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Car Color affect value?

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Old Sep 18, 2004 | 09:35 AM
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Default Car Color affect value?

Based on it being a #'s matching car and the condition of the car, does a color of the car affect it's value. For example, mine is an early 76 ( has the 6 1/2 inch Corvette emblem on bumper, late 76 had the 8 inch), dark metallic green ( which was the least popular color that year, only like 2038 sold), so would that rarity make it more sought after now?
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Old Sep 18, 2004 | 09:56 AM
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For example, mine is an early 76 ( has the 6 1/2 inch Corvette emblem on bumper, late 76 had the 8 inch), dark metallic green ( which was the least popular color that year, only like 2038 sold), so would that rarity make it more sought after now?
No. Suppose that a guy who had one just like yours in college & wants same & is willing to pay 50% more & he is is looking to buy at the same time you are selling & shows up at the auction !!! The next highest bidder will only bid about what it's worth & the guy buys it about what it's worth.
Color can affect value, really depends on the buyer.
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Old Sep 18, 2004 | 10:17 AM
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Corvettes are like baseball cards, they are worth a lot of money if the car is what a buyer is looking for, otherwise, market value.

...however, I also subscribe to the fact that there are fewer and fewer original cars out there, both in color and engine options...Lots of Corvettes have been repainted "resale red".

Other than the BB or L82 HP motor options, color (and overall condition) is all that separates these cars. The rarer the color the better. Often, rare color now means the least popular color option back then.

Mine is one of 1,677 painted two-tone blue in 1982...rarely do I see another two-tone car and fewer of them are on the road now, but I know it will never pull the money of a BB car.
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Old Sep 18, 2004 | 11:23 AM
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It really does depend somewhat on a buyer. However, I believe that overall the correct color match does add value especially to the growing number of people looking for a factory correct car. Whwn I bought my 70, it took along time to find it. I was set on Laguna grey. A one year color and was not popular when it came out. Alot of people still do not like it, preferring the 71 Steel cities grey. The seller wanted a small premium just because of the color. I gladly paid it.
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Old Sep 18, 2004 | 12:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Makonut
It really does depend somewhat on a buyer. However, I believe that overall the correct color match does add value especially to the growing number of people looking for a factory correct car.
Since your car is numbers correct, keep it original. The unmolested cars get more money now. There will be more potential buyers for originality than for modified. Besides, I like green. Joe
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Old Sep 18, 2004 | 02:15 PM
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Here's an example that may help answer your question. About 2 years I almost bought a 65 coupe. I had been looking for a yellow 65 coupe with 365hp. I thought I found the car out of state and worked a deal. Upon checking the numbers, it turned out the car was not originally yellow. The deal was over.
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Old Sep 18, 2004 | 03:41 PM
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It had been repainted red when I bought it, actually 4 times ( I stripped the paint off and found that out). I had the door panels off and noticed it was green under. I checked the trim code and found out it should be green, they had also dyed the interior black over the original bluegreen, so I changed that back to original.
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Old Sep 18, 2004 | 10:34 PM
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In some ways I paid a premium for my Daytona Yellow 1970 because of the color. In my opinion, it is the nicest yellow of all Corvettes. Not too white-washed and not too orange.

My 1969 442 is painted the wrong color. Because of this, I beat up the seller pretty good. I paid around 20% below a correctly painted one.

Keep the color.
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Old Sep 18, 2004 | 10:40 PM
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Originally Posted by trotter73
Based on it being a #'s matching car and the condition of the car, does a color of the car affect it's value. For example, mine is an early 76 ( has the 6 1/2 inch Corvette emblem on bumper, late 76 had the 8 inch), dark metallic green ( which was the least popular color that year, only like 2038 sold), so would that rarity make it more sought after now?
I have a 75 that was originally bright green and it was painted bright blue. As soon as it needs it, I'm going back to the bright green. I love that color - it's unique!!
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Old Sep 19, 2004 | 03:26 AM
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Sorry - totally disagree with nearly everyone.

If you lot are all car traders looking to make a buck - then fine, add 2 grand cos its the original colour.

But, I thought having a Corvette was a personal thing about having your favourite shape and design in your favourite colour - to enjoy on a physical and mental level.

So, you discover that some drugged up Hippy with too much money ordered a grey and pink 69 Vette with a blue hood - you really wanna be seen driving such an item ???

My personal choice for the E Type ( XKE ) and Vette is bright red - the shape and style determines that - for me. Same for the Mach 1.

However, my 1952 XK120 roadster ( OTS ) would look bloody awful in bright red - its original middle green metallic ( yes - factory metallic in 1952 ) is rather chalming.

MY second Vette colours are the various blues and a good black paint job.
Enjoy,
Hugo
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Old Sep 19, 2004 | 06:15 AM
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I'm gonna say a 1977 chartreuse red Corvette would top the list on value.. See if you can figure out why
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Old Sep 19, 2004 | 07:23 AM
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Originally Posted by gearheaddroppings
In some ways I paid a premium for my Daytona Yellow 1970 because of the color. In my opinion, it is the nicest yellow of all Corvettes. Not too white-washed and not too orange.

My 1969 442 is painted the wrong color. Because of this, I beat up the seller pretty good. I paid around 20% below a correctly painted one.

Keep the color.
That Daytona Yellow is killer.
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Old Sep 19, 2004 | 09:04 AM
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For me original color never entered into the equation. My car was originally Donneybrook Green. When I got the car it was painted white. I wound up painting mine a color not even available in 1970. It is the color I would have got if I could have ordered it. But, from the beginning, originality was of no concern for me. I got my car for the enjoyment of it.
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Old Sep 19, 2004 | 09:31 AM
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As a rule of thumb the original color is worth more, obviously there are many exceptions to this rule depending on the buyer. I love having a rare color, I think I was one of about three 73's out of I'm sure at least a 100 73's at funfest that were my color, so it tends to stand out and draw attention.


Pat Kunz
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