C3 Valuation Question

[Michael H.]

I am looking at a 1970 C3 454 LS5 to purchase. The car is in great shape (no frame rust, excellent paint, all major components original) Never had a frame off restoration or engine rebuild, and did have significant frame up restoration around 2000. Car is very much NCRS compliant. Originality vs. Condition question regarding value. Value wise, how would you rate an original car in great shape vs. a fully restored car? Apologies if the wrong question for this forum

[Michael H.]

Maybe another way to ask the question: Given a price for a 1970 corvette, is it preferred to be a frame off restoration, or in great shape original condition?

[David H.]

Maybe another way to ask the question: Given a price for a 1970 corvette, is it preferred to be a frame off restoration, or in great shape original condition?

Michael

How do you intend to use this car?

If a "Driver", then all those original components are 50 yers old and electrical/vacuum/engine/interior will likely need addressing. Hence, a "Restored" car, though initially more expensive, might be a better choice.

Or vice versa ...

Dave

[Keith M.]

Well...in some ways value is a personal thing. In another way..the market ultimately decides value. To me a survivor is of FAR greater interest and appeal than any restored car. Why? Well... I see a lot of "over restored" cars which I refer to as kit cars or catalog cars. I would posit without any evidence to back it up....that there are far more "restored" cars out there than cars that are mostly original...which as the saying goes...is only once.

[Larry E.]

At one time it was a lot closer then now. With the inflation and trying to find NOS parts
which are getting to the point on getting real scarce to
restore a car the cost has sky rocketed. If the restored car has been judged by the NCRS in Flight
Judging or Concours(Stock) and has gotten a 97% or above then the value is not close. The
restored car will always bring more value. Of course>JMHO-Larry P.S. We are not even talking
about the labor cost to get the car into a restored condition.

[Keith M.]

At one time it was a lot closer then now. With the inflation and trying to find NOS parts
which are getting to the point on getting real scarce to
restore a car the cost has sky rocketed. If the restored car has been judged by the NCRS in Flight
Judging or Concours(Stock) and has gotten a 97% or above then the value is not close. The
restored car will always bring more value. Of course>JMHO-Larry P.S. We are not even talking
about the labor cost to get the car into a restored condition.

Good points. Big difference if restoration done with all NOS..or all Zip.

[Michael H.]

Thanks all for your insights. Pretty much confirms my dilemma and why it exists My specific situation is deciding between an "original" car and one that has been Frame Off Restored 25 years ago. Both seemed to be priced at the higher end of the typical going prices, both appear to have all major component Numbers/Date matching and no frame rust. So if I go with the original, seems I may have greater risk of major failure, but given the age of the restoration on the other, still maybe a toss up. And both cars score 97+ NCRS 25 years ago

[Patrick H.]

25 years ago is about half a lifetime ago for these cars. Even the restored car is like buying a used 2000 model year Corvette if restored that long ago.

In my experience, I fix a lot less issues on original cars than restored ones. As I often say, when you buy a restored car you're at the mercy of the restorer AND the previous owner's budget. Either or both may cause you issues. I'll take the original one any day, which probably surprises no one here.

[Reba W.]

A score of 97 twenty-five years is a long time in NCRS knowledge, especially in early C3s. The JGs for those years have been through numerous updates; 1970-72 just came out with the Sixth Edition. Like others, I would go with an original.

[David H.]

"... deciding between an "original" car and one that has been Frame Off Restored 25 years ago. ... ... And both cars score 97+ NCRS 25 years ago"

Michael

My "Driver" comment is n/a, didn't realize you meant a 25 year old restoration.

NCRS has only had C.D.C.I.F Matrix judging for about 15 years. Lot of water under that bridge in terms of what it takes to achieve a 97 score today.

How ugly are these asking prices?

Dave

[Lawrence S.]

I would recommend buying the original car. The reality is you may drive the car 1500 miles a year if that. The restored car may or may not be fully sorted even though it was done 25 years ago and as another poster said you are at the mercy of the restorer and the parts. The original car is naturally sorted but yes some of the parts are 55 years old but how badly used? Like others we have owned original and restored cars and I tend to work on the original cars less if they are relatively low miles.

[Larry E.]

The bottom line is that both the above cars should be "Officially Judged" by the NCRS
NOW Vs. Years Ago. This will tell the true story. JMHO>Larry P.S. Chances are the "restored"
car will lose less points through the years then the "original" car.

[Jon H.]

If you compare a Bowtie or Benchmark car to a restored car, the original unrestored car will have more value. Personally, I would always buy an original car vs a restored car.

[Ed D.]

As far as the judging 25 years ago vs now, with the fdicc or cdcif, I got a Duntov in 1997 with a 98.0 on my 72. I had my car judged in 2022 at the Mobile National, celebrating the 72 Corvette 50 years and received a 98.3. I think this pretty consistent judging over the years with different generation of the manuals and judges. The 72 was driven form NJ to Mobile and the score did not include driving points.
Ed