Profiles
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3
Corvette Market
$57k
$15.2m for Corvettes in Scottsdale ■ 128 Corvettes Rated
Keith Martin's
The Insider's Guide to Collecting, Investing, Values, and Trends
Guldstrand Roadster—
Holding Strong at
Spring 2008
► 165 Top Corvette Sales
► Why a $1.1m ZR1 Makes Sense
► Wiseman's $700k Cut-Away Corvette
www.vettemarket.com
Page 2
Corvette Market
Keith Martin's
Volume 1 . Issue 3 . Spring 2008
34 Elfi's Roadster
40 One of six Guldstrand roadsters
36 Pininfarina's C2 Take
Profiles
C1 1955 Roadster
“We know Duntov was constantly trying to improve the
Corvette's brakes, and based on the modifications to this
car, it may have helped in that development.”
34 by Thomas Glatch
C2 1963 “Rondine” Concept
Pininfarina.”
36 by Michael Pierce
C4 1971 454/425 ZR2 Coupe
38 by John Gunnell
“If you're going to buy a rare, historically significant
Corvette, it certainly pays to get one the owner
preserved for a long time and then treated to a
proper restoration.”
C6 2009 ZR1 Coupe
44 by B. Mitchell Carlson
“I think the buyer here was nobody's fool. In fact, I think
he was one of the smartest buyers all weekend.”
“The single most recognizable feature of the 1963
Corvette—the split rear window—was not used by
C4 1995 Guldstrand Nassau Roadster
40 by Thomas Glatch
C5 2000/1962 C5/C1
42 by B. Mitchell Carlson
cost, it has retained its value much better than most
comparable C4 Corvettes, even ZR-1s.”
“While Al Wiseman's Roadster sold for less than its original
”As conversions go, the CRC is much better thought out
than most, and a far cry from a Tupperware Cobra.”
On the Cover: 1995 Guldstrand Nassau Roadster. Photo: RM Auctions
4 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Page 3
Market Reports
48 Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale, AZ
99 Corvettes sell for $11.9m beneath the WestWorld tent
by Paul Duchene
60 Russo and Steele, Scottsdale, AZ
'69 L88 leads the way as 27 of 47 Corvettes total $2.3m
by B. Mitchell Carlson
72 Mecum, Kissimmee, FL
100 'Vettes bring $4.5m at Mecum's season opener
by Chip Lamb
80 Global Roundup
32 Corvettes total $1.2m
by CM Market Analysts
Features
28 1:1 Model: Inside the Cut-Away Sting Ray
30 Scottsdale Overview: Decoding Arizona's auction results
32 CM Insider's Seminar: The Corvette market in 2008
48 B-J sold 99 Corvettes
Departments
6 Publisher's Note
8 Contributors: A few of the faces at CM
10 You Write: Don't forget the original ZR cars
14 Industry Roundtable: Through the lens of Arizona
18 Events: Things to do and places to be with your Corvette
19 Auction Calendar
22 Q&A: 6-cylinder '55s, old-look paint, and flood sales
24 Affordable Classic: 1970–72 LT-1, a small-block sleeper
25 20 Year Picture
26 Versus: Tri-Five Corvette and T-Bird prices compared
46 Market Overview
88 Vette-o-bilia: Searching for the best garage art
90 Trick Stuff: Be cool, shift well, clean your air, and stay found
92 By The Numbers: Top Winter Sales
96 Resource Directory
98 In Miniature: Danbury Mint scores two bullseyes
www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2008 Corvette Market 5
Page 4
Publisher's
Note
To Stamp or Not To Stamp
I have the feeling that somewhere down the line
it will become convenient to forget the engine
re-numbering
by Keith Martin
W
e spend a lot of time chasing
our automotive tails
around
here. At lunch
yesterday, the topic of
discussion centered around restoring
a Corvette to original condition,
and whether
that should include
putting crayon marks on the firewall.
We remain divided on that,
with half the CM magazine staff
believing that it's the right thing
to do, as it correctly replicates the
“as-built” condition, and the other
half denouncing it as pure fakery,
since it is impossible to accurately
replicate the sheer randomness of
the markings.
Generally, I can bring these discussions to a cordial close by pronouncing both sides cor-
We'll stick with the status quo
rect, depending on respective points of view, and reminding everyone that they actually have
a magazine to produce.
But all this big thinking has led us in a new direction with our 1963 Split-Window. We
bought it with an incorrect, pedestrian 327, probably from a pickup truck. It has the correct
rear end, early gearbox, and all trim is intact. In silver with black interior, it's a handsome car,
and since we had the rear suspension and power steering rebuilt, it drives nicely.
As you can imagine, we've had no shortage of suggestions as to how to remedy the engine
situation. They range from putting a built 350 into it, to sourcing a period block and heads and
creating a “restoration re-stamp” engine. That means stamping a fake, but date correct, serial
number onto the pad of the rebuilt engine.
In theory, so long as everyone involved with the car, now and forever, tells the truth about
the re-stamp, all is good. But I have the feeling that somewhere down the line, whether five or
50 years from now, it will become convenient to forget the re-stamp, and the car will become
a “naturally born numbers-matching” example.
We will never be able to locate the missing engine for this particular car. How would we
know even if we did find it, as we have no paperwork of any kind? So if a car can never be
returned to original, this car can never be truly numbers-matching.
At least for now, we have decided to leave it in “as-found” condition. I have no interest in
a 350, and even less in creating a fake “authentic” engine. While it may not be as quick as I
would like in its current configuration (the 4.56 rear end and RV cam help, however), it takes
off well enough. If I need to go faster, I'll buy a C5 for $20,000 and smoke every C2, especially
if there are corners in the road.
We are coming to realize that if you have a car that is not original, and cannot be returned
to original, you have to think long and hard before you start messing with it. Who's to say
what you are doing won't make things worse, as you start compounding sins trying to fake
OEM specifications?
We're going to take the money we were preparing to spend on a restoration re-stamp en-
gine and put it in a savings account, to be used if a numbers-matching Split-Window comes
along (maybe even with air). In our opinion, we're better off accepting what we have, living
with it, and buying another, more correct car, rather than starting to pull this one apart under
the guise of “improving” it. ■
6 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Corvette Market
Keith Martin's
Volume 1 . Issue 3 . Spring 2008
Publisher Keith Martin
V.P. Business Development/
General Counsel Rob Sass
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
Dave Kinney
Richard Hudson-Evans
Norm Mort
Contributors Carl Bomstead
Marshall Buck
Colin Comer
John Draneas
Peter Frye
Mike Mueller
Donald Osborne
Web Design Valarie Huston
Information Technology/
Internet Bryan Wolfe
Controller Jimmy Carter
Editorial Assistant Brendan Floyd
Administrative Assistant Emily Hill
Print Media Buyer Wendie Martin
Director CM Television Roger Williams
ADVERTISING SALES
Advertising Executives John Scharff
john.scharff@vettemarket.com
314.802.8139
KJ Glennon
kj.glennon@vettemarket.com
877.219.2605 x 222
Cody Wilson
cody.wilson@vettemarket.com
877.219.2605 x 213
SUBSCRIPTIONS
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
Fax 503.253.2234
General P.O. Box 4797
Portland, Oregon 97208
FedEx/DHL/UPS 401 NE 19th Street, Suite 100
Portland, Oregon 97232
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 MediaGroup, 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 6
Corvette Market
Contributors
PAUL DUCHENE grew up in England, where left-hand drive sports car—especially fast ones—required
a passenger with an exceptionally well-developed sense of self-preservation. Moving to the U.S., he borrowed
a friend's '73 small-block coupe long enough to wonder how anybody could see anything out of one.
It wasn't until a Northwest rally last summer in CM's '63 Split-Window coupe that he finally saw the light.
Duchene is Executive Editor of Corvette Market, as well as SCM. His automotive writing has appeared
in the New York Times and regularly appears in the Chicago Tribune. In January, he spent several days at
Barrett-Jackson scrutinizing Corvettes, and his Market Report appears on p. 48
MICHAEL PIERCE has been involved with the National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS)
since 1980 and was originally inspired to judge for the hobby in order to learn more about the
1967 427/435 convertible he bought that year.
Of 5,000 NCRS judges, he currently ranks in the top few dozen and describes his involvement
with NCRS over the years as the greatest car-related experience you can have. Pierce has judged
around the world, written articles for various NCRS publications, and been the NCRS Northwest
Chapter Judging Chair. He has also been on the other side of the clipboard, having taken part in
the restoration and showing of his mid-year Corvettes, many of which have received numerous
accolades, including Top Flight, Bloomington Gold, and NCRS Duntov Awards. His profile of
the $1.7m 1963 Corvette Rondine concept appears on p. 36. He lives in Portland, Oregon.
GEOFF ARCHER figured out how to make money being around cars by working as a lackey at two
Porsche dealerships, then as a mechanic on the 1997 Panama-Alaska vintage rally, and finally progressed
to full-time employment as Brand Manager for Yahoo! Autos, Business Development Manager for the
now-defunct Yahoo! Auctions, and General Sales Manager of Cars Dawydiak (www.carsauto.com). By
day he teaches Entrepreneurship at Oregon State University, and at night Archer goes crazy in equal
parts over cars and the Internet. On the rare occasion that he does get out, however, he has enjoyed himself
at some Corvette-thick venues, including time spent at the Bondurant Racing School, the Arizona
auctions, and Corvettes at Carlisle. This month, you'll find his C6 contributions from eBay at the end of
the Global Roundup, which begins on p. 80.
CHIP LAMB has been immersed in the automotive world since childhood, and these days
he wears many hats in the collector car hobby. For over ten years, he has been writing
about cars and the people who own them. During daylight hours, he owns and operates
West of Sweden SAAB, which supplies new and previously-enjoyed parts to thousands
of vintage SAAB owners worldwide. His background with Corvettes extends to appraisals
and inspections, the perfect warm-up for his duties as a Market Analyst for CM. In
January, he traveled to Kissimmee to poke and prod Corvettes at Mecum's annual sale,
and you'll find his report on p. 72. He and his wife live in Richmond, Virginia.
8 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Page 8
You
Write
Please send your letters to youwrite@vettemarket.com. All submissions subject to editing.
How about those ZR cars?
With all the hoopla surround-
ing Chevrolet's recent unveiling
of the ZR1, I'm dismayed how
little has been mentioned about
the original ZR1-optioned C3
Corvettes. Top-tier enthusiast
publications covering the introduction
of the new Super Corvette
barely—if at all—touched on the
genesis of the ZR1 option code
and its significance in Corvette
performance history. Instead,
most mags recollected the C4
series ZR-1 over the earlier original
ZR1 cars.
The C3 ZR1/ZR2s were Zora
Duntov's parting shot to shore up
Corvette's hard-won competitive
reputation in the face of federally
mandated emissions and safety
regulations by offering the public
factory-prepared SCCA competition-ready
racers. No other
Corvette—and no other passenger
car, for that matter—has
since rolled off a GM assembly
line with the corporate-issued
warning, “Not recommended for
normal traffic situations.”
Granted, these cars are so rare
that they garner almost a mythical
status based on wide-ranging
conjecture about configuration and
build numbers. A few C3 fanatics
have created de facto registries
for ZR-optioned cars, but they
are very guarded about releasing
detailed information for fear of
counterfeiting. Based on historic
information at hand, the build
numbers appear to be 25 ZR1s in
1970, eight ZR1s and twelve ZR2s
in 1971, and 20 ZR1s in 1972.
I own an unrestored 1970
ZR1-optioned coupe. I was fortunate
recently to acquire this “garage
find” from its owner of 29
years, who bought it in 1979 when
he was an engineering student at
Purdue University in Indiana. At
the time, he had no idea the car
was anything more special than
an LT-1 Corvette with an M22
transmission. The car was wellpreserved
but covered in a thick
blanket of dust when I bought it.
Documentation included a tank
sticker and interior order copy, as
well as the history related to me
by the seller.
In typical performance-car
fashion of the day, only two
option boxes were checked
in its 2009 namesake.
I look forward to hearing
from any ZR1/ZR2 aficionados
who are able and willing to
offer more specific information
regarding these rare bits of
Corvette history.—Dan Pepper,
C2@corvettes.com
Stefan Lombard responds:
In typical performance-car
fashion of the day, only two option
boxes were checked when the coupe
was originally ordered—N37 Tilt/Telescopic
Steering Column and the ZR1 Special
Purpose Engine Package
when the coupe was originally
ordered—N37 Tilt/Telescopic
Steering Column and the ZR1
Special Purpose Engine Package.
The ZR1 package precluded
the addition of any power assist
options and required a long list
of GM-engineered heavy-duty
racing bits that made the car a
less-than-enjoyable street cruiser,
but certainly a weapon on the
track. The ZR cars were, in essence,
L88-prepped chassis with
Chevrolet's new LT-1, solid-lifter
mouse motor, which was conservatively
rated at 370 hp and 380
ft-lb of torque.
The ZR1's heavy-duty
components included F41
suspension with matched HD
springs and shocks, HD aluminum
radiator, HD M22 “rock
crusher” close-ratio 4-speed,
lightweight flywheel, LT-1 350
with 11:1 compression, and
transistorized ignition. Radios
were also precluded from the list
of options offered, and a simple
block-off plate took the place of
the AM/FM unit found in most
other street-equipped Corvettes.
My particular ZR1 is one of four
known to be optioned with 4.56:1
Positraction. Another oddity is
10 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
the presence of NA9 Evaporative
Emissions Control, which was
required for all cars delivered to
California in 1970. The car's history
between 1970 and 1976 is not
known, but based on the presence
of the ZR1 package and 4.56 rear
end ratio, it's sure to have seen a
few trips up, down, or around a
race course.
Driving the car is a unique
experience; the engine revs
eagerly when the throttle is
blipped—a testament to the effect
of the lightweight flywheel. The
whine from the M22 and the deep
exhaust note rise in a dueling,
delightful crescendo, and the car's
driving characteristics are excellent.
Near-perfect weight distribution,
stiff yet supple suspension,
and slight understeer combine to
create a car that can be driven on
the edge, coaxed into a drift, and
brought back in line with little
effort. Biographer Jerry Burton
quoted Zora Arkus-Duntov as
saying, “The ZR1 was my last
great white hope for Corvette
racing.”
Even after almost 38 years,
this car underscores his statement
and upholds the heritage and performance
said to be reincarnated
Thanks for your letter, Dan. We
agree that the original ZR cars
are too often overlooked when
recounting the many milestones
in Corvette history. A War Bonnet
Yellow 1971 ZR2 recently sold at
Barrett-Jackson for $357,500. We
profile that car on p. 38. As for
the other Z options that graced
Corvettes, we are at work on a
detailed look at the 67 separate Z
options that made their way into
not only Corvettes, but GM cars
of all types between 1963 and
2005. Look for that in our next
issue.
As a ZR-1 owner for some
14 years, I took special interest
in the two ZR-1 articles in the
Winter 2008 issue (“C4 Profile,”
p. 40; “Should You Own a ZR1?”
p. 42). There were, however,
a couple of minor errors.
First, in the profile, Dan
Grunwald states: “… and the
car was equipped with the
more desirable 6-speed manual
transmission.” All ZR-1s came so
equipped; no other transmission
was offered with the package.
In
the following story, Grunwald
writes: “Numerous road tests
were conducted over the fiveyear
span of production,” and
“sales dropped significantly after
the initial impact and the option
only lasted five years.” The
C4 ZR-1 was built from 1990
through 1995, inclusive, which
would be six model years, not
five.
Despite looking much like a
regular C4 Corvette, the ZR-1
still attracts attention. Park it
on the show field and open that
hood, and the exotic four-cam,
32-valve aluminum engine
speaks for itself. It's a real engineering
marvel.
Like a lot of guys, I couldn't
afford one new, so I waited three
years to let the first owners
absorb the bulk of the depreciation—from
$60,000 down to
Page 10
You
Write
Please send your letters to youwrite@vettemarket.com. All submissions subject to editing.
As for CM itself, I am as
impressed as you are at the way
the magazine has taken off, and
am proud to be a part of it. The
CM staff is very fussy about what
they put in print, and I think that
is the proper approach to take in
doing a Corvette publication.
Hooray for the hobby
My wife and I spent an enjoy-
able long weekend in Scottsdale,
where we went to experience
Arizona's equivalent to Mardi
Gras. What a great time. Even
though we currently live only
an hour from the Kruse Auburn
headquarters and make our annual
pilgrimage there, Scottsdale
was beyond anything we could
have expected.
As a faithful subscriber
The panelists at the Corvette Market seminar were wonderful,
and the whole experience was informative and
encouraging to all of us with Chevy's plastic cars
$30,000. My '91 Steel Blue car
had 21,000 miles by that point
and now has just 45,000, thanks
largely to splitting my drive time
between it and my other three
'Vettes—'60, '67, and '82.
The ZR-1 is a tremendous
bargain, especially at today's
prices. It still gives me a thrill
every time I take it through the
gears (and still scares the devil
out of the wife).—Bob Stevens,
Sidney, OH
Knock it off
I am a veteran Corvette driver
and have owned twelve different
models over the past 43 years.
The first Corvette I drove was
a 1963 4-speed, fuel-injected
coupe with the big tank option.
I was hooked after driving that
car, and I began reading Corvette
magazines (Corvette News)
when I bought my first new
'Vette, a 1965 Glen Green coupe
with a 4-speed and 300 hp. The
subscription was included in the
purchase of the car.
All of this leads me to my
really picky observation. On
p. 35 of your C2 profile in the
Winter 2008 issue, author
John Gunnell notes: “Firsts for
'63 'Vettes included optional
knockoff wheels, air conditioning,
and leather seats.” As far
as I know, the knockoff wheels
were never available from the
factory, although the point has
been debated for years. The '63
I drove was used for gymkhana
racing and likely would have had
the knockoff wheels if they were
available (it didn't have them).
Having said that, I must say
that Corvette Market has now
become my all-time favorite
Corvette magazine. The format,
with its short series of articles
and information on the auctions,
is great. I wonder, though, about
the popularity of the auctions.
It has certainly helped to raise
Corvette values, which may be a
good thing, but I am concerned
about the buyers at many auctions
being investors who may
not appreciate the history and
lore of Corvettes.—Rick Cosier,
12 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
West Lafayette, IN
John Gunnell responds:
Thanks for your letter, Rick. The
information about the knockoff
wheels came from the Standard
Catalog of Corvettes, a book
I first compiled in 2001 and
updated in 2005. The same information
was carried over into
Mike Yager's Corvette Bible,
which we published later.
My understanding has always
been that a few sets of knockoffs
were made in '63, and that the
option was later cancelled. After
a little digging, this is what I can
tell you: Knockoff aluminum
wheels were introduced as a 1963
option, but actual availability
is questionable. Porosity of the
aluminum and rim seal difficulty
caused tubeless tires to leak.
Delivery of a 1963 with
knockoff wheels to a retail customer
has not been confirmed,
but wheels were sold over the
counter. Two-bar (early) and
three-bar spinner styles were
available, and finish between the
fins was natural.
to both SCM and CM, I want
to particularly thank you for
the Corvette Market Insider's
Seminar you led on Friday
morning at Russo and Steele.
The panelists were wonderful,
and the whole experience was
informative and encouraging
to all of us with Chevy's plastic
cars. My wife particularly appreciated
your acknowledgment
of your own wife. I know she is
an associate of the magazine, but
acknowledging her made a big
hit with my wife, who has been
very supportive of my hobby for
some time now. While she can't
push the clutch on one of the
cars, she does drive our faithful
little MG B and is a really good
sport about going on rallies and
to car club dinners.
Thanks again for two great
magazines, the great seminar
in Arizona, and for what you
continue to do for the hobby. I
look forward to more of all of
it.—Tom Dunn III, Warsaw, IN
Keith Martin responds: Tom,
thanks for the kind words. We
were impressed by the turnout
at the seminar (see story on p.
32), over 200, and even more
impressed by the intensity of
the discussion during the two
hours. I personally learned an
enormous amount from both
the experts on the panel and the
members of the audience. I want
to personally thank everyone
who attended, and I look forward
to our next one. ■
Page 12
Insider's
View
Industry Experts
The Corvette Market Through
the Lens of Arizona
Drew Alcazar
President, Russo and Steele
I was prepared for a more conservative
market, so I was very pleased. We toed the
line on last year's numbers. We did a touch
over $20 million last year, a touch under this
year at $19.2 million. In a market that's down
20% to 30% in the muscle car sector, that
makes me pretty happy.
There was a haze over the hobby last
year, and lots of people got an education
about market corrections—sure it's down,
but we don't know how much, and if you're
in a no-reserve situation, you might have a
gun stuffed in your mouth when the final bid
arrives.
But the market this year was healthy, and
there was not as much blood in the water as I
expected.
Buyers right now have a wonderful op-
portunity to buy muscle, including 'Vettes.
The market of the last two years justified a
lot of top-shelf restorations, which are just
now seeing the light of day. From a buyer's
standpoint, it's a brilliant opportunity for a
long-term hold.
Four qualities define this market: origi-
nality, documentation, matching numbers,
and provenance. Buy cars acknowledged
nationally—not just locally—by NCRS and
Bloomington Gold. Such cars are known by
the hobby, and as the tide recedes, they will
be left at the top.
Colin Comer
President, Colin's Classic Automobiles
I find the Arizona sales reassuring. Given
the current volatility in other segments, I'm
happy to see Corvettes returning predictable
results. Corvette prices have never experienced
crazy increases or large adjustments or
“turbulence.” A good '57 fuelie was $90,000
five years ago, and $125,000 now. Anybody
with sales results from last year could guess
nearly every result within 15% in Arizona.
That is a solid market.
My hot sheet includes well-documented,
limited-production C1–C3 cars. Some of
these are very significant historically: cars
with big brakes, air boxes, or big tanks,
the L88 and L89, and factory-sponsored or
famous race cars are all very strong buys.
The number of special Corvettes is tiny,
yet price premiums do not fully reflect this.
I also encourage buyers to seek out original,
unrestored examples. Bloomington Gold
Survivor cars will continue to outpace the
market as more people recognize their
significance.
Sell and hold predictions are difficult—
telling others what to do with their kids is
never simple. My advice: Sell any car that
may have “issues” or is not quite your dream,
and keep the ones you enjoy. True value is
based on more than money. If it was just
about guaranteed returns, we'd have garages
full of savings bonds.
Dave Glass
Owner, D&M Corvette Specialists
For all the doom and gloom about the
economy, the Arizona sales were pretty good.
Barrett-Jackson was down, but they didn't
have the same cars they're used to selling.
Good cars will always be strong—cars
with known background and good history.
Even so-so cars were selling for $50,000–
$60,000, where four to five years ago they
were only $30,000–$35,000, so the Corvette
market has done well. As for tributes,
continuations, etc. (we call those hokes), you
have to be honest about it. I think 1968–72
cars are coming on strong, partly because the
mid-years have gotten so expensive. People
who want 435-ci cars are looking at C3s.
I think the mid-years will be good for an-
other ten to 15 years because of the Boomers;
at that point they'll be pushing 65 to 75, and
while their hearts will still be in it, they won't
be driving as much.
Lots of people are driving C5s and C6s
even though they have a '67 put away. The
old cars are too valuable to blow up and put
a new motor in. I have a silver and blue '63
Z06—original everything, Gold Certified,
NCRS Top Flight. I don't think I could
replace it.
14 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Page 13
David Gooding
President, Gooding & Company
The results from the recent auctions in
Arizona show us that the Corvette market is
still very strong for correct cars. By correct
I mean fully documented and well-restored
examples. Buyers are looking for the best
examples and attach a great deal of importance
to the numbers and production codes.
The best performers are still the late,
mid-year big-block cars, with coupes slowly
catching up to convertible prices. But C2 and
C3 cars from 1958 and into the 1960s are beginning
to get more popular when correctly
restored, heavily equipped, and presented in
attractive color combinations.
There seems to be quite a bit of analysis
on the market in general, with people wanting
to point to a downturn in prices. However, if
you examine all of the auction results from
January, good quality cars are still bringing
top-level results.
Jim Jordan
President, County Corvette
This year's Arizona auctions brought
an expected boost to the overall Corvette
market. Solid-axle cars were stronger than
anticipated, with nice examples exceeding
expectations. Quality big-block mid-years
brought a premium but were not subject to
frenzied buying.
The big winners were rare C3s. The L88
market is strong, and L71-optioned models
are finding their place among collectors.
These are probably the best buys right now
and will most likely see the highest appreciation
in the short term.
Russo and Steele had the most impressive
selection, and while Barrett-Jackson never
disappoints as a sensory experience, it had
fewer cars than prior years.
One note: buyers should not misinterpret
the term “NCRS-certified” as an assurance of
authenticity. Several seemingly rare cars with
this announcement came up short for good
reasons.
Bob Kroupa
Publisher, Vette-n-Vestments
Regarding the Arizona auctions, I find
they are not representative of the Corvette
resale market across the U.S. With the glitz
and media coverage, the Arizona events
qualify more as entertainment than market
correctness.
Many special Corvettes sell at record
prices in Arizona, but it seems to me that
many bidders with seemingly unlimited
funds will buy a standard Corvette
beyond the market price to claim pride of
ownership. But overall, rare and certified
Corvettes continue to sell for top dollar.
First-generation Corvettes remain the hot
ticket in Arizona, and I see additional appreciation
in the 1955–1962 models. I believe
the 1953 and 1954 models have peaked in
price for now.
Mid-year cars in average condition are
showing some slippage in price. The entrylevel
1964s may be worth a second look at
prices in the mid-thirties.
Third generation Corvettes, especially
the chrome-bumper cars, are becoming
attractive to Corvette enthusiasts, since
many are available in the mid-twenties, with
accelerated appreciation potential.
Finally, in today's market, the early
C5 Corvettes offer handling, performance,
technology, comfort, and convenience under
$20,000. These are definitely worth considering
as drivers.
www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2008 Corvette Market 15
Page 16
Event
Guide
Alabama
5.15.08–5.17.08
Circle City Corvettes' 28th Annual Beach
Caravan, Dothan
Beginning in Dothan and heading to Panama
City Beach, Florida, this annual caravan
expects more than 150 'Vettes. Highlighting
the weekend's activities will be a Corvette
banquet and auction, '50s and '60s sock hop,
special guests, seminars, and display. www
.circlecitycorvettes.com.
Arizona
7.20.08–7.26.08
Bloomington Gold Summer Tour,
Flagstaff
This six-day tour begins in Flagstaff and
treks through Southwest Colorado. Along
the way participants will be treated to the
scenery of the Colorado Rockies, Lake
Powell, Mesa Verde, Durango, and Telluride.
This tour has a 15-Corvette limit. Cost for a
two-person tour package is $2,995 through
April 15, and $3,245 after. One-person tour
packages are $2,695 through April 15 and
$2,945 after. www.bloomingtongoldtours
.com.
Arkansas
4.17.08–4.19.08
10th Annual CACC Weekend, Little Rock
www.centralarkcc.com.
California
5.4.08
Legends on Display 28, Alameda
America's oldest Corvette club, the Northern
Send your Corvette event listing to cmcalendar@vettemarket.com.
California Corvette Association, sponsors
this annual Type 1 Corvette Car Show. Cars
are categorized in four classes: stock, modified,
custom, and competition, plus seven
divisions based on generation. The cost to
show your car is $30 for WSCC members
and $35 for non-members. www.nccacorvettes.org.
6.7.08–6.8.08
'Vette Magic 33, Sacramento
www.nccacorvettes.org.
6.22.08
Palo Alto Concours d'Elegance, Palo Alto
The Corvette will be the featured American
marque at the 42nd annual concours sponsored
by the Palo Alto Host Lions Club. The
event will be held at the Stanford University
athletic fields and will include plenty of
food, entertainment, auto-related vendors,
and free parking. www.paconcours.com.
5.4.08
Corvettes Limited 51st Anniversary
Chevy Car Show, El Monte
This annual show is open to 1975 and older
Chevrolets and all Corvettes. Several prizes
will be offered and all entrants receive a 4”
x 6” framed picture of their car. Pre-entry is
$25 by April 22. www.corvetteslimited.org.
6.1.08
Plastic Fantastic All-Corvette Car Show,
San Diego
This event, sponsored by the North County
Corvette Club, is the oldest and largest “AllCorvette
Show” in the Southwest. Several
trophies will be offered and dash plaques and
goodie bags are given to the first 300 entries.
The entry fee is $25 postmarked before May
18, and $30 afterwards. For the non-judged
display class, the fee is $15. www.ncocc
.com.
Circle City Corvette Beach Caravan, Dothan, Alabama
18 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Circle City Corvette
Page 17
Colorado
5.1.08–5.3.08
NCRS Colorado Regional, Denver
www.ncrs.org.
Florida
4.12.08
Uptown Altamonte 2008 Corvette Show,
Altamonte Springs
This event is sponsored by the Florida
Corvette Club and features several judged
classes, including prizes for each generation
and Best of Show. The cost is $35 per
vehicle and each entry fee includes one event
T-shirt. Proceeds benefit local charities.
www.cfca.net.
5.10.08
River Cruise-In, Ft. Pierce
This 10th annual Corvette show features
first-in-class awards for each generation, as
well as top in show. Activities include music
and a 50/50 raffle. www.stuartcorvetteclub
.com.
Georgia
6.8.08
Tops of Georgia All-Corvette Show,
Blairsville
Held at Georgia's highest point, Brasstown
Bald, this year's event will feature door
prizes, a 50/50 drawing, trophies, cash drawings
from pre-registered entries, food concessions,
a DJ, and live and silent auctions.
The total number of generation trophies will
be doubled from previous shows. www
.corvettegroupbrm.com.
Idaho
7.17.08–7.20.08
Valley Corvettes—'Vette Fest, Boise
www.valleycorvettes.org.
Illinois
4.4.08–4.5.08
27th Annual Spring Chevy 'Vettefest,
Rosemont
This event is the home of the coveted Triple
Crown award, and this year will feature LS6powered
Chevrolets, straight-axle cars, and
vintage race cars. Last year's event saw over
500 cars. Swap spaces are $95. www
.chevyvettefest.net.
6.26.08–6.29.08
Bloomington Gold, St. Charles
Bloomington Gold's roots began back in
1973, when a group of Corvette enthusiasts
gathered to display their cars and swap
APRIL
4-6—RM
Ontario, CAN
4-5—TOM MACK
Concord, NC
5—MECUM
Indianapolis, IN
5—SILVER
Spokane, WA
11-12—MIDAMERICA
St. Paul, MN
11-12—KRUSE
Charleston, SC
12—LUZZAGO
Rome, ITA
12—MECUM
Indianapolis, IN
12—POTTS
Rock Springs, GA
12—SILVER
Portland, OR
13—ARTCURIAL
Paris, FRA
16—H&H
Yorkshire, UK
18-19—COX
Branson, MO
18-19—ICA
Tucson, AZ
18-20—SILVER
Dallas, TX
19—MECUM
Indianapolis, IN
19—RM
Dallas, TX
19-20—KRUSE
Tampa, FL
20—SHANNONS
Brisbane, AUS
21—BONHAMS
Hendon, UK
25-26—KRUSE
Salt Lake City, UT
25-26—CARLISLE
Carlisle, PA
26—MECUM
Indianapolis, IN
Auction Calendar
26-27—RM
Novi, MI
28-29—BARONS
Surrey, UK
30—SILVER
Spokane, WA
MAY
2-3—KRUSE
Modesto, CA
3—BONHAMS &
BUTTERFIELDS
Half Moon Bay, CA
3—MECUM
Indianapolis, IN
3—WORLDWIDE
Seabrook, TX
5—SHANNONS
Sydney, AUS
9-10— MIDAMERICA
St. Paul, MN
10—COYS
Monte Carlo, MCO
15-18—MECUM
Indianapolis, IN
17—BONHAMS
Newport Pagnell, UK
17—SILVER
Reno, NV
17-18—KRUSE
Lake Placid, NY
18—RM
Maranello, ITA
29- JUN 1—KRUSE
Auburn, IN
24—ICA
Church Point, LA
24—KRUSE
Paso Robles, CA
25—COYS
Kent, UK
29-June 1—KRUSE
Auburn, IN
JUNE
2—SHANNONS
Melbourne, AUS
www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2008 Corvette Market 19
JULY
5—COYS
Oxfordshire, UK
5-6—SILVER
Jackson Hole, WY
11—BONHAMS
Sussex, UK
12—PETERSEN
Roseburg, OR
18-19—KRUSE
Denver, CO
21-22—BARONS
Surrey, UK
26—BONHAMS
Silverstone, UK
26—KRUSE
Midland, MI
26—KRUSE
San Jose, CA
26—MECUM
Des Moines, IA
6-8—LEAKE
Tulsa, OK
14—RM
Tustin, CA
14—SILVER
Coeur d'Alene, ID
15—BONHAMS &
GOODMAN
Sydney, AUS
16-17—BARONS
Surrey, UK
20-21—MECUM
St. Paul, MN
21—BONHAMS
Northhamptonshire, UK
21—KRUSE
Topsfield, MA
22—BONHAMS &
GOODMAN
Auckland, NZL
27-28—MECUM
St. Charles, IL
Page 18
Event
Guide
Send your Corvette event listing to cmcalendar@vettemarket.com.
Minnesota
5.30.08–6.1.08
Corvettes for a Cure, Hutchinson
This event benefits the National Breast
Cancer Foundation and the American Cancer
Society. Among the many activities will be a
welcome party, dart run, car show, blind faith
autocross, trivia contest, loudest exhaust
contest, plus prizes and trophies. A dash
plaque and free T-shirt will be given to the
first 75 cars registered. www.crowrivercorvettes.com.
Missouri
C5/C6 Bash, Bowling Green, Kentucky
extra parts with one another. Today it has
grown into a multi-feature event with the
Bloomington Gold certification recognized
as one of America's most prestigious
Corvette awards. New this year will be an
All Brands Survivor show, where any alloriginal
vehicle over 20 years old qualifies.
Tickets purchased in advance are $15 per
person for one day, or $40 for a four-day
pass. At the gate, $20 for one day and $50
for four, with children 13 and under free.
www.bloomingtongold.com.
Indiana
5.20.08
Open Track Day for Corvettes,
Putnam Park
This 'Vette-only track event is open to 25
drivers with track experience from a driving
school. www.corvetteschool.net.
Iowa
6.7.08
10th Annual Corvette Spring Fling,
Indianola
This all-Corvette show will feature judging
in eleven categories, including best of show
and best stock example from each Corvette
generation. The registration fee is $15 and
includes show photo and goodie bag. Several
other prizes and raffles will also be offered.
http://clubs.hemmings.com/wccorvette
Kentucky
4.24.08–4.26.08
C5/C6 Bash, Bowling Green
This 11th annual bash kicks off the event
season at the National Corvette Museum.
Activities include scenic road tours, museum
tours, seminars, autocross, drag racing, a
“Celebrity Choice” car show, preview of the
2009 model year, and more. www.corvettemuseum.com.
20 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
5.8.08–5.10.08
C4/ZR-1 Gathering, Bowling Green
www.corvettemuseum.com.
5.22.08–5.24.08
Corvette Forum Cruise-In, Bowling Green
www.corvettemuseum.com.
7.18.08–7.20.08
National Corvette Homecoming, Bowling
Green
This 27th annual event features shows,
awards, swap meets, and a multitude of other
'Vette-themed activities. The judged Reunion
Show is open to '58, '68,'78, and '88 models.
www.corvettehomecoming.com.
Maryland
4.5.08–10.4.08
Corvette Meet & Greet, Baltimore County
Every Saturday.
www.baltimorecocorvetteclub.com.
6.14.08
2nd Annual Dad's All-Corvette Car Show,
Baltimore
www.baltimorecocorvetteclub.com.
Michigan
5.15.08–5.18.08
NCRS Michigan Regional, Novi
www.ncrs.org.
6.21.08
4th Annual Canterbury Village Corvette
Fest, Lake Orion
This event is open to all stock, custom, and
modified 'Vettes from any year and will
include 1st, 2nd, and, 3rd place awards in
each class, as well as Best of Show. A silent
auction will benefit the Leader Dogs for the
Blind charity. www.gmccorvetteset.com.
7.20.08-7.24.08
NCRS National Convention, St. Charles
www.ncrs.org.
Nevada
5.23.08–5.25.08
Corvette Roulette, Las Vegas
This NCCC-sanctioned event features a
judged concours car show, low speed autocross,
awards banquet, and a roaring '20s
raffle theme. www.vegasvettes.com.
6.5.08–6.7.08
Bloomington Gold Route 66 Tour,
Laughlin
This three-day event, which begins in
Laughlin and ends in Flagstaff, Arizona, will
feature 250 Corvettes traveling down Route
66. Also included are dinner and dessert
receptions, a Route 66 Corvette show, guest
speaker presentation, cash prizes, and more.
Cost is $245 for one person and $305 for
two. If you are a returning VIP member,
$225 for one and $285 for two. www.bloomingtongoldtours.com.
6.13.08–6.14.08
All-Corvette Gathering, Sparks
This all-Corvette-from-any-year event
features a slot tournament, people's choice
show-n-shine, poker run, and private banquet.
www.corvettecruzin.com.
7.18.08– 7.19.08
Checkerboard 'Vette Gathering (Black or
Red 'Vettes), Sparks
This event is open to any black or red
Corvette from any year and features the same
events as the All-Corvette Gathering in June.
www.corvettecruzin.com.
New York
6.6.08–6.8.08
Cruisin' Around the Mountains,
Saranac Lake
Three days of Corvette activity in the
Page 19
Adirondack Mountains of Northern New
York include a cruise and luncheon, shown-shine,
and treasure hunt. Registration is
$20 per car prior to May 15 and $25 per car
afterwards. www.cruisinaround.com.
7.27.08
'Vettes at The Beach, Sylvan Beach
Well over 400 'Vettes are expected to show
up at this event, which features door prizes,
50/50 raffles, and trophies. All profits go to
local charities, which to date have totaled
approximately $51,000. www.syracusecorvetteclub.com.
North Carolina
5.24.08–5.25.08
4th Annual 'Vettes in the Valley,
Maggie Valley
Held at the Festival Grounds in Maggie
Valley, this annual show should have over
300 Corvettes from all over the country.
Festivities include plenty of vendors,
trophies, and awards for all generations, and
more. www.smokyevents.com.
Oregon
7.18.08–7.20.08
Corvettes on the Coos, Coos Bay/North
Bend
This 10th annual event will feature a poker
run, steak barbeque, show-n-shine, breakfast
buffet, awards, and raffles. www.pacificcoastcorvetteclub.com.
Pennsylvania
5.18.08
Spring 'Vettes '08, Monroeville
This special 50th anniversary all-Corvette
judged show will feature a DJ, door prizes,
dash plaques, Chinese auction, snacks, and
trophies for all classes. There will also be a
fun class for non-judged cars. The cost is $10
in advance and $15 at the door, with spectators
getting in free. www.ccwp.org.
6.12.08– 6.14.08
NCRS Pennsylvania Regional, Seven
Springs
www.ncrs.org.
South Carolina
4.18.08–4.19.08
'Vettes Doin' the Charleston, North
Charleston
The Coastal Carolina Corvette Club hosts this
all-Corvette show, with proceeds benefiting
the National Corvette Museum. There will
be six judged classes plus a Pace Car class.
Pre-register online with PayPal for $15.
www.4cccc.com.
6.6.08– 6.7.08
Corvettes at Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach
www.myrtlebeachcorvetteclub.com.
South Dakota
7.17.08–7.19.08
Black Hills Corvette Classic, Spearfish
www.blackhillscorvetteclassic.com.
Tennessee
NCRS Southeast Regional, Chattanooga
www.ncrs.org.
Texas
5.16.08–5.18.08
19th Annual Lone Star Corvette Classic,
Fort Worth
This full slate of events, including shows,
vendors, auctions, burnouts, Wheels 'n Pipes
Challenge, and more, is sure to keep 'Vette
enthusiasts busy. Benefits the Texas Motor
Speedway Children's Charities and the National
Corvette Museum. Registration ranges from
$15 to $55. www.lonestarcorvette.com.
Washington
7.26.08
Glass on Grass, Spokane
www.spokanecorvetteclub.com. ■
'Vettes in the Valley, Maggie Valley, North Carolina
www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2008 Corvette Market 21
Page 20
Questions
Answers
Please send your questions to questions@vettemarket.com. All submissions subject to editing.
What About Those '55s With the Blue Flame?
Drips, runs, sags, dirt, and overspray were all hallmarks of a factory finish,
and all should be in the new paint to really make it true to original
by Colin Comer
(no gloss). Once this sets up, top
coats of clear polyurethane finish
are applied to give gloss and
protect the color coat.
This system quickly became
the darling of the refinishing
industry, as it was the new stateof-the-art
technique and was
required to repair any contemporary
car. The advantages are
many, the main ones being vastly
improved resistance to fading,
easier repair, higher gloss, and
much better durability.
For example, scratches that
A 1955 with a 6-banger is just a newer '54 and little else
1955 6-bangers count as
“rare and should be”
I know that of the 700 roadsters
built in 1955, seven
came with the Blue Flame Six,
while the rest got Corvette's first
265-ci V8. I've seen plenty of
'55s come and go, but never any
of those 6-cylinder cars. Should
one expect to pay a premium for
such a car in light of its rarity,
or is it “rarity-schmarity” in this
case and thus subject to the same
pricing rules as a similar 1954?
—R.E.L., Homewood, IL
We've all been taught that
rare doesn't always equal
desirable. I certainly wouldn't
pay any more for a 6-cylinder
'55, in spite of its rarity. What
makes a '55 special is that first
Corvette V8. Take that away,
and while you do have the rarest
variant of '55, it is, as you mention,
basically a '54. I'd much
rather save my “pay a premium”
money for one of the 75 or so
late-production '55 V8 cars with
the 3-speed manual transmis-
sion. Hopefully this response
will not send seven really angry
'55 owners to my doorstep with
shovels and pick axes.
What, no authentic drips,
runs, dirt, and overspray?
My '62 is getting restored,
and they are just about to
paint it. The restorer is adamant
about using what he calls “singlestage”
paint. Everybody else
I have talked to says I should
make sure he uses “two-stage” or
“basecoat/clearcoat” paint. All
of this confuses me. If I knew
anything about paint I'd be doing
it myself. Can you offer any
insight?—D.B., Milwaukee, WI
It sounds like your restorer
has an eye toward doing
an NCRS or Bloomington Gold
restoration. To score maximum
points, show judges expect a factory-correct
finish. In 1962, this
would be single-stage paint with
what they call “typical” orange
peel. Basically, single-stage
paint is just as it sounds; the
color and shine come from one
22 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
stage of paint.
This means the top coat is
pigmented, making it relatively
easy for show judges to confirm
this by rubbing a proper white
polishing cloth with a mild
cleaner on an inconspicuous
area of your paint. If color
appears on the cloth, it is a
single-stage finish. Most restorers
wanting to earn full points
for a factory-type finish will
also strive to leave a very tight
orange peel finish with singlestage,
i.e. no wet sanding or
polishing after it is painted—just
as the factory would have done.
Drips, runs, sags, dirt, and
overspray were all hallmarks of
a factory finish, and all should
be in the new paint to really
make it true to original. It's a
proper, but not necessarily eyepleasing,
result.
Two-stage, or base/clear
finishes, started being used by
most manufacturers (including
Chevrolet) in the early 1980s.
The basic principle is that a
color coat is sprayed first that
is actually just straight color
do not break through the clear
coat can be polished or wetsanded
out quite easily. So the
question for you is do you care
more about showing your car or
driving it?
Unless you are planning
on trying to make your '62 a
100-point show car, go for the
two-stage paint in a correct color.
It will be much easier to live with,
and even if you do show your car
in judged competition, you'll only
lose a few points. To most people,
a well-executed two-stage finish
that has been wet-sanded “flat”
and polished to a perfect gloss
looks far superior to a singlestage
“OE”-type finish. And if
the most important car show
you attend will be the “Buddies
and Beer Annual” held in your
garage, you can't go wrong.
Pay what you are
comfortable with
What should I pay for a set
of five original RPO 576 15˝
x 5.5˝ “big brake” wheels for a
'57?—S.M., Scottsdale, AZ
I haven't seen an original
set of factory big brake/
wide wheels sell in ages. The
last time I heard of a genuine
set of four selling they brought
Page 21
$10,000. The simple answer with
rare parts like these is to pay
what you are comfortable with,
or maybe even 20% more if you
think you'll still sleep at night
(or still be allowed in the house).
Just make sure they are truly
factory original wheels and not
a set of the nearly indistinguishable
reproductions that have
been made for the last 15 years
or so. Although not cheap by
any standards, the reproduction
wheels are damn nice and sell
for about $1,000 each.
Lots of places to check
your car's original color
Is there any way to tell what
color a 1954–62 Corvette
was originally? I know they do
not have trim tags like the later
cars, but was just wondering if
there was a trick.—B.M.C., Port
Washington, WI
Unless the car has retained
some original paperwork,
Z06 dash in living color
such as a dealer invoice or window
sticker, the simple answer
is no. However, if a car has not
been comprehensively restored,
there is a good chance that
somewhere on the car a little
original paint or overspray will
be hiding.
Look under the dash, espe-
cially around the defroster vents.
Seach every nook and cranny
you can think of (I've even peeled
up dash vinyl to discover the
original color). Unbolt the doors
and look behind the hinges—be
creative. Unless the car was
dipped or blasted inside and out,
you may get lucky and find some
original color. Unfortunately,
without paperwork, this is really
the only method, outside of
tracking down previous owners
and gathering history to as close
to new as possible.
If something looks too
good to be true, etc.
I have a friend who has a
used car dealer's license, and
I occasionally go to the wholesale
dealer auction with him. Last
week I saw a 2006 Z06 in the
salvage pool lot for an upcoming
auction. It looks perfect, a little
dirty and with bald tires, but
nothing some TLC wouldn't fix.
They say it has an “insurance
claim paid” branded title because
the car was in a flood. It doesn't
run and nobody knows how many
miles are on it because the dash
is dead.
My dealer friend says it prob-
ably just needs the electronics
dried out and maybe some new
computer chips. He says the
dealer sells all of that stuff and
the car will probably sell for
about $25,000, which is half of
what a good one sells for, from
what I gather. You know a lot
about this stuff, so the million
dollar question is would you go
for it? —B.W., Erie, PA
No. The car has already
been underwater. Why do
you want to join it? ■
www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2008 Corvette Market 23
Page 22
Affordable
Classic
Early LT-1 Corvettes
LT-1, Short for Light'em Up
It weighs less, is better balanced, less thirsty, and runs cooler than an LS5
454, yet was rated only 20 hp less
by Rob Sass
1971 LT- 1, power dropped to 330 hp
J
ust five years ago, the C3 market looked a lot like
the C4 market today. Sure, there were buyers for
just about every car that hit the market, but prices
were stable and for the most part very reasonable.
But when even small-block, non-fuelie C2 coupes regularly
began to trade above $25,000, the market suddenly
woke up. Enthusiasts began to examine what was essentially
the same chassis with a very different but still
aggressive and attractive body, and it was easy to spot
the inequity, as the C3 traded for little more than a third
of a comparable C2. Accordingly, the market changed
fast.
There was no reason that it shouldn't. After all, the
C3 was a direct descendant of the over-the-top Mako
Shark II show car of 1965, and in hindsight, the hallmark
Stingray design—those curvy, sharp-edged fenders and
the assertive ducktail—began to look really good. As a
result, chrome-bumper (pre-'73) C3 prices have roughly
doubled over the last five or six years, and big-block cars
are now more expensive than small-block C2s were just
a few years ago.
24 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
By 1970, the first year of the LT1 option (no hyphen when noted as an RPO code),
the quality control glitches that plagued the 1968 model were a thing of the past—the
folks on Natural Bridge Avenue in St. Louis had figured out how to build Corvettes
again. Other changes from the 1969 car were minor. Side vents went from the attractive
“shark gill” style to a more fussy egg-crate design, amber turn signal lenses
appeared in front, and black paint was unavailable for the first time since 1956.
A solid-lifter version of the old small block
The LT-1 was essentially a solid-lifter version of the venerable 350 small block,
with 11:1 compression, a high-performance cam, and a Holley four-barrel on a tuned
aluminum intake manifold. Many people felt it was the best iteration yet of the Chevy
small-block V8, which dated back to 1955. Without wading into the LT-1 vs. LS5
controversy, an LT-1-equipped car weighs less, is better balanced, less thirsty, and
runs cooler than an LS5 454, yet in its first year, it was rated at only 20 hp less—370
hp (SAE gross) vs. 390 hp for the LS5. It was the highest-revving, fastest small-block
GM ever dropped into a Corvette.
Unfortunately, things began to go downhill after 1970, when a drop in compression
to allow for running on unleaded gas resulted in a loss of 40 hp—the 1971 LT-1 was
rated at 330 hp. The 1972 edition was further detuned and was rated at 255 hp. The
power loss wasn't as extreme as it sounds, because 1972 was the year that horsepower
ratings went from SAE gross (measured without niceties like air cleaners and exhaust)
Page 23
to a more honest SAE net rating.
Back in the day, the 454 overshadowed the LT-1 in
sales. Its best year was 1971, when just under 9% of
Corvettes were ordered with the LT-1 option, compared
to 23% with the LS5. A shame, as an LT-1-equipped car
(if you can find one) makes for a sweet daily driver. With
abundant torque, plenty of power, eminent tweakability,
and less weight up front, nearly everyone agrees it is a
better handler than a 454.
The usual things apply when looking at any C3.
Poorly repaired accident damage is the most obvious nono,
while the most insidious is frame rust. Professional
inspection of the frame is essential, especially for saltbelt
cars. Noted Long Island Corvette restorer Kevin
Mackay sees a large number of rusty Corvette frames
and notes the most common spot is in front of the rear
wheels where the rails curve up over the rear axle.
According to Mackay, if it's too far gone, a straight,
rust-free replacement frame is the best option. The
“birdcage”—the steel windshield and cowl support—is
the other area to check for rust.
A ratty interior is no reason to pass on an otherwise
sound C3. Specialists like Mid America Motorworks
sell complete interior kits for a reasonable price. Items
like door panels and seat covers are moderately advanced do-it-yourself jobs.
1970 LT-1 brought a strong $72k at Mecum Kissimmee
LT-1s have closed the gap with big-block cars
LT-1s have garnered more respect recently, closing much of the gap with the big-
block LS5 cars. This is especially true of the highest horse 1970 LT-1s. The gap in values
is a bit wider for 1971–72. Currently, high-$20,000s to low-$30,000s is what you
might expect to pay for a good but by no means perfect LT-1 coupe. Documentation is
key in the form of invoices, window stickers, and Protect-o-Plates. Solid documentation
can add as much as 20% to the value of a car. Bloomington Gold and NCRS
20 Year Picture
1970 Chevrolet
Corvette LT-1
history adds value as well.
While small-block cars will always lack some of the
swagger of a big-block from the same year, as drivers,
many people prefer the small-block LT-1. As far as future
values, who knows? But the Shelby Cobra market may
provide a clue. Until recently, the car everyone wanted
was the big-block 427, but in the last several years, the
289 has caught up as cars that are more user-friendly
have caught collectors' fancy. ■
Prices are for cars in excellent condition. This information is provided by Black Book and Cars of Particular Interest
Collectible Vehicle Value Guide, www.blackbookusa.com.
$120,000
$100,000
$80,000
$60,000
1970 Ford Mustang
Boss 302
$40,000
$20,000
1970 Chevrolet
Camaro Z/28
1989
1994
1999
2004
2008
www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2008 Corvette Market 25
Page 24
Versus
1955–57 Corvette / 1955–57 Ford Thunderbird
Battle of the Tri-Five Two-Seaters
Corvette wouldn't be bested by their cross-town rivals, and salvation was in
the wings from Zora Arkus-Duntov
by Carl Bomstead
door “coves,” improved driver comforts,
and performance enhancements. When
ordering your base 1956 Corvette ($3,120),
with options 449 and 469, you received the
hotter “Duntov” cam and two four-barrel
carburetors, which upped power to an
unofficial 240 hp. Sales increased almost
five-fold from 1955, to 3,467 units. On the
other hand, 1956 sales actually decreased
for the $3,151 Thunderbird to 15,631,
although the changes were minor for the
new model year. Portholes appeared on
the hard top, and the spare tire was moved
outboard of the rear bumper.
The average sale price for the 1956
1956 Corvette
T
he CM/SCM Platinum data base has over 1,000
auction sales of 1955–57 Corvettes and sameyear
Thunderbirds, which means we can draw
some pretty clear comparisons between the two
marques. During this period the Thunderbird was far
more popular, with 53,166 two-seaters leaving dealer
showrooms, while only 10,506 Corvettes found buyers.
The initial edge clearly goes to the T-Bird.
