What's it Worth?

[Baldie88]

A friend here at work is considering this car. Since I've got an 88 I have no idea. We're both thinking it's a little high but don't really have anything to base it on. If any of you C3'rs have comments they are appreciated and I'll pass them along to my friend.

Here's the link to the car: http://halscar.com/history.html.

Thanks,

Ron
"Baldie88"

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Base engine, auto transmission, needs front and rear bumpers, paint, general restoration and detailing. Non orignal front spoiler. Unknown suspension and frame condition.

High mileage car.......

6 grand, tops. The work needed will put you upside down in an instant on this one.

 

[Tepot]

I agree with Vettehead Mikey, I don't know why the owner said that those bumpers tend to crack after so many years. My 1974 stingray was last painted 21 years ago and the paint still look as new including the front and rear bumper. If the bumpers are cracked badly like it shows on the picture. this means it was not stored properly. I might be wrong but my vette doesn't have that problem.

I've looked on www.corvetteamerica.com and the Stock front bumper is $339.00, the Stock rear bumper is $349.00 so with the paint job, taxes, shipping etc... your looking into minimum $3000.00 just to fix this.

It will cost you a bit more to fix whatever you find next.

For $10,000.00 you can find a better car garantied.

Don't rush, you'll find one in much better shape for a better price.

 

[lucky76]

A friend here at work is considering this car. Since I've got an 88 I have no idea. We're both thinking it's a little high but don't really have anything to base it on. If any of you C3'rs have comments they are appreciated and I'll pass them along to my friend.
Here's the link to the car: http://halscar.com/history.html.
Thanks,
Ron
"Baldie88"

I bought this 76 L48 4 speed last year for $7600. It came with new tires and had just had $3k of work at the Chevy place on a-frame bushings, new oil pan fix leaks, and more. Got new ac compressor to install, new hoses, and more with it. Has 168k miles on it but has had an engine rebuilt a while back and runs like a stripped ape. Everything looks stock but engine lopes a little and it has true dual exhaust. Keep looking..........$10k can get a lot more then that.
Lucky

 

[Evolution1980]

Yep...$10K is a bit high, especially with 110,000 miles (or more on it). Maaaybe $8000...maybe. A $6000 car with $4000 worth of recent work doesn't make it a $10,000 car, ya know? Plus, just because a local dealership did the work doesn't mean that it's of any better quality, except that he may have paid stealership prices for parts & labor. Speaking of parts & labor, it's easy for the labor cost to far outweigh the parts cost. So it's possible that an investment of $12000 over the course of ownership is only related to $6000 of materials. But this is all just speculation and me playing devil's advocate. Oh yeah, also...besides the transmission being rebuilt, everything else is expected at 110K miles, and is nickel & dime stuff in the grand scheme of things (radiator, brakes, mstr cyl, etc). And an L48 engine with 110k miles on it may run well, but not strong.

Finally, as a side question to other members here. The small blocks...they were never painted orange, were they? I always thought GM saved orange for the BB and blue for the SB's...

 

[craig32]

Finally, as a side question to other members here. The small blocks...they were never painted orange, were they? I always thought GM saved orange for the BB and blue for the SB's...

Evo80,
I just read somewhere that Chevrolet changed the engine color from orange to blue in like 77 - I was going through the years and forget exactly which year that was. . . In fact I was sad to see them go 'Ford blue' (sorry for using the 'F-word' on the CAC)
:gap

Craig
PS - I paid $2500 for mine, I have put about that much in it since - almost done!

 

[Baldie88]

Thanks for all your help guys. I showed him all your comments and he agrees that it's way to much for the car. I've brought him my black book so he can become a little more familiar with Vettes in general and he's going to get registered here and gain some knowledge from all of you.

Thanks again,

Ron
"Baldie88"

 

[L48]

Finally, as a side question to other members here. The small blocks...they were never painted orange, were they? I always thought GM saved orange for the BB and blue for the SB's...

I am fairly certain that orange was the color of the first small block in 1955, and as far as I know all small block Chevys were orange all the way until 1977 when GM adopted "corporate" blue on all the Chevy engines.

