parting out
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 115
Likes: 6
From: Carlyle IL
Its a 1977. I was see if anyone had advice from experience on parting out c3's. Surely someone on the forum has parted out a C3. Im just wondering what im getting myself into.
I think I can get more out of it that way vs selling it as is.
I think I can get more out of it that way vs selling it as is.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 115
Likes: 6
From: Carlyle IL
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 115
Likes: 6
From: Carlyle IL
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Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,705
Likes: 983
From: Orlando FL
We DOUBLED our money on the 31 Chevy, but it took us 2 years to do it.
Last edited by oldgto; Sep 25, 2015 at 07:59 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 115
Likes: 6
From: Carlyle IL
Not a C3, but we`ve parted out a couple cars, including a 1931 Chevy. You are correct, you can make a lot of money on it, but be prepared to do a LOT of work for it! You`ll need space to store the parts, an outlet ( forums, ebay, c.list, etc), and it will NOT be quick! There will be boxes & padding and postage.... (postage will eat you alive if you don`t calculate it right), and if you choose to sell at swap meets, be ready to load and unload and load and unload several times. LOT of time sending pictures & answering e-mails and posting.
We DOUBLED our money on the 31 Chevy, but it took us 2 years to do it.
We DOUBLED our money on the 31 Chevy, but it took us 2 years to do it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
People often think parting out a car is the way to make more money than selling it outright but don't realize the amount of work and hassle involved . If you don't have a lot of ambition you will probably sell a few parts off of the car and then have trouble selling the rest as a whole car. My advice to you would be to install new wiring harnesses in the car and your electrical problems would be solved. It's easier to install new harnesses than to try to find electrical problems and fix them.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,705
Likes: 983
From: Orlando FL
People often think parting out a car is the way to make more money than selling it outright but don't realize the amount of work and hassle involved . If you don't have a lot of ambition you will probably sell a few parts off of the car and then have trouble selling the rest as a whole car. My advice to you would be to install new wiring harnesses in the car and your electrical problems would be solved. It's easier to install new harnesses than to try to find electrical problems and fix them.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 992
Likes: 28
From: Sutton MA
People often think parting out a car is the way to make more money than selling it outright but don't realize the amount of work and hassle involved . If you don't have a lot of ambition you will probably sell a few parts off of the car and then have trouble selling the rest as a whole car. My advice to you would be to install new wiring harnesses in the car and your electrical problems would be solved. It's easier to install new harnesses than to try to find electrical problems and fix them.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 115
Likes: 6
From: Carlyle IL
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
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2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
If you are talking about using Ebay to part it out, I would highly discourage you. I have lots of experience in selling and buying on Ebay, and when I look at parts for sale for C3 Corvettes on Ebay, what I see is alot of stuff NEVER selling, and if it does, it is almost giving it away.
In contrast, if you look at Harley Davidson parts, either for old or new, there is lots of stuff being sold at high values.
I just think the amount of people truly restoring or rebuilding C3 Corvettes is a very small group. Even at Carlisle, where it theoretically is a Corvette only crowd, I only sold a small amount of the parts I had for sale, and again, giving away.
As others have said, its alot of work in getting paid i.e. Paypal, packaging, shipping, communication....all of which eats quickly away at whatever profit there is in it. I have a big pile of 1977 Corvette parts, and I see no way of getting rid of it and recouping any money....so it all may just end up in the trash. Sad but true.
In contrast, if you look at Harley Davidson parts, either for old or new, there is lots of stuff being sold at high values.
I just think the amount of people truly restoring or rebuilding C3 Corvettes is a very small group. Even at Carlisle, where it theoretically is a Corvette only crowd, I only sold a small amount of the parts I had for sale, and again, giving away.
As others have said, its alot of work in getting paid i.e. Paypal, packaging, shipping, communication....all of which eats quickly away at whatever profit there is in it. I have a big pile of 1977 Corvette parts, and I see no way of getting rid of it and recouping any money....so it all may just end up in the trash. Sad but true.
Last edited by Shovels and Vettes; Sep 26, 2015 at 08:10 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 992
Likes: 28
From: Sutton MA
Pro
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 550
Likes: 58
From: Columbus Mississippi
People often think parting out a car is the way to make more money than selling it outright but don't realize the amount of work and hassle involved . If you don't have a lot of ambition you will probably sell a few parts off of the car and then have trouble selling the rest as a whole car. My advice to you would be to install new wiring harnesses in the car and your electrical problems would be solved. It's easier to install new harnesses than to try to find electrical problems and fix them.
I concur 100 % !!!! With new harnesses any "electrical" issues is fixed. The car is apart already as you stated. You may not need every harness ...maybe just the dash and motor compartment? Cost is reasonable and why would you want to reuse an old, dry, hard, crumbly harness anyway? That's my plan on my 1972 and all the electrics worked fine before teardown. Just want fresh wire and connectors everywhere when it goes back together. It would be like reusing old rubber weatherstrips.....it is all almost 40 years old and it does not last forever.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
the problem with these vettes is they were seen as very valuable right from the start so very few got junked. they die, they sit. frames rot but the shiny stuff is there to sell. so there are so many parts out there. mostly inferior from exposure, but still there and depressing the market. i think it is another reason the cars are worth less. people want 3k to 6500 for a 73 with rotted nose and no engine, but nobody will pay 7k for good runner, good frame, nice paint...
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 18,126
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From: WI
do you think it might have something to do with the blistering 180 or if your lucky 210 horsepower of the mid-later 70`s ?