Fair Price for 1963 Split Window

[Michael C.]

Total newbie here. Waiting for my NCRS books to arrive.

While I'm waiting, I'm looking through Craigslist listings just to get my bearing on what's being offered, in what condition, for what asking price.

I'd like to get the forum's opinion on this 1963 split window:

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/3253770927.html

It's a beautiful car. No offense to the lister, and I'm not looking for negotiation points, just interested in hearing your thoughts so I can learn from them.

(In case the listing expires, here's the description:
Here is a chance to own a piece of History with one of most icon cars in American today. We are offering this American Survivor that was found in a storage build and had been there over 30 years. Since find the car it has been judge by Bloomington Gold where it receive a Survivor award and just missing a Bloomington Gold by 1% point where it received a Silver award. Then it when to NCRS Nationals where it was judge and won a NCRS Bowtie 2 Star. This a number matching 327V8 - 340HP, Factory Manual 4 Speed, With the overall condition of the car very good for being a totally original car that is 45 years. The owner of the car has decide to make this car available for reasonable offer for this very rare 1963 Corvette Split Window coupe.)

Thanks for your thoughts and input.

[Paul J.]

Re: Fair Price for 1963 Split Window

Michael, you will want to know when these awards were made. The older the award the greater the possibility that things on the car have been changed. You will also want to know all of the stampings on the block, transmission, and rear end, as well as some random others like the alternator and the expansion tank. It would be helpful to you if you could get someone to look at the car, if you can't do it yourself. Remember, buying a vintage car is not the same as buying a regular car. Once you know what the car is, you can get some ideas of the price from the link below, see post#2.https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...ighlight=sales sites&uid=7896Paul

[Michael C.]

Re: Fair Price for 1963 Split Window

Once you know what the car is, you can get some ideas of the price from the link below, see post#2.https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...ighlight=sales sites&uid=7896Paul

Thanks, Paul. So your advice is to 1) understand exactly what the offer is, and then 2) find comparison vehicles that are currently for sale on the host of other sites listed at https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...at-to-look-for?

[Michael D.]

Re: Fair Price for 1963 Split Window

Go slowly here. Read the listing again and ask yourself who wrote it. Why is the asking price a dollar? Have you called Frank?

[Michael C.]

Re: Fair Price for 1963 Split Window

Go slowly here. Read the listing again and ask yourself who wrote it. Why is the asking price a dollar? Have you called Frank?

Yes, I contacted Frank just to gather information and verify the information in the post.

I sincerely appreciate your input. I am not going to buy it -- I'm way to newbie.

My inquiry was just for learning purposes, to see what some seasoned experts would value the car at:
1. If we assume that the awards are recent, and the car is a pristine survivor
2. There are not comps for this type of car on the sites recommended by Paul (above)
What would you value the range of this car at?

Again, this is just an exercise in learning about how you think about the valuation of an award winning survivor. I will not be actually buying this car.

Thanks for your input. If you think this type of inquiry is a waste of time, just let me know. No offense taken.

[Edward J.]

Re: Fair Price for 1963 Split Window

Mike another aspect of this car it is a survivor car. This is are not something that you would drive to many timesyou'll want to keep the cars value, its mainly a garage kept car. now if your into that, its fine. there are not many examples left of a 63 survivor cars out there. If your into buying the a 63 split to drive there are many out there and more than likely fully restored for the money you will pay for a survivor car like this. Just my thoughts Ed

[Paul J.]

Re: Fair Price for 1963 Split Window

Thanks, Paul. So your advice is to 1) understand exactly what the offer is, and then 2) find comparison vehicles that are currently for sale on the host of other sites listed at https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...at-to-look-for?

Well, what I'm really saying is find out what the car actually is. In other words, is it still a survivor and get proof to that other than past awards.

I know that the link is more for drivers and restored cars rather than survivors. But I know that Mecum sold a survivor 63 either earlier this year or late last year. If you buy a car like this you will want to have someone look at it. Not only can they help you with the value, if you look at general sales prices from several different sources you can get a feel for what the value will be close to. Because of the recession, vintage Corvette prices are lower in general, but rare cars have held thier value better. However, the market still seems to be down, this is a good time to buy.

Paul

[Michael C.]

Re: Fair Price for 1963 Split Window

Mike another aspect of this car it is a survivor car. They are not something that you would drive to many times to keep the car value, its mainly a garage kept car.

Great input, Ed. Thanks!

[Michael C.]

Re: Fair Price for 1963 Split Window

Well, what I'm really saying is find out what the car actually is. In other words, is it still a survivor and get proof to that other than past awards...However, the market still seems to be down, this is a good time to buy.

I'm in full agreement, Paul.

*IF* this was a true survivor with everything stock in good conditions (yes, I would get it checked out by an expert prior to any offer), do you think it would be closer to $60k, $90k or $120k?

[Dick W.]

Re: Fair Price for 1963 Split Window

BG Survivor can be a pretty well worn car. They only have to score 65%? to receive that award. Notice it only received a two star NCRS award. I would not think the car to be a pristine trailer queen, but a well used and enjoyed vehicle.

[Dick W.]

Re: Fair Price for 1963 Split Window

. Because of the recession, vintage Corvette prices are lower in general, but rare cars have held thier value better. However, the market still seems to be down, this is a good time to buy.

Paul

Unfortunately the American muscle car is in the doldrums. Real, good condition with good provenance, cars do pretty well, but are not back where they were several years ago.

Another thing to keep in mind is the car may not have all the rare and unobtainium parts still on it that was there for judging. There are many, many cases where the owners got the awards and sold all the good parts, robbed them for another car they own, what ever, and put repro parts back in their place.

[Paul J.]

Re: Fair Price for 1963 Split Window

...unobtainium parts....

Now that's what I was trying to say.