Fair Price for 68 427/390 Coupe?

[Don Schuette]

I have the chance to buy my dad's first corvette, a '68 coupe, 427/390 with matching numbers, original air conditioning, M21, repainted in 78, stored inside since 79, 62000 original miles, with most other original parts, and with extra 427/390 and M21 from another 68 corvette. I would probably tear out original motor and restore and then place extra motor in for weekly driving. What would be the best setup for using additional motor to run on high octane pump gas?


Thanks in advance, Don Schuette, Member #32294

[Tom B.]

Re: Fair Price for 68 427/390 Coupe?

Don,


I think we have all been experiencing some website delays. With all the better engine professionals here (and me something less than a novice) I'll leave the engine recommendations you ask for to them. But one thing, unless the original engine is in need of a complete overhaul then you may want to put it in storage with a minimal cosmetic make over. I would be careful to consider any work that could remove things like the stamped date, codes, and serial numbers on the engine stamp pad.


Also, just going by your posting title, if you are asking about pricing your dad's car then as usual it's all subjective. Condition and originality have the most influence over pricing. From what you describe, other than the repaint the car sounds mostly original. I think you will need to be the judge of how original and what condition it is in now. The price guide I have for a numbers matching 68 coupe 427/390 with A/C is somewhere in the ballpark of $23,000. But what does that mean? I would suggest price shopping similar 68's in ads and at websites. Dealers usually are at the high end of advertised prices. Unless it is something ridiculous, then you may want to consider making a sacrifice (with Corvettes we all do anyway) with the family value it may have to you. That's something you can't find to buy too often. TBarr #24014

[Tom B.]

Re: Add on

Don,


Not to lose anything in the translation, but I thought I'd add some food for thought and please, my view / opinion is only one way of what fortunate things you have to work with.


Something else you may want to consider is why would you change engines. I realize there are multiple reasons and many of them are all valid and good. I can understand the thinking of preserving, saving, or keeping the original engine "safe", but in the long run how much trouble is it worth doing. I suppose it depends on how much racing or hard driving you plan to do or if you are going to do some major engine modifications. I have come across some extreme concerns some have of blowing an engine, but has ruining engines been a problem in your case.


I'm not sure if the other 68 engine you have came from a complete donor car but you may want to consider keeping your original engine intact with the car and either re-uniting the other with it's own original donor or contributing it to a worthy buyer to complete another 68 427/390. I realize it's unsolicited, but just another outlook. TBarr #24014