1979 - What's it worth?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 114
From: Lawrenceburg, KY
1979 - What's it worth?
I'm seriously looking at a 1979 base 350/automatic C3 (pictured). 63,000 original miles.
From what I'm being told, it's a 1 owner CA car. Dad bought it new in 1979 in Long Beach, CA. He recently passed and son doesn't want it (he's keeping dad's 1969 Camaro instead).
Everything works and is supposed to be original (or like original) other than the paint as dad had it professionally resprayed a few years ago. It's supposed to be the original "color" but with a little more flake in it to add more pop (so not necessarily original but still silver). No accidents or damage.
Asking price is $9,500, which I'm comfortable with but was curious what it's really worth.
From what I'm being told, it's a 1 owner CA car. Dad bought it new in 1979 in Long Beach, CA. He recently passed and son doesn't want it (he's keeping dad's 1969 Camaro instead).
Everything works and is supposed to be original (or like original) other than the paint as dad had it professionally resprayed a few years ago. It's supposed to be the original "color" but with a little more flake in it to add more pop (so not necessarily original but still silver). No accidents or damage.
Asking price is $9,500, which I'm comfortable with but was curious what it's really worth.
Last edited by ChrisLSx; Jul 20, 2020 at 02:20 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 114
From: Lawrenceburg, KY
I'm going to be swapping out the automatic for either a TKO or T56, so I'm not sure if that will help or hurt the value (not that I really care as I'm buying it to drive, not sell).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 1,232
From: PHX AZ
worth it!
I've had my eye on this car for months. From what I can see, nice car, at a decent price.
Accent on MONTHS....It's been for sale for almost a year, with the price steadily dwindling....which is correct.
It ain't perfect, but it seems to be a good car.
so when you see $9500, this means he will be quite comfortable at $9000.....If I wasn't FULL of C-3's...I'd offer rather firmly $8750.
I'm a bit jealous....man I need a 4 car garage!
Best of luck....sweeet!
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/c...153816335.html
Unkahal
Accent on MONTHS....It's been for sale for almost a year, with the price steadily dwindling....which is correct.
It ain't perfect, but it seems to be a good car.
so when you see $9500, this means he will be quite comfortable at $9000.....If I wasn't FULL of C-3's...I'd offer rather firmly $8750.
I'm a bit jealous....man I need a 4 car garage!
Best of luck....sweeet!
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/c...153816335.html
Unkahal
Last edited by L-46man; Jul 20, 2020 at 03:05 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
Used to be 10k was the ceiling for 75-79cars. They seem to be inching up a bit lately. Seeing more at 15-17. Even dreamers at 25. 95 don't seem too high. 1 owner helps value a bit. You will not devalue it by upgrading the trans.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 114
From: Lawrenceburg, KY
I've had my eye on this car for months. From what I can see, nice car, at a decent price.
Accent on MONTHS....It's been for sale for almost a year, with the price steadily dwindling....which is correct.
It ain't perfect, but it seems to be a good car.
so when you see $9500, this means he will be quite comfortable at $9000.....If I wasn't FULL of C-3's...I'd offer rather firmly $8750.
I'm a bit jealous....man I need a 4 car garage!
Best of luck....sweeet!
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/c...153816335.html
Unkahal
Accent on MONTHS....It's been for sale for almost a year, with the price steadily dwindling....which is correct.
It ain't perfect, but it seems to be a good car.
so when you see $9500, this means he will be quite comfortable at $9000.....If I wasn't FULL of C-3's...I'd offer rather firmly $8750.
I'm a bit jealous....man I need a 4 car garage!
Best of luck....sweeet!
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/c...153816335.html
Unkahal
It looks like I squeaked in at the last minute. When I spoke with him yesterday, he had an offer from a reseller in LA for $9,500. He told me "if you want it, I'll give it to you for $9,500 or it's getting picked up Wednesday."
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 807
From: Dallas
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Sounds a bit off to me... If he had it sold for $9500 and being picked up... What is he doing talking to someone else.... who knows... just sounds off..
I do believe it is a good looking car!!! I am a bit partial to silver on a C3....
I do believe it is a good looking car!!! I am a bit partial to silver on a C3....
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
Congrats-i hope. Guy just bought a 68. We said welcome aboard. Car said "Nope. Initiation rites." And was no power the next morning. Easy fix. But just be prepared for that beastie to cop an attitude...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 114
From: Lawrenceburg, KY
It matches my 2004
Last edited by ChrisLSx; Jul 20, 2020 at 03:27 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 114
From: Lawrenceburg, KY
It's an old car, so I expect nothing to work (so can't be disappointed). That's why I bought my C5 first/when I needed a daily driver.
Last edited by ChrisLSx; Jul 20, 2020 at 03:29 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,658
Likes: 2,470
From: Indiana
Seems about right...but still worth rust check..ac ?
Fact is..that car os worth 9500...because you just paid it
hmmm
If The Adds Up It's Still For Sale. So Don't Ask. Thanks
Fact is..that car os worth 9500...because you just paid it
hmmm
If The Adds Up It's Still For Sale. So Don't Ask. Thanks
Last edited by interpon; Jul 20, 2020 at 03:43 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 114
From: Lawrenceburg, KY
To me, it was worth $10,500 (cause that's what I was originally going to offer the guy) but I was curious as to what it's market value was.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
even if never planning to sell it, it is prudent to research the actual value before spending real dinero. pull the kick panels and eyeball the number 2 body mounts.
Last edited by derekderek; Jul 20, 2020 at 05:24 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,220
Likes: 473
From: Olive Branch Mississippi
Winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
2018 Corvette of Year
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
2015 C4 of Year
The front spoiler appears to be molded on the car and the rear wheel flairs too. I'd want to check out the body work, in person, before making any decisions. It looks good in the pictures. If all the body work was performed correctly $9,500 doesn't sound out of reason.
I just looked at it on craigslist the rear bumper appears to be molded on also. The CORVETTE lettering has been removed from the rear bumper also.
I just looked at it on craigslist the rear bumper appears to be molded on also. The CORVETTE lettering has been removed from the rear bumper also.
Last edited by randy ransome; Jul 21, 2020 at 11:21 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 114
From: Lawrenceburg, KY
The front spoiler appears to be molded on the car and the rear wheel flairs too. I'd want to check out the body work, in person, before making any decisions. It looks good in the pictures. If all the body work was performed correctly $9,500 doesn't sound out of reason.
I just looked at it on craigslist the rear bumper appears to be molded on also. The CORVETTE lettering has been removed from the rear bumper also.
I just looked at it on craigslist the rear bumper appears to be molded on also. The CORVETTE lettering has been removed from the rear bumper also.
I’d love to replace the front bumper with a 80s “underbite” style. Finding out that it already isn’t stock makes me feel better about modding it going forward.
Last edited by ChrisLSx; Jul 22, 2020 at 01:18 AM.