1976 Restmod valuation question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 110
Likes: 4
From: Northern Virginia
1976 Restmod valuation question
I have a 1976 Stingray Coupe with extensive cosmetic & performance restoration. Like everyone here on CF, I prize my car, but I am confused over some comments I have entertained recently from other car enthusiasts that I would considered knowledgeable "gear-heads". Basically, the consensus is that in evaluating any classic car's worth, they are saying that a used Corvette/Classic Car buyer wouldn't care about performance upgrades, only cosmetic & mileage, and these other items, like horsepower & suspension mods, add little to no value to the car upon resale. I disagree. Being performance minded, I wouldn't buy a Corvette with the original 180HP like my '76 came with from the factory. I prefer my 0-60MPH in 3 seconds, plus a lot of what I read online are aftermarket performance mods... should I not expect any money back for these upgrades?
Performance Upgrades:
6.4L Stroker
11:1 Mahle's Flat-top Forged
.575 Comp Cam
2.02 Edel heads
800CFM Q-Jet (Stage II)
Sanderson Block huggers
Magnaflow 2.5" duals
TH700R4 Stage II tranny
3.90:1 Richmond R&P
Anti-sways F-R
Bilstein AK Series - R&T
330# Rear & 550# Front springs
2" Offset Trailing arms
Soon: P275-60R15s Goodyears
Performance Upgrades:
6.4L Stroker
11:1 Mahle's Flat-top Forged
.575 Comp Cam
2.02 Edel heads
800CFM Q-Jet (Stage II)
Sanderson Block huggers
Magnaflow 2.5" duals
TH700R4 Stage II tranny
3.90:1 Richmond R&P
Anti-sways F-R
Bilstein AK Series - R&T
330# Rear & 550# Front springs
2" Offset Trailing arms
Soon: P275-60R15s Goodyears
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,797
Likes: 1,706
From: Summerville SC
My thought would be that someone looking for a performance car would not be looking at a c3. But someone looking for a classic looking (and handling as in no rack and pinion for example) would love a c3. Then there are those of us who want a classic car that is immediately recognizable but want it to run and handle better. Like me and my 78 restomod. Unfortunately we are in the minority and that is reflected in values. You might find someone who likes what you did and is willing to pay for it. But I think those odds are pretty long. Better to do what you like and forget ROI. 
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Not sure where you heard that from?
Odometer readings mean nothing to me, condition does. Being as yours is completely rebuilt Id think it would be more appealing to many.
Good thing there isnt one type of buyer out there.
Worrying about resale while building a car has never even crossed the noggin, whats the fun in that?
Odometer readings mean nothing to me, condition does. Being as yours is completely rebuilt Id think it would be more appealing to many.
Good thing there isnt one type of buyer out there.
Worrying about resale while building a car has never even crossed the noggin, whats the fun in that?
Last edited by cv67; Jul 31, 2020 at 08:04 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,177
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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
A 76 Corvette has limited Value period. Yes a nice one will bring more than a not nice one. But no matter how much you put into it. There is still a ceiling on value. At what point is a Super nice Corvette of this age worth more then a new one?
also consider the fact that the audience for C3's is actually shrinking. The market is getting smaller.
Now, I'm an older guy now, (over 60). And I like the cars from my youth. Most people do.
also I NEVER buy a car or a Harley that someone else has "Hotted up". Why? ... people don't hot up a car or a motorcycle to drive it like grandma going to church. They build it up to POUND on it! No other reason. If I were looking to replace my Vette, I'd be looking for a very close to stock one in really nice shape, and I would then set it up the way I want it.
which may be different than the way you wanted yours.
So, no I would not pay extra for a car done up other than stock standard. But, that's me. Lots of buyers out there. None the less if you put a Ton of money into a 76 C3. One would think your planing on keeping it. At no time did you think you'd make a profit.
also consider the fact that the audience for C3's is actually shrinking. The market is getting smaller.
Now, I'm an older guy now, (over 60). And I like the cars from my youth. Most people do.
also I NEVER buy a car or a Harley that someone else has "Hotted up". Why? ... people don't hot up a car or a motorcycle to drive it like grandma going to church. They build it up to POUND on it! No other reason. If I were looking to replace my Vette, I'd be looking for a very close to stock one in really nice shape, and I would then set it up the way I want it.
which may be different than the way you wanted yours.
