Looking to buy a 68-72 with either a LT1 or a bib block-since prices are high which one of these will hold more value?



Thanks
Mark

 

The question you should be asking is which one of these would I enjoy driving more. From an investment point of view both suck, there are better ways to invest money and buying a used Chevy is not one of them.

 

How to earn a small fortune working with old Corvettes:
Step one: start with a large fortune...

😀

To your question: It’s likely a toss up, but probably the LT-1. Enthusiasts will recognize the LT-1 as the pinnacle of first gen small block factory performance.

 

I asked myself that same question over and over for the last 10-15 years, and went with a BB.

 

I'm a big block guy. Nothing beats the sound, and performance is very similar between the BB and LT-1 cars. They're all dogs when compared to modern fast cars. Values have tracked roughly the same between nice LT-1's and BB's from what I've seen. Ignoring the "halo" L88 and LS6 cars, my pick would be a '69 Tri-power 427 or a '70 LT-1 or 72 LT-1 A/C car for value with a '68 Tri-power, '70 LS5, or '71 LT-1 being relatively safe bets. Convertible and 4 speed cars bring more money simply based on supply and demand.

 

I totally agree with the above bolded sentence. I have come to realize that as much as my new 406 SBC kicks *** in my 77 Corvette, I get passed up all the time by some chic in a SUV or Camry. ALL cars go fast today,....and people have normalized high speeds. They even handle just as well. I have a great curvy canyon ride five miles from my house, I take the car on it all the time. Its a two lane one-way road. And as fast as I go,......I get passed all the time by coal trucks, pickup trucks, SUV's and even economy cars......why? Because its no longer about the power in the car.....they all have it.....its the new standard of pushing the gas pedal down till you are going 10-20 mph over the speed limit. Maybe back in the 70's only Corvettes and other muscle cars were fast....now, ALL cars are fast.

So.....what makes my 77 Corvette fun has nothing to do with it speed capability. Its the acceleration it has, i.e. big block torque,....and even more importantly, the fact that is the iconic C3 Corvette I always longed for. Sitting behind the car I rebuilt, looking out at those fender humps,.....and just driving an old, classic car is why I love it. So...to the OP, whether you buy a big block or LT1......just realize, you can get passed up by almost every vehicle on the road today.....and that does NOT matter. What matters is your perspective, your capability.....to recognize that the car will be something special. Its almost as if it has nothing to do with the car......but more about YOU, and how you experience the car. As per the Harley Davidson doctrine.....If I have to explain it, you would not understand. For those that understand, you get it.

More directly.......go with the big block.

 

I admit that I am prejudiced, but, as has already been said, if you're buying as an 'investment' you should just hand the money out on a street corner.

 

Having owned both, I prefer the LT-1 car. The LT-1's are the all around better road car, not to mention the sound of their solid lifters!

You can't go wrong with either model.......

 

Disagree. A C3 may not return a large gain in principal, but you can measure the interest earned in enjoyment.
And, it appears to me that the condition and desirability of any collector car greatly affects future value.
I hope when I die that my wife doesn't sell the Vette for what I told her I've got in it.

 

Point taken, and I concur absolutely! 😁


I hope when I die that my wife doesn't sell the Vette for what I told her I've got in it.

 

I donnnno, I think there are plenty of people on this forum myself included that bought the "RIGHT" car at the right price 20-30 years ago & the value has increased 5X's or more. Even better you get to drive it & enjoy it vs a paper certificate you can only look at today and worth $500 & tomorrow possibly ZERO !! A documented original big block Vette or LT1 will never be worth ZERO ! Sell your stocks and any other paper "INVESTMENT" and you also have tax implications. When selling your car the cash goes in your pocket ALL OF IT !

Just another view !!!

 

Depends on the Big Block.......if you want a collector investment.....the only C3's I would consider that are in the safe category are the Tri-Power 427's, and the 71' LS-6.....of course the L-88 too.
But if keeping under the 50k range is important.....the 427/390 cars and the LS-5 cars are the ones to have. The LT-1 is a special engine package but they just do not bring the star power the Big Blocks do.......
To me personally, the LT-1 is a cam, intake and carb.....big deal.

Jebby