Parting out perfectly good cars

[Mark K.]

There's a guy over on the ZR-1 net that is considering parting out a '90 ZR-1 because he can't get what he is looking for in a sale price (He wants no less than $35K while the best offer he has is $32K). The car only has 179 miles.

Anyone here ever heard of a perfectly good C1 or C2 being parted out because the owner felt it was difficult to sell?

Would this have been a common practice 20 years ago? 40 years ago?

[Chuck S.]

Re: Parting out perfectly good cars

There's a guy over on the ZR-1 net that is considering parting out a '90 ZR-1 because he can't get what he is looking for in a sale price (He wants no less than $35K while the best offer he has is $32K). The car only has 179 miles.

Anyone here ever heard of a perfectly good C1 or C2 being parted out because the owner felt it was difficult to sell?

Would this have been a common practice 20 years ago? 40 years ago?

He's either insane, stupid, or blowing frustrated seller smoke.

There's no guarantee that he will find ready buyers for ALL the parts, and if he does, it will take years. I imagine there is a lot of content in a 90 ZR1 that few people are interested in unless you're giving it away. There may not be enough money in the high demand parts to get that $35K he so ardently desires, but then I have no feel for what ZR1 parts are bringing.

If you're going to part any car out, you better have a real good understanding of the value of ALL the parts and do a "sharp pencil" analysis to determine if it makes economic sense. Once you sell off the good model specific stuff (ZR1 motor, etc), you have burned that "numbers matching" bridge, and there is no going back. The low value hulk that remains is going to take a LONG time to liquidate.

To part out a car like that, you need to plan on it taking years, and have enough "lay-down" space for a fair sized junk yard. It would be worth $3000 to me not to have to mess with ebaying all that ****. Have you checked combined ebay/PayPal fees lately?...A recent sale cost me 12.5% to complete; and that doesn't include the trouble you'll go to packing, shipping, and dealing with an unscrupulous public that's trying to screw everyone at every turn.

[Tom H.]

Re: Parting out perfectly good cars

I think for the 3K difference. I'd take the 32K. The labor and time alone to fully part one out would be more than 3K worth. I'd either sell it and move on, or take it off the market for another 10 years.

[Edward M.]

Re: Parting out perfectly good cars

The answer to the question is yes, C1s and C2s (sometimes really nice cars) are parted out. The parts are worth significantly more that the complete car in a lot of cases.

I also see really nice (Top Flight, BG, etc.) cars being turned into resto-rods. The body is pulled and the rest of the car is sold off for parts.

Look at it this way...it is yet another source for good used parts.

[Michael F.]

Re: Parting out perfectly good cars

I think for the 3K difference. I'd take the 32K. The labor and time alone to fully part one out would be more than 3K worth. I'd either sell it and move on, or take it off the market for another 10 years.

I agree. It would be a shame to part it out. But it happens all the time. The car will appreciate in the near future. I think he should save the labor. And take the cash. Unless he has a chop shop?
Maybe he is trying to rile up interest so an outraged collector will pony up the 35k and then he doesn't have to part it out?

[John D.]

Re: Parting out perfectly good cars

If he's the original owner he's already in the hole, ZR-1's sold for way way over sticker back then.

[Mike M.]

Re: Parting out perfectly good cars

in 1997 i bought a wrecked 92 ZR1 for 14K to get the drivetrain for Farm Use(the 61 i autocross--no, i didn't sacrafice a real 61 vette body to build Farm Use--i used repo fiberglass panels). anyway, the ZR1 wasn't totaled--i've been trying to sell the remains(perfect rear clip, fixable front clip and perfect pass door) now for 12 years without success. i'd take the 32K and lick my wounds with that lo mile 90 ZR1. . mike

[Roy B.]

Re: Parting out perfectly good cars

Back in the early 60's I was buying 53 to 57 Corvette for $100.00 and had a few given to me just to get them off peoples property in southern Ca. I removed many parts taking them to swap meets and made money. Then cut the body's up and selling the frame to metal junk yards . When I started Vintage Corvettes of southern Ca. They too did the same thing building up their Corvettes.
Back then few people wonted an old Corvette till NCRS came along.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Parting out perfectly good cars

If he's the original owner he's already in the hole, ZR-1's sold for way way over sticker back then.

Same as the 78 Pace Cars, the first 84s, the C6 Z06s or now the ZR-1s.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Parting out perfectly good cars

It sounds like the same exclamation many of us have made out of frustration when faced with the high cost of a part, i.e. "this darn car is worth more in parts than it is complete!"

Stu Fox

[Clem Z.]

Re: Parting out perfectly good cars

If he's the original owner he's already in the hole, ZR-1's sold for way way over sticker back then.

mrs clem wrote a deal for $25K over sticker and the guy hauled it away on a flat bed. these guys a nucken futs

[Clem Z.]

Re: Parting out perfectly good cars

Same as the 78 Pace Cars, the first 84s, the C6 Z06s or now the ZR-1s.

same for the new ZR1 they are selling for $10K under sticker for 09s

[Michael F.]

Re: Parting out perfectly good cars

If he's the original owner he's already in the hole, ZR-1's sold for way way over sticker back then.

Yes they went for insane prices back when new. When adjusted for inflation, many went for more than a new '09 ZR1. Because of the unique engine and body work. I am sure they are undervalued at this time.

[Mike M.]

Re: Parting out perfectly good cars

when the 90 ZR1's came out, i wanted one. friend paid 110K to get one of the first down in Baltimore ,Md. In Feb of 1991, i got a 90 that was a mere 6 months old with 1700 miles on it. got it for 22K less than it stickered for.A neurosurgeon in central Pa paid sticker for it when new. said he didn't like the ride and traded it on a new Datsun Z. lost 22K . ought to have HIS head examined. Hoping to repeat a similar deal on a slightly used 2009 ZR1. mike

[Patrick H.]

Re: Parting out perfectly good cars

Hoping to repeat a similar deal on a slightly used 2009 ZR1. mike

You got it.

When the 2008 is paid for, then I'll start looking for a ZR1.