Profiles
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5
Corvette Market
$102k '65 Convertible 396/425 129 Corvettes Rated
Keith Martin's
The Insider's Guide to Collecting, Investing, Values, and Trends
1962 GULF OIL CORVETTE
$1.5m Record-Setter
Fall 2008
www.vettemarket.com
James Garner's $744k L88
Top 200 Summer Sales
Page 4
Corvette Market
Keith Martin's
Volume 2 . Issue 5 . Fall 2008
24 Huge money for big history
26 396/425, one year only
28 James Garner's L88 racer
Profiles
C1 1962 Gulf Oil 327/360 FI Race Car—$1,485,000
24 by Thomas Glatch
C2 1965 396/425 Convertible—$101,750
26 by Carl Bomstead
“If you have a rare, highly sought-after Corvette you
are claiming is original and unrestored, would not a
Bloomington Gold certificate add to the value?”
C3 James Garner's 1968 L88 AIR Racer—$744,000
28 by John L. Stein
“That Ernst found all the original racing equipment,
including the original engine and a set of Goodyear
racing tires that were mounted for the 1962 Sebring race
but never used, is all the more miraculous.”
C4 1992 Lingenfelter ZR-1—$24,675
30 by Michael Pierce
$22,838 & Not Sold
“It's one thing to run huge numbers on a dyno, quite
another to put them in street cars with pump gas and
street tires and still turn in high-performance figures daily.”
C5 A pair of 1998 Indy Pace Car Convertibles—
32 by B. Mitchell Carlson
“The uniquely powerful and phallic design of the 1968
Corvette, together with the L88's huge engine, enormous
street credibility and genuinely terrorizing performance,
had a dramatic effect on enthusiasts back in 1968.”
C6 Mini Profiles of Five Late-Model Corvettes
34 by Geoff Archer
“If you still have cash lying around to buy new luxury items
during a recession, you are likely to be getting good
deals like this.”
“The column lock issue is the most pervasive C5 gripe.
While other problems like the fuel tank/fuel pump
issue were resolved by the time the last C5 was built,
column lock problems trouble all years of production.”
Cover: 1962 Gulf Oil 327/360 FI Race Car. Photo courtesy of Gooding & Company.
6 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Page 5
20 Z codes
Corvette Market Contributors
B. Mitchell Carlson
Senior Auction Analyst
interest
B. Mitchell Carlson developed an early
in tractors,
trucks, and muscle
cars in his native Minnesota. Carlson covers
two dozen auctions a year and writes
for Kelley Blue Book, as well as several
marque-specific and military vehicle publications.
He wrote his first auction report for
Old Cars Weekly in 1990, has contributed
to Sports Car Market since 1998, and has
been a part of CM from the start. His
knowledge of Chevrolet Motor Division serial number coding, Fisher Body coding, parts
numbering, and Protect-O-Plate structure encompasses Corvettes and all GM products. His
daily driver is a C5 coupe, but he hasn't ruled out snagging a 1957–60 convertible for his
collection. He profiles a pair of 1998 Indy Pace Car convertibles on p. 30 of this issue.
Market Reports
38 Carlisle Auctions, Carlisle, PA
28 of 80 Corvettes total $708k in Carlisle
by Chip Lamb
50 Global Roundup
97 Corvettes from 17 sales
by CM Auction Analysts
Features
18 Bloomington Gold Tour: On the road in
America's sports car
20 Z Codes Decoded: Mundane to
mighty, the options make the car
Departments
8 Publisher's Note
10 Industry Roundtable: Which C4 is tops?
12 Q&A: Taller gears and bigger octane
14 Events: Where to be with your Corvette
16 Auction Calendar
36 Market Overview
74 Trick Stuff: The Corvette of photo albums
76 By The Numbers: Top Summer Sales
80 Resource Directory
82 Vette-o-bilia: The one-cent brochure
John L. Stein
Contributor
John L. Stein served as the editor of
Corvette Quarterly, the award-winning official
journal for Corvette, from 1998 to 2005,
and remains the only independent editor to
lead GM's halo magazine. Stein has driven
every generation of Corvette, from the original
1953 model up through the 2008 Pratt
& Miller C6RS, and tested or raced them at
Daytona, Laguna Seca, Sebring, and other
tracks. His favorite Corvette experience may
just be sneaking through the woods at Le
Mans in 2000 to watch the factory C5.R racers
assault La Sarthe for the first time, their
yellow headlights searing the night and their guttural scream quaking the marrow. On p.
28, he profiles a very different Corvette racer, James Garner's old AIR L88 recently sold by
Bonhams & Butterfields for $744k.
John Gunnell
Contributor
John Gunnell first wrote about Corvettes with the
National Corvette Owners Association in the mid-1970s.
He has since written for Track of Corvettes, 'Vettes Only,
and 'Vette magazine, and his 80 automotive books include
the Standard Catalog of Corvettes 1953–2005 and the
Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946–1975. In 1978,
Gunnell began work as editor for Old Cars Weekly.
He has recently co-authored the Corvette Bible with
Mike Yager and edited Jerry Heasley's new book, Corvette
Masterpieces. In addition to his regular “Trick Stuff” installment,
on p. 18 of this issue he breaks down the long list
of Z options available on Corvettes over the years, from
the Z06 of 1963 to the upcoming ZR1 of 2009.
www.vettemarket.com FALL 2008 Corvette Market 7
Page 6
Publisher's
Note
Buy, Sell, or Hold
There is always a buyer for a quality, documented
car, while a car with questions in its history may
become just about impossible to sell
Corvette Market
Keith Martin's
Volume 2 . Issue 5 . Fall 2008
Publisher Keith Martin
Art Director Kirsten Onoday
Executive Editor Paul Duchene
Managing Editor Stefan Lombard
Auction Editor Jim Pickering
Auction Analysts B. Mitchell Carlson
Linda Clark
Tom Glatch
Daniel Grunwald
John Clucas
Norm Mort
Contributors Carl Bomstead
Marshall Buck
Colin Comer
John Draneas
Peter Frye
Mike Mueller
Donald Osborne
Intern Bloor Redding III
Information Technology/
Internet Bryan Wolfe
Financial Manager Nikki Nalum
Print Media Buyer Wendie Martin
Director CM Television Roger Williams
ADVERTISING SALES
Sales Manager KJ Glennon
kj.glennon@vettemarket.com
877.219.2605 x 222
Advertising Executives Ted Alfano
ted.fano@vettemarket.com
877.219.2605 x 211
Cody Wilson
cody.wilson@vettemarket.com
877.219.2605 x 213
1978 Corvette: Late-model C3s are a best buy
I
SUBSCRIPTIONS
t's times like this that everyone wants a prediction. As the global economy gyrates like a
hula dancer, how are Corvette prices going to be affected?
Are they going to come tumbling down, meaning you should wait a few months before
putting another Corvette in your garage? Are prices going to skyrocket as frustrated inves-
tors turn to cars rather than stocks, making it a good time to buy?
There is no definitive answer. These will be challenging times for buyers and sellers of
collector cars, which means the maxims of collecting will be more important than ever. In the
end, there is always a buyer for a quality, documented car, while a car with questions in its
history may become just about impossible to sell.
The major shift we are seeing in the market is that collectors are migrating toward cars
they can use. That means that C1s continue to be viewed as objects of appreciation, like
sculpture, rather than automobiles, as they are simply so unpleasant to drive. Hence, their
values are stagnant.
On the other hand, C2s continue to have it all; enough creature comforts for a long trip,
along with brakes and suspension sophisticated enough to offer decent handling.
Early C3s (1968–73) are getting expensive, but late C3s, from 1978 to 1982, are still the
best buys in a vintage Corvette. They simply offer more fun per collectible dollar than any
other model.
Of course, if fun is all you want, a C5 can't be beat. They are almost free these days, and
offer huge performance. While C6 owners may look down their sloping hoods at them and
call them “big-butt” specials, to most of the world, when you're in a C5, you're in a Corvette,
and that's all that matters.
In the end, the clearer you are about why you want to own a Corvette, the more successful
your buying decision is likely to be. If you want a museum piece, buy a 1958 fuelie. If you
want a reliable daily driver with no hassles, a C4 or C5 will do. If you want to attract a crowd
wherever you show up, only a Split-Window will meet your needs.
But no matter which Corvette you buy next, just make sure it is the absolute best example
in the price range you can afford. I guarantee you will never regret paying a little more to get
a lot more car. ■
8 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Subscriptions Coordinator Jennifer Davis-Shockley
To order new subscriptions 800.289.2819
Current subscriptions 877.219.2605 x 204
service@vettemarket.com
503.253.2234 fax
CORRESPONDENCE
Phone 503.261.0555
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Web www.vettemarket.com
Corvette Market magazine (ISSN# 1939-6481) is published quarterly
by Automotive Investor Media Group, 401 NE 19th Street, Suite 100,
Portland, OR 97232. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Corvette
Market, PO Box 4797, Portland, OR 97208. The information in Corvette
Market magazine is compiled from a variety of reliable sources.
However, we disclaim and deny any responsibility or liability for the
timeliness, use, interpretation, accuracy, and completeness of the
information presented. All material, data, formats, and intellectual
concepts in this issue © 2008 by Keith Martin's Corvette Market, LLC,
Automotive Investor Media Group, and Automotive Investor in this
format and any other used by Corvette Market magazine. Copyright
registered with the United States copyright office.
PRINTED IN USA
Page 8
Insider's
View
The current state of the Corvette market
In Ten Years, Which C4 Corvette Will be
the Most Collectible?
Rod Egan
Principal, The Worldwide Group,
Auburn, IN
In 1990, Chevrolet produced the end
result of one of the most radical projects
ever done by the very conservative
company—the LT5 ZR-1 32-valve DOHC
“King of the Hill” Corvette. The ZR-1
is known for its top speed endurance
record, where the car went at speeds over
175 mph, non-stop, for 24 hours. There
are no stock American cars that can do
this except the ZR-1 to date.
What the ZR-1 offers over any other
Corvette I have encountered, including
the Callaway and Lingenfelter versions,
is its near indestructibility, packaged in
such an aggressive and responsive driving
car.
This is exactly as it came off of the as-
sembly line from GM. We all know that
unaltered cars from the factory tend to be
the most desirable down the road, after
the masses have been revised, revamped,
or demolished.
It is precisely these attributes that in
my opinion make the ZR-1 so collectible
today and will, in my estimation, make
it the most collectible of all the C4
Corvettes some ten years from now.
Craig Jackson
Chairman/CEO, Barrett-Jackson
Auction Company, Scottsdale, AZ
Hardcore enthusiasts already prize
the Callaway C4 Twin Turbo Corvettes,
but I believe that in ten years they
will be highly revered by general
collectors. Callaway Corvettes offer a
rare blend of exclusivity, legitimacy,
historical significance and reliability that
make them very appealing.
When Callaway launched the C4
program in 1987, it was the first time in
the 'Vette's long history that an outside
manufacturer was given an opportunity
by GM to create a high-performance
RPO. This allowed real car guys to own
an exclusive version of America's favorite
sports car. It also paved the way for
other high-performance adaptations to be
created, like the ZR-1.
The capabilities of the various
versions of the C4 Twin Turbo cars,
including the Sledgehammer, were
well documented by the media. They
combined world-class performance with
the serviceability and reliability of a
Chevy. The fact that Callaway produced
around 500 Twin Turbo Corvettes
through 1991 adds to its collectability,
and the company did a marvelous job
identifying their cars for documentation
purposes.
Jim Jordan
President, County Corvette,
Westchester, PA
Limited production is the primary
consideration when looking at potential
values of C4s. Most C4s from 1984–96
are considered today to be of limited
value, due in part to high production
numbers, limited availability of parts,
difficulty of repair, and outdated performance.
That said, a few C4s stand out. The
1988–90 Challenge cars are highly collectible.
The 1990 R9G models were the
rarest, with only 23 built. A non-raced
example would be your best bet.
Tuner cars produced by Callaway
and Lingenfelter were standard setters at
the time, but only a few Callaway cars,
specifically speedster models, have hope
for long-term status.
Among 1990–95 ZR-1s, two models
stand out: the 1993 40th Anniversary
Edition and the 1995 models, of which
only 500 were built. ZR-1s can be expensive
to fix, so mileage and originality
should be carefully considered.
And the 1996 Grand Sport; if you can
find one, a red-interior convertible will
be your best bet. After that, a red-interior
coupe, followed by the others, which
carry a certain charm to many Corvette
enthusiasts.
The C4 era ushered in today's
supercar-level Corvettes, and any grand
Corvette collection will contain at least
one rare C4.
10 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Page 9
Kevin King
President, Year One Corvettes,
Braselton, GA
Predicting C4 collectibility is a little
tough, simply because there were a number
of special models built during the
13-year production run. Limited production
and performance packages always
make the most desirable models.
The ZR-1, the Grand Sport, the
Anniversary models, and the Indy Pace
Cars will always be collectible, but
other specialty models, like the “factory
blessed” Callaway cars, also have a
strong following.
Callaway also benefits from very low
production numbers and tremendous performance.
The most collectible, though,
will probably be those cars that combine
special options. Here I'm thinking of
40th Anniversary Ruby Red ZR-1s, with
only 220 made, or convertible Grand
Sports with only 190 examples, particularly
with the red interior, since just over
50 cars with that combination were built.
There are a few sleepers, too. The
'95 Pace Car is a good example—just
over 500 of those cars were built. I think
the best bet is going to be the Corvette
Challenge race cars. These cars were
built in '88 and '89 specifically for use
in the SCCA Corvette Challenge Series.
The rarity of these cars, along with the
competition pedigree, should ensure their
long-term collectibility.
Kevin Mackay
President, Corvette Repair, Inc.,
Valley Stream, NY
The number-one C4 would be one of
the 60 Challenge cars from 1989. That
would be the top C4, a factory car from
the beginning, with special brake rotors
and roll bars.
The second car would be a Callaway
car. Probably the ultimate is the
Sledgehammer, but there are a ton of
Callaway cars.
After that, probably a Corvette Grand
Sport convertible with red interior. With
low mileage, I've seen them go as as high
$90,000. I love the color combo—the red
interior knocks me out.
My next choice would be a ZR-1, but
only 1995. That's the last year, and all the
bugs were out of them by then. Another
ZR-1 would be the cars made in 1989.
They only made 84 of the '89s, and a
couple in Europe have been brought back
from the dead. They were press cars and
supposed to go to the crusher, but they
weren't crushed enough and still had
tags.
My fifth choice would be a
Lingenfelter, and my last would be a Pace
Car, purple and white from '93.
Dana Mecum
President, Mecum High Performance
Auctions, Marengo, IL
This seems almost like a trick ques-
tion; the answer depends on whether
you're talking about the most collectible
Corvette for the broadest audience, or
the most collectible Corvette for the most
intellectual collector.
The most collectible to the broadest
audience is a toss-up between the ZR-1
and the '96 Grand Sport. The ZR-1 has
a mystique that seemed short-lived. The
Grand Sport has a great “club” following.
I vote Grand Sport due to its “social”
popularity—after all, one of the great
things about owning a Corvette is being
part of the Corvette community.
From the intellectual aspect, the
Corvette Challenge cars of 1988–89 and
the very limited R9G of '90 win hands
down—limited-production, factory-spec
race cars. It's hard to beat that combination
in the world of a sports car.
www.vettemarket.com FALL 2008 Corvette Market 11
Page 10
Questions
&Answers
by Colin Comer
back into the cowl on the factory
cut lines? Were the core support
and/or frame damaged or
replaced?
It's hard to set an arbitrary
1967 427/435 convertible, no fun on the freeway with 4.11 gears
4-1-1 on that 4.11
I own a fully restored 1967
427/435 convertible (M21
4-speed) with a factory 4.11 rear
axle ratio. It is also a factory
sidepipe car. I love to drive it,
but truth be told, it is really not
that enjoyable at freeway speeds.
It just revs so high with the 4.11,
and the side exhaust doesn't help
matters any. Being a numbersmatching
car with its original
engine, I am also concerned I
may blow it up because of the
rpm. My dilemma is that I do not
want to install an aftermarket 5or
6-speed transmission because
I like to show the car at NCRS
events. That leaves me with a
ring and pinion swap if I want to
change things, right? If so, what
gear ratio do you recommend?
Will the NCRS detect it in judging?—HJ,
Raleigh, NC
I agree; a 4.11 is a desirable
option in a 'Vette, but
not one you want to drive on
today's highways. What adds
value doesn't always add enjoyment,
especially with side exhausts.
I assume you are running
either correct 7.75x15 bias-ply
tires or the common 215/75/15 P
metric replacements.
Either one is about 27.75
inches tall, meaning at 65 mph
your engine is at roughly 3,250
rpm, and almost 3,800 rpm
at 75 mph. That is screaming,
and besides the noise and wear
and tear, it also raises coolant
temperatures significantly, as the
fan will actually be spinning too
fast and block air trying to flow
through the radiator.
My own '67 435 convertible
has a 3.55:1 axle ratio, which I
find just about perfect. It gives
2,800 rpm at 65 mph. If you are
serious about long-distance
highway driving, such as a
1,000-mile road rally, I would
suggest a 3.08:1 gear. That gives
you just over 2,400 rpm at 65
mph, which makes a world of
difference.
For comparison's sake, most
5-speed conversions now have a
12 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
0.82:1 5th gear. With your original
4.11, that equals 2,700 rpm
at 65 mph, or roughly the same
as a 3.55 with your 4-speed. As
far as the NCRS, just pop in the
ring and pinion in your original
differential and nobody will be
the wiser—except your eardrums
and relieved engine.
Front end issues
I am looking at a 1965
'Vette convertible with a
replacement one-piece front end.
In your opinion, how much does
that affect the car's value? I have
been told 5% at most. That seems
low to me. Interested in your
thoughts on the subject.—BD,
Omaha, NE
I don't think this is a
situation where one can
assign a set deduction using a
percentage. Obviously, there is
a reason the car has a one-piece
front clip, and I would dig deeply
to find out why and also how
much other damage was done.
Was it done properly and spliced
value here, as I would consider
a one-piece front clip a little
more serious. Automatically you
eliminate most serious collectors
from the pool of buyers, as they
will want original fiberglass. It is
also something that any honest
seller should disclose, which will
likely give pause to even casual
'Vette buyers, as everybody is
becoming more particular and
fussy these days. In the end, it
may limit your buyers when you
go to sell to those who will tolerate
such a major modification
in exchange for a serious price
deduction.
My opinion? Move on, spend
a little more for a car with an
all-original body, and sleep well
at night. Most people eventually
sell or trade their 'Vettes, and I
see no reason to walk knowingly
into a car you'll have to make
excuses for later.
Updating alignment
I met you at the CM
Seminar in Scottsdale last
January and asked if you had
any tips to make my C2 handle
better, as it is eye-opening at
high speeds, even though the
suspension is all within spec and
aligned to stock 1966 specs by
a really good shop. You recommended
I modify the wheel
alignment specs to compensate
for the Michelin radial tires I
have in place of the original biasply
tires. Forgive me, but I lost
the sheet you gave me with your
preferred settings. Do you mind
sharing them again? Thanks in
advance.—TC, Phoenix, AZ
Yes, I do recommend
modifying suspension
alignment for modern tires. I've
Please send your questions to questions@vettemarket.com. All submissions subject to editing.
Give Yourself and Your 'Vette a Break
Raise rear axle gears, bump up the octane in your L88, beware what a
one-piece clip can hide, and fix that front end
Page 11
tried a multitude of different
settings on my cars, with varying
degrees of success. Vette Brakes
& Products (www.vbandp.com)
has a great alignment specs page
on its web site for 1963–2004
Corvettes, and it includes recommendations
for “Daily Driver,”
“Advanced Street,” “Autocross,”
and “Track” use. Click on the
“Instructions” tab, and then
scroll to the second-to-last
listing entitled “1963 through
2004 Alignment Specifications.”
I think you will be very pleased
with the results. Let me know
how it turns out.
Octane matters
I just purchased a 1969 L88
4-speed convertible. I have
never owned a vintage Corvette
before, but am looking forward
to the experience. My question is
a simple one: Everybody tells me
I need to use racing gas in this
baby, or I risk blowing it up. Do
they literally mean it will blow
up? Can it be adjusted to run on
premium pump gas? I have no
clue where to source race gas here
in Chicago.—BBL, Chicago, IL
First, congrats on buying
an L88. They are awesome
cars, and I think the performance
will be an eye opener.
Just remember to aim it carefully
before you drop the hammer.
As far as race gas—yes, if
the L88 was rebuilt to factory
specs, you must use fuel above
103 octane as per the original
L88 instructions. Why? The compression
ratio of 12.9:1 makes
it basically a racing engine for
the street. Lower octane fuel will
cause the engine to detonate and
do serious damage. It won't literally
“blow up” like a bomb, but
it could possibly detonate hard
enough to destroy pistons, which
1969 L88—don't skimp on octane
will likely take valves, connecting
rods, and other expensive
stuff with them. An internal
“blowing up,” if you will.
Unfortunately there is no way
to tune the engine to use loweroctane
fuel. Even with severely
retarded ignition timing, you run
the risk of detonation and engine
damage.
Here in Wisconsin, there are
any number of places that sell
110 octane leaded race gas in
bulk. I buy it in 55-gallon drums
and keep one in my garage with
a simple drum pump, available
at any farm or fleet supply store.
You might even be able to get one
from the people who sell you the
fuel. Last time I checked, it was
under $7 a gallon for the good
stuff. Alternatively, find the nearest
drag strip and carry some
fuel out in five-gallon jugs. ■
www.vettemarket.com FALL 2008 Corvette Market 13
Page 12
Event
Guide
Arizona
01.16.08
Corvette Market Insider's Seminar,
Scottsdale
Following the success of last year's inaugural
event, CM will host the second annual
Scottsdale Insider's Seminar from 9 am to
11 am in the Russo and Steele Auction tent.
Publisher Martin will moderate, joined on
stage by Corvette market experts to give
their insight into two separate modules.
Module 1 will deal with building the best
$500,000 Corvette collection, while Module
2 will serve as an overview of the Corvette
market today and tomorrow. $25 for subscribers,
$100 for non-subscribers. www
.vettemarket.com/2009seminar.
California
01.23.09–01.31.09
Corvette & Hot Rod Pirate Banditos of
the Mexican Riviera, San Diego
This event invites all Corvette enthusiasts
to a special nine-day cruise from San
Diego to Mexico, with scheduled stops in
Manzanillo, Acapluco, Zihuatanejo, and
Ixtapa. Enjoy eight gourmet dinners and
endless entertainment in the largest casino
at sea, with amenities like a fitness center,
swimming pools, and Jacuzzis at nearly
every turn. Just $838 per person. www
.corvetteracers.com.
Send your Corvette event listing to cmcalendar@vettemarket.com.
Florida
11.15.08–11.16.08
Corvette Garden Party Doo Wop
Weekend, Winter Haven
Join the Bay Area Corvette Club at Cypress
Gardens for a weekend packed full of entertainment.
A Corvette parade kicks things
off on Saturday, followed by a Welcome
Dinner with beer and dancing, plus a raffle.
A Corvette show will take place on Sunday,
with entertainment provided by the music
groups the Drifters and the Coasters. Preregistered
entrants only. www.baccvette.us.
11.22.08
Ultimate Corvette Party, Tampa
Tampa Bay Vettes and Ferman Chevrolet
will host this big shindig, limited to 400
Corvettes. Corvette racer Andy Pilgrim will
be on hand to sign autographs, and guests
can compete in the fourth annual UCP
Valve Cover Races. The event will include a
50/50 raffle, live radio broadcast, and plenty
of vendors, food, and door prizes to go
around. www.ultimatecorvetteparty.com.
11.29.08–11.30.08
Corvettes on the Gulf, Bonita Springs
NCCC-judged concours hosted by Estero
Bay Chevrolet. $60. www.ncccsouth.com.
01.11.09
3rd Annual Car & Truck Show, Sunrise
The Renegade Corvette Club hosts this
fun event at the Ed Morse Sawgrass Auto
Mall. The first 100 entrants will get a dash
plaque and T-shirt, and Top 30 awards will
be given out to Corvettes. Expect a live DJ,
door prizes, a 50/50 raffle, food, beverages,
and more. Pre-register before January 1 for
$20, $25 at the door. www.renegadecorvetteclub.com.
Corvette Insider's Seminar
14 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Page 13
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport
#002 at Bridgehampton, 1966
RM Auctions—Automobiles of Arizona
Where: Arizona Biltmore, Phoenix, AZ
When: January 16, 2009
More: www.rmauctions.com
Featured Lot: 1963 Corvette Grand Sport, #002
The Corvette Grand Sport was envisioned by Zora Arkus-Duntov as
GM's endurance racing answer not only to the Shelby Cobra, but to the
Ferrari 250 GTO, Ford GT40, and others. Despite a planned production
of 120, just five were built before General Motors management pulled
the plug on all its competition activities in early 1964. The cars escaped
the head office order to be destroyed and eventually found their way
into the hands of private racers.
Other than its similarity to the new Sting Ray body style of 1963,
there was nothing underneath a Grand Sport's skin that bore any
resemblance to its assembly-line cousins. Combined with a lightweight
tube frame and thin fiberglass body, the Grand Sports tipped the scales
at less than 2,000 lb—1,100 lb less than production Corvettes. Powering
that lean body was a 377-ci race-prepped aluminum V8 that put out over
550 horsepower.
Like its four sister cars, Corvette Grand Sport #002 began its life
as a coupe, but it was soon converted into a roadster, making it the
lightest and fastest Grand Sport of all. In early 1966, #002 spent a brief
time in Roger Penske's stable before being sold to veteran racer George
Wintersteen. At the 1966 U.S. Road Racing Championship, Wintersteen
and #002 delivered impressive results at Bridgehampton, Watkins Glen,
and Mosport.
In Dave Friedman's book Corvette Grand Sport, Penske recalls,
“When you really stood on the gas, the front end would come off the
ground like a dragster.” And A.J. Foyt once described an on-track
Grand Sport encounter this way: “It went by me like I was stopped.”
When Corvette Grand Sport #002, with its original, unrestored race
body, crosses the auction block on January 16, it will mark the first time
the car has been offered for sale at auction. CM estimates that a sale
price of $7m–$10m would be market correct.
www.vettemarket.com FALL 2008 Corvette Market 15
Page 14
Event
Guide
Send your Corvette event listing to cmcalendar@vettemarket.com.
01.17.09
Reflections in Glass XXVI, Boca Raton
This Corvette show, sponsored by Bachrodt
Chevrolet, is one of the largest judged
shows in Florida, with 63 judged classes
and awards for 1st and 2nd place in each
class. Don't miss all this good stuff, plus
door prizes, a silent auction, lots of vendors,
food, beverages, and more. www.americascorvetteclub.com.
01.21.08–01.24.08
NCRS Florida Winter Regional,
Kissimmee
www.ncrs.org
03.01.09
23rd Annual Spring Meet, Miami
The Sunshine Corvette Club will put on
this popular annual event, with top three
awards for each generation in judged classes
covering original cars, modified cars, and
everything in between. All entrants will get
a T-shirt and goody bag, and there will be a
50/50 raffle, breakfast and lunch, a DJ, and
lots of door prizes. $25 before February 21,
$35 otherwise. www.sunshinecorvetteclub
.com.
Illinois
11.22.08–11.23.08
27th Annual Fall Chevy Vettefest,
Rosemont
This is the world's largest indoor, allChevrolet
show and swap meet. The annual
show includes a Triple Crown Gallery for
more than 50 of America's best original
and restored Corvettes, a charity auction,
celebrity appearances, featured artist
Stefanie Aziere-Sattler, and a chance to
meet some of the best automotive writers in
the country, like CM's own Colin Comer.
Adults are $14, kids under 12 are free.
www.chevyvettefest.net.
Ohio
02.08.09
NCRS Winter Corvette Swap Meet,
Cincinnati
Join the Queen City NCRS chapter at
Joseph's Columbia Chevrolet for all things
Corvette and Chevy. Expect plenty of vendors
with the things you need, plus food and
refreshments, all just $3 at the door. www
.ncrs.org/qc
29—DAN KRUSE CLASSICS
Clearwater, FL
28-29—ICA
Houston, TX
29—KRUSE
Daytona Beach, FL
DECEMBER
1—BONHAMS
London, UK
17—GOODING &
COMPANY
Scottsdale, AZ
Auction Calendar
NOVEMBER
1—ICA
Louisville, KY
1—SILVER
Seattle, WA
1—WORLDWIDE
Hilton Head, SC
7-9—KRUSE
Auburn, IN
8-9—ICA
Gilbert, AZ
15—SILVER
Spokane, WA
16—ARTCURIAL
Paris, FRA
16—BONHAMS &
GOODMAN
Sydney, AUS
19—BONHAMS
Harrogate, UK
21-23—LEAKE
Dallas, TX
21-23—MCCORMICK
Palm Springs, CA
24—SHANNONS
Melbourne, AUS
26—H&H
Buxton, UK
Silver Auctions
5-6—AUCTIONS AMERICA
Raleigh, NC
5-7—MECUM
Kansas City, MO
8-9—BARONS
Surrey, UK
12-13—SANTIAGO
Oklahoma City, OK
19-20—KRUSE
Las Vegas, NV
JANUARY
2-4—KRUSE
Fort Lauderdale, FL
9-11—TOM MACK
Charlotte, NC
11-18—BARRETT-JACKSON
Scottsdale, AZ
14-18—RUSSO AND STEELE
Scottsdale, AZ
16—RM
Phoenix, AZ
16-19—SILVER
Fort McDowell, AZ
22-25—KRUSE
Phoenix, AZ
22-24—MECUM
Kissimmee, FL
FEBRUARY
2—PETERSEN
Salem, OR
2—SHANNONS
Sydney, AUS
6-8—RM
Fort Lauderdale, FL
7—BONHAMS
Paris, FRA
9-10—BARONS
Surrey, UK
15—SHANNONS
Brisbane, AUS
20-21—LEAKE
Oklahoma City, OK
20-22—MCCORMICK
Palm Springs, CA
26-MAR 1—G. POTTER KING
Atlantic City, NJ
27-28—KRUSE
Tucson, AZ
16 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Page 16
Bloomington Gold
Tour
Arizona to Illinois
Striking Corvette Gold
Being behind the wheel for over 5,000 miles and surrounded by other
Corvette owners is a first-rate experience
by Bob House
Climbing out of Durango
B
loomington Gold Tours make a lot of sense, if you
think about it. After all, everybody has to drive
to St. Charles for the June show, so why not keep
going?
Last summer I tested my particular Corvette's dura-
bility (and my wife's faith) when we took our 306,000mile
1984 model on a 5,300-mile road trip from our home
in Midland, Michigan, down to Flagstaff, Arizona, for
the Bloomington Gold Summer Tour.
Our 1984 was the oldest Corvette on the tour and
also had the most miles (no surprises there). When we
left home we had 306,824.2 miles on the odometer—so
much for first-year quality control problems.
There were three Corvettes from Arizona, two from
Pennsylvania, and one each from California, Florida,
Texas, and Illinois. There were two 2008s, two 2007s
(one Indy 500 Pace Car model), and one each from 2005, 2002, 2001, 2000, and 1993.
The 2002 was modified and equipped with a supercharger. This was the California
car, of course.
