS%3A1123&forcerRptr=true&item=181508751150&nma=true&si=Apd6y5LSRma%252FK53M4IckLnijG0c%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-Corvette-Convertible-Numbers-Matching-427-Tri-Power-Rare-Monaco-Orange-/201151895073?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=Apd6y5LSRma%252FK53M4IckLnijG0c%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
and like this one (but not tri-power)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-Corvette-Convertible-smatching427-390hp-RetroA-C-Red-Red-STUNNINGCOSMETIC-/181508751150?viewitem=&sspagename=ADME%3AX%3ARTQ%3AMOTORS%3A1123&forcerRptr=true&item=181508751150&nma=true&si=Apd6y5LSRma%252FK53M4IckLnijG0c%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,633
From: Draper Utah
in the past I've always owned Camero's. I bought a Corvette this time because I always wanted one and because it was $10k less than a comparable Camero. YMMV
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
If you actually drive a C3, the cost of fuel for a BB can get on your nerves. Even a 350 is about $6.00 per 15 miles now. A two-hour Sunday afternoon drive can run you $30-40. I did that trick last weekend.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 40
Say n ...you can dump what 30.00 to50.00 bucks going out to the movies. It's my drinking money and I guess better for me ..LOL
So.....it's sorta my recreation money ...to drive the vette .....but I only live 5 miles to Dollar General and maybe two miles to a mall with Grocery store . I find a lot of excuses to go for drives though the neighborhood
But all I have to do if I'm feeling sorry about my gas milage is look at this one dudes boat speed yatch ...007 looking thing...he drives EVeRY nice week end .....it has FOUR GIANT YAmAHA OUTBOArD MOTORS ...probally four cyl each....it probably costs him 30.00 to turn them on. My car is a hybrid compared to his monster.
Last edited by LS4 PILOT; Sep 9, 2014 at 07:56 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
i get 15 on the highway with my 454..
but back to the question..
no the bubble has not burst, I don't think there was one. prices are appreciating slowly but steadily.
The EBAY issue continues to be sellers fishing for high prices, not really needing to sell. and buyers bidding on cars sight unseen, in which they will not really bid very high, which keeps prices artificially low from an ebay bid perspective. . sellers not serious about selling, and buyers not serious about buying. Cars will continue to sell outside of ebay for who knows what price.. we don't have that information. On EBAY , Its only a small fee to put your car up for sale and get such national exposure.
a good condition tripower convertible will cost you...
but back to the question..
no the bubble has not burst, I don't think there was one. prices are appreciating slowly but steadily.
The EBAY issue continues to be sellers fishing for high prices, not really needing to sell. and buyers bidding on cars sight unseen, in which they will not really bid very high, which keeps prices artificially low from an ebay bid perspective. . sellers not serious about selling, and buyers not serious about buying. Cars will continue to sell outside of ebay for who knows what price.. we don't have that information. On EBAY , Its only a small fee to put your car up for sale and get such national exposure.
a good condition tripower convertible will cost you...
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
LOL....very true......what's bad is our Ford Expedition gets as bad or worse than the corvette.
Say n ...you can dump what 30.00 to50.00 bucks going out to the movies. It's my drinking money and I guess better for me ..LOL
So.....it's sorta my recreation money ...to drive the vette .....but I only live 5 mikes to Dollar General and maybe two miles to a mall with Grocery store . I find a lot of excuses to go for drives though the neighborhood
But all I have to do if I'm feeling sorry about my gas milage is look at this one dudes boat speed yatch ...007 looking thing...he drives EVeRY nice week end .....it has FOUR GIANT YAmAHA OUTBOArD MOTORS ...probally four cyl each....it probably costs him 30.00 to turn them on. My car is a hybrid compared to his monster.
Say n ...you can dump what 30.00 to50.00 bucks going out to the movies. It's my drinking money and I guess better for me ..LOL
So.....it's sorta my recreation money ...to drive the vette .....but I only live 5 mikes to Dollar General and maybe two miles to a mall with Grocery store . I find a lot of excuses to go for drives though the neighborhood
But all I have to do if I'm feeling sorry about my gas milage is look at this one dudes boat speed yatch ...007 looking thing...he drives EVeRY nice week end .....it has FOUR GIANT YAmAHA OUTBOArD MOTORS ...probally four cyl each....it probably costs him 30.00 to turn them on. My car is a hybrid compared to his monster.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 43
From: Vernon CT
. Sure it doesn't get the drools of my 66, 69, or 71 but I don't care...!
