Another Value Thread
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 21,751
Likes: 166
From: PA
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
C4 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
St. Jude Donor '08
Another Value Thread
Sorry to be posting another value thread. Could use a little assistance though.
A buddy of mine runs an auto shop and used dealership and has a client that is listing a Silver '78 for sale on consignment with him. Owner wants $7500 for the car. I will have pictures to attach to this thread later.
Car is an automatic and has 20K miles on it. It has been sitting for over 30 years. Starts, moves and stops. However, it has been sitting in a damp dirty garage and the paint is totally shot and the interior has a horrible mold smell to it. It will need all rubber parts replaced, tires, belts, hoses, brake lines, etc. AC obviously doesn't work.
The owner is getting no interest at that $7500 price point. I was talking to them a little today when I had my car down there and I thought that considering condition, they should probably list it lower to get it gone. I'm certainly not interested in buying the car at their current price point. My gut tells me that $4000-$5000 would be a much more reasonable asking price.
Any thoughts?
A buddy of mine runs an auto shop and used dealership and has a client that is listing a Silver '78 for sale on consignment with him. Owner wants $7500 for the car. I will have pictures to attach to this thread later.
Car is an automatic and has 20K miles on it. It has been sitting for over 30 years. Starts, moves and stops. However, it has been sitting in a damp dirty garage and the paint is totally shot and the interior has a horrible mold smell to it. It will need all rubber parts replaced, tires, belts, hoses, brake lines, etc. AC obviously doesn't work.
The owner is getting no interest at that $7500 price point. I was talking to them a little today when I had my car down there and I thought that considering condition, they should probably list it lower to get it gone. I'm certainly not interested in buying the car at their current price point. My gut tells me that $4000-$5000 would be a much more reasonable asking price.
Any thoughts?
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,972
Likes: 6,197
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Whether the engine is original comes into play in the calculation here.
At first glance, a new paint job and interior plus everything else it willl need mechanically puts the car in the red before you pay a dime for it, so it’s a small window.
At first glance, a new paint job and interior plus everything else it willl need mechanically puts the car in the red before you pay a dime for it, so it’s a small window.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 21,751
Likes: 166
From: PA
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
C4 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
St. Jude Donor '08
That's what I was thinking. Thanks for the confirmation.
I believe the engine to be original, but I can't confirm that without looking at it again.
I believe the engine to be original, but I can't confirm that without looking at it again.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,633
From: Draper Utah
An original engine in a 78 automatic isn't really going to help the value much, you have to really work at it to find a Corvette with less HP. A high HP crate motor in such a car would probably bring more money. Just sayin'
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
my 75 has less power. 15 hp or so if I recall... this sounds like a 2 to 3000 car to me. and that is if the frame and cage are good. go to post 107. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...orvette-6.html good pictorial on what to avoid. pull the interior and throw away the rugs. re-dye everything. pull the heater out. there WILL be a mouse nest there. 7500 will buy a car that does not smell.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,685
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Kind of a tough car to move. Nothing against 78s but they have little that stands out. Nice lines but in this case the bad paint more than negates it. Essentially it’s a project car. If there isn’t rust issues, they should be looking closer to $4k.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 21,751
Likes: 166
From: PA
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
C4 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
St. Jude Donor '08
Thanks for the help everyone. I'm having some steering work done on my C4 at that shop so I'll be able to take a better look at it when I am back down there later in the week. If everything checks out, I may make a low offer and see what happens. I don't need another Corvette right now, but would't mind picking it up if the price is low enough.
Again, I'm more interested in getting it priced correctly to get it sold rather than me buying it personally but I'm always willing to jump on an opportunity.
Thanks for the help.
Again, I'm more interested in getting it priced correctly to get it sold rather than me buying it personally but I'm always willing to jump on an opportunity.
Thanks for the help.
Last edited by SmokinBlack; Jun 18, 2019 at 09:09 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 939
Likes: 242
From: Fruita CO
If the interior reeks of mold, I'm betting you will find rust issues in the birdcage. If that's the case, I wouldn't consider a 78 at any price. If there is rust in the bird cage and the frame, it's a parts car.
Last edited by slammin; Jun 21, 2019 at 10:19 AM.
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