chrome bumper values...bats style
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,988
Likes: 101
I'll agree they're trending, to where I don't know. Today's trend has nothing to do with tomorrows. It could happen, early c3's on the same level with c2's. Look at some of the prices late 70's screaming chicken TA's are getting, who would have thought. V12 e type jags exploded in value once, there was even talk of Ferrari like values, that's all gone now. The series 1 cars are worth twice as much as V12 cars today.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
those jags are nuts
in the 90s had an opp to buy a dark green one from a customer who owned it new had 19k on it. 8 grand....knew back then I shoulda bought it but had too much going on in life.
in the 90s had an opp to buy a dark green one from a customer who owned it new had 19k on it. 8 grand....knew back then I shoulda bought it but had too much going on in life.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 168
2018 C2 of Year Finalist
I love chrome bumper Vettes as well as mid-years but as a general rule I don't see them bringing the same money at any near time in the future. The least expensive of the C2 generation are the '64's and they still out pace a similar equipped '68-72. Of course there weren't any big block '64s so a nice '68-72 with a big block would probably bring more dollars but model for model I don't see it happening. While C2 prices have leveled a bit I do see a continued rise in quality '68-72 prices.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 134
Likes: 24
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,876
Likes: 3,556
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
What do you mean by future?
How many years will it be???
Gasoline- In 10-15 years will it be as available as it is now?
And thanks to autonomous driving cars- the government could say that only reason there are accidents is "people driving." Guess what happens to pricing when you can't drive them?
A lot of people seem perfectly content buying a car on-line (Carvana)- have it delivered to them without so much as a test drive- much less popping the hood.
Not to mention the younger generation really doesn't care as much about driving as we (older guys-baby boomers) do. Look at Uber and at the much higher percentage of millennial's that don't have a license by 25.
And EVERYTIME a young person DOES post on the forum wanting a C3- they are ridiculed for wanting something that ain't a great investment (time AND money) not reliable or safe as a new car...Get's lousy gas mileage....parts are sometimes hard to find and expensive... Are they going to buy your C3?
How many years will it be???
Gasoline- In 10-15 years will it be as available as it is now?
And thanks to autonomous driving cars- the government could say that only reason there are accidents is "people driving." Guess what happens to pricing when you can't drive them?
A lot of people seem perfectly content buying a car on-line (Carvana)- have it delivered to them without so much as a test drive- much less popping the hood.
Not to mention the younger generation really doesn't care as much about driving as we (older guys-baby boomers) do. Look at Uber and at the much higher percentage of millennial's that don't have a license by 25.
And EVERYTIME a young person DOES post on the forum wanting a C3- they are ridiculed for wanting something that ain't a great investment (time AND money) not reliable or safe as a new car...Get's lousy gas mileage....parts are sometimes hard to find and expensive... Are they going to buy your C3?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
My comment is fairly restricted to some happenings years ago, to a friend of mine with a ~35 Ford rumble seat convertible, steel body, great paint, etc.....he bought it for 13k....and after some ten years sold it for only 15k, this in the late 70's to mid/late 80's.....the car was a purrfect resto, club winner at many shows....BUT....
all the guys who wanted one already had one, can't afford one, or are outta the market/dead.....BUT the guys who remembered them as a HOTROD?? a generation younger and he could have gotten much more if he made a hotrod out of it.....
eventually the same thing will happen to our vette hobby also, I bet.....
BUT of course there is always inflation to make the numbers APPEAR appealing but considering $$$/value??
I born in '44 so age 73 now, my vette is a '72, and so I am finally older than my car......
would I be interested in buying my '72 as an OEM product today?? HELL NO, wasn't in '95 either.... So updating any car with performance gear and some style mods to ME, just extends the life of the car.....
all the guys who wanted one already had one, can't afford one, or are outta the market/dead.....BUT the guys who remembered them as a HOTROD?? a generation younger and he could have gotten much more if he made a hotrod out of it.....
eventually the same thing will happen to our vette hobby also, I bet.....
BUT of course there is always inflation to make the numbers APPEAR appealing but considering $$$/value??
I born in '44 so age 73 now, my vette is a '72, and so I am finally older than my car......
would I be interested in buying my '72 as an OEM product today?? HELL NO, wasn't in '95 either.... So updating any car with performance gear and some style mods to ME, just extends the life of the car.....