The tour owners are Dwayne and Cindy Bublitz of Flagstaff, and they were well
organized. The schedule for each day listed meal times (most were provided), departure
times, exact turn-by-turn directions, time for pit stops, and arrival times at
destinations. And we were expected where we ended up each day, with traffic cones
blocking parking spaces for our cars at each place.
The second-largest man-made lake in the country
Our first day took us a relaxed 139 miles from Flagstaff to the scenic Lake Powell
National Recreation Area near Page, AZ. Lake Powell is the second largest man-made
lake in the U.S. and known for its sandstone cliffs and blue water. In all, it's 186 miles
long, with 96 canyons and almost 2,000 miles of coastline.
The second day, we traveled 222 miles from Lake Powell to Cortez, CO, which
is considered the gateway to the amazing Mesa Verde National Park. On the way to
18 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Page 17
Cortez, we stopped at Four Corners, the only place in the U.S. where four states meet.
I resisted the urge to park my Corvette with a wheel in each state. We also stopped at
Kayenta, AZ, notable for the highest gas price on the trip: $4.30 a gallon. I wonder if
I'll think back fondly on that price one day.
Next day we headed to Durango, CO, after a stop at Mesa Verde, which is truly
a place to visit. This is where the Native American cliff-dwellers took up residence
about a thousand years ago, in intricate homes hollowed out of the overhanging sandstone
cliffs.
In Durango, we stayed at the elegant and rustic 1898 General Palmer Hotel, named
for the founder of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. The local Durango and Silverton
Narrow Gauge was part of the D&RG and was built through the San Juan Mountains
in 1881–82 when the area was being opened up for mining.
Riding on the Durango & Silverton Railroad
Next day we had took a ride on the Durango & Silverton Railroad behind a narrow-
gauge 1920s Baldwin steam engine from Durango to Silverton. We had great seats on
the right-hand side for the best views. After two nights in Durango, we drove 120 miles
to Telluride via Silverton and Ouray.
US-550 from Silverton to Ouray is known as the “Million-Dollar Highway,” so
named because it cost that much per
mile to build in the 1950s. I first heard
of it in 1960 after a friend drove it in
his '57 Corvette. It has been on my
to-do list ever since. Think roller
coaster ups and downs and multiple
hairpin turns—a Corvette driver's
dream. Fortunately, I remembered
Details
Dwayne & Cindy Bublitz
Bloomington Gold Tours
928.527.VETT (8388)
www.BloomingtonGoldTours.com
that “D” is overdrive in my old automatic transmission
and a downshift to “3” meant I could use engine braking
and spare my brake pads. We spent our final night in the
Hotel Telluride, another multi-star lodging.
Total miles driven: 5,322.4. Total gallons of gaso-
line purchased: 235.64. Actual average miles per gallon:
22.6 (the mileage gauge in the instrument panel is
not and never has been accurate). I added a half-quart
of oil every 750 miles (not unreasonable for an engine
so long in the tooth). My coolant temperature stayed at
200 to 210 degrees, and the oil temperature at 250 to
260, except on the “Million-Dollar Highway,” where I
observed 267.
I must admit those C5s and C6s looked mighty fine.
Is it time to put my 1984 to sleep? Not yet; I'm thinking
it still has a big finish left in it. My expectations for
the Bloomington Gold Tour were high, but they were
exceeded. Being behind the wheel for over 5,000 miles
and surrounded by other Corvette owners was a firstrate
experience.
Three tours are planned for 2009—two in June
and one in August. The first begins in St. Charles at
the Bloomington Gold Corvette Show and runs June
27–July 3, with stops at Road America Racetrack and
Door County, Wisconsin, and ends at Mackinac Island,
Michigan. The other two are in Arizona on June 4–6
and August 2–8 and focus on the Grand Canyon. ■
Next stop, Lake Powell
www.vettemarket.com FALL 2008 Corvette Market 19
Page 18
Collecting
Thoughts
by John Gunnell
D
espite what you might suppose, Chevrolet “Z codes” were not
named after the Corvette's first chief engineer, Zora ArkusDuntov.
Chevrolet expert Doug Marion asked Arkus-Duntov in
1983 if the Z meant anything. “He first smiled,” says Marion,
“then he said, ‘Everyone tinks the Z stands for Zora. Dat ees nice. But
eet actually meenz nutting.'”
Z packages weren't confined to Corvettes. Marion points out that the
Z code was first used in 1963 for the Z11—a 427-powered Impala factory
drag car. According to Marion, only 50 Z11s were built, although
most sources say it was 57. (Marion has factory records to prove his
number). “There are probably 50-plus Z code options, and they cover
just about every Chevy model built since 1963, including vans,” says
Marion.
“Some Z code options are the same for every Chevrolet model, but
other Z code options are totally different and go model to model,” he
points out. “There is a Z10 1969 Camaro Pace Car hard top, built as a
special run for Texas or someplace. But there's a Z10 cargo van, too.”
Buick also had Z code options, but they were two-character des-
ignations for individual extra-cost equipment for station wagons. Z2
designated a divided rear seat, Z4 indicated a power tailgate window,
and Z5 was a “tailgate follower board,” whatever that is. As most enthusiasts
know, Oldsmobile high-performance packages were coded
with a W. Pontiac used only three numbers to designate most of its
options and three letters for most tire options.
Marion says he believes the letter Z was chosen because it was sim-
ply the next in line. With Chevy's larger range of models, it would be
normal for Chevrolet Division to have a few more option groups than
Oldsmobiles. Thus, the Chevy codes might run to Z, instead of W.
The following list shows 67 options offered between 1963 and 2005
that carried option codes (or model-option codes) that started with Z.
The reason for the distinction between an option code and a model-option
is that the ultra-high-performance late-model Z06 hard top was
merchandised much differently than the 1963 Z06 option, which was
the first Z code Corvette package.
Note: In 1963, the Z06 package was an option added to a car.
Starting in 2001, the Z06 was a separate model that came only with
the Z06 content.
1963
RPO Z06: Special
Performance Equipment package
for Split-Window coupe
($1,818.45). Includes special
metallic power brakes, heavyduty
stabilizers, shock absorbers,
and springs, 36½-gallon fuel
tank, knockoff-type aluminum
wheels, Positraction rear axle,
4-speed transmission, and 360hp
fuel-injection engine. (Later,
the 36½-gallon fuel tank and
knockoff aluminum wheels were
rescinded, the price was cut to
$1,293.95, and the package could
be ordered for convertibles.
Installs: 199
1965
RPO Z01: Comfort and
Convenience Group.
Includes back-up lamps and
inside day/night mirror ($16.15).
Installs: 15,397
1969
RPO ZL1: Overhead-valve V8
of 427 ci, with bore and stroke of
4.251 x 3.76 inches, compression
20 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
A badge to reckon with
ratio of 12.50:1, 430 hp (actually
over 500) at 5,200 rpm and 450
ft-lb at 4,400 rpm. Aluminum
block. Five main bearings.
Mechanical valve lifters. Special
camshaft. Single Holley 850CFM
four-barrel carb on aluminum
manifold. ($4,718.25, and not
available with radio and air conditioning).
Requires options K66
transistor ignition system, F41
special front and rear suspension,
J56 special heavy-duty brakes and
G81 Positraction rear axle at extra
cost. Installs: 2
1970
RPO ZQ3: Base overhead-
valve V8 of 350 ci, with bore
and stroke of 4.00 x 3.48 inches,
compression ratio of 10.25:1,
and 300 hp at 4,800 rpm. Five
main bearings. Hydraulic valve
lifters. Rochester type QuadraJet
four-barrel carb, model
4MV. (Included in base prices).
Installs: 6,646
RPO ZR1: Beginning in
April 1970, the LT1 engine was
a ZR1 option, part of Chevrolet's
“Special Items” group. The ZR1
Z Codes
From Z to Shining Z
Zora Arkus-Duntov said, “Everyone tinks the Z stands for Zora. Dat ees nice.
But eet actually meenz nutting”
Page 19
package included the LT-1 engine,
M22 heavy-duty 4-speed manual
transmission, J50/J56 dual-pin
brakes with heavy-duty front
pads and power assist, and F41
suspension consisting of special
89 lb/in ride rate front springs and
121 lb/in ride rate rear springs,
matching shock absorbers, and
a 0.75-inch front stabilizer bar.
($968.95) Installs: 25
1971
RPO ZR1: The ZR1 package
included the LT-1 engine, M22
4-speed manual, J50/J56 brakes
and F41 suspension. ($1,010).
Installs: 8
RPO ZR2: The ZR2 Special
Purpose LS6 engine package was
a racing option like the ZR1, plus
the RPO LS6 454-ci, 425-hp V8
($1,747, and not available with automatic
transmission). Installs: 12
1972
RPO ZR1: The ZR1 package
included the LT-1 engine, M22
4-speed, J50/J56 brakes, transistor
ignition, aluminum radiator,
F41 suspension, and on some cars
a rear stabilizer bar. ($1,010.05).
Installs: 20
1973
RPO Z07: Off-road suspen-
sion/brake package with L82 or
LS4 V8. Special front and rear
suspension, heavy-duty brakes.
Requires J50 power brake assist,
M21 4-speed manual transmission
at extra cost. ($369, and not
available with air conditioning).
Installs: 45
1974
RPO Z07: Off-road suspen-
sion and brake package with L82
or LS4 V8. Special front and rear
suspension, heavy-duty brakes.
Requires M21 4-speed manual
transmission at extra cost. ($400).
Installs: 47
1975
RPO Z07: Off-road suspension
and brake package with L82
V8. FE7 special front and rear
suspension, heavy-duty brakes.
Requires M21 4-speed manual
transmission. ($400). Installs:
144
1977
RPO ZN1: Trailer package
($83). Installs: 289
RPO ZX2: Convenience group
($22). Installs: 40,872
1971 ZR2 engine
1978
RPO ZN1: Trailer package
($89). Installs: 972
RPO ZX2: Convenience group
($84). Installs: 37,222
1979
RPO ZN1: Trailer package
($98). Installs: 1,001
RPO ZQ2: Power windows
and power locks ($272). Installs:
28,465
RPO ZX2: Convenience group
($84). Installs: 37,222
1980
RPO ZN1: Trailer package
($105). Installs: 796
1981
RPO ZN1: Trailer package
($110). Installs: 916
1984
RPO Z51: Performance
handling package ($600.20).
Installs: 25,995
RPO Z6A: Rear window and
side mirror defoggers ($160).
Installs: 47,680
1985
RPO Z51: Performance han-
dling package ($470). Installs:
14,802
RPO Z6A: Rear window and
side mirror defoggers ($160).
Installs: 37,720
1986
RPO Z51: Performance han-
dling package for coupe ($470).
Installs: 12,821
RPO Z6A: Rear window and
side mirror defoggers for coupe
($165). Installs: 21,837
1987
RPO Z51: Performance han-
dling package for coupe ($795).
Installs: 1,596
RPO Z52: Sport handling
package ($470). Installs: 12,662
RPO Z6A: Rear window and
side mirror defoggers for coupe
($165). Installs: 19,043
1988
RPO Z01: 35th Anniversary
Special Edition package for
coupe, includes AQ9 leather
sports seats, AC3 power driver's
seat, 24S removable blue-tinted
roof panels, C68 electronicallycontrolled
air conditioning, D74
illuminated driver side vanity
mirror, Z52 and Z6A ($4.795).
Installs: 2,050
RPO Z51: Performance han-
dling package for coupe ($1,295).
Installs: 1,309
RPO Z52: Sport handling
package ($970). Installs: 16,017
RPO Z6A: Rear window and
side mirror defoggers for coupe
($165). Installs: 14,648
1989
RPO Z51: Performance han-
dling package for coupe ($575).
Installs: 2,224
Note: The ZR-1 model was due
out this year, but delayed.
1990
RPO Z51: Performance han-
dling package for coupe ($460).
Installs: 5,446
RPO ZR1: Special
Performance package for coupe.
Under the ZR-1's hood was a
Lotus-designed 32-valve, dual-
overhead-cam, 350-ci (5.7-liter)
V8, built by Mercury Marine
in Oklahoma. Although the
displacement was identical to
the standard Corvette V8, this
was an all-new powerplant with
different bore and stroke dimensions.
Wider at the rear than a
standard model to contain huge
315/35ZR17 rear tires, the ZR-1
was easy to spot because of its
convex rear end and rectangular
taillights. Standard ZR-1 equipment
included an FX3 Selective
Ride adjustable suspension
($27,016). Installs: 3,049
In 1990, Corvette chief
engineer Dave McLellan won the
Society of Automotive Engineers
Edward N. Cole Award for innovation
for his work on the ZR-1.
1991
RPO Z07: Adjustable suspen-
sion package for coupe ($2,155).
Installs: 733
RPO ZR1: Coupes with
the ZR1 Special Performance
Package again had different doors
and a wider rear to accommodate
11-inch-wide rear wheels. Also,
the high-mounted stop lamp went
on the roof of the ZR-1, instead of
on the rear fascia. All Corvettes,
including the ZR-1, were again
equipped with ABS II-S antilock
braking and driver's side airbag,
as well as an anti-theft system.
The ZR-1 was again powered by
the 32-valve DOHC 5.7-liter V8,
matched with a 6-speed transaxle
($31,683). Installs: 2,044
1992
RPO Z07: Adjustable suspen-
sion package for coupe ($2,045).
Installs: 738
RPO ZR1: Special
Performance Package for coupe.
The ZR-1 was basically a carryover
from the year previous, with
new model badges above the rear
fender vents ($31,683). Installs:
502
1993
RPO Z07: Adjustable suspen-
sion package for coupe ($2,045).
Installs: 824
RPO Z25: Corvette marked
its 40th Anniversary with an exclusive
“Ruby Red” exterior and
interior with color-keyed wheel
centers, headrest embroidery,
and bright emblems on the hood,
deck, and side-gills. Optional
www.vettemarket.com FALL 2008 Corvette Market 21
Barrett-Jackson
Page 20
Collecting
Thoughts
Z Codes
RPO Z51: Performance
Handling Package ($350).
Installs: 7,817
2002
RPO 1YY37 + Z06: For 2002,
2002 Z06
equipment on all models ($1,455).
Installs: 6,749
RPO ZR1: Special
Performance Package for coupe.
The ZR-1's 5.7-liter LT5 V8 was
upgraded with improved air flow
and valvetrain refinements to
boost its rating from 375 hp to
405 hp. The 1993 Corvette also
introduced GM's first Passive
Keyless Entry system, whereby
simply leaving or approaching
the Corvette automatically locked
or unlocked the doors. The 1993
Corvette was also the first U.S.
car to use recycled body panels.
Still with 6-speed transaxle
($31,683). Installs: 448
1994
RPO Z07: Adjustable suspen-
sion package for coupe ($2,045).
Installs: 887
RPO ZR1: Special
Performance Package for coupe.
All Corvettes now had dual
airbags, new carpeting, door trim
panels, seats, steering wheel, a
redesigned instrument panel,
and a restyled console. Also new
was an optional rear-axle ratio,
revised spring rates, a convertible
backlight with heated glass, and
new exterior colors. The ZR-1
received new non-directional
wheels for 1994 and again used
the LT5 5.7-liter V8 with a
6-speed manual transmission
($31,258). Installs: 448
1995
RPO Z07: Adjustable suspen-
sion package for coupe ($2,045).
Installs: 753
RPO Z4Z: Indy 500 Pace
Car replica for convertibles only.
For the third time (also 1978 and
1986), Corvette was the pace
car for the Indianapolis 500.
The 1995 Dark Purple Metallic
over Arctic White Corvette was
driven by 1960 Indy 500 winner
Jim Rathmann ($2,816 over the
price of a standard LT-1-powered
Corvette convertible). Installs:
527
RPO ZR1: Special
Performance Package for coupe.
The big news of 1995 was the
final appearance of the ZR-1
($31,258). Installs: 448
1996
RPO Z15: The Collector
Edition Package marked the final
year of the C4 Corvette. The
1996 Collector Edition featured
Sebring Silver paint, Collector
Edition emblems, five-spoke
aluminum wheels, and a 5.7-liter
LT1 V8 fitted with a 4-speed
automatic transmission. The LT4
V8 and 6-speed manual transmission
were both optional ($1,250).
Installs: 5,412
RPO Z16: Grand Sport
Package. Admiral Blue Metallic
Paint, white stripe, red “hash”
marks on the left front fender
and black five-spoke aluminum
wheels. Powered by a 330-hp
5.7-liter LT4 V8 featuring a
specially-prepared crankshaft,
steel camshaft, and water pump
gears driven by a roller chain.
Available only with 6-speed
manual transmission ($2,880 for
convertible or $3,250 for coupe).
Installs: 1,000
RPO Z51: Performance
Handling Package available on
coupe and tuned for autocross
competition ($350). Installs:
1,869
1997
RPO Z51: Performance
Handling Package for autocross
22 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
competition ($350). Installs:
1,077
1998
RPO Z4Z: Indy Pace Car
replica with purple exterior, black
and yellow leather interior, and
special trim ($5,039 with automatic
transmission or $5,804 with
manual transmission). Installs:
1,163
RPO Z51: Performance
Handling Package with Bilstein
adjustable Ride-Control system.
($350) Installs: 4,249
1999
RPO Z51: Performance
Handling Package with Bilstein
adjustable Ride-Control system
for coupe and convertible, standard
with new hard top ($350).
Installs: 10,244
2000
RPO Z51: Performance
Handling Package for coupe and
convertible, standard with hard
top ($350). Installs: 7,775
2001
RPO 1YY37 + Z06: The
all-new Z06 “model option”
was merchandised as a separate
model. The hard top included
a 5.7-liter 385-hp Chevrolet
LS6 V8 and a 6-speed manual
transmission with overdrive.
The Goodyear tires on the Z06
were an inch wider than standard
but 23 lb lighter. The Z06 also
featured a windshield and backlight
made of thinner glass and a
titanium exhaust system to reduce
its weight by nearly 40 lb. The
Z06 was equipped like the coupe,
but with AM/FM cassette and
radio optional and no automatic
transmission option ($47,500
complete). Production: 5,773
a 20-hp boost made the Z06 the
quickest production Corvette
ever. This was the result of new
hollow-stem valves, a higher-lift
camshaft, a low-restriction mass
air flow (MAF) sensor and a lowrestriction
air cleaner. The Z06specific
FE4 high-performance
suspension system featured a
larger front stabilizer bar, revised
shock valving, a stiffer rear
leaf spring, and different camber
settings. The unique aluminum
Z06 wheels were now cast rather
than forged. The magnesium
wheel option was discontinued.
Hydroformed frame rails and
a four-wheel independent front
suspension with cast-aluminum
upper and lower A-arms were
other Z06 features.
The Z06 (and C5 Corvettes
equipped with the Z51 package)
now had aluminum front sway
bar links and reduced weight.
Now standard on Z06s, the
Head-Up Display (HUD) system
projected the speedometer and
many other gauges digitally on
the windshield, ahead of the
steering wheel. New front pads
reduced brake fade. Electron
Blue replaced Speedway White
as one of five Z06 color choices.
As in 2001, an AM/FM cassette/radio
was optional in the
Z06; no automatic transmission
was offered ($50,150 complete).
Production: 8,297
RPO Z51: Performance
Handling Package ($350).
Installs: 6,106
2003
RPO 1YY37 + Z06: The Z06
Corvette continued unchanged
and paced the Indy 500 again,
though no Pace Car package was
produced ($51,155 complete).
Production: 8,635
RPO Z51: Performance
Handling Package ($395).
Installs: 2,592
2004
RPO 1YY37 + Z06: 2004
model Z06 Corvettes featured
revised chassis tuning. GM engineers
refined the Z06's shock
damping to improve handling
Page 21
and diminish the impact of yaw
and roll. The Z06 was one of
a handful of cars to break the
eight-minute barrier for lap
times over the 14-mile, 170-turn
Nürburgring. Once again a
Corvette paced the Indy 500
($52,385 complete). Production:
5,683
RPO 1YY37 YY + Z06 +
1SB: The 2004 Commemorative
Edition Z06 had Le Mans Blue
finish and included a C5R-style
Le Mans stripe scheme, special
badges, polished Z06 wheels,
and a lightweight carbon fiber
hood. For 2004, the regular Z06
was given two performanceenhancing
upgrades.
A lightweight, race-inspired
carbon fiber hood was used on
Z06s with the Commemorative
Edition option, which weighed
20.5 pounds, 10.6 pounds
less than the standard hood.
Specifically developed for the
Corvette, the Commemorative
Edition Z06 hood achieved a
higher level of exterior finish
quality than previous automotive
applications of carbon fiber
($4,335 over regular Z06).
Production: 2,025
RPO Z51: Performance
Handling Package ($395).
Installs: 3,672
2005
The sixth-generation Corvette
debuted in 2005, bringing back
exposed headlights and a power
top for the first time since 1962,
plus a host of improvements. The
car was five inches shorter and
an inch narrower. The engine
was punched out to 6 liters, redline
went up 500 rpm to 6,500,
horsepower went up to 400, and
a 6-speed manual transmission
was included in the car's base
price. Options included OnStar,
XM satellite radio, DVD-based
navigation, heated seats, and side
airbags. All Corvettes had keyless
access and start. Once again,
a Corvette paced the Indy 500,
but there was no Z06.
RPO Z51: Performance
Handling Package was significantly
more expensive, reflecting
more content—higher spring
rates, cross-drilled brake rotors,
engine, transmission, and
power steering coolers ($1,495).
Installs: 15,345
2006
RPO 1YY87 + Z06: The
Z06 returned, based on the
coupe body, with aluminum
frame, magnesium-supported
roof panel, and powered by a
small-block 505-hp 7-liter LS7
V8 and 6-speed transmission.
It also had an 8-quart dry-sump
oiling system, titanium rods,
7,000 rpm redline and 3.7 second
0–60 mph time on run-flat tires.
The front facia was wider, with
a cold-air intake, and there was
much use of carbon fiber in the
body. A Z06 paced the Indy 500
($65,800). Production: 6,272
RPO Z51: Performance
Handling Package included
specific springs, shocks and
sway bars, cross-drilled rotors,
Goodyear Eagle F1 tires. Engine,
transmission, power steering
coolers. Available with 6-speed
or automatic ($1,695). Installs:
10,338
2007
RPO 1YY87 +Z06: The Z06
continued relatively unchanged,
though the price rose to
$70,000. Production: 8,159
RPO 1YY87 Z33: One of
two special editions, the Z33
package honored Ron Fellows,
the American Le Mans Series
racer. It was white with red front
fender stripes and each one was
signed ($7,500 over regular
Z06). Production: 399
RPO 1YY87 Z4Z: The Indy
Pace Car convertible was produced
in Atomic Orange with
a custom interior. It previewed
some 2008 details, including
wheels ($500 over regular Z06).
Production: 500.
RPO Z51: Performance
Handling Package included
specific springs, shocks, and
sway bars, cross-drilled rotors,
Goodyear Eagle F1 tires.
Engine, transmission, power
steering coolers. Available with
6-speed or automatic ($1,696).
Installs: 10,338
2008
RPO Z51: Performance
Handling Package includes
specific spring, shocks and
sway bars, cross-drilled rotors,
Goodyear Eagle F1 tires.
Engine, transmission, power
steering coolers. Available with
6-speed or automatic ($1,695).
Installs: Still in production
2009
RPO ZR1: Evoking the origi-
nal high-performance packages
of the '70s and the '90s, the
all-new C6 ZR1 includes a 638hp
supercharged LS9 6.2-liter
V8 and 6-speed manual with
high-capacity dual-disc clutch.
Specific suspension tuning with
Magnetic Ride Control provides
over 1g of lateral grip, while
standard carbon-ceramic drilled
brake rotors (15.5 inches in the
front, 15 inches in the rear) and
larger brake calipers help stop
the car from its 200-plus-mph
top speed.
Body features extensive use
of carbon fiber, including fenders,
roof panel, rocker moldings,
front fascia splitter, and hood,
with clear polycarbonate window
over engine. Curb weight
is approximately 3,350 lb. Only
two options are available—
chrome wheels, and “luxury”
package. Without a doubt the
fastest, most powerful Corvette
ever produced, with a reported
Nürburgring lap time of just
7:26.4 ($103,300). Installs: Still
in production ■
2008 Z06
www.vettemarket.com FALL 2008 Corvette Market 23
Page 22
C1 profile
1962 Gulf Oil 327/360 FI Race Car
Two cars were ordered with the best factory racing options available and
prepared by Don Yenko
by Thomas Glatch
Chassis number: 20867S103390
G
rady Davis's Gulf Oil Racing Team purchased this Corvette in 1962 from
Yenko Chevrolet, and the car was campaigned by the “Flying Dentist,” Dr. Dick
Thompson, in the 1962 SCCA A-Production Class.
The Corvette was sold at the end of the 1962 season to Tony Denman, who
successfully raced the car through 1963, finishing second in class at Daytona while
battling newer Corvettes, Ferrari GTOs, and Porsches. At the end of the 1963 season,
Denman removed most of the high-performance racing parts in order to sell the car as
a typical street Corvette.
Almost 20 years later, the Corvette was discovered by the Rev. Mike Ernst, who
found the Corvette, now painted red, being driven by a college student who was using
it as a daily driver. In researching the Corvette, Ernst found the car came with the
rare and highly sought-after RPO 687 package, which includes the heavy duty brakes,
suspension, and steering.
Ernst began restoration of the car in the early 1980s. The disassembly and paint-
stripping process revealed the car to be none other than Dick Thompson's 1962 Gulf
Oil Corvette. Ernst was able to track down Tony Denman, who had stored most of the
high-performance racing parts in his parents' garage before selling them in 1982. With
Denman's assistance, Ernst tracked down the buyer of the parts and bought them back,
reuniting them with the Corvette in May 1985. Among the list of parts were Stewart
Warner gauges, a roll bar, some of the Yenko extra-heavy-duty suspension pieces,
aluminum bell housing, separate scatter shield, engine block, cylinder heads, exhaust
manifolds, Positraction units, ring and pinions, and various hardware. After these racing
parts were reassembled, the Corvette was painted its original Ermine White and
blue livery and became the first recipient of the NCRS American Heritage Award.
The 1962 Gulf Oil Corvette returned to the track and raced at Laguna Seca and
Palm Springs. It was shown at the Corvettes at Carlisle Race Car Reunion and in 2002
underwent a complete restoration by Doug Prince and Jerry Roman.
In 2005, the car was inducted into the Bloomington Gold Hall of Fame, was displayed
at the Petersen Automotive Museum, and was shown at Corvette's 50th Anniversary
Celebration. Last year, the Gulf Oil Corvette underwent another restoration by Kevin
24 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Details
Year Produced 1962
Number Produced Base Corvette: 14,531
RPO 582, 360-hp, fuel-injected: 1,918
RPO 687, Heavy Duty Brakes/
Suspension: 246
Note: as few as nine 37-gallon fuel
tanks were made by Chevrolet
between 1958–62 and were not an
official Regular Production Order
part
Original List Price $4,958.55
CM Valuation
Tune-up $150
Distributor Cap $19.99
Chassis # VIN plate on steering column
Engine # Pad on front of block below right
cylinder head
Club
National Corvette Restorers Society
6291 Day Road
Cincinnati, OH 45252-1334
More www.ncrs.org
Alternatives
1962 Jaguar XKE Factory Lightweight
1965 Shelby Cobra 289 FIA
1966 Porsche 906
CM Investment
Grade A
$76,000–$134,000 (fuel-injected,
non-competition);
$1,485,000 (this car, on this day)
Photos by Hugh Hamilton © 2008, Courtesy of Gooding & Company
Page 23
Mackay of Corvette Repair in New
York. The car is comprehensivley documented
in a collection of publications
that featured articles about its racing
career, plus an extensive collection of
photos from its racing days. In addition to
its NCRS and Bloomington Gold certificates,
a bill of sale from Yenko Chevrolet
to Grady Davis is also included.
CM Analysis This car sold for
$1,485,000 at Gooding
& Company's auction in Pebble Beach,
California, on August 17, 2008.
Was it divine intervention that
brought Mike Ernst to that Ohio used
car lot
in 1980, or was it
just dumb
luck?We'll never know, but considering
that Ernst is both a Lutheran minister
and one of the world's foremost 1962
Corvette experts, it could be the former.
If Rev. Ernst hadn't heard of the rare
“Big Brake” Corvette from a friend,
one of the most storied racing Corvettes
might have been forever lost. Ernst
paid just $3,500 for the car, only to
discover later that this was no ordinary
“Big Brake” Corvette. That he found
all of the original racing equipment,
including the original engine and a
set of Goodyear racing tires that were
mounted for the 1962 Sebring race but never used, is all the more miraculous. After
displaying the race car at three Bloomington Gold Special Collections and earning
numerous other accolades, health issues forced Ernst to sell the Corvette in January
2002 to Vic Preisler.
The historic value of this Corvette cannot be overstated. Grady Davis was
executive vice-president of Gulf Oil in Pittsburgh and would later be associated with
John Wyer's successful Ford GT40 program in the late 1960s, including three victories
at Le Mans. But for 1962, “Hi Grade Grady” bought two Corvettes from Don Yenko's
dealership, 200 miles down the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Mechanicsburg.
The cars were prepared by the Yenko shop
They were ordered with the best factory racing options available (and one unavail-
able—the ultra-rare 37-gallon fuel tanks went to only a chosen few), and were prepared
by the Yenko shop. The Corvettes were also equipped with Motorola two-way
1962 Gulf Oil #2 Corvette History
2/11/62 Daytona Continental
3 Hours
3/11/62 Sebring 12 Hours
4/29/62 Virginia International
5/13/62 Cumberland, MD
6/3/62 Bridgehampton, NY
6/17/62 Elkhart Lake, WI
7/8/62 Lake Garnett, KS
8/5/62 Wisconsin Grand Prix
8/26/62 Connellsville, PA
9/22/62 Watkins Glen, NY
1st in class,
7th overall
2nd in class,
18th overall
1st
1st
1st
1st
1st
1st in class
1st (twice)
1st
Daytona
radios, possibly the first use of radio
communication in a race car.
The first race for car #2 was the
Continental
in
February
1962, which resulted in a class victory
and 7th overall. The 12 Hours of
Sebring in March saw M.J.R. Wylie
and Duncan Black finish 2nd in the
Production Class and 18th overall,
the highest placed Corvette.A month
later, with the hard top, windshield,
and night lighting removed, the “Flying
Dentist” began tearing through SCCA
A-Production competition,
scoring
eight victories on his way to another
SCCA National Championship (he was
champion in C-Production in 1956 and
B-Production in 1957 and 1961).
My first encounter with this car
came in 1994, in Mike Ernst's barn full
of '62 Corvettes, and it's as genuine as
any vintage racing Corvette.
What happened to the sister 1962
Gulf Oil Corvette? Driven by Don Yenko
and Ed Lowther, it finished 3rd in the
12 Hours of Sebring behind the #2 car.
Then it seems to have disappeared. One
of the two 1961 Grady Davis Corvettes
still exist, as do both '63 racers. Possibly,
the second '62 was sold as a street car,
then lost to history—as the #2 Corvette
easily could have been had Mike Ernst
not discovered it in 1980.
