How is the value of a vette affected if the block is original, but nothing else is?

In other words, pistons, cam, manifold, carb radiator etc. has all been replaced with new stuff after an extensive rebuild. Only the block survived.

What does this do to the value when considering a purchase?

Is the car still considered "numbers matching"?

 

Kind of a hard question to answer. On an early C-3...If the engine is a rare optinal one and a purist wants the car, it would be worth less by whatever it would cost to put everthing back to stock. If it is a driver or later C-3 car and runs fine with the current set up it shouldn't hurt the value. Some may actually like it beter with some mods that they would have done anyway. :jester


[Modified by silvervetteman, 4:51 AM 1/30/2002]


[Modified by silvervetteman, 4:52 AM 1/30/2002]

 

hudman,

It's really not important what's in the motor as keeping all of the original pieces if you decide to put aftermarket pieces on it. Remember, we are only stewards of the cars we own today, in the future they will belong to someone else. Keeping them in good restorable condition as well as their natural pieces is an important part of this hobby.

 

Let me provide a clarification.

The car in question is a 68 vert.

Block is supposedly original, nothing else is. Does a car like this command numbers matching pricing, non numbers matching pricing, or somewhere in between?

 

Is it a 427 or 327? If it is a 427, then there is definately value added by the original block.

 

Absolutely less than a real "numbers matching" car, but how much less is difficult to say. The block is the most important part and would be impossible to replace since the stamp pad is unique to that car. You can look at the C1 and C2 Corvettes for an historical model. Generally a non-matching C2 car will bring around $5,000 less in the base-model cars. The gap grows wider depending upon how the car was originally configured. There is absolutely no reason to believe that today's "nothing special" 1975 base-engined Corvette will be any different in another 15 to 20 years.

There is also substantial evidence that there is no such thing as a "desireable" modification to a Corvette or any other collectable car. Anything you do that alters the car will negatively impact its value unless the original parts are part of the offer. There is no question that a modern intake, headers, and ignition are improvements, but the market has always penalized the seller for such modifications. In fact, no matter how much you "improve" your car, you will never see a return on that improvement investment.

As I previously wrote, the block is the most important part since -unless you can track down the original block, you can only replace it with a block that has the same casting number and a date-code that is in range or your car's build date. This is very difficult to do and even then, you still don't have the "original" block. Internal parts are of no real consequence since they can't be judged. It's far easier (though still a daunting task) to locate proper cylinder heads, intake, and other bits and pieces that bolt to the block since they are only casting number and date code referenced and will in most cases have cross-platform applications.

That being the case, and in concert with Topless68, unless you intend on being burried in your Corvette, always keep everything that comes off the car even if it seems hopelessly irrepairable or you see no value in preserving it. In time, the investment in repairing a part and re-installing it to its original home may be justified. Look to all those who removed their smog equipment. Now, look at the cost of replacing it and all those who are trying to do that dispite the fact that no one likes smog equipment.

 

Here is my $0.0000000002 worth:

If the only original part of the drivetrain is the block, a "collector" might see little more value in that Corvette than a similar one without anything original. How much more value it is worth really depends on the individual looking to buy it. Obviously an all original ("Survivor" or "Benchmark") will bring the top dollars. Placing an accurate "additional" value on the Corvette you mentioned would be tough! I think it would be just above a typical non-numbers matching car.

Are you not positive about the originality of the block? Are the correct numbers (stamped and cast) on the block? Without proof or documention the block is worth nothing additional.

 

Take the matching numbers price and then deduct the cost of putting the missing parts back on the original block. That should give you a good value in the collector market. Not a collector, then approach it as a non original engine car.

tom...

 

I totally agree with Gerry72. One of the best answers on this subject.

I would think that most people do not like visually modified cars unless they did the modifications. Flares and spoilers etc. are mostly self expression. Nothing wrong with that, in fact it is fun to some as is it is fun to others to keep close to original. With a factory correct car I feel your market would be bigger and able to fetch a higher price. In the year your car was sold new the buyer did not have a choice. So he/she liked it like it was.

The only visible change I did to my 72 was a passenger side mirror and stereo. When I bought it, it had a newer radio with cassette. The right side mirror was because I liked the balanced look and for safety (bad blind spot with top up).

When I was looking a few years ago a corvette specialist said that the matching number deal is the backbone for investment purposes.

 

The only way anyone would know about internal engine mods is if they were TOLD, unless it was a radical cam change. Frankly, most "original" style motors, 'numbers matching' or not, HAVE to be internally modded to perform on today's unleaded or reformulated fuels.
:yesnod: :chevy :chevy :yesnod: