1975 convertible value.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 14,130
Likes: 935
From: Fremont Ca
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
1975 convertible value.
I’m in the process of
checking out this 75. L-48 auto factory hardtop,car checks out as solid,unmolested. Rear quarters primed,checked for repair and found a spot in Kerr rear corner,rear bumper had to have been replaced,front bumper disintegrated which is normal,rear should have fallen apart as well. Interior intact and in fair shape,door panels beat. Owner wants$10,500 is hich seems to be fair market for this car. The owner is willing to pull the kick panels somi
can check out the birdcage,Ca car from new.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Hagerty price guide says $9300 for a car in Fair condition.
https://www.hagerty.com/apps/valuati...vette?id=20084
https://www.hagerty.com/apps/valuati...vette?id=20084
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,463
Likes: 1,485
From: Little Rock AR
It needs a lot. It needs more than it is worth. You will be upside down before you do anything. Price a paint job lately?
As a doable project I would estimate closer to 6K. Why pay more?
As a doable project I would estimate closer to 6K. Why pay more?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,923
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From: Virginia
It's worth what you can sell the parts for on eBay. Not a penny more than $5K. I am not saying it is not salvageable, it absolutely is, and would be a great project if you do it yourself. However, even if you got it for one dollar, you would be upside down the moment you did anything other than part it out. It will cost more to restore than it will ever be worth, even if you paint it yourself.
And unless you plan to move out of California, I wouldn't bother with a car that wasn't SMOG exempt that wasn't already drivable. Looks like the smog pump is there, but I bet it's siezed up.
Keep looking, unless you can really talk the seller down on price.
And unless you plan to move out of California, I wouldn't bother with a car that wasn't SMOG exempt that wasn't already drivable. Looks like the smog pump is there, but I bet it's siezed up.
Keep looking, unless you can really talk the seller down on price.
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Race Director
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From: Virginia
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'd tell him that for $10.5K, he can put a front bumper on it and a very nice paint job on it, then you'll talk. I wouldn't give barely $5K for that. Decent ones with decent paint can be found for $13 to $15K.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
x2 its intact but sure needs a lot. Making a hot rod or restoring?
I wouldnt even offer 5k no way its worth 10.
Bet thats a flip he picked up for a couple grand
I wouldnt even offer 5k no way its worth 10.
Bet thats a flip he picked up for a couple grand
Last edited by cv67; Sep 11, 2018 at 10:51 PM.
tell him he's dreaming
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 14,130
Likes: 935
From: Fremont Ca
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,221
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From: Matthews NC
IMHO he as too many zeros in his asking price. Knowing how much it will be for paint, engine work, interior, etc.... you'd have way too much in the car than what it's worth. Wait... I think did that. 
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
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From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
Is the car VIN showing up on the Corvette Registry? I saw your question on the trim tag as well and believe you got good data on that post. I personally would love to have a 75 convertible but the only way you would want this one is if you intend to restore it and keep it forever, in my opinion. Looking at the general condition the person selling it is asking more than I would pay by quite a lot. New bumpers, new paint including underlying damage that may or may not be visible yet; frame rot, rust, or damage that will only be seen if you get it up on a lift. Just too many variables to put a value on it but $10,500 is more than double what I would guess he could get. If any of the issues are frame rot or damage, then a parts car worth about $2,500.
Just my thoughts. Good luck with your decision.
David
Just my thoughts. Good luck with your decision.
David
Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
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From: Palm Springs, CA.
Hey Jeff,
Sorry, I'm a little slow getting in on this one. I purchased a '75 convertible in similar condition a few years ago. Turned out to be one of the most enjoyable Corvettes I've owned.
Pretty easy to beat up any Corvette that's been sitting for a while but I prefer to look at any positive points....and this car has plenty of them.