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Evo80,
I just read somewhere that Chevrolet changed the engine color from orange to blue in like 77 - I was going through the years and forget exactly which year that was. . . In fact I was sad to see them go 'Ford blue' (sorry for using the 'F-word' on the CAC)
:gap

Craig
PS - I paid $2500 for mine, I have put about that much in it since - almost done!

I understand it was changed from orange to blue mid year in 77.

It's been a while since I last looked at resale values on these cars but if I recall correctly a mint 76 L48 was worth somewhere around $12,500. $2 - 3,000 for the bumpers plus the unexpected. If you could get this car for $7,500 it would probably be a decent deal. As Andre points out, it is an old car and will nickel and dime you at least for the short term as you fix things that were good enough for a person trying to get rid of the car.

 

[Evolution1980]

I am fairly certain that orange was the color of the first small block in 1955, and as far as I know all small block Chevys were orange all the way until 1977 when GM adopted "corporate" blue on all the Chevy engines.

!!! THREAD HIJACK ALERT !!! (but that's OK since we cleared up the original intent of the thread :L)
Unless you are referring to the first small block 8 cylinder, the vette came out in '53 so it had to have something! Recall if you will the Blue Flame Six. Yup, it was blue!

 

[John Ulrich]

This car is a good example of "farming out" the mechanical/fix-it chores vs doing it yourself. Your cost of paying for labor and parts markups are not recovered when you sell unless your dealing with an appreciating vehicle. Rubber bumper Corvettes are still at the bottom of the appreciation scale.
Later,
JU

 

[L48]

!!! THREAD HIJACK ALERT !!! (but that's OK since we cleared up the original intent of the thread :L)
Unless you are referring to the first small block 8 cylinder, the vette came out in '53 so it had to have something! Recall if you will the Blue Flame Six. Yup, it was blue!

Uh, the Blue Flame 6 may have been a "small block" made by Chevrolet, but in my book it was not a small block Chevy.

 

[The73vetteman]

I've looked on www.corvetteamerica.com and the Stock front bumper is $339.00, the Stock rear bumper is $349.00 so with the paint job, taxes, shipping etc... your looking into minimum $3000.00 just to fix this.

Replaced the front bumper on my '73 last winter for under $700. I went with the flexfit, did the labor myself and had a competent paint shop do a fair job. (And why not a great job I hear you ask? Well the rest of the car needs repainting but I can't afford it just yet.)

I can't see why the rear bumper would cost much more. That's $1,500 total.

John

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

I can't see why the rear bumper would cost much more. That's $1,500 total.

John

Neither piece is a correct original urethene unit, which de-values the car. The rear bumpers are a giant pain to fit and will consume labour hours like there's no tomorrow. Add a decent paint job and you're talking 6 grand easy.

I always calculate my own labour hours into the cost of repairing/restoring a car- why should I work for free to benefit the seller?

 

[twamd80driver]

Here is a link for values...http://www.nadaguides.com/autohome2.aspx?Lnk=1&wSec=10&wPr=0&wPg=2111I found (2) early 76 original bumper covers that were painted the lighter colors, and are as flexible as they were when they were new. Bought them both for $400.00. I had a rear bumper installed and painted for $550.00. Lined up and matched beautifully! Anyone in the Cleveland/Mansfield area, I have the best guy who owns a Corvette only shop. Email me and I will send you the specifics. This guy cant be beat!

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Neither piece is a correct original urethene unit, which de-values the car. The rear bumpers are a giant pain to fit and will consume labour hours like there's no tomorrow. Add a decent paint job and you're talking 6 grand easy.QUOTE]

My car is being painted and that is not far off.

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Here is a link for values...http://www.nadaguides.com/autohome2.aspx?Lnk=1&wSec=10&wPr=0&wPg=2111I

According to that price guide, my '73 is worth over 32K. I'll be glad to sell it to the first one at my door with cash in hand!

 

[twamd80driver]

I think that is where Pro Team and all these other "Highway Robbery" type operations get there values too! I figure 75% of the value, and ALL the numbers must be exact or it is just another Corvette! Mine is 100% correct and all GM! There IS a premium for that! I agree you are correct, what it is worth is only what the man with the cash is willing to give you!