info on 71 conv.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
info on 71 conv.
First off, thanks for your time. Need info and advice on a 71 convertible that I'm looking to purchase from a private party.Yes I am new to the "vette world" and have always been a fan of this style. The car has a 350/270hp,ps,mb,no air with 80,000 miles and is in exc shape,all original with new paint. Car has all original parts and what is new has been replaced with all original items. Paint is also original color. Soft top in exc condition. Same with interior. All numbers match. Car is in exc condition with hardly any flaws. Very well taken care of and only driven a few hundred miles a year. Car has also won a few awards. Asking price is $25,000. What is this car worth and what should I pay? Is there a lot of miles on this car for that price and if I drive it more than a few hundred miles a year and near 100,000 miles will it still hold its value if kept in the same shape lets say 5-10 years down the road? Any info and advice would be much appreciated.
Last edited by c.s.; Nov 29, 2004 at 11:54 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,721
Likes: 108
From: Canada
check the frame and windshield for rust if none, then $20 - 25k for an LT-1 vert. is not too expensive if it is in as good a shape as you say. Call a local corvette club to have them recommend a mechanic to over the vette to find things that you may not see.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,360
Likes: 382
From: Plano TX
But this one is a base engine car so I think $25k is too much even if it checks out. If the mechanicals are in excellent shape as well as the interior and paint I can see upper teens.
Be sure to have someone who knows C3's do a thurough check. These cars have a few unique areas that need close checking such as the frame just in front of the rear wheels rusts out and the front crossmember where the lower A-arms attach can crack. Also have to inspect the rear suspension, wheels bearings, stub axles, strut rods etc. Rebuilding rear suspensions on these cars gets expensive if you have the work done.
Be sure to have someone who knows C3's do a thurough check. These cars have a few unique areas that need close checking such as the frame just in front of the rear wheels rusts out and the front crossmember where the lower A-arms attach can crack. Also have to inspect the rear suspension, wheels bearings, stub axles, strut rods etc. Rebuilding rear suspensions on these cars gets expensive if you have the work done.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 6
From: Nevada City California
cs:
I'll give you my opinion, if it's any help to you. I have owned several 1970 thru 1972 Corvettes. Including 3 '70 LS-5's, 1 '71 LS-5, 1 '71 LS-6, and 2 '72 ZQ3's.
The '70 thru '72 'vettes are the refined version of the "early shark era" cars. I believe they will continue to appreciate a lot in the continuing years. Currently the convertible model holds an edge over the coupe as far as value goes, however I believe the LT-1 & LS-5 options will far outdistance the ZQ3 engine in upcoming years as far as increased value will go.
The price of the car you are looking at, seems reasonable for what you are presenting the condition to be. I believe for a few thousand more, you could get a much more desireable optioned model that would hold it's value much better, as well as increase significantly in value in future years.
I would think hard, on what it is about these sharks, that attracts you to them, as you can see I am hooked on them. Find what particular options really get you excited and persue a car that has them. I don't believe you can ever pay too much, only too soon. As time goes by, it will seem like a bargain!
I'll give you my opinion, if it's any help to you. I have owned several 1970 thru 1972 Corvettes. Including 3 '70 LS-5's, 1 '71 LS-5, 1 '71 LS-6, and 2 '72 ZQ3's.
The '70 thru '72 'vettes are the refined version of the "early shark era" cars. I believe they will continue to appreciate a lot in the continuing years. Currently the convertible model holds an edge over the coupe as far as value goes, however I believe the LT-1 & LS-5 options will far outdistance the ZQ3 engine in upcoming years as far as increased value will go.
The price of the car you are looking at, seems reasonable for what you are presenting the condition to be. I believe for a few thousand more, you could get a much more desireable optioned model that would hold it's value much better, as well as increase significantly in value in future years.
I would think hard, on what it is about these sharks, that attracts you to them, as you can see I am hooked on them. Find what particular options really get you excited and persue a car that has them. I don't believe you can ever pay too much, only too soon. As time goes by, it will seem like a bargain!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
As long as the frame, birdcage, and trailing arms aren't rusty, it sounds reasonable. I agree that the BB cars will probably appreciate faster, but I think any chrome bumper vert will continue to appreciate if kept up. My .02
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 624
Likes: 24
From: Shoreline WA
I paid slightly over 20k for my '71 coupe which is also a 350cid/270hp last spring. It is my first Corvette but I spent a lot of time (years) looking around and it appraised over my purchase price. It's in very good shape overall and for me anyway it's a "keeper." I do wish it had a high performance engine, but understand that Chevrolet only made so many and the relatively few that are out there for sale AND that are in good shape really command the higher price! Sometimes you just have to go for it and enjoy, or at least that's what finally motivated me.
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 397
Likes: 1
From: CORTLANDT MANOR NY
Hey guys this is not an LT-1. In 71 the base model was a 350 270 hp engine. The LT-1 I believe was a 350 HP engine. This car is a lowly optioned car and as such $25K is way too much. Look to take this car home for $18K or less if it checks out mechanically and frame wise. A fully restored NCRS award winner would not be worth $25K with those options.
Last edited by BUGGSY1970; Nov 29, 2004 at 08:56 PM. Reason: error
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Originally Posted by BUGGSY1970
Hey guys this is not an LT-1. In 71 the base model was a 350 270 hp engine. The LT-1 I believe was a 350 HP engine. This car is a lowly optioned car and as such $25K is way too much. Look to take this car home for $18K or less if it checks out mechanically and frame wise. A fully restored NCRS award winner would not be worth $25K with those options.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 2
From: New Zealand
Originally Posted by c.s.
......Car has all original parts and what is new has been replaced with all original items. Paint is also original color. Soft top in exc condition. Same with interior. All numbers match.......What is this car worth and what should I pay?........
But based on your description, I don't think this Vette is worth more than 18k without pics and trim codes, block casting numbers/date, engine suffix codes, head casting numbers , etc. For 25k I'd expect all this and some documentation as well.......post that info here and we'll help you feel better (or maybe worse--depending on the car) about spending all that coin........Besides, we really want to see pics of this Vette
BTW, take a look at 73-75 convertibles.......you miss out on the chrome bumpers, but production is lower
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 2
From: New Zealand
Originally Posted by markdtn
Don't know where your numbers come from, but a freshly restored no-option SB bumper vert will bring about $30k nowadays.
......You've just greatly improved the value of my Vert 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 6
From: Nevada City California
standup:
ZQ3 is the RPO code for the standard base engine for the Corvette model, ie: '68 is 300hp/327cid, '69 is 300hp/350cid, '70 is 300hp/350cid, '71 is 270hp/350cid, & '72 is 200hp/350cid.
ZQ3 is the RPO code for the standard base engine for the Corvette model, ie: '68 is 300hp/327cid, '69 is 300hp/350cid, '70 is 300hp/350cid, '71 is 270hp/350cid, & '72 is 200hp/350cid.