1981 - What's it worth???
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 22
Likes: 11
From: Eustis, FL
1981 - What's it worth???
I'm doing some hardcore budgeting, and sadly Miss Mary (my 1981) no longer sensibly fits within that budget in her current state, she's essentially a project car. I don't have any up to date photos, but I'll be going to the storage unit Saturday (09/28) and can get updated photos.
PROS :
PROS :
- Engine runs
- Transmission (auto) shifts in and out of gear
- Vehicle can idle in drive under it's own power
- New battery
- Carb Rebuild Complete
- New Spark Plugs & Cables
- Title in Hand
- All new belts
- I have the original wheels
- She's on a spare set of wheels using adapters, they're all included
- Old fuel has been siphoned out
- Just over 75.5k miles
- Almost all vacuum hose under the hood are dry-rotted
- Needs Breaks (all the way around)
- Passenger Door Doesn't Open
- Driver Door Exterior Skin Fell Off due to Excessive Rust
- Doesn't have T-Tops or Cover (was covered w/ Tarp after T-Tops were removed)
- Needs Body Work & Paint (sat outside in Florida sun & heat for almost 15 years)
- From a quick google search, it looks like most private sales for drivable good condition 81 C3's sell between 8k-12k.
- From that same search I saw a few 'rolling chassis' w/o engine and/or transmission that are selling for 750-1000.
- My thought would be to post for 2250 and expect and accept low ball offer at 1500-1750
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,800
Likes: 1,943
From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
It could have extensive birdcage rust / frame rot & be worth NOTHING ..................... 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 951
Likes: 215
From: Foothills of the Adirondacks.
I'm doing some hardcore budgeting, and sadly Miss Mary (my 1981) no longer sensibly fits within that budget in her current state, she's essentially a project car. I don't have any up to date photos, but I'll be going to the storage unit Saturday (09/28) and can get updated photos.
PROS :
PROS :
- Engine runs
- Transmission (auto) shifts in and out of gear
- Vehicle can idle in drive under it's own power
- New battery
- Carb Rebuild Complete
- New Spark Plugs & Cables
- Title in Hand
- All new belts
- I have the original wheels
- She's on a spare set of wheels using adapters, they're all included
- Old fuel has been siphoned out
- Just over 75.5k miles
- Almost all vacuum hose under the hood are dry-rotted
- Needs Breaks (all the way around)
- Passenger Door Doesn't Open
- Driver Door Exterior Skin Fell Off due to Excessive Rust
- Doesn't have T-Tops or Cover (was covered w/ Tarp after T-Tops were removed)
- Needs Body Work & Paint (sat outside in Florida sun & heat for almost 15 years)
- From a quick google search, it looks like most private sales for drivable good condition 81 C3's sell between 8k-12k.
- From that same search I saw a few 'rolling chassis' w/o engine and/or transmission that are selling for 750-1000.
- My thought would be to post for 2250 and expect and accept low ball offer at 1500-1750
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,800
Likes: 1,943
From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,248
Likes: 7,840
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Really sounds like a parts car. Yes, some of the parts have value. Parting it out is a pain in the butt however.
2 grand for the usable parts. Fair enough. The not usable parts will need to be dealt with.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 68
Likes: 21
From: SW PA
WOW! Door skin fell off due to excessive rust! No Brakes! No T tops. Etc, etc.
Really sounds like a parts car. Yes, some of the parts have value. Parting it out is a pain in the butt however.
2 grand for the usable parts. Fair enough. The not usable parts will need to be dealt with.
Really sounds like a parts car. Yes, some of the parts have value. Parting it out is a pain in the butt however.
2 grand for the usable parts. Fair enough. The not usable parts will need to be dealt with.
Be clear when you list it. This is not a project car. This is a parts car. Your price is perfectly reasonable for a running parts car.
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