Corvette race cars have commanded top dollar in
recent years. Even a 1959 Corvette with only regional
racing history (CM Summer 2008, p. 20) brought
higher-than-expected results when it sold at $275k. But
bidders for the Grady Davis '62 clearly understood
the historic provenance and exceptional originality of
this car. Gooding & Company anticipated a sale in the
$950,000 to $1,250,000 range, which would have made
it the highest priced racing Corvette sold at auction. Yet
at $1,485,000, it smashed all records. For its history, the
Gulf Oil '62 Corvette is worth every penny. ■
(Introductory description courtesy of Gooding &
Company.)
www.vettemarket.com FALL 2008 Corvette Market 25
Page 24
C2 profile
1965 396/425 Convertible
Corvette owners are quick to claim “numbers matching” but that was not
heard here. And wouldn't a Bloomington Gold certificate add to the value?
by Carl Bomstead
Chassis number: 194675S118965
W
hen the new-for-1963 Sting Ray was introduced, it is unlikely that its creators
understood the impact it would make on the automotive world. Long considered
a modern classic, the Sting Ray was an unqualified success, outselling
the 1962 models by 48%. Meanwhile, a second shift was added at the St.
Louis assembly plant to meet the growing demand.
While the Sting Ray was continuously improved, the big news for 1965 was the
mid-year release of the Mk IV 396 V8 engine, derived from the 427-ci “mystery
motor” that was banned from NASCAR. Producing 425 brake horsepower, the 396 option
included a mandatory transistorized ignition and 4-speed transmission, while air
conditioning was not available. Finally, all Corvettes received four-wheel disc brakes
with four-piston calipers and ventilated rotors.
This remarkable, unrestored example is one of a mere 2,157 1965 Corvettes
equipped with the legendary 396-ci V8. The odometer shows just over 41,000 original
miles, and the car is offered complete with both a white hard top and a black soft top.
The Corvette also features a set of knockoff finned aluminum wheels, an optional
AM/FM radio, power-operated antenna, and a desirable teak-rimmed, three-spoke
steering wheel.
While not detailed and showing some evidence of road use, the engine, underhood area,
and undercarriage are well-maintained, period-correct, and tidy in their presentation.
CM Analysis This L78 Corvette sold for $101,750 at RM's Sports & Classics auction
in Monterey, California, on August 15, 2008.
The Corvette Sting Ray was Bill Mitchell's love child. Its genesis was his privately
funded Stingray Special, which was a bootleg backdoor project thanks to the AMA
26 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Details
Years Produced 1965
Number Produced 23,562 (8,186 coupes, 15,376
roadsters)
Original List Price $4,321
CM Valuation $70,000–$125,000
Tune-up $150
Distributor Cap $25
Chassis # Plate under glovebox
Engine # Pad forward of cylinder head on
passenger side
Club
National Corvette Restorers Society,
6291 Day Road
Cincinnati, OH 45252-1334
More www.ncrs.org
Alternatives
1962–67 Jaguar XKE SI convertible
1965–67 Austin-Healey 3000 BJ8
1964–67 Pontiac GTO convertible
CM Investment
Grade B
Photos: RM Auctions
Page 25
performance ban. It was developed without formal
approval from General Motors but with Zora ArkusDuntov's
involvement in developing the chassis and
drivetrain. The result, the Stingray Special, was driven
by Dr. Dick Thompson—the “Flying Dentist”—in
SCCA C-Modified competition, and the car won the
1959 and 1960 championships. The race car could not
be identified as a Corvette due to a rule buried in the
fine print, but many predicted it was the next generation
Corvette.
When the Sting Ray was introduced in 1963, it was,
in nearly every respect, a new Corvette. The styling,
particularly the humped fenders, was heavily influenced
by Mitchell's Stingray, and the futuristic fastback was
the first production Corvette coupe. The quad headlights
were retained but were now concealed in pivoting
sections that fit flush with the body. The Sting Ray was a
smash, and 21,513 of them left dealer showrooms, almost
7,000 more than the record-setting 1962 model year.
Based on the Daytona “mystery” engine
The 1965 Corvette retained the same basic styling
and was easily recognized by the crisp, sharp-edged
shape of the 1963, but it had three fully functional vertical
fender louvers and a narrow horizontal grille that
was blacked out. In mid-March 1965, the big-block Mk
IV 396 was introduced as a $292.70 option. It was based
on the “mystery” 427 racing engine that showed up for
the 1963 Daytona 500. The 396 “Turbo-Jet” was easily
recognized by the special hood required for the bigblock.
It offered 0–60 mph in 5.7 seconds, 0–100 mph in
13.4 seconds, and could turn the quarter mile with a top
speed of 104 mph.
Gather a group of Corvette guys and gals at a local
watering hole, pose the question as to which is the “best”
Corvette, and the resulting discussion will last well past
closing time. But the 1965 Sting Ray with the Mk IV 396ci,
425-hp engine will be on most everyone's list because
of its crisp styling, four-wheel independent suspension,
disc brakes, ground-pounding performance, and the
relative rarity of its 1965-only availability, a prelude to
the mighty 427 that followed.
With that said, why did the example offered here
not attract more attention and sell in the anticipated
$125,000–$135,000 range? The car was stated to be highly original, and upon inspection
there was evidence to support that claim.
With a touch over 41,000 miles on the odo, the condition of the interior was com-
mensurate with the mileage. That was not the case under the hood, as a clean rag
had not made an appearance in some time. The spark plug wires were unusual and
the plugs lacked the cadmium heat barrels. Also, the distinct paint demarcation
between the orange cylinder heads and the totally unpainted exhaust were atypical of
an unrestored car.
Sidepipes and knockoffs would have been rare indeed
A car that came with factory sidepipes and knockoff wheels would have been rare
indeed in 1965, so odds lean heavily in favor of reproduction parts in both cases.
The bigger question was documentation of the Mk IV engine. Corvette owners are
quick to claim “numbers matching,” but that was not heard here. Also, if you have a
rare, highly sought-after Corvette you are claiming is original and unrestored, would
not a Bloomington Gold certificate add to the value?
Given the end result of the bidding, what seems to have made the most impression
on the potential buyers is what was NOT stated.
If the numbers do line up, somebody made a hell of a buy. ■
(Introductory description courtesy of RM Auctions.)
www.vettemarket.com FALL 2008 Corvette Market 27
Page 26
C3 profile
James Garner's 1968 L88 AIR Race Car
“We had to be going 130 to 140 nose-to-tail and we passed a cop. He didn't
want anything to do with us”
by John L. Stein
Chassis number: 194678S405175
T
hree factory-built Corvette L88s left the St. Louis plant for delivery to James
Garner's Los Angeles-based American International Racing (AIR) team in
November 1967. These Le Mans Blue convertibles were the first production
models featuring the new L88 engine with first-generation closed-chamber alu-
minum heads. The cars were actually picked up at Gene Jantzen Chevrolet in St. Louis
and then driven to California by Dick Guldstrand, Bob McDonald, and Perry Moore.
As soon as the cars arrived, the engines were taken to Travers & Coons (TRACO) to
be prepared for racing.
At the 24 Hours of Daytona, the two cars out-qualified all other FIA competition in
their class. Unfortunately, endurance races are the true test of all things mechanical,
and the #44 car driven by Dick Guldstrand and Ed Leslie suffered numerous problems
with the rear differential and finished 29th, well downfield. The cars were put up for
sale, and the AIR team ran the Sebring 12 Hours with two Lola T70 Mk II coupes
instead.
In June 1968, a mobile home manufacturer, John Crean, bought all three Corvettes.
He subsequently offered the cars for resale via advertisements in Competition Press.
Eventually, in 1973, the #44 car was purchased by Jim Herlinger, who entered the
SCCA's National series in the A-Production Class.
Many years later, when Jim Herlinger decided he might like to get back into racing,
he was skeptical about the possibility of finding his old car. But David Reisner eventually
located it, and Herlinger's brother Dave undertook the restoration at Herlinger
Corvette Repair in Mountain View, California. Since the restoration, Herlinger has
run the car at a number of historic and concours events. By the end of the 2007 season,
the car had raced eight times and had won its class at one HSRA race at Laguna Seca.
28 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Details
Years Produced 1967–69
Number Produced 216
Original List Price $5,267.90
CM Valuation $275,000–$2 million
Tune-up $400–$500
Distributor Cap $25
Chassis # Lower left windshield frame
Engine # On block in front of right cylinder
head
Club
National Corvette Restorers Society
6291 Day Road
Cincinnati, OH 45252-1334
More www.ncrs.org
Alternatives
1965–66 Shelby GT350 R,
1965–67 Shelby Cobra 427,
1971–73 Ferrari Daytona Factory
Competition
CM Investment
Grade A
Photos: Bonhams & Butterfields
Page 27
The car has also won trophies at the Hillsborough, Palo Alto, and Monterey del Oro
Concours. Guldstrand drove it at the 1999 and 2002 Historics at Laguna Seca.
CM Analysis This car sold for $744,000 at the Bonhams & Butterfields auction at
As the old AM radio stations used to sing, “The hits just keep on coming.” Only
Quail Lodge in Carmel Valley, California, on August 15, 2008.
instead of Johnny Rivers or Creedence Clearwater Revival, some of the biggest automotive
hits these days are the auction sales of cars, bikes, and memorabilia once
connected to America's most famous “real” car guys. Steve McQueen's $2.3 million
Ferrari Lusso. A Von Dutch helmet for $22,230. Or Carroll Shelby's $5.5 million personal
Cobra. Naturally, what financially separates these celebrity-owned items from
their more common brethren is mostly the provenance that such ownership brings.
With the above-referenced AIR '68 Corvette, provenance strikes again, this time
riding the triple coattails of movie star James Garner, Corvette racer extraordinaire
Dick Guldstrand, and the legend of the big-block L88 itself. “We got together through
the movie ‘Grand Prix,' and to do something special afterwards we bought three L88s
and converted them to race cars,” Guldstrand recalls. “We raced them one time and
did a lot of publicity with them.”
The “famous owner” premium
The appeal of owning a genuine FIA race car driven by Guldstrand and owned
(in part) by driver/actor Garner is unmistakable, and with the chain of ownership of
this car well documented, there was no doubt about its authenticity at auction. The
quality and accuracy of the restoration were also said to be superb, and the fact that
Dick Guldstrand himself fired up the car and rumbled it onto the stage certainly didn't
hurt. (In fact, such perceived validation of authenticity might have added significantly
to the price.)
The L88 sold for $744,000 including buyer's premium, a heady increase over the
$250,000 to $500,000 a buyer might expect to pay for a perfectly restored street L88
of the same year. However, a genuine 1967 L88—the first year the option was offered
and the last year of the quintessential Sting Ray body design—can command a much
greater $2m to $3m today. But then, only 20 L88s were built for the highly coveted
1967 mid-year body design, compared to 196 for the next-generation “shark” design
of 1968–69.
“Actually, I think it was worth more,” Guldstrand says of the ex-Garner AIR car.
“I think it was a very good deal. There are not that many cars that were run that way,
with James Garner, setting track records.”
Holding this car back from topping a million dollars is that it is a C3 Corvette and
not the C2 mid-year model, and the fact
that it only had a one-race FIA career
and became a club racer after that. Still,
three quarters of a million dollars is not
exactly chump change for a Corvette—
especially when it's a privateer car and
not a factory racer.
Why the L88 option matters
In 1968, Chevrolet's Regular
Production Order (RPO) L88 was the
highest evolution of the Corvette available
to mortals. Boasting a monstrous
427-ci iron V8 with aluminum heads,
a close-ratio racing transmission, and
racetrack-calibrated suspension, it was
the boldest, brashest, most authoritative
mass-produced car you could buy (not
including low-production cars like the
Cobra, of course). Even 40 years later,
among Corvette disciples the name L88
still commands all the respect afforded to
a priest's smoking thurible at Saturdayevening
mass. And a hell of a lot more
www.vettemarket.com FALL 2008 Corvette Market 29
guys will talk about the tire-smoking L88 they saw on
the way home. Or on an empty western highway sometime
in late 1967.
“The only time all three cars ever drove together
was on the highway from St. Louis to L.A.,” Guldstrand
recalls with a sparkle in his eye. “I can remember that
like it was stamped in my brain. We put little tufts on
the cars and got up close to each other to see how they
would react at speed. We had to be going 130 to 140
nose-to-tail and we passed a cop. He looked up and then
looked down again real fast—he didn't want anything to
do with us. We were clear out of control.”
From 1967 to 1969, GM's St. Louis plant turned out
216 Corvette L88s in both C2 (1967) and C3 (1968–69)
configurations. Articles and books about the L88 have
fanned the flames ever since, but in the final analysis it's
really the deed that determines the legend, and the L88
decidedly backed up the hype that flacks and hacks put
to paper about Chevrolet's big-block ground-pounder.
As Guldstrand discovered when he took a '67 L88 to Le
Mans in 1967, “You sure found out if you were going to
be a great driver or a candy ass in one lap.”
The uniquely powerful and phallic design of
the
1968 Corvette, together with the L88's huge engine,
enormous street credibility and genuinely terrorizing
performance, had a dramatic effect on enthusiasts back
in 1968 that is still vibrant and valid today. So was this
car worth the cash? Plastic fantastic flyer though it may
be, the Garner AIR L88 is easily aligned with the times
in terms of celebrity value, and unlike an otherwise useless
Von Dutch helmet with a rubber nipple on the top,
the new owner of this car, for the price of a Palm Beach
condo, can likely gain entrance to top vintage events
anywhere in the U.S. or Europe—and have the time of
his life driving in them in a car with genuine star power.
Viewed in these terms, it was indeed a bargain. ■
(Introductory description courtesy of Bonhams &
Butterfields.)
Page 28
C4 profile
1992 Lingenfelter ZR-1
The 475-hp/415 ft-lb ZR-1 cost $65,000… huge money at the time, and in
today's dollars, a new Corvette ZR1 with money left over
by Michael Pierce
Chassis number: 1G1YZ23J5N5800207.
T
he catalog notes on the 1992 turquoise ZR-1 that sold at Mecum's Bloomington
Gold auction in June were brief to the point of terse, but they said everything that
needed to be said:
“Lingenfelter 475 hp package, 3.92 performance gears, Borla SS exhaust,
Wilwood 6-piston brakes, FX3 suspension, dual removable roofs, complete maintenance
records, well-maintained California car, 47,900 actual miles, 6-speed manual
transmission, all available options, Bright Aqua Metallic with Black interior.”
CM Analysis This car sold for $24,675 at the Mecum Bloomington Gold auction in St.
Corvette Market magazine likes to classify cars as being “well bought” or
Charles, Illinois, on June 28, 2008.
“well sold,” and this 1992 ZR-1 Corvette, modified by Lingenfelter Performance
Engineering, was certainly well bought for those who want a secondary driver with
huge performance and panache. CM auction reporter Dan Grunwald called it “an
30 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
absolute steal” and counted it his Best Buy at the St.
Charles auction.
The original cost of this loaded, Bright Aqua over
black leather ZR-1 (27 in this color out of 504 built)
was about $65,000. It was built November 25, 1991. The
475-hp/415-ft-lb LPE package cost an extra $16,000…
huge money at the time, and in today's dollars, $65,000
equalled a new Corvette ZR1 with money left over.
Lingenfelter has been in the motor tuning business
for 30 years. Along with Mallett, the company is known
for modification packages that turn docile production
motors into monster street machines. The company also
backs up its work with a three-year warranty.
According to its product materials, LPE modifies
Page 29
Details
Years Produced 1990–95
Number Produced 504
Original List Price $65,000
CM Valuation $25,000–$50,000
Tune-up $3,000 at a race shop
Distributor Cap $21.75
Chassis # Driver's side dash at windshield
Engine # Pad forward of cylinder head on
right side
Club
National Corvette Restorers Society
6291 Day Road
Cincinnati, OH, 45252-1334
More www.ncrs.org
Alternatives
1980–85 Porsche 930 Turbo
1985–91 Ferrari Testarossa
1997–2004 Jaguar XKR
CM Investment
Grade B
“GM F-bodies (Camaro, Firebird), B-bodies (Impala
SS, Caprice, Roadmaster, Fleetwood), Corvette, CTSV,
GTO, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, Escalade, Denali,
SSR, Hummer H2, and Sierra.” It has also produced
engine packages for the Dodge Viper and Plymouth
Prowler.
The fastest, most expensive car LPE has done is a
2006 Z06 Corvette with 1,109 rear wheel horsepower,
priced at $289,000. One of LPE's four-wheel-drive
Tahoes with a 350-ci V8 bored out to 396 ci produced
500 hp and turned times equal to or better than 1984–96
Corvettes.
Lingenfelter powered the Sledgehammer
On p. 26 of
the Summer 2008 issue of Corvette
Market, I wrote about the Callaway Twin Turbocharged
Corvettes, RPO B2K. In 1988, the world-famous
Callaway Sledgehammer was designed and produced
by Reeves Callaway—but the engine design and engineering
were John Lingenfelter's work.
The twin-turbo, electronic-fuel-injected 355-ci V8
produced more than 900 horsepower and was driven
from Old Lyme, Connecticut, to Ohio in October 1988.
After days chasing down an elusive misfire, Callaway
had to fly to England. He came back with a bad cold and
asked Lingenfelter to make the run on the Transportation
Research Center's 7.5-mile oval. Lingenfelter set a world
record for a street-legal car at 254.76 mph. That's 1.26
mph faster than a Bugatti Veyron—20 years ago.
Lingenfelter's next project was a 355-ci V8 built for
the SE Racecraft Firebird Trans Am car, which was aiming
to set a Bonneville record. The car produced 1,400
hp and was expected to break the 300-mph mark. Six
nitrous bottles were used not for induction, but to cool
the intercoolers. The car turned 298 mph. In 2002, a Corvette Z06 LPE twin turbo ran
0–60 mph in 1.97 seconds.
Rock solid technology that stays together
Project after project has shown that LPE is capable of rock-solid performance
combined with stay-together technology. It's one thing to run huge numbers on a dyno,
quite another to put them in street cars with pump gas and street tires and still turn
in high-performance figures every day. Think about it this way: Since LPE's work
is guaranteed to stay together for three years or 36,000 miles—it's built to last. You
probably couldn't do it yourself for anywhere near the same cost.
So what do you get for your money in the four- to five-week process? Original
engines are removed, disassembled and sanitized. From that point, LPE completely
balances, blueprints, and reassembles the block, heads, and injection system. Only the
finest race-ready parts are used. To assure consistency and extremely close tolerances,
several three- and five-axis CNC milling machines prepare the block and heads, followed
by hours of hand-porting and -polishing. When completed, the finished engines
are dyno tuned, reinstalled in the car, and road-tested before being picked up by or
delivered to the owner.
NCRS member Tom Christman of Mecum Auctions raised a valid question about
this car: For the same money, why not buy a Corvette that's two generations newer,
with the same or better performance, traction control, brakes, steering, suspension,
and a much easier entry and exit? There are thousands of used Corvettes on the
market. Why buy this one?
This ZR-1 represents a bridge between older technologies combined with after-
market performance like today's C5 and C6 Corvettes. It brings the owner reliability,
experienced tuning, and interest among Corvette and auto enthusiasts everywhere
the hood is opened.
Mallett, Callaway, and LPE are major players. When you drive one of their cars,
every mile is a memory. There is a confidence in knowing you've got plenty of pulling
power and that you have a wide safety margin to overtake anything.
Furthermore, once you get past 1984, most people have a hard time telling one
Corvette from another. The open hood and badging on these “tuner” cars slow people
down to stop, look, and listen to an owner's stories. It's not always about new stuff or
actual value. A Lingenfelter Corvette supplies an intangible quotient that drives an
owner to buy something different in a world of same.
Which is all a way of saying that financially, this was a very good deal for the
buyer. And emotionally, in terms of rarity, personal satisfaction, and getting a seat
near the top of the late-model Corvette pecking order, this was a screaming deal.■
www.vettemarket.com FALL 2008 Corvette Market 31
Mecum
Page 30
C5 profile
1998 Indianapolis Pace Car Convertibles
GM has been known to improve or sometimes cheapen cars as they near
the end of a production cycle, but Corvettes have always been above that
by B. Mitchell Carlson
A fright pig that sold at $23k
T
he 1997 model year remains the single most radically changed Corvette in history.
Even with the transition from the C1 to the C2 in 1963 and the C3 to the C4 in 1984,
the same engines were carried over from previous years. But with the introduction
of the C5, everything was new—frame, body, engine, and transmissions, which
were now transaxles.
So the C5 had the greatest possibility to become a major disaster if the build quality
was not up to snuff. For the most part, the team at Bowling Green did a good job on
quality control. However, the early C5s still have their Achilles heels. To give us some
perspective, we'll look at two 1998 Indianapolis Pace Car-edition C5 rag tops—a used
and abused fright pig and a low-mile cream puff.
1998 Indianapolis Pace Car Convertible
Chassis number: 1G1YY32G3W5
Highly scuffed and polish-scratched paint job on most surfaces. There are also
several paint cracks on both fascias from light collision impacts. The door-to-body
seals are starting to curl over and get loose. The door glass doesn't seal well to the top
weatherstrip, as it contacts the top fabric on the upper rear corner of the window on the
passenger's side. While it seems to run out fine, there were tire pressure monitor alarms
on all four corners. Moderately cleaned-up engine bay, untouched undercarriage. The
right side stock exhaust outlets are bent inboard about five degrees. Some heavy wear to
the top is apparent, but it's still waterproof. Body panel gaps are nothing to brag about.
No front license plate frame or cover plate. Dealer-applied plastic carpet protectors can't
cover the fact that the interior has a great deal of wear for a 51,000-mile car.
The 1998 Pace Car has to be the most garish Corvette ever, especially with those hideous
yellow alloys. This was also something of a local fright pig, having been at several
32 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Mecum Kansas City auctions, plus a few others. Bought
by an out-of-town dealer, who snapped up a couple of
newer Corvettes as well.
This car was declared sold for $22,838 at the Mecum
auction in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 1, 2007.
1998 Indianapolis Pace Car Convertible
Chassis number: 1G1YY32G3W5117387
An 18,191-mile car, all-original except for fuel rail
covers painted body color, taillight O-ring seals, Interstate
battery, and sound deadener pads between the seats and
the top compartment. Apart from the IPC package, there
are no other options on the car. Like-new paint and decals.
There is some light fogging of the front turn signal lenses.
The original Goodyear EMT tires are right down to the
wear bars. Very clean engine bay, and you can tell it's
always been that way. Also, there are no GM Campaign
(recall) stickers in the driver's side wheelwell top, or actually
anywhere in the engine bay. Clean undercarriage
shows minimal use. The yellow leather shows only light
soiling and wrinkling, along with the floor mats. Overall,
well-preserved.
The fact that there's no obvious proof it hasn't been
updated with any of the recalls from this era would be
the only thing that would make me a bit leery. If it was
Page 31
truly going to be a future Bloomington Gold Survivor, the
owner shouldn't have put so many miles on it, or should
have at least taken off the run-flats and used aftermarket
wheels and rubber. The consignor wanted $34,000,
which isn't far out of line, but both he and the final bidder
couldn't meet in the middle.
This car did not sell for $30,000 at Kruse's Fall Auburn
Auction in Auburn, Indiana, on August 30, 2008.
CM Analysis Both of these cars claimed to be lower-mile-
age examples, and as far as the average
used car goes, this is true. However, the bulk of Corvettes
are not used as daily commuters—especially the “instant
collectible” IPC edition. Still, 51,000 miles for a scruffy,
poorly kept 1998 is a believable distance.
The Kruse car is an original owner's “nice sunny
day” driver-cum-investment car, which gets exercised just
enough to keep the gaskets in the powertrain pliable.
Which leads us to the reliability issue. One hears sto-
ries of recalls on the earlier C5s, but from 1998 on, things
tend to be pretty equal for all model years. There were
two recalls (or campaigns, as GM prefers to call them)
that affected the 1998 models, plus an NHTSA recall on
an aftermarket lighting assembly.
Steering column problems plague all years
Right out of the gate, the 1997s had a recall of suf-
ficient importance that owners were urged to flatbed
their cars to the dealership to have rear suspension hardware
changed. However, it only affected the first 1,414
cars built. The inaugural-year cars had two additional
NHTSA recalls during their first year, one relating to the
seat belt anchors, the other regarding fuel tank assemblies,
plus one that required a remapping of the computer
to retune it for cleaner emissions. Two additional recalls
in later years included the 1997 cars and dealt with the
steering column lock, an issue that seems to affect all
years of C5.
The column lock issue is perhaps the most pervasive
C5 gripe. While other problems, such as the fuel tank/fuel
pump issue, were resolved by the time the last C5 was
built, column lock problems trouble all years of production.
By comparison, it's a non-issue for the C6, as that
car uses a totally different system. There have been a
total of three “campaigns” on the subject—the currently
A cream puff that didn't sell
active one being NHTSA ID Number 04V060000 EA02031.
First issued in February 2004, this is current for all C5s that haven't had the re-
placement column lock installed. That is, if you want the replacement installed. The
consensus—not readily disputed by GM—is that the fix doesn't really work. In fact,
there's a legion of enthusiasts who feel the fix will actually make things worse. The
service manager of the dealer I take my 2004 to recommended not to have the work
done. “Yours works,” he said. “Don't mess with it.”
Neither of these cars shows GM recall stickers
This is because as part of the recall, the dealer cleans the CPU and remaps it with a
new program. The kicker is that if the computer senses a column lock-up, it will shut off
the fuel flow to the motor. Not a bad idea if the column locks on the entrance ramp to the
Mixmaster in Fort Worth, but replacement column lock sensors have been known to give
false alarms. The claimed “real” fix is to purchase a Column Lock Block from Corvettes
of Houston (www.corvettesofhouston.com).
Neither of these cars had GM Campaign stickers in the usual locations. While the
18,000-mile cream puff owner may be more inclined to blow off a recall on a non-critical
issue (such as the changed mountings for the seat belts to avoid a lockup when the
webbing twists) in order to keep the car as close to as-delivered condition as possible,
the fact that it was slightly modified nullifies the Bloomington Gold time capsule attempt.
As for the 51,000-mile car, it's ragged enough that recalls are the least of its problems.
GM has been known to improve or sometimes even cheapen cars as they near the end
of a cycle, but Corvettes have always been above that. I own a 2004 Commemorative
edition—the last year of C5—and my car has been extremely reliable over the last year
and 11,000 miles. As of now, there is only a single recall on it—the column lock issue.
Whether you choose a 1998 Indy Pace Car edition or a 2004 Le Mans Commemorative
edition, your taste in color coordination (or lack thereof) should be more of a factor than
if it's an earlier or later car.
As to the relative good deal/bad deal CM assessment, that's pretty
easy here, and you've probably already made the decision yourself.
The scruffy car, at $22,838, was a brave buy at best. There are simply
so many C5 Corvettes out there for sale that it doesn't make any sense
to buy a ragged one, unless you get it nearly free; or in this case, for
well under $20,000. This car will easily suck up the $5,000 difference
between it and a good low-mileage car, and when you're done, you've
got Mr. Scruffy wearing lipstick.
On the other hand, the cream puff, at a failed bid of $30,000, should
probably have sold, and I wonder what the consignor is thinking now
as the economy continues to slide south. When times get tough, luxury
items like sports cars are among the first things to feel buyers' indifference,
so it will be harder today to find a $30,000 buyer than it was
a few months ago. My advice here is never to fall too much in love with
your car so that you turn down a reasonable offer. You simply don't
know when the next one will come along, and once you've decided to
sell, it can make you crazy looking at it every night in your garage. ■
GM recall sticker
www.vettemarket.com FALL 2008 Corvette Market 33
Page 32
C6
A Selection of C6s that sold recently on eBay
2006 Cadillac XLR-V convertible
mini profiles
EBay #300261800787. S/N 1G6YX36D465602599. Silver/black leather. Odo: 10,813 miles. 29 Photos.
Condition inferred from sellers' descriptions; cars were not physically examined by the author.
All quoted material taken from the eBay listings. sf=seller's feedback; bf=buyer's feedback
Springfield, MO. “only 10,813 miles!!! Loaded with lots of equipment and options, DVD Navigation System,
Keyless Entry / Keyless Start System, Premium Sound System, CD Changer, Power Retractable Hard Top,
Supercharged V8, 6 Speed Automatic Transmission, Heated and Cooled Seats, Dual Zone Climate Control,
XM Satellite Radio, Factory Floor Mats, 19” Wheels, Onstar System, Homelink Garage Door System and
on and on! Outside is in perfect condition as the pictures show, no dents, dings, or damage present” 1 BuyIt-Now
bid, sf 1412, bf private. Cond: 2+.
CM Analysis SOLD AT $47,999. Cadillac, Shmadillac. Who doesn't know this is a Corvette in a prom dress? This one
was a very good value, if you are into that sort of thing. Oh, is that what the V stands for? Value?
2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Hennessey Z600 coupe
EBay #250299730632. S/N 1G1YY26E065101621. Black/black & red leather. Odo: 12,649 miles. 18
Photos. Clearwater, FL. $100k-plus spent includes WCC forged wheels, radar w/jammer, Zoom dual clutch,
100-hp N.O.S. system, and custom body mods. “I always have strived to have the fastest car on the road. I
sent my Corvette to Hennessey and had the Z600 package installed. I was able to achieve over 700HP and a
0-60 time in under 3 seconds. I love this car but my wife of 13 years is tired of me spending our retirement
on cars so I am stuck selling my baby and am left with a Nissan GT-R that both of us can drive.” 10 bids, sf
36, bf 2. Cond: 2+.
CM Analysis SOLD AT $57,500. Decisions, decisions... 13-year marriage or three seconds to 60? Hennessey
Corvette or Nissan GT-R? Nitrous oxide or pre-nuptial agreement...? Hmmm. Well, the buyer's
decision was probably made easier by the fact that the seller just spent $4/mile (not including a similar
expenditure on gas) to build one badass 'Vette. Well bought, but more in the sense of well found than well
priced.
2007 Chevrolet Corvette Callaway convertible
EBay #160284701864. S/N 1G1YY36U175110827. Black/black cloth/black leather. Odo: 3,719 miles. 24
Photos. Irwin, PA. MSRP $85,965. “THIS IS BELIEVED TO BE THE ONLY TRIPLE BLACK, AUTO,
CONV., 560[bhp] SUPERCHARGED CALLAWAY THAT WAS PRODUCED. A TRUE COLLECTORS
CAR. ALL DOCUMENTATION IS TRANSFERABLE TO THE NEW OWNER. FULL TRANSFERABLE
WARRANTY FROM GM AND CALLAWAY CARS... THIS CALLAWAY JUST MADE A TRIP TO
DETROIT AND GOT 28.4 MPG AT 80 MPH.” 26 bids, af 125, bf 8. Cond: 1.
CM Analysis SOLD AT $58,300. Somehow, when I want something I never have the patience to wait for an
Well bought, though this price was technically market-correct.
2008 Chevrolet Corvette convertible
EBay#170263981483. S/N 1G1YY36W485121923. Atomic Orange/tan canvas/tan leather. Odo: 158 miles.
9 Photos. Lewisburg, TN. Brand new, never titled, delivery miles only. Most of the description comes as an
answer to the only question in the Q&A, “6spd paddle shife automatic w/ 3LT package MSRP $66,255 GM
employee price is $55,548.10.” 1 Buy-It-Now bid, sf 0, bf 18. Cond: 1.
