Help pricing out a 76

[vms4evr]

Hey folks. I own a C4 so I wasn't much help with a friend trying to figure out what her C3 is worth. So I was kinda hoping you C3 owners might help me with a number here.

The details I have so far are this:

1976 corvette, auto trans, 31,000 original miles, 2 owners since new. Mechanically in good shape. Painted last year to original color. It's a maroon color. She spent way too much for the paint job and will never see that money come back. The car looks beautiful and I don't see any flaws inside or out. Garage kept and obviously not driven much. Mostly fair weather weekend car.

I can get more details on the options if you folks can tell me where the RPO sheet is located. It's easy on the C4 ;-)

Can you give me a ballpark number. I took a stab at about $14K but would like to five her a range to expect.

Thanks, Graham

 

[billybob]

Honestly, this will shock you I'm sure of it....

When I picked up my shark, california car modified for outta state, no rust original everything (almost), 22k original miles, garaged 12 years.

I paid 4500 CAN for it, had it appraised as I thought it was much higher personally, even reading the report, no rust, all original parts, chrome highly polished, motor runs strong and sounds like new. Transmission is solid, original and engages gears easily. Paint is in good condition with the exception of the hood which is faded. Interior is all original leather and in excellent condition. Guages and vacuum system function as designed. (yes even the clock :L)

Now ready for the shocker 5500?!?! CAN, I even had it appraised at at a different shop, still only came out to 6k CAN. I figured an easy 10k.

But of course we have this nice thing here called a no depreciation form that basically says anything I add to the car (enhancement wise, paint doesnt count) it increases the value of the car. But they tell me it will never be worth more the about 12k.

Basically what I'm trying to get across here is that its all based on market trends and what someone is willing to pay. Get an appraisal and go from there.

Bill

 

[69MyWay]

I think the numbers Bill has suggested are very realistic. It is still a buyers market on those year model cars. The books will tell you some fantastic numbers for low mile cars, that don't seem to come true in reality.

A person looking for that exact year model for some personal reason (had one senior year of highschool, sold that same year model for money to get married, Dad had one, etc.) might pay more money.

The problem is they are known to be low performance, required to carry emission equipment, and prone to the same rust, leak, rattle problems as the more valuable models.

She is almost better to keep it in long term storage if she wants to see it generate much cash later. I would say on the high end she might get upwards of $8K to the right person.

 

[vms4evr]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Yeah that is shocking. I'm not sure I want to tell her how far off she is. Apparently her husband used one of those books Chris is reffering too. I thought $14K might be fairly high. But half of that. Wow!
Graham

 

[billybob]

Shocking yes, but to me the car is priceless and wouldnt even consider getting rid of it (the wife would have to go first ) I still think I got the better end of the deal and the people here at are all help and no attitude which makes this hobby all that much more enjoyable.

You may try the others (toyotas honda or even other vette forums) but when it all comes down to it you want performance. I came for the beer but decided to stay for the personalities. :L

Bill

 

[page62]

C3's have a lot of regional price variations. If the car is excellent and has working AC, you could probably get $10-11K in Texas. Perhaps a little more when the economy improves.

 

[vms4evr]

Well I told her that the $14K number she came up with probably won't fly based on the year of the car and the market. She will probably put it on ebay and for sale in a few places. Her and her husband both bought Vettes. 76 and 99. They're not really into the Vette culture they just like the cars. She doesn't want hers anymore. After only a year. She wants to buy a new car and will use the money from the Vette to put towards it. He likes the 99 and won't let go of his.
So we'll see what she gets for it. I did tell her to absolutely not trade it at a dealership on a rice burner. She agreed.
And yes billy bob this forum is awesome. Been around for a while now and have checked out numerous other ones.
Graham

 

[MoeJr]

I can tell you that up here in NH I haven't found any mid 70's Vette for cheap. I have been trying since June to purchase a car and in the process have had alot of my Vette dream shattered when a Vette broker lost my 4600 Dollar deposit and filed Chapter 13. Thats half the money I had for a Vette. Now try finding a Vette for 4500 that isn't all in pieces or modified beyond belief. I can deal with a car thats needs some TLC but I haven't even seen a car road worthy at that price. I have emailed tons of Vette places and they have nothing. I am pretty discouraged. My dream of getting reaquainted with the Vette scene is diminishing. :cry

 

[StarFX]

MoeJr, that is really horrible! i cant even fathom just losing that kind of money, i feel for your loss. as for a site that might be helpful, this one is great. www.usedcorvettesforsale.com

 

[Drummer72]

C3 Priceless

Hello Fellow C3 drivers,

Let's introduce you to some cultural differences between the US and Europe, more specific, differences in car prices. The information might be interesting but i guess somewhat useless as well.
I drive my '71 in the Netherlands. I imported it, at that time being in real bad shape, from Switzerland where it was originally exported to (the id tag says General Motors Suisse, kinda nice).
I did most of the restoration myself except for the paint job which cost me a small fortune. The car is now perfect and 99% original. Exceptions are the cooling system which has a bigger (BB) radiatior with electrical fan and some other minor adaptations which make the care much more reliable.

Hold on to your seats now. My C3 is now valued and insured for the amount of 24k euros, which is around 24k dollars. These are the kind of prices that are paid here for cars that are in a true pristine condition. You should also know the 71 models with the chrome bumpers are worth much much more than the later models with plastic ones. (A perfect 63 was sold last month for over 50k USD).
In other words, you might get 14k for your C3 but I'd really suggest to sell it to someone in Europe if you can. Prices for cars in general are much higher in the EU which might explain these C3 differences.

Jeroen