emccomas

OK guys, I need some education about high end resto-mods, specifically 1963 and 1964 coupes.

I get that there is a significant value difference between a 1963 coupe and a 1964 coupe as fairly original cars.

How much of a difference is there between a 1963 high end (say $300K range) resto-mod coupe, and a fairly identical 1964 resto-mod coupe. In other words the only real difference between the cars is one is a 63 coupe and the other is a 64 coupe.

What is the estimated dollar value difference between these two cars?

It occurs to me that the cost to convert a 64 coupe to a 63 coupe is something like $10K to $15K for the 63 unique rear window parts.

So, if there is a significant difference in value of these high end resto-mods, why not convert 64 coupes to look like 63 coupes. The initial starting cost for the raw car is less.

I am NOT talking about changing the VIN tag. The look like 63 car would still have a 64 VIN tag, or maybe a state issued VIN tag.

Clearly I do not understand this area of the market, so please help educate me.

cv67

So hard to say when they leave stock and become high end show type cars suppose it depends how well its done. Individual taste and impulse can figure in there, too. Not sure theres some rule of value there.
Id take a 64 anyday, it looks the same to most and says Corvette on the fender...only a very small % "look down" on them. Kinda strange if you ask me you got one or ya dont. I dont lol
Good luck.

3JsVette

More of who's in the room, their personal preference (what ever that might be), their ego, and their willingness to part with their excess wealth.
Look no further than Not Red Rob's '63. That car's build level, quality, and eye appeal far exceeded some of the other '63s that went for substantially more money.
At a no reserve auction you just never know.

OHSIXX

A converted 64 was here a couple of years ago.

Robert61

emccomas

You didn't read the entire sentence...

"I get that there is a significant value difference between a 1963 coupe and a 1964 coupe as fairly original cars."

Two cars side, one is a 63 coupe, then other is a 64 coupe. Both cars are pretty much the same in terms of condition, options, color desirability, etc. And both cars are pretty much original cars (not converted to hotrods or resto-mods, or whatever).

Current Hagerty Value Guide

1963 coupe, 327, 300hp, 4 speed trans in #1 condition = $163,000, #2 condition = $121,000, #3 condition = $80,600, #4 condition = $54,100
1964 coupe, 327, 300hp, 4 speed trans in #1 condition = $83,600, #2 condition = $58,300, #3 condition = $36,800, #4 condition = $25,400

Disregard the actual numbers, they may or may not be accurate...look at the delta between 1963 and 1964

#1 condition delta 1963 > $79,400 over 1964
#2 condition delta 1963 > $62,700 over 1964
#3 condition delta 1963 > $43,800 over 1964
​​​​​​​#4 condition delta 1963 > $28,700 over 1964

I don't know the actual market values of these cars as described above, but it is clear that a 1963 coupe (as a starting point) brings considerably more money than the equivalent 1964 car.

My question, and the focus of my thread, is simple. We know a 1963 coupe is worth more than an equivalent 1964 coupe as a starting point.

But, all other things being equal, is there a significant value difference between a 1963 coupe and a 1964 coupe as a high end resto-mod?

Lets go out on a limb and say that you have two identical high end resto-mod cars. Same chassis, same driveline, sane colors, same quality of high end build, basically they almost look like twins, and they are both top of the line resto-mods.

But one is a 1963 coupe and the other is a 1964 coupe.

What, if any, kind of price difference would you expect to see between these two cars (where the only real difference is that split rear window)?

Thoughts

65 Pro Vette

Loren Smith

People put the 67 stinger hoods on earlier models all the time - I don't see any sacrilege in putting the split on a modified 64.

CorvetteMikeB

Boyan

Easy. 63 restomods can get into 300’s. 64 coupes are worthless.....just like 63 convertibles.

baker19

OK this is my very first post. The '63 SWC has been my dream car since I was probably 17 - a long time ago. I've owned some beautiful, fun and fast cars; everything from Aston Martin, Lamborghini, and currently a newer Porsche 911 turbo as my weekend ride. I had my car broker at BJ inspect three of the SWC restomod cars specifically and he also told me Not Red Rob's car was fantastic. Super nice guy I was told. I've been on the fence and decided to just sit by sidelines and watch the prices play out at BJ this year on the SWC restomods. I've been in discussions with a builder for over 4 years. I personally had no interest in making a 64 a 63 SWC. That was a suggestion when we were discussing the budget. I think you will spend nearly as much to convert a 64 donor car than buy a real 63 donor. I purchased 63 SWC donor two weeks ago and paid up for the real deal. Even though there won't be much of the original components left when I'm done, it was unacceptable to me to compromise. I think if you are looking to build to sell a high end restomod that looks like a SWC but is really a 64, I believe the marketability of the car and corresponding price will be materially adversely impacted. Personally I'm not interested in building mine to sell but building it for me to drive on the weekends but I've very quickly come to realize how expensive a high end build can be on one of these cars. My build began this week and so I'll start a thread soon on the build. Excited to gain valuable knowledge from all the great members here.

cv67

Building one for yourself that you plan to keep and worrying about its resale takes all the fun out of it. You may wind up with something you dont really like that much, btdt.
Life is too short ! This is supposed to be fun.

emccomas

#1 condition delta 1963 > $79,400 over 1964
#2 condition delta 1963 > $62,700 over 1964
#3 condition delta 1963 > $43,800 over 1964
#4 condition delta 1963 > $28,700 over 1964

Lets say the builder starts with a number 3 condition car. A number 3 condition 1963 coupe should be (if the Hagerty numbers are accurate) almost $44K more than a 1964 coupe in the same condition. How much do you figure it costs to add a split rear window, including glass and inside and outside trim. $10K? $20K?

That still leaves roughly $24K on the table to build the restomod.

What if both cars have state assigned VIN tags, which really doesn't matter too much for a high end resto-mod.

I guess it depends on how many of the 1963 only parts you want to use on the restomod. For a restomod, none of the original chassis or driveline comes into play. What else on a 63 coupe is so unique that you HAVE TO HAVE IT on your 1963 restomod?

On a related note, I know of a 64 coupe that was converted to a 63 coupe (including moving the Z-bar). The 63 coupe had a rusty birdcage and chassis. The 64 had a nice birdcage and chassis. The 63 was a real FI car with original drive train. The 64 was a 250 or 300 hp car that did not have the original engine anymore. The builder knew what he was doing, and knew every change needed. That car has top flighted more than once.

We each make out own decisions about these things, and no decision is more or less wrong than the other, assuming no legal issues have occurred.

SilverC1

Another interesting conundrum is if you had a '63 SWC where the original owner had the "split" taken out shortly after the '64 MY came out, to make it look like "the new 1964's". (I.e., it was done in late 1963 or early 1964.)

I've read that this was a not-uncommon mod, back in 1964 or thereabouts.

Certainly the value would increase by undoing the initial owner's mod. And it would reduce the amount of 'splainin' you'd have to do!

But from another way of looking at it - you'd be undoing some of the car's early history. Maybe a similar argument could be made for cars where the initial owner added a third tail light, right when Chevy started doing that on the passenger cars.... (Another not-uncommon mod, back in the day.)

GTOguy

Correct. I had as a kid a Hot Rod magazine from about 1966 where a guy bought a new Riverside Red '63 SWC, and promptly added the '64 rear window to it. After that, when the '65's came out, he added the front fender gills from a '65, chromed the entire engine compartment, painted it candy apple red, and installed Cragar SS wheels. The car was 2 years old and looked nothing like a '63 SWC.

CorvetteMikeB

biggd

The value is determined by the buyer and how much he's willing to shell out to stroke his ego.

C2 Hot Cam Guy

Hi Boyan i will buy all the worthless 63 convertibles you know of & pay you a referral fee gladly

Jeffthunbird

‘63 coupe always worth the most

Not Red Rob

Just now saw this thread, thanks for the kind words about the twin turbo ‘63 split-window we sold at auction. You are correct there are many factors at auction, especially who’s in the room. We put a ton of money and time in our car trying to make it the best we could, it fell a little short of what we had hoped but, fortunatly it went to great guy that we met at auction the previous year.

This year I believe was both supply outweighing demand along with a little market correction, prices were all over the place.

I haven’t learned my lesson, working on a wide body ‘63 split-window for Vegas and a ‘67 Coupe for Scottsdale 2020.

Rob