Tomorrow I'm going to look at a 1969 4-speed coupe with a non-matching 350, tilt/tele, power steering, and power brakes. The car appears very clean from the pictures with an original interior (except for new carpeting) that's in nice shape and a very nice new paint job.


It looks very original overall and was described as a driver quality car that still wins trophies at car shows. It is represented as having 60K+ miles.


Assuming everything above is an accurate representation of the car and that no new issues arise when I actually see it in person, what value would you place on this car?

 

Very difficult to put a value on a car without at least a few pics. You're looking at a very large range at the moment.

 

 

You want to pay $18k, he wants to get $25k.

That's about the spread, add 2 - 3 for working A/C , add 1 - 2 for original paperwork.

Assuming no frame / bird cage issues.

 

If this is an A/C car, the compressor has been removed and I don't think there's much historical documentation on it. Given the spread you mentioned (which is pretty accurate, btw) what do you think would be fair, given only the information you have?

 

A good paint job will cost $10k or more, so no doubt he's trying to recoup most of that. Look on eBay and see what $20,000 will get you just for comparison. Look at the sold listings to get a good idea

 

This sold for around 29K in Florida about a week ago. It's a big block car so expect to go for a bit more than your 350. Same colour and same interior. My guess is if you can get it for 20k you're getting a pretty good deal. Don't forget to check the chassis and bird cage as best you can.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-Chevrol...p2047675.l2557

 

FWIW: console is for a non-AC car. Value could be what you're willing to pay for it. What is the seller asking?

 

Hi C3,
This 'looks' like a nice car. I can see why you're attracted to it!
The paint, chrome, and interior are a big issue because you could pay a lot LESS for a car that NEEDS those things and end up having a lot MORE in it compared to what it SEEMS this car can be bought for.
Never the less, will you check carefully for rust issues? Pretty cars can still be rusty.
Seeing the car in person and getting some impressions from driving it will probably help you decide what you're willing to pay for it.
I have to bring up the engine issue….although it seems you're comfortable with it not being the original engine now, will you continue to feel that way in the future? You're probably just below the price point where some people want the car to have it's original engine. I bring this up because it's the one thing you really can't change later.
It'll be interesting to hear what you learn today!
Regards,
Alan

 

He's asking 26.5K but indicated he'd come down to 24K. I think that's still too high but I'm going to look at it anyway. I think the max value on this car is 22K if everything else checks out, but I'm new to C3's so I could still be paying too much even at that number.

I'm actually not that comfortable with it being non-matching but I am looking for a strong #3 or #2 driver that I don't plan to show. That said, I do pay attention to resale value later on.

One reason I'm going to look at this car is that it's hard to find 4-speeds and this is a chance to test drive one, something I haven't done before. It will resolve the automatic vs. 4-speed decision point for me.

 

Hi C3,
The car has a very "well kept" look to it.
The original motor 'thing' is a tough one.
It matters a whole lot to some folks and not at all to others.
Everyone needs to make their own decision on whether it matters to them or not, AND, I think that decision is based on more than just future resale.
It does look like a nice one!
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

 

Very clean car. Seems like a nice driver!

Hurts value:
Lots of non original parts.
The metal fan shroud says non-AC ZQ3 300hp combo.

Questions that need answering
I see a brake booster. PS? PW? (the more accessories the better)
Driving condition (suspension/drivetrain/brakes)
Frame, birdcage condition
Any paperwork

Helps value.
Clean and maintained. Nice paint.
Lemans Blue/bright blue generally commands a slight premium as it is a sought after color combo.

I think $22-26k is a good spread of value for this 69 4-speed coupe based on what is shown in the 3 pics.

 

I personally believe that the car is worth 26-28k in this condition.......but only in a while as the market took a huge hit in the election year.

It is a buyers market right now.........just an opinion.
That 427 on E-bay was a BARGAIN.

It pains me that Camaros, Chevelles and Mustangs are the pop culture retro icons of the past.......but fads change.

Jebby

 

I am trying to track trends in pricing. If do you buy the car (or any C3), would you mind PMing me on the purchase price. I will keep it confidential and will only use the numbers for trending purposes. (and to help people like you in the future) I understand if you prefer not to, but thanks anyway.

 

I just think a lot of people are positioning themselves for the new mid engine car or the ZR1.

Sales of the new ZO6 are slow.. I see a lot of "base" C7's around. (and SS Camaros)

I agree that the market is soft right now.

Club members purchased in last 6 months = 454 auto 72 for $21.4- loaded, 69 - 4speed 383 base, no/ac $17.5k, 70 LT1 - Crate 383 base - 19k, 69 - matching 350, w/h-top -base 20k. All have 7 to 8 paint, solid frames, ok interiors.

 

Speculation is that mid engine car will be out of range for mortal owners (possibly 200K +) and will be called the "zora" and compete with the Ford GT. The ZR1, (if there is one) will also be 100+ which is certain not in the range of most Corvette owners. I think there will still be base cars which are fun to drive and deliver great handling and performance for the money.

 

I'm one of those that believe, IF the rest of the car looks like the pictures you posted and there is no unusual rust in the birdcage or frame, you will be getting your money's worth at $24k.

I'm with Alan that this looks like a well cared for car and that always peaks my interest. It also adds a lot to the value, especially in a car this old.

Good luck... GUSTO

 

 

What an interesting day...

It kind of got away from me, so I didn't make it down to CT to look at the '69. I may be able to get there this weekend. I spent the morning helping one of my employees negotiate a deal on a 1999 Jeep Cherokee to replace his 300K mile '95. During the process, I mentioned to the dealer that I was supposed to go look at a '69 Corvette. He told me of a friend of his who lived in the neighborhood behind the dealership that has two C3 Corvettes that he might be ready to sell, so off we went to meet the friend.

He does indeed have two matching-number C3's under cover in his garage. Both are 4-speed cars. The 1970 is an L46 in Lemans Blue over Blue with 100K+ miles. It's definitely a driver grade car that will need restoration at some point. He thought that one was worth 15K.

The other is a 56K-mile 1969 L48 convertible that is all original and equipped with power steering and brakes. No A/C and no tilt/tele. It does have a hardtop and soft top. The engine was rebuilt 8K miles ago. The paint is checking and there are some cracks around the edges of the hood opening. The interior is nice overall, but there is a tear on the driver seat at the seam along the side bolster.

According to the owner, it has never seen salt. He's the second owner and neither he nor the original owner ever used it as more than a fair-weather toy so I doubt that it has any rust issues. I took a leap of faith and offered him $18K on the spot but he wouldn't go below 20K. He thinks he can have the car repainted professionally and fix all the sitting-related mechanical issues it's likely to have for $15K. He thinks the car will then be worth $35K. I have my doubts but, hey, I'm still new to the C3 marketplace.


If I do buy a C3, I'll be happy to share the price with you.

I didn't see this until I got back from looking at the two Corvettes mentioned above. Now I really need to think about what I'm willing to pay for the non-matching one I was supposed to see today. Based on those results, I think 22K might be all the money.

This is certainly becoming quite the adventure.

 

He may well get 35K for it if he does that, but who's to say that 15K will complete all of the repairs that he knows about and things he does not know about. I believe good prep and paint could cost almost that much. IMO the car would need to be near pristine to pull 35 grand. I think if he really went through with that plan, he would likely regret not taking your offer. There are 2 possibilities: He may not really want to sell it or he may get a sobering wakeup call when he seriously starts to get estimates on the paint and repairs. Since we're only talking 2 grand, my guess is the former rather than the latter.

But that is just one man's opinion. Good luck with your search.