The Ford Thunderbird, which was introduced on
October 22, 1954, at a price of $2,944, received more
than 3,500 orders in the first ten days. Ford went on to
sell 16,155 of the two-seaters in the first year, easily
eclipsing the $2,909 Corvette with sales of just 700.
The buying public perceived the Thunderbird as having
sports car functionality with the creature comforts the
American public demanded. The Corvette, on the other
hand, was on life support, even with the new V8 under
the hood. The suits at Chevrolet were ready to pull the
plug.
The market today places a much higher value on
the '55 Corvette. Roadster styling, limited production,
and V8 power have pushed the average sales price to
about $125,000. The T-Bird, with 124 offered for sale
compared to only 29 Corvettes in our database, averaged
$36,150. Both average sales figures are, however,
heavily weighted toward recent sales, as both marques
are enjoying renewed popularity and appreciation.
Corvette stayed the course, perhaps through stub-
born determination not to be bested by their cross-town
rival and with salvation in the wings from Zora ArkusDuntov.
Duntov presented new styling in 1956 with side
26 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
1957 T-Bird
Corvette at recent auctions decreased
from 1955 levels to $66,782, reflecting
the increased production, though the
265/240 option cars skewed the average toward the high end. The average sale price
for the 1956 T-Bird, on the other hand, increased from 1955's average to $45,894,
although they were very similar to the prior year's styling.
Nineteen fifty-seven brought on the performance wars, as both marques offered
significant power enhancement options. The body for the 1957 Corvette ($3,176) was
a carryover from the previous year, but Chevy offered four optional fuel-injected
engines and a 4-speed manual transmission. Sales increased to 6,339, with 1,040 of
those ordered with one of the 579-code FI options. Corvette continued to offer the
469-code dual four-barrel option, and 3,666 cars—over half the production—were
ordered as such.
Thunderbird ($3,408) countered with the “F Bird” which offered a Paxton
Page 25
McCulloch VR 57 supercharger. Ford rated the engine at 300
horsepower, but McCulloch placed it closer to 360; in fact it
was somewhere in between. It's recorded that between 208 and
214 “F Birds” were produced, with a dozen of those being the
unusual “D/F Bird,” which was an “F Bird” with a D stamping
on the data plate. Ford also offered the “E Bird” with a dual
four-barrel carburetor setup.
Average prices at recent auctions for both marques are
heavily influenced by the high-performance models, as both
have a few examples that have sold for close to $300,000. Our
database provides an average sales price of $91,880 for the
Corvette and only $51,292 for the T-Bird, but again, that
is heavily skewed to the high end.
From all this we can state that while Corvette lost the
sales battle, it won the two-seater war, as 1957 was the
last year the Thunderbird was offered in that configuration.
We can also state that Corvette has, on average, a
higher resale value as indicated by our auction results.
These figures are heavily influenced by the condition of
the vehicle offered and the performance options ordered
with the car. All things considered, the Corvette has the
overall edge as the resale value leader. ■
1955 'Vette, leading the Tri-Five pack at $125k
Average Sales Price, 2002–2008*
$150,000
Corvette
Thunderbird
$120,000
$20m
$15m
Total Sales Volume by Year, 2002–2008*
Corvette
Thunderbird
$90,000
$10m
$60,000
$5m
$30,000
1955
1956
1957
1955
1956
*Data sourced from auction sales reported in the CM database. Does not reflect private sales.
1957
www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2008 Corvette Market 27
1955 Thunderbird
Page 26
Collecting
Thoughts
Cut-Away Corvette
1965 Corvette Cuts to the Chase
People thought the $704,000 Cut-Away Corvette was hidden in Detroit;
in reality it was in South Africa
by Daniel Grunwald
Now you see me...
T
he 1965 Corvette was a marvelous automobile for its time, but it was also in its
third year of the Sting Ray body style. General Motors was looking for ways to
keep prospective purchasers interested.
The styling changes for '65 included three functional vertical side panel lou-
vers and a new interior seat pattern featuring wide pleats that made the seats appear
softer while maintaining their sporty style. The arm rests were integrated into the door
panels, and four-wheel disc brakes became standard.
Subtle changes at best. So in order to attract customers at the auto shows nation-
wide, the company also pulled an early production-run Corvette from the line in St.
Louis and made a one-off display like none other ever made for Corvette.
The car they started with was a loaded Nassau Blue coupe fitted with white leather
seats and fuel injection. The idea was to pick the most attractive colors and the hightech
Rochester fuel-injected 375-horsepower engine and cut away all of the chassis
and engine parts to show the public exactly how America's sports car worked.
What they came up with is probably the most unusual and significant display
Corvette ever produced.
The base holds all the motors and gears
The Cut-Away Corvette is a stock-appearing car set on a display base that holds
all of the motors, gears, and rigging that make this model work. The body shell still
sports most of the original paint from 1965, and the display has never seen rain. The
interior is complete, with the exception of the shift boot, ball, and reverse lockout lever
because those items would interfere with the body rising from the frame.
28 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
When the correct buttons are pressed, the body lifts
from the frame on four chrome-plated worm gears until
it is about three feet above the chassis. The underside
of the body is fitted with lights to show the chassis
components clearly. When the next switch is flipped,
the tires rotate on powered rollers that also rise and fall
independently of one another to show the workings of
the suspension components. As this is happening, the
engine is being driven from the rear wheels through the
cut-open differential, 4-speed transmission, and clutch.
The engine is fitted with clear valve covers and the
heads are also cut open to reveal the working valves
inside of the engine. Most every component on the car's
chassis has been cut away to reveal its functionality. The
fuel-injection unit, the wheels, the disc brake calipers,
the exhaust manifolds, the cylinder heads, even the mufflers,
are cut open and painted in contrasting colors to
show the inner workings.
White-painted edges for visibility
Although this is a “survivor” in every sense of the
word, it is also significantly different from your normal
survivor in the NCRS or Bloomington Gold definition.
RM Auctions
Page 27
The components drastically exceeded the average fit and finish of a normal factory
Corvette. The frame is smooth and painted yellow and the engine and driveline are red
with white paint on the edges of all of the cuts for maximum visibility. The mufflers
are red with white innards, and many components are also chrome-plated.
The underside of the car is painted white to reflect the lighting and reduce shadows
on the display surfaces. The steering rag joint, wiring, and fuel and brake lines are
disconnected and not needed, as this car will never be driven.
This particular display car was used on the show circuit by GM and then just disap-
peared. Most thought it was probably demolished or hidden away until Doomsday in
some deep, dark archive in the bowels of Detroit, along with the Ark of the Covenant.
The Cut-Away must hit $1 million soon
In reality, it was sitting in storage in South Africa until the mid 1990s, when it was
rediscovered and shipped back to the U.S. Al Wiseman acquired it and stored it in his
garage until last December. The car still has its very acceptable, mostly original paint
and original white interior, as well as that delightful undercarriage. The chassis is
complete with labels identifying significant components, including one that appears to
be in Dutch or Afrikaans and is the only clue to its South African vacation.
I must also comment on the very unusual two-spoke wood-rim steering wheel,
which is unlike that found on any other Corvette produced. The original rayon tires
are still mounted on the factory aluminum knockoff wheels.
The Cut-Away Corvette was sold on December 1, 2007, at the RM auction of the Al
Wiseman Collection in Tarpon Springs, Florida. The hammer dropped at $640,000,
which made for a final figure of $704,000 after commission—high sale of the afternoon
by about $300k. Was it worth it? I would have to say a resounding yes. I think in
the next few years we may well see this particular car break the million-dollar mark.
Not just a pretty face
Other, less significant cars have done it, and if you get
a chance to see it up close in the future at Bloomington
Gold or elsewhere, don't miss the opportunity. The
photos just don't do it justice. ■
www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2008 Corvette Market 29
Page 28
Featured
Event
Arizona Auctions
Sunny with Scattered Clouds
The Corvette market outlook is bright, as 161 of 212 cars sold in Arizona
at a 76% rate
by B. Mitchell Carlson
Corvettes of all stripes colored the auction blocks around Phoenix
H
aving marked my territory at almost every
single auction in Arizona in January, I have some
overviews of all things Corvette. From the first
Corvette across the block on Saturday, January 12,
at the ICA sale in Gilbert, to the Montana Rules Monday
at Silver on January 21, I was in the thick of it. The one
event I wasn't able to attend was the Kruse auction the
weekend after, but the results from that sale didn't go
against the other six earlier auctions. First, let's look at
each of the events, in chronological order:
ICA GILBERT: There has been an ICA auction on the
first weekend for the last four years in Gilbert, but it
really wasn't a collector car event of the same nature
as the other Arizona auctions. However, based upon positive feedback from dealers I
know, I figured it was worth scoping out. And it was worth attending. ICA sold 116 of
233 cars, for a 51% sell-through.
While they had higher quality specialty cars out there, ICA is more a working
man's auction house, where the average car sold for $12,393. It's also a favorite for the
dealers, since there can be some good deals.
The 14 Corvettes were mostly C4s (six), with none of the C1s or C2s selling.
Pricing seemed to be market-correct, with a few bargains or cheap cars (not always
one and the same). Seven 'Vettes found new owners (no, not all of the C4s), for a 50%
sell-through.
BARRETT-JACKSON: Once again, the conspicuous consumption convention pro-
vided plenty of prices that made attendees and TV viewers wonder if buyers had been
exceeding their ten-drink daily limit (I'm not making this up) at the bidder's bar.
30 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Page 29
However, the money was a bit down this year, as were
the number of consignments.
With the largest numbers came the largest number of
Corvettes (99 of them, all at no reserve). Another interesting
facet was that the top sale at B-J was a Corvette—
the Rondine Pininfarina styling exercise. This was also
the highest selling Corvette anywhere in Phoenix. Not
too far behind were the rights to the first 2009 ZR1, at
$1.1 million. On the opposite end, there were three 1978
Indy Pace Car editions, all of which sold at or slightly
below market prices.
RUSSO AND STEELE: This was the first year I really
had a chance to spend much time there, and I liked what
I saw. The cars were in the same league as those on the
other side of Scottsdale Road, but included more practical
(not necessarily correct) drivers and many European
sports cars.
One thing that drove me nuts was their multiple lot
number scheme. If you had seen a '69 big-block convertible
in the catalog that you wanted to check out, good
luck trying to find it, and figuring out when it was supposed
to cross the block. However, once you did crossreference
to the run number, you were in like Flynn.
Ultimately, 47 Corvettes crossed the block, with 27
of them changing hands for a 57% sell-through rate. It
seemed like all of the C2s missing from everywhere else
ended up here, with C3s close behind in popularity.
RM: Rob Myers's company seemed to be holding the
course, helped by the reawakening of the CCCA Classics
and a strong global market for European sports cars.
RM also had some competition this year, in the form
of the first Gooding event in the area. Since RM's sale
was on Friday and Gooding's a day later, it was more a
gathering of giants than a head-to-head shootout.
RM only had one Corvette, a 1953, which had a
nearly 25-year-old restoration. It found a new owner at
$264,000.
SILVER: I've attended every January auction Silver
has held in the Phoenix basin—now going on eleven
years—since they pitched a tent in Fountain Hills. Their
auctions have improved every year, and 2008 was no
exception. Mitch and company may bill themselves as
the reasonable alternative, but there are cars here that
would be worthy of an RM or Gooding lot number.
For several
reasons—most
to do with a number
of buyers realizing there is more to life than BarrettJackson—there
were more people out at Ft. McDowell
this year. And they were buying. Silver upped its sales
records by nearly 50 cars and over $1 million.
Silver offered 23 Corvettes, 17 of which found new
homes, for a 74% sell-through. It was a well-rounded
group of cars, with at least one from each generation
selling (bearing in mind that there were no C6s).
GOODING: Any doubts that Phoenix was maxed
out for auctions were laid to rest when Gooding came to
town to get a piece of the action. And quite a piece they
got, selling 90% of their consignments for $21 million.
Not bad for an event that went from 0 to 71 (lots) in
about two months. To put the icing on the cake, they even hammered down the top
sale of the extended week: a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder, for $3.3
million—16% of their total handle.
Among all the high-end machinery, Gooding had a couple of plastic cars: a '54
and a '61 with the solid-lifter dual-quad. The former sold for $99,000, while the latter
failed to reach its reserve at $80,000.
KRUSE: Dean and company were the first to have an auction out here in the desert,
so it wouldn't be right if they weren't selling cars somewhere. They have had venue
issues in the past but seemed to have settled down at the Arizona Fairgrounds for now,
and did a respectable job out there.
The Kruse contingent had 26 Corvettes consigned, several of which were known
repeat offenders from other auctions. Of those, ten sold, for a 38% sell-through. Not
too bad overall when you choose to be the caboose rather than the locomotive.
Corvette market trends
Now for some trends I noted:
C1: Prices seem to be getting soft. About a year ago, solid-axle cars were going
nowhere but up, whether they were correct fresh restorations or fright pigs. This year,
while the top-shelf cars seemed to hold their ground, the condition #3 and lesser cars
seemed to take a hit. A number of 1958–62 cars I expected to no-sale near $50,000
instead found new homes under $40,000. That's good news for those of us who like to
drive a trunk-back restoration candidate and who won't feel bad about adding a few
more cracks in the already-worn body and a few more miles to one with a replacement
motor. This could also be the time to pick up a correct but tired original car or one
whose restoration has unwound to redo for the future.
C2: Later C2s—especially the 120% of the 1967 435-hp cars ever built that seem to
be showing up—seem to be holding their value after taking a hit last year. It brings to
mind the call center greeting we've all heard: “Please hold, as we have been handling
unusually high call volume.” Truly stellar one-offs, such as the Rondine, will forever
be that—unique objets d'art priced according to the passion of the moment between
two bidders.
C3: Your time has come. This is especially true of the soft-bumper 1973–77 cars,
as they are no longer the dregs of the Corvette world. Even the bubble-back '78s to '82s
have taken an upswing—especially '78 Indy Pace Cars and '82 Commemoratives.
Chrome-bumper cars have been increasing in value the last few years, and the rest
of the C3s are rising with them. I saw some cars that previously would have fizzled
out below $10,000 find new homes this year at more than double the price. Avoid
motor swaps or “Corvette Summer” wannabes—or at least don't pay top dollar for
them—but used cars with all the stock bits are doing quite well. Even tired ones.
C4: These are at the bottom of the pool now. The technological leaps made by the
later C5s and C6s are really driving the C4s down. While top-shelf C4s—especially
limited-edition models from the mid '90s—do okay, very few were to be had here.
Nearly all were tired used cars; had they been Cavaliers from the same model year,
they would have been $400 winter beaters.
C5/C6: It still makes no sense to bring these here. The dealers were only looking at
the Wholesale column in their Kelley Blue Books, while the consignors were quoting
the Retail column for their reserves. A few moved out, but at a bid or two above wholesale
on truly used cars, with no bells being rung for record sales. The only exception
was the 2009 ZR1, which doesn't even exist yet. Babied and pampered examples like
the '04 Z06 Commemorative at Russo and Steele were exercises in futility.
So does this give us a glimpse into the rest of 2008? I think so, simply because
of the numbers of Corvettes for sale. It's hard to ignore the sale of 161 out of 212
Corvettes—76% sell-through. While this is generally similar to Mecum's Bloomington
Gold all-Corvette auction, the impact in Phoenix was spread over seven venues and all
types of collector vehicles.
And while we have watched muscle car values gyrate like Elvis on the “Ed Sullivan
Show,” the Corvette market demonstrated that it is both deep and wide, which bodes
well for the future. ■
www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2008 Corvette Market 31
Page 30
Featured
Event
Corvette Market Seminar
First Annual Corvette Market Insider's Seminar
Experts share their tips with 200 hobbyists at a seminar inside Russo and
Steele's auction pavilion
by Paul Duchene
Jordan: I first saw a '69 when I was three or four
years old and I thought, that's what I gotta have. When I
was 17, I bought a '69 and it changed my life.
Let's start off on C1s. What's the sweet spot for
driving pleasure among them?
200 enthusiasts gathered in the Russo and Steele tent
I
t was the first of its kind. Take six Corvette market experts, add 200 enthusiastic
Corvette Market magazine subscribers, throw in a terrific breakfast hosted by
Drew and Josephine Alcazar of Russo and Steele, and you've got the makings of a
very high-energy morning.
CM publisher Keith Martin led the discussion at the inaugural Corvette Market
Insider's Seminar at the Russo and Steele auction tent in Scottsdale on Friday, January 18.
The discussion covered Corvettes from 1953 to 2008, with advice on what to buy,
sell, hold, and restore, as well as how to go about finding your dream car,
The panel of experts included David Burroughs, CEO of Bloomington Gold, NCRS
judge Michael Pierce, Jim Jordan of County Corvettes, Kevin Mackay of Corvette
Repair Inc., Dave Kinney of USAppraisal, and Colin Comer of Colin's Classic
Automobiles.
Martin started things off by asking who in the audience had the most Corvettes.
Ed Foss of Roanoke, Indiana, was the winner. “All my Corvettes have under 10,000
miles and I have 14 ZR-1s,” he said. His prize was an official press kit for the new ZR1,
which Martin had brought back with him from the North American International Auto
Show in Detroit.
Panelists replied to questions from emcee Martin and from audience members.
How did you get caught up in the Corvette hobby?
Pierce: In 1953, a neighbor pulled up in one of the first Corvettes. I was enthralled.
I bought my first car—a 1965—in the 1970s.
Mackay: At a Chevrolet dealership in 1966, I remember girls waved at me while I
was driving one, and that was it.
Kinney: I worked at a car dealership at 15 and I bought one at 18—I got money
from my father. The car caught fire on the Washington Beltway and burned to the
ground. But I got the insurance money and paid my father back.
