discount for automatics

[Paul B.]

i'm looking at a 1968 c3 convertible. it's average to above average condition and it looks to be reasonably original. the only negative in my view is, it's an automatic. all else being equal does anyone have a feel or experience on if and how much automatics are discounted relative to four speeds?

i'd like to make a run at it, but at the right price.

thanks

[Paul J.]

Re: discount for automatics

Paul:

I've never figured out C3 prices, they're all over the place. The overall pricing is driven by performance options and vehicle condition, just like most other cars. These factors seem to be considerably more important then auto/manual transmission. I think that the transmission option is more of a collectability issue and has only a small impact on the price. I've been told that the C3's had a new three speed transmission for 68 and a lot of vettes had them, so rarity is not an issue.

Go to www.usedcorvettesforsale.com and you can see my point.

Paul

[Mike M.]

Re: discount for automatics

Hi Paul
I cannot profide a specific answer to your question and I do like automatics.
I doubt there would be much difference regarding automatics between a '68 and '67's.
Your question really has less to do with price than it does with the saleability. If you decide to sell at some point, your marketability will be limited to that one person who needs an automatic.
FWIW
Of the last two I owned, both popular color small block coupes and were both of top flight caliber.
First was a full restoration about 20 years prior using the original parts and a few NOS parts where needed.
The second was a very original, very nice 28M mile car.
I received a multitude of calls from people wanting to buy the cars, all very enthusiastic until the conversation drifted toward the trans.
Click, could not even get anyone to come and look at the cars.
So, if you like the car and plan to keep and drive it for a long time...enjoy.
If not, I have learned my lesson, that being 4 spds only.
HaND

[Terry M.]

Re: discount for automatics

There are significant differences between the automatic in the 1967 and the one in the 1968, however I am not sure that will affect the collectibility of either.

The 1967 auto is a two-speed PowerGlide
The 1968 auto is a three-speed TurboHydramatic 400. The TH400 is a very stout transmission in stock form. While for different engines the TH400 had significant internal differences a TH400 was offered in 1969 as an option with EVERY engine in the Corvette line-up -- take an L88 with TH400 for a ride. It's a thrill like no other.

[Warren F.]

Re: discount for automatics

Paul Benson,

I can tell you with some certainty, that the transmission choice with the more rarer, desireable drivetrain options on Corvettes does make a difference.
My focus is on the 1971 LS6 optioned Corvettes. There were 3 transmissions available with this engine choice. The least desireable among collectors/enthusiasts is the M21 manual trans. The most desireable is the M22 heavy duty unit, as this also comes with the HD dual plate clutch assembly. The most controversial is the special TH 400 automatic trans, this unit does have special features over the "normal" version, including heavier duty clutch paks and higher shift points.

The M22 equipped LS6 Corvettes sell the quickest and for the most monies. The TH400 equipped cars are very slow to sell and are the most difficult to consumate sales. How much in dollars is this difference, it is pretty significant, at least 25%.

[Paul B.]

Re: discount for automatics

thanks for your replies. i had heard automatics were discounted as much as 25% relative to manuals and are less desirable. i interpret your replies as confirming this.

i do not and have never owned a corvette, but i caught corvette fever real bad about a year ago. i've been looking for a chrome c3 for about a year and sooner or later i'll find one. i intend to keep it for a while, but the practical part of my brain knows that at some time i will have to sell it , either because i'm too old, or to trade up to a more special c3 or older c2.

i'll make a run at this one, but with an automatic valuation, not a manual valuation...

thanks

[Terry M.]

Re: discount for automatics

One more thought Paul. Last numbers I saw -- less than 1/3 of Americans know how to drive a manual transmission. It sounds like maybe all of those manual trans drivers are looking for Corvettes.

At the risk of being politically incorrect owning Corvettes with manual transmission makes me the only Corvette driver in my household

[Mike M.]

Re: discount for automatics

Right, Terry
There are always exceptions, thank you for pointing out the L88 Turbo.
My reply was value related and am convinced that any Corvette automatic without A/C is a tough sell.
AND
I thought that was the idea. Doesn't the average Corvette owner really want to be the only Corvette driver in the household?
Especially, if the inhabitants happen to be teenagers.
HaND

[Kenneth B.]