CM Analysis SOLD AT $52,548. To the victor go the spoils: If you still have cash lying around to buy new
(obviously). Now could I interest you in a quad-cab dually pickup?
luxury items during a recession, you are likely to be getting good deals like this. Well bought
2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 coupe
#170264109977. S/N N/A. Jetstream Blue/Dark Titanium leather. 57 Photos. Atlanta, GA. “M.S.R.P. is
$118,155.00. This vehicle is scheduled for production 9-25-2008 and will be ready for delivery to you no later
than October 19th 2008. This vehicle is being sold by Jim Ellis Chevrolet, a Chevrolet franchise dealership...
Powered by a supercharged LS9 6.2L 638 h.p. engine, with a Tremec TR6060 6 speed manual transmission...
Extra options: Spoiler Kit, Full Width; Federal Emissions; Bose audio w/ NAVIGATION; Magnetic
Selective Ride Control; ZR1 Chrome Aluminum Wheels.” 31 bis, sf 2813, bf 114. Cond: 1.
CM Analysis SOLD AT $159,900. Follow the money: dot coms> dot bombs> real estate boom> mortgage
crisis> supercharged Corvettes... OK, probably not. But I'll bet the gross on this overbid more
than compensates for a few weeks of big SUV no-sales down at Jim Ellis. Just don't expect the buyer to be
able to turn a profit. ■
34 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
example like this. How can you go wrong with a warranty, a slushbox, and a $30k discount?
Page 34
Market Report
Overview
129 Corvettes Total $5.3m
Many cars saw market pricing, while sellers looking for more came home
with their 'Vettes
by Jim Pickering
M
arket instability has been the source of much
conversation throughout the better part of the
last year. Although a number of sales over the
past few months struggled to achieve the same
totals realized in 2007, others have seen stable results
despite current turbulence within the U.S. economy.
CM's Auction Analysts were present at sales across the
U.S. and around the globe throughout the late summer
and early fall months, recording prices as they happened
and tracking changes in the market for each generation
of Corvette.
In August, Auction Analyst Mark Rudnick made his
way to Pennsylvania for this year's edition of Corvettes
at Carlisle, where 28 of 80 cars sold. The event saw mild
weather throughout the weekend, a far better proposition
than last year's tornado, but general attendance was
down. Although the company's decision to wave initial
consignment fees and bidders' registration fees brought
more bidders into the room, fewer of those bidders raised
their paddles, resulting in a drop in totals from last
year's $1m to $708,278. However, the sale percentage
rose to 35%, up from 32%, with 16 cars selling at under
$20k compared to ten in 2007, showing the market for
entry-level and mid-level cars still to be solid despite
current woes.
Across the market, buyers looking for a solid-axle
car had plenty of choices at a number of different price
points, including everything from a $44,000 1954
roadster fitted with a later V8 and aftermarket gauges
at Silver's Reno sale in early August, to the $1.5m 1962
Gulf Oil racer offered by Gooding & Company in Pebble
Beach later that month. On
the whole, C1s showed
some slowing in appreciation,
but good cars with
good history still brought
relatively solid numbers.
C2 prices also gener-
CM 1–6 Scale
Condition Rating:
1: National concours
standard/perfect
2: Very good, club
concours, some
small flaws
3: Average daily driver
in decent condition
4: Still a driver but with
some apparent
flaws
5: A nasty beast that
runs but has many
problems
6: Good only for parts
ally leveled over the past
few months, with many
cars crossing the block at
different locations around
the world failing to sell at
what were in many cases
close-to-market bids. That
said, the downturn in the
economy did present some
opportunities for bidders to
acquire cars at a discount
Top Ten Sales This Issue
1. 1962 Corvette 327/360 FI Gulf Oil
racer, $1,485,000—Lot# 121, p. 58
2. 1968 Corvette L88 Competition
convertible, $744,000—Lot# 355, p. 64
3. 1959 Corvette 283/290 FI convertible,
$138,000—Lot# 205, p. 63
4. 1967 Corvette 427/435 convertible,
$138,000—Lot# 237, p. 73
5. 2009 Corvette ZR1 coupe,
$137,500—Lot# S99.1, p. 73
6. 1958 Corvette 283/290 FI convertible, $121,000—Lot# 54, p. 54
7. 1957 Corvette 283/283 FI convertible, $115,500—Lot# S150, p.52
8. 1963 Corvette 327/360 FI coupe, $110,000—Lot# 47, p. 58
9. 1965 Corvette 396/425 convertible, $101,750—Lot# 253, p. 62
10. 1967 Corvette 427/435 convertible, $94,500—Lot# F193, p. 64
Best Buys
1. 1967 Corvette 427/435 convertible,
$94,500—Lot# F193, p. 64
2. 1990 Corvette ZR-1 coupe,
$18,900—Lot# S44, p. 72
3. 1972 Corvette 454/270 convertible,
$37,800—Lot# 398, p. 68
4. 1962 Corvette 327/360 FI convertible,
$69,300—Lot# 261, p. 56
5. 1985 Corvette coupe,
$6,825—Lot# F110, p. 71
to market, including a 1967 427/435 convertible that sold at Mecum's St. Charles sale
in October at $94,500—or $43,500 under the $138,000 paid for the same car at RM's
Monterey event just a few months prior.
Shark cars followed the same pattern, with a number of them bringing numbers
consistent with what would have been expected last year. Compared to the C2s on
offer, more C3s sold, which was likely a function of their generally lower market value
and recent stability in pricing. Corvettes at Carlisle sold a 1970 350/350 convertible in
August at a correct $29,925, while Silver Reno offered a nicely restored 1972 454/270
convertible at $37,800.
Later cars were in most cases still viewed as used cars, but they offered plenty of
performance for the money at the prices paid. A 1985 coupe sold at Fall Carlisle in
October for just $6,825, while a 1990 ZR-1 was a good buy at Mecum St. Charles for
just $18,900—$10k less than a similar example with fewer miles brought at Corvettes
at Carlisle in August.
Excellent condition and good documentation have in the past been the two main
components required to bring top dollar for collectible Corvettes, but buyers are now
being much more careful in parting with their money. Sellers in need of moving their
cars have generally had to meet buyers halfway, and that has been reflected in both the
number of no-sales and the prices realized across the board. ■
36 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Page 36
Market
Report
Carlisle Auctions
Carlisle, PA
Corvettes at Carlisle
Lower-end drivers showed they still have a market, while high-end originals
and restored cars were a harder sell
Company
Carlisle Auctions
Date
August 22–23, 2008
Location
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Auctioneers
Jim Landis & Ed Lucas
Corvettes sold / offered
28/80
Corvette sales rate
35%
Corvette sales total
$708,278
Corvette high sale
1967 Corvette 427/390
convertible, sold at
$86,500
Buyer's premium
5%, included in sold prices
No storms in Carlisle this year, but just 28 of 80 'Vettes sold
Report and photos by Mark Rudnick
Market opinions in italics
C
orvettes at Carlisle is known as the world's largest all-Corvette show. Whether
it's your first or 27th visit, and whether your interest is solid-axle Corvettes, midyears,
Sharks, or later models, Carlisle has it all. This year's event was graced
with ideal mild weather conditions, as opposed to last year's torrential rain and
wind, which leveled a number of tents and caused damage to several cars.
But while the weather was comfortable, the dark clouds looming over the American
economy were close enough to be felt, as both vendor participation and event attendance
were down this year. The traditional long line of Corvettes standing bumper
to bumper in traffic along Route 11 was absent, the rows in the fairgrounds were not
as crowded as they usually are, and vendors did not do the brisk business to which
they are accustomed. All of which meant that those in attendance at the auction were
presented with a number of readily available
bargains.
This was the second year the auction had
Carlisle Sales Totals
been handled in-house by the Carlisle Events
Organization and held in the Carlisle Expo
Center, an ideal air-conditioned facility for
the event. This year, to induce greater participation
on the part of buyers and sellers, the
entrance fee for the initial consignment was
waived and the registration fee for bidders
eliminated. This change resulted in an increase
of registered bidders, up from last year's 150
to 190. Regrettably, consignments were down
from 82 in 2007 to 80 this year, and while the
bidders' gallery was full and auctioneer Jim
Landis and announcer Ed Lucas did their best
to motivate those holding the paddles, there
38 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
$200k
$400k
$600k
$800k
$1m
$1.2m
2008
2007
was not a lot of competitive bidding. Many in attendance
were simply curious to see what prices Corvettes would
be bringing in today's marketplace.
The auction saw representation from each generation
of Corvette. There were eleven C1s, with a sales rate of
18%, 22 C2s, with a sales rate of 23%, 29 C3s, with a
sales rate of 45%, eight C4s, with a sales rate of 50%,
four C5s, with a sales rate of 75%, and six C6s, with a
sales rate of 33%. In total, 35% of all cars sold for a total
sales figure of $708,278, as opposed to last year's 32%
sold for $1,023,698. Last year's high sale was $147,000
for a 1967 427/435 convertible, while this year's was
$86,500 for a 1967 427/390 hp convertible. Last year,
five cars sold above $50,000, while ten cars sold under
$20,000. This year, only three cars sold above $50,000,
while 16 cars sold under $20,000.
This decline in sales dollars was no doubt related
to current economic uncertainty, the fact that predominantly
low-end drivers still have a market, and the
willingness of high-end Corvette sellers to wait for a
rebound in the market before consigning their cars.
Although this year's auction didn't set any records,
it did show some stability in the Corvette market. Given
the commitment of the Carlisle Events Organization to
this sale, I'm sure it will continue to grow, but only when
the Corvette market returns to full vitality and buyers
and sellers of higher-end investment grade Corvettes
return to the auction arena. ■
Page 38
Market
Report
C1
#F50-1954 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Custom roadster. S/N E54S003634. Polo
White/beige nylon/red vinyl. Odo: 72,941
miles. 235-ci supercharged straight 6, auto.
A very late production 1954 modified with
a McCulloch supercharger and converted to
single-speed
direct
drive. The exterior appears
to be factory original lacquer and is in
stunning and came with a recent Bloomington
Gold Award. The high bid of $85,000 does not
approach the cost of the restoration or the
value of a car in this condition. The money has
been spent, so the owner should enjoy ownership
of this beauty and await a rebound in the
market.
good condition, body panel fit factory-typical.
Interior presents as an older restoration, with
window rubbers, steering wheel, and gauges
looking original and aged. Engine area is clean
but highly modified. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT
$68,250. This 1954 Corvette was the sixth from
the last produced. As such, it would be nice to
see it presented in factory-original form. As a
modified classic Corvette, the seller was fortunate
to find a buyer willing to pay this price.
#F46-1956 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N E56S001928. Cascade Green
& beige/beige cloth/beige vinyl. Odo: 53
miles. 265-ci 240-hp V8, 2x4-bbl, 3-sp. Fitted
with RPO 449, increasing horsepower from
225 to around 240 through the addition of a
high-lift camshaft. Paint excellent, glass and
#F31-1960 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 00867S109516. Horizon Blue
& white/white vinyl/blue vinyl. Odo: 85,286
miles. 283-ci 270-hp V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp. Exterior
paint looks good, but on close examination,
there are chips in front and rear on driver's side.
Body panel fit good with all factory typical gaps.
Glass and chrome nice, interior appears to be a
well maintained older restoration. Engine area
Carlisle Auctions
Carlisle, PA
top in good condition. Well-cared-for older
replacement interior, engine area is factory
original and in good condition. Engine rebuilt
and blueprinted by John Lingenfelter, fuel
injection system rebuilt by John DeGregory.
Cond: 2-. NOT SOLD AT $87,000. First seen
at Corvettes at Carlisle in August '07, where
it didn't sell at $92,000 (SCM# 46629). Seen
again at Carlisle in October '07, where it
didn't sell at $80k (SCM# 47111). Again appeared
at Carlisle in April '08, this time a nosale
at $65,000 (SCM# 116469). Given these
results, this bid appears to be full value in
today's marketplace. The seller clearly values
the car above the market, and whether or not
the market will return to meet his expectations
remains to be seen.
#F90-1962 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 20867S103236. Tuxedo
Black/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 35,527
miles. 327-ci 360-hp fuel-injected V8, 4-sp.
Restored to a concours level, with paint, body
panel alignment, glass, and chrome all excellent.
Interior is restored to original appearance
stock-original and aged. A solid driver. Cond:
2-. NOT SOLD AT $59,000. The dual-quad
optional 270-hp engine enhances desirability
and market value, but this car was not presented
with any awards, and in today's buyer's market,
that is quite important. The high bid of $59,000
is not far from today's market value of the car.
The seller can continue to enjoy this car while
waiting for the return of a robust collector
Corvette market... hopefully it will come sooner
rather then later.
chrome flawless, interior immaculate. Engine
compartment looks showroom-new. Has received
a fresh body-off restoration completed
to concours levels. Cond: 1. NOT SOLD AT
$71,000. This 1956 Cascade Green Corvette
had recently been well restored. Obviously the
required money wasn't present, and letting the
car go at this price was undoubtedly out of the
question.
#F64-1958 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N J58S101733. Panama Yellow
& white/white nylon/charcoal vinyl. Odo: 6
miles. 283-ci 245-hp V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp. Fitted
with auxiliary hard top. Appears to be a fresh
body-off concours restoration, with flawless
exterior, interior, and engine
detail
work.
Beautiful inside and out. Cond: 1-. NOT SOLD
AT $85,000. This freshly restored car was
40 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
#F35-1962 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 20867S103430. Ermine
White/white vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 66,956
miles. 327-ci 360-hp fuel-injected V8, 4-sp.
Older repaint presents very nicely, body panel
alignment and fit good. Bumper chrome shows
some hazing and scratches, glass and soft
and is immaculate and without any defects.
Engine area appears factory-original and is
in excellent condition. Fitted with both tops.
Cond: 1-. NOT SOLD AT $75,000. These last
year solid-axle Corvettes continue to show appreciation
in the marketplace, and as such, they
are solid Corvette investments. According to the
CM Price Guide, a fuel-injected 1962 Corvette
restored to this level is worth around $130k, so
the seller was wise to pass on this offer.
C2
#F47-1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 30837S107960. Saddle Tan/saddle
leather. Odo: 37,608 miles. 327-ci 340-hp V8,
4-bbl, 4-sp. Exterior paint excellent, with the
exception of minor defects at rear of hood.
Body panel alignment and fit excellent, glass
and chrome perfect. Interior reflects a high
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level restoration. Engine area is factory correct,
but perhaps overly detailed. Cond: 1-.
NOT SOLD AT $75,000. Offered at the 2007
Fall Carlisle Collector Car Auction, where the
owner passed on a high bid of $87,500. Today's
high bid of $75,000 reflects the continued depression
in the Corvette marketplace related to
the overwhelming uncertainty in the economy.
The seller was wise to wait for a higher offer.
#F30-1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 30837S110414. Tuxedo Black/
black vinyl. Odo: 42,809 miles. 327-ci 340-hp
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Looks great from ten feet away.
Exterior paint nice, but front fenders show
some flaws. Fair chrome has minor pitting,
hood louvers look aged. Engine area is clean,
but exhaust manifolds incorrectly painted
silver. The interior appears original and shows
some aging, with aftermarket Hurst shifter
or documentation substantiating its originality.
Even so, a Corvette restored to this level with
side exhaust and knockoffs is worth more then
the high bid here.
#F52-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 194376S107584. Nassau Blue/
bright blue vinyl. Odo: 46,711 miles. 427-ci
450-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Fitted with side exhaust,
reproduction knockoffs, power windows, AM/
FM radio, and transistorized ignition, as well
as period-correct bias-ply tires. Exterior paint
presents nicely with a few minor imperfections,
body panel alignment and fit typical, chrome
#F53-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194677S120719. Rally Red
& black/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 62,401
miles. 427-ci 390-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Very nice
paint over undamaged body, very good body
panel alignment and fit. Glass, soft top and
chrome are all in good condition, interior looks
like a well-maintained restoration.
Engine
area appears factory correct and shows well.
installed. A nice Split-Window driver. Cond:
3. SOLD AT $48,300. Last seen at Mecum's
St. Charles sale in June '08, where it failed to
sell at $44,000 (CM# 117181). This car carries
a California Vintage Replacement VIN
Tag, which is a major drawback to someone
concerned with investment and resale value.
The car can be restored to concours level, but
its originality will always be suspect. Given the
car's condition and the replacement VIN, the
sale price was fair.
#F39-1965 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194675S103908. Milano
Maroon/white vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 77,625
miles. 327-ci 365-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Paint excellent,
body panel alignment and fit very good,
glass and chrome work excellent. Brand new top
fits nicely, freshly restored interior shows well,
engine area clean and well-detailed. Regrettably,
the engine stamp pad has been painted. Side
and glass in very good condition. Interior presents
as an older restoration with somewhat worn
carpet and aftermarket Hurst shifter. Engine
area appears original and needs some freshening.
Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT $72,500. The
L72 was initially rated at 450 hp, as seen here,
but that number was dropped on paper to 425
shortly after the engine's Corvette debut. This
high bid was considerably below the value of
a 1967 427/450 in this condition, so the seller
can't be faulted for hanging on to it.
#F38-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 1946S105586. Nassau Blue/
white vinyl/white vinyl. Odo: 37,517 miles.
427-ci 425-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Exterior paint
excellent, as is body panel alignment and fit.
Chrome and glass flawless. Freshly restored
white interior, engine area appears factory original
and is nicely presented. Factory hubcaps,
A very appealing and solid high-level driver.
Cond: 2. SOLD AT $90,825. This car had
great documentation, including the original
Protect-O-Plate and complete owner history.
The only variation from originality was the
exterior paint, which according to the trim tag
should be Silver Pearl. Regardless, this was a
turn-key classic that was ready to be proudly
driven and enjoyed by the buyer. Bought and
sold correctly.
#F44-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 194377S109503. Marina Blue &
white/white vinyl. Odo: 9,387 miles. 427-ci
400-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Optioned with a/c,
power windows, power steering, power brakes,
cast aluminum wheels, Redline tires, and side
exhaust. Exterior paint excellent,
stinger
stripe typical of factory production. Glass
and chrome without flaws, interior recently
restored
exhaust and knockoffs fitted. Presents as having
recently received a first class frame-off
restoration. Cond: 1. NOT SOLD AT $69,000.
Like many of the Corvettes on offer here, this
car did not come with any prestigious awards
42 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Goldline tires, side exhaust. Cond: 2. NOT
SOLD AT $74,000. A very desirable Corvette.
This car had undergone a first-class restoration,
but unfortunately, the white interior did
not match the car's trim tag, which takes away
from its originality. However, a car of this
quality is worth much more than the high bid of
$74,000, so the seller was wise not to let it go
at this price. While it may be a buyer's market,
sellers of quality big-block mid-year Corvettes
are not giving them away.
to
factory
production
appearance,
engine area detailed nicely to factory-original
specs. Appears to have had a fresh body-on
restoration. Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT $95,000.
While the high bid of $95,000 is a considerable
amount of money, it's still below the value of a
car in this condition with this color combination
and these options. The seller was wise to
hold onto the car, at least for now.
#F80-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 194377S100243. Marlboro
Maroon/black vinyl. Odo: 43,456 miles. 327ci
350-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Optioned with side
exhaust, cast aluminum bolt-on wheels, power
brakes, and Redline tires. A fresh restoration,
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Carlisle, PA
with exterior, interior and engine area appearing
factory original and showing no defects
or blemishes. Claimed to be numbers-matching;
original tank sticker documents options.
Well done throughout. Cond: 2. NOT SOLD
AT $41,000. The high bid was well under the
money on this car. Over the past five years,
1967 coupes have shown steady appreciation,
so the seller was wise to hold rather than take
this bid.
#F27-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194677S117771. Marina
Blue/white vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 52,726
miles. 327-ci 350-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Exterior
paint and soft top in very good condition.
Body panel gaps factory-typical, glass good,
chrome shows aging and pitting, side exhaust
clearly gone into building this custom 'Vette,
including the Baldwin Motion-inspired paint
scheme. The high bid of $27,000 reflects the
difficulty of getting a return on investment
when customizing
a Corvette... The seller
might get a better offer at a custom car show
or a well attended cruise night rather than at a
Corvette auction surrounded by more original
offerings.
#F60-1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 194379S726931. Daytona Yellow/
black vinyl. Odo: 3,039 miles. 427-ci 400-hp
V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Optioned with side exhaust,
a/c, power steering, power brakes, power
windows, tilt-telescopic column, transistorized
ignition, front fender louver trim, and F70X15
Redline tires. Excellent lacquer paint, panel
alignment and fit good, glass and chrome show
well. The interior has been nicely restored
to an original appearance using high-quality
reproduction bits. Engine area looks factory
seats, original door panels and carpet aged.
Engine area contains aftermarket parts, engine
painted a non-typical shade of orange. Cond:
3-. SOLD AT $29,925. As presented, this car
can be enjoyed as a driver and will continue to
appreciate in value. It is a Corvette worthy of
further restoration, and in its present form, it
was bought and sold correctly.
#F18-1971 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 194371S108595. Brands Hatch
Green/dark green vinyl. 350-ci 330-hp V8, 4bbl,
auto. Fitted with custom front end and incorrect
LT-1 hood. Exterior paint in very poor
condition, with prominent scratches throughout.
Bumpers rusty and scratched, interior
worn. Non-original engine sits in rough engine
not factory-original. Engine restored, but not
to exact factory appearance. Interior shows
well throughout. A high level driver. Cond:
3+. NOT SOLD AT $52,000. This was not
highly optioned, and it was not presented with
prestigious awards or documentation, so the
high bid of $52,000 was appropriate in today's
Corvette market. Finding a buyer offering
more may take some time and a return to better
economic conditions.
C3
#F45-1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Custom convertible. S/N 194679S710712.
Red & gray/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo:
76,340 miles. 383-ci 450-hp fuel-injected V8,
5-sp. Custom red and gray paint in very good
condition, body panel fit and alignment typical
of factory production. Glass and chrome without
defects, interior clean, well maintained, and
equipped with a custom stereo system. Engine
area clean and neat with many aftermarket
parts, including Hooker headers, Holley fuel
injection, March belt drive, and MSD ignition.
Auxiliary hard top included. Cond: 3+. NOT
SOLD AT $27,000. Quite a bit of money had
44 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
original and fresh. A concours restoration.
Cond: 2+. NOT SOLD AT $94,000. The car
received a first-class body-off restoration by
County Corvette, and was documented with
its original tank sticker and Protect-O-Plate.
The car was a Triple Crown Award Winner,
having achieved Bloomington Gold, NCRS
Top Flight, and Chevy Vettefest Gold. It would
be extremely difficult to find another Corvette
restored to this level with similar options and
documentation. As presented, this car's value
probably approaches $120,000, so the seller
was smart to keep it at this bid.
#F62-1970 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194670S407912. Marlboro
Maroon/white vinyl/black leather. Odo:
84,443 miles. 350-ci 350-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp.
Nice repaint, body panel alignment and fit to
factory standards, new soft top has a proper
fit. Chrome weak, with front bumper aged
and both rear bumper and windshield trim
scratched. Interior fitted with non-original
bay. A beat Corvette. Cond: 4-. NOT SOLD
AT $7,000. In need of a full restoration, but
considering the money it would take to make it
right, this car would not be a good candidate.
A car in this condition would be better placed
on the fairgrounds in the “Corvettes For Sale
Corral” or in a vendor space than at a Corvette
auction. This high bid was all the money.
#F49-1972 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 1Z67K2S509484. Steel
Cities Gray/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo:
66,327 miles. 350-ci 200-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp.
Comes with auxiliary hard top and original
documentation. Equipped with a/c, power
steering, and power brakes. Nice looking fresh
repaint on original undamaged body, panel
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Carlisle, PA
alignment and fit factory-typical. Glass and
chrome in good condition, mostly original interior
looks nice and shows no evident defects.
Stock engine is factory original and in need of
a refresh. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT $27,000.
Highly original, with the original drivetrain
never removed. Recent maintenance includes
recored radiator, new calipers and new tires.
The seller maintained that everything on this
car worked, and as such, it was a solid turn-key
driver. Even though it was not finished in the
most desirable Corvette color, with its options
and documentation, it should have brought a
higher bid here.
#F54-1972 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 1Z67W2S505545. Mille
Miglia Red/black vinyl/black leather. Odo:
40,673 miles. 454-ci 270-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp.
Recently received a first class body-on restoration.
Paint, panel alignment and fit excellent
and exceeding
typical
fresh. Engine and chassis detailed nicely and
look good. Appears to have recently received a
first class body-on restoration. Cond: 2. NOT
SOLD AT $40,000. This original drivetrain
Mille Miglia Red 1972 convertible came with
a Chevy Vettefest Silver Spinner Certification
and two tank stickers. While the high bid of
$40,000 should be considered respectable in
this market, the seller must have felt this car
in this condition and with this documentation
was worth more.
#F23-1972 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
factory production
specs. New soft top fits well, glass in fine
condition. Interior has been freshly and correctly
restored to factory-original appearance.
coupe. S/N 1Z37L2S500091. Sunflower
Yellow/tan leather. Odo: 10,004 miles. 350-ci
255-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Exterior paint weak,
with different colors along passenger's side
rear quarter panel and a stripe along rear of
car. Front end shows rivets under fiberglass
surrounded by small cracks. The interior, while
worn, does have new deluxe carpeting. Engine
sounds good, engine compartment not factory
underside of the hood painted white instead of
black. Options include a/c, tilt-telescopic column,
power steering, power brakes, and power
windows. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $16,800. Seller
claimed to be the second owner since 1979 and
the car was said to have a matching-numbers
drivetrain and correct date-coded glass. A new
starter, power steering pump, a/c compressor,
exhaust system, and wiper washer pump and
motor have recently been added to the car.
Ready to be enjoyed as a driver and worthy of
consideration as a candidate for restoration.
Bought and sold well, and a fair deal for both
buyer and seller.
#F8-1978 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Indy Pace
Car
Edition coupe. S/N
1Z87L8S902488. Black & silver/silver leather.
Odo: 46,429 miles. 350-ci 185-hp V8, 4-bbl,
auto. Exterior paint fair, body panel fit factory-typical,
glass in good condition. Interior
has been freshly restored and presents well.
Wheels, tires and undercarriage look good,
engine area appears worn and neglected with
Engine area also looks factory, with original
Air Injection Reactor emissions control system
in place. Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT $46,000.
Claimed to be a matching-numbers car on a
rust-free frame, with the original tank sticker
documenting deluxe interior, a/c, power windows,
power steering, custom shoulder belts,
and white letter F70X15 tires. Over the past
five years, 1972 convertibles have enjoyed a
steady appreciation, so at this price, the seller
was wise to hold the car.
#F42-1972 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 1Z67K2S511421. Mille
Miglia Red/white vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 58,147
miles. 350-ci 200-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Optioned
with a/c, power windows, power brakes, tilt/
telescopic steering column, white stripe tires,
deluxe wheel covers, and auxiliary hard top.
Exterior
paint
without flaws, new soft top fits nicely. Interior
has been recently restored and looks factory
original. Air Injection Reactor emission control
system missing, a/c added. An LT-1 in need
of a quality restoration. Cond: 4-. SOLD AT
$18,375. According to the seller, this car had a
new steering box, fuel pump, water pump, battery,
windshield, master cylinder, and calipers.
The work appeared to have been done to prep
the car for sale, not as part of a genuine restoration.
The seller further claimed the frame
was rust-free, as was the birdcage, which is
very important for a 36-year-old Corvette. As a
running, essentially unmolested LT-1, this was
a good deal for both buyer and seller.
excellent, glass and chrome
#F17-1975 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 1Z67J5S409252. Classic
White/white vinyl/tan vinyl. Odo: 56,726
miles. 350-ci 165-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Exterior
paint fair, some touch-up work evident. Door
alignment poor, with larger-than-typical factory
gaps. The interior looks like an older replacement;
vehicle trim tag is missing. The engine
area is not factory-typical, with the engine and
exhaust painted in incorrect colors and the
some aftermarket parts fitted. Presents as little
more than a nice driver. Cond: 3-. NOT SOLD
AT $13,000. This car's mileage was fairly high
for a 1978 Indy Pace Car. Very few of these
cars were used as daily drivers at any time in
their lives... Most were stored as collectibles
or driven minimally to car shows. There are
many on the market in much nicer shape and
with less mileage. The high bid of $13,000 was
somewhat low given the car's new interior and
turn-key status, so the seller was wise to hold
on to the car.
#F21-1982 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 1G1AY8783C5102335. Silver
Green/green leather. Odo: 51,073 miles. 350ci
200-hp fuel-injected V8, auto. Paint in very
good condition, panel fit factory-typical. Glass
T-tops are in good shape, other glass nice as
well. Good original interior with non-original
radio, engine area is stock and very well
maintained. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $11,025. A 26-
46 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
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C4
#F55-1987 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Callaway Twin Turbo coupe. S/N
1G1YY2184H5102520. Dark Red Metallic/
tinted glass/graphite leather. Odo: 19,632 miles.
350-ci 345-hp twin-turbocharged V8, 4-sp.
Presents as a nice original high-performance
driver. Paint original and in fairly good condition,
rear quarter panel on passenger's side has
a three-inch scratch, body panel alignment and
fit factory-typical. Original interior in nice condition
with no defects evident. Engine area is
Carlisle Auctions
Carlisle, PA
year-old turn-key, well cared for, two-owner
car. This has a great look and can be driven
home from the auction with pride by the new
owner. A decent buy at this price, as it needed
absolutely nothing to be enjoyed.
$28,000. This car was fairly typical of 1990
ZR-1s for sale today. While the high bid of
$28,000 does not seem appropriate for a car
of this caliber, it is not out of line with what the
market is bringing these days. The new owner
may have some time to wait to see this car appreciate
significantly beyond today's price.
C5
#F66-1999 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 1G1YY32G6X5113108.
Sebring Silver Metallic/black canvas/black
leather. Odo: 88,000 miles. 5.7-liter 345-hp
fuel-injected V8, 6-sp. Exterior paint looks
good, body panel alignment and fit factorytypical.
The interior is original and in nice
clean but not detailed and shows minor aging.
Cond: 3. NOT SOLD AT $20,000. One of the
188 original B2K Callaway Corvettes, and in
this condition with its original documentation,
it should possess a certain degree of historic
significance. 1987 Corvette values have been
showing a steady appreciation over the past
five years, and this bid was just not enough to
get the job done here.
#F69-1990 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
ZR-1 coupe. S/N 1G1YZ23J0L5802377. Dark
Red Metallic/saddle leather. Odo: 6,200 miles.
350-ci 375-hp fuel-injected V8, 6-sp. In showroom
condition inside and out. Exterior, interior,
and engine area all factory-original and in
excellent condition. Has seen minimal driving,
but has been well maintained. Removable
bronze-tint roof panel. Comes with complete
ZR-1 Owner's Package. Cond: 2. SOLD AT
condition, showing wear commensurate with
indicated mileage. Engine area is stock and
shows slight aging. One owner, complete
service records from new. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT
$16,800. A good looking C5 convertible that
appears newer in person than its age and mileage
would suggest. A fair deal for both buyer
and seller at this price.
