From L71 to L88
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From L71 to L88
Hi. 2015 is the year I finally get a C3 Corvette, the car I've always loved since being a kid growing up in the 70s. I'm really interested in a 68-71 big block. Now I have a candidate but I need some opinions. According to Hagerty, a 1969 L71 Coupe goes for 75,300$ (condition 2) or 51700$ (condition 3) ballpark. What if I'm looking at an L71 original that was modified to an L88 configuration? The overall condition is pretty nice. I know the value of the L88 is irrelevant as it's sky high. Should the thing still be valued as an L71, lower or higher? The modification was done by a credible Corvette specialty shop. And to add another twist, the car was repainted with a not original color but nothing wacky, a nice job really.
I know valuation depends on a lot of factors but assuming this car fits the Hagerty conditions right on the nose, what's a realistic price for this thing?
Thanks.
I know valuation depends on a lot of factors but assuming this car fits the Hagerty conditions right on the nose, what's a realistic price for this thing?
Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
The car you mention is no longer original and has been modified. Asking prices should be for a used 1969 Corvette. I would think the Hagerty figures are for original cars.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,478
Likes: 254
From: Downers Grove Illinois
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
Is the block original? Partial VIN present on the stamp pad? I've heard of many people modifying the engines, sometimes extensively, but still referring to them as 'matching numbers' though not original configuration. The people who pay the most for these cars are the collectors and speculators. The original block is a must have. If you have at least 'matching numbers' it has always been my impression much of the value of an original is retained, maybe not as much as a "survivor". The color change may drop the value by what ever the cost may be to restore it to the original color. The price may be further reduced by the cost to return the engine to original configuration. Even so I'd say it has much more potential value than one without the original block.
Last edited by BBCorv70; Mar 24, 2015 at 10:00 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 41
From: Raleigh NC
St. Jude Donor '13-'14
I agree with BBC. If the block is possibly the original block, I feel the car can maintain pretty good value. A color change from original would be a factor for me, but is still fixable. If the block is still the original block, it could still be put back to the correct configuration, for a nice sum of $$$ - same with the color change.
I do not know of any new 1969 corvettes, so I'll agree the price will be for a used 1969 corvette.
Albeit, one with better options than a base model configuration, and the price should certainly reflect that.
If your goal is originality, you need to take these costs into account to get this car back to an L-71.
I do not know of any new 1969 corvettes, so I'll agree the price will be for a used 1969 corvette.
Albeit, one with better options than a base model configuration, and the price should certainly reflect that.If your goal is originality, you need to take these costs into account to get this car back to an L-71.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,740
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You need to be more specific as to what they did to the engine to make it an "L-88" Even if it is the original block you may no longer have the original heads and you definitely dont have the carburetors or intake from an L-71.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 468
Likes: 20
From: Warrenton VA
I agree with the above posts. Hagerty does value specific original cars. Unfortunately, the car isn't original any longer but sounds like a nice used vette. Would be cool if the original parts came with the car upon sale. The real question is how much do they want for it and how much are you willing to pay to have a modified corvette?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
This may be true but I'm sure some heads could be found, carburetors, and intake. Since they carry nor serial numbers, they would only need to have the correct casting numbers and preferably date codes within a reasonable period before the car as built. It wouldn't surprise me to hear there are many being traded as originals which may have some replacement parts. The block is the only part of the engine which must be original unless an owner resorted to restamping. Whether it would make economic sense to chase down the parts depends on what price was paid for the car. Deduct for non original color plus cost to restore the engine to original configuration. I'd think this would still place the value of the car above a garden variety 69 Corvette or a NOM 69 Corvette.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,988
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From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
A car thats been modified to the extent you are suggesting will result in a very, very subjective range of valuations.
You need a lot more specifics to even get credible guesses here, and they still will be pure speculation.
You need a lot more specifics to even get credible guesses here, and they still will be pure speculation.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
L-71 to L-88
I have the actual car since 1968....Less than a year old I convinced the dealer where it came from to replace the L-71 with a L-88 short block...Too use the OE block one cannot make a true L-88 without many parts of which is all internal...and it would still not be a L-88
The 88`s do have full floating rods, 7/16 rod bolts, forged 12.5 compression ratio pistons....
Offer me enough money and I will sell it......
Wally Knoch
The 88`s do have full floating rods, 7/16 rod bolts, forged 12.5 compression ratio pistons....
Offer me enough money and I will sell it......
Wally Knoch