TheCorvetteBen
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,987
Likes: 144
From: Van Alstyne, TX
i get 15 on the highway with my 454..
but back to the question..
no the bubble has not burst, I don't think there was one. prices are appreciating slowly but steadily.
The EBAY issue continues to be sellers fishing for high prices, not really needing to sell. and buyers bidding on cars sight unseen, in which they will not really bid very high, which keeps prices artificially low from an ebay bid perspective. . sellers not serious about selling, and buyers not serious about buying. Cars will continue to sell outside of ebay for who knows what price.. we don't have that information. On EBAY , Its only a small fee to put your car up for sale and get such national exposure.
a good condition tripower convertible will cost you...
but back to the question..
no the bubble has not burst, I don't think there was one. prices are appreciating slowly but steadily.
The EBAY issue continues to be sellers fishing for high prices, not really needing to sell. and buyers bidding on cars sight unseen, in which they will not really bid very high, which keeps prices artificially low from an ebay bid perspective. . sellers not serious about selling, and buyers not serious about buying. Cars will continue to sell outside of ebay for who knows what price.. we don't have that information. On EBAY , Its only a small fee to put your car up for sale and get such national exposure.
a good condition tripower convertible will cost you...
With this! Most people trying to sell these types of cars are the ones trying to make a profit on them while they can. Why do you think the reserves are set so high? They wanna clear 20K in profit on each. Plus it seems like most for sale are from dealers, and we all know what those are all about!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 40
I know until the internet got going good..because I was looking for 11 long years..finding BB cars for sale in any condition was not easy .....and matching numbers ones damn near impossible . I couldn't find anyone in the 80's willing to sell their cars with numbers original motor. All I could find were CE block cars or decked 454 s . And people wanted stupid prices for BB cars missing the original motor.
But ....in the end .....I bought to please myself .....not anyone else...
But ....in the end .....I bought to please myself .....not anyone else...
Last edited by LS4 PILOT; Sep 8, 2014 at 09:27 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
I think there are a significant number of people who believe or are led to believe unless a corvette is an " original " numbers matching " and "documented " it is not worth having.
i'm not 100 % up to speed on other makes and brands but I don't think they are as caught up in the " numbers game " that vette people are.
for lack of a better way to say it , I think the vette people have shot themselves in the foot value wise by being so snobbish about less than perfect cars.
i'm not 100 % up to speed on other makes and brands but I don't think they are as caught up in the " numbers game " that vette people are.
for lack of a better way to say it , I think the vette people have shot themselves in the foot value wise by being so snobbish about less than perfect cars.
Yeah, no doubt NOMs have more of a stigma in Corvette world. Funny how some may be warrantee replacements but are considered to be inferior none the less.
I don't think there ever was a bubble. Most BB C3 prices I see fall around $35K to $40K if they're matching numbers, claimed to be mostly original. I don't recall seeing any selling for more unless they are an LS6. Haggerty shows prices for a condition 3 69 427 L36 to be hovering around $33K. Not much change over the last 7 years. The better condition L36's have sagged a bit in price starting around 2009. A 70 LS5, same condition hovers around $38K. Same trend, rather flat for the last 7 years, better condition cars prices have sagged.
I certainly don't get 15 MPG from my LS5. Probably closer to 10.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
I've looked for admitted NOM BB Corvettes out of curiosity. They seem to be tougher to find these days... Best to invest in having someone verify the stamp pad before paying the premium.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 34,034
Likes: 222
From: Land of Thunder
2018 C2 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15, '19
All I can say is if you want a 70's era Chevy BB, the best bang for your buck is a C3. As those cars continue to go up, the Vette will be pulled along. I'm mystified why they are so low comparatively, but it worked out for me - bought one "cheap".
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 13,238
Likes: 1,092
From: YANKEES UNIVERSE 70 454-LS5 500 ft-lbs Torque
A REAL documented,original engine,69 427/435,in the right colors could bring 100k and better. A 427/400 with ac is very desirable and brings in the 80-100k range. Like i said i am talking original engine,no nonsense 427's,NOT the advertised matching numbers,that are usually not the original engines. If the ad does not specify Original Engine,than most likely it is not,and most likely a restamp,and therefore the low prices.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 13,238
Likes: 1,092
From: YANKEES UNIVERSE 70 454-LS5 500 ft-lbs Torque
BTW,call me biased,but a 70-72 454 LS5 is a very underrated Big Block and often overlooked because people prefer a 68-69 BB,BUT ask any 454 owner,i have owned 3 69 427's,and they will tell you the LS5 is no pushover. I know a few forum members recently bought LS5's and got some great deals.