#F83-1999 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
1962 Replica convertible.
S/N
1G1YY32G3X5107900. Red/black canvas/red
& black leather. 7.0-liter 505-hp fuel-injected
V8, auto. Looks like a freshly completed car.
The exterior, interior and engine area are immaculate,
without flaws or defects in craftsmanship.
Cond: 1. NOT SOLD AT $87,000.
This Custom Retro-Rod started its life as a
somewhat dusty and in need of light detailing.
Appears to have been driven minimally
and garaged properly. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT
$37,800. While the mileage was not available
for inspection, this car clearly had been driven
minimally, as evidenced by the condition of the
original tires. 2003 Corvettes are still in the
depreciation phase of their life cycle, but this
was a fair deal for both buyer and seller.
C6
#F76-2007 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Z06 coupe. S/N 1G1YY26E175121491.
Black/black leather. Odo: 6,600 miles. 7.0-liter
618-hp supercharged V8, 6-sp. Fully loaded,
with the 2LZ Preferred Equipment Group
which features heated seats, memory package,
XM radio, universal home remote, auto dimming
mirrors, Bose premium 7-speaker stereo
system, and DVD navigation. In excellent
condition
throughout.
Exterior and interior
curiosity, finding a buyer willing to pay the
cost will take some work.
#F74-2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
50th Anniversary convertible.
S/N
1G1YY32G035109548. Anniversary Red/shale
canvas/shale leather. Odo: 300 miles. 5.7-liter
350-hp fuel-injected V8, auto. Presents as a
new car. Exterior and interior show no defects
or flaws. Engine area is factory-original but
1999 C5 convertible. The original body panels
were removed and replaced with 1962 body
panels by Classic Reflection Coachworks in
Lakewood, Washington. The original engine
was replaced with the LS7, which should make
this one very fast custom. The high bid of
$87,000 did not approach the seller's reserve
of $135,000. While this car generated much
with no defects or flaws, engine area is clean
and neat and modified with an aftermarket
supercharger. An as-new modified super high
performance Corvette. Cond: 2. SOLD AT
$57,750. Performance upgrades included a D1SC
Procharger, Kooks X-Pipe, and Nitto Invos
replacing the original Goodyear Run Flats.
These upgrades produced 618 hp and 660 ft-lb
of torque at the rear wheels. The buyer bought
this car well, as the seller obviously had much
more money in it. ■
48 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Page 48
Market
Report
C
Global Roundup
Corvettes across the block
Atypical
97 Corvettes From
Around the World
orvette Market's Analysts were out in force over the last few months, examining
Corvettes at auctions from Monterey, California, to Chichester, Sussex, England.
Luckily, being hopeless gearheads themselves, their idea of a perfect day is one spent
walking around jotting down condition reports on Corvettes. The 134 Corvettes they
cover, their condition, and why they sold or didn't sell, make up the heart of this issue of
Corvette Market. We hope this information helps make you a better collector.
Auctions Covered This Issue:
RM Auctions, Anaheim, CA, 6/27 – Carl Bomstead
Bonhams, Sussex, U.K, 7/11 – Paul Hardiman
Mecum Auctions, Des Moines, IA, 7/26 – B. Mitchell Carlson
RM Auctions, Rochester, MI, 8/2 – Dale Novak
Silver Auctions, Reno, NV, 8/2 – Paul Duchene
Gooding & Company, Pebble Beach, CA, 8/13 – Jérôme Hardy
Russo and Steele, Monterey, CA, 8/14 – Raymond Nierlich
RM Auctions, Monterey, CA, 8/14 – Carl Bomstead
Bonhams & Butterfields, Carmel, CA, 8/14 – Donald Osborne
The Worldwide Group, Auburn, IN, 8/30 – B. Mitchell Carlson
Cox Auctions, Branson, MO, 9/12 – Chuck Leighton
Rinstad Auctions, Bloomington, MN, 9/13 – B. Mitchell Carlson
Bonhams, Sussex, U.K, 9/19 – Paul Hardiman
VanDerBrink Auctions, Hensel, ND, 9/20 – B. Mitchell Carlson
Silver Auctions, Portland, OR, 9/27 – Paul Duchene
Carlisle Auctions, Carlisle, PA, 10/3 – Chip Lamb
Mecum Auctions, St. Charles, IL, 10/3 – Dan Grunwald
Market opinions in italics
C1
#169-1954 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
roadster. S/N 0747237F54Y6. Polo White/tan
cloth/red vinyl. Odo: 38,009 miles. 235-ci
150-hp straight 6, 3x1-bbl, auto. Older restoration
with normal Corvette fit issues, including
uneven trunk and door gaps. Respray shows
numerous blemishes, spring poking through
seat. Powerglide transmission considered an
now the market for an example in this condition—it'll
need to be much better to break the
six-figure barrier. RM Auctions, Anaheim,
CA, 6/08.
#511-1954 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
roadster. S/N E54S001449. Off white/red
vinyl. Odo: 28,061 miles. 265-ci V8, 2-bbl,
auto. Thick paint over wavy body, poor panel
alignment even for early 'Vette. 1955 nofilter
V8, automatic, pitted chrome. Fender
badges from a '55, right one missing the “V.”
could be better. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $68,200.
Sold at no reserve, and I wonder if the consignor
is regretting that decision. I don't know
what might have happened in the lower quarter
area, but you have to wonder if that might have
hurt this final result. Two guys duked it out for
the title, with plenty of “pondering” between
bids. For true 1954 Corvette collectors, there's
one less real-deal car out there. Well bought
for the cost of the parts alone. RM Auctions,
Rochester, MI, 8/08.
#313-1954 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
roadster. S/N 0792086F54YG. Polo White/
black canvas/red vinyl. Odo: 1,669 miles.
235-ci 150-hp straight 6, 3x1-bbl, auto.
gauges, atypical
steering
wheel,
atypical hubcaps. Mismatched taillights. Cond:
4. SOLD AT $44,280. Sold post-block after
failing to reach its $55,000 reserve. The most
puzzling C1 sale I have seen at auction. Suspect
panel fit, apparently wrong motor, aftermarket
gauges, and incorrect steering wheel. I honestly
could not come up with a price I would have
paid. Perhaps the buyer had inside information
that this was the only '54 to receive a V8 and a
12-volt system? Otherwise this wasn't bought,
it was married. Brilliantly sold, I'd say. Silver
Auctions, Reno, NV, 8/08.
#282-1954 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Custom roadster. S/N E54S004597. Red/tan
cloth/tan leather. Odo: 371 miles. 6.0-liter fuelinjected
400-hp LS2 V8, auto. Very nice body
gaps, passenger's door out at bottom. Beautiful
show quality paint over atypical
straight
Corvette body, meaning it is very straight.
Passenger rear quarter has a noticeable repair
in the lower rocker area, detracting from overall
high quality restoration. Fitted with new
LS2 V8 with all the usual components either
polished or chromed. Interior as-new, carpet fit
option, but all '54 Corvettes were built with
all options included. An average Corvette.
Cond: 3. SOLD AT $93,500. Over the past five
years these have appreciated quite a bit, but
they have stalled lately. The price paid here is
50 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Page 49
Variable panel fit, as per factory. Paint shows
some small cracks over front wheelwells and
around grille, masking issues evident at base of
windshield. Very good bumpers, other chrome
shows minor defects. Nicely redone seats and
steering wheel, dash chrome shows some pitting.
Cond: 3-. NOT SOLD AT $62,000. For
most, the '54 Corvette is for looking at, not for
driving. Therefore, the top prices come only
for the very best prepared examples. This one
could have been sold at the high bid with no
regrets. Bonhams & Butterfields, Carmel, CA,
8/08.
#32-1954 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
roadster. S/N E54S003096. Polo White/tan
cloth/red vinyl. Odo: 82,694 miles. 235-ci 150hp
straight 6, auto. Expertly restored to far better
quality overall than when originally built.
Heavily reworked body with original weave
hidden. Very good repaint, door gaps and fit at
least equal to original, replated chrome slightly
wavy. Generally good engine bay cosmetics,
chassis finished in flat black. New axle
in Reno for a surprising $44,280, showing
the same mileage (CM# 117754). V8s were
definitely not typical for any year before 1955.
Whoever turned down $49,000 had better not
leave home unaccompanied. Silver Auctions,
Portland, OR, 9/08.
#S178-1954 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
roadster. S/N E54S001946. Polo White/black
cloth/red vinyl. Odo: 2,931 miles. 235-ci 155hp
straight 6, 3x1-bbl, auto. Original West
Coast car with older high-quality white paint
exhibiting light cracks and chips throughout.
Nice chrome, dull and dinged brightwork
likely original. Dash top and steering column
recently painted a very bright red against faded
older interior bits. Seat stitching coming apart,
carpet going in the same direction. Driver-
#S212-1956 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N E56S004000. Sportsman Red
& white/white vinyl/white vinyl. Odo: 67,651
miles. 283-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Non-original
motor. Older repaint very wavy throughout,
with light sags and dirt in coves. Fair amount
of filler in rear quarters likely indicative of
prior accident damage. Interior may be original
or part of a long-ago light restoration effort.
Carpet appears correct if older, bumpers and
rebound straps recently installed. Suspension
sits a bit low in the rear. Excellently installed
reproduction interior soft trim. Cond: 2+. NOT
SOLD AT $95,000. Per the auction catalog,
this was restored for someone who was “heavily
involved with NCRS judging,” but it was
never judged. With some more detailing to do,
the amount bid should have been more than
enough to send it to a new home. Worldwide
Group, Auburn, IN, 8/08.
#17-1954 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
roadster. S/N E54S001449. White/tan cloth/
red vinyl. Odo: 28,601 miles. 265-ci V8, 2-bbl,
auto. Thick white paint over ill-fitting panels.
Doors show excessive fit issues, chrome pitted
throughout. '55 no-filter V8 installed, gauges
atypical, steering wheel atypical. Hubcaps look
quality engine compartment tidy but a smell
of fuel prevails. Cond: 3. NOT SOLD AT
$50,000. While the prices of 1954 Corvettes
have been on the rise behind their exorbitant
1953 cousins, this example did not feature its
original powerplant and had a plethora of agerelated
issues and irregular attempts at partial
restoration holding it back. It was fine from a
distance, but not overly appealing up close.
High bid was still short, but making this one
right would take some serious effort, so a lack
of interest beyond this number is understandable.
Carlisle Auctions, Carlisle, PA, 10/08.
#S154-1954 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
roadster. S/N E54S0044088. Polo White/
white canvas/red vinyl. Odo: 353 miles. 235ci
straight 6, 3x1-bbl, auto. Average repaint
over factory-typical inconsistent body. Cockpit
chrome shows age, left side trim spear has a
poor repair visible. Some wires hanging with-
and interior. Panel gaps OK, trunk gap wide
even for a Corvette. Body-off restored. Cond:
1-. NOT SOLD AT $75,000. The price bid
here may have been a bit on the light side
considering this car's options, but the paint
color may have put some buyers off. Mecum
Auctions, St. Charles, IL, 10/08.
to be from a 1957 model. Cond: 4. NOT SOLD
AT $49,000. I wonder if you can buy your car
a season pass to an auction house? This car
was reported sold in August at Silver's Auction
out bulbs under dash. Wide whites starting
to yellow, hood won't open. Cond: 2. NOT
SOLD AT $53,000. This car had an OK look,
but it did require a bit of work before it would
be show ready. A slightly under-the-money bid
for condition. Mecum Auctions, St. Charles,
IL, 10/08.
#S84-1957 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N E57S102565. Cascade
Green & white/beige vinyl/beige vinyl. Odo:
8 miles. 283-ci 283-hp fuel-injected V8, 4-sp.
Recently completed frame-off restoration.
4-speed transmission, replaced jetting in fuel
metering unit. Highly prepped body expertly
repainted throughout. Replated bumpers,
www.vettemarket.com FALL 2008 Corvette Market 51
brightwork appear original and rather pitted.
Engine bay clean but not original, high-rise
Edelbrock intake manifold and aftermarket
carburetor add to waning desirability. Cond:
3. NOT SOLD AT $40,000. Rerun after an
unsuccessful sale as lot F104 the previous
evening, the bidding was all the money for this
tired example. A title delay further complicated
matters, and the lack of history accompanying
the car had anyone who was serious walking
away anywhere beyond the number bid.
Carlisle Auctions, Carlisle, PA, 10/08.
#S22-1956 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N VE56S002547. Venetian
Red/black vinyl/tan vinyl. Odo: 660 miles.
265-ci 225-hp V8, 2x4-bbl, 3-sp. New paint
is slightly thick in places and seems a bit too
bright for a stock color. All new chrome, top,
Page 50
Market
Report
Global Roundup
Corvettes across the block
mostly reproduction trim and brightwork, all
new glass, freshly installed soft top. Engine
bay well restored, although not quite concours.
Authentically
restored
undercarriage
nearly
sterile. Fresh out-of-the-box top-grade reproduction
interior upholstery. Finished to a better
standard than when originally built. Cond:
2+. NOT SOLD AT $117,500. This was one of
the few times I've seen a 4-speed replacing a
3-speed in a '57 where the owner was straightforward
about it. Arguably the best restoration
at this venue, so one could argue that it really
wasn't for sale. Mecum, Des Moines, IA,
7/08.
#F460-1957 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N E57S100398. Venetian
Red/orange & white vinyl. Odo: 80,584 miles.
283-ci 283-hp fuel-injected V8, 3-sp. Very
good paint and interior, better than factoryspec
panel fit. Claimed matching numbers,
one of 713 283-hp fuelie cars made. Cond: 2.
Original 3-speed replaced by 4-speed (with 3speed
console plate still installed), Wonderbar
radio, older reupholstered seats. Some spares
in trunk, which has correct but scruffy old mat.
Cond: 3. SOLD AT $44,820. A completely honest
old car and my favorite at the auction. Not
so nice you'd baby it, and obviously a strong
runner with an excellent exhaust note. Once
again, a chatty owner helped the sale, and the
couple was smart enough to pull their reserve
at the last moment. The buyer should just drive
it. I would. Well sold and well bought. Silver
Auctions, Portland, OR, 9/08.
#533-1957 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N E57S104596. Venetian Red
& Shoreline Beige/red & white leather. Odo:
20,502 miles. 283-ci 283-hp fuel-injected V8,
4-sp. A claimed matching-numbers fuelie.
Nice paint appears older and is holding up very
well, paint in door jambs very dry with heavy
orange peel. Chrome and stainless trim shows
light wear but still very nice, light pitting on
front grille surround. Very good interior only
flawed by ill-fitting door panels held on by
non-typical screws. Engine bay restored to
January '08, where it again failed to sell, this
time at $55,000 (SCM# 51820). 1957 was the
first year Corvettes got the power to match
their looks. This car was nice overall, but
not quite as good as the other fuelie present
here. The paint looked to have been done by a
professional but was obviously rushed, and apparently
bidders at the sale weren't impressed
either. Cox Auctions, Branson, MO, 9/08.
#S147-1957 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N E57S100356. White & silver/black
vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 36,476 miles.
283-ci 245-hp V8, 2x4-bbl, 3-sp. Older lacquer
paint shows age in places, cracks readily visible.
Gas door paint poor, chrome good. Driver's seat
dirty. Aside from some fuel leakage from carbs,
NOT SOLD AT $82,500. The 283-hp fuelie is
arguably the best of the early 'Vettes. This one
was not quite concours quality, and it was not
quite sold at a below-market bid for its condition.
Russo and Steele, Monterey, CA, 8/08.
#18-1957 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N E57S100050. Orange &
white/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 97,701
miles. 283-ci 220-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Original
car with older so-so paint. Cheerful seller
said the color was Venetian Red and she had
owned it since 1984, making a number of visits
to Reno's Hot August Nights over the years.
look as new down to an original-style Delco
battery. A nice all-around car showing light
patina. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT $70,000.
In my opinion, this was the more attractive of
the two fuel-injected '57s present at the sale,
and its dog dish hubcaps added to its appeal
and gave the car a very original feel. This car
should have brought more money, but apparently
the Corvette buyers at the sale decided
that this wasn't the car to have. I wonder why?
Cox Auctions, Branson, MO, 9/08.
#541-1957 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N E57S103094. Black & silver/
red vinyl. Odo: 30,029 miles. 283-ci 283-hp
fuel-injected V8, 3-sp. Car card claims fresh
restoration after museum storage. Mediocre
paint shows a few marks on lower quarter
panels, top boot has cleared-over tape residue
and will need to be completely refinished.
Chrome and stainless bits appear older with
light scratches, dashboard and interior excellent
except for beat-up sill plates. Engine bay
barely above driver quality, with evidence of
rattle can detail work, dirty fuel injection parts,
and fuel stains. A museum car fluffed for auction.
Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT $70,000. First
seen at Kruse Seaside in August '07, where it
failed to sell at $83,000 (SCM# 46346). Later
seen at Russo and Steele's Scottsdale sale in
52 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
engine is clean. Mileage claimed original. Cond:
2. NOT SOLD AT $105,000. Last seen at RM's
Meadow Brook sale in July '98, where it sold in
this same general condition for $42,000 (CM#
20869). Achieved NCRS Top Flight in 1989 and
was given a Duntov Award in 1990. This bid
had to be close to getting the job done. Mecum
Auctions, St. Charles, IL, 10/08.
TOP 10
#7
#S150-1957
CHEVROLET
CORVETTE convertible. S/N
E57S102565. Cascade Green &
beige/tan vinyl/beige vinyl. Odo: 9 miles. 283ci
283-hp fuel-injected V8, 4-sp. All chrome
and paint better than original, panel gaps also
nicer than typical production. Nice interior,
engine compartment detailed to factory specs
and showing no use. A complete high quality
restoration with no issues. Cond: 1. SOLD AT
$115,500. A fuel-injected '57 has to be at the
top of anyone's list of “cars to dream about.”
Page 51
Corvette Market
Keith Martin's
2ND ANNUAL
CORVETTE MARKET SEMINAR
Scottsdale, AZ • Friday, January 16, 2009 • 9–11 am
9:00–9:50 am Session 1: Overview—The Corvette Market Today and Tomorrow
10:10–11:00 am Session 2: Building the Best $500,000 Corvette Collection
Once again, Keith Martin and an acknowledged panel of Corvette market experts will discuss topics essential to understanding
today's market. As with last year, this seminar is interactive, with participation from the audience encouraged.
Both modules included with registration. Space is limited. Last year sold out completely, so enroll today.
Seminar: $25 for CM and SCM subscribers, $100 for non-subscribers.
To register, go to www.vettemarket.com/2009seminar. Or phone 503.261.0555 x 204.
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED. SPACE IS LIMITED! REGISTRATION DEADLINE DEC 31, 2008
(Reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Don't be left out!)
Name (1)
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Address
City
Best Phone
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Fax
Signature
Payment in Full Required
Register online: www.vettemarket.com/2009seminar. Register by phone: 503.261.0555 x 204
Send this form to CM Scottsdale 2008, P.O. Box 4797, Portland, OR 97208; Fax 503.253.2234; Questions? Email jennifer.davis@vettemarket.com
I am a subscriber to CM / SCM ($25 each)
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Charge my VISA/MC/AmEx
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Page 52
Market
Report
Global Roundup
Corvettes across the block
The Cascade Green and beige cove colors here
were frosting on the cake. A decent buy for the
money in this condition. Mecum Auctions, St.
Charles, IL, 10/08.
#S159-1957 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N E57S105395. Venetian Red
& white/white vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 52,759
miles. 283-ci 270-hp V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp. Decent
paint and chrome including windshield surround,
body fit typically inconsistent, several
small cracks by gas door and a single trim
misfit at front of driver's door. New correct
of. I only hope that the consignor did this car
for love and not money, as there wasn't much
of the latter made here. Worldwide Group,
Auburn, IN, 8/08.
#547-1958 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N J58S108995. Silver &
white/black vinyl. Odo: 54,303 miles. 283-ci
245-hp V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp. Consignor states car
has covered only 100 miles since a complete
restoration, car card states a numbers matching
245-hp dual-quad engine. Beautiful paint and
chrome aside from two smaller front grilles
getting thin and showing age. Nice top and
a reserve of $150,000, then sold post-block
for $138,000. I'd call it well bought. Silver
Auctions, Reno, NV, 8/08.
#345-1959 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N J59S103059. Red & white/
white vinyl. 283-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. St Louisbuilt
car with unknown engine spec. Body
good, bumpers lightly pitted, seats grubby, and
dash trim shows a few dings. Chassis solid,
straight, and well protected, although it's on
interior with some pitting on horn button.
Minor inside
rear view mirror desilvering.
Claimed NCRS Top Flight of unknown age.
Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT $70,000. Last seen
at Barrett-Jackson's West Palm Beach event
in March '08, where it sold at $88,000 (CM#
116101). Researched to the original dealer and
first owner prior to restoration, and claimed to
have matching numbers. The bid was a bit light
here, and having several top-notch '57 'Vettes
to choose from certainly didn't help. Mecum
Auctions, St. Charles, IL, 10/08.
TOP 10
#6
#54-1958
CHEVROLET
CORVETTE convertible. S/N
J58S106456. Silver Blue & Snowshoe
White/light blue cloth/blue vinyl. Odo: 45,102
miles. 283-ci 290-hp fuel-injected V8, 4sp.
Fitted with heater and Wonderbar radio.
Recently competed frame-off restoration to
better-than-factory specs, highly refinished
body smoother than stock and showing only
very light bonding strip broadcasting along
upper front fenders. Show quality chrome
and trim, soft top lightly wrinkled and soiled.
Engine bay and chassis clean. Expertly installed
interior, foggy gauges, needs new window
felts. Driver-quality engine bay with rusty
pedal linkages and dirty carburetors. Very nice
overall but lacking in the detail department.
Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $81,000. This was really
nice overall, and it brought the money it deserved.
The paint was superb and looked to be
new. I wonder if the seller just forgot to take the
two small grilles to the chrome shop? This was
proof that a good restoration is worth a high
price to the right person. A patient man with
lots of Q-Tips will make this an excellent car.
Cox Auctions, Branson, MO, 9/08.
TOP 10
#3
#205-1959
CHEVROLET
CORVETTE convertible. S/N
J59S105665. Turquoise & white/tur-
quoise vinyl. Odo: 1,731 miles. 283-ci 290-hp
fuel-injected V8, 4-sp. Big Brake car. One of
142 with quick steering, heavier springs, brake
air ducting, and sintered shoes. Fitted with
off-road exhaust, 3.70 Posi, and new white top.
Great chrome and body fit, recent paint looks
reproduction interior soft trim. Door pulls starting
to yellow slightly, gauge faces scratched.
Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $121,000. While this is
getting to be pretty dear for a '58 fuelie, it is
also basically an instant trophy magnet. Last
seen at Cox's Branson sale in April '07, where
it sold at $102,502 (SCM# 44984), and significantly
improved since then. You could find
one cheaper, but you may not find one better
(especially if you are keen on blue), so while
not bought well, it was nothing to be ashamed
54 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
else apparent on convertible top. Engine bay
detailed to driver quality, non-Corvette 327
fitted. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT $39,000.
Enough good work and newer parts made this
initially appealing, but counting the flaws will
leave one without enough fingers to keep track
of the issues holding this one back. The high bid
was just about enough to have taken this longterm
project home, but the seller disagreed.
Carlisle Auctions, Carlisle, PA, 10/08.
like lacquer in that it's not too shiny. Recent
NCRS Top Flight on 5/31/08, with a score of
98. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $138,000. Several
observers thought this the best car at the sale.
With a great color combo, correct paint, and
rare options, it was bid to $115,000 against
#410-1960 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 00867S108712. Roman Red
& white/black canvas/black vinyl. Odo: 54,397
miles. 283-ci 230-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Stated to
have been a recent restoration, but the auction
trail shows it was some time back. Good
truck tires. Fair underhood. From the Alman
Collection in Athens, Greece. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $48,404. Bought from Classic Cars
in Chicago in 2006, had been in Arkansas before
that. Not the sharpest, but it is a 4-speed.
Mid-estimate price about the right money for a
good but not perfect car in the U.K. Bonhams,
Chichester, UK, 9/08.
#S170-1959 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N J59S104716. Roman Red &
white/white vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 16,822 miles.
327-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Older Roman Red
paint shows light crazing and chips from use.
Bumpers redone, grille fins pitted, brightwork
shows pits and light scratching. Seats and carpet
look newer than rest of interior, dash paint
nicely
applied. Overspray from something
Page 54
Market
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Global Roundup
Corvettes across the block
brightwork, decent paint with minor issues.
Incorrect seat pattern, door fit off, engine well
detailed. Hard top included. Cond: 2-. SOLD
AT $82,500. First seen at RM's Toronto sale
in April '06, where it failed to sell at $74,000
(SCM# 41356). Seen again at Mecum's
Belvidere sale in May '07, where it again failed
to sell, this time at $50,000 (SCM# 45257).
Most recently seen at Mecum's Kissimmee
auction in January '08, where it reached an
insufficient $69,000 (SCM# 48960). This was
a strong number here, considering the issues
and lack of attention to details. RM Auctions,
Monterey, CA, 8/08.
#423-1960 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 00867S109347. Red & white/
red hard top/red vinyl. Odo: 45,301 miles. 283ci
245-hp V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp. Matching-numbers
car equipped with hard top, miles appear
correct. Fitted with 3.70 Positraction, 4-speed
close ratio box, and new wide whites. Good
paint and plating, scruffy original trunk mat,
and brightwork in most regards. Non-original
engine. Cond: 4+. SOLD AT $42,900. Thought
to have been an original 283/270 car, and now
running a 327. There wasn't much harm done
with the non-original engine, since much of
the car had additional needs as well. Overall a
fairly weathered driver with not a whole lot to
worry about when you take her out for a spin.
Still a Corvette, and most likely market correct,
selling for just a tad below the low the estimate.
With the needs noted, I'd give the edge to the
seller. RM Auctions, Rochester, MI, 8/08.
#89-1960 CHEVROLET CORVETTE con-
vertible. S/N 008675104907. Tuxedo Black &
silver/white vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 29,652 miles.
283-ci 270-hp V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp. “Restored to
NCRS Award-Wining Specifications,” but not
shown at an NCRS event. Better-than-stock
body prep, equally excellent paint application in
both colors. Mostly replacement trim and replated
bumpers, grille starting to flake in places.
All new weatherstripping, door seals starting to
Ft. McDowell sale in January '05, where it
sold at $38,266 (SCM# 37004) Seen again
at the same venue in January '08, where it
sold at $60,750 (SCM# 49865). Finally, appeared
at McCormick's Palm Springs sale in
February '08, where it failed to sell at $62,000
(SCM# 115931). Appeared to be sympathetic
restoration of a nice original car that presented
very well. Sold at low book, and including the
hard top, I'd say well bought. Silver Auctions,
Reno, NV, 8/08.
#57-1962 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 20867S113272. Red/black
vinyl & red hard top/black vinyl. Odo: 44,973
miles. 327-ci 300-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Consignor
claims original mileage. Heavily reworked and
prepped body with light depressions at seams
over front wheelwells. Rear edges of both
doors stick out slightly, other door and panel
gaps even. Replated bumpers and all new easily
replaced trim, windshield and vent window
too much flat black paint under hood. Baggy
seat covers, passenger dash cove trim damaged.
Brake fluid on master cylinder. Offered
at no reserve. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $62,640.
Raffish and untidy, but handsome. The matching
numbers clearly drove bidders here. Sold
mid-market, but I'd call it a fair deal all round.
Silver Auctions, Reno, NV, 8/08.
#218-1961 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 10867S108019. Black &
silver/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 17,718
miles. 327-ci 300-hp V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp. Typical
wavy Corvette body showing some additional
issues. Unusual vertical seam noted on driver's
side fender, widely varying body gaps, driver's
door pinched at bottom. Numerous chips,
cracks and swirls in paint. Driver-level interior
shows plenty of use. Loose seat covers, aftermarket
radio installed. Driver-grade chrome
56 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
lift. Engine bay restored to concours condition,
although it is starting to get a bit dusty. Fully
restored interior, with all reproduction carpeting
and vinyl upholstery. Cond: 2-. NOT SOLD
AT $65,000. The consignor posed the question:
“How often does a 1960 Chevrolet Corvette
convertible come along this handsomely finished,
and highlighting a beautiful restoration?”
The answer is all the time. Lot 900 at the Kruse
Auburn sale two weeks before was at least as
good as this. Slightly under the money. Rinstad
Auctions, Bloomington, MN, 8/08.
#396-1961 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 10867S101256. White/white
hard top/red vinyl. Odo: 18,990 miles. 283-ci
250-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Excellent chrome,
paint not too shiny, body fit typical but quite
good nonetheless. New wide whitewalls,
recent replacement interior. Evidence of nose
repair at some point, chips around top on inside
panel. Engine clean and not overdone. Cond:
2. SOLD AT $50,760. First seen at Silver's
framing shows light crazing and pitting. All
new body and glass seals, engine bay clean and
generally well restored to stock configuration.
Reproduction seat upholstery and door panels.
Cond: 2-. NOT SOLD AT $55,000. Claimed
to be a frame-off restoration, but as I like to
say, they could have lifted it up higher. Would
make a nice light driver, but would have to
be detailed more to be a show car. While the
bid was under the market, it wasn't by much,
thanks to the Powerslide automatic. Rinstad
Auctions, Bloomington, MN, 8/08.
Best Buy #261-1962 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 20867S106224. Red/black
vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 12,845 miles. 327-ci 360hp
fuel-injected V8, 4-sp. Panel fit most likely
per factory in most regards, with driver's door
pinched at upper rear. Good paint over decent
prep shows some chips and scratches throughout.
Typical wavy body. Mostly driver-quality
Page 56
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Corvettes across the block
#364-1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 30867S106830. Daytona
Blue/white vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 22,472
miles. 327-ci 340-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. One
owner for 35 years. Over-the-top-paint, correct
dimple in underhood cowl rail, evidence
chrome aside from nice hard top pieces, windshield
trim pitted. Aftermarket period-correct
American Racing wheels fitted on newer
radials. Interior fairly worn, seat covers loose,
steering wheel paint flaking off. Front headlamp
cracked. A driver. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $69,300.
Reported to be an original numbers-matching
fuelie. Very original and unmolested aside from
its wheels, which is an easy fix. Just the way you
want to buy one. The fully restored hard top was
included, which is worth at least $4,000 on its
own. Drive it, enjoy it, and restore it down the
road. Just under market based on condition, and
most likely hard to replace at this price. Well
bought. RM Auctions, Rochester, MI, 8/08.
TOP 10
#1
#121-1962
CHEVROLET
CORVETTE Gulf Oil racer.
S/N 20867S103980. Eng. #
2103980F1206RF. White & blue/black leather.
Odo: 21,946 miles. 327-ci 360-hp fuel-injected
V8, 4-sp. A true RPO 687 fuelie, delivered to
Yenko's dealership for the Gulf Oil racing team.
Prepared and successfully raced, first place in
the 1962 SCCA A-Production Championship.
Dismantled and sold in 1963 as a street car,
college student's daily driver in the '80s.
Rediscovered and restored with original parts,
flaws under finish, panel gaps require adjustment.
Replacement chrome bumpers similarly
slightly out of alignment, brightwork shows installation
marks, wiper arms missing. Original
hard top requires mounting point adjustments.
