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I see asking prices are all over the place on various sites - Craigslist, AutoTrader, Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, etc. for seemingly similar condition and optioned Vettes. If you're someone who doesn't turn your nose up at anything that doesn't have at least one chrome bumper on it, what's the most you would pay for a pristine condition stock rubber-bumper Vette with whatever caveats you might stipulate - manual vs. auto, you prefer/dislike the bubble rear window years, etc.
I just paid $17,500 for a 71,000 mile, very clean, 1974 Convertible. It has eight year old paint, tires in good shape, needs a muffler.
I used the Hagerty Valuation Tool to help me determine what it was worth which in good condition, as optioned, came up to $17,000. A/C would have been more. It is an automatic with PS, PB, manual windows, Tilt/Tele, and no A/C. I can change out the engine, transmission, and add A/C if I want to later down the road but if it had been a four speed car with A/C and the L-82 engine it would have demanded much more. I am very happy with the purchase.
I wanted the convertible and I paid to get one. If it was equipped like this as a coupe then it would have been much, much less.
I paid 12,000 for my 77 L-48 automatic and put 2,000 in repairs before I picked it up from buyavette. excellent new white paint and now a good driver. i put new tires on it in february and mufflers in July. /C needs work again and carpet will be replaced this winter. I also bought front lenses from the esteemed Mr.Hhoward. All in all I am happy. The cosmetic details give an old retired lawyer something to play with and stay out of my wife's way.
David, that is on beautiful car. Sounds like you got a great deal. I paid $21,000 for my 74 vert 5 years ago with 4600 original miles on it and still think I was fortunate to get it for that price. Some folks on here look down their noses at rubber bumpers, not realizing that some folks prefer rubber instead of the chrome bumper look. The car I always wanted was a 74 or 75 vert 4 speed and I finally got my wish.
Brass,
This thread will likely turn into this year vs that year and your question will get lost,
In that vien there are a lot of elistist or pseudo elitists n not just in the chrome bumper crowd,
C3s spaned a long era and had drastic changes, ive been pretty loud mouthed lately in other threads about things i just do not like at all,
For example i really dont kike anything about the 74 to 79 bologna sliced rear bumper, its better with a pc car spoiler.
I simply find the rear of 68 to 73 duck tail stunning, with or without the bumpers,
While i dont desire it to be some are very insulted by that and other things i have said i dont like, they shouldnt be my personal taste opinions shouldnt matter one obese rodents rectum.
Im a modder gm didnt build me the perfect c3 so i have to but year i start with is fairly irrelevant,
My musts, convertible, 4 speed, big block, duck tail rear, thats it.
How does this soapboxing apply to your question,
Take my musts into account and if i found that then condition, rust is the killer,
I self impose a budget, so i guess my cap today would be 10k and 15k after dec,
Lots of people say buy as much c3 as you can afford, its good advice to a point, but im not going to buy for example a very nice 74 sb auto convertible for 15k if i cant stand the tail,trans,engine and have to change it, but the next guy that same car is his dream, its perfect so its worth more than 15k to him,
So a lot plays into what a guy would or can pay.
I always tell people if you spend more than $10,000 on a 74-82 (at this point in time) you paid too much. This is for your plane-jane, base, auto coupe. This doesn't include convertibles, four speed cars, and big block cars which will demand more..
I paid $12500 for this 1976 67000 mile L-82 4 Speed. Threw another $1500 into the wheels and tires. I prefer the non-bubble window so 1977 was my limit when shopping
I see asking prices are all over the place on various sites - Craigslist, AutoTrader, Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, etc. for seemingly similar condition and optioned Vettes. If you're someone who doesn't turn your nose up at anything that doesn't have at least one chrome bumper on it, what's the most you would pay for a pristine condition stock rubber-bumper Vette with whatever caveats you might stipulate - manual vs. auto, you prefer/dislike the bubble rear window years, etc.
I imagine your question, specifically, is for a ‘74-82 small block coupe.
I think 74-75 convertibles and big blocks are value adds that aren’t what you are asking.
This is vauge not cut deep in stone but a general observation,
Example, 78 both cars same condition one auto one 4 speed,
The 4 speed is more sought after, partly because less had them in 78 and its cool hunting gears in classic cars
in some cases the car wont sell for more it will just sell faster,
77 and 80 same condition same options but pristine both might be listed for 9k but personal tastes dictact which is worth 9k to the buyer, very different looks
The price varies with year, engine type, trans, options and how rare the corvette is you are looking at.
