yes lots of good advice, which I appreciate very much.

The one follow up question I had was since it is a Nassau Blue Vette would that appreciate in value due to the rarity of the color ?

 

it will probably add some appeal but not going to have a significant effect. With only 28,000 miles I’m sure that’s a nice car. Again, I’d get a set of the original rims now as they are cheap and plentiful, use them if you like, and if not, salt them away and get what you think looks good. I have C7 Z51 chrome replica on mine but have the original rims and a set of Eagle F1 run flats with 3k miles in storage.

 

Here are the numbers on your Nassau Blue per corvette black book, 851 total made, coupe 453, convertible 209, hard top 189. Like others say, cool car and has lowest production numbers for that color of 2000 but prob. never be a collector so changing wheels no big deal.

 

Based on the pics posted, no way to tell based on that just looking at the face as aftermarkets are meant to look pretty/mimic the outside, but it’s the inside the truth is told. Remove the wheel and look for factory GM stamps on the back side of the spokes.

Both factory wheels (chromed by the aftermarket in the case of the C5) and aftermarket wheels will have chrome go bad, only a matter of time. Better prep and process leads to better chrome but eventually it will all go bad.

 

I think the days of the collectable Corvette are gone. You could work on the old ones yourself. The advent of electronics, parts unavailability and sheer quantities produced have killed that market. These cars don't age well, rely so much on electronics that are constantly evolving and the fact GM discontinues parts after a certain number years make me think we just drive em!

 

^C5s aren’t disposable razors simply to be used up and trashed just because time has elapsed and Autozone doesn’t carry every part in stock.

They can all be rebuilt just like older Vettes, but with anything there’s a point where cost outweighs book value.

Even older 1960s Vettes found in a barn as a derelict can take more than book value to restore properly.

It comes down to the person, water seeks its own level, some people are creators and some are users.

There are more users alive than creators unfortunately.

 

I would think a show car would be in a stronger position with the correct wheels on the car. even without considering any slight possible value attributed to originality, few replacement wheels are a step up, hardly something a judge would consider an improvement, functionally .

I just look among the cars at shows, I don't even park close, so this advice is only opinion.

Later on, after you have hit a few shows, you can decide about the wheels . you should have them checked if you think you have a crack, as you know. It's only stock once, a lot of guys today just elect to stop the deterioration. there are plenty of refinishing shops around when you decide what direction you want to take your show car..

A small part of the refinishing cost might be recovered if you sell the old set, and there is some worth to improving the wheels for your own enjoyment until you decide of how you want to steward the car.

I think the C5 a good car to enjoy long term because the distinct body ages well, and is perhaps the last fully unconstrained vette design, no pop up headlights next year, and the corporate creases also came into the design that same year, the corporate identity across all model lines

I favor the rounded shapes, and enjoy the look and driving experience of a lower side door, where everything now is big safety slab sides. I don't want little johhnie gettin his little brains bashed in , but the low door is a big arrow to they don't make them like this anymore, further highlighting the car as distinct.

If I don't change my wheels, I will ditch the ruined chrome I have and go with polished and clear coat. the same visual idea as chrome, good with my black car, just a more natural use of the wheel material. I am going to stay with the tire sizes the car was tuned with , which limits my wheels choices unless all of a sudden I think I'd be ok with cast chinese design knock offs of the forged GM wheels every time I walked over to use the car.

 

Sending you my best luck on finding a set of factory rims in perfect shape. They are out there, I believe I got over $2K for mine back in 03, now you should be able to find a set for about $400.

 

I would not think twice about replacing the wheels on a 2000. I would get what I liked and keep the originals.....

 

Hmmm, nice research! Any way to find out how many are still registered? I have a 97 artic white, only made 1,341. PS Nassau Blue made in 97......292!

 

I consider my car original, even though I made these upgrades, Z06 shocks, new headlight bulbs, replaced seats and cushions with identical black leather seats (you can't tell the difference). New center arm rest to match original, cushions for the door handles without any logos, red upgraded ignition wires and I had tp get rid of the wagon wheels. Looks brand new.

 

I agonized about replacing the wheels on my 2000, which were in much worse shape. The previous owner had stuck on a set of chrome replicas, which did not age well.

I finally found another C5 owner who was ditching his OEM wheels (and the Michelins on them) for aftermarket wheels, and I bought the wheels and tires from him. As another poster notes, there's almost no chance the 2000 came with chromed thin-spoke wheels, but they looked wonderful on my car.

The advice you've received is spot on: Very few C5s are destined to be collector's cars. With a quarter of a million made over seven years, even showcar-grade C5s are not rare. Buy what you like and enjoy the Corvette.

 

Same with my 99. I had hoped they were authentic thin spokes and they were replicas. I was on the fence on changing them, but the second I saw that they were cast chrome replicas, into the bin they went. If they were original I would have boxed them up.

I hate chrome replica wheels. Either go OEM or find a set of quality aftermarket wheels.

 

I always see the discussion about whether to keep a car original or not further quantified with “Well, the car won’t be collectible/valuable.” And I think that it’s not always about that. To some people, there’s a legitimate desire and “wow” factor to having the car outfitted exactly as it left the factory. That takes diligence and work to maintain. I’m in that camp.

Collector value and appreciation aside- it is indisputably easier to sell a stock, unmodified car. Modified cars always carry with them the question as to whether the modifications were a) done correctly b) the kind of mods which would be done by people who intended to drive the car hard c) mods of questionable cosmetic taste, as each individual has their own idea of what is attractive/stylish. I think that almost everyone would rather buy a stock vehicle and start with a clean palette, even if they intend to mod the car.

 

Sorry cant help u with that.