So, no I would not pay extra for a car done up other than stock standard. But, that's me. Lots of buyers out there. None the less if you put a Ton of money into a 76 C3. One would think your planing on keeping it. At no time did you think you'd make a profit.
Last edited by 4-vettes; Aug 1, 2020 at 04:27 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,923
Likes: 4,495
From: Virginia
I'd buy your car, if I wasn't already making one like it on my own. When/if you do sell the car, you won't sell to a generic "car enthusiast", you'll sell it to someone who wants it.
I've never bought a car expecting to do anything other than run it into the ground and have it towed away for charity. I've been pleasantly surprised a few times, but never have I been disappointed. Make the car what you want it to be, drive it, and enjoy it!
I've never bought a car expecting to do anything other than run it into the ground and have it towed away for charity. I've been pleasantly surprised a few times, but never have I been disappointed. Make the car what you want it to be, drive it, and enjoy it!
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 140
Likes: 1
From: east hampton ct
Rubber bumper corvettes are not investments. Enjoy your mods as I do but don't expect the value of your car to increase because of the mods. It may go up some but not near what we put into them..
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Wether a car is stock or modded I bet many buyers inc myslef, if they saw the big ticket stuff was done (brakes suspension bushing etc clean frame) is a huge incentive for the buyer.
So many times the lipstick is good on old cars but everything underneath is passed over....or worse covered up by spray paint. Plenty of buyers for both imo...the ones that seem tough sells are over personalized. Really doesnt matter though who knows what someone will want. Build it for yourself, if its for some mystery buyer youre not going to enjoy the car.
So glad I didnt listen to others yrs ago about original this or that, changing color shades.
With all the 10 yrs of TV shows people seem to eat it up that the only worth a car can have is if its stock/#s match. Not so!
So many times the lipstick is good on old cars but everything underneath is passed over....or worse covered up by spray paint. Plenty of buyers for both imo...the ones that seem tough sells are over personalized. Really doesnt matter though who knows what someone will want. Build it for yourself, if its for some mystery buyer youre not going to enjoy the car.
So glad I didnt listen to others yrs ago about original this or that, changing color shades.
With all the 10 yrs of TV shows people seem to eat it up that the only worth a car can have is if its stock/#s match. Not so!
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 147
Likes: 45
From: Toronto, CA
I generally see modifications as a negative when buying cars. Often the mods are not what I would prefer so I have to spend time and money to reverse or change them, so to me such a car is worth less than an unmolested original. For example, my '69 has a long L88 hood on it, so I have to spend time and money to get the original hood and wiper door back on. And so on.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 4,886
Likes: 202
From: Jackson MS
My thought would be that someone looking for a performance car would not be looking at a c3. But someone looking for a classic looking (and handling as in no rack and pinion for example) would love a c3. Then there are those of us who want a classic car that is immediately recognizable but want it to run and handle better. Like me and my 78 restomod. Unfortunately we are in the minority and that is reflected in values. You might find someone who likes what you did and is willing to pay for it. But I think those odds are pretty long. Better to do what you like and forget ROI.
I don't really care was someone else's perceived value of my restomod car is. I don't have any plans on selling it. If I were to sell, it would be because someone made me an offer I couldn't refuse.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 110
Likes: 4
From: Northern Virginia
My thought would be that someone looking for a performance car would not be looking at a c3. But someone looking for a classic looking (and handling as in no rack and pinion for example) would love a c3. Then there are those of us who want a classic car that is immediately recognizable but want it to run and handle better. Like me and my 78 restomod. Unfortunately we are in the minority and that is reflected in values. You might find someone who likes what you did and is willing to pay for it. But I think those odds are pretty long. Better to do what you like and forget ROI.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 774
Likes: 375
From: Seattle WA
I built my car the way I want it. No way in hell will I ever get the cost back IF I ever sold it. But it is the car I wanted since I was 5 years old.
Building a restomod to get your money out of it is something that only a professional (and a damn good one with a famous name) could do in my opinion.
Build what you want. If you want original, build it. If you want something looking like the Corvette Summer car (God help you) then build that.