Interior immaculate but still short of being
complete, as shift boot is missing. Engine bay
nicely done with modern power brakes, power
steering, cold-air intake, and Griffin Aluminum
radiator. Cond: 2-. NOT SOLD AT $49,000. A
nice nearly-complete Corvette resto-mod built
on an SR-III Motorsports chassis with C5 front
and C4 rear suspension. It never fails to amaze
me why people will bring an unfinished project
clone or resto-mod to an auction and expect to
get close to the value of a completed example.
Not sold for a very good reason. Carlisle
Auctions, Carlisle, PA, 10/08.
C2
#S96-1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Custom convertible. S/N 30867S108882.
Black/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 37,068
miles. 454-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Body modified
with cut-out wheelwells, fender flares, 1968
side vents, rear ducktail spoiler, and six taillights.
Seller claims hood was a 1967 take-off
big-block unit. Good quality older repaint
starting to show light cracking at wheelwell
flares. Older replated bumpers, mostly replacement
emblems. Aftermarket side exhaust,
retrofitted 4-wheel power disc brakes. Older
of left front fender repair. Engine compartment
appears correct, windshield trim hit and
miss, driver's door feels damaged. High-rpm
gauges, power brakes. Originally a 327/340,
but no mention of matching numbers. Cond:
2+. SOLD AT $52,920. A very handsome
driver that sold mid-money to someone who
either knew it had a 340-horse motor or had
one in his garage. No harm done, and it will
catch a lot of attention. Silver Auctions, Reno,
NV, 8/08.
#S613-1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 30867S108251. Sebring
Silver/black vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 7,439 miles.
327-ci 360-hp fuel-injected V8, 4-sp. Tenyear-old
restoration with a restamped block.
Cracks visible in both headlight buckets. Body
seams visible, waffling on trunk lid, no dimple
on driver's side underhood drip rail suggests
bodywork. Panel fit average and door finish not
including Motorola two-way radio, StewartWarner
gauges, and roll cage. First car to
receive the NCRS American Heritage Award,
2005 Bloomington Gold Hall of Fame. Cond:
1-. SOLD AT $1,485,000. Sold above the high
estimate of $1.2m. This is truly an important
car within American racing history, and with
so many original components fitted, it's safe to
say there's nothing else quite like it. Well sold
at this price, but the new owner should have
no complaints. See profile, p. 22. Gooding &
Company, Pebble Beach, CA, 8/08.
#S166-1962 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Custom convertible. S/N 20867S107433.
Tuxedo Black/black vinyl & hard top/red
leather. Odo: 354 miles. 5.7-liter 385-hp fuelinjected
V8, 6-sp. New black paint shows light
58 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
replacement top, quality new leather seating,
typical
reproduction door panels, dashpad,
and carpet. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $33,600.
While radically modified, this wasn't quite
the Nightmare from Route 66. Some of the assembly
quality is all over the map (lazy, cheap
person under the hood; well-off perfectionist
at the upholstery shop), but it would be hard
to get burned on this one. Anyone can tell it's
a put-together special. The reserve was wisely
lifted when the bidding ended. Mecum, Des
Moines, IA, 7/08.
typical of factory production. Replated bumpers.
NCRS Top Flight. Cond: 2-. NOT SOLD
AT $67,500. Between the interior being very
bright red vinyl and the cheap-looking top, it
seemed that this car was done by someone who
hadn't had a lot of experience with original
examples. It started and ran well, but with the
needs noted, it could have sold without too
much regret here. Russo and Steele, Monterey,
CA, 8/08.
TOP 10
#8
#47-1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 30837S105122. Eng. #
3105122F1207RF. Black/black vinyl.
Odo: 2,220 miles. 327-ci 360-hp fuel-injected
V8, 4-sp. Originally a fully-equipped fuelie
Split-Window all in black, and remaining so
Page 58
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Corvettes across the block
after some partial restoration work. Claimed
matching numbers. Good quality paint appears
factory, rubber original and all dry. Interior
clean but not crisp, engine bay tidy. Ex-Nicolas
Cage. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $110,000. Offered
in black with the high-horse fuelie motor, this
Split-Window had a nice bad-boy feel about
it, and it brought a market-correct price given
the condition. Gooding & Company, Pebble
Beach, CA, 8/08.
#S148-1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 30867S108825. White/black
vinyl/tan vinyl. Odo: 1,283 miles. 327-ci 350hp
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Older restoration showing
its age. White paint chipped and touched up
around doors. Front bumper plating peeled
off on right front corner, right rear beginning
to lift. Black top looks newer. Scuffed original
steering wheel and anodized shifter surround
detract from otherwise nice interior. L79 350hp
crate engine with a high-rise intake and
and panel fit. Mostly replacement emblems
and trim, newer bumper rechroming. Newer
replacement shock absorbers, fiberglass monoleaf
rear transverse spring, and dual exhaust
system. Good workmanship on mostly replacement
interior which shows some light wear.
Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT $36,000. Granted,
this was a late 1964, but not so late as to have
1965 front fender treatment and hood. Plus,
you'd figure if it was changed to look like a
'65, at least it should have been fitted with disc
brakes. No, wait a minute, it's one of the 316
rare '65 drum brake credit cars. Yeah, that's
right, that's the story to use. But wait, what
about that darn pesky '64 VIN? Way too many
stories here. Mecum, Des Moines, IA, 7/08.
#S66-1964 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 40837S111895. Fire Mist Blue/
navy vinyl. Odo: 96,129 miles. 327-ci 300hp
V8, 4-bbl, auto. Fitted with power brakes,
power steering, power windows, tinted glass,
and AM/FM radio. Body heavily prepped
before expert repaint. Superb panel and door
fit, older replated bumpers, good original
decent body fit and finish with flared fenders,
flashy Coddington mag wheels. Featured in
several hot rod magazines. Cond: 2. SOLD
AT $69,120. An over-the-top hot rod that
must have left its builder more than one tank
of air under water—even with this decent sale
price. Likely run very hard, and should any
problems arise, you get to be your own expert.
I kept shaking my head but I couldn't seem to
lose this loud ticking sound... Silver Auctions,
Reno, NV, 8/08.
#F412-1964 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 40867S111957. Light blue
metallic/black vinyl, blue hard top/black vinyl.
Odo: 61 miles. 327-ci 300-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp.
Original paint and body with usual lousy factory
gaps, paint rubbed thin in several places.
Chrome worn but not worn out, stainless
trim shows well. Claimed to have never been
wrecked. Hard top included with car. Cond: 2-.
Holley carburetor reportedly have just 1,250
miles on them, but details are sloppy, including
awkward alternator mount. Cond: 3. NOT
SOLD AT $36,000. Last seen at RM's Fort
Lauderdale auction in February, '07, where
it failed to sell at $38,000 (CM# 44283). The
car was overall a used example of a once
amateurly-restored mid-year 'Vette that was
not improved by the shortcuts taken to get it
roadworthy. From missed details to deteriorated
cosmetics, the high bid was almost all the
money, and the seller might have thought twice
about letting it go. Carlisle Auctions, Carlisle,
PA, 10/08.
#S48-1964 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Custom coupe. S/N 40837S112641. Silver/
black vinyl. Odo: 11,979 miles. 327-ci 365hp
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Optional power steering,
power brakes, power windows, and AM/FM
radio. Non-GM replacement 1965 front end
and big-block hood. Silver repaint shows well
with lots of prep work underneath it, OK door
60 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
emblems and trim. All major driveline components
original. Mediocre engine detailing, fully
refurbished suspension. Excellent original
interior with limited wear. Cracks on optional
simulated rosewood wheel, seams separating
on seat backs, worn-off vacuum plating on
door armrest mounts. Cond: 3. NOT SOLD
AT $42,000. In lieu of lot S48, this was the '64
coupe to go after. While being a better car, this
final bid should have really initiated a change
in ownership. Mecum, Des Moines, IA, 7/08.
#515-1964 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N D40847S116264. Black & silver/
black leather. Odo: 14,725 miles. 350-ci 400hp
fuel-injected V8, 6-sp. Complex hot rod
built to run Americruise in '96 and '97. Stock
chassis with tubular upper A-arms, Carrera adjustable
shocks, and four-wheel discs. 32-valve
1990s ZR-1 engine, 6-speed Richmond trans,
Vintage Air. Excellent (if too-shiny) paint,
NOT SOLD AT $47,500. A time-warp 'Vette.
Extremely original cars like this are becoming
harder to find, and the market is starting
to show more interest in them. However, the
originality here was not sparkly enough to attract
a buyer, and it returned to its seller at a
below-market bid. Russo and Steele, Monterey,
CA, 8/08.
#98-1964 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 40867S106191. Daytona
Blue/white vinyl & blue hard top/silver leather.
Odo: 59,051 miles. 327-ci 365-hp V8, 4-bbl,
4-sp. Good repaint over heavier body prep
with only light body seam broadcasting along
left upper fender line. Panel and door gaps
generally even, both front inner wheelwell lips
slightly shaved. Both sets of bumpers replated,
most of easily replated trim replaced with reproductions.
Fresh replacement soft top with
only light soiling from limited use, clean and
well-restored engine bay. Although claimed to
Page 59
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Page 60
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#S174-1965 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194675S121316. Blue/
white vinyl/blue leather. Odo: 81,978 miles.
396-ci 425-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Scratched
trim on windshield surround, other trim and
chrome looks good, including sidepipes. Paint
cracked at headlight corners, engine detailed,
undercarriage shows driving dirt and grease.
have been a frame-off restoration, the interior is
all reused original. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT
$40,000. The consignors were looking to get
about $50k out of this, but before the auction,
they weren't certain what to expect. However,
it was more than the $35k that one of the auction
promoters offered before the event. $45k
to $50k is closer to where it should be. Rinstad
Auctions, Bloomington, MN, 8/08.
#F70-1964 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 40867S121849. Light blue
metallic/tan vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 37,503
miles. 327-ci 300-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Older
respray with numerous surface preparation issues.
Chrome and brightwork appear older and
show damage throughout, aftermarket chrome
Torq-Thrust-style rims look out of place.
Interior intact but tired, odometer digits all off
or Bloomington status? Seems a bit odd. With
documentation this Corvette could hit the
high estimate of $150k, but as it sat, the price
paid was about right. See profile, p. 24. RM
Auctions, Monterey, CA, 8/08.
#221-1965 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194675S122825. Milano
Maroon/black vinyl/white leather. Odo: 21,422
miles. 327-ci 300-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. A baselevel
Corvette with leather interior, although
white was not the best choice. Lower stainless
trim dented, other chrome and brightwork OK.
Low mileage stated to be original, and there's
New leather interior. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT
$90,300. This car was stated to be fitted with
“mostly factory correct” components and was
claimed to have matching numbers. Finished
in good colors and done to a better-than-driver
standard, it was a decent deal for both buyer
and seller at this price. Mecum Auctions, St.
Charles, IL, 10/08.
no reason to disagree. Redline tires, reproduction
knockoff rims, power steering and brakes.
Good panel fit and alignment, minor paint issues.
A decent Corvette with a few light needs.
Cond: 2. SOLD AT $49,500. This was not a lot
of Corvette, but it didn't go for a lot of money
either. It appeared to be sorted out, so the new
owner's next trip should be the open road. RM
Auctions, Monterey, CA, 8/08.
half a click. Tan convertible top nice and appears
relatively new. Non-numbers-matching
engine missing many detail parts. Cond: 3-.
NOT SOLD AT $27,000. Out of all mid-year
cars, 1964 has the least to offer collectors.
Although the top went down, the price realized
was enough for the tired and largely tastedriven
condition of this particular example,
and the seller would have been wise to drop
his reserve at the high bid. Carlisle Auctions,
Carlisle, PA, 10/08.
TOP 10
#9
#253-1965
CHEVROLET
CORVETTE convertible. S/N
194675S118965. Ermine White/black
vinyl. Odo: 41,412 miles. 396-ci 425-hp
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Stated to be unrestored
with original mileage. Decent panel fit,
paint chipped and touched up throughout.
Two tops, AM/FM radio, sidepipes, decent
chrome and glass. Engine bay as used with no
attempt to detail. No documentation on options.
Cond: 2. SOLD AT $101,750. An unrestored
396/425 Corvette without any documentation
62 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
surface rust on exhaust manifolds. All new
chrome. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $52,500. One
of 4,716 fitted with the L79 350-hp small-block
in 1965. This car showed few needs, and it
would have made an excellent usable driver.
Cheap money for an example in this shape.
Well bought. Mecum Auctions, St. Charles,
IL, 10/08.
#F238-1965 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194675S122868. Glen
Green/white vinyl/white vinyl. Odo: 3,456
miles. 327-ci 350-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Nice recently
redone paint shows some waves at rear
above taillights. Recently replaced top, interior
still smells new. Factory-detailed engine with
#557-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194676S127152. Red/black
canvas/black leather & vinyl. 500-ci 500-hp
V8, 4-bbl, auto. Fair panel fit and paint, but
back of driver's door has been bevelled off.
Interior clean but a bit worn. Mountney wheel,
incorrect seats, hard top in good shape. Stated
original 427/425 L72 enlarged to 500-ci by
Speed Shop Racing in 2006. Cond: 3. NOT
SOLD AT $63,400. Also not sold at Bonhams
Paris sale in February '08, where it was
bid to $69,900 (SCM# 63050). The pre-sale
estimate dropped from $120k to $80k-$100k
for this sale, but it couldn't even reach that.
Modified cars make people worry. Bonhams,
Chichester, UK, 7/08.
#295-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 194376S112462. Sunfire Yellow/
black vinyl. Odo: 88,822 miles. 327-ci 350-hp
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Driver's door pinched at rear
roofline, good paint over decent prep showing
polishing marks and overspray on driver's side
vent window rubber. Chrome and brightwork
nice but no longer show, interior shows care
but has been used and is commensurate with
the miles shown. Fitted with telescopic wheel,
sidepipes,
knockoffs,
power
windows,
and
Page 61
power brakes. Reported to be a numbers-matching
car in correct original colors. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $55,000. First seen at The Auction's
Las Vegas sale in October '00, where it failed
to sell at $29,000 (SCM# 10791). Later seen
at the same venue in April '01, where it sold
at $32,330 (SCM# 23793). Finally, seen at
Barrett-Jackson's Scottsdale event in January
'02, where it sold at $29,160 (SCM# 26904).
Here it sold for $55,000 with less than 1,000 additional
miles. The L79 327/350 engine is great
for tooling around town, so let's hope the new
owner has some fun with it. A decent deal all
around. RM Auctions, Rochester, MI, 8/08.
#563-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194676S123648. Black/
black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 37,097 miles.
427-ci 390-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Black paint
nicely done over excellent panel fit, overspray
on fenders around cowl vent.
Seller states car
has traveled less than 50 miles since receiving
a complete engine rebuild. Seats, carpet, and
With the bid going where it did, one imagines
that there's half a chance the numbers matched
on this car. If that had actually been advertised
by the vendor, it might have done another bid
or two and been cut loose. If not, the price was
all the money and more. With the current economic
slide aside, it's fall, not spring, and this
gauges all appear new but some smaller trim
pieces are showing rust and pitting. A nice
driver quality Corvette, but not ready for any
big shows. Cond: 3. NOT SOLD AT $69,000.
1966 was the first year Chevrolet fitted the 427
engine in the Corvette. This car had all the
right options, and a suitable buyer just wasn't
present. It should have brought more than this
high bid, so the seller was wise to hang on to
it and wait for another day. Cox Auctions,
Branson, MO, 9/08.
#S165-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194676S107135. Nassau
Blue/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 64,046
miles. 396-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Originally a
427/390, now fitted with a 396 from an unknown
source. Decent paint shows one chip
and light cracks at headlight corners, typical
Corvette fit and panel gaps. New seat covers,
carpet shows some fading. Wiper tracks and
stone chips on windshield, some scratching
on trim around glass. Fitted with sidepipes
and Goldlines with knockoffs. Not detailed
underneath. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $53,550. Most
numbers matched on this car, but the N.O.M.
kept it from reaching the thin air of the original
engine 427 roadsters. Sold a bit on the high
side for a different-engine car, but the rest of
the package made it worth it. Mecum Auctions,
St. Charles, IL, 10/08.
TOP 10
#4
#237-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194677S106817.
Ermine White & red/black canvas/red
leather. Odo: 39,949 miles. 427-ci 435-hp V8,
3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Stored for 27 years, restored in
2005. Claimed matching numbers and original
mileage. Excellent respray; door jambs rough
and typical of factory production, stinger hood
paint not. Engine bay well done with correct
marks and decals. Redline tires, side exhaust.
Well presented. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $138,000.
To my eye, these Corvettes do not show well in
Ermine White. Perhaps others agreed, as the
final price paid here was under the money for
a 427/435 convertible in this condition. RM
Auctions, Monterey, CA, 8/08.
#F73-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194677S117096. Rally Red/
tan vinyl/red leather. Odo: 9,275 miles. 327-ci
350-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Older comprehensive
restoration exhibits light chips and factoryaccurate
gaps under good uniform finish.
Chrome a bit wavy, brightwork above par. Tan
top appears newer than paintwork, red leather
interior gorgeous with the exception of a slight
driver's seat bottom fit issue. Wood wheel fitted
for a sporting look. Older engine bay restoration
could use a fresh detailing to keep it from coming
undone. Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT $73,000.
www.vettemarket.com FALL 2008 Corvette Market 63
Page 62
Market
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TOP 10
#10
Global Roundup
Corvettes across the block
money ought to have owned the car. Carlisle
Auctions, Carlisle, PA, 10/08.
Best Buy #F193-1967 CHEVROLET
CORVETTE convertible. S/N
194677S106817. White & red/black
vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 34,953 miles. 427-ci 435hp
V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Nice paint application
and chrome replating, new interior with headrests,
new top. Engine compartment as-new,
I wouldn't even attempt to fix it... I would just
drive it and show it as is. You can't see flaws
from five feet anyway. The bid was fair here.
Mecum Auctions, St. Charles, IL, 10/08.
with some fuel dripping from center carburetor.
Fitted with telescopic wheel, sidepipes, and
Redline tires on Rally wheels. Cond: 2. SOLD
AT $94,500. It was hard to fault this recent
high-level restoration with no apparent detail
overlooked. However, it sold ar RM Monterey
two months prior to this for $138k, so this was
a huge hit for the consignor. Mecum Auctions,
St. Charles, IL, 10/08.
#S46-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194677S107952. Red &
black/black vinyl/white vinyl. Odo: 36,797
miles. 427-ci 390-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Fitted with
power windows. Some scratches and chips in
paint, star crack by antenna. Equipped with five
original Kelsey-Hayes alloy wheels and original
#S184-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194677S104422. Marlboro
Maroon & black/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo:
20,314 miles. 427-ci 400-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp.
Thick paint with one star crack on hood and
numerous chips and prep flaws elsewhere.
Both doors fit very wide at top of windshield.
Clean engine shows some fuel leaks from
run out OK, leaks some coolant when parked.
Older replacement seat upholstery and carpet,
remainder of interior original. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $29,400. Last seen a month earlier
at Mecum's St. Paul auction, then a no-sale
at $22,500. In retrospect, the seller was quite
prudent to hold out for more, as he did quite
well for a short jaunt south with it. Sold well.
Mecum, Des Moines, IA, 7/08.
TOP 10
#2
#355-1968
CHEVROLET
CORVETTE L88 Competition convertible.
S/N 194678S405175. Blue &
white/black vinyl. Odo: 4,696 miles. 454-ci 430hp
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Ex-James Garner Team AIR/
Dick Guldstrand FIA GT. A very well-known
car, and driven onto the ramp and introduced by
triple carbs. Driver's side outside mirror missing,
wiper blades bent. A claimed matchingnumbers
example. Cond: 2-. NOT SOLD AT
$69,000. Stated to have had an NCRS-quality
body-off restoration, but it clearly had a rough
time since then. It looked like many of the problems
may have been associated with transporting
this car. It is hard to confidently bid on a
car that looks unloved. Mecum Auctions, St.
Charles, IL, 10/08.
C3
headrest seats. Some paint chips on shifter trim
plate, engine dirty with no restoration done.
Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT $105,000. Even
though it wasn't perfect, this was still a nice
big-block Corvette with much originality. This
bid wasn't far from the mark, but the seller was
looking for a number closer to $125k. Mecum
Auctions, St. Charles, IL, 10/08.
#S83-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194677S117707. White
& black/black vinyl. Odo: 10,189 miles.
427-ci 390-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Fitted with
teak telescopic wheel, a/c, and tinted glass.
Factory shine on paint with numerous light
cracks at headlights, driver's door, and base
of windshield. Several paint chips also visible.
Windshield chipped, chrome and trim nice.
New interior shows well. Engine compartment
clean aside from surface rust on master
cylinder. Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT $83,000. A
pretty car with no glaring flaws, but the paint
lets it down a bit, and that won't be an easy fix.
64 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
#S92-1968 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194678S414699. Corvette
Bronze/white vinyl/brown leather. Odo: 9,234
miles. 327-ci 350-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Options
include power brakes, power steering, and
AM/FM radio. Recent restoration by Corvette
International. Good body prep and repaint, but
not quite good enough to bring to Bloomington
Gold. Better-than-original bumper plating,
mostly reproduction emblems and trim.
Original block and heads, aftermarket performance
ignition, fan, and radiator. Seems to
Guldstrand himself. Provenance from new,
replaced engine. Recent vintage race and
concours outings. Very well restored to better-than-new
race car standards inside and out.
Cond: 1. SOLD AT $744,000. A reasonable
price for an important piece of Corvette history,
even if it wasn't very successful. See profile,
p. 26. Bonhams & Butterfields, Carmel,
CA, 8/08.
#F37-1968 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194678S417909. Hugger
Orange & white/tan vinyl/tan vinyl. Odo:
15,390 miles. 427-ci 390-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp.
Bright paint executed to a high standard with
wide white rally stripes. Gaps factory or better,
chrome nicely done, brightwork a mix of
replacement and original and could be better
around windshield. Interior tidy and nicely
restored, with factory a/c in dash. Engine compartment
also well restored, though aftermarket
performance parts and some amateurish wiring
could have been more cleanly done. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $32,288. While a bit overdone and
smacking of fakey-doo hot rodder, this must
be enjoyable to drive whether the numbers
matched or not—as long as the big-block was
not from much later than the car. I call this
reasonably well bought for a non-Bloomington
Page 63
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Page 64
Market
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Global Roundup
Corvettes across the block
Gold Corvette enthusiast, or perhaps even as a
fun weekend driver for that individual. Carlisle
Auctions, Carlisle, PA, 10/08.
#8B-1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 194379S73073. Monza Red/tan
vinyl. Odo: 89,509 miles. 427-ci 390-hp V8,
4-bbl, 4-sp. Fitted with power brakes, AM/FM
radio, tilt/telescopic column, and luggage rack.
Decent older repaint has some chips along
door seams and star cracks above left front
wheel. Unevenly shaved front inner wheelwell
lips. Door gaps good, light fiberglass damage
#S658-1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
L88 coupe. S/N 194379S710154. Fathom
Green & black/tan leather. Odo: 47,732 miles.
427-ci 430-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. One of 216 L88s
made. Unrestored, with checked, scratched, and
chipped paint. Driver's door very checked, one
on driver's door forward edge appears to have
been caused by door hitting hinge. Good older
bumper replate job, balance of trim acceptable.
Seat bottoms have seams letting go, original
seat backs show almost no wear. Cond: 3-.
SOLD AT $27,000. While an authentic red
big-block car, this was still fairly rough. This
was purchased by a dealer, so he thinks there's
still money on the table in it. However, it may
be a case of equal returns, as he'll likely
get back money equal to what is spent on it.
VanDerBrink Auctions, Hensel, ND, 9/08.
#427-1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 194379S703817. Tuxedo Black/
Gunmetal vinyl. Odo: 35,370 miles. 427-ci
390-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Decent Tuxedo Black
repaint with unusual but correct Gunmetal interior.
Fitted with 3.08 Positraction, a/c, power
windows, side exhaust, tilt/telescopic column,
AM/FM, Redline tires, and reportedly $40,000
headlight stuck in the up position. A level four
survivor at Bowling Green in 2008. Cond: 4.
NOT SOLD AT $280,000. A wonderful rat...
and the car to have for Corvette guys who
value originality over restoration. Why “fix”
it? Considering all that was factory here, the
seller can't be faulted for hanging on to it at
this price. Russo and Steele, Monterey, CA,
8/08.
#21-1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 194379S738548. Black/Gunmetal
vinyl. Odo: 40,125 miles. 427-ci 435-hp V8,
3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Claimed to be the last L71
Corvette built and showing original mileage.
Body has light seam broadcasting, paint quality
congruent with original, with only moderate
scratches and a few nicks. All original
chrome and trim slightly wavy. Motor virtually
untouched and worn, smog gear still in place.
GM crate 502. Old body modifications done
to flare out wheel openings not exceptionally
noticeable and done well. Rear valance panel
missing, but bits are included on the adjacent
wooden pallet. Repaint dull, with lots of
nicks and scrapes. Both side mirrors missing.
Declared while being sold to have inoperable
front brakes. Moderate seat wear, but not
worn though anywhere. Cond: 4-. SOLD AT
$18,750. The next worst thing to a barn-find
basket case. Besides, front brakes are overrated
anyway... cars didn't have 'em until the
mid-1920s. The only way one could come out
even on this deal is to find the original motor
on the parts pile pallet, and you'll only likely
keep up on the expenses and not make any
money. Sold exceptionally well. VanDerBrink
Auctions, Hensel, ND, 9/08.
#F38-1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194679S733975. Rally Red/
white vinyl/black vinyl & cloth. Odo: 86,363
miles. 350-ci 350-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Nice older
respray shows few signs of inadequate prep.
Body gaps better than new, white convertible
top taut and clean with no faults. Bumpers
redone and somewhat wavy, brightwork completely
original and shows some signs of age.
Interior mostly original, with thumbprint-size
hole in dash top and modern “Corvette” stereo
spent in restoration. Front fenders rubbed by
tires. Cond: 2-. NOT SOLD AT $45,000. This
car appeared to be a very usable original with
a fresh repaint and well-done interior. However,
390-hp models trail 435-hp ground-pounders by
$15,000–$20,000, and I'd have taken this bid
like a shot, as it was only about $6,000 below
high book. Silver Auctions, Reno, NV, 8/08.
66 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Rally wheels, Firestone Wide Oval Redline
tires. Original interior almost better than some
lower-end replacement stuff, with only light
wear to carpet. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $77,000.
While seeming a bit scruffy under the hood and
under the body, this is the sort of thing that
Bloomington Gold judges don't mind seeing.
The reserve was lifted when the final bid was
taken, yielding a good buy whether it's the last
L71 or not. Worldwide Group, Auburn, IN,
8/08.
#25B-1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 194379S727326. LeMans Blue/
black vinyl. Odo: 43,232 miles. 502-ci V8,
4-bbl, 4-sp. Claimed to originally have been a
427/435 car, currently fitted with a 20-mile-old
in dash. Underhood relatively undetailed with
Edelbrock cast finned valve covers and a missing
distributor cover. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD
AT $35,000. The Corvette enthusiast was king
here... Spending a solid winter of tinkering with
the details and very little investment could easily
pick this car up most of a condition grade, which
would likely mean a four-digit price increase by
springtime. A few of these types helped to get the
bid up to this level, but it was just not enough
to get the deal done. Seller might have thought
twice about letting it go home with someone
else. Carlisle Auctions, Carlisle, PA, 10/08.
Page 65
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Market
Report
Global Roundup
Corvettes across the block
#13-1970 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194670S408851. Maroon
metallic/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 70,227
miles. 350-ci 350-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Options
include a/c, tilt/telescopic steering column,
luggage rack, and both tops. Originally yellow,
horrid older repaint with lots of orange peel,
chipping, scratches, and lifting. Filthy engine
bay with a multitude of hack-job repairs and go
fast parts. Driver's seat edging coming loose
components over non-original engine. Mediocre
repaint with some visible issues, new interior
with non-matching door panels. 1969 side
pipes, Moto-Lita steering wheel, rear luggage
rack. Rocker panel trim missing. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $16,800. This was clearly not stock,
but it looked OK at 15 feet. Cheap enough for a
'71, and even though it likely won't return more
than this price for its new owner, it'll make a
great driver. Mecum Auctions, St. Charles, IL,
10/08.
on outboard side, carpeting has average wear,
majority of interior rather heavily soiled. Hard
top firmly affixed all weekend. Cond: 4. SOLD
AT $10,600. Lot 13, how apropriate. The consignor
bragged that it had been in storage from
1984 until 2004, and it looks the part. Too bad
it wasn't stored well. It also doesn't help when
you boast about having lots of new driveline
parts. Very well sold when the bidding stopped.
Poorly bought, unless someone is looking for a
winter beater C3. Otherwise a gaping money
pit for some unlucky soul. Rinstad Auctions,
Bloomington, MN, 8/08.
#S58-1970 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194670S411535. Blue/white
vinyl/blue vinyl. Odo: 38,916 miles. 350-ci
370-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Newer thick reapint
with color mismatch on headlight doors and
rear side panels. Micro-pitting in rear bumper
chrome, some interior chrome trim pitting
as well. Dash color mismatched, new seats,
Best Buy #398-1972 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 1Z07W28516735. Orange/black
canvas/black leather. Odo: 3,502 miles. 454-ci
270-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Western Washington
car reportedly kept at a beach home. Fitted
with a/c, tilt/telescopic column, and trunk
rack. Great paint in a good color, typical
body fit, good chrome, clean underneath.
notable for reduced “net” horsepower claims,
even though that's just paperwork. They're
mostly remembered as the end of an era, and
rubber-nosed '73s are much cheaper. Silver
Auctions, Reno, NV, 8/08.
#92-1973 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 1Z37Z3S402033. Red, white, &
blue/black vinyl. Odo: 74,916 miles. 396-ci
V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. North Dakota drag racer,
claimed a champion with consistent 9.80s in
the quarter mile. Zero miles on rebuilt engine
with Keith Black pistons, tunnel ram, and dual
fours. Race quality paint and details, scrape
carpet and door panels fitted. Engine shows
driving dirt and rusty headers. Windshield
washer pump missing parts and disconnected.
Scratches on side glass. Cond: 3. NOT SOLD
AT $34,000. A '70 LT-1 is a very desirable
Corvette today and they almost always bring
strong money. Having said that, this one wasn't
perfect, and I don't know where it will get a
better offer than what was bid here. Mecum
Auctions, St. Charles, IL, 10/08.
#U52-1971 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 194371S115337. Red/red vinyl.
Odo: 78,119 miles. 327-ci 350-hp V8, 4-bbl,
auto. Equipped with a/c and many aftermarket
68 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Little wear to interior, top looks new. Engine
details appear correct, underhood paint not
typical of factory production. New BFG radial
tires. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $37,800. This looked
like a Microsoft-financed restoration; the car
left a trail of greenbacks as it pulled onto the
block, but to surprisingly lukewarm response.
Sure, it was only a 270-hp 454, but everything
else was as you'd want it. Sold slightly over
low book and very well bought indeed. Silver
Auctions, Reno, NV, 8/08.
#383-1972 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 1Z67K2S501314. Targa Blue/
black canvas/blue cloth. Odo: 89,309 miles.
350-ci 200-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Good color and
excellent panel fit, although right front fender
appears repaired. Decent chrome, too much flat
black paint underhood, windshield chipped.
