Corvette value opinion
#1
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Corvette value opinions needed!
A friend of mine has the chance to buy a '74 Corvette Convertible from a Corvette Collectors estate (guy just passed away) that has never been registered and has 50 miles on the clock. My friend does not know yet what options or engine the car has but it was stored indoors the entire time. The collector owned a Chevy dealership and bought that car without ever registering it. This appears to be a true survivor car with no parts changed or added. I don't know if the car was started once in a while from preventing the rings from sticking to the cylinder walls etc.. All the information that my friend has is that it has 50 miles on it, was never registered and was always stored indoors. What could be the value range on such car depending on options? It is white with tan interior and has the factory hard top.
He asked me what to look for and I told him to closely check the frame for major rust, check the numbers on the engine pad and also check the options of the car.. Any other suggestions on what to check on such car?
He asked me what to look for and I told him to closely check the frame for major rust, check the numbers on the engine pad and also check the options of the car.. Any other suggestions on what to check on such car?
Last edited by GrandSportC3; 03-27-2016 at 01:50 PM.
#3
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Hi GS,
I'd think the car would be most attractive to someone looking for a car to campaign for a Bowtie Award, or Survivor Award.
Sometime the cars that are capable of doing well aren't terribly interesting cars. But in this case being a convertible certainly helps.
A person looking for this kind of car is going to be thrilled by things, that if still on the car, regular buyers would have no interest in. Things like the original filters, hoses, belts, exhaust, tires, glovebox and delivery items.
It's hard to even guess from your sketchy information and no pictures.
Maybe $20,000 if it's as untouched as you say???
Regards,
Alan
I'd think the car would be most attractive to someone looking for a car to campaign for a Bowtie Award, or Survivor Award.
Sometime the cars that are capable of doing well aren't terribly interesting cars. But in this case being a convertible certainly helps.
A person looking for this kind of car is going to be thrilled by things, that if still on the car, regular buyers would have no interest in. Things like the original filters, hoses, belts, exhaust, tires, glovebox and delivery items.
It's hard to even guess from your sketchy information and no pictures.
Maybe $20,000 if it's as untouched as you say???
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; 03-27-2016 at 05:07 PM.
#4
Team Owner
Thread Starter
Hi GS,
I'd think the car would be most attractive to someone looking for a car to campaign for a Bowtie Award, or Survivor Award.
Sometime the cars that are capable of doing well aren't terribly interesting cars. But in this case being a convertible certainly helps.
A person looking for this kind of car is going to be thrilled by things, that if still on the car, regular buyers would have no interest in. Things like the original filters, hoses, belts, exhaust, tires, glovebox and delivery items.
It's hard to even guess from your sketchy information and no pictures.
Maybe $20,000 if it's as untouched as you say???
Regards,
Alan
I'd think the car would be most attractive to someone looking for a car to campaign for a Bowtie Award, or Survivor Award.
Sometime the cars that are capable of doing well aren't terribly interesting cars. But in this case being a convertible certainly helps.
A person looking for this kind of car is going to be thrilled by things, that if still on the car, regular buyers would have no interest in. Things like the original filters, hoses, belts, exhaust, tires, glovebox and delivery items.
It's hard to even guess from your sketchy information and no pictures.
Maybe $20,000 if it's as untouched as you say???
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by GrandSportC3; 03-27-2016 at 05:14 PM.
#5
Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
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Should be worth more and its market value are two different things. It's not a rare car but it's basically "new". Rarity will win over like new. So Alan might be right.
#6
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#7
Team Owner
Depends on base engine, L82, or LS4.
It will take the right person to buy this car because they will likely not drive it. Typically the people few people who have this disposable income want more sought after car for their collection.
It will take the right person to buy this car because they will likely not drive it. Typically the people few people who have this disposable income want more sought after car for their collection.
#8
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I drive mine a lot and so far, no major repairs.. Had my yellow '68 for 7 years and over 30k miles and mo major repairs. The only issue I had on that car was the alternator bracket breaking..
#9
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It's definitely a collectors item and not a driver. I don't think that there are many '74 Vettes with miles that low..
#10
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I told him that engine and options, especially PS and AC make a huge difference in value.
#11
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#12
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#13
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#14
Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
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If I had $35K to spend and given the choice between the '74 vert, 4-sp, 454 with 50 miles and a '65 coupe, 327 auto in average to below average non #'s, I'd take the '65 hands down because it's more 'rare', imho.
#15
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Hi gs,
To a person interested in a Bowtie Award whether the car runs and/or is drivable in a 'normal' manner doesn't matter.
There's no running or driving of the car required for the Bowtie Award as there is for Flight Judging.
The thing that matters beyond all else is how untouched the car has been since it was delivered to it's owner.
A car can be presented for Bowtie Judging just once. After the car has been judged and displayed it can be parked or then driven some. Does some of the perceived low milage value begin to disappear as it's driven?
The reason I put the figure were I did is, because as I said, it's a guess! For your benefit I'd much rather 'guess' low than high.
It will take a person with certain interests and ideas about old Corvettes to come along, WITH THE MONEY, for this car to sell at it's potential value.
Regards,
Alan
To a person interested in a Bowtie Award whether the car runs and/or is drivable in a 'normal' manner doesn't matter.
There's no running or driving of the car required for the Bowtie Award as there is for Flight Judging.
The thing that matters beyond all else is how untouched the car has been since it was delivered to it's owner.
A car can be presented for Bowtie Judging just once. After the car has been judged and displayed it can be parked or then driven some. Does some of the perceived low milage value begin to disappear as it's driven?
The reason I put the figure were I did is, because as I said, it's a guess! For your benefit I'd much rather 'guess' low than high.
It will take a person with certain interests and ideas about old Corvettes to come along, WITH THE MONEY, for this car to sell at it's potential value.
Regards,
Alan
#16
What are the options?
Lots of speculation and opinions based on very little information. If it is a big block, 4-spd I would pay much more than Alan's suggested $20K in a hearbeart (due the to ultimate survivor aspect). If it is a base model convertible, it is not as interesting.
#17
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That sounds like a reasonable approach.. There really is too little information.. my friend will look at the car tomorrow and take pictures..
#18
Race Director
I personally love the '74/'75 convertibles. Get some good pictures of the exhaust, if you can?
Last edited by Don Rickles; 03-27-2016 at 07:22 PM.
#19
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My friend is going to see it tomorrow. I asked him to take some pictures and get more details. If he passes on it, I may check it out myself.. I can't right now as I'm in Mexico.. Will be back on Wednesday.
#20
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St. Jude Donor '05
Me neither
Its a 74...small block car nothing special aboutit
Mileage and condition sounds very nice def worth some $ but not collector $. It would cost a pretty penny to get it back on the road then there goes his "worth" as the miles rack up.
I say leave the money in the bank.