Original Documents-What are they worth?

[Don H.]

Re: Original Documents-What are they worth?

Couldn't I just take pictures and staple them to the title?

you could try. Would probably work at B-J. But I don't think you would trade your car for a couple $ mil. Some things are worth more than money...

[Tom R.]

Re: Original Documents-What are they worth?

I found original paperwork for my 1973 coupe about a year after I sold it to a young couple and contacted them and sent it in the mail to them (they had moved but I had his work phone number). I never considered asking them to pay for something that rightfully belongs with the car. This was 20 years ago. What a shame someone is holding these docs for ransom.

[Doug L.]

Re: Original Documents-What are they worth?

Guys, thanks for all your comments.

The original contact came to me Monday night. The offer to sell the docs to me came late last night by e-mail and I responded saying I am interested but have no idea what to offer. I asked what they wanted for them and am awaiting a reply. I'm hoping they give me a reasonable number that I can accept without even thinking about it. At this point I have no reason to think that their asking price will be unreasonable and I am VERY thankful that he bothered to Google the VIN number and find me (probably from the C2 registry).

The owner (the father) does have a collection of multiple Corvettes, so he may have specific ideas about what they are worth and what the market is.

The bill of sale does pertain only to my car, but the other docs may be generic enough to be of interest to anyone owning a '64. Not having any docs means I don't know what they look like or if they have the VIN recorded in them or the original owner's name, etc.

I do have a notarized letter from the original owner attesting to the fact that he bought it new and that it was ordered and delivered as a fuelie. That really doesn't mean much but given that he had no original documents I figured getting that letter was better than nothing at all.

I checked the membership directory for both the father and son's names but neither appear. Still, they could be reading these posts as guests and if so maybe they too will gain some prespective on what the docs are worth.

I'll report back on what happens and I appreciate all of your inputs.
ck6-Doug

[Keith L.]

Re: Original Documents-What are they worth?

When I found the original owner of my 70 LT-1 he said he had the bill of sale for the car somewhere. About a year later it came in the mail. I guess I owe him a steak dinner.

[Kenneth H.]

Re: Original Documents-What are they worth?

Doug,

Below is the Bill of Sale for my LT1. You'll note that it does have the vin, as well as the original owner's name and address. If you are able to get the Bill of Sale for your '64, it should match up nicely with the original owner's notarized letter, and if you order the Shipping Data report from NCRS and it shows that the 'vette was shipped to the dealer listed on the Bill of Sale, the three documents will go a long way in verifying the originality of your fuelie. Granted it's not as good as having the POP or build sheet, but it's still a lot more than you have now.

Thanks.

[George C.]

Re: Original Documents-What are they worth?

Doug,
I don't have anything new to add, but add me to the list of folks that would be real interested in getting the paperwork, especially the warranty book with POP.
I agree with other posters that you should ask the #3 owners son, what he wants for the paper work before offering something that may be much more than he is expecting.
Hopefully if dad is a Corvette guy he will help to reunite the paper work with the car where it will do the most good, and it little or reasonable cost.
Good luck and keep us posted,
George

[Keith L.]

Re: Original Documents-What are they worth?

Doug,

Below is the Bill of Sale for my LT1. You'll note that it does have the vin, as well as the original owner's name and address. If you are able to get the Bill of Sale for your '64, it should match up nicely with the original owner's notarized letter, and if you order the Shipping Data report from NCRS and it shows that the 'vette was shipped to the dealer listed on the Bill of Sale, the three documents will go a long way in verifying the originality of your fuelie. Granted it's not as good as having the POP or build sheet, but it's still a lot more than you have now.

Thanks.

Wow, Kenneth either your guy got a heck of a deal or my guy paid to much. Your two top convertable was less money than my coupe. And only sold a week apart.

[Doug L.]

Re: Original Documents-What are they worth?

Well gentlemen, the number is in. That number is $1500. I'm surprised it is that high and I'll sleep on it before responding.

This is my first Corvette restoration and since I don't have any documents I also don't know what they should be. Since the car is a '64 it is my understanding that there was no POP. I understand POP started in 1966. I think there was also no tank sticker in '64 and if there was it was missing on my tank. Repro owner's manual, plastic bag for manual, warranty book, radio guide and brochure can be bought for $60 at one of the vendors. How valuable could those things be as originals and are the repro's of such inferrior quality that they are easily told from originals?

It seems to me that the bill of sale is the only thing with real value. That makes it a really expensive piece of paper.

More later.
Doug

[Don H.]

Re: Original Documents-What are they worth?

Doug,
that is outrageous.
I said I would pay what it takes, but I would not pay that.
I would tell your benevolent fellow corvette enthusiast to shove those documents up his [ear].
I am thinking he has been reading this blog.
You are no worse off if you pass on the docs, and he is much worse off, because you would have paid a reasonable price. $1500 is not reasonable. Not even close.
good luck

[Tom R.]

Re: Original Documents-What are they worth?

Doug,
Those docs belong with your car and ONLY your car. Owner #3 got them essentially for free with the car. Now that so and so wants to hold them ransom to the only customer that could use them and equally should be entitled to them for free as he was. What a jerk. I do hope they are reading this thread to simply see how low they are in the food chain.

[Greg L.]

Re: Original Documents-What are they worth?

Docs to me about a week ago were worth $500-$1000 depending on what the seller could come up with(long story.......) It was a deal I was working on(69 L68 A/C car) and I would have given her $500 for one piece like a tank sticker, POP, Bill of Sale, etc OR $1000 is she found several or all pieces so that's what they were worth to me and it seems to be reflected in what other have posted here.

Now, $1500 for a bill of sale? I possibly would if they could send you a good clear image of it so that you could see exactly what you were paying $1500 for. Otherwise I'd pass. On the other hand I'm not even sure if I'd pay $500 for it...

Why not just get Al Grenning to verify it? That would be enough for me.

[Ronald L.]

Re: Original Documents-What are they worth?

There is a doc set on ebay for $1500 so they have plenty of examples to set a price and yes very well could be looking at this forum.

What evidence was presented that this was original and not a made up piece of paper?

Tank stickers start with 1967.

POP appear to have started pre C2.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Original Documents-What are they worth?

if you bought the car to turn a profit get the papers but if you bought the car to keep and drive why spend the $$$

[Jim D.]

Re: Original Documents-What are they worth?

I'd tell him to pound sand in his a**. Save your money and buy repo.'s.

POP's started in 1965

[Tom H.]

Re: Original Documents-What are they worth?

My vote, for what it's worth is 1500.00 is too much for the bill of sale.