Re: discount for automatics

Right, Terry
There are always exceptions, thank you for pointing out the L88 Turbo.
My reply was value related and am convinced that any Corvette automatic without A/C is a tough sell.
AND
I thought that was the idea. Doesn't the average Corvette owner really want to be the only Corvette driver in the household?
Especially, if the inhabitants happen to be teenagers.
HaND

TERRY is right. A lot of younger people can not shift. Also some older people with leg problems have trouble with a clutch. Buy what you like. By the way I taught both my girls how to drive a stick. My oldest one had a 79 Trans AM BB 4-speed that I bought her that she learned on at 16. It only took 2 clutches. She was a hit with it with the boys at school 19 years ago. My wife had a VW conv & 2 MG's with stick shift before I met her.

KEN

[Chuck G.]

Re: discount for automatics

FWIW, back in the mid 90's, I began searching for a chrome bumper shark.

Criteria? 68 to 72. Coupe OR Convertible. Big Block. Original Motor. ANY color. AUTOMATIC trans.

I sought an automatic so my wife could drive it. Big Block automatics are TOUGH to find. Looked at several. Lots of junk. Nearly bought one at the Bloomington Gold auction, but the guy wouldn't come off his reserve.

Finally in 97, locally, I bought a 69 400 HP Monaco Orange roadster, WITH the THM 400 automatic. Love that car. It's been on several NCRS road tours.

Pleasure to drive. Runs like a rocket. Turns 13.7's, 13.8's consistantly at the drag strip. Top Flight at the Nationals in Hershey a few years ago. My wife won a Founder's Award with it too.

SO.....I dunno about the 25% "discount". Lots of folks looking for automatics, and as "we" all get older, I think they'll get more popular.

Just my opinion.

Chuck

[Jim T.]

Re: discount for automatics

Since you have not owned a Corvette before, I say go for the turbo 400. My 70 when floored will shift out of first gear to second at about 60-65 miles per hour, second to third at about 90. Have never went past 130 in third. How about chirping the tires on a first to second shift, the turbo 400 can do it. Have driven it for over 38 years now, 160K+ miles and still functions great. On the highway with my 70 turbo 400 and 3:08 rear end, the engine RPM's are lower than most 70 4-speeds.
In city driving, light throttle the tubo 400 shifts from 1st to 2nd about 15 MPH and second to third about 25.
When shopping for a new 70 Corvette I looked at a white/red convertible LT-1. Decided against it thinking some thief in Dallas would just steal it since I did not have a garage to keep it in. Also wanted air conditioning.

[Robert R.]

Re: discount for automatics

Paul,
You might also consider that if you are of a certain height and size, the foot wells of '68s and up have a much smaller area to navigate. I owned both a '62 and '67 with 4 spds and no issues for my size 13 shoes.
Then, I test drove a '72 LT1 and kept having problems with my shoes catching the brake pedal while hitting the clutch. Hence the next one was and the current one owned is an automatic.
You can still go fast, and let the car do some of the work.
Bob

[Jack H.]

Re: discount for automatics

Plus, if the early Shark is A/C equipped, you'll discover the underdash plenum serving the LH air duct is easy to 'squash' with your toe when you go to agressively hit the clutch pedal! It takes some cockpit training to teach yourself how to put your foot on the clutch pedal without hitting the AC duct...

[Robert R.]

Re: discount for automatics

Couldn't agree more. Even with the automatic I did that very thing while wearing a brand new pair of Florsheim Wingtips.
That was back when I Had to wear suits for work and the '73 was my primary car (yes even in Chicago winters).

[Paul H.]

Re: discount for automatics

FWIW, back in the mid 90's, I began searching for a chrome bumper shark.

Criteria? 68 to 72. Coupe OR Convertible. Big Block. Original Motor. ANY color. AUTOMATIC trans.

I sought an automatic so my wife could drive it. Big Block automatics are TOUGH to find. Looked at several. Lots of junk. Nearly bought one at the Bloomington Gold auction, but the guy wouldn't come off his reserve.

Finally in 97, locally, I bought a 69 400 HP Monaco Orange roadster, WITH the THM 400 automatic. Love that car. It's been on several NCRS road tours.

Pleasure to drive. Runs like a rocket. Turns 13.7's, 13.8's consistantly at the drag strip. Top Flight at the Nationals in Hershey a few years ago. My wife won a Founder's Award with it too.

SO.....I dunno about the 25% "discount". Lots of folks looking for automatics, and as "we" all get older, I think they'll get more popular.

Just my opinion.

Chuck

Chuck I agree that the 427 with a Turbo 400 is a blast to drive. Just put it in gear and go. When I was looking for a 68 or 69 427 I would have preferred a 4 speed but found a beautiful, original 68 Lemans blue 390 horse with a Turbo 400. My other cars are 4 speeds but I would just as soon drive this as any of them. On average they may be worth a little less than a similar 4 speed, but don't shy away from a nice one that's an automatic.