1975 convertible value.
Le Mans Master
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From: Butler Pa
Team Owner
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From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
I agree Bats. There were probably a dozen '74/'75 roadsters at Carlisle three weekends ago. Saw several at silly prices and they went home with the person that brought it. Several decently priced ones at $15-18K and still didn't sell. The absolute nicest one there was an 1975 Orange Flame(I know Flame Orange to most), 13K original mile car, L-48, 4spd, no A/C & crank windows, no tilt/tele(like I love!), I think medium saddle vinyl interior, newer conv top, bumpers redone already with very stunning paint-better than when it was new. But was priced at $28.9---lots a lookers, including me, but to me even though it was a stunner was no more than a $22K car.
...a guy I know recently scored a very decent '75 roadster, bumpers replaced, original motor, newer conv. top w/hdtp, nice paint, L-48 automatic, 68,000mi car for $7500. And it needs nothing, it's not a show car, but a very nice cruiser. They are still out there. And this was a craigslist ad to boot!!!
...a guy I know recently scored a very decent '75 roadster, bumpers replaced, original motor, newer conv. top w/hdtp, nice paint, L-48 automatic, 68,000mi car for $7500. And it needs nothing, it's not a show car, but a very nice cruiser. They are still out there. And this was a craigslist ad to boot!!!
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2005
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I agree Bats. There were probably a dozen '74/'75 roadsters at Carlisle three weekends ago. Saw several at silly prices and they went home with the person that brought it. Several decently priced ones at $15-18K and still didn't sell. The absolute nicest one there was an 1975 Orange Flame(I know Flame Orange to most), 13K original mile car, L-48, 4spd, no A/C & crank windows, no tilt/tele(like I love!), I think medium saddle vinyl interior, newer conv top, bumpers redone already with very stunning paint-better than when it was new. But was priced at $28.9---lots a lookers, including me, but to me even though it was a stunner was no more than a $22K car.
...a guy I know recently scored a very decent '75 roadster, bumpers replaced, original motor, newer conv. top w/hdtp, nice paint, L-48 automatic, 68,000mi car for $7500. And it needs nothing, it's not a show car, but a very nice cruiser. They are still out there. And this was a craigslist ad to boot!!!
...a guy I know recently scored a very decent '75 roadster, bumpers replaced, original motor, newer conv. top w/hdtp, nice paint, L-48 automatic, 68,000mi car for $7500. And it needs nothing, it's not a show car, but a very nice cruiser. They are still out there. And this was a craigslist ad to boot!!!
The '63 to '67 Vettes were "passe'" and old school, and the guys who bought them new were "dumping" them for a couple thou or less. I bought one of them, a '67 Convertible, small block, 4-speed, for I think along the lines of around just over $2K, and the owner was grateful that I took it off his hands. Now imagine that even that unremarkable '67, little optioned Roadster picked up a LOT of value just a few years later. The only reason I sold it (yes, making money on it without touching it) was because it didn't have factory A/C. If it had, I would still own it today.
The owners couldn't see the future so they thought they would get an old car off their hands at a price that seemed reasonable to them.
Time isn't static nor are the values of things no longer made but quite desirable.
A typical C3, small block coupe may never stand out from the crowd, but there are some C3's that will, even if you don't think they do now.
Last edited by Highflight; Sep 14, 2018 at 08:55 PM.
Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
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From: Palm Springs, CA.
Highflight, that is a pretty well thought out post.
And yes, I'm old enough to remember when C2's were $1,800 cars and big block 4 speed C3's were $3,500 cars! That was a lot of loot in the early 70's.
And yes, I'm old enough to remember when C2's were $1,800 cars and big block 4 speed C3's were $3,500 cars! That was a lot of loot in the early 70's.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Love the fact they are cheap. Many C3s that are "right' for under 10k.
Last yrs spotted a 76 26k mi auto with AC for 8500. Couldnt help but thing what a bang for the buck.
If you dont have to pass emissions even better.
Last yrs spotted a 76 26k mi auto with AC for 8500. Couldnt help but thing what a bang for the buck.
