1969 427 L36 corvette Value?
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 8
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1969 427 L36 corvette Value?
Opportunity to purchase a 1969 numbers matching L36, 4 speed manual, convertible in great condition.
It is original lemans blue with blue interior still showing well, older restoration overall maybe about a 6 or 7 out of 10. no rust and recent suspension refresh.
It has a salvage title from way back when, it ran up on a curb, underside has no evidence of frame damage.
What is your opinion?
It is original lemans blue with blue interior still showing well, older restoration overall maybe about a 6 or 7 out of 10. no rust and recent suspension refresh.
It has a salvage title from way back when, it ran up on a curb, underside has no evidence of frame damage.
What is your opinion?
Last edited by moto5625; Mar 6, 2019 at 09:33 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,633
From: Draper Utah
I'll play... if everything works as it should $35k if the AC blows cold, $32k if it doesn't.
Then deduct whatever you think the salvage title is worth, which will be huge to some and minor to others.
YMMV
Then deduct whatever you think the salvage title is worth, which will be huge to some and minor to others.
YMMV
Last edited by Iceaxe; Mar 6, 2019 at 09:48 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,706
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
A quick search says that for modern cars, salvage title is a 20-40% discount. For older cars, it’s 50%. For a classic????
if you keep it for a long time, risk is lower as you’ll get the use out of it. Buying to flip would be, in my opinion, very high risk.
Last edited by CA-Legal-Vette; Mar 6, 2019 at 10:30 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,103
Likes: 802
From: Massapequa Park NY
I don't think $30K is a good idea. I would never buy a car especially a vintage Corvette with a salvaged title unless it was really cheap and my plan was to totally modify it. Having a collectible original 'matching numbers' car seems to have the purpose defeated by having a salvage title.
But its your money.
But its your money.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 767
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From: Blaine MN
It appears to be in good condition (assuming you've checked Birdcage etc. for rust issues), I'd take it to a Frame specialist as a first step to make sure it's square and can be aligned to spec. If you like the Car and only expect to take a small loss or break even when you sell I wouldn't hesitate to go into the mid to high twenties.
I'm biased, I've repaired Salvage Titled (non-Vette/non-Classic) Vehicles 3 times over the last several years and have been happy that I did it, saved a fair amount and I'm still driving one (Tahoe) 5 years later.
I will agree with the other posts that warn of sale difficulty due to Salvage Title, but at a mid twenties price for a BB Vert, I think you'll move it without a lot of fuss (if it was a Black Interior I'd be quick to take it off your hands).
I'm biased, I've repaired Salvage Titled (non-Vette/non-Classic) Vehicles 3 times over the last several years and have been happy that I did it, saved a fair amount and I'm still driving one (Tahoe) 5 years later.
I will agree with the other posts that warn of sale difficulty due to Salvage Title, but at a mid twenties price for a BB Vert, I think you'll move it without a lot of fuss (if it was a Black Interior I'd be quick to take it off your hands).
Last edited by suprspooky; Mar 6, 2019 at 02:53 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 1,232
From: PHX AZ
A 'salvage title is an opportunity to 'WASH-THE-TITLE'
Mid 20's
Nice car tho.
Look at the front A arm shims....quick check are they super out of 'balance' Ton of shims on one side and just a few on the other...just a possible tell-tale.
Nice car tho!
Mid 20's
Nice car tho.
Look at the front A arm shims....quick check are they super out of 'balance' Ton of shims on one side and just a few on the other...just a possible tell-tale.
Nice car tho!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Salvage due to damage say 20 yrs or more wouldnt bother me. If it was bad that car wouldnt have had $ sunk into it
I doubt that car will be bought anywhere near 20, noone here would?
I doubt that car will be bought anywhere near 20, noone here would?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 410
Nice color combo... any docs?
When considering a nice no title issues car in the same color combo could probably be bought in the 40-45 k range back out the numbers...
mid high 20's if it is a solid no issues car with a title cloud from 30 years ago.
You could probably buy a 400 HP 69 Roadster for 55k and a 435 would set you back 75 in that combo... think about the car in relation to what you could put with it and advance up the ladder... there were less than 3500 L71's. I almost bought a Blue Blue 69 L71 Coupe with original engine and Kevin McKay certifications for 41k.
When considering a nice no title issues car in the same color combo could probably be bought in the 40-45 k range back out the numbers...
mid high 20's if it is a solid no issues car with a title cloud from 30 years ago.
You could probably buy a 400 HP 69 Roadster for 55k and a 435 would set you back 75 in that combo... think about the car in relation to what you could put with it and advance up the ladder... there were less than 3500 L71's. I almost bought a Blue Blue 69 L71 Coupe with original engine and Kevin McKay certifications for 41k.
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Race Director
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From: Napa Valley California
I looked at numerous Corvettes before I found mine.
Some were beautiful numbers matching big block cars.
There were several that I really wanted to purchase, but as soon as the seller brought up that they had a salvaged title, I walked.
There is no way to determine the extent of the collision damage done to a car 20 years ago and you can only go by what the seller is telling you.
I don't believe DMV would have issued a salvaged title on a car that just went up on a curb.
My Uncle is the original owner of a 66 big block with a salvaged title.
The car is beautiful and you would never know that my Cousin wrapped it around a telephone pole in 1977.
Some were beautiful numbers matching big block cars.
There were several that I really wanted to purchase, but as soon as the seller brought up that they had a salvaged title, I walked.
There is no way to determine the extent of the collision damage done to a car 20 years ago and you can only go by what the seller is telling you.
I don't believe DMV would have issued a salvaged title on a car that just went up on a curb.
My Uncle is the original owner of a 66 big block with a salvaged title.
The car is beautiful and you would never know that my Cousin wrapped it around a telephone pole in 1977.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2013
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2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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I think the accident must be more recent. Here is the salvage auction with noted front end damage.
https://www.easyexport.us/vehicle-fi...tle-mi-detroit
Also here is the listing on the registry. Looked like a nice car before the accident in 09. Also they added the til/tele option and power brakes:
https://www.c3registry.com/index.php...{GIZVHwEqfSA==
I personally wouldn't buy a salvage car, but if you are someone that doesn't mind the blemished history, you could get a solid car for 20k or so....
https://www.easyexport.us/vehicle-fi...tle-mi-detroit
Also here is the listing on the registry. Looked like a nice car before the accident in 09. Also they added the til/tele option and power brakes:
https://www.c3registry.com/index.php...{GIZVHwEqfSA==
I personally wouldn't buy a salvage car, but if you are someone that doesn't mind the blemished history, you could get a solid car for 20k or so....