Considering buying a Corvette

[steemin]

I have been considering purchasing a Vette.
I know that one should not buy a car as an investment but that is how I am going to rationalize my decison
At any rate I was focusing on 1967 roadsters with a small block
327/350hp.. BB mid year roadsters are 6 figures plus.
I think that vettes when bought right will always appreciate and I can enjoy it without ever being concerned with depreciation.
I am not chasing perfect,documented,all original cars..These cars will appreciate the fastest but they are not meant to be driven and enjoyed. The "lesser" cars that are great drivers are in the $40-$55,000 range..
Here is a 67 Roadster:
http://www.usedcorvettesforsale.com/...tte-16498.html

I also did run across a very nice 1969.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1529316
The car has some tasteful mods..wheels,header sidepipes etc..This type of car will not appreciate as fast as a NCRS matching numbers car but they still do pretty well.This is the most desirable year of the C3's and I am willing to bet that these cars will also start
climbing in value..Plus the entry level cost is much less than the mid year cars..
Thoughts?
Opinions?
Scott

[Z-man]

I never regretted getting mine. By accident, it's worth 10 - 20 times what I paid for it...so it really has been a moderate investment.

Early C3s (chrome bumper) get tons of attention. Of course, 1970 is the most desirable of all the C3s.

If you get a stock, "numbers matching" type of Vette and want to modify it as I have done (slightly), you can save all the original parts. If you get rid of the car someday, you'll have them for the next person.

[vintageracer]

There are 1967 Corvettes and there are all the other Corvettes. If you are going to "invest" in a Corvette and can afford the price of admission, buy a 67.

67's are and have been the top dog in the Corvette world for 20 years and this will continue. As with any Corvette, 4 speed and HP help the value. Personally, I like the low HP big blocks and both small blocks. They are very driveable and all the nice comfort options were available. I also like the Powerglide cars. They are usually good cars since they have not had the sheet run out of them like all the 4 speed cars.

I personally like coupes better however the market when new and now still likes the convertible best as far as value. When new in 1967, convertibles were produced 2 to 1 over a coupe. A nice 350 HP car is about as good as it gets.

Enjoy the search!

[WS6]

Mike is right about the 67 being the most desired vette. However, I think getting into a chrome bumper C3 is not a bad move. If you hold onto it long enough and are thinking long term investment, you will be getting in ahead of the curve. A BB car wil be the most valuable unless you get a ZR1 or LT1, those would be the sweet SB cars. The 73 has started to appreciate as well. It had a moulded front bumper and chrome rear. They started to really kill the horsepower by then though. A BB was still availible in 73, that might be something to grab onto. I doubt it would ever bring big money, but it also wouldn't cost big money either. 1968 cars I like because you don't see them anymore. They made a whole bunch of them though. They had many one year only items on them. That could cause problems when looking for parts. 1965 had the 396 for the BB. That was a one year only item. 1966 brought about the 427.

Honestly it's a tough call as to which year and options to get. Just realize that any roadster and 4 speed C2 or chrome bumper C3 is going to be a good investment. It's just a matter of how much you're looking for on a return.

[BB69]

The 67 and 69 share the same chassis, so as far as performance it only comes down to the engine. You are really deciding which body style you like the best. I have a 69 BB and absolutely love it. I was worried about numbers matching when I bought it, but then I realized the car had been hit before. After that, I started in on the modifications. I have never regretted buying the Vette, and it is such a superior car to my Camaro when it comes to handling. I cringe when I see car and investment in the same sentence, but it depends on what you want to do with it. I am more into driving the car, taking it to track events, and improving the parts of the chassis/suspension that need it. That means my car will be appreciating tou much. If you just want something tool around in and take to shows, I think both the 67 and 69 will continue to rise in value. At some point though, I think the market will shift towards the late 70's cars and away from the typical Camaro/Vette/Mustang/Cuda because there are so few left at decent prices.

Good luck,
Ken

[rocketman]

A C-3 will most likely be the most affordable,Don't buy a 68 they are problem prone pos's,I would go with 69,they have the new Owens Corning bodies.

[WS6]

The 67 and 69 share the same chassis,

This is very wrong. Their chasis are similar but not the same. 1 inch here half an inch there adds up. You have to cut on the storage comparment area of a C2 to make it fit on a C3. I have a 67 sitting on a C3 frame in the shop, and I can show you exactly where it was cut and what other problems arise when putting a C2 on a C3 frame.

[PT Goat]

A '64 will probably get you the most bang for your buck - not as popular as the '63, and without the desireable 4-wheel discs like '65 and up. But all of those great mid-year lines and curves.

As far as C3s go, '69 is my fav, because it's got to have sidepipes, and that's the year they are correct on.

[steemin]

Thanks for all the replies...
I knew that some people would cringe when I used the word investment and car in the same sentence .
Please understand that I am not planning on this being my retirement nest egg.
I am pretty confident however that I can buy the right car and enjoy it for a few years (no mods!..1500-2000 miles/year)
and sell it if I want and break even or make a couple bucks.
As a matter of fact 10 years ago I sold my 65 Corvette Roadster
(327/300hp 4 speed) for the down payment on my lake house.
I owned the car for about 4 years and made 25%
And yes I am including costs for insurance,plates and maintenence..
It was a great deal. Joy of ownership,fun to drive and a nice return on my "investment".
I agree with the general consensus that 67's are indeed the most desirable.. My first choice....67 roadster 327/350hp 4 speed.
However if I run across a nice 65,66 or a 69 @ a great price
I would not hesitate..
Don't worry I will drive whatever car I do end up with.
Why own a cool car if you plan on just parking it in the garage .
If anyone runs across a car that fits my search please let me know.
Thanks,
Scott

[WS6]

You seem to have the right idea about this. I think you'll do fine just be patient for that right one.