Corvette advice, not grassroots...at all.

An older woman, who has had to put her husband in a home, had her long parked 544 Volvo in my shop for some fuel system work, and when she was picking it up, she was asking some advice on selling his Corvette. A 63 split window fuel injected coupe, fully restored several years, and about 100 miles ago...That's a bit out of my comfort zone, since I presume it should be worth something fairly well into the 6 figures. I suggested Corvette clubs ebay or Arizona auctions, and said I would do a bit of research. You boys got any good advice?

That Corvette is nearly worthless, nobody wants the split windows since you can't see out the back of them very well. I'll take it off her hands for the ridiculously high sum of $5000.

mtn wrote: That Corvette is nearly worthless, nobody wants the split windows since you can't see out the back of them very well. I'll take it off her hands for the ridiculously high sum of $5000.

And that's the first one...

That would be worth a lot, I would think. I also think those corvette people get all weirded out like jaguar people if the sticker is a slightly different shade or red or something, so how it was restored can effect it a lot. Anyway, I would think DEEP into 5 figures at least, well on the way to 6, and I agree that an auction of some type would probably be best. Hagerty has a lot of expertise in these things. Maybe a call to them would get her in touch with someone to help steer. Also, hey, there's this magazine called "Classic Motorsports." I bet they have a forum. That's where I would ask too.

I'm sure there are a lot of variables (restoration vs restomod, numbers matching or not, etc.) that have a large effect on the value. You want to have an expert look at it to give her a true estimate.

Check with an insurance company like Haggerty.....they can probably give you a list of appraisers who could look at the car and give her an idea of fair market value.

Seriously though, might want to check out Bloomington Gold.

The one I would think about is NCRS (I know a guy who was a judge with them)

Dr. Hess wrote: Also, hey, there's this magazine called "Classic Motorsports." I bet they have a forum. That's where I would ask too.

Or, you could ask someone like ECM or Mental (....or me) to just move the thread over there. Oops, too late......we already did that.

Apexcarver wrote: The one I would think about is NCRS (I know a guy who was a judge with them)

PM the OP that guy's contact info.....

it really depends on the quality of the restoration, originality (numbers matching etc), and options. It would be awesome if you could get some good pictures of it and post them up.

After being around that world for a while, I can say that the values swing wildly with originality and options.

A 63 coupe is a pretty valuable car, for sure. If everything is original and in perfect shape, you could be in the six figures, but if the engine doesn't match, the wiper motor, the intake etc, or there are problems/inconsistencies with the restoration it could be as low as 40k. A good Corvette specific appraiser is required here. Bear in mind that restorations don't typically bring the same money that a survivor brings.

tuna55 wrote: Bear in mind that restorations don't typically bring the same money that a survivor brings.

I assume the guy who bought and "restored" the "McQueen Porsche" doesn't agree with your point of view. A few years from now while trying to recoup his costs, he probably will.

tuna55 wrote: After being around that world for a while, I can say that the values swing wildly with originality and options. A 63 coupe is a pretty valuable car, for sure. If everything is original and in perfect shape, you could be in the six figures, but if the engine doesn't match, the wiper motor, the intake etc, or there are problems/inconsistencies with the restoration it could be as low as 40k. A good Corvette specific appraiser is required here. Bear in mind that restorations don't typically bring the same money that a survivor brings.

Agreed. Do not pass "Go" and go directly to http://www.ncrs.org/ She may have to pay a bit to join the club and have somebody come out and evaluate the car, but it should be money well spent. Vintage Corvette people seem to be a pretty tight group. There's a chance the car is already known, especially if it was restored to a high (or very low) standard.