First, there were only 4,629 convertibles made in '75, making them the rarest convert since 1956. Of course "first" or "last" anything in the Corvette world is always a good thing too, as with this last year for the roadster. Color combination is excellent. Under hood looks to be completely intact right down to the air cleaner, smog pump and ignition shielding. Full set of rally wheels with rings and caps. Original California car, always a big plus. Both tops I assume? That is a LOT of good parts that one does not have to track down. 1975 parts are readily available, not rare, not too expensive.
Yes, if this car was scrubbed from top to bottom even in its current condition, it would look much more desirable. But I don't mind viewing it first with all the dust, dirt and bird crap. A hose can fix that. A quick search will show that nice '75 converts are already quite strong in the market.
As far as I can tell, the only point of contention here is the asking price. Of course if you're paying someone to restore a Corvette for you, with the intention of selling it for a profit, then NO neglected Corvette would be worth buying. I do all of my own work so I'm not afraid to pay a little more for the right car.
In my 20 years on this forum I've seen others buy cars a lot worse than this for more money, or cars that were completely "wrong" built out of several different years. In the end, who cares? They bought what they liked.
This year/model is definitely an up and comer in value. Yes, it would be great to buy it for $3K but we all know that's not going to happen. Like you, I'd give it serious consideration at $7K or even $8K before I let it slip away.
Good luck whatever you decide, Greg
Sorry, I'm a little slow getting in on this one. I purchased a '75 convertible in similar condition a few years ago. Turned out to be one of the most enjoyable Corvettes I've owned.
Pretty easy to beat up any Corvette that's been sitting for a while but I prefer to look at any positive points....and this car has plenty of them.
First, there were only 4,629 convertibles made in '75, making them the rarest convert since 1956. Of course "first" or "last" anything in the Corvette world is always a good thing too, as with this last year for the roadster. Color combination is excellent. Under hood looks to be completely intact right down to the air cleaner, smog pump and ignition shielding. Full set of rally wheels with rings and caps. Original California car, always a big plus. Both tops I assume? That is a LOT of good parts that one does not have to track down. 1975 parts are readily available, not rare, not too expensive.
Yes, if this car was scrubbed from top to bottom even in its current condition, it would look much more desirable. But I don't mind viewing it first with all the dust, dirt and bird crap. A hose can fix that. A quick search will show that nice '75 converts are already quite strong in the market.
As far as I can tell, the only point of contention here is the asking price. Of course if you're paying someone to restore a Corvette for you, with the intention of selling it for a profit, then NO neglected Corvette would be worth buying. I do all of my own work so I'm not afraid to pay a little more for the right car.
In my 20 years on this forum I've seen others buy cars a lot worse than this for more money, or cars that were completely "wrong" built out of several different years. In the end, who cares? They bought what they liked.
This year/model is definitely an up and comer in value. Yes, it would be great to buy it for $3K but we all know that's not going to happen. Like you, I'd give it serious consideration at $7K or even $8K before I let it slip away.
Good luck whatever you decide, Greg
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,367
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From: Virginia USA
Some people..............$10,500 for that? No way I'd pay that.
THAT 1975 Corvette Convertible looks to be worth no more than $2000 as it sits. You'll end up putting $8000 or more restoring it and that's if you do most of the work yourself and if the birdcage is in good shape. Just because it's a Corvette doesn't make it more expensive in the shape it's in over a 1975 Camaro or other desirable mid '70's car in the same shape.
It does look intact though but that's the only positive that I can see. Hard Top is a bonus but if the headliner is shot you'll end up spending $1000 just on that.
Good luck with your decision.
THAT 1975 Corvette Convertible looks to be worth no more than $2000 as it sits. You'll end up putting $8000 or more restoring it and that's if you do most of the work yourself and if the birdcage is in good shape. Just because it's a Corvette doesn't make it more expensive in the shape it's in over a 1975 Camaro or other desirable mid '70's car in the same shape.
It does look intact though but that's the only positive that I can see. Hard Top is a bonus but if the headliner is shot you'll end up spending $1000 just on that.
Good luck with your decision.