Comer: I found a '57 in a garage when I was 13 or 14 with only 1,000 miles on it.
That was my first Corvette.
Burroughs: I started with Chrysler 300s. In 1960, two guys came to the gas station
in a new Corvette and we felt like old guys in our Chrysler.
32 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Pierce: A '62. It's the end of the line, more performance,
more refined, highest horsepower. Start at
$40,000 for a good car.
Mackay: '62 is a great car. Buy a survivor, look for
known history and answers to all your questions. I'd say
$100,000 for an investor car.
Kinney: '62 to drive, '54 to invest in, as '53s have
gotten too expensive.
Comer: I agree on '62s, though you want to keep
use in mind. Don't buy a fuelie if you want to drive.
Jordan: Nobody buys a C1 to commute anymore,
but I agree the '62 is the best driver—the perfect car for
the street.
Martin: You have to consider the size of SUVs on
the road. The tires are up by the side of your head. The
worst new car stops and handles better than the best old
car. It's best to look for events and tours.
Now let's talk about the cost of a frame-up
restoration on a C1. What should you expect to
pay to go from disassembled to finished?
Jordan: How long is a piece of string? I can
estimate hours, and cost of parts—but availability is
a factor. You could spend $50,000–$70,000 on parts
alone. The cost of restoration just keeps climbing.
Mackay: I wouldn't finish a car for $80,000. It's got
to be quality work. If you've got no documents and a
replacement block, it's not worth spending $100,000–
$120,000. Find an original car with factory documents
and you're still looking at 1,500 man hours easily.
Pierce: It can cost a lot less if you do the restoration
work yourself. NCRS encourages this, and you can save
50%–60% of the cost. The hobbyist can be his own
general contractor.
When is it time to restore a car?
Pierce: It's only original once, but take photos and
document everything. Don't throw away anything—
even bolts. And if the car has historical significance,
think twice about doing it at all.
Comer: If the car is original—even if it's tacky—I'd
say leave it alone.
Burroughs: There's no short answer to this. Is it
drivable and 50%-plus unrestored? Are key finishes
Page 31
good enough to be used as a model for a restoration? If the answers are yes, I'd leave
it alone. It qualifies as a survivor.
How old would a repaint have to be before it's valuable in itself?
Burroughs: It's a matter of personal taste, but bad paint isn't always a bad idea.
It's silly to have a car with new paint and a rough engine and chassis.
Kinney: There's been a huge change in the past ten years and what's been learned
comes from the art market. You wouldn't have a painter touch up a Picasso.
Jordan: Survivor cars are just more desirable, and survivors are being built now—
cars made to look old.
Martin: Can you make a survivor?
Burroughs: There are different definitions of survivor. Some certified cars have
been… massaged, but our judges are too good to let that go by.
Let's talk about C2 cars and what's special about them.
Kinney: Iconic look.
Comer: They'll never look dated. They'll always be beautiful and usable.
Mackay: They still look advanced.
Pierce: The range of performance options. Disc brakes, big blocks, easy to drive,
comfortable. They were a huge advance.
Jordan: The '63 isn't like anything else.
What are the deal-breakers on C2s?
Jordan: The condition of the body. An un-hit body defines the car.
Pierce: Make sure you're getting what you think—paperwork, provenance,
Protect-o-Plate, tank stickers.
Mackay: Look for frame rot. More than 50% have frame rot. Check out the kickup
at the rear.
Kinney: Documents. Approach it with your eyes wide open. No documents? Pay a
no-document price.
Comer: Paperwork is #1. Look at that first. Trim tags are being forged now. Verify.
You want a real car, not a Split-Window with a pickup motor, like the one Publisher
Martin recently bought.
Pierce: Get the correct-year motor, not a fraud.
Let's talk about Shark cars—C3s. What are the best buys?
Jordan: A 1969 427/435. That's the next one to increase. When the '67 broke
$200,000, the '69 was a good deal at $70,000.
Comer: The best C3 is the LT-1. The 427/435 is too finicky. Find one with air.
Mackay: Buy an L88 for an investment. Buy a clean '68 or '69 small-block in a
good color to drive for $35,000–$40,000.
Are there any 1984–96 collectible C4s?
Kinney: '84s are like '54s—horrible to drive, like a
bad buckboard. Later cars with the right equipment are
very drivable. They are a lot of bang for the buck, but
not collectible yet.
Pierce: The high water mark is in the B2K cars—the
Callaway cars of 1987, the Z51 of 1987 to 1990, and the
ZR-1.
Jordan: The Callaway Turbos are the best buy out
there.
Any thoughts about C5s and C6s?
Kinney: Limited-production models are a worthwhile
investment. It's fun money.
Mackay: Buy a great driver for under $25,000, like
a 1997–2000 C5.
Jordan: The Z06 is great performance for the
money.
Burroughs: Compared to mid-years they are a great
buy.
Comer: They won't be collectible in my lifetime,
but buy a 2004 Z06 for $30,000, and you've got performance
without having to put the whole contents of the
Mid America catalog on your car.
Pierce: C5s are the proverbial drivers—30 mpg and
150 mph.
How much are the right papers worth to
a car's price?
Pierce: About 30% of the value.
Mackay: The percentage varies, but always go with
the car that has paperwork.
Comer: Real papers add 25%–50%. I wouldn't buy
a car without papers.
Burroughs: It varies from car to car, but a restoration
with no detailed papers is worth zero.
Jordan: Watch out for fake documents. Many tank
stickers are repros. Sometimes I'll see two tank stickers
for one car.
What's the market outlook for the next
twelve months?
Comer: Good cars will go up, less desirable cars
will be flat.
Mackay: “Real deal” cars with high horsepower
like the ZR1 and ZR2 will bring top dollar. Beware of
1968–69 L89s.
Jordan: The prices I saw at Bloomington Gold in
2006 can't continue. Medium cars have dropped like a
brick. Real cars are going up.
What would you spend $100,000 on?
Burroughs: There'll be a $100,000 LT-1, but I think
I'd rather have two $50,000 cars.
Kinney: The market is treading water. It's been supported
by home refinancing money and dead parents.
Rather than spend $100,000 on a Corvette, I'd buy a
new 2008 C6 and have $45,000 in my pocket.
To get advance notification of the next Corvette
Market magazine seminar, sign up for the Corvette
Insider's eNewsletter at www.vettemarket.com. ■
Publisher Martin and panelists Pierce (l), Mackay, Kinney, Comer, Burroughs, and Jordan
www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2008 Corvette Market 33
Page 32
C1 profile
Elfi Duntov's 1955 Roadster
The fact that the winning bidder now has the car for sale at $299,000
indicates this was a missed opportunity for an end user
by Thomas Glatch
Chassis number: E55S001249
I
nspiration for the introduction of the 1953 Chevrolet Corvette was attributable to
a flood of young Americans arriving home after World War II who craved nimble,
athletic sports cars.
A team of General Motors engineers, under the leadership of Harley Earl, set
about creating a car bodied in fiberglass, with enough appeal to compete with Europe's
best MGs and Jaguars.
The outcome was a Chevrolet powered by a modified GM 6-cylinder engine that
was lavishly displayed on a revolving centerpiece at the 1953 Motorama in New
York. It was a tremendous success—over 300,000 people admired the Corvette during
its first weekend in New York and collectively spent a reported $800,000 on GM
products.
One of the many Motorama attendees was Zora Arkus-Duntov, an accomplished
Belgian-born engineer and racing driver, who later submitted a letter to Chevrolet's
chief engineer, Ed Cole, requesting the opportunity to work on the Corvette's development.
He was hired and rose through the ranks to become a director of highperformance
programs, a proponent of early fuel-injection projects, and founder of the
Grand Sport project, among other undertakings. His contributions were so great that
despite the fact he was not responsible for its initial design, Duntov is often termed the
“Godfather of the Corvette.”
Although the specifics of its genesis are clouded in mystery, this particular Corvette
was first owned by Mr. Duntov himself. It was officially titled as a “1956 Assembled
Corvette,” as it was apparently one of two 1956 prototypes built upon a 1956 chassis
with a 1955 body. It was presented to Duntov, although it is unknown whether he paid
34 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Details
Years produced 1955
Number produced 700 (120 in Harvest Gold)
Original list price $3,389.10
CM Valuation $66,000–$122,500
Tune-up $300
Distributor cap $25
Chassis # Driver's side door post
Engine # Pad on front of block below right
cylinder head
Club National Corvette Restorers Society;
Solid Axle Corvette Club
More www.ncrs.org; www.solidaxle.org
Alternatives
1955 Ford Thunderbird,
1953 Oldsmobile Fiesta,
1954 Buick Skylark
CM Investment
Grade B
Photos: RM Auctions
Page 33
for the car or received it as a gift. Finished in silver with
a blue center stripe, it was outfitted with a fuel-injected
283-ci V8, along with various newer features, including
the steering wheel, dash instrumentation, hub caps,
rearview mirror, and shift console. Interestingly, Mr.
Duntov's wife, Elfi, was the car's primary driver, as it
was registered in her name.
To a large degree, Zora Arkus-Duntov was respon-
sible for Chevrolet's recognition of its performanceminded
youth market. Well-documented and boasting a
remarkable provenance, this is, quite simply, one of the
most significant early Corvettes ever assembled.
CM Analysis This car was sold for $134,750 at RM's
auction of the Al Wiseman Collection in
Tarpon Springs, Florida, on December 1, 2007.
If cars could talk, what stories this mysterious 1955
Corvette could tell. First, there is the car's description
on the original title: Assembled 1956 Roadster.
There are other clues to this car being a work in
progress, including a hole drilled in the firewall above
the master cylinder that matches a stud on the brake
pedal. Sheet metal was added to the frame around the
front wheels and engine compartment.
The shifter console is like the 1956 Corvette design,
and the steering wheel, instrument panel knobs, rearview
mirror, and many other details date from the 1956–57
models. The front bumper brackets were lowered, possibly
to increase airflow. And for years, owners claimed
this car to be a '55 body on a 1956 chassis, although the
chassis serial number shows it's a '55. Confused?
The name of the first owner may make things clearer—
Zora Arkus-Duntov. That's right, the “Godather of the
Corvette.” No doubt the car was used for experimental
work for a time. We know that Duntov was constantly
trying to improve the Corvette's brakes, and based on
the modifications to this car, it may have helped in that
development.
A strong attachment to her home-built '56
Other changes indicate this car was used for some
kind of airflow testing. Additionally, the car was equipped
with a 283-ci V8 with 4-speed manual transmission and
an early Rochester “Ram-Jet” fuel injection unit—all
options that were introduced on the 1957 Corvette. It
seems that after some time at Chevrolet Engineering,
Duntov either bought or was given the Corvette and
then titled it in his wife Elfi's name.
The fact that Duntov called it an “Assembled 1956
Roadster” on the title suggests this car was procured
out the “back door” of General Motors. By this point,
the car had been repainted from the original Harvest
Gold to silver with a blue racing stripe, possibly by GM
Design. A story about Elfi Duntov by Barbara Spear on
the Idaho Corvette Page states:
“The only Corvette to which she [Mrs. Duntov] still
has a strong sentimental attachment is her home-built
1956. Elfi's 1956 Corvette convertible was a special
car... Originally painted yellow with a green interior,
the styling group repainted the car silver blue and
www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2008 Corvette Market 35
added racing stripes. At the time she owned the 'Vette, Zora and Elfi had no garage,
so the car stayed outside. Elfi mused that they would just get it cleaned up after one
rainstorm when another would soak it. The side curtains couldn't keep the water out.
Eventually, Elfi and Zora sold the car to their former newspaper boy.”
That would be Chuck Schank, in 1962. Schank kept the car until 1968, when he sold it
to Mike Casey, who painted it Pearl White, dyed the interior black, replaced the top, and
went drag racing. In 1972, the Corvette was bought by James Dalesandro of Riverside,
Illinois, who contacted Zora Duntov about his possible ownership of this car.
“Yes, I was the original owner…”
In a letter dated June 5, 1973, Duntov stated: “Yes, I was the original owner of your
car. At the time it had a 283-ci FI engine equipped with ram-horn exhaust manifold. The
car had a 4-speed transmission, and the rear axle was 3.7 or 4.11. The exterior color
was silver, but the interior color, I don't remember. It may have been yellow. It was a
pretty car. Your car is not the 1955 Corvette used at the Arizona Proving Grounds that
went slightly over 160 mph. The car I used in Arizona had a 3-speed transmission. The
above is the extent of the information I have on your car.” Mr. Dalesandro subsequently
restored the car to its original Harvest Gold paint with green interior.
Barnaby Brokaw of Omaha, Nebraska, bought the car around 1978. It only had
39,795 miles on it at the time, and it was featured in the pioneer Corvette magazine,
Keepin' Track of Vettes. After two more owners, Al Wiseman added it to his huge
collection in the late 1990s. It was displayed at Bloomington Gold in 1999 in “The
Roar to Zora—Field of Dreams” display and also at the Amelia Island Concours
d'Elegance in 2005.
EX87, the experimental 1954 Corvette Duntov used for his famed 160 mph Arizona
Proving Ground run and for the Daytona Speed Week trials, sold for $262,500 at
Mecum St. Charles in October 2003 (CM# 36610). EX87 was thoroughly and accurately
restored just before its sale, while the Al Wiseman '55 was last worked on in
the early 1970s and needs a proper restoration. Also, the developmental history of the
Wiseman '55 Corvette is less well documented. But this car has the unique distinction
of being one of only two or three Corvettes the Duntovs ever owned, and it was the
favorite of his wife.
The auction house expected $400,000 to $500,000 for this car, and the fact that the
winning bidder, Terry Michaelis, owner of ProTeam Corvette Sales, now has the car
for sale at $299,000 tells me this was a missed opportunity for the serious Corvette
enthusiast. ■
Page 34
C2 profile
1963 Corvette “Rondine” Concept
If this had not been a feature car on Speed TV, I don't believe it would have
brought anywhere near the price
by Michael Pierce
Chassis number: 30837S103720
T
he one and only 1963 Chevrolet Corvette “Rondine” coupe was built for the
Paris Auto Show by renowned design house Pininfarina for Chevrolet. The car
features a 327-ci, 360-hp fuel-injected V8 with 4-speed and power brakes. This
historically significant prototype has been stored and preserved at the Pininfarina
Museum since new and is being offered for the first time.
Using the new 1963 Corvette chassis, Pininfarina realized this special coupe. The
body style is based on the idea of simplicity and functionality and features a remarkable
outline owing to the lightness of its sections. The limited use of chrome stresses
the sober elegance and harmony of the whole.
The front was designed for maximum aerodynamic efficiency with a smooth curve
projecting from the front fenders. The central grille features thin chrome strips, while
eyebrows partly cover the headlights when they are turned off. The two-piece front
bumper is also unique to the car and ends at each side of the grille.
The side panels take a sharp line from the nose back into the door, where it curves
over the tail in a “Coke-bottle” effect, which makes the car seem slender. The rear end
features a unique “swallow tail” design, with the rear fenders projecting further than
the trunk. The broken line across the rear contributes to the light effect of the design
and the taillights are flush in the rear fenders. The gas filler cap is quick-release.
The roof follows the line of the large curving windshield and is quite thin and
flat with a wraparound rear window. The luggage compartment is located inside and
below the rear window. The interior remains unchanged and is made of leather with
ventilation panels in the rear of the seats.
36 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Details
Years produced 1963
Number produced 2
Original list price n/a
CM Valuation $1,760,000 on this date
Tune-up $180
Distributor cap $14.99
Chassis # Pad at right front of engine block
Engine # Pad at right front of engine block
Club National Corvette Restorers
Society
More www.ncrs.org
Alternatives
1954 Pontiac Bonneville,
1954 Oldsmobile F-88,
1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt
CM Investment
Grade A
Photos: Barrett-Jackson
Page 35
CM Analysis This car sold for $1,760,000, including commission, at
The Rondine has been called “an American car in an Italian suit.”
Barrett-Jackson's Scottsdale auction on January 19, 2008.
This Paris Auto Show car is certainly one of a kind, but as a close-fitting
suit, the nose is too long, the car must weigh considerably more than the
fiberglass version, and the headlights do not rotate. And the single most
recognizable feature of the 1963 Corvette—the split rear window—was
not used on the Rondine.
The Rondine Corvette started life as a styling exercise from the
Pininfarina Group in Italy in 1962. Ironically, it was a Detroit-born architect—Tom
Tjaarda—who designed the car. He would go on to design the
Fiat 124 Spyder, which has several similarities to this car.
Tjaarda was hired by Carrozzeria Ghia in 1958 and moved to Turin,
Italy. In 1961, he was hired by Pininfarina and began work on this project.
When completed, the Rondine was prominently displayed at the 1963 Paris
Auto Show, then remained in the Pininfarina Museum for 45 years.
Complete '63 chassis sent to Italy
General Motors sent a complete working chassis for the new 1963
Corvette to Italy. The car was equipped with a 327-ci, 360-hp, Rochester
fuel-injected V8, power brakes, AM/FM radio, 4-speed synchromesh transmission,
and heater/defroster. The stock chassis, running gear, and instrumentation of the
Rondine are identical to that of a 1963 Corvette Split-Window coupe.
Two versions of the Rondine were actually built, each with different rooflines (the
other featuring an inward-slanting rear window with the roof cut off at the B-pillar).
Pictures show headrest seats on the cut-off window version, an option that was not
available on Corvettes until 1966.
Rondine is Italian for “swallow,” and you can readily see classic lines mimicking
that bird on the back side of this Corvette. Swooping tailfins below the sight line,
90-degree bumpers, and horizontal brake and back-up lenses clearly differentiate
this Corvette from its GM counterparts. As mentioned above, the hand-fabricated rear
glass does not carry the iconic split window from 1963. A quick-fill gas lid is used in
place of the standard 1963 roller door and cap.