If you dont have to pass emissions even better.
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Thread Starter
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From: Fremont Ca
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From: Orange Park Florida
BUT these guys paying mega bux for a PAINT job are krazy........especially if owner intends on actually DRIVING and enjoying the car, not towing it from show to show trying to collect useless trophies.....HELL, my silly 600 buck Macco paint job makes my '72 vert a 10-10 car....you know 10' away 10 mph, looks GRAND and for a pleasure car what in hell else do you need?? car sets in garage enough already, after spending 10 grand on a paint job, sorry, I"d have to pay NASA/someone to put it on the moon for total preservation.....
Thread Starter
Race Director
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From: Fremont Ca
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I agree about the price, witch is the point of the thread.....
BUT these guys paying mega bux for a PAINT job are krazy........especially if owner intends on actually DRIVING and enjoying the car, not towing it from show to show trying to collect useless trophies.....HELL, my silly 600 buck Macco paint job makes my '72 vert a 10-10 car....you know 10' away 10 mph, looks GRAND and for a pleasure car what in hell else do you need?? car sets in garage enough already, after spending 10 grand on a paint job, sorry, I"d have to pay NASA/someone to put it on the moon for total preservation.....
BUT these guys paying mega bux for a PAINT job are krazy........especially if owner intends on actually DRIVING and enjoying the car, not towing it from show to show trying to collect useless trophies.....HELL, my silly 600 buck Macco paint job makes my '72 vert a 10-10 car....you know 10' away 10 mph, looks GRAND and for a pleasure car what in hell else do you need?? car sets in garage enough already, after spending 10 grand on a paint job, sorry, I"d have to pay NASA/someone to put it on the moon for total preservation.....
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: SW Florida.
different strokes for different wallets. check out lowbuck72's yellow rustoleum with a roller paint job. me, I'll buy the paint, shoot it and deal with the flaws.
Last edited by derekderek; Sep 16, 2018 at 05:04 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 180
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From: Chesterfield Mo
Well, I am a Corvette expert, and I agree with Greg.
Not many more than 4000 made and the last year of a C3 Roadster with both tops makes it a bit of a rare car in the big scheme of things compared to other years.
Think on this; over 14,000 1967 Corvette convertibles were made, but only 4600 1975 Convertibles were made. So which is the rarer car? As time goes on, the rarity of the '75 Roadster will begin to speak to it's value.
I know that pictures can lie, but from what I can see, it looks to be bone stock original which makes restoring it a lot easier, AND less expensive because a lot of the original parts will clean up just fine.
What to look for: look inside all the fenders for previous body repair. If you don't know what you're looking for, pay a pro to look at it for you.
Ask if you can pull the right side dash panel and kick panel (the easiest panels to pull). That would give you access to inspect the bird cage for serious rust.
If those two areas look good, then it is easily worth $10 G's. Put $15 G's into it (it likely won't cost that much if you do a lot of the work yourself) and you'll end up with a $40,000 car.
An ugly paint job and a bunch of dirt in no way makes it a $2000 car. I'd pay $8500 for it in a heartbeat as is (if I lived nearby), and I'm not even shopping for another one.
If I really wanted another '75 Roadster, $10,500 is a reasonable asking price, but a price I think could be negotiated a bit.
With 4600 made, and likely only about 3000 left due to attrition (totaled accidents and abused and/or ugly customized rust buckets not worth restoring), you might want to consider; they aren't making any more '75 Corvette Convertibles... ever.
IF it was a coupe, I would definitely pass on that price as being not quite so special of a car. In that case, I would pay maybe $3000 as it sits, but it's originality and base condition would still make it a good candidate for restoration if my above no-rust and no-damage requirements were met.
NADA Convertible: https://www.nadaguides.com/Cars/1975...ertible/Values
NADA Coupe: https://www.nadaguides.com/Cars/1975...r-Coupe/Values
Note that the Convertible is worth about twice as much as the coupe according to NADA.