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,633
From: Draper Utah
My cousin owns a hot rod shop and the following is the advise he gives everyone on buying classic's and hot rods, which always sounded like good advise to me.
Buy the car you want, enjoy it, and sell it when you grow tired of it. Don't expect to make money on the car. If you are lucky you might make a couple thousand, if you are unlucky you will only lose a couple thousand, but in between you get to enjoy a fun car.
Buy the car you want, enjoy it, and sell it when you grow tired of it. Don't expect to make money on the car. If you are lucky you might make a couple thousand, if you are unlucky you will only lose a couple thousand, but in between you get to enjoy a fun car.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 421
Likes: 17
From: Newport News VA
The prices will never converge. Rightly or wrongly, I believe the c2s are considered to be a more classically styled car and they had a better factory fit and finish resulting in the belief they were just a higher quality car.
When I bought my base 70, I figured if ever sold, it would be a break even deal at best. 14 years later, I feel the same.
When I bought my base 70, I figured if ever sold, it would be a break even deal at best. 14 years later, I feel the same.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,705
Likes: 983
From: Orlando FL
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,399
Likes: 1,226
From: Tampa Florida
Speaking of C3 values, I just have to post this.
I bought my '71 LS5 in 1975 for $4,500, thought I would drive it a couple of years and sell it for $3,000 or so. But for some strange reason, I kept it.
Bought a new 2001 Mercedes SLK230 for $40,000.
So now I have '71 Corvette insured with Hagerty for $40,000 and a 2001 SLK230 with a trade-in value of $4,500.
I bought my '71 LS5 in 1975 for $4,500, thought I would drive it a couple of years and sell it for $3,000 or so. But for some strange reason, I kept it.
Bought a new 2001 Mercedes SLK230 for $40,000.
So now I have '71 Corvette insured with Hagerty for $40,000 and a 2001 SLK230 with a trade-in value of $4,500.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
Speaking of C3 values, I just have to post this.
I bought my '71 LS5 in 1975 for $4,500, thought I would drive it a couple of years and sell it for $3,000 or so. But for some strange reason, I kept it.
Bought a new 2001 Mercedes SLK230 for $40,000.
So now I have '71 Corvette insured with Hagerty for $40,000 and a 2001 SLK230 with a trade-in value of $4,500.
I bought my '71 LS5 in 1975 for $4,500, thought I would drive it a couple of years and sell it for $3,000 or so. But for some strange reason, I kept it.
Bought a new 2001 Mercedes SLK230 for $40,000.
So now I have '71 Corvette insured with Hagerty for $40,000 and a 2001 SLK230 with a trade-in value of $4,500.
Now they say that the C3's aren't going up in value and you have yours insured for $40,000. meaning that you think it is worth that . So at that value how much would you expect to get in real money if you sold it ? I would think close to that figure . Now I don't know anything about the condition or the history of your car but obviously you don't think C3 prices are stagnant , speaking about the 68-72 chrome bumper corvettes .
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,399
Likes: 1,226
From: Tampa Florida
Ain't that a kick in the pants ! Now they say that the C3's aren't going up in value and you have yours insured for $40,000. meaning that you think it is worth that . So at that value how much would you expect to get in real money if you sold it ? I would think close to that figure . Now I don't know anything about the condition or the history of your car but obviously you don't think C3 prices are stagnant , speaking about the 68-72 chrome bumper corvettes .
Now they say that the C3's aren't going up in value and you have yours insured for $40,000. meaning that you think it is worth that . So at that value how much would you expect to get in real money if you sold it ? I would think close to that figure . Now I don't know anything about the condition or the history of your car but obviously you don't think C3 prices are stagnant , speaking about the 68-72 chrome bumper corvettes .
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,876
Likes: 3,556
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
Speaking of C3 values, I just have to post this.
I bought my '71 LS5 in 1975 for $4,500, thought I would drive it a couple of years and sell it for $3,000 or so. But for some strange reason, I kept it.
Bought a new 2001 Mercedes SLK230 for $40,000.
So now I have '71 Corvette insured with Hagerty for $40,000 and a 2001 SLK230 with a trade-in value of $4,500.