The hood is much longer than standard; a center-mounted horizontal grille shell
provides greater airflow to the radiator, and the turn signals protrude from the body
above the front bumpers. Original T-3 bulbs are still installed in the body-blended,
fixed headlights; rotating buckets were not used on the Rondine.
Wheel covers must be the only four in existence
The custom wheel covers with attached three-bar knockoff spinners are certainly
the only four in existence. They are similar to the stock '63 hubcap but have a series of
raised concentric circles with radial fins protruding out
from the center of each cap.
The interior is significantly different from original,
with the exception of the dash cluster, radio, and heater.
The white, full-leather seats and door panels are custom,
as is a teak steering wheel. This Corvette option,
from the Howard Miller Clock Company in Michigan,
was not available from GM until 1965. Several early
pictures of the Rondine show a standard black steering
wheel; however, this teak wheel could well have been a
prototype, like the seat design, which was closer to the
one used by GM from 1965 to 1967. Of note is that the
Rondine has neither a VIN tag nor trim tag, since it was
not fully manufactured by GM.
The Rondine is now part of the collection of Michael
Schudroff and on the showroom floor of Carriage House
Motor Cars in Greenwich, Connecticut. It's difficult to
say whether the Rondine was well bought or well sold.
The counter bidder was from the Blackhawk Collection
in Northern California. If this Corvette had not been a
feature car and on Speed TV Saturday afternoon, I don't
believe it would have brought anywhere near the selling
price.
In terms of rare Corvettes, the limited-production
'62 Gulf Oil, fuel-injected, Le Mans-winner, the 1966
Penske L88/M22 race car (“They never made one!”),
and the original Grand Sports are each worth millions
of dollars. The market for all of them is strong and their
race history and provenance are proven.
Are these cars a better investment? I believe so,
but time will tell, and in fairness, the Rondine is a
completely different kind of investment. Styling cars
have become their own market in great part because of
televised auctions. In many ways, this is a good thing,
as the wide reach of television has made auctions—and
higher collector car values—a part of our collector car
culture. ■
(Introductory
description
Jackson.)
courtesy
of Barrettwww.vettemarket.com
SPRING 2008 Corvette Market 37
Page 36
C3 profile
1971 ZR2 454/425 Coupe
Elfi Duntov drove a pretty Sunflower Yellow LS5 convertible, but Zora wanted
the fastest car around—the ZR2
by John Gunnell
Chassis number: 194371S112787
T
he C3 arrived in 1968, sporting the Corvette's first major restyling since '63.
Obviously based on the Mako Shark II show car, the new 'Vette had an aero
front end with hidden headlights and disappearing wipers. Except for fender air
vents and chrome on the rocker panels, the undulating body sides were plain.
The blunt, Kammback rear deck had four round taillights. A “tunnel roof” coupe with
a removable back window and optional T-top replaced the Sting Ray fastback. The
Shark convertible's optional hard top had a glass rear window.
The '68 Corvette's 427 big-block engine came in four versions up to the L88 alu-
minum-head V8 (See Winter 2008, “C3 Profile,” p. 36). Thought to be the “ultimate
big-block” at the time, it cost $947 and was installed primarily in racing cars. It had a
12.50:1 compression ratio, mechanical valve lifters, a special ultra-high-performance
cam, and a single Holley 850-cfm four-barrel carburetor. With a 3.36:1 rear axle, the
L88 convertible did the quarter mile in 13.56 seconds at 111.10 mph.
Racing was a big part of the C3 story. John Greenwood, Allen Barker, Don Yenko,
Hal Sharp, and Tony DeLorenzo were some of the winning drivers. Even actor James
Garner and comedian Dick Smothers tore up racetracks in their cars. The Corvette
won twelve Sports Car Club of America national titles and was the favorite car in Car
and Driver's Reader Poll four years in a row.
As a new decade began, the focus on racing grew even stronger. A 454-ci big-
block V8 replaced the 427 in 1970. For small-block racing classes, an awesome new
ZR1 option was released. This special racing package included Chevrolet's LT-1—a
solid-lifter 350—as well as the M22 heavy-duty 4-speed transmission, a dual-plate
clutch, J50/J56 dual-pin brakes with heavy-duty front pads and power assist, a special
Details
Years produced 1971
Number produced 12 (8 coupes)
Original list price $7,500–$8,000
CM Valuation $300,000–$375,000
Tune-up $150
Distributor cap $19.99
Chassis # Top of dash on driver's side
Engine # Right front below cylinder head
Club
National Corvette Owners of
America, 900 S. Washington St.,
#G-13, Falls Church, VA 22046
More www.ncoa-vettes.com
Alternatives
1970–71 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda,
1970–71 Pontiac Trans Am RA IV,
1970–71 Chevy Chevelle SS 454 LS6
CM Investment
Grade A
38 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Photos: Barrett-Jackson
Page 37
aluminum radiator, and a revised F41 heavyduty
suspension.
Proving that it was a serious competition
package, the ZR1 Special Items Group did not
offer power windows, power steering, air conditioning,
a rear-window defogger, wheel covers,
or a radio. The LT-1 engine could propel a ZR1
from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The quarter
mile took 14.17 seconds at 102.15 mph.
The LT-1 returned in 1971, but for a few
brave souls who wanted to go even faster and
do even more serious racing, there was a new
“ZR2 Special Purpose LS6 Engine Package.”
This was basically the ZR1 with the LS6 bigblock
V8. It was only available for one year and
just 12 cars were built with the $1,747 package.
As enthusiasts say, there's no replacement for
displacement. Car and Driver reported the
ZR2 could sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds
and run the quarter mile in 13.8 seconds
at 104.65 mph.
The War Bonnet Yellow Corvette ZR2
coupe seen here is a beautiful example of a
very rare Corvette. Some enthusiasts call the
ZR2 the “Zora Duntov Racer.” Both Zora and
his wife Elfi drove 1971 Corvettes. Elfi's was a
pretty Sunflower Yellow LS5 convertible, but Zora was more interested in having the
fastest car around, so he concocted the ZR2. Cars getting the engine package—factory
described as the “RPO ZR2 454-cid 425-hp V-8”—already had all the other ZR1
racing goodies.
The big-block RPO LS6 Chevy V8 had the same 4.251-inch bore as the 427 it
replaced, but the stroke jumped from 3.76 to 4.00 inches. For use with the new fuels, it
had a mere 8.5:1 compression ratio, but Duntov compensated for this by using a highperformance
cam grind and a single Holley 800-cfm carburetor. The LS6 developed
peak power at 5,600 rpm and produced 475 ft-lb of torque at 4,000 rpm.
This matching-numbers ZR2 was put up for sale by its second owner, who had pos-
session of it for 20-plus years. It's one of twelve ZR2s produced, and one of eight ZR2
coupes. That makes it even rarer than an L88. It was restored by Thorpe's Corvettes,
but still has its original drivetrain and original interior.
The car was displayed alongside boards showing documents related to it, other
important authenticating items like its original dealer Protect-o-Plate, and an array of
awards. These included Bloomington Gold “Gold” Certification, a Top Flight Award,
a National Corvette Restorers Society Performance Verification Award, a Duntov
Award, and NCRS judging sheets.
CM Analysis This car sold for $357,500 at Barrett-Jackson's Scottsdale sale on
Barrett-Jackson's Sneak Preview booklet pointed out that the car had the 454-
January 19, 2008. The price is impressive.
ci/425-hp engine and the M22 “rock crusher” 4-speed, which Corvette enthusiasts
knew as soon as they read “ZR2.” Though 188 Corvettes came equipped with the
LS6 in 1971, and some of those with M40 automatics, the ZR2 package necessitated
the M22. The booklet showed an attractive photo of the car from the rear (one of its
best views) and did a good job pointing out the original drivetrain and interior, the
low production, and the fact that it is believed to be the only Duntov and Bloomington
Gold winner.
Right color, “righteous” restoration
The ZR2's War Bonnet Yellow finish is actually an attractive gold color and fits the
era so well that Franklin Mint has produced a 1:24-scale 1971 Corvette coupe in its
Fiberglass Edition line that looks just like this car. For all we know, they modeled it
after the same vehicle (you can see a Tony Perrone writeup
on this miniature at www.diecast.org). Franklin Mint
invests a lot of marketing research into picking cars to
copy, so that should tell you something about this car
and this color.
This ZR2 was a “righteous” restoration with a
properly detailed engine bay and its original Saddle
interior trim. It was very nicely done, but not over-restored.
If you are going to buy a rare, historically significant
Corvette, it certainly pays to get one the owner
preserved for a long time and then treated to a proper
restoration.
Of course, the high value of this car does not lie in
its condition so much as in its extreme rarity and the
degree of desirability it offers big-time Corvette collectors.
This is evidenced by the fact that Barrett-Jackson
sold a 1971 Corvette LS5 coupe at the same auction for
$34,000, just a bit over one-tenth of the ZR2's price.
When they only made twelve of a model and there's
probably just a handful left, serious collectors are going
to bid it up.
The path of ZR2s
What does this high-dollar sale mean for the Corvette
market and the average collector, who will probably
never own, ride in, or even see a ZR2 in person?
The answer is that a rising tide lifts all boats. People
who watched the Barrett-Jackson sale on television saw
a C3 Corvette sell for over $300,000, and that's what
counts. One look at B-J's entries shows that probably
more C3s (20) were consigned this year than ever before.
So a sale like this is going to raise interest in the
model and most likely boost the value of cars that look
like a ZR2—the ones you and I could afford. ■
www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2008 Corvette Market 39
Page 38
C4 profile
1995 Guldstrand Nassau Roadster
Modified Corvettes rarely retain much value. Rarity has nothing to do with it
since most are one-offs, and the cost of the modifications is lost
by Thomas Glatch
Chassis number: G1YY32P9S5116237
N
ineteen eighty-three marked the introduction of Chevrolet's fourth-generation
Corvette, which until the mid-1990s would be improved and modified by a variety
of in-house and aftermarket specialists.
Of the various aftermarket tuners, one of the most impressive was Guldstrand
Specialty Automobiles (GSA) out of California. Company founder Dick Guldstrand
had developed a formidable reputation in the 1960s as a successful Corvette racing
driver at Daytona, Le Mans, and for Roger Penske's Grand Sport Team.
He went into race car production shortly thereafter, before producing his first road
car in the 1980s. In 1995, “Mr. Corvette,” as Guldstrand was often called, introduced
the GS90 and its soft-top sibling, the Nassau Roadster, so named for the legendary
Grand Sport victory over Shelby's Cobras at Nassau in 1963. Fitted with a supercharged,
420-horsepower LT1 engine, Guldstrand's carbon fiber-bodied Roadster set
new performance standards, backed by over three decades of Corvette racing experience.
The second of only six ever produced, this Nassau Roadster has less than 7,000
original miles and was acquired by mega-collector Al Wiseman from its original
owner. Finished in metallic blue with a white center stripe, the paint is virtually flawless
and in excellent, factory-original condition. The black Haartz cloth convertible
top, glass, and five-spoke O.Z. wheels are all as-new and free of any damage.
While the body is an original design, factory Corvette touches are visible on the
interior, which appears to be entirely original and features charcoal black leather up-
40 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Details
Year produced 1995
Number produced 6
Original list lrice $85,000 approx.
CM Valuation n/a ($34,000–$46,300 for 1995 ZR-1)
Tune-up $350
Distributor cap $149.49
Chassis # Driver's side dash at windshield
Engine # Pad forward of cylinder head on
right side
Club National Council of Corvette Clubs
More www.corvettesnccc.org
Alternatives
1987–91 Callaway Twin-Turbo
1990–96 Callaway Supernatural
1990–95 Corvette ZR-1
CM Investment
Grade C+
Photos: RM Auctions
Page 39
holstery throughout. Both the engine compartment and
undercarriage seem to be untouched, clean, and well
preserved. The aluminum supercharger housing, in particular,
has been nicely polished and is indicative of the
car's low mileage and outstanding overall condition.
Complete with an original owner's manual, window
sticker, and center console-mounted plaque, the Nassau
Roadster is one of the rarest collector Corvettes ever
produced.
CM Analysis This car sold for $57,200 at RM's auction
of the Al Wiseman Collection in Tarpon
Springs, Florida, on December 1, 2007.
Ever since there was a Corvette, there have been
those whose goal it was to improve it. As early as 1954,
supercharger kits were developed to add some muchneeded
power to the original 155-hp Blue Flame Six.
The Corvette's style also came under scrutiny, with
everyone from Pinin Farina and Bertone to the King of
Kustoms, George Barris, getting in on the act. But of all
the Corvette tuners, no one has had the credentials of
Dick Guldstrand.
While working as an electrical engineer in the
aerospace industry, Guldstrand began racing a battered
1956 Corvette on the West Coast. By the early
1960s, Guldstrand dominated California B Production
racing. He won three consecutive SCCA Pacific Coast
Championships from 1963 to 1965, and was named the
California Sports Car Club Driver of the Year in '64.
His reputation was spreading, and in 1966, “Goldie”
(as his friends call him) was hired by Roger Penske on
the recommendation of Zora Arkus-Duntov. Guldstrand
was to prepare and drive Penske's ex-Works Grand
Sport Corvette roadster in the Prototype class in the 12
Hours of Sebring that year. “For an old front-engined
car, we sure made them know we were there,” said
Guldstrand. “The car was a dinosaur—it was the last of
the front-engined cars.” The Grand Sport crashed out
of the event in the wee hours, but Guldstrand concluded,
“we were proud of our efforts.”
Guldstrand hit 171.5 mph on the Mulsanne
In 1967, when Duntov wanted to enter the new L88
Corvette in the 24 Hours of Le Mans—and do it without
direct factory support—he turned to Guldstrand, who
was working at Dana Chevrolet in Los Angeles at the
time. In near-stock trim, the L88 hit
171.5 mph on the three-mile-long
Mulsanne Straight, and it led the GT
class for nearly twelve hours until
the stock connecting rods failed.
In 1968, he founded Guldstrand
Engineering in Culver City,
California, building Corvette race
cars for actor-turned-racer James
Garner and others. By the 1970s,
70% of the racing Corvettes on the
West Coast came from Guldstrand.
In 1986, he created his first street
Corvette, the GS80, a stock-looking
ultra-high performance car for an
exclusive few,
Alex Van Halen.
“The great
including drummer
thing about
the car
is—it's kind of a weird way of explaining
it—it's like a motorcycle, except with four wheels,” Van Halen told Road &
Track magazine. “When you finally get into the groove and feel the car, it's kind of like
becoming one.”
In 1990, Guldstrand Specialty Automobiles was formed, and in 1994 the first GS90
debuted on the Chevrolet stand at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Named after the legendary
Grand Sport, the GS90 was built around a ZR-1, featuring stylish Grand Sportinspired
carbon fiber body panels designed by California designer Steve Winter.
Producing 475 hp, with suspension and brake upgrades to match, Goldie hoped to
build 100 to 150 of the $135,000 GS90 coupes before the ZR-1 model ended.
The Roadster emphasized style over performance
With the introduction of the GS90, Guldstrand also announced the availability of a
convertible version, the Nassau Roadster. The $85,000 Nassau Roadster emphasized
style over performance, yet had more power than a stock ZR-1. The number of GS90
coupes is unknown—the figure of 100 $135,000 ZR-1-based cars is implausible—but
just six Nassau Roadsters were built before the C4 era ended in 1996.
Modified Corvettes rarely retain much value. Rarity has nothing to do with it, since
most are one-offs anyway. When a street Corvette is modified, the cost of the modifications
is forever lost, and the overall value of the Corvette is greatly reduced.
Only the Callaway Corvettes have shown any appreciation over time, and mostly
it's just the rarest of the breed (like the Callaway Twin-Turbo Speedsters) that do.
While Al Wiseman's Guldstrand Nassau Roadster sold for less than its original cost, it
has retained its value much better than most comparable C4 Corvettes, even ZR-1s.
Perhaps the uniqueness of the Nassau Roadster, the stirring performance, and the
original design may have something to do with it. On the other hand, maybe it just
reflects Dick Guldstrand's Midas touch on Corvettes. Well bought and well sold. ■
(Introductory description courtesy of RM Auctions.)
Dick Guldstrand's Racing Career
• Pacific Coast Champion 1963, 1964,
1965
• 1964—California Sports Car Club
Driver of the Year
• 1966—Daytona 24 Hours GT Class
Winner
• 1966—Drove the Penske Grand Sport
Corvette at 12 Hours of Sebring
• 1967—First to build, race, and win in a
Camaro in Trans Am, with three victories
• 1967—Led the GT class during the 24
Hours of Le Mans for 11½ hours
www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2008 Corvette Market 41
Page 40
C5 profile
2000/1962 Corvette C5/C1
Usually I roll my eyes when I come across a replica of a car that exists in reasonable
numbers, especially one that was originally mass-produced
by B Mitchell Carlson
Chassis number: 1G1YY32G5Y5129768
C
lassic Reflection Coachworks's 1962/C5 Conversion transforms a C5 Corvette
into a spectacular modern version of a Corvette legend. Titled as a 1962 Chevrolet
Special, the car uses a 2000 Corvette chassis with a carbon fiber body. The car
combines advanced computer technology and a composite material of carbon
fiber and E-glass layers—the same as Aston Martin and the Mercedes SLR McLaren.
The car is designed to use factory stock hinges, wiring, and interior, and the hand-
crafted panels and trim are custom-fit with a new soft top. This car has 70,000 miles
and has all the newest, safest technology with the classic look. Options include all factory
options, plus XM Satellite radio, custom wheels, Billy Boat Performance exhaust,
Baer Eradispeed rotors, and custom calipers.