Acceptable wear to interior. Claimed to be
an original L48 with power steering, power
windows, tilt/telescopic column, and AM/FM
radio. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $31,320. Looked
like just a nice driver in a good color and
priced accordingly at low book. The '72s were
on right front fender—all the effort obviously
mechanical. Cond: 4. NOT SOLD AT $8,500.
A hairy old race car with history. Some viewers
remembered it in Denver in the early 1980s.
Despite comments to the contrary, the mileage
suggests it had a street life before it went
racing, as it would take a long time to rack
up 74,000 miles in quarter-mile increments.
The bidders apparently had doubts too. Silver
Auctions, Reno, NV, 8/08.
#S125-1975 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Custom coupe. S/N 1Z37J5S430732. Dark
blue metallic/blue vinyl. Odo: 78,715 miles.
350-ci 205-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Optional a/c.
Heavily nicked and scratched '80s-era mediocre
repaint, several body cracks, door sills look
rattle-canned. Noticeable color shift between
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body and soft front and rear fascias. Suspension
sits high, and judging by a plethora of muffler
dents, one could almost have painted the car
orange and called it the General Lee, as it looks
like that extra suspension height was needed
for jumping curbs and creeks. Dashboard and
door panel vinyl OK, seats very dingy. Cond:
4-. NOT SOLD AT $5,400. This poor C3 was
so heavily abused that it needed counseling and
a support group. As such, more than enough
was bid here, as the only cost-effective thing to
do here would be use it until it drops. Mecum,
Des Moines, IA, 7/08.
#18-1977 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 1Z37L7S421569. Corvette
Orange/brown leather. Odo: 41,495 miles.
350-ci 180-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Options include
leather interior, power windows, tilt/telescopic
column, and luggage rack. Consignor claims
original miles and that he's the second owner.
Original paint a little thin on some panel edges.
Apart from some light driver's side bolster
wear, all-original interior shows little wear,
commensurate with the miles indicated. Dealer
accessory carpeted floor mats of the era are
average. Brightwork acceptable for a driver, but
details suffer. Rough interior appears original
aside from new seatcovers, engine bay has no
evident cosmetic restoration despite claimed
900-mile rebuilt engine. Cond: 3-. NOT SOLD
AT $9,500. Even if it was not a “malaise era”
'Vette, a car in this condition simply failed to
impress most who viewed it for any signs of an
upside. As an average 20-footer, it was bid up
to local used car lot value, but the enthusiasm
stopped well short of its $14k reserve price. No
mention was made of any deals after the sale,
and I watched its owner drive it back toward
the loading area later on. Carlisle Auctions,
Carlisle, PA, 10/08.
#S195-1978 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Indy Pace
Car
Edition coupe. S/N
1Z8748S905199. Black & silver/smoked tint
panels/silver leather. Odo: 25,807 miles. 350ci
220-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Original tires dismounted
but included, IPC graphics packaged
in original N.O.S. box. AM/FM/8-track in box
on passenger's footwell, modern DIN-mount
stereo with 12-disc CD mounted in its place.
wheels dull, 4-speed uncommon. All goofy
stickers in place. Black urethane bumpers
still a fair match, interior shows light wear to
driver's seat area. Just a used car. Cond: 3-.
NOT SOLD AT $8,600. One of 6,502 which
appear at auctions everywhere like hordes of
Flying Dutchmen. At least this was an L82
and a 4-speed, which made it fractionally
more desirable. The money was right, as these
cars aren't going anywhere. Silver Auctions,
Portland, OR, 9/08.
#10B-1978 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Indy Pace
Car
Edition coupe. S/N
1Z8748S904693. Black & silver/mirrored
glass/silver leather. Odo: 15,159 miles. 350-ci
220-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Representatives of the
estate claim correct mileage. Pretty good original
paint with typical mediocre application and
thick masking. Hood stripes and L82 trim emblem
crazed, light crazing along top forward
section of passenger's door, buffing burn along
getting a bit rough around the edging. Cleaned
up generally unmolested engine bay. Cond:
3. SOLD AT $9,540. While this came off as
a bit shabby, it generally speaking is what a
Bloomington Gold judge doesn't mind seeing.
As our friends there say, you can grow dust
and corrosion, but you can't grow new paint
and upholstery on a car. It wouldn't also be too
much of a stretch to just use it as a summer
driver, but this one is just a heavy clean-up
job from being a Survivor or possibly even a
Benchmark, so I hope that the new owner goes
that route with it. Or at least makes a try at it.
Rinstad Auctions, Bloomington, MN, 8/08.
#F11-1977 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 1Z37L7S426960. Red/red vinyl &
cloth. Odo: 89,487 miles. 350-ci 190-hp V8,
4-bbl, auto. Quality repaint extremely rough
in jambs, but most exterior surfaces are above
Generally well-preserved original paint buffed
out recently, typical rippling of front and rear
fascia covers. Engine generally clean, chassis
somewhat rusty. Typical light yellowing of
silver leather, light carpet and steering wheel
rim wear. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT $22,000.
You could do far worse for a '78 Pace Car,
mostly due to this one having the desirable
L82 and 4-speed. If the history had been more
iron-clad—with paperwork to prove it—the
consignor would have been justified in holding
onto it. However, being an as-is, where-is
proposition, this price was about right. Mecum,
Des Moines, IA, 7/08.
#44-1978 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Indy Pace
Car
Edition coupe. S/N
1Z8749S438440. Black & silver/silver leather.
Odo: 48,020 miles. 350-ci 220-hp V8, 4-bbl,
4-sp. Paint fair with some chips and scrapes,
right front fender arch. Pace Car lettering not
installed or included. Patched dashpad above
glove box door. Aftermarket dash plaque states
the name of the original owner. Fitted with
aftermarket trailer hitch. Cond: 3. SOLD AT
$30,000. Welcome not to the Flickertail state,
but the Land of Stupid money. While it has the
most desirable powertrain combination, the
condition just isn't anywhere near $30k great.
This should be more like a $20k acceptable
driver. Based on both the car's overall condition
and how easy it is to unhook the odometer,
I'd question the miles indicated. VanDerBrink
Auctions, Hensel, ND, 9/08.
#936-1979 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 1Z8789S415972. White/black
70 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Page 69
vinyl. Odo: 23,335 miles. 350-ci 195-hp V8,
4-bbl, auto. Make that 123,335 miles; flat
paint, urethane nose typically mismatched,
rear bumper chipped. Cheesy pinstripe, right
front fender damaged, wheel curbed. Driver's
seat worn, stitching torn, rear inside deck
scratched. Cond: 4. SOLD AT $10,800. Just
a used car, although the white color probably
saved the paint from looking worse. There are
lots of these to choose from, but they're not fast
and not pretty, so why bother? Still, it did pass
Nevada smog, so at least it could be licensed.
Well sold. Silver Auctions, Reno, NV, 8/08.
#587-1979 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 1Z8789S409477. Yellow/black
vinyl. Odo: 69,604 miles. 350-ci 225-hp V8,
4-bbl, auto. Professional paint needs a bit
more buffing and some work around T-tops.
Nice interior with recent seat upholstery and
original shift boot, very nice dash marred by
dirty window switches. Clean engine bay with
no noticeable flaws. A nice Corvette that was
this one was covered in polished and anodized
aluminum bits and seemed to have been well
cared for. This will be parked in the garage of
a rich foreigner soon... It screams out “look at
me” and would probably be a lethal stoplight
race machine. I dare the new owner to hit the
nitrous... should be the ride of his life. Cox
Auctions, Branson, MO, 9/08.
#109-1980 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 1Z878AS404204. Black/black
vinyl. Odo: 72,353 miles. 350-ci 190-hp V8,
4-bbl, auto. Good older repaint, generic aftermarket
mags, driver's seat torn, nose shows
several stone chips. Very complete records and
matching numbers. Second owner has had it 18
years. Cond: 3-. NOT SOLD AT $15,000. This
the other car's top bid and was the better
deal. Slightly well bought. Carlisle Auctions,
Carlisle, PA, 10/08.
C4
#99-1984 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Custom coupe. S/N 1G1AY0781ES5142580.
Silver/black leather. Odo: 48,779 miles.
350-ci 205-hp fuel-injected V8, 4+3 manual.
Bizarre C5 body kit fitted to a first-year C4.
Evidence that the driver's door was red suggests
a profound rebuild took place. Paint quite
good, marked wear to driver's seat. Wheel-
probably restored one piece at a time. Cond:
3. SOLD AT $11,880. This car appeared to
have been taken care of over the years and was
likely slowly restored by an enthusiast on a
budget. All the big stuff had been replaced, so
the new owner made a wise purchase decision
and will be able to make a 2- car using only a
parts catalog. Excellent sale for both parties.
Cox Auctions, Branson, MO, 9/08.
Twin
#621-1979 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Turbo Custom coupe. S/N
1Z87L8S401572. Brown, gold, tan, & maroon/brown,
gold, tan, & maroon leather. Odo:
72,554 miles. 350-ci 700-hp twin-turbocharged
V8, 5-sp. Custom paint and interior done in
the 1970s to a high standard. Late '70s vintage
cheater series N.O.S. system and Banks
twin turbo setup. More gauges than most
aircraft, factory CB, glass tops. This car was
modified top to bottom and looks ready for a
Cannonball. Claimed 700 horsepower, BF
Goodrich Comp T/As are nearly gone in the
back. A macho Corvette straight from the disco
era. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $17,820. Normally
these older modified cars don't do well, but
seemed like a solid old car, if unspectacular.
My notes thought this a decent buy at around
$9k, so I was astonished to see $15k refused.
Apparently there are people who don't read car
magazines or even watch the television news.
I'd have taken the money and tried to keep a
straight face. Silver Auctions, Portland, OR,
9/08.
#F101-1981 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 1G1AY8765BS419001. Tuxedo
Black/red leather & vinyl. Odo: 51,705 miles.
350-ci 190-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Possibly original
black paint light around the edges, black
buffed off some trim, side and rear glass heavily
arches oddly proportioned. Cond: 3. SOLD
AT $9,180. This looked like David Byrne in the
big white suit from the Talking Heads “Stop
Making Sense” tour. It was a clumsy-looking
conversion but it couldn't have been cheap.
It does raise the question of how much of the
original C4 body survived the likely crash.
Was it a good buy? Who knows... Have you
ever seen another? Silver Auctions, Portland,
OR, 9/08.
Best Buy #F110-1985 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 1G1YY0789F5119337. Red/gray
leather. Odo: 76,689 miles. 350-ci 240-hp fuelinjected
V8, auto. High-quality respray with
only slight overspray on small trim and slight
dirt under finish. Interior cleaner and tighter
than most, apart from light front speaker
grille fading and normal driver's seat bolster
wear. Engine bay complete and correct, but
tinted. Original interior shows wear, especially
at leather seat centers and door panels. Engine
bay detailed to a driver standard, Holley carburetor
and air cleaner incorrect. Giant sidepipes
not to everyone's taste. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT
$10,238. Even with the L81 package, this
final St. Louis offering is not a very powerful
'Vette, but it is made more appealing with some
power options and the 4-speed transmission. A
considerably nicer car than the red car offered
earlier in the sale, this one sold at around
not overly detailed. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT
$6,825. A nice and well-kept C4. Despite the
automatic transmission and normal wear and
tear, the FE7 handling package and Z51 suspension
made this a good driver. In addition,
the seller indicated that many new parts had
been installed and some maintenance had been
performed in the not-too-distant past. Slightly
well bought, with plenty of room for enjoyment
and improvement down the road. Carlisle
Auctions, Carlisle, PA, 10/08.
www.vettemarket.com FALL 2008 Corvette Market 71
Page 70
Market
Report
Global Roundup
Corvettes across the block
#F106-1986 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Indy Pace Car convertible.
S/N
1G1YY6780G5904382. Yellow/black cloth/
gray leather. Odo: 25,670 miles. 350-ci 240-hp
fuel-injected V8, auto. Original paint shows
light buffing scrapes around edges. Pace car
decals complete and likely original, trim unmarred.
Driver's seat once torn and repaired
at seat bottom bolster, interior otherwise nearmint
throughout. Cloth top appears good but
was down during preview. Engine bay tidy
without signs of detailing, hood helper strut
absolutely dead. Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT
$15,000. A Corvette hood feels pretty light
until you have to lift one by yourself. Maybe
my ZR-1's lighter headlamp pods make a bit
of difference, but I'm willing to bet it's more
than that. Despite this example's flaws, it was
a nice piece, and the seller was wise to hold on
to it at this top bid. Carlisle Auctions, Carlisle,
PA, 10/08.
#S120-1987 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 1G1YY2183H5121530. Polo
White/red leather. Odo: 77,819 miles. 350-ci
240-hp fuel-injected V8, 4+3 manual. Good
original paint now heavily buffed out but showing
very few chips and light scratches. Dull
original alloy wheels, older tires. Redyed seats,
replacement door armrests, aftermarket center
console armrest pad. Aftermarket door sill
350-ci 245-hp fuel-injected V8, auto. Factory
options include power leather seats & electronic
a/c. Aftermarket pseudo-wood appliqué
dashboard and console trim & DIN-mount CD
stereo system. Acceptable driver-grade repaint
with a few masking miscues and overspray.
Yellow replacement spark plug wiring sticks
out like a sore thumb in otherwise unkempt
engine compartment. Average used car wear,
tear, grime, and corrosion to undercarriage.
Loose upper door panel plastic trim. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $9,250. This had all the trappings of
a summer daily driver that had been stuffed in
the back of the garage once winter hit. Lower
than average mileage, but average wear, so
a market-correct selling price. Mecum, Des
Moines, IA, 7/08.
#S209-1989 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 1G1YY2182K5119890. Arctic
White/bronze glass/red leather. Odo: 9,190
miles. 350-ci 245-hp fuel-injected V8, auto.
Original paint with hand-applied red and black
pinstripes exhibiting minor wear. Light trim
preservation issues from storage. Driver's seat
lightly wrinkled, rest of interior near-perfect.
Engine bay never cleaned or detailed but some
repairs evident to wiring harness suggest mice
damage. Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT $12,000.
Odo: 85,721 miles. 350-ci 250-hp fuel-injected
V8, auto. Superb House of Colors paint said
to have cost $11k in 2003. Claimed to have
$1,700 in new injectors and a recent tune up.
New rubbers and emblems, interior shows
reasonable wear for the mileage indicated.
Cond: 2+. NOT SOLD AT $8,500. This had
obviously been loved, used, and apparently
decently maintained, but the C4 lament continues.
The final bid showed that nobody cared,
and it's going to be a while until they do. Silver
Auctions, Portland, OR, 9/08.
Best Buy #S44-1990 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
ZR-1 coupe. S/N 1G1YZ23J5L5800448.
Red/red leather. Odo: 39,239 miles. 350-ci 375hp
fuel-injected V8, 6-sp. Some scratches and
chips in original paint, glass chips on windshield.
Clean interior shows no bolster wear
but does have one crack in plastic driver's seat
adjuster. Engine appears car-wash clean. Cond:
2+. SOLD AT $18,900. A first-year ZR-1 that
showed care of ownership. Having 39k miles is
better than 1k if it is to be a driver for the new
owner. A very good buy that sorely tempted me.
Mecum Auctions, St. Charles, IL, 10/08.
#F89-1990 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
ZR-1 coupe. S/N 1G1YZ23J0L5802377.
Medium red metallic/bronze glass/tan leather.
protectors, DIN-mount stereo, speakers cut into
both doors and cargo bulkhead, GPS protrudes
out of dash. Nothing too special under the hood,
as it's basically a mildly cleaned-up used car.
Cond: 3-. NOT SOLD AT $6,600. Although a
bit on the low side, we are talking about $400
tops, so this could have found a new owner if
the seller really had to move it out. Mecum, Des
Moines, IA, 7/08.
#S5-1989 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. Red/black cloth/black leather.
Run initially in the all-original hour as lot F91,
this preservation-grade example just didn't
take off with any of the bidders at this sale on
either day. While in nearly as-new condition,
the powertrain and light cosmetic issues held
its value down. As such, the high bid was not
far off the mark. Carlisle Auctions, Carlisle,
PA, 10/08.
#56-1990 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 1G1YY3387L5109327.
Brandy Wineberry/black canvas/gray leather.
72 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Page 71
Odo: 6,614 miles. 350-ci 375-hp fuel-injected
V8, 6-sp. Completely out-of-the-wrapper down
to new-looking Goodyear Eagles. Unusual and
rare color combo. Later AC Delco battery,
oil filter, and missing owner's kit are all that
detracts from this two-top autobahn burner
that isn't bright red, yellow, or black. Cond:
2+. NOT SOLD AT $21,000. From the company
that brought you the instant collectible
Cadillac Eldorado convertible came another
car that people paid egregious premiums
for and immediately put away. Last seen at
Corvettes at Carlisle in August '08, where it
was reported sold at $28,000 complete with
Owner's Package (CM# 118014). This ZR-1
saw some use, but not much. The bid was light
and the seller was trying to make a deal below
$30,000 with numerous suitors; a deal I would
have taken myself if I didn't already own a
low-mile ZR-1. Carlisle Auctions, Carlisle,
PA, 10/08.
#9B-1993 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Anniversary Edition coupe. S/N
1G1YY23P5P5106515. Ruby Red/maroon
leather. Odo: 32,050 miles. 350-ci 300-hp fuelinjected
V8, 6-sp. Currently titled in the state
of New Jersey. In addition to the two-score
anniversary package, fitted with Delco Bose
AM/FM/CD stereo, electronic climate control,
and tinted roof panel.
40th
Excellent original
paint without nicks or polishing swirls, light
wheel rash on most of the rims, original tires
almost down to wear bars. Like-new interior,
with minimal carpet and seating surface wear.
Aftermarket car cover included. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $19,000. All in all, one could say
this car was quite a plumb (pun intended).
While in nice shape with low miles, the selling
price was still quite generous for the car.
VanDerBrink Auctions, Hensel, ND, 9/08.
#F92-1994 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 1G1YY33P7P5106134.
White/white vinyl & hard top/black leather.
Odo: 55,869 miles. 350-ci 300-hp fuel-injected
V8, auto. Paint rubbed off right side front
bumper, some deep stone chips on windshield,
light driver seat bolster wear. Engine clean but
clearly driven. Hard top included. Cond: 2.
NOT SOLD AT $16,000. A moderately used
'Vette in nice condition. The only down side is
only. Lighter than what would be expected
interior wear, with moderate wrinkling on seat
bottoms and sides and heavier wear on driver's
side carpeting—and even that is minimal.
Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $16,000. The nice thing
about buying a C4 in North Dakota is that you
get a car that has only been used for about
half of the year, since you'd have to have a
death wish to drive one on a snowy day, even
with winter tires. A retail-plus sale price, but
a surprisingly nice stock jewel among a lot of
somewhat disappointing cars. VanDerBrink
Auctions, Hensel, ND, 9/08.
#S39.1-1996 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 1G1YY22P8S5114084. Bright
Aqua Metallic/gray lether. Odo: 60,926 miles.
350-ci 300-hp fuel-injected V8, auto. Very
the auto transmission. A market-correct bid.
Mecum Auctions, St. Charles, IL, 10/08.
#3B-1995 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 1G1YY22P4S5104149. Black/tan
leather. Odo: 76,566 miles. 350-ci 300-hp
fuel-injected V8, 6-sp. Fitted with leather sport
seats, dual zone climate control, Delco Bose
stereo, and chrome alloy wheels. Front tires
past wear bars on the outside inch of tread on
each side. Excellent original paint with some
minor wear on front fascia. Recently cleaned
up engine bay, with soap and water detailing
good original paint with only a few nicks on
rubber nose. No out-of-the-ordinary rippling of
any body components. OE-style tires nearing
the end of their service life, minimal engine
clean-up. Very light interior wear congruent
with odometer reading. Less wear than expected
on original dual power leather seats,
aftermarket door sill carpet protectors. Cond:
3. NOT SOLD AT $10,000. On all Corvettes,
perhaps the best year to get for a driver is the
final year of the product cycle. This is especially
true of Bowling Green-built cars. Since
the car was lightly used and mostly original,
one can't blame the consignor for holding out
for more... even if it isn't all that much more.
Mecum, Des Moines, IA, 7/08.
C6
TOP 10
#5
#S99.1-2009 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
ZR1 coupe. S/N 1G1YRZ6R195800048.
Red/black leather. Odo: 7 miles. 6.2-
liter 638-hp supercharged V8, 6-sp. The 48th
ZR1 built, still new in wrapper. Excellent
paint, trim, and interior. Factory tag says 20
mpg. The “Blue Devil” has arrived. Cond: 1.
SOLD AT $137,500. On top of the $102,450
base price, the 3ZR premium equipment group
adds $10,000, chrome wheels add $2,000,
the gas guzzler tax tacks on $1,700, and the
destination fee totals $850... bringing the total
sticker to $117,000. This car went to $133k and
it was stalled by the reserve until the bidder
jumped his own bid to buy it at this price. While
this might seem expensive, limited supply and
high demand will likely keep prices high in the
near future. Mecum Auctions, St. Charles, IL,
10/08. ■
www.vettemarket.com FALL 2008 Corvette Market 73
Page 72
Trick
Stuff
What you need for your Corvette and where to get it. By John Gunnell
Gets you through ups and downs
Mid America Motorworks has new replacement C4 Corvette win-
dow regulators, built to factory specs and backed with a lifetime
warranty. They include a heavy-duty motor with an anti-rattle cushion
installed, a heavy-duty preset spring, installation hardware, and
complete installation instructions. The regulators are direct replacements
for any 1987–96 Corvette. They can also be put in any 1984–86
Corvette to end ribbon-style regulator problems and give owners a cool
upgrade. The Model 604-604 right-hand Power Window Regulator with
motor is $279.99. The price for the left-hand unit is the same. Better
yet, you can save $60 by purchasing a pair for $249.99 each. Mid
America Motorworks, 800.500.1500,
www.mamotorworks.com.
Dot's a good idea
Invisible to the naked eye,
Big red cover for big red car
Coverking's goal is to sell a custom car cover that fits your
'Vette perfectly, with the fewest seams possible. By engineering
its own fabrics and offering a wide selection of materials, the
company offers a product line customized to the buyer's choice.
Coverking advertises that even a monsoon-style rainstorm
couldn't get through to a car with a Coverking Custom Car Cover,
even if it were parked on an island in the Indian Ocean. Around
town, you'll find the fit, strength, materials, and options (like
GM logos) offered by Coverking among the best
in the world. This Stretch Satin Red cover we saw
at SEMA, cut for a 2006 Corvette Z06, retails for
$310.99. Other models for the same 'Vette range
from Triguard Gray ($127.99) to Autobody Armor
Gray ($420.99). Get in touch with Coverking, at 800.COVERKING, www.coverking.com.
DataDots are like electronic DNA.
Each tiny disc (the size of a grain
of sand) has a serial number and
owner info etched onto it and
can only be seen under black
light. You can attach DataDots
to your Corvette using a clear,
water-soluble adhesive. DataDots
have been used to track down lost
and stolen cars. Because so many
dots are sprayed on, it's impossible
for thieves to scrape away all
the identifying markers. They're
so flexible, they've also been
used on a variety of vehicles and
various personal items. Contact
this Australian-based company at
info@datadotdna.com, www
.datadotdna.com
Signs, signs... everywhere there's signs
A walk through the swap meet at Bloomington Gold brought back the words of an
old song. Everyone in the Corvette hobby seems to be into decorating their garages with
cardboard signs, wooden signs, and tin signs. The signs offered by Cornhusker Signs
are built like the old-fashioned neon signs of yesteryear, featuring steel construction
with a powder-coated finish. The American-made transformers come with a three-year
warranty. Signs with part numbers starting with 48 are 48 inches long by 24 inches high
by 8 inches deep. Part numbers beginning in 34 are 34 inches long by 24 inches high by
8 inches deep. Most standard neon signs sell for $550. Custom designs are available and
cost a bit more. Contact Cornhusker Signs, 402.332.5050, www.cornhuskersign.com.
74 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Page 73
If they build it, the album will come
How about buying a brand new Corvette and completely documenting its construction
with a “build book”? Think what this kind of documentation would add to the value of a
'57 fuelie or a '63 Split-Window.
The National Corvette Museum can help you purchase the 20-page photo album show-
ing your car's actual assembly. Each album features high-quality photo paper in a padded
leather format with stitching and detail and includes 20-plus pages of text and photos that
capture your car's build process, a letter of authenticity, letters from the Corvette assembly
plant manager and National Corvette Museum's executive director, and a back-page
autograph area.
Four options are available: (1) Photo album for $400; (2) Photo album package
with paid “Buyers' Tour” for $350; (3) Photo album package with paid “R8C Museum
Delivery” option for $350 or (4) Complete package with album, paid buyer's tour and
paid R8C Museum Delivery option for $300. For information contact the National
Corvette Museum, 800.53VETTE, www.corvettemuseum.org.
Up your intake
Owners of mid-year big-block Corvettes can now get
exact reproductions of two '67 Corvette intake manifolds that
previously seemed to be made of “unobtainium.” Coffman
Corvette, LLC, is responsible for both beautifully cast manifolds,
which are slightly different in design. While telling the
difference between the two manifolds is like playing what'smissing-in-this-second-cartoon,
the experts who know the
cars will know that Coffman Corvette nailed the 400-hp
and 435-hp design variations perfectly. Both manifolds
carry a price of $3,190. Contact: Coffman Corvette, LLC,
419.522.2246, www.coffmancorvette.com.
Thinking out of the box
Think out of the box by dressing up the
utside of your toolboxes with emblems from
your favorite Corvette. CarArtWorks offers
brushed metal Corvette emblems for the C1
to C6 models, designed to customize and
personalize your tool chest. The different
style emblems range in size from 15 inches
o 18 inches long. They are hand-finished
nd coated with clear lacquer to preserve
ir luster. You can view CarArtWork's line of
vette emblems at www.carartwork.biz or call
54.3029.
www.vettemarket.com FALL 2008 Corvette Market 75
Page 74
By the
Numbers
200 Top Corvette Sales of Summer '08*
From July to October, nearly 380 Corvettes crossed the block. Here are 200
that topped the sales charts
1962 Corvette 327/360 Gulf Oil Race Car—$1.4m
Generation
C1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
Rank by
Overall
Rank Model
1 1962 Corvette 327/360 Gulf Oil Race Car
3 1958 Corvette LS2 Custom Convertible
6 1959 Corvette LS7 Custom Coupe
8 1957 Corvette 283/283 FI Convertible
10 1959 Corvette 283/290 FI Ctoonvertible
13 1962 Corvette 427/535 Custom Convertible
14 1958 Corvette LS2 Custom Convertible
15 1958 Corvette 283/290 FI Convertible
16 1958 Corvette 350/400 Custom Convertible
17 1957 Corvette 283/283 FI Convertible
19 1955 Corvette Roadster
21 1957 Corvette 283/283 FI Convertible
29 1956 Corvette 265/225 Convertible
30 1954 Corvette Roadster
33 1961 Corvette 283/230 Convertible
34 1962 Corvette 350/300 Custom Convertible
35 1954 Corvette Roadster
36 1962 Corvette 327/360 FI Convertible
37 1957 Corvette Convertible
38 1960 Corvette 283/230 Convertible
40 1958 Corvette 283/245 Convertible
41 1958 Corvette 283 Convertible
42 1957 Corvette 283/270 Convertible
46 1957 Corvette 283/270 Convertible
50 1962 Corvette 327/360 FI Convertible
51 1962 Corvette Convertible
52 1962 Corvette 327/360 FI Convertible
54 1954 Corvette Roadster
56 1954 Corvette 354/400 Custom Roadster
76 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Sold Price Location
$1,485,000 Gooding, Pebble Beach, CA
$187,000 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$156,600 Silver, Reno, NV
$145,750 Gooding, Pebble Beach, CA
$138,000 Silver, Reno, NV
$132,000 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$126,500 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$121,000 Worldwide, Auburn, IN
$118,800 Silver, Reno, NV
$115,500 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
$112,200 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$110,000 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$92,400 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$91,300 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$88,000 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$88,000 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$87,750 Bonhams & Butterfields, Brookline, MA
$84,700 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$84,240 Kruse, Hershey, PA
$82,500 RM, Monterey, CA
$81,000 Cox, Branson, MO
$79,920 Silver, Reno, NV
$79,200 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$73,500 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
$70,400 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$69,660 Silver, Reno, NV
$69,300 RM, Rochester, MI
$68,250 Carlisle, Carlisle, PA
$68,200 RM, Rochester, MI
Date
8/17/08
10/18/08
8/10/08
8/17/08
8/10/08
10/18/08
10/18/08
8/30/08
8/10/08
10/5/08
10/18/08
10/18/08
10/18/08
10/18/08
10/18/08
10/18/08
10/4/08
10/18/08
10/11/08
8/16/08
9/13/08
8/10/08
10/18/08
10/5/08
10/18/08
8/10/08
8/2/08
8/23/08
8/2/08
Lot #
121
788
602
109
205
778.1
524.1
54
518
818
818
794.1
786
830
505
512
531
774.1
261
410
547
706
490
S94
482.1
680
261
F50
282
*As recorded in the Corvette Market Digital Plus database. Auction sales only.