Not many more than 4000 made and the last year of a C3 Roadster with both tops makes it a bit of a rare car in the big scheme of things compared to other years.
Think on this; over 14,000 1967 Corvette convertibles were made, but only 4600 1975 Convertibles were made. So which is the rarer car? As time goes on, the rarity of the '75 Roadster will begin to speak to it's value.
I know that pictures can lie, but from what I can see, it looks to be bone stock original which makes restoring it a lot easier, AND less expensive because a lot of the original parts will clean up just fine.
What to look for: look inside all the fenders for previous body repair. If you don't know what you're looking for, pay a pro to look at it for you.
Ask if you can pull the right side dash panel and kick panel (the easiest panels to pull). That would give you access to inspect the bird cage for serious rust.
If those two areas look good, then it is easily worth $10 G's. Put $15 G's into it (it likely won't cost that much if you do a lot of the work yourself) and you'll end up with a $40,000 car.
An ugly paint job and a bunch of dirt in no way makes it a $2000 car. I'd pay $8500 for it in a heartbeat as is (if I lived nearby), and I'm not even shopping for another one.
If I really wanted another '75 Roadster, $10,500 is a reasonable asking price, but a price I think could be negotiated a bit.
With 4600 made, and likely only about 3000 left due to attrition (totaled accidents and abused and/or ugly customized rust buckets not worth restoring), you might want to consider; they aren't making any more '75 Corvette Convertibles... ever.
IF it was a coupe, I would definitely pass on that price as being not quite so special of a car. In that case, I would pay maybe $3000 as it sits, but it's originality and base condition would still make it a good candidate for restoration if my above no-rust and no-damage requirements were met.
NADA Convertible: https://www.nadaguides.com/Cars/1975...ertible/Values
NADA Coupe: https://www.nadaguides.com/Cars/1975...r-Coupe/Values
Note that the Convertible is worth about twice as much as the coupe according to NADA.
Agree with this post. Mecum Kissiimmi auction last January had a Blue/Blue 75 low mileage L82 4 speed Convertible sell for $55,000. An Orange/ tan 75 Convertible sold for $40k. This is probably all the money right now for 75 convertibles but shows prices are on the rise. People seem to be asking in the mid 20s for nice original 75s. 10,500 for the original posted car is probably too much for a base engine automatic in this condition but $8,000 is not unreasonable in my opinion. It appears to be an easy restoration and it is RED, LOL.
There were only 366 L82 Convertibles made in 1975. Probably less than 150 with 4 speeds. Compare that to any C2 convertible and you can see the relative rarity. Sooner or later the market will catch on.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 180
Likes: 21
From: Chesterfield Mo
OK Never say never. Check out this $55,000 75 Corvette.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/FL0118-31...2-convertible/
https://www.mecum.com/lots/FL0118-31...2-convertible/
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
This isnt one size fits all,
I relate to mrvettes point of view,
Around 88 89 i did a frame on restration to my dd 81, i went wide body, the panels, Wild sb and a multi later lacquer paint job, by a corvette paint guru, black paint of course, it was like spending 10k for pant today,
It looked miles deep and wet and took most of the fun out of driving that car for fear of paint damage,
The car went from dd to smething else, within a month it got rear ended, repaired and sold to a LEO who worked for me, he let his younger brother wreck it many times, irony.
I bought my modded 66, put it in sanded black primer and it was a blast of a worry free dd, it was the only primered car allowed in the old town cruise the cuise organizer thought it looked that good.
Polar opposite examples and no way im i trying to sell driving a car in black primer,
However, c3s with high end top shelf paint are seldom daily drivers of even close, because driving takes a toll on that big dollar paint job, they might get driven but as novelty cars, its just another bragging right which c3 builds have lots of,
Dauly wear and tear will take a quick toll on that 10k paint job,
They require extra care and are not what everyone wants or wants to live with.
I have seen jms oldgtos car painted at home and equal to any high end pro job, and thy did i themselves at a great price.
I have seen many home paints, i thougt my buddy waynes home paint truck was a lost cause, after wet sanding it won best paint at a little show.