I bought my '71 LS5 in 1975 for $4,500, thought I would drive it a couple of years and sell it for $3,000 or so. But for some strange reason, I kept it.
Bought a new 2001 Mercedes SLK230 for $40,000.
So now I have '71 Corvette insured with Hagerty for $40,000 and a 2001 SLK230 with a trade-in value of $4,500.
If you'd bought a 71 M-B 280SL...Trust me- not near as fun...but look at the prices-
Hagerty's - looks sort of stagnate to me now- but dropped since the peak...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,399
Likes: 1,226
From: Tampa Florida
We needed a crystal ball back then.
Last edited by 71 Green 454; Jul 1, 2017 at 10:30 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 161
Likes: 11
From: Phoenix AZ
I don't think they'll ever converge, but they might grow closer? There's a generational consideration in that "Gen X" guys like me are entering they're 40's and 50's which is prime income earning time. The C3 Corvettes are the ones I remember vividly as a kid, the C2's were a little before my time although I would see them at car shows etc.
Look at the '77-79 bandit Trans Am cars. They made a ton of them and they'll really not anything special but nice ones are bringing way more money than they deserve because of guys from my generation remember them as kids.
Although, the fact that I bought this decent little driver 1970 a couple months back for $10K completely contradicts my above argument.
Look at the '77-79 bandit Trans Am cars. They made a ton of them and they'll really not anything special but nice ones are bringing way more money than they deserve because of guys from my generation remember them as kids.
Although, the fact that I bought this decent little driver 1970 a couple months back for $10K completely contradicts my above argument.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,876
Likes: 3,556
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
BTW- you have a beautiful 71...
When I bought my 71 LS5 vert 4 speed in 1980- as a senior in high school...I could have cared less that the original motor was long gone- as the big block in it had been "built!!!" The flares and rollbar made it over the top!!!
When I bought my 71 LS5 vert 4 speed in 1980- as a senior in high school...I could have cared less that the original motor was long gone- as the big block in it had been "built!!!" The flares and rollbar made it over the top!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
aint that the truth.
Knew back in the 80s all those Camaros, A bodys etc would be worth a lot down the road.
But by the time one stores, maintains insures for 30 yrs youre still losing money. Stuff gets old you will be redoing it again.
Bought a perfect frame off 1970 Z/28 from a guy that I used to work for restoring C1-3 vettes and 1st gen Camaros...even today Id have lost money if i just stored it. I drove the chit out of it for yrs got my money back and moved on. memories I had in that car made driving it worth it..sitting around whoopie friggin do. A picture is cheaper
Best advice ever and very true..
I dont care about 20 yrs (wont even be alive) I care about what I want right now, today.
To ponder about values is one thing, to really fret over it (future value)cause your car needs something...sell it you cant afford to own it.
Or throw a cover on it come back to it later.
Edit: love that green/green C3..oddball combos are cool.
Knew back in the 80s all those Camaros, A bodys etc would be worth a lot down the road.
But by the time one stores, maintains insures for 30 yrs youre still losing money. Stuff gets old you will be redoing it again.
Bought a perfect frame off 1970 Z/28 from a guy that I used to work for restoring C1-3 vettes and 1st gen Camaros...even today Id have lost money if i just stored it. I drove the chit out of it for yrs got my money back and moved on. memories I had in that car made driving it worth it..sitting around whoopie friggin do. A picture is cheaper
Buy the car you want, enjoy it, and sell it when you grow tired of it. Don't expect to make money on the car. If you are lucky you might make a couple thousand, if you are unlucky you will only lose a couple thousand, but in between you get to enjoy a fun car.
I dont care about 20 yrs (wont even be alive) I care about what I want right now, today.
To ponder about values is one thing, to really fret over it (future value)cause your car needs something...sell it you cant afford to own it.
Or throw a cover on it come back to it later.
Edit: love that green/green C3..oddball combos are cool.
Last edited by cv67; Jul 1, 2017 at 11:08 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
hell yeah. Big steel building, would buy the rarest perfect low mile cars I could find and drive a different one ea day of the month.
Cars are made to be driven, life is short.
Plan on rolling the odometer over on my better half too. .
Last edited by cv67; Jul 1, 2017 at 11:20 AM.