If my 73, big block, auto trans and full option Coupe had the Z06 option, it would be priceless as there were only 46 with the option ordered from the factory.
Find the Corvette you want in the condition you want and if you can't determine the worth through your own research, hire a professional appraiser to inspect and set the value of the car for you.
I came across mine at a car show.
It was the cleanest, best maintained C3 I had looked at and it was a California two owner car that was rust free.
The seller was asking $20,500.00 which I thought was too much.
I called him a couple months after the show, had it appraised and offered the appraisers valuation of the car.
The owner accepted the offer and I trailered it home for less than he said he would accept at the show.
Its been trouble free so far and I'm happy with the purchase.
As long as you believe you got a good deal on the car you want, nothing else really matters.
One important note is your capabilities to maintain or modify the car you purchase and if the state where you reside in will allow the modifications you want to make.
In California, anything 75 and later is smog exempt and you can modify it as you please.
74 was the last year with a factory 454 but if I got a later Vette I'd aspire to put a bb in it. If I got a bb '74 I'd want to tweak it.
My first vette a 72 bb 4 speed ragtop came with a fairly weak 454 a person really has to try hard not to get 400hp but gm made it happen,
Luckily mine was hopped by a previous owner,
I probably paid too much for my (not pristine) cars, and I've had to do work to them to keep them on the road. Even doing it myself, that isn't cheap.
But then I drive mine, or my wife drives hers, and I feel like I got the deal of a lifetime.
Knowing what I know now, before I bought my car, I would have paid $12K for a pristine 1980 white on red 4-speed, but good luck finding that deal. I wouldn't consider a C3 that didn't have the bubble window, 79+ seats, and three pedals, though two of those requirements are easy to fix, if expensive.
Three years ago I bought a 77 L82 4 speed w/AC, power windows,gymkana suspension and very nice paint. I wanted a red, manual pre 78. It had 67,000 miles on it. All original with no upgrades or rebuilds. It's usually a second place car at local judged car shows. I Paid $11,900 which was probably on the high end, but it was read to go. I have since replaced tires, radiator and the clutch. In the last three years I've put another 10,000 miles on it. I love to drive it and have no regrets about the price I paid. That's it in my avatar.
Last edited by Oldriceguy; 11-22-2018 at 09:29 PM.
Reason: Additional info
74 was the last year with a factory 454 but if I got a later Vette I'd aspire to put a bb in it. If I got a bb '74 I'd want to tweak it.
Ah yes, I posted then thought after, 74 was the last year. It would have been nice if they just left the compression alone. Then the gas crunch which killed almost everything. My 69 still has the original 427 and when people ask what kind of mileage I get I just smile and say "geeze, I don't know." Gas is expensive up here and a normal topic but not with me... Too much fun.
Last edited by CanadaGrant; 11-22-2018 at 09:41 PM.
Three years ago I bought a 77 L82 4 speed w/AC, power windows,gymkana suspension and very nice paint. I wanted a red, manual pre 78. It had 67,000 miles on it. All original with no upgrades or rebuilds. It's usually a second place car at local judged car shows. I Paid $11,900 which was probably on the high end, but it was read to go.
Nice! Sounds like a reasonable price. Has all the elements I'd look for but a big block - it would definitely be on my "go take a look" short list. The "ready to drive now" element is definitely a factor to consider.
Another issue is color. Sure, any car can be repainted but it's a hassle and an expense to do it right particularly if you plan to do the prep or even shoot it yourself. I see a lot of them that I consider a "who wants that?" color - of course others might not feel the same way.
It all depends on the car in question. In May of 2015 I bought a 1974 L82 4 speed coupe with 34K original miles for $12K. Original everything except smog pump and exhaust manifolds. Full owner history and maintenance records back to 1978. I feel like that was a steal for this car. Value is in the eye of the beholder. I should mention the bumpers have also been replaced as is typical of soft bumper Vettes.
Last edited by LemansBlueStingray; 11-23-2018 at 12:04 AM.
Reason: Bumpers
Beautiful straight looking car. Wow, I would say you got a heck of a deal! The only thing I could find fault in is there is some dirt on the drivers floor mat...
11-22-2018, 10:13 AM
The most you would pay for a stock 74 - 82?
Gas is expensive up here and a normal topic but not with me... Too much fun.