Macco is a cheap out but doesnt mean all their jobs look like ****, many do, depends on a lot of things.
Sure, an scuff and shoot is gonna be a 10 footer if lucky,
But do most of the prep yourslf , talk to the manager and painter and 1k will get a darn good macco job, ive seen it many times.
Big dollar show queen paint is wonderful and i love it a lot,
On another guys car
Nope not trying to sell macco cheap shoots either,
paint isnt a subject that is answered by tossing money at it but rather answered starting with what the car owner wants, what they can do
I relate to mrvettes point of view,
Around 88 89 i did a frame on restration to my dd 81, i went wide body, the panels, Wild sb and a multi later lacquer paint job, by a corvette paint guru, black paint of course, it was like spending 10k for pant today,
It looked miles deep and wet and took most of the fun out of driving that car for fear of paint damage,
The car went from dd to smething else, within a month it got rear ended, repaired and sold to a LEO who worked for me, he let his younger brother wreck it many times, irony.
I bought my modded 66, put it in sanded black primer and it was a blast of a worry free dd, it was the only primered car allowed in the old town cruise the cuise organizer thought it looked that good.
Polar opposite examples and no way im i trying to sell driving a car in black primer,
However, c3s with high end top shelf paint are seldom daily drivers of even close, because driving takes a toll on that big dollar paint job, they might get driven but as novelty cars, its just another bragging right which c3 builds have lots of,
Dauly wear and tear will take a quick toll on that 10k paint job,
They require extra care and are not what everyone wants or wants to live with.
I have seen jms oldgtos car painted at home and equal to any high end pro job, and thy did i themselves at a great price.
I have seen many home paints, i thougt my buddy waynes home paint truck was a lost cause, after wet sanding it won best paint at a little show.
Macco is a cheap out but doesnt mean all their jobs look like ****, many do, depends on a lot of things.
Sure, an scuff and shoot is gonna be a 10 footer if lucky,
But do most of the prep yourslf , talk to the manager and painter and 1k will get a darn good macco job, ive seen it many times.
Big dollar show queen paint is wonderful and i love it a lot,
On another guys car
Nope not trying to sell macco cheap shoots either,
paint isnt a subject that is answered by tossing money at it but rather answered starting with what the car owner wants, what they can do
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
OK Never say never. Check out this $55,000 75 Corvette.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/FL0118-31...2-convertible/
But now what, you ad a mile it removes $$$ each mile takes more off, and original stuff starts breaking,
This s a stunning car if you like blue and desire a museum piece
It only reflects perhaps 1% of 75s in the world
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,439
Likes: 105
From: Northern Colorado
Thanks for the replies,guy does want a bit much. I’ve always liked the 74-75 convertibles and I’m always looking even though I might not be in the market for one. I never buy a car thinking I’m going to loose my *** when the time comes back I sell it,I buy it and build it for me,I loose money no big deal. Am I rich,not even close but I’m not going to watch every dime when it comes to restoring something. Will it add up,absolutely,paint job for starters $10,000 and the price goes up from there. I could completely restore this car and have $40,000 into,so be it. I could easily buy one for $20,000 then tear it apart and do the same thing. That cars not going anywhere at that price,honestly I’d give the guy $8,000 for the car and I’m not new to this Corvette thing,I’ve had 4,currently own a ZR-1 and I’m always watching the market. I’ve got a 63 SS Nova convertible
to sell to make room for this if I want it.
to sell to make room for this if I want it.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,966
Likes: 991
From: MA
There is a 1975 Maroon Conv. 4 sp. A/C with 20,000 miles for $ 24,950 on the Boston Craigslist saw it while I was browsing the listings today
Last edited by ralphspears; Oct 2, 2018 at 05:16 PM. Reason: added 2 words
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 103
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From: Cornelius NC
I was recently looking at a '75 that was in better shape than that one appears to be. The guy wanted $5,500. However when I went and priced a driver quality paint job plus upgrading the interior and then taking a chance on the engine and transmission not needing any work - I decided against it.