CM Analysis This car sold for $123,200 at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale, Arizona, on
First and foremost: No 1962 Corvettes were harmed, maimed, or molested to cre-
January 19, 2008.
ate this vehicle. Unfortunately, several states endorse this silly practice by allowing
this car to be registered as the year it replicates. Odd, since it actually retains the
donor's 2000 VIN.
Usually I roll my eyes when I come across a replica of a car that still exists, espe-
cially one that was originally mass-produced like a Corvette. While several manufacturers
have created ersatz 1953–55 Corvettes, you can almost make the argument they
are more like the 427 Cobras, in that there were far fewer of the originals than the
current demand for one to drive.
And at least this isn't a case of remaking a $90,000 car into a $40,000 car just to
42 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Details
Years produced Stock C5 chassis: 1997–2004;
(CRC C5: started in 2005)
Number produced 248,715 C5s (54 by CRC)
Original list price $37,495 ($135,000)
CM Valuation ($120,000–$145,000)
Tune-up $500
Distributor cap N/A (8 ignition coils @ $72.12 each)
Chassis # Driver's side dash top at windshield
Engine # Pad ahead of cylinder head on
right side
Club
Corvette Club of America,
P.O. Box 9879,
Bowling Green, KY 42102-9879
More www.corvetteclubofamerica.com
Alternatives
Lynx D-type, CSX4000 Cobra,
Perfection Autosport Hemi
Challenger Recreation
CM Investment
Grade C-
Photos: Barrett-Jackson
Page 41
modernize the driveline. However, one has to wonder
why anybody would knock off a 1962 Corvette when
there are quite a few originals out there?
Why yes, it IS rocket science
The original impetus for the Classic Reflection
Coachworks (CRC) line was fitting an actual 1962 body
over a lengthened 1993 C4 chassis and running gear.
When C5s came out, they were friendly for conversion,
as the cockpit tub didn't have the deeper side sills. Plus,
since CRC was based in the Seattle suburb of Lakewood,
the company was able to tap into the resources of area
stalwart Boeing—more precisely, Boeing's REsolutions
reverse-engineering design group, since spun off as
REALADI.
CRC contracted the design group to scan the '62
on Boeing's computers, plus the C5 superstructure,
and married the two to create a template that looked
as much like a 1962 Corvette as possible. The design
utilized C5 body panel hinges, interior components, and
wiring harnesses. Classic Reflection retained REALADI
to refine parts and assembly of the cars. Needless to say,
this is a bit more sophisticated than your run-of-the-mill
Cobra replica, even the ones Shelby is making today.
Once the computer design models worked, it was time
to put it to fabrication. In this case, CRC used a carbon
fiber base and E-glass layers placed in the body component
mold and then autoclaved in a vacuum bag to cure
the composite material. Since the Mercedes McLaren SLR
is made from this stuff, it's not like it is an unproven material.
While the largest component—the rear “ducktail”
trunk and passenger tub area—is permanently bonded to
the C5 donor frame, the balance of the body components
are attached with removable fasteners, should collision
repair be needed. The bumpers and several chrome trim
pieces are custom-fabricated for CRC, but all emblems
are GM-authorized repop items.
On the outside, only the deeper rake of the windshield
gives away the true lineage of the car, but opening the
door or putting the top up leaves no doubt that this is a
C5 Corvette. In fact, customers who wish to have a car
built are advised to have a “donor” that is already in the color combo in which they
desire the final product. However, if your kid flipped your C5 and you bought it back
from the insurance company, that may not work. Since the body is CAD-designed
to fit any C5, the car that it will be built on has to meet GM body alignment specs
perfectly—no frame rack S&M here.
But why not just build your own?
Our featured car was one of the early development and demonstrator cars, but not
really a “test mule.” The tilting front end has been repainted (my least favorite portion
of the car, as I feel they should have retained a standard hood like both the '62 and the
C5) but matches well with the body.
Why would someone spend $123,000 for a used—actually twice used—2000 C5?
Simple, the CRC conversion lists for at least $8,000 beyond the selling price of this car,
and you need a 1998–2004 donor car. On lower-mile 2004s, this discrepancy is more
like $14,000. Only a handful of specialty dealers have any CRCs in stock, and you might
not like their choices in color and trim. While the two-tone coves were not an option for
1962, they still looked the part, thanks to previous offerings, and
black with silver coves was a stock combination then.
Finally, it was in turn-key, drive-away condition, far more
attractive than a 12-week minimum wait for a standard conversion.
At this auction venue, instant gratification is what it's all
about.
In comparison, a good example of what you can do with a
real-deal '62 if you have a jones for a resto-mod was at Russo
and Steele (lot# TH290). That '62 had a modified LS6 and Tremec
6-speed stuffed into it and sold for $112,200, less than it cost to
build in the first place. For about the same price, this car was
ready to go, has some product support, and did not permanently
alter a real 1962. Sounds like a respectable deal to me.
As conversions go, the CRC was much better thought out
than most, and a far cry from a Tupperware Cobra. On the other
hand, it's really an exercise in indulgent pleasure for the person
who wants an allusion to a car of the past with all the comforts
of a car of the present. Serious collectors are rarely attracted
to compromises, and rarely value comfort over provenance.
So while I call the CRC both attractive and well-bought at this
price, I doubt we'll ever see it as a formidable force in the collector
car world. ■
www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2008 Corvette Market 43
Page 42
C6 profile
The Million-Dollar ZR1 Bargain
Dave Ressler really didn't pay ten times retail. In fact, he may be the only
person to pay sticker for an '09 ZR1
by B. Mitchell Carlson
Chassis number: “001”
C
hevrolet presented the very “First Retailable Unit
Built” Corvette ZR1 for auction at Barrett-Jackson
on Saturday, January 19, 2008, with all proceeds
from the auction to benefit the United Way.
The VIN was publicly declared to be number “001”
in a unique series within the U.S. DOT standard 17-digit
VIN format. The car presented on the block (as an illustration)
was 1G1YY26EX850022EX.
CM Analysis This first 2009 ZR1 sold for $1,100,000,
in Scottsdale, Arizona, on January 19, 2008.
The car, which became the third incarnation of
the ZR1, started out as a challenge by GM's president
Richard Wagoner to then-Corvette Chief Engineer
44 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
including commission, at Barrett-Jackson
Dave Hill. Impressed by what had been done with the Z06, Wagoner asked Hill what
he could do with no holds barred. The result was code named the Blue Devil (since
Wagoner was a Duke University alumnus). The car and the project have echoed GM's
trials and tribulations, but in November 2007, the ZR1 got the green light.
There were probably more names ruled out with Blue Devil, though it might
have been popular in North Carolina. Since Zora Duntov once proclaimed that “all
Corvettes are Super Sports,” that and the SS moniker were also out. Stingray was
considered for a while, along with Z07 and Z08, but in the end ZR1 (two letters, one
number, no hyphen; the current GM parlance for equipment and options coding) was
put back to work. It does seem to fit the task. In its most recent incarnation, from 1990
through 1995, the ZR-1 was the 375-hp Lotus-designed, Mercury Marine-built 350-ci
supercar of the time.
In 2009 tune, the supercharged 376-ci LS9 mill is generally quoted at 620 hp, and it
propels the car fast enough to earn a driver a 200 mph Club hat at Bonneville. While
GM has said it is looking at about 1,000 units per year, other sources suspect that it
Photos courtesy of GM
Page 43
Details
Years produced 2009–
Number produced none yet, but at least one by 2009
Original list price $99,000
CM Valuation $99,000
Tune-up $0 (warranty coverage)
Distributor cap N/A (8 ignition coils @ $72.12 each)
Chassis # Driver's side dash top at windshield
base
Engine # Pad forward of the cylinder head
on right side
Club
Corvette Club of America
P.O. Box 9879
Bowling Green, KY 42102-9879
More www.corvetteclubofamerica.com
Alternatives
CM Investment
Grade
2004–06 Ford GT, 2006– MercedesBenz
McLaren SLR, 2004–06 Porsche
Carrera GT, 2005– Chevrolet
Corvette Z06
Next 12 months, A+
13–24 months, B+
25–36 months, B
will be about half that. The upcoming CAFE standards
make this even more likely, especially since it will be the
first Corvette to pay the “gas guzzler” tax.
1 of 1 option code BD1, in LeMans Blue
Since the official announcement at the NAIAS in
January that the ZR1 was a go for 2009 production,
there has been much speculation about price and availability.
As an added kicker, GM also announced that the
first saleable production unit was going to be auctioned
off at Barrett-Jackson.
This car will be finished in LeMans Blue with GM
equipment code BD1. In addition, GM tossed in a threeday
course at the Bondurant Racing School (something
rumored as part of the regular ZR1 package), signed
design team artwork, and Corvette Museum delivery,
in addition to the UAW-blessed option of the new owner
being the first person to start the car at Bowling Green
Assembly.
GM's pal Jay Leno drove the blue prototype—which
was on display at GM's booth during the sale—up onto
the block. Leno also was the color commentator while the
car was auctioned. In describing the ZR1 program, Leno
kicked in the buyer's option of taking delivery of the car at
Jay's Big Dog garage, “so we'll all get to drive it.”
The one thing we do know about ZR1 #1 is the
price—$99,000—since the IRS would really like to
know how much of that $1 million hammer price is going
to the United Way. This price will most likely apply for
the rest of '09. However, “dealer adjustments” have
already begun, with double MSRP being reported in a
few instances.
This brings us to this car and this buyer. The final
bidder (who actually increased his own bid to put it at
an even $1 million hammer price) is Dave Ressler, a guy
who sells a lot of Silverados and Suburbans in North
Dakota and Montana.
www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2008 Corvette Market 45
Having lived in the Flickertail State myself, I can safely say that Mr. Ressler is prob-
ably the antithesis of most of his customers from his native North Dakota, in that he's no
shying wallflower. As the owner of Chevrolet dealerships in Mandan, ND, and Bozeman,
MT, along with the Toyota franchise in Bozeman, he has been extremely successful.
How can one become wealthy selling pickups to frugal farmers? Simple—truly suc-
cessful farmers don't like to be flashy. Instead of going to the Buick or Cadillac store,
they'll spend their grain and subsidy checks on a heavily optioned Chevy pickup,
and rightfully call it a work vehicle at tax time. They're generally gearheads too, and
you do find interesting vehicles in those machine sheds, including the occasional new
Corvette.
Ressler broke onto the scene at Barrett-Jackson four years ago when he paid
well over retail for a 1969 Camaro Z/28 cross ram. He wore a vivid yellow sport coat
to match the yellow paint on the car. Since then, loud sport coats have become his
trademark, and in this case, he pulled a bright blue one off the rack in his skybox.
Apart from Ressler having the correct sport coat at the ready, this sale felt orches-
trated, although I have only my gut feeling to go on. Two years ago, he bought the
oldest known Corvette in existence for a million bucks. This time, when the bidding
reached $900,000, he raised his own bid to the $1 million mark. After the car was
hammered sold, he was on stage with some of his employees, presenting checks from
each dealership's United Way campaigns to GM's own United Way fund. A coincidence
that he had the checks there and ready?
Conspicuous consumption or investment?
Most Corvette web forums were abuzz after the sale, with a 50-50 split. One camp
said he was the biggest idiot on the planet, paying a million bucks for a silly plastic car
that doesn't even exist yet. The other camp generally defended his purchase, observing
that not only can he spend the money he earns as he chooses, but that a worthy
cause actually got the lion's share. I think he's nobody's fool, and actually was one of
the smartest buyers all weekend. Here's why.
Despite the fact that Ressler is a Chevy dealer, if he wanted a ZR1, he'd have to
order one through normal channels. Then he'll get what GM sends him, when they
see fit.
This way, not only is he guaranteed the first car in the series—with a unique serial
number and option code, to boot—but he has already paid MSRP for it. As a dealer,
he missed paying the lower invoice, or getting dealer holdbacks or incentives such as
higher allotments for Corvettes, but this unique car offsets that.
As it is, he's not strapped for cash to buy it. In addition to the $901,000 off-the-top
charitable donation write-off, he could also use the $99,000 spent for the car as a
promotional expense if that ZR1 spends any time at all on display at his dealerships.
Therefore, when people say he was foolish for paying ten times retail for it, he
really didn't and he wasn't. In fact, after the charitable deduction, he may end up
being the only person to pay sticker for an '09 ZR1. How foolish is that? ■
Page 44
Market Report
Overview
From Arizona to Paris, 'Vettes Total $20m
One-offs and concepts topped the list, with the 1963 “Rondine” bringing the
most at $1.76m
by JimPickering
T
he months leading up to the annual Arizona sales in
January were full of buzz within the auction world,
with several notable changes causing much speculation
about the state of the collector car market
in general. Barrett-Jackson, which has in recent years
seen nothing but growth, broke the news that it would be
scaling back consignments by 20% in Scottsdale, while
Gooding & Company announced it would be holding its
first-ever Scottsdale event alongside B-J, RM, Russo and
Steele, Silver, and Kruse. CM watched Corvettes sell
and not sell almost everywhere—not just in the Arizona
desert, but from Hawaii to Florida, and as far east as the
annual February Rétromobile show in Paris.
Barrett-Jackson had 99 Corvettes under its tents in
Scottsdale—43 fewer than in 2007. The 20% reduction
Barrett-Jackson had promised materialized as just
104 fewer cars (around 5%) crossing the block. Their
final total sales dropped over $23m from last year's
$107m—which B-J creatively spun in a press release as
indicative of their skill in making cars more affordable.
Our analysts on the ground felt the lower sales amount
was directly related to fewer higher quality cars being
offered than in the past.
Of this year's $85m total, $11.8m came from
Corvettes, with the high sale of the event going to the
1963 Pininfarina-bodied “Rondine” concept car at almost
$1.8m (see the C2 profile on page 36). The first new
production ZR1 also sold here, bringing over $1m.
Just down the road from Barrett-Jackson, Russo and
Steele's annual hometown sale offered 47 Corvettes of
its own, with 27 of those finding new homes. The high
sale here was a 1969 L88 coupe at $412,500, known to
be one of 17 fitted with an
automatic transmission. A
larger number of the cars
on offer here had reserves
this time around, which was
likely a large factor in this
year's overall total falling
just slightly to $19m from
last year's $20m. Among
the $2.3m in Corvette sales
were a large number of bigblock
C2s and C3s, with
a several customs as well
as late-model examples to
round things out.
Mecum Auctions trav-
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
eled to Kissimmee, Florida,
just one week after the auctions
in Arizona, with 100
46 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Top Ten Sales This Issue
1. 1963 Corvette Rondine coupe,
$1,760,000—Lot# 1304, p. 50
2. 2009 Corvette ZR1 coupe,
$1,100,000—Lot# 1316, p. 58
3. 1969 Corvette L88 coupe,
$412,500—Lot# S714, p. 68
4. 1971 Corvette ZR2 coupe,
$357,500—Lot# 1290, p. 56
5. 1953 Corvette roadster,
$264,000—Lot# 182, p. 80
6. 1953 Corvette roadster,
$249,900—Lot# S109, p. 73
7. 1967 Corvette 427/435 convertible, $220,000—Lot# 1267, p. 53
8. 1958 Corvette 283/290 convertible, $198,000—Lot# 1272, p. 50
9. 1967 Corvette 427/435 coupe, $198,000—Lot# 1327, p. 53
10. 1967 Corvette 427/435 convertible, $197,400—Lot# S135, p. 76
Best Buys
1. 1954 Corvette roadster,
$99,000—Lot# 37, p. 80
2. 1965 Corvette 396/425 convertible,
$101,750—Lot# 992, p. 52
3. 1967 Corvette 427/400 convertible,
$79,750—Lot# TH298, p. 66
4. 1953 Corvette roadster,
$249,900—Lot# S109, p. 73
5. 1964 Corvette coupe,
$36,720—Lot# 536, p. 82
of the 156 Corvettes available selling for a total of $4.5m. The auction's total sale
numbers slipped to $15m from last year's $20m, with last year's Corvette sales tallying
$5.5m. Weather was an issue here, with rain causing mud and some confusion among
bidders and consignors, but the results remained fairly stable both for the Corvettes
that crossed the block.
We've seen lofty reserves be an issue in the recent past, but in many cases sellers
are dropping their reserves once their cars are on the block and they find out what “real
money” is. Our analysts report back that all-no-reserve sales are rapidly losing their
popularity, as in uncertain economic times, sellers want to have the safety of a reserve
to fall back on if their car doesn't get to the point they were hoping for. At CM, we
predict that all of the Scottsale auctions will offer sellers the option of a reserve within
the near future.
Clearly, Corvettes with exceptional history or in exceptional condition are still
doing well almost anywhere. But for anything less, there is just no way to predict
what the mood of the market will be on any given day, so sellers should be prepared
to be ecstatic if they are lucky, and sanguine if bidders give a thumbs-down to their
less-than-wonderful cars. ■
Page 46
Market
Report
Barrett-Jackson
Scottsdale, AZ
A Field Day for Discerning Drivers
The best were very good, the worst were truly scary, and contraptions like
the Jesse James “mud bogger” did the Corvette brand few favors
Company
Barrett-Jackson
Date
January 15–20, 2008
Location
Scottsdale, Arizona
Auctioneers
Tom “Spanky” Assiter,
Mark Gellman, Doak
Lambert, Jimmy Landis,
John Nicholls, Shane Ratliff
Corvettes sold / offered
99 / 99
Corvette sales rate
100%
Corvette sales total
$11,878,350
Corvette high sale
1963 Chevrolet Corvette
“Rondine,” sold at
$1,760,000
Corvettes accounted for $11.9m—14% of B-J's $84.5m haul
Report by Paul Duchene, photos by Jim Pickering
Market opinions in italics
T
he 2008 Scottsdale auction might have been a down
year for Barrett-Jackson, which reported total income
of $84.5 million, off $23.5 million from 2007,
but B-J's Corvette offerings remained strong, with
99 cars sold—43 fewer than last year.
