As much as I hate to say, I might start looking for a matching # BB car to restore. Something with all the bells and whistles. Something to go back stock and original. Some may have followed along with my 3 year build on my 72, and she is about to be finished up (as far as I want to go with her anyway). I just enjoy building cars, may sell this one and move on to the next one. We have a 1960 SB. 2 x 4 barrel, 4 speed matching # car in the family that is finishing up a 4 year professional restoration (Basically a NCRS car). So I know what all is involved in the process. The 72 was a basket case and an ideal candidate for a little resto-mod. That being said, here is a quick rundown on the car. Originally a SB, auto, ps, pb ac, T/T wheel car that was white on black. Now a NOM L82 with about 3k miles on rebuild, converted to M21 4 speed. 4 inch rear and 2 inch front fender flares. All new keys, locks
to include steering column. Aftermarket wheels and tires 275 front 315 rear. Brought down to glass, primed and painted performance red, in my garage and a 10 foot paint job easily (probably much nicer to most people). From front to back has new front valance, rebuilt lights (vacuum not hooked up). New headlights, New aluminum radiator with duel fans. The front nose bar was removed, blasted and glued back in (no swell bumps). All new hoses and belt. New water pump, alternator, carb, clutch, flywheel, shocks, master cylinder, calipers, pads and rubber lines. New L88 long hood. New wiring harness, starter, Hooker headers and side pipes with hooker muffler inserts. Had a new windshield (but it got cracked 6 inches on drivers lower corner. All new weather strip - A pillar, T-tops, Door and Rear Window. New speedo cable and batter cable - speedo works and tach HEI on aftermarket tach. Gauges work except clock. Lights work except the door ajar and belt alarm (not hooked up). Interior is about a 5/10, cloth seats, dash pad good. New center dash gauge cluster. AC not back in car (but I have it). Power steering delete but has Power brakes. Needs some interior parts replaced (kick panels, passenger door panel and A pillar trim). The drip rails could be replaced. All new u-joints x 6, diff rebuilt with new output shafts, one new half shaft flange, New headlight switch and headlight circuit interrupter. New sill plates. New window felt. New upper windshield header corners, blinker and tilt levers, rear view mirror, door handles. Trailing arm bushings and new rear control arms. New rear valance (completely glassed in). New gas tank, sending unit and locking cap. All new bulbs. Chrome is driver quality. I have a list with more stuff such as badges and rear deck letters. All the stuff removed - pop-up wiper cover, spare tire carrier, spare new extra 17 x 9 wheel still in box, original hood, AC and such is included. I know its a buyers market and the car will have a narrow following (resto-mod crowd). Needs front bushings but runs pretty darn straight on the interstate. Body mounts and rest of frame are solid. Bird cage is solid. There is absolutely no rust on #2 body mounts behind the kick panels with surface rust on # 3 mounts. I have backed them out just to check integrity and oiled them. Aluminum body mounts are solid. This is a solid car that needs a few thousand to finish it up. It needs the frame cleaned up and painted between the front and rear suspension. This car gets thumbs up and the peace sign from truckers, bickers, yuppies and soccer moms in mini-vans on the interstate and at the gas station. What you think she is worth??? If I find a matching BB needing restored, I'll have to let this one go for the room.

 

The restro mods are doing well, yours seems to be pretty much "it" when i think what is a really trendy desirable modded c3 right now,
I have see a few more radical custom ground up builds not fetching what i think they should so please do not take my guessing yours value with any offense, i will figure your car should be able to get mid teens early 20s perhaps into mid 20s, if s buyer falls in love
I hope i am all low ball askew on this but i just going on what see offered out there in comparison

 

I think you are spot on there Bats. Early 20s and I would easily be OK. Again, I do this for the love of the cars so I'm not concerned with generating revenue. I Learned long ago that it's hard to not lose you shirt restoring cars. LOL. I think I'm at the point that any more money invested would be at a loss (ie stroking the motor) even with me doing the labor. That's kinda also the reason I'm thinking a BB matching number car. Something that will be worth a little more coin when done. Appreciate your honest opinion. I'm at the tipping point of dropping the money on a radical motor and finishing up the little things. I would have to hold on to it at that point. In the mean time, I'm going to drive the hell out of it.

 

You know i dig customs but i also know which customs have broader appeal and will sell faster and for what,
Your car is right there, super desirable super tasteful, so lots of people would love to own it, plus its still at the point a person can go a little further with personal touches because they didnt drop 50k on it.

 

Appreciate the kind words. That's how I figured it. Let someone put in a LSX or a 427/454. That's what it really needs. I'm not completely sure I'm done with her yet. Just closely watching how much I put into the car versus resale. So tryig to get a ball park figure on the car now.

 

Im guessing if you did and engine swap it would push it to where you would want high 20s early 30s and then that market starts getting where every little thing has to be just right on the entire car....play with it and do lots of thinking sbout it

 

I think you need to finish up those detail items not build a motor. Personally I like your car as far as the mods and stance go. To be blunt (I'm sorry) the interior, the A/C situation, and headlight issues are going to hold the car back especially to a seasoned Corvette buyer. The more potential buyers can pick apart the more they are going to low ball you. You said it needs a few thousand to finish it. Finish it and then there's no excuses to get top dollar. It's always cheaper for someone to by a finished car than one that has to be finished. I don't mean to be harsh just offering another opinion. Remember I like your car and I like modified Corvettes but not everybody does so the market is narrower. The market is much bigger for "investment quality" cars.