'69 Coupe-Worth It?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 116
Likes: 4
From: Madison,Mississippi,USA
'69 Coupe-Worth It?
I have not been on this forum for a while. I have a chance to buy a 69 Coupe with matching number's 427/390 engine, 4 speed, a/c, ps, pb. The price is $11000. It will need a good bit of work. I will do a frame off restoration and we think that it likely will cost $10000 to $14000 to get it to a really nice condition. My partner and I can do all the mechanical and body work (engine needs rebuilding and the body will need paint.) Other items like new interior, shocks, hoses, mufflers, tailpipes, rechrome, wires, correct intake and carb, etc will be part of the expense to restore.
My question is as regards to what this vehicle might be worth once it is complete. It would likely be rated as a 9 on a 10 scale when complete. Could I get some thoughts on what you think this 68000 mile (showing) car might be worth. I do not and will not have much documentation but have checked all the numbers including the head castings to confirm originality.
Thanks for any help.
Mike Martin
My question is as regards to what this vehicle might be worth once it is complete. It would likely be rated as a 9 on a 10 scale when complete. Could I get some thoughts on what you think this 68000 mile (showing) car might be worth. I do not and will not have much documentation but have checked all the numbers including the head castings to confirm originality.
Thanks for any help.
Mike Martin
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,036
Likes: 5
From: Raleigh NC
when i was looking at 69's a couple months ago,427's with a/c,p/b,p/s in 9 out of 10 condition were well into the 30's.(9 out of 10 to me is a 2/2- car and #'s matching on the major items) which is why i got the 350 instead 
keep in mind im far from an expert...just what i was running across with online ads.
if nothing else you will have your money back if need be and a car you know inside and out while you own it.
keep in mind im far from an expert...just what i was running across with online ads.
if nothing else you will have your money back if need be and a car you know inside and out while you own it.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 545
Likes: 8
From: Murphy Texas
'69 Coupe 427/390 mint condition cont.1(mint) 24,600
cont.2 20,200
cont.3 15,300
cont.4 10,300 drivable beater
Source: Corvette Price Handbook. $ with options. (still a guestiment)
cont.2 20,200
cont.3 15,300
cont.4 10,300 drivable beater
Source: Corvette Price Handbook. $ with options. (still a guestiment)
Last edited by jake1; Mar 25, 2005 at 01:09 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
What ever you think it will cost to fix it up at least double that figure and you will be close. Why worry if you are getting your money back. Is it an investment or a fun toy. They are not good investments. I hear this question all the time and "Am I going to make money on the deal". My pleasure and fun are worth a lot. I would lose money on mine if I sold it but I don't care, it is a hobby and they always cost money. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,023
Likes: 2
From: TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS
St. Jude Contributor
Just off the cuff, $11K sounds maybe a little high if the car needs a whole lot of work. For $11K, I'd be looking for a fair driver with some original parts, a solid drivetrain that could use a rebuild but was driveable, had little evidence of previous body damage, and had absolutely no rust anywhere, including in the birdcage. I would expect crappy paint, oil use & start-up smoke, a rough interior, and some non-functional secondary systems (A/C, headlights, wiper door, etc.).
By the way, correct intake and carb alone will cost you a grand or more all by themselves, unless you get real lucky on ebay.
JB
By the way, correct intake and carb alone will cost you a grand or more all by themselves, unless you get real lucky on ebay.
JB
Last edited by JB; Mar 25, 2005 at 10:19 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
If you're asking if the car be worth what you will have sunk into it, I think it will be. A lot of what it's 'worth' really depends on the buyer(s).
I don't think you'll be able to recover all the hundreds of hours of labor. Even if it does sell for $5000 more than you sank in to it, you'll wind up working and busting you knuckels for $5/$10 an hour.
I don't think you'll be able to recover all the hundreds of hours of labor. Even if it does sell for $5000 more than you sank in to it, you'll wind up working and busting you knuckels for $5/$10 an hour.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
If you are buying this for investment purposes, then it may be hard to get the money back from it. Once you start putting money into some of the details, it runs 2x more than the estimated amounts. And if you are trying to go original, then looking for the matching numbers, or series for that year will increase the parts price, and the time to find it.
I am running into time problems, not money problems with mine. Even the simple things to change are taking longer than I estimated. So a complete frame off restoration is way beyond my time line.
One of the forum members wrote once: " what do you get if you put $100,000 into restoring a vette? A $25,000 car." I know now what he meant by that.
The bonus is in the engine, so that should get you a benefit in reselling. I would say a 1969 BB in excellent condition is probably close to $30K. That is from looking at cars here in San Jose at the consignment shops.
kdf
I am running into time problems, not money problems with mine. Even the simple things to change are taking longer than I estimated. So a complete frame off restoration is way beyond my time line.
One of the forum members wrote once: " what do you get if you put $100,000 into restoring a vette? A $25,000 car." I know now what he meant by that.
The bonus is in the engine, so that should get you a benefit in reselling. I would say a 1969 BB in excellent condition is probably close to $30K. That is from looking at cars here in San Jose at the consignment shops.
kdf
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Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
I remember when the used prices on 68 to 72 Corvettes were $5000 - $6000 in 1980
I would buy a newer model at some of these prices they are asking as you can get much more performance in todays cars. I paid $5,400 for my 72 454 with 60,000 miles I wish I had it now..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 9,127
Likes: 2,326
From: Pottsville, PA. USA Home Of America's Oldest Brewery Yuengling
I just looked at a 69 coupe white with blue interior. 427/390 #'s match PS A/C 88,000 miles.
The car was painted 15 years ago in lacquer and looks good. The engine was rebuilt and the air blows cold. The interior is original and needs rugs and the bottom of the left seat repaired.
The car needs a good detailing. The asking price is in the low 30's.
Everyone who has an old car and wants to sell today the first words out of their mouth is: Did you see what the same car brought at Barrett-Jackson?
The car was painted 15 years ago in lacquer and looks good. The engine was rebuilt and the air blows cold. The interior is original and needs rugs and the bottom of the left seat repaired.
The car needs a good detailing. The asking price is in the low 30's.
Everyone who has an old car and wants to sell today the first words out of their mouth is: Did you see what the same car brought at Barrett-Jackson?
