Indefinte production of Callaway kits

[HuggerC8]

The other day I started pondering the thought in regards to when will Callaway ever stop producing kits upon customer request. Doesn't this marketing technique hurt the overall value of original B2K's Aerobodies released in the 90's. I know Callaway is engaged in other major projects so not sure if they really need to produce more kits. Can someone shed some insight to this..................thanks.

Johnny

 

[Vettelt193]

It isn't a bad idea considering it is cost prohibitive. Meaning, If I brought my 'vette to Callaway today for an aerobody, it would cost more to add the aerobody than it would add value to the car....

It will only really be a problem when the cost to add the aerobody is close to buying a used one... from what I understand (correct me if I am wrong callaway guys), adding a new aero is FAR more expensive than just selling a non-aero car and buying one with the aero.

 

[*89x2*]

The other day I started pondering the thought in regards to when will Callaway ever stop producing kits upon customer request. Doesn't this marketing technique hurt the overall value of original B2K's Aerobodies released in the 90's. I know Callaway is engaged in other major projects so not sure if they really need to produce more kits. Can someone shed some insight to this..................thanks.

Johnny

Johnny, To me - and this is strictly my opinion here, I hope that they will always meet their customers requests for parts for both the retail market and for the repair :eek market
I believe that when a part is no longer made and no acceptable solution exists, it hurts the main components value (the car itself) and should one be damaged in a huge way, what then?? Convert back to stock body or wait in hopes that a part can be sourced?

A prime example of this happened recently and the owner was almost left heartbroken...

One of the CR1 SuperNaturals (ZR1 based cars) had a "four corner incident" shattering the AeroBody panels. This car sat for a little while because the wide tail mold for the ZR1 AeroBody was long destroyed by fire

While it might have been easy to walk away from the task, Callaway Cars answered this customers needs by making the ZR1 AeroBody kits again This not only solved the problem for the damaged car but also made the kit avail. now & for the future for those wanting to upgrade...

I ask this question - What would the value of that car been, had it been left to sit, damaged & forgotten in a body shop for the next decade??

Thanks Callaway Cars for your continued support

 

[*89x2*]

just a general guide -

from what I understand (correct me if I am wrong callaway guys), adding a new aero is FAR more expensive than just selling a non-aero car and buying one with the aero.

It would run you about 14- 15k to buy and then install the kit (after fitment & paint)

The AeroBody cars can bring as much as 7-10k more than a non-Aero car - some prime examples, maybe more

 

[callaway4fun]

I bought a stock bodied car and added an Aerobody It cost me a good buck but I would do it again if I had too. The look of the Aerobody is one of a kind, that really sets your car apart from other corvettes.

 

[HuggerC8]

Thanks fellas for the replies I see you exactly what you are telling me.

Johnny

 

[shopview]

I agree with Chris...I hope they make the parts forever. If they stop then we would be in big trouble for any repairs and future adds to the cars. Insurance would skyrocket. As far as value, the Aerobody costs $15-27k (in my case for a full restoration of all new paint, rubber, and plastics to a show car quality) parts and labor. The 14-15k may be the on the normal starting point of course each car is unique and how much you spend is up to you ... if you are near the factory then you can save the shipping of your vehicle too

On value I would say that Aerobody brings around 10-15k to the value of the car from base but of course this is buyer dependent (market driven and low supply). A cherry smash speedster for $250k+ will probably sell at Barrett Jackson this time. Price is alway a supply a demand and sometimes folks try to push the perceived market value when they are looking to buy a car for themselves...don't we all.

Bottom line is the Aerobody is timeless and I hope they make them for generations to enjoy and admire.

 

[Redmanf1]

In my opinion the Aerobody kit does not add $12K to $15K maybe $2K to $5K. Look at the 10K mile 88 B2K vert that just sold for $31,6K if you take $13,5K off that would put that car @ $18,1. Take the 27K mile 96 CE vert with Aerobody kit old asking price $22K if you take $13,5 off that would put that car @ $7,5K. Those are two good examples of why I feel that the Aerobody kit does not raise the price that much. It is my favorite body kit for the C4’s. Like others have said it is cheaper to buy one all ready done unless you have already put a lot into the drivetrain or attached to the car. I do think it is great the way Callaway supports there product line. I found a Grand Sport with a bad motor and have been looking into a 427 SB with a Callaway body kit. I thought about having Callaway do me a motor but I am leaning to the 427 with a Lunati rotating assembly, Dart block and Heads.

 

[*89x2*]

Look at the 10K mile 88 B2K vert that just sold for $31,6K if you take $13,5K off that would put that car @ $18,1.

There seems to be more to that story... :eek
Callaway Aero Vert

 

[Redmanf1]

Looks like it cleaned up nice. I wonder if they detailed the engine compartment and replaced the rusted screws. Here is more on this car from Callaway. It was a B2K option but these options were done in 91. Here is the info. Our records show three owners, in '91 the Aerobody, hood, HD Wonderbar, big radiator, & Dymags where purchased for it but not installed here.