The best were very good, the worst were truly scary,
and contraptions like the Jesse James “Mud Bogger” C3
did the Corvette name little justice. In between were
some great driver-quality cars at reasonable prices.
The Pininfarina Rondine 1963 Paris show car was
the top sale of the whole event at $1,760,000. It's the only
steel Corvette ever built and was designed by American
Tom Tjaarda at that.
Other strong cars included the 1971 ZR2, which
made $357,000. It was one of only eight coupes built, and
though it had been resprayed a one point, it carried bulletproof
provenance. It likely wouldn't be repainted today
and might have brought even more if it hadn't been.
On the subject of originals, a delightfully scruffy
plain Jane '63 Split-Window coupe brought $74,800. It's
bound to draw a crowd at Corvette gatherings, like a
nice old man in a threadbare tux with great stories.
Meanwhile, a yellow 1976 coupe with 168 miles on
it sold for $38,500. With 180 horsepower, orange-peel
paint, and casual fit and finish, it surely represents the
nadir of Corvette production. One can only guess a collection
is being amassed, and for that hefty price, it's
nearly finished.
More disturbing was a silver '69 small-block convertible
with a claimed 599 miles. It sold for $80,000
48 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Buyer's premium
10% (included in sold
prices)
after being subjected to an examination as intense as any on “CSI,” and it raised as
many questions as you'd find in the show's script.
Another car that was exhaustively examined by the experts was a black '67 427/435
L89 coupe, and it was beautiful. At $198,000, it must be counted as a screaming deal,
unless there's more to the story.
It looks like '73s are making their way out of the basement, with a red big-block
coupe fetching a healthy $37,400, despite being automatic. I imagine the consignor
was fit to be tied when he found the paint on the nose rubbed through, probably in
shipping.
Tracking the bottom of the Vette market, two C4s—an '84 and '86—each sold for
about $17,000, proving that it's not worth restoring any of these just yet. Several 1978
Pace Cars brought middling money in typically mediocre condition.
A black 1990 ZR-1 with only 5,300 miles sold for $36,300, so that original owner
is still about $20,000 underwater—make that
about $3.75 a mile.
A spectacularly restored '54 brought an
Barrett-Jackson
Corvette Sales Totals
$3m
$6m
$9m
$12m
$15m
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
eye-opening $192,500, presumably on its way
to a museum, but I'd rather have bought the
maroon 1966 327/300 convertible for $66,550.
Its combined credible mileage (97k), detailed
provenance, and sympathetic restoration made
it seem like a profoundly right car.
Overall, B-J got decent money for most
Corvettes offered, and exceptional money
for a few. If you aren't bothered by the allno-reserve
format, and believe that by rolling
the dice you are going to hit the big time, it
remains a viable choice for finding a buyer
for your 'Vette. And it certainly offers name
recognition and exposure second to none. ■
Page 48
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C1
#1259-1954 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
roadster. S/N E54S002618. White/tan cloth/
red vinyl. Odo: 19,464 miles. 235-ci straight-6,
3x1-bbl, auto. Hubert Morton's car from new,
owned until his death in 2005, when it was left to
a caregiver. Mileage verified, many documents
and receipts including the 1958 title. Body-on
Barrett-Jackson
Scottsdale, AZ
factory production. NCRS Top Flight winner.
Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $176,000. A lovely car
with tremendous presence and desirable options.
About 30% over book, but a good deal
for both parties. Nobody complains about too
much money for the right car, and that was the
situation here.
4-speed is uncommon as most were 3-speeds.
“Correct engine” suggests the block was from
the right year but was maybe not original to
the car. Meticulous restoration was not typical
of original construction. Described as having
been in a museum since restoration, which
feels like where it belongs. Market-correct for
condition.
TOP 10
#8
restoration in Oregon in 2007, multiple awards
since. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $192,500. A “Joan
Rivers” car—looks too good to be true. Paint
better than factory, interior tidy, engine clean
and correct, glue on door strip not typical
color, paint on hood latch springs not typical
either. Bound for a museum or to complete a
collection, and priced accordingly.
#980.1-1954 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
roadster. S/N 0491917F54YG. Black/tan
cloth/red vinyl. Odo: 6,743 miles. Displayed at
an NCRS national meet in Bend, OR, in 1982,
after being restored using the Nolan Adams
Technical
#1272-1958
CORVETTE
CHEVROLET
convertible. S/N
J58S100982. Turquoise & white/black
vinyl. Odo: 46,647 miles. 283-ci 290-hp fuel-injected
V8, 4-sp. Matching- numbers “big brake”
car with Positraction and heavy duty suspension.
Good panel fit, excellent chrome, straight trim,
photographed restoration with mirror-smooth
paint, wavy body, and non-typical paint under
hood. Refinished 1960 plates fitted. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $148,500. Provenance and relative
rarity pushed this car 25% past high book
value. Yet for all that, I still count it as well
bought; a few years of patina and the work
done should fade to just about right.
Guide. A three-owner car with
decent panel fit, good interior, and nice paint
expertly detailed. Frame-off restoration in 2005,
NCRS Top Flight in 2006. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT
$198,000. One of only 144 “big brake” cars in
an unusual color. The correct steel wheels fitted
are worth about $2,000 each, and although the
price paid here was well over high book for a
290-hp fuelie, the brake option and condition
made this one well bought.
in rare black. Original side curtains in cases.
Cond: 3. SOLD AT $165,000. Patina turned
this former show car into a nice driver, but the
big question here was the color. According to
the Corvette Black Book, there are only four
known black '54s, though the records are
admittedly hazy. Somebody paid 30% over top
dollar gambling that this was built as a black
car. Bravely bought and brilliantly sold.
#1266-1957 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N E57S102825. Venetian Red
& white/white vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 2,570
miles. 283-ci 283-hp fuel-injected V8, 4-sp.
Subject of frame-off restoration, fitted with the
desirable T-10 4-speed, hard top, signal-seeking
radio, and Positraction. Excellent throughout,
convertible top is loose fitting. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $165,000. Great colors, and the
50 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
#1238-1959 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N J59S102804. White/red
vinyl. Odo: 2,267 miles. 283-ci 290-hp fuelinjected
V8, 4-sp. Claimed numbers-matching
engine, fitted with both tops, Wonderbar radio,
power windows, and Positraction. One of 745
with the 290-hp option. Exceptional paint and
chrome, hood finish and latches not typical of
#956-1962 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 20867S10642. Honduras
Maroon/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 50,306
miles. 327-ci 300-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-speed. Tired
paint, wrinkly top, wavy body, scratches on
chrome. Clean original
interior, new tires
look like they've been sitting a while. Cond:
3-. SOLD AT $74,250. Questions abound.
#1244.1-1960 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 00867S103288. Black &
silver/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 66,665
miles. 283-ci 290-hp fuel-injected V8, 4-sp.
Numbers matching, two tops, three owners
from new. Five-year fully-documented and
Described as a two-owner car once owned by
Reggie Jackson, with a form he signed at 26k
miles on display. Did he buy it new? Honduras
Maroon looked more like '61 Cadillac Rose
Taupe, and it appeared to be a quickie job at
that. Said to run well, which might keep the
new owner's spirits up while he decides what
to do. Mid-priced, but still well sold.
C2
TOP 10
#1
#1304-1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Rondine coupe. S/N N/A. Blue metallic/tan
leather. 327-ci 360-hp fuel
Page 50
Market
Report
Barrett-Jackson
Scottsdale, AZ
restoration. Fitted with Positraction, transistor
ignition, side pipes, pb, AM/FM radio, telescopic
column. Excellent paint and chrome, very good
panel fit, snug top. One of 2,175 with the oneyear
only engine. Cond: 1. SOLD AT $101,750.
Tasteful restoration of what looked to have been
an excellent original. At least $25,000 light
and very well bought.
injected V8, 4-sp. The 1963 Paris show car, and
the only steel Corvette. A one-off concept that's
been in the Pininfarina museum since new. Nice
patina with some cracking in paint and blush that
indicates enthusiastic buffing. Excellent Corvette
interior, irreplaceable one-off hubcaps, original
headlights. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $1,760,000. A
generic PF form that could equally be a Buick
or a Lancia. A pure museum piece (try finding
a taillight) which bridges '50s and '60s Italian
thinking, with a tail that heralds the Fiat 124
Spider. An art car that is more art than car and
will always have to be explained. Expensive, but
it's the only one.
#1037-1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 30837S108429. Daytona Blue/
black vinyl. Odo: 72,397 miles. 327-ci 250-hp
V8, 4-bbl, auto. Three owners, always garaged.
Protect-o-Plate, proving ground stickers on
windshield, cross-ply tires, original spare with
car. Checked paint, all bonding strips visible.
#1346-1965 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194675S101797. Black/silver
leather. Odo: 824 miles. 396-ci 425-hp V8,
4-bbl, 4-sp. Ground-up restoration in 2001.
Removable hard top, radio delete, sidepipes,
reproduction knockoffs, Goldline tires. Rubber
valve cover gaskets in place of typical cork
numbers-matching documented 427 car with
an M21 4-speed, a/c, teak wheel, telescopic
column, and AM/FM radio. Also delivered with
leather, ps, pw, tinted glass, and Positraction.
Original Protect-o-Plate, invoice, and owner's
manual. Side pipes and knockoffs added later,
evidence of earlier collision repair to nose.
Cond: 2. SOLD AT $121,000. About as attractive
a driver's package as you'll find on this
model, which explains a price $20,000 over
high book. On the right day, I'd write a check
for $20,000 to get a/c in St Louis. Bought to be
driven, I hope.
#1351-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
units. Good paint and body fit. Cond: 2. SOLD
AT $95,700. Last seen here in '02, where it sold
at $124,200 (CM# 26944). As noted before, the
serial number suggested this was an early car,
but the 396 wasn't available until mid-March.
Originally sold by Lyman Slack Chevrolet in
Portland, OR. A rare combination that looked
better than mid-market money, but the buyers
were cautious.
#716.1-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194676S124198. Red/black
vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 700 miles. 327-ci 300-hp
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Frame-off restoration 700 miles
ago of a claimed matching-numbers example.
Reproduction knockoffs and sidepipes, teak
Typical sloppy sealant, radio antenna surprisingly
shiny. Described as a Bloomington Gold
Survivor. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $74,800. An
irresistible rat in the remains of a great color.
Appropriate condition, and the cheerful owner
with detailed provenance more than made up
for lack of options. This will undoubtedly draw
a crowd at Corvette gatherings. Expensive, but
worth it for fun factor alone.
Best Buy #992-1965 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194675S118024. Milano
Maroon/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 1,482
miles. 396-ci 425-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Body-off
wheel, quartz clock. Gauges restored, nice paint,
wavy chrome. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $84,700. A
couple of guys must really have wanted this car,
which felt like a nice driver with some upgrades
and minor details left unattended. All the money
and then some. Well sold.
#1237-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 194376S116915. Milano Maroon/
tan leather. Odo: 26,278 miles. 427-ci 390-hp
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. 2007 restoration of a claimed
52 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
side pipes, Goldline tires, and Positraction.
Same owner since 1974. Cond: 1. SOLD AT
$107,250. A remarkable car that verged on
art rather than transportation. This car was in
spectacular condition and the proud owner was
in attendance throughout the sale. Its over-thetop
restoration made over-the-top money, and it
can still be considered well bought.
#464-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194676S100168. Nassau
Blue/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 64,861
coupe. S/N 194376S114448. Black/black vinyl.
Odo: 62,585 miles. 427-ci 390-hp V8, 4-bbl,
4-sp. Frame-off restoration of California car
completed in October '07. Equipped with M21
4-speed, AM/FM radio, aftermarket knockoffs,
Page 51
miles. 327-ci 300-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Frameoff
restoration of a claimed matching-numbers
convertible with the uncommon combination
of a/c and two tops. Repop teak wheel, AM/FM
radio, power antenna, ps, pb, and pw. Possible
one-piece replacement front end, with atypical
door gaps, fender ribs lacking, and key dimple
in underhood gutter missing. Cond: 3. SOLD
AT $86,900. This was a good indication the
hobby is getting older, I suppose. This was
all the money in the world for a sedate package
with some big questions hanging over it.
Brilliantly sold.
#725.1-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 194376S125616. Silver/silver
leather. Odo: 12,852 miles. 327-ci 300-hp
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Matching numbers, complete
restoration 1,000 miles ago. Incorrect '67 bigblock
hood, teak wheel, too much metallic in
paint. Equipped with a/c, aftermarket knock-
#689-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194676S109595. Milano
Maroon/white vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 97,556
miles. 327-ci 300-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Body-off
restoration of a claimed matching-numbers
car. Nice panel fit and paint, glass and trim
clean. Equipped with ps, pb, power antenna,
and AM/FM radio. Original manual, dealer
invoice, and warranty book. Reproduction
bumpers, good interior, clean
underhood.
Original jack and tools still in place. Nevada
car. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $66,550. This car had
Correct transistor ignition, excellent clearcoat
paint and bodywork, teak wheel. Radiator and
stripes not typical, power brake cylinder cap
looks to be '68 or later. Air cleaner wing nut
not typical, missing French locks on exhaust
manifold bolts. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $220,000.
Magic mid-year combination of colors and options
pulls 30% over top book. Well sold.
#1047-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
off wheels, side exhaust, Goldline tires, and
reproduction bumpers. Crack by driver's door
handle. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $88,000. Clearly
a lot of effort went into this, but the critical details
will not stand informed examination. The
'67 big-block hood was a mystery... maybe he
had a new one in the attic? Should be a great
driver with a/c, and very well sold at 20% over
high book.
#975.1-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 194376S112950. Nassau Blue/blue
vinyl. Odo: 63,693 miles. 427-ci 425-hp V8,
4-bbl, 4-sp. Non-matching-numbers engine.
New leather, redone brakes and suspension.
Fitted with sidepipes, reproduction Goldline
tires, and radio delete plate. Evidence of body
French locks missing on exhaust bolts, radiator,
fan, and hood stripe not typical. Teak wheel was
banned after 1966, headlight door fit slightly off.
Evidence of rattle can work underneath. Cond:
2. SOLD AT $90,200. Evidently there was a
lot of money and effort expended here, but lots
of troubling details kept this car at mid-market
money. Well sold.
repair at right front and side, uneven door
fits both sides, atypical headlight gaps. Glass
scratched, chassis clean, wavy reproduction
bumpers. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $66,000. This
car sold 10% under low book, and correctly
so. It looked like it had stories to tell, and none
of them were the type you'd want to hear late
at night.
radio, original dealer MSO. Two-time NCRS
Top Flight certified. Protect-o-Plate missing.
Cond: 1. SOLD AT $198,000. The old hands
were all over this. Everyone agreed it was
beautiful, and if it was all correct it was going
to be very expensive. Either somebody got a
screaming deal or there's more to the story.
TOP 10
#7
#1267-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194677S121065.
Red & black/black vinyl/black vinyl.
Odo: 67,294 miles. 427-ci 435-hp V8, 3x2-bbl,
4-sp. Fresh restoration of documented 435-hp
convertible. Sidepipes, headrests, reproduction
mag wheels, Redline tires, new wiring harness.
www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2008 Corvette Market 53
#1263.1-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194677S111859. White &
both excellent provenance and a sympathetic
restoration. The price paid was toward the top
end of the market, but in this case it was a bit of
a bargain, I'd say. A right car that was clearly
well-loved. Well bought.
TOP 10
#9
#1327-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 194377S119682. Black &
red/black vinyl. Odo: 17,396 miles.
427-ci 435-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Presented
as the only black L89 of the 16 built in '67.
Aluminum heads, side pipes, M21 4-speed
transmission, Positraction. Excellent paint,
very nice door fit, correct striping, AM/FM
coupe. S/N 194377S196787. Goodwood Green
& white/white & black vinyl. Odo: 79,510 miles.
427-ci 400-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Recent restoration,
fitted with sidepipes, AM/FM radio, rebuilt
engine, new clutch, and teak wheel. Presents
well but lacks transistor ignition and air cleaner
screen. Valve cover bolts from a small-block,
Page 54
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Barrett-Jackson
Scottsdale, AZ
blue/white vinyl/blue vinyl. Odo: 17,500 miles.
427-ci 435-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Body-off
restoration of claimed matching-numbers 435hp
car with ps, pb, and side exhaust. Warranty
book, Protect-o-Plate. Air cleaner and hood
stickers not typical, radiator and cap look newer.
Excellent chrome and interior, correct hood
stripe. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $159,500. Last seen
here in '02, where it sold at $151,200 (CM#
26938). A very attractive and uncommon color
combination made the difference here. All the
money last time, near top dollar this time, but
both the buyer and seller still did well.
C3
#1058-1968 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194678S423530. Black/
black vinyl. Odo: 19 miles. 427-ci 435-hp V8,
3x2-bbl, 4-sp. A resto-mod that reportedly had
$80,000 worth of work completed, including
powder coated frame, Budnick wheels, Be
original underneath, with cross-ply tires and
expected finishes throughout. Driver's seat
and pedals seem a bit worn for the mileage
indicated, carpet looks newer. Cond: 2-. SOLD
AT $80,000. This car drew interested buyers
like moths to a flame. It was undoubtedly a
very low-mileage car, but it's hard to say if the
mileage was actually as low as was claimed.
Perhaps the driver hopped in and out a lot in
the garage and made vroom-vroom noises?
Did the speedometer cable break early on?
Regardless, this was very well sold.
#695.1-1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194679S73557. LeMans
Blue/white vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 79,261
miles. 427-ci 390-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Matching
numbers, body-off restoration of what looks
like a decent original car. Bumpers appear to be
looks like a new rear spring sits high. New
exhaust, reproduction Redline tires. