rarity question

[Mark C.]

Often you see a car being promoted as "one of only 10 with these options". Where do they get this information??? Is it real?

[Michael W.]

Re: rarity question

Much like statistics, 64% of the statements are pulled out of thin air, but only 16% of people are wise to it.

GM never kept 'combination of options' numbers but frequently kept info on individual option quantities. These numbers are published in several books or web sites. Owners then erroneously but sequentially multiply one quantity against the next until they get the number they like.

My car has an fairly extensive list of options, as did most of that era. Statistically, it does not exist as the total indicates less than one of one before I get half way down the list. On the other hand the truly rare cars (in real life) that have absolutely no options would appear to be the most common using this method of calculation.

[D S.]

Re: rarity question

Usually to "enhance" the value of the car and/or to stroke the ego of the owner. For example my convertible is one of 475 ordered with optional shoulder harnesses. Because it has some other options by a series of extrapolations it might be one of SWAG produced but the one fact remains that it is one of 475 ordered with that option.

[Lyndon S.]

[Michael W.]

Re: rarity question

Lyndon is right. It's rare to see or hear of another car that's absolutely identical in every detail.

One additional 'flaw' in the usual methodology of multiplying one option against another is forgetting to take into account any and all options that were incorporated on more than 50% of the cars built in the given year but not on the car in question. If 90% of cars had power brakes (for example) then a car without them would be more rare by a considerable degree.

[Larry S.]

Re: rarity question

Agree with all the responses so far. I have what is supposedly "1 of 16" 67-s (427/400, automatic, A/C, PS, PW, etc.). My car isn't supposed to exist statistically. Funny thing, though, mine is Sunfire Yellow, and I know of 3 of the other 16 that are the same color.

[D S.]

Re: rarity question


Lyndon, are you going to be in Frisco for the Regionals?

[Mark C.]

Re: rarity question

Larry,
Mine is Red/White 400 auto PB PS PW etc LOL so I guess you now know of 25% of that 16!
Mark

[Clark K.]

Re: rarity question

Often you see a car being promoted as "one of only 10 with these options". Where do they get this information??? Is it real?

Any potential buyer of such a car needs to do some "due diligence" before plunking down the cash. Get a knowledgeable fellow NCRS member to check out the car, first. Don't believe much the seller is telling you...get it verified. Not many Corvettes, per se, are truly rare with the exception being the '53 and '55 models and the 2010 Z06, perhaps.

With that being written, some people take delight in a Corvette with "rare options" (sometimes this means options that were not popular when originally offered due to esthetics or high cost) or a "rare combination of options" car.

If you own one of the sixteen '65 coupes with the "heater delete" option, this would be considered a Corvette with a rare option. If you own one of the 133 convertibles of the '65 model with factory air and the 327/365 engine, this would be considered a Corvette with a "rare option combination". Couple this with a rare color combo and that would make it even rarer, perhaps one of five or less. But, the GM documentation is just not available. Only knowledgeable experts would be able to give you an estimate. And that would be the best one could do, give an estimate.
-Clark

[Lyndon S.]

Re: rarity question

What makes a 2010 ZO6 rare?

[David K.]

Re: rarity question

Only an opinion. Some things are rare because of one very important thing. NOBODY WANTED IT!

[Clark K.]

Re: rarity question

Only an opinion. Some things are rare because of one very important thing. NOBODY WANTED IT!

Like I wrote: "(sometimes this means options that were not popular when originally offered due to esthetics or high cost)". -Clark

[Clark K.]

Re: rarity question

What makes a 2010 ZO6 rare?

Low production numbers: only 518 2010 Z06s were built, almost 200 less than the '55 Corvette. 518 Z06s is just 4% of the 12,194 Corvettes produced during the 2010 model run. There were three times as many ZR1s built for the 2010 model year.

As an interesting tidbit, 58% of all 2010 Corvettes were the new Grand Sport, the most popular model Corvette.
-Clark

[Lyndon S.]

Re: rarity question

And I bet the majority of those grand sports were convertibles. You got the good looks the good brakes, and topless an a better price. I can see why they would out sell the ZO6. Not everyone now days wants to drive a race car on the street.

[Clark K.]

Re: rarity question

And I bet the majority of those grand sports were convertibles.

Nope. Only for the '63-'67 models did convertibles outsell coupes.

Here is the 2010 breakdown:
Coupes-3,054 (25.1%) Convertibles-1,003 (8.2%) Grand Sport Coupes-3,707 (30.4%) Grand Sport Convertibles-2,335 (19.2%) Z06-518 (4.3%) ZR1-1,577 (12.9%)
Total: 12,194