What's it worth?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,965
Likes: 419
From: Melbourne FL
What's it worth?
A friend just came across a 1976 small block, supposedly correct numbers for sale for 10 grand and was asking me for an opinion. I couldn't tell him more other than they're not that desirable considering the low horsepower. Should he pass or investigate further? If there's a chance it's a good deal, I'll have him supply pictures including engine code numbers.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,753
Likes: 721
From: Lafayette Louisiana
IMHO, the first C3 I bought was a 76 and we drove it more and had more fun in it than any subsequent C3. I bought it for about 9 and sold it for about 9. The frame was very good, very little rust, the body was good and the paint maybe 8 out of 10. Agree, the 76 is not an investment, but 99.8% of C3's are not anyway. If it runs and drives and has pretty good paint that is a good starting price. Also check completed ebay sales, Haggerty, Mecum, for actual sales to get a range of sold prices. It is good to remember that it costs just as much to fix up and paint a 76 as it does a 69 427 tri power (generally speaking) so if you spend a bunch of money on a 76, you do not get very much back. Or if this 76 needs a lot, you can easily find a better deal in the 74-77 year group. Hope this might help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,990
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From: Omaha NE
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Hagerty says....
A '76 in #3 good condition $10,700. #2 excellent $16,500.
If it happens to be a L82 add about $2k to both prices...
A '76 in #3 good condition $10,700. #2 excellent $16,500.
If it happens to be a L82 add about $2k to both prices...
Last edited by SEVNT6; Jan 13, 2022 at 03:16 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 113
Likes: 22
From: New York
It is hard to determine a fair price without seeing photos. So is $10k a good or fair price? Depends. The '76 isn't a favorite year to a lot of Corvette enthusists, but a '76 with a 4sp is a fun car to drive. Prices for C3s, or any Corvette, varies greatly by location, condition and options. In the northeast prices generally tend to be lower than equivalent cars in the south or west. Cars in excellent condition command higher prices and highly optioned cars can be more expensive. The advice from the members in this forum is excellent ... a '76 in very good condition is a driver, not an investment and if you put a lot of money into it you won't get it back. That being said, if the car is in great runing condition and you want it as a fun driver and you can afford it ... by all means go for it. Enjoy your new ride.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
roll down to post 107. read. mainly rust and suspension. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...orvette-6.html
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,965
Likes: 419
From: Melbourne FL
It is hard to determine a fair price without seeing photos. So is $10k a good or fair price? Depends. The '76 isn't a favorite year to a lot of Corvette enthusists, but a '76 with a 4sp is a fun car to drive. Prices for C3s, or any Corvette, varies greatly by location, condition and options. In the northeast prices generally tend to be lower than equivalent cars in the south or west. Cars in excellent condition command higher prices and highly optioned cars can be more expensive. The advice from the members in this forum is excellent ... a '76 in very good condition is a driver, not an investment and if you put a lot of money into it you won't get it back. That being said, if the car is in great runing condition and you want it as a fun driver and you can afford it ... by all means go for it. Enjoy your new ride.
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Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
a 76 with a bad orig motor can be worth 10k if the rest of it is nice enough. OTOH a running driving 76 can be worth 2k if the rest is crappy enough. the car is far more important than the engine. 350's are everywhere. could probably buy a 00 or so 5.7 vortec that needs an intake manifold gasket fron a core guy for 200 bucks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 732
From: Texas City, TX Texas
I agree, excellent paint and decent interior would be worth WAY more than a "correct" 185 h.p. limp wristed engine. Paint is very expensive if you don't do it yourself, not many "average Joes" can.
