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I have a 96 Collectors Edition LT1 convert. with 73000 on the clock.. It is in near mint condition. i am just wondering if these are really a car that would ever be considered collectable now or in the future.. And as far as what it would be worth to sell.. I will not be offended by anyones answers, I would just like some honest straight foward information.. Thanks in advance ...
The 1996 collector edition was the most popular Corvette in 1996. The convertibles are rarer than the coupes but a fair number were made. The LT4 is less common than the LT1. Your car will be a collectible in the next 20 or so years. Right now it is a nice, desireable C4, not worth any more than another nice 1996 C4 convertible.
Watch Mecum to get a good idea what C4s are going for. Unfortunately there are lots of low mileage late C4 verts around that command mid to high teens prices from COLLECTORS and this market will punish high mileage examples. Drivers like most of us won't spring for the big bucks for a nice driver. 10 to 12K should be a good ballpark to anticipate.
Would 73000 miles be concidered high mileage on a car that old ??
IMO it would be on the low end of a high mileage vert. Definitely a driver that would command a price premium (10 to 12K). Most collector C4s that are in the high teens to low 20$ (as seen on mecum) are under 20,000 miles with quite a few surprisingly under 5000 miles.
This is based on my casual observations and should be taken as conversation over a few brews.
IMO it would be on the low end of a high mileage vert. Definitely a driver that would command a price premium (10 to 12K). Most collector C4s that are in the high teens to low 20$ (as seen on mecum) are under 20,000 miles with quite a few surprisingly under 5000 miles.
This is based on my casual observations and should be taken as conversation over a few brews.
Although 73k miles isn't technically that high for a car that old, it is when it comes to collectors and trying to get "collector value" from a car.
I would have to agree with the 10 to 12K for your car. It looks GREAT and I would love to have a vert like that but 73,000 is getting close to the mileage that would keep me from buying. I know these cars will go way over that and still be running fine but I think many buyers would prefer to start with a car that as few miles as possible. The norm would be much higher for this year car but there are so many low mileage vettes out there that this isn't really low milage by Corvette standards. Guess I said all that to say this, it's very nice but not collectible yet.
Thanks for all the info and compliments, I wanted a driver and I think I lucked out. It is all original ,, the paint shines just like new and it is almost flawless inside and out.. It won't get a lot of miles put on it just driving it weekends and nice weather,, plus I have another nice old car that I like to drive when the weather is nice as well..
there is a huge difference between a "collectible" automobile and a "collector" auto, e.g., one that is going to draw the big bucks.
Don't be fooled, a CE convert is special and will command a higher price than a regualr production C4 convert, but really only if it has the LT4/6sp.
Mine is such, just 30,000 miles on the clock, has the Torch Red interior, and is one of 78 manufactured. I've taken it one step further and modified it with DRM480, making it 1 of 1.
Nonetheless, it is still only worth what a buyer is willing to pay.
An LT4 CE coupe with around 28,000 miles on the clock just sold for $23,000 (or was it $29K?) at BJ Las Vegas.
I'd say yours is a very desirable Corvette, but as mentioned, won't be of a great value until many years have passed. I'm thinking, as with my own, that for whatever value might increase on the car, I would garner a whole lot more fun out of it by driving it!!
Would a 78-81 c3 be a more collectable vette than 96 c4 ?
Late C3s (75-82) are real slugs performance wise and have not really appreciated over the last 20 years. Plain Jane models are still available for 8 to 10K and '75 verts still bring 15K. These are average $ for average cars. Low mileage, high quality and limited edition specimans are not in this category.