Original Documents-What are they worth?

[Ronald L.]

Re: Original Documents-What are they worth?

Just checking this forum to see if they are a member is not enough, you'd need to check the printed version in the restorer or send a note to Roy to see if they are a member that has not signed up here to post.

Start with a good clear image to see if the doc has been constructed. Whats to say given they are a Prev Owner that the kid didn't go out an make this up with info that's out there on the web? Remember they are artificially aging the documents too.

[Terry W.]

Re: Original Documents-What are they worth?

I would ask for a scaned copy for verification, and then offer only what you want to pay, as others have said the paper work is only useful to you

[Ronald L.]

Re: Original Documents-What are they worth?

Don't forget the document verification service offered by NCRS.

[Paul J.]

Re: Original Documents-What are they worth?

Doug, that's a stupid price. You can either put this in the back of your mind and walk away for now, or offer them $200. When they say no, say no thanks and let them sit on it until about Thanksgiving, then call them back. Check flea bay during this time to see if they are trying to unload it. If you're patient, you can get this for a reasonable price. They may have a captive market (you), but you're not selling the car anytime soon so you have all the time in the world. This could take a long time.

Paul

[Gary C.]

Re: Original Documents-What are they worth?

Doug,

According to one of our two renown paper collectors Mr. Howard Baker, the other Professor Dave Strickland is unavailable at Carlisle.

Mr. Baker said for a complete paperwork set: window sticker, memograph sheet, owner's manual, warranty book, radio instruction, invoice, etc. maximum value would be between $500 to $750.

Memograph sheet is the highest valued piece from $100 to $200 and Mr. Baker has only seen 3. Owner's manuals are plentiful.

Mr. Baker also said the last complete set of '64 fuelie paperwork a couple of years ago was purchased for $100 bucks.

So, IMHO the guy's trying to hold you hostage for the invoice. I'd respectfully walk away and say that's unrealistic and thanks but no thanks.

Gary
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[Jim T.]

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

Doug in reading your post I had a thought about your contact with the original owner. Since you have the information he supplied, does the state he bought the car in offer any documentation on the orignal title or anything else in their archives that would prove he is the original owner and help verify his letter he gave you to authenicate that your 64 left St Louis as a FI Corvette? Can you check with the dealership who sold your 64 convertible to see what they might have in their files?

[Kenneth H.]

Re: Original Documents-What are they worth?

Doug,

It's time to make a counter offer. Tell the seller that the only thing that you're interested in is the Bill of Sale and make an appropriate offer. Convince him that the other documents that he has have great value if sold on ebay and he should be able to get his $1500 when he combines the sale of the other documents with your offer for the Bill of Sale.

Before you finalize the deal though, try to make sure that the Bill of Sale is legit and it is the original document and not a copy of the original. As others have suggested, get a high res copy of the document and look at it very closely.

I have to disagree with most of the posters on the issue of value. I think that an original Bill of Sale has more value than suggested here, especially when you finally decide to sell the 'vette. I don't think anyone believes that an undocumented 64 fuelie is more valuable than a documented one, even when the documentation is only the original Bill of Sale. We can't all find POPs and build sheets for our 'vettes. I think the Bill of Sale is the next best thing and can substantially increase its value.

And lastly, how will you feel three or four years down the road when you think about the missed opportunity to get some original paperwork for you fuelie. I'll bet you'll be kicking yourself.

Thanks.

[Patrick N.]

Re: Original Documents-What are they worth?

Doug,
Value is total perception, have you determined what the highest $ you'd pay-how important is it too you to have the docs? I feel for your situation, I would love to have my original paperwork and it would obviously be valuable to me more than anyone else, however, the offer does seems like a hostage deal or an uneducated seller SWAG'n it. I'd educate him on what fair market value is, suggest a slight premium perhaps. If he does not take my offer, I'd would hate to do it but I would walk.

Hope it works out for you though. Good luck.
Pat

[Jim D.]

Re: Original Documents-What are they worth?

I don't think it adds as much value to the car as many think. A car with all matching numbers and everything being correct adds more value than a piece of paper that can, and sometimes are, forgeries. It would be nice to have it but let the car stand on its own merits as far as value goes. I wouldn't give him more than $100 for it. It useless to anyone else including the jerk trying to sell it.

[Brian M.]

Re: Original Documents-What are they worth?

I'd offer $500.00 for all docs he has, if he's not interested I'd offer to pass his info on to the next owner (many years off) for $500.00 now. If he's not interested F him. JMHO

[Pat M.]

Re: Original Documents-What are they worth?

You might also consider making him a reasonable counter offer for just the items that are directly tied to the car (by owner name, VIN, etc.), i.e., the warranty book, order sheet and bill of sale. As you noted, you can always buy repos, or lesser cost originals, at some other time.

[Michael F.]

Re: Original Documents-What are they worth?

tell the guy you would like to have them, but thanks but no thanks...guy is an ass only out to make a buck and if more people told people like him to take a hike then maybe more people would pass it along which is right thing to do, my 2 cents. ncrs needs to get away from the paperwork thing and numbers and this type of extortion would stop. my opinion and you are entitled to your own, good luck and it is your money so do as you please, but first make sure you examine docs before paying....sucker born every minute so don't be one.

[Paul J.]

Re: Original Documents-What are they worth?

Doug, I think Gary Chesnut has given you the most helpful information.

Maybe you should send the seller an e-mail saying that you think his price is too high and send a link to this thread, pointing out Gary's post #36 and the expert opinions therein. Ask him to reconsider his starting price, and then counter it as you see fit.

Paul

[Tim G.]

Re: Original Documents-What are they worth?

Being an owner that places lots of value in paperwork, I'd try to secure the documents. His price is way to high. The 1964 Protect O Plate is a hand written document on a GM booklet, not a metal plate like '65 and later.
I'd go $500 maximum for all the paperwork, I can't believe that anyone else would pay more. You are his best prospect as a buyer.

[Doug L.]

Re: Original Documents-What are they worth?

Hi guys,
To finish this thread I can announce that I received the documents today. I counter-offered them $500. They told me they would not accept less than $1000. I sat on this for a week thinking about it and decided that I did want the documentation, even at a price that I thought was way too high. What I received was:

1. Retail Order form from original dealer showing purchaser, all options and prices.
2.New car sales invoice showing the same basic information as #1
3.Oriignal Brochure
4. Plastic envelope for warranty book and owner manual (torn open and in two pieces.
5. Corvette cloth patch.
6. Pocket Guild to AM-FM Radio
7.Operating instructions for radio
8.Original Owner's Guide
9. Original Service Booklet with owner's name hand written on it.

I know some will think I made a mistake paying that much or anything at all. I just decided that this may be the only opportunity to obtain these one-of-a-kind documents.

Doug