 

[*89x2*]

Looks like it cleaned up nice. I wonder if they detailed the engine compartment and replaced the rusted screws. Here is more on this car from Callaway. It was a B2K option but these options were done in 91. Here is the info. Our records show three owners, in '91 the Aerobody, hood, HD Wonderbar, big radiator, & Dymags where purchased for it but not installed here.

I had suspected that the big Wonderbar complimented the hood blisters as that was a "package" offered - about 4200 bucks...

The AeroBody obviously was added at some point as it is an 88 however, that car would have come with the 17" Dymags as they were standard equip. in 88.

Sounds like you were shopping for the car :confused

I think the rusty screws were a turn-off for me - Might I ask why you passed??

 

[Redmanf1]

I had him a good bit under the $30K and had asked some questions on the board about changing the dash. I also received some input from a forum member about a couple cars. I contacted Joanne about both cars and just decided to wait. I had quite a few vettes with that style dash and was just burnt on it. I guess I should have bought it to pick up some cash but I have seen some cars for sale for a long time and did not want to get stuck with it and lose money.

 

[*89x2*]

I had him a good bit under the $30K and had asked some questions on the board about changing the dash. I also received some input from a forum member about a couple cars. I contacted Joanne about both cars and just decided to wait. I had quite a few vettes with that style dash and was just burnt on it. I guess I should have bought it to pick up some cash but I have seen some cars for sale for a long time and did not want to get stuck with it and lose money.

I believe you had mentioned that that car could have been "had" for $26k :eek With your deal in mind, it does sound like you could have made soome quick cash on the deal - Or better yet, had a great looking B2K for little money - relatively speaking :cool

 

[Redmanf1]

I think that the last time it was on eBay it only brought like $22K.

 

[*89x2*]

I think that the last time it was on eBay it only brought like $22K.

But it did not meet reserve at that time... I had heard the owner was looking for a bit more than it sold for, closer in line w/ what Rogers is asking...

A good point was brought up about dealers, they often have resources to entice and attract buyers - even at a higher price :eek

$22k, I know that car would not have sold for that - That is like someone saying they want to buy an brand new C6 for $35k, when the best deal so far has been about $4k off MSRP - Sure, we would all like to save that kind of money however, the seller and surrounding market dictate the selling price - hopefully attracting the buyer in the process...

 

[Redmanf1]

I guess I should have stated that $22K is all that it brought and did not meet the reserve. Actually it was on eBay before that under a different name and brought a little less then the $22K and did not meet the reserve then either. I guess a friend listed it for him. I am not sure what he ask others but I know what I was told last year that would buy the car. At that time I had a PM discussion with a member here as to those amounts. Maybe he did not want to sell as bad this year. I guess you know that he has or had an 89 B2K vert #008 and the 88 B2K aerovert that sold is #79. I also looked at a 90 B2K aerocoupe #015 but I wanted a vert. All the info that I received was complaints of Joanne from Callaway A very nice person.

 

[shopview]

Exactly, I would LOVE TO buy these cars for 22k......89x2 hit the nail on the head.



bottom line....go see what you are buying and pay what YOU think it is worth not a penny more or less.

PS I'll buy 10 C6s at $35k if you have them

 

[Redmanf1]

Exactly, I would LOVE TO buy these cars for 22k......89x2 hit the nail on the head.

I think that the last time it was on eBay it only brought like $22K.

First of all I did not say it sold for $22K on eBay. I said it brought $22K on eBay. shopview you bought your 96CE with aero kit for $22K or under. So it is not impossible is it?

 

[shopview]

I was talking about buying Aero twin turbos for 22k would be a steal...

Ebay brings low low money but maybe we should track what the ones on Ebay actually sell for versus last bid. Last bid on unsold items means nothing usually. $22k + shipping + taxes + reg + wheels + lens + all new suspension + + + + equals double

Guess you can by a TT for $15...in pieces...and then again you get what you pay for so check the target vehicle out (Drive It) and pay what you feel the cars are worth

 

[*89x2*]

I saw a 91 L98 Convertible sell for about 12 k, maybe 13k - car has made for a nice driver for the new owner :cool

Had that car been a (91) B2K w/ Aero & similar (mid) miles, it would have brought 40k +

I have also seen a Callaway sell for 15% more than it bid to on e-bay... To me, that said e-bay was a bit off the market pricing for that particular car.

In all my years of following Callaway Corvettes, the cheapest car I have seen sell (without issues or negative history) was a 1987 coupe w/ stock 16" wheels and it went for $17k

That said, there are deals to be had in this world and I am all for them :cool

Redmanf1, you are doing some amazing research and certainly know what you are looking for - Hope to see you in the owners seat soon