Just Curious - Opinions Please

[chevyaddict]

My 68 Convertible has the removable hardtop with it, factory A/C, 4-speed and power everything... I was looking at the numbers in the tech section of different production codes and options and was just wondering how many might come with my combination of options and as such... is my 68 worth a little more than average because of the options???? Only 20% came with factory A/C.

It is not the original block... the dummy who owned the car from 1972 to 1999 scored one of the cylinders back in 74 and instead of resleeving it put a different block back in the car with all the original components... so I have everything else BUT the block itself :eyerole .

Any thoughts and/or opinions?

 

[kiwi vet]

Hey Chevyadditct

I suppose the logical way to look at it would be to price as if it were totally original, with all the options etc, and then deduct $??? for the non-matching block.

Reality is, they are worth what someone will pay for them, I suppose.

I saw a recent sale of a BB 72 C3. Non -matching numbers, non-std colour, customized interior (tasteful) aftermarket wheels etc. But it did look lovely. It reached the same figures as the totally original ones here, because someone fell in love with it, who just wanted a cool chrome bumper corvette, and was not interested, or didnt even know what NCRS was!

I tend to agree, I got mine to purely have fun.

Just my $0.02 worth

 

[Space Cowboy]

I watch all the Barrett Jackson auctions on the Speed channel and from what I see of C3's is that people have a tendency to shell out more money for the custom restores. They seem to care a little less now if it 'totally' original. It seems to be all about how it looks, runs and how much work has gone into the car. However, I have seen what I consider "not a good looking car" go for 50-60k on there too. They didn't have matching #'s either.

 

[hyprsprt]

if u compare your vert w/another in same cond.with matching #but w/out a/c the matching # will be more u can always find an a/c and inst.u can never find the original motor my .02

 

[srs244]

space cowboy is right on. i attend the west palm beach barrett-jackson auction and was initally most amazed that serious (???) bidders were paying what seemed to be ridiculous amounts of money for CLONE cars and FIBERGLASS streetrods. it blew my mind. it is amazing to me how barrett-jackson, kruse and all the other "auction" companies have produced such a distorted "marketplace" for classic and collector cars. i realize that the auction "hype" drives up the price in some cases (and i am most interested in whether or not the buyers ever suffer "buyer's remorse" in having been hyped by the auction floor people).

in my opinion it has created a rather artificial value scale. a friend of mine (a major ford efficionato (with factory ties and a recognized ford authority), was at the barrett-jackson scottsdale auction 2 years ago looking to buy a 57 t-bird. he was interested in a particular one and watched (and bid) as the car exceeded the $40,000 barrier on it's way to a sale. he dropped out at around 38,000 figuring even at that level it was pushing the envelope for that particular car (a frame off, absolutely, at least according to him, accurate and complete restoration). it was obvious to him that there was a bidder who wanted it almost regardless of the price (again an indication that purchase price is not necessarily related to value, lol). anyway, he figured he would hang around because there was another 57 frame off t bird to cross the block in a little while. when that one was presented, and since the "other" strong bidder had satisfied his desires, my friend figured he would sit back and watch this one be pushed to an outlandish level also. funny thing, though, the bidding was boring, everyone figured the first car went for way above "value", and he was able to buy a 57 thuderbird that had been restored in the late 80's and then frame off restored in the very late 90's and was just about perfect. the winning bid.............$32,000. according to him if you put both of the cars side by side, you would have not been able to tell them apart from when they were new and they were pretty identical except for the color!!

in my opinion the auctions are screwing up reality. that doesn't mean if you have a car for sale you shouldn't be the beneficiary of that mentality, but as a buyer are you getting fair value for your $$?? yeah, i know, collector cars are worth what someone is willing to pay for them, but as far as i'm concerned it makes it tough for most folks to really enjoy the fun of having (and driving) the car of their dreams (or of their childhood memories).

 

[chevyaddict]

Thanks all... I am still flabbergasted frankly that the 68's don't go for more money. I know all about how it was considered a "down-grade" back in the day from the 67... but we are WELL past that now so you'd think being the first one of the new style would make it a bit pricier.... unfortunately that is not what I see on Ebay anyhow. Don't plan on selling it... just curious. Your comments here do help me though... I don't want to restore it really - would rather customize it slightly here and there and this helps give me the green light for that!!!!

 

[KANE]

My 68 Convertible has the removable hardtop with it, factory A/C, 4-speed and power everything... I was looking at the numbers in the tech section of different production codes and options and was just wondering how many might come with my combination of options and as such... is my 68 worth a little more than average because of the options???? Only 20% came with factory A/C.

It is not the original block... the dummy who owned the car from 1972 to 1999 scored one of the cylinders back in 74 and instead of resleeving it put a different block back in the car with all the original components... so I have everything else BUT the block itself :eyerole .

Any thoughts and/or opinions?

Don't worry about it. A car that is in terrible shape is ALWAYS worth less than a non-matching numbers in excellent shape.

Unless it was a special corporate test car, a documented racer, a big-block or fuelie... I'd just drive it and enjoy it.

Customize it all you want- just make sure you do tasteful, correct mods to it.
-Don't revamp your exhaust system with flexible exhaust pipes from Advance Auto (a kid I knew in highschool did that to an 86 T-bird).
-Stay away from crushed velvet seats and matching door panels unless you are a pimp.
-Avoid the temptation to use 3rd gen firebird wheels. Sorry, they only look cool on Trans Ams.