The Corvette I have interest in is a 1966 convertible, a pretty basic vehicle L75 manual with 44,000 miles. It has a Bloomington Gold Survivor award. What do you think the premium should be for the Survivor award? 10-20%? More, or less than that? I am looking at prices of sold 1966 Corvettes on Bring-A-Trailer, Hagerty's data base, and of course anything on line, but I am not finding any good data. So, any guesses? The more the merrier as they say. Thanks for your help.

 

What's the date of the Bloomington Survivor Award?

 

I would not pay a premium for a survivor award. Survivors have a much smaller market than restored cars. For a car that has been full restored, it makes sense to pay a bit more because you are getting conformation that the car has been restored correctly. Most buyers want the nicer looking restored car and will pay extra to get a good one...

 

Unless it's MINT and it has rare options (L79 with AC, side pipes, big block, etc.) that has been seriously maintained well (suspension re-done, no rust anywhere, paint is in excellent condition), I wouldn't pay extra for survivor.

 

The value of a Bloomington Survivor Award would be from zero to perhaps 5% premium. As Leif says, when it was judged is important. But a thorough checkout of the car by a good Corvette inspector or yourself (if knowledgeable) is about the same thing.

Larry

 

Let's see what AI thinks about it

AI Overview

Yes, a SURVIVOR® Award significantly adds value to a 1966 Corvette. In the classic car market, specifically for C2 Corvettes (1963-1967), an documented unrestored "survivor" is often considered more desirable and historically significant than a fully restored car.
Impact on Value and Marketability:

• Increased Value: Survivor cars can bring higher prices at auction compared to restored cars, as they represent a "time capsule".
• Documentation Benefits: The award, along with supporting documents like the original Protect-O-Plate, Window Sticker, and sales agreement, confirms the car’s authenticity and history, which boosts investment potential.
• Market Demand: While fully restored cars are popular, there is a strong, specialized market for "worn in, but not worn out" cars, allowing them to often sell for top dollar.
• Credibility: A Bloomington Gold Survivor award certifies that at least 50-80% of the car (depending on the medal level: Bronze, Silver, or Gold) is unrestored in four key areas: interior, exterior, engine, and chassis.

What Constitutes a 1966 Survivor:

• Must be over 20 years old.
• Must pass a road test.
• Must retain the OEM engine.
• Must have original paint, interior, or parts in good enough condition to act as a guide for other restorations.

If your 1966 Corvette has a SURVIVOR award and retains its original engine, it is highly sought after by collectors who prioritize authentic "patina" over modern, perfect finishes.

This answer pretty much aligns with my thinking that, for a certain segment of the buying public, a true survivor car would definitely carry a premium over the same restored car. So in my opinion the question isn't if a survivor car is worth more (it is to somebody), it's if a survivor car is worth more to you.

 

Thank you all for your input. The owner is right where AI is: "significantly adds value" and has used almost this exact AI quote to me. He bought the car from the fellow that entered it into the Bloomington judging in 1991 and they have maintained a close friendship since 1996. The owner has the complete history and ownership records. The car has been stored in a climate controlled building with many other cars since about 2000. My unprofessional opinion is that it is somewhere between Good and Excellent in the Hagerty rating system. I would say that they both have a strong emotional attachment to the car, but they are older with health issues so, selling some of the cars. Actually this car was not one that was for sale until I asked about it and said I would think about this one over all the others. I have seen the judging sheet. It passed except for the underbody. The owner's contention is that the car was Gold and still is because it is the same car with the same parts as it had in 1991, so why wouldn't it be still Gold. Well except for a few parts that he is willing to change or put back like putting in a correct reproduction Delco battery for instance. To the "rare option" question, no it does not, except for the side exhaust which Hagerty ascribes a 5% premium. Otherwise it is a base car with no power options, base wheel covers, base engine, base vinyl seats, but with a 4-speed, and radio. So I guess so far the input is that a Bloomington Gold, especially
an Old Gold is not worth much, unless you are AI and then it is worth "significantly" more. But AI is not in the market for it. Thanks for your input. If you have any more, please let me know.

 

A Bloomington Gold Award and a Bloomington Gold Survivor Award are two completely different awards and mean two entirely different things. Which is it??

A Bloomington Gold Survivor Award is simply an award the Bloomington Gold Show/Company. made up in the 1990's to get more cars to pay $$ and attend their events. It involved quick and minimal judging too see if the car maintained most of its original parts in some kind of condition. It is entirely different than a Bloomington Gold Award where the car is judged by a team of experts to see if the car is like it was delivered to the dealers.....both in originality and condition, and appears as new. Most often, these cars have been partially or fully restored.

Don't confuse or equate the two.........they are not the same.

Larry

 

and yet they don't have a manual like NCRS and its more or like AACA judging

 

Unrestored cars are 60 year old cars and often in questionable mechanical shape. The market for survivors is small and you should be careful not to overpay. A fully documented 65 fuel coupe in great colors was auctioned on BaT a few years back at the peak of the market and yet had a hard time selling. It had its bill of sale, window sticker and protection plate and was a highly awarded 4 star bow tie car that was on the cover of Hemmings magazine yet still had a hard time selling and did not bring nearly as much as restored L84s. Drive a judged restored car then a survivor and you will see why the market is small for survivors...

 

So... AI sez:

Ah, AI. What would we do without ye?

 

Bloomington Gold Survivor Award

I get the message: Not much if any premium. Thanks all for your help. I really appreciate it.

 

Zero added value for a 25 year old Survivor Award.