Photo by Hugh Hamilton © 2008, Courtesy of Gooding & Company
Page 75
Generation
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
C2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
2 1967 Corvette L88 Competition Convertible
4 1966 Corvette 427/390 Convertible
5 1967 Corvette 427/435 Convertible
9 1967 Corvette 427/435 Roadster
11 1967 Corvette 427/435 Convertible
18 1967 Corvette 427/400 Convertible
20 1967 Corvette 427/400 Convertible
22 1966 Corvette 427/425 Coupe
23 1963 Corvette 327/360 FI Coupe
24 1965 Corvette 396/425 Convertible
25 1967 Corvette 427 Race Car
26 1967 Corvette 427/435 Convertible
31 1966 Corvette 500/560 Lingenfelter Convertible
32 1965 Corvette 396/425 Convertible
39 1965 Corvette 327/375 FI Coupe
45 1966 Corvette 427/425 Coupe
48 1967 Corvette L88 Convertible Replica
53 1964 Corvette Coupe
55 1967 Corvette 327/300 Convertible
58 1965 Corvette 327/365 Convertible
57 1966 Corvette 327/350 Coupe
59 1964 Corvette 327/375 Coupe
63 1966 Corvette 327/350 Coupe
67 1967 Corvette 327/350 Convertible
71 1966 Corvette 427 Convertible
72 1966 Corvette 327/350 Convertible
75 1966 Corvette Coupe
78 1966 Corvette 427/400 Custom Convertible
76 1967 Corvette 327/350 Convertible
80 1966 Corvette 327/350 Coupe
82 1963 Corvette 327/300 Coupe
83 1964 Corvette 327/340 Custom Convertible
84 1966 Corvette 427/390 Convertible
85 1963 Corvette 327/340 Convertible
88 1965 Corvette 327/350 Convertible
92 1966 Corvette Convertible
94 1967 Corvette Coupe
$744,000 Bonhams & Butterfields, Carmel Valley, CA 8/15/08
$170,500 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$165,000 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$138,600 Russo and Steele, Monterey, CA
$138,000 RM, Monterey, CA
$112,350 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
$110,250 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
$110,000 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$110,000 Gooding, Pebble Beach, CA
$101,750 RM, Monterey, CA
$99,000 Russo and Steele, Monterey, CA
$94,500 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
$90,509 Coys, Nürburgring, DEU
$90,300 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
$82,500 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$75,350 Russo and Steele, Monterey, CA
$71,500 RM, Rochester, MI
$69,120 Silver, Reno, NV
$68,250 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
$68,200 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$68,200 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$68,040 Silver, Reno, NV
$62,700 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$60,500 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$57,500 Russo and Steele, Monterey, CA
$57,200 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$55,080 Silver, Reno, NV
$55,000 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$55,000 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$55,000 RM, Rochester, MI
$54,000 Silver, Reno, NV
$53,900 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$53,550 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
$52,920 Silver, Reno, NV
$52,500 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
$50,000 Silver, Sun Valley, ID
$49,875 Carlisle, Carlisle, PA
355
10/18/08
10/18/08
8/16/08
8/16/08
10/5/08
10/5/08
10/18/08
8/17/08
8/16/08
8/16/08
10/5/08
8/9/08
10/5/08
10/18/08
8/16/08
8/2/08
8/10/08
10/5/08
10/18/08
10/18/08
8/10/08
10/18/08
10/18/08
8/16/08
10/18/08
8/10/08
10/18/08
10/18/08
8/2/08
8/10/08
10/18/08
10/5/08
8/10/08
10/5/08
8/31/08
8/23/08
795.1
807.1
S627
237
S167
S144
786.1
47
253
S639
F193
138
S174
485
F464
258
515
F225
478
472
496
181
822
F474
526.1
718
511.1
187
295
736
471
S165
364
F238
75
F33
www.vettemarket.com FALL 2008 Corvette Market 77
Rank by
Overall
Rank Model
61 1960 Corvette 283/230 Convertible
62 1958 Corvette 283/245 Custom Convertible
64 1957 Corvette 283 Convertible
65 1960 Corvette Convertible
66 1959 Corvette Convertible
69 1960 Corvette 283/230 Convertible
73 1962 Corvette 327/300 Convertible
79 1954 Corvette Roadster
77 1958 Corvette 350 Convertible
81 1959 Corvette Convertible
86 1962 Corvette Convertible
89 1954 Corvette 350 Custom Roadster
90 1954 Corvette Roadster
91 1961 Corvette Convertible
93 1958 Corvette 283/290 Convertible
96 1959 Corvette 283 Convertible
101 1958 Corvette 350 Convertible
106 1957 Corvette 283 Convertible
108 1954 Corvette Roadster
111 1961 Corvette 327/270 Convertible
112 1961 Corvette 350/350 Convertible
113 1958 Corvette Convertible
Sold Price Location
$66,000 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$63,800 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$62,640 Silver, Reno, NV
$62,640 Silver, Reno, NV
$61,560 Kruse, Hershey, PA
$59,400 Silver, Reno, NV
$57,200 Russo and Steele, Monterey, CA
$55,000 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$55,000 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$54,540 Silver, Sun Valley, ID
$52,920 Kruse, Hershey, PA
$51,700 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$51,450 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
$50,760 Silver, Reno, NV
$49,875 Carlisle, Carlisle, PA
$48,404 Bonhams, Sussex, UK
$46,200 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
$44,820 Silver, Portland, OR
$44,280 Silver, Reno, NV
$42,900 RM, Rochester, MI
$42,525 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
$41,475 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
Date
10/18/08
10/18/08
8/10/08
8/10/08
10/11/08
8/10/08
8/16/08
10/18/08
10/18/08
8/31/08
10/11/08
10/18/08
10/5/08
8/10/08
8/23/08
9/19/08
10/5/08
9/27/08
8/10/08
8/2/08
10/5/08
10/5/08
Lot #
464.1
468
492
423
409
747
F422
785
518.1
213
450
203
S10
396
F81
345
S234
18
511
218
F216
U26.1
Page 76
By the
Numbers
Generation
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
C3
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
43 1969 Corvette 427/435 L71 Coupe
47 1968 Corvette 427/435 Convertible
60 1972 Corvette LT1 Coupe
97 1969 Corvette L88 Coupe Replica
100 1969 Corvette 350/350 Convertible
102 1968 Corvette Convertible
115 1969 Corvette “Stone Woods & Cooke” Gasser
117 1972 Corvette Convertible
121 1969 Corvette 350/300 Convertible
122 1972 Corvette 454/270 Custom Coupe
124 1968 Corvette 327/350 Convertible
125 1968 Corvette 327/350 Convertible
128 1973 Corvette 454/275 Convertible
131 1969 Corvette Convertible
132 1972 Corvette Convertible
134 1970 Corvette 350/350 Convertible
136 1973 Corvette 454/275 Coupe
137 1968 Corvette 350/300 Convertible
138 1968 Corvette Convertible
140 1969 Corvette Coupe
141 1978 Corvette Convertible
144 1971 Corvette 350/270 Convertible
146 1972 Corvette Coupe
148 1978 Corvette Coupe
149 1981 Corvette Coupe
150 1970 Corvette 350 Convertible
151 1978 Corvette Pace Car Coupe
152 1968 Corvette 350/300 Coupe
154 1972 Corvette LT-1 Coupe
155 1978 Corvette Custom Coupe
156 1978 Corvette
157 1968 Corvette 327/300 Coupe
160 1971 Corvette 350/270 Coupe
158 1975 Corvette Convertible
161 1974 Corvette 350 Convertible
162 1970 Corvette 350/300
163 1974 Corvette Convertible
164 1973 Corvette 350 Coupe
165 1979 Corvette Coupe
166 1982 Corvette Coupe
167 1972 Corvette 350
168 1975 Corvette Convertible
169 1970 Corvette 350 Coupe
170 1981 Corvette Coupe
172 1973 Corvette
173 1975 Corvette Coupe
171 1978 Corvette
175 1979 Corvette Coupe
176 1969 Corvette 502 Custom Coupe
78 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
$77,000 Worldwide, Auburn, IN
$72,600 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$67,100 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$48,400 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$46,750 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$45,900 Silver, Reno, NV
$38,325 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
$37,800 Silver, Reno, NV
$36,300 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$36,300 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$34,100 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$34,020 Silver, Reno, NV
$32,450 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$31,320 Silver, Reno, NV
$31,320 Silver, Reno, NV
$29,925 Carlisle, Carlisle, PA
$29,700 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$29,700 Silver, Reno, NV
$29,400 Mecum, Des Moines, IA
$28,350 Silver, Reno, NV
$28,080 Silver, Sun Valley, ID
$27,000 Silver, Reno, NV
$25,380 Silver, Reno, NV
$24,840 Cox, Branson, MO
$24,300 Silver, Reno, NV
$20,520 Silver, Reno, NV
$19,950 Carlisle, Carlisle, PA
$19,250 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$18,375 Carlisle, Carlisle, PA
$17,820 Cox, Branson, MO
$17,530 Brightwells, Herefordshire, UK
$16,800 Carlisle, Carlisle, PA
$16,800 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
$16,800 Carlisle, Carlisle, PA
$16,200 Cox, Branson, MO
$16,013 Carlisle, Carlisle, PA
$15,225 Mecum, Des Moines, IA
$14,963 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
$14,580 Kruse, Hershey, PA
$14,438 Carlisle, Carlisle, PA
$13,650 Carlisle, Carlisle, PA
$13,388 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
$13,125 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
$12,338 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
$12,075 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
$12,075 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
$12,075 Carlisle, Carlisle, PA
$11,880 Cox, Branson, MO
$11,660 MidAmerica, St. Paul, MN
8/30/08
10/18/08
10/18/08
10/18/08
10/18/08
8/10/08
10/5/08
8/10/08
10/18/08
10/18/08
10/18/08
8/10/08
10/18/08
8/10/08
8/10/08
8/23/08
10/18/08
8/10/08
7/26/08
8/10/08
8/31/08
8/10/08
8/10/08
9/13/08
8/10/08
8/10/08
8/23/08
10/18/08
8/23/08
9/13/08
7/2/08
8/23/08
10/5/08
8/23/08
9/13/08
8/23/08
7/26/08
10/5/08
10/11/08
8/23/08
8/23/08
10/5/08
10/5/08
10/5/08
10/5/08
10/5/08
8/23/08
9/13/08
9/20/08
21
503
519.1
528.1
449
372
S129
398
158
164.1
168.1
446
428
390
383
F62
421
200
S92
730
223
425
370
289
934
158
F91
139
F23
621
20
F57
U52
631
S34
F126
740
F43
F19
F32
F12
F53
S245
F65
F75
587
Rank by
Overall
Rank Model
95 1965 Corvette 327/300 Convertible
98 1963 Corvette 327/340 Coupe
99 1964 Corvette 327/365 Convertible
103 1965 Corvette Convertible
105 1964 Corvette 327/300 Coupe
107 1964 Corvette Convertible
109 1964 Corvette 327/300 Coupe
123 1967 Corvette 427 Coupe
126 1963 Corvette
127 1964 Corvette 327/300 Coupe
129 1966 Corvette Grand Sport Coupe Replica
Sold Price Location
$49,500 RM, Monterey, CA
$48,300 Carlisle, Carlisle, PA
$48,300 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
$45,360 Cox, Branson, MO
$44,820 Cox, Branson, MO
$44,280 Silver, Reno, NV
$44,100 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
$35,000 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
$33,600 Mecum, Des Moines, IA
$33,600 Carlisle, Carlisle, PA
$31,500 Carlisle, Carlisle, PA
Date
8/16/08
8/23/08
10/5/08
9/13/08
9/13/08
8/10/08
10/5/08
10/5/08
7/26/08
8/23/08
8/23/08
Lot #
221
F30
S183
258
546
867
F147
F87
S96
F78
F9
Page 77
Generation
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
C4
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
C5
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
C6
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
7 2009 Corvette ZR1 Coupe
12 2009 Corvette ZR1 Coupe
44 2005 Corvette Indy Pace Convertible
68 2008 Corvette Z06 Coupe
70 2007 Corvette Z06 Coupe
74 2005 Corvette Daytona Pace Coupe
110 2005 Corvette Daytona Pace Coupe
114 2006 Corvette Convertible
$151,250 RM, Monterey, CA
$137,500 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
$77,000 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$59,850 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
$57,750 Carlisle, Carlisle, PA
$56,100 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$44,000 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$39,375 Carlisle, Carlisle, PA
8/16/08
10/5/08
10/18/08
10/5/08
8/23/08
10/18/08
10/18/08
8/23/08
262
S99.1
833.2
S226
F76
832.2
514
F99
www.vettemarket.com FALL 2008 Corvette Market 79
28 1999 Corvette CRC 1962 Tribute Convertible
27 2003 Corvette Avelate 1953 Tribute Convertible
49 1999 Corvette 1953 Commemorative
Convertible
87 2000 Corvette Avelate Custom Convertible
118 2003 Corvette Convertible
119 1999 Corvette Le Mans Pace Coupe
120 2000 Corvette Coupe
133 2004 Corvette Convertible
135 2003 Corvette Convertible
142 1999 Corvette Le Mans Pace Coupe
159 1999 Corvette Convertible
$93,500 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$93,500 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$70,400 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$52,800 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$37,800 Carlisle, Carlisle, PA
$37,400 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$37,260 Cox, Branson, MO
$30,240 Silver, Sun Valley, ID
$29,925 Carlisle, Carlisle, PA
$27,500 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$16,800 Carlisle, Carlisle, PA
10/18/08
10/18/08
10/18/08
10/18/08
8/23/08
10/18/08
9/13/08
8/31/08
8/23/08
10/18/08
8/23/08
533.1
518
479
520
F74
833
614
100
F89
514.1
F66
104 1995 Corvette Indy Pace Convertible
116 1993 Corvette Convertible
130 1994 Corvette ZR-1 Coupe
139 1993 Corvette Convertible
143 1990 Corvette ZR-1 Coupe
145 1989 Corvette Callaway Twin-Turbo Coupe
147 1984 Corvette Coupe
153 1990 Corvette ZR-1 Coupe
174 1992 Corvette Coupe
178 1994 Corvette Convertible
183 1995 Corvette Coupe
185 1994 Corvette 2-Door Coupe
187 1995 Corvette Coupe
186 1996 Corvette
188 1992 Corvette Coupe
189 1990 Corvette Convertible
190 1989 Corvette Convertible
191 1992 Corvette Coupe
192 1984 Corvette Coupe
194 1988 Corvette Coupe
196 1991 Corvette Coupe
200 1988 Corvette Convertible
201 1988 Corvette Convertible
202 1986 Corvette
203 1984 Corvette Coupe
204 1986 Corvette Coupe
$45,100 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$37,950 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$31,500 Carlisle, Carlisle, PA
$29,400 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
$27,500 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$26,950 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$25,380 Silver, Reno, NV
$18,900 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
$11,880 Silver, Reno, NV
$11,340 Silver, Reno, NV
$10,800 Silver, Reno, NV
$10,400 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
$9,720 Cox, Branson, MO
$9,720 Silver, Reno, NV
$9,700 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
$9,400 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
$9,250 Mecum, Des Moines, IA
$9,188 Carlisle, Carlisle, PA
$9,180 Silver, Portland, OR
$9,000 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
$8,500 Mecum, Des Moines, IA
$7,000 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
$7,000 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
$6,615 Carlisle, Carlisle, PA
$6,480 Silver, Sun Valley, ID
$4,725 Carlisle, Carlisle, PA
10/18/08
10/18/08
8/23/08
10/5/08
10/18/08
10/18/08
8/10/08
10/5/08
8/10/08
8/10/08
8/10/08
10/5/08
9/13/08
8/10/08
10/5/08
10/5/08
7/26/08
8/23/08
9/27/08
10/5/08
7/26/08
10/5/08
10/5/08
8/23/08
8/31/08
8/23/08
514.2
721
F61
S119
420.1
146
1091
S44
1056
903
943
F33
278
1009
U89
F55
S5
F14
99
S222
S179
F30
U96
F87
31
F28
Rank by
Overall
Rank Model
177 1981 Corvette Coupe
179 1977 Corvette Custom Coupe
180 1982 Corvette Coupe
181 1979 Corvette Coupe
182 1979 Corvette Coupe
184 1973 Corvette Convertible
193 1978 Corvette Coupe
195 1980 Corvette Coupe
197 1979 Corvette Coupe
198 1978 Corvette Coupe
199 1977 Corvette Coupe
205 1981 Corvette Coupe
Sold Price Location
$11,550 Carlisle, Carlisle, PA
$11,288 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
$11,025 Carlisle, Carlisle, PA
$10,865 MidAmerica, St. Paul, MN
$10,800 Silver, Reno, NV
$10,600 MidAmerica, St. Paul, MN
$9,000 Mecum, Des Moines, IA
$8,505 Carlisle, Carlisle, PA
$8,250 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV
$8,100 Mecum, St. Charles, IL
$7,738 MidAmerica, St. Paul, MN
$4,095 Carlisle, Carlisle, PA
Date
8/23/08
10/5/08
8/23/08
9/20/08
8/10/08
9/20/08
7/26/08
8/23/08
10/18/08
10/5/08
9/20/08
8/23/08
Lot #
F88
S3
936
S47
F25
106
F74
F15
Page 78
Resource
Directory
Auction Companies
GoFastAuction.com Go-
FastAuction is an Internet oasis
for classic, vintage and antique car
aficionados from around the world.
Our auto auction and classified
listings are the definitive source
for locating classic cars and
related parts or accessories.
www.gofastauction.com
Kruse International.
800.968.4444, 5540 CR llA Auburn,
IN 46706. Largest Collector
Car Auction Company, holding
over 35 auctions per year. Home of
the 480-acre Auction Park in Auburn,
IN, where the 37th Annual
Labor Day Auction will be held
with over 5,000 cars and 150,000
people. www.kruse.com. (IN)
Mecum Collector Car
Auctioneers. 815.568.8888,
815.568.6615. 950 Greenlee St.,
Marengo, IL 60015. Auctions:
Orlando, Kansas City, Rockford,
Bloomington Gold, St. Paul, Des
Moines, Carlisle, and Chicago.
Nobody Sells More Muscle
Than Mecum. Nobody. www
.mecumauction.com. (IL)
Palm Springs Auctions Inc.
Keith McCormick. 760.320.3290,
760.323.7031. 244 N. Indian Canyon
Dr., Palm Springs, CA 92262
www.classic-carauction.com. (CA)
Russo and Steele Collector
Automobiles. 602.252.2697,
602.252.6260. 5230 South 39th
Street, Phoenix AZ 85040.
info@russoandsteele.com; www
.russoandsteele.com. (AZ)
Silver Auctions. 800.255.4485,
2020 N. Monroe, Spokane, WA
99205. silver@silverauctions.com.
www.silverauctions.com. (WA)
The Worldwide Group.
866.273.6394, Established by
John Kruse and Rod C. Egan, The
Worldwide Group— Auctioneers,
Appraisers and Brokers —is one of
the world's premier auction houses,
specializing in the procurement
and sale of the world's finest automobiles
and vintage watercraft.
www.wwgauctions.com. (TX)
Automobilia
Custom Diecast Inc Ever
thought about having your car in
diecast ? Have you tried to find
a diecast version of your car at
shows and hobby shops ? The #1
home for custom diecast replicas.
www.customdiecastreplicas.com
Vette Collectibles Licensed
Corvette diecast, apparel and nov80
Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Put your company in the CM Resource Directory. Call 877.219.2605 x211,
or email advert@vettemarket.com
elties. We are a one-stop shop for
collectors and Corvette enthusiasts
alike. www.vettecollectibles.com
Corvette Parts &
Restoration
Corvette Repair, Inc.
516.568.1959, The most recognized
Corvette restoration shop
in America. The leader in NCRS,
Triple Crown and Bloomington
Gold Achievements. www
.corvetterepair.com
Corvette Central
800.345.4122, Parts and accessories
for everything from the
Blue Flame Six to the new C6.
www.corvettecentral.com
County Corvette 610.696.7888,
Sales, service, parts and restoration.
When it must be right.
www.countycorvette.com
Mid America Motorworks
800.500.1500, America's leader in
1953-2008 Corvette parts and accessories.
Request a free catalog at
www.mamotorworks.com
Classic Car Transport
Intercity Lines, Inc..
800.221.3936, 413.436.9422.
Rapid, hassle-free, coast-to-coast
service. Insured enclosed transport
for your valuable car at affordable
prices. State-of-the-art satellite
transport tracking. Complete
service for vintage races, auctions,
relocations. www.intercitylines
.com. (MA)
Motor Auto Express, Inc..
360.661.1734, Enclosed Transport.
MAX cares for what you care
for. We offer Personal, Private,
Professional services with liftgate
loading for your vehicles. Please
contact Randy McKinley, Owner.
maxiet@gmail.com. (WA)
Exotic Car Transport.
800.766.8797. 20 years serving
manufacturers, dealers, collectors,
and owners of fine automobiles.
www.exoticcartransport.com. (FL)
FedEx Custom Critical
Passport Auto Transport.
800.325.4267, fax 314.878.7295.
Fully enclosed transport from the
industry originator. Specializing
in events, including Pebble Beach,
the Colorado Grand, and BarrettJackson.
Liftgates for safe loading
and winches for inoperable vehicles.
Inquire about ultra-expedited,
three-day, coast-to-coast service.
www.passporttransport.com. (MO)
Insurance
Hagerty Collector Car Insur-
ance. 800.922.4050. Collector
cars aren't like their late-model
counterparts. These classics actually
appreciate in value so standard
market policies that cost significantly
more won't do the job. We'll
agree on a fair value and cover you
for the full amount. No prorated
claims, no hassles, no games.
www.hagerty.com. (MI)
Motor Sport Personal Acci-
dent Coverage. 441.297.9439.
Email,mcooke@evolution.bm.
Limits up to $1,000,000 including
accident medicaland helicopter
evacuation. Comp Capital Ltd. can
obtain coverage atcompetive rates
including drivers over the age of
65. Either 12 monthpolicy covering
a whole season and or for specific
events. Pleasecontact Mark Cooke
and or Kevin Way.
Corvettes for Sale
Cardiff Classics 760.632.5555,
Located on Pacific Coast Highway
101 in beautiful Encinitas. www
.cardiff-classics.com
Cn' V Corvettes 1-800-875-
8390,We mechanically service and
recondition our Corvettes like no
other Corvette dealer does. From
underside to the top we go to extremes
to make you proud of the
Corvette you purchase from Cn'V.
www.cnv-corvettes.com
Corvette Central Parts and
Accessories for all corvettes.
Corvette Central has been a leading
manufacturer and distributor
of Corvette parts and accessories
since 1975. We offer the most
comprehensive and detailed parts
catalogs on the market today and
produce a different catalog for
each Corvette generation. All
catalogs are also online with full
search and order features. From
Blue Flame 6 to the new C6, only
Corvette Central has it all.
www.corvettecentral.com
Corvette Mike. 800.327.VETT,
Whether you are looking for a vintage
1953 Corvette—or the latest
Corvette model—Corvette Mike
is your one-stop shop for anything
Corvette. West Coast and New
England showrooms. Leader of the
Pack since 1982. www
.corvettemike.com
County Corvette.
610.696.7888, The most modern
and best equipped Corvette-only
facility in the nation. www.countycorvette.com
Family Classics 949.496.3000,
Our showroom houses some of the
world's most prized classic cars,
hot rods, muscle cars and modern
exotics. If we don't have what you
want, check back - or tell us what
you want. We're equipped to find
numbers matching 100-point restorations,
low-mileage survivors
or just beautiful, reliable drivers.
www.familyclassiccars.com
Park Place 425.562.1000, The
West Coast's largest luxury, sports
and special interest automobile
dealership. “No one has what we
have. Period.” www.parkplaceltd
.com (WA)
eBay MotorsWhatever it
is…you can get it on eBay.
www.motors.ebay.com
ProTeam Classic Cor-
vette Collection and Sales.
419.592.5086; fax 419.592.4242.
The world's largest classic Corvette
collection. 1410 N. Scott
Street, Napoleon, Ohio, 43545.
Toll Free 1-888-592-5086. Email:
proteam@proteamcorvette.com.
www.proteam-corvette.com
Motororcar Porfolio located
in the Marriott Hotel in downtown
Canton Ohio, we offer you unique
classic automobiles at excellent
prices. All of our vehicles have
been evaluated by master mechanics
specializing in the field. Over
fifty years of combined experience
allows us to select only the finest
vehicles. This assures appreciation
in value, and protects your investment.
www.motorcarportfolio.com
The Chevy Store At The
Chevy Store, you will find only the
highest grade, investment quality
Corvette and specialty Chevrolet
automobiles. We take pride in
providing our clients with the
finest selection anywhere. Offering
investment quality corvettes
and Chevrolets for over 30 years!
503-256-5384 (p) 503-256-4767(f)
www.thechevystore.com
Garage & Tools
Baldhead Cabinet Company.
877.966.2253, Offering a fine selection
of quality metal garage cabinets
suitable for shop and residential
garage applications. SS and custom
colors available. Many modules to
choose from. Call for a custom quote
and drawing. See ad in this issue.
www.baldheadcabinets.com. (CA)
Griot's Garage. 800.345.5789,
The ultimate online store for automotive
accessories and car care products.
www.griotsgarage.com. (WA)
Page 79
Metal Line Cabinets Your va-
cation photos get put in an album.
Your china has its own closet. Seriously,
even your toothpaste gets
stored inside of a fine hardwood
or metal and glass cabinet. So why
does the really important stuff (like
your tools, toys, etc.) have to reside
on an open shelf or inside a homecenter
white particle board box? It's
time to show your stuff it matters.
It's time for Metal Line Cabinets.
www.metallinecabinets.com.
Investment / Real Estate
Sonoran Lifestyle Real Estate
Every Sonoran home is a unique
blend of architecture, location and
individual passions. Let us help
you – Market it. Find it. Build it.
www.sonoranlifestyle.com
Parts & Accessories
Royal Purple. Royal Purple®
manufactures a wide range of
high performance, synthetic lubricants
for every use from top
fuel dragsters to the family car,
motorcycles, trucks, RVs and
boats. Its industry experts are consistently
developing products that
outperform leading mineral- and
synthetic-based lubricants
in performance and protection.
www.royalpurple.com
Museums
MY Garage Museum
800.500.1500, Housed on the campus
of Mid America Motorworks,
in Effingham, IL the MY Garage
Museum contains numerous oneof-
a kind Corvettes such as the
CERV 1 research vehicle and the
1964 Bill Mitchell World's Fair
styling study car. www
.mamotorworks.com/mygarage
National Corvette Museum
800-53-VETTE, The National
Corvette Museum in Bowling
Green, KY was established as a
501(c)3 not-for-profit foundation
with a mission of celebrating the
invention of the Corvette and preserving
its past, present and future.
www.corvettemuseum.com
St. Louis Car Museum.
800.957.5707; 314.993.7104. Providing
the most discerning enthusiasts
with the world's finest automobiles
for nearly a generation.
We buy cars and offer competitive
consignment services, as well as
climate controlled storage. Call for
details. www.stlouiscarmuseum
.com. (MO). ■
Ad Index
Allusions Photography..........65
American Collectors
Insurance ...............................41
Baymont Inn & Suites............47
Bob Bondurant
School of H.P.D......................83
Championship
Auto Shows............................57
Classic Cars Southeast .........59
Collector Car
Price Tracker..........................61
Corvette America.................13
Corvette Correction.............65
Corvette Repair Inc..............39
Corvette Specialties .............67
Corvettes Of Dallas...............55
County Corvette.....................2
Eastern Corvettes..................81
Flag Caddie ..........................81
GM............................................4
Griot's Garage, Inc...............45
Hagerty Insurance ...............37
Insider's Seminar....................53
Jim Meyer Racing
Products Inc...........................67
Kruse International................43
Long Island Corvette
Supply Inc. .............................65
Mid America Motorworks.....84
Midwest Corvettes
& Classics...............................63
Mr. Car Art..............................57
National Corvette
Museum .................................65
National Corvette
Restorers Society...................59
Park Place LTD.......................35
Philadelphia Motorsports .....55
RM Auctions.............................3
Russo and Steele.....................9
Seatbelt Solutions..................59
Sign Past Inc. .........................57
Silver Auctions .......................17
Sports Car Market.................69
The Chevy Store....................49
Thomas C Sunday Inc...........65
Trailex Inc. ..............................59
Van Steel................................67
Zip Products...........................49
Advertise in Corvette Market
Contact
Ted Fano
ted.fano@vettemarket.com
877.219.2605 x 211
KJ Glennon
kj.glennon@vettemarket.com
877.219.2605 x 222
Cody Wilson
cody.wilson@vettemarket.com
877.219.2605 x 213
www.vettemarket.com FALL 2008 Corvette Market 81
Page 80
Vette-o-bilia
Online trash and trinkets—some valuable, some not. By Carl Bomstead.
Bangs for the Buck on the 'Bay
'55 Jim Beam decanter, '63 showroom poster, '57 pin, Yenko photos,
a kiddie car, and a one-cent brochure—really
I
n the last issue I mentioned that a set of Harry Mann license frames
sold for $201.01. For years the Harry Mann Chevrolet dealership was
the largest Corvette dealer in the country, and the small showroom,
located on Crenshaw Boulevard, along the Los Angeles auto row,
always had a Corvette on display. The frames did not mention Corvette,
but I still thought they were a decent buy and an interesting piece of
Corvette memorabilia.
Three months later, I noticed another set that was complete with
the original wrapper. These, however, had Corvette at the bottom of
the frame and, understandably, the price of poker went up. After ten
bids they sold for $700, which was a bunch, but how often do you see
them?
Here are a few more pieces of Corvette stuff that were a little more
reasonable:
EBAY #160278307591—
1955 JIM BEAM DECANTER.
Number of Bids: 28. SOLD AT:
$130. Date Sold: 9/5/2008. This
decanter was stated to be in
as-new condition, with all seals
and stickers intact. The box,
however, was for the 1953 series,
with a 1955 sticker over the date.
Contents were intact, and we're
almost positive no one sampled
the nicely aged 50-plus-year-old
Jim Beam within.
condition and to have been presented
to the seller by a Chevrolet
dealer in 1964. The Sting
Ray Split-Window coupe was
photographed at the Los Angeles
airport with the air traffic control
tower in the background. I'd think
if you had the car, this would be
a must-have, but the activity was
light with only three bids.
EBAY #170256953221—
2005 CORVETTE C6 SALES
BROCHURE. Number of Bids:
1. SOLD AT: $.01. Date Sold:
9/6/2008. Someone actually
bought a 2005 Corvette sales
brochure for only a penny?
Yes, but the shipping cost him a
couple of bucks. Even so, anything
in this day and age for one
cent is unheard of. The brochure
was in good condition but shows
the folly of running around auto
shows collecting this stuff and
expecting to turn a profit.
races and a two-page collage
of Corvette and Camaro racing
photos. The catalog was in good
condition and would be the
perfect go-with for your performance-enhanced
1971 Corvette.
of the leftover overpriced '54
Corvette brochures I have for
sale?
EBAY # 270273807746—
HALLMARK KIDDIE CAR
CLASSICS 1958 CUSTOM
CORVETTE. Number of Bids:
12. SOLD AT: $97. Date Sold:
9/14/2008. This little caricature
of a 1958 Corvette was offered
in a limited edition of “only”
29,500 pieces. This one was new
in-the-box and complete with all
the packaging and paperwork.
Cute sitting on the shelf with all
your other Corvette models, but
don't expect any upside with that
many floating around.
EBAY #270275470213—1967
EBAY #150290350033—
EBAY #300254900946—
EBAY #130254918379—
ORIGINAL 1963 CORVETTE
SHOWROOM POSTER.
Number of Bids: 3. SOLD AT:
$382.77. Date Sold: 9/20/2008.
This framed poster measured 24″
x 21″. Stated to be in excellent
1971 YENKO STINGER
PARTS CATALOG ETC.
Number of Bids: 8. SOLD AT:
$204.50. Date Sold: 9/7/2008.
This 40-page catalog included all
the high-performance parts that
Yenko offered for Chevrolets,
including Corvettes. There were
five photos of Don Yenko at the
CORVETTE OWNERS PIN.
Number of Bids: 15. SOLD AT:
$332. Date Sold: 9/9/2006. I have
mentioned these pins in the past,
but I've never seen one sell at
this price. They were presented
to owners of 1957 Corvettes and
frequently appear on eBay. The
going rate seems to be $200 or
so, with the fakey-doos selling
for as little as $10. I've no idea
what the buyer was thinking
here, as a couple show up each
month for a lot less than he paid.
Maybe he's interested in some
N.O.S. CHEVROLET,
CORVETTE, CAMARO
PAINT CHIP DEALER
DISPLAY. Number of Bids: 15.
NOT SOLD AT: $810.01. Date
Not Sold: 9/19/2008. This paint
chip display board was in as-new
condition and did not appear to
have ever been hung. It showed
the 15 solid colors and seven
two-tone combinations available
in 1967. One of these sold at
the January Barrett-Jackson
automobilia sale for a touch less
than what was bid here, so I don't
know where the seller will get a
higher bid. He should have taken
the money and not looked back. ■
82 Corvette Market FALL 2008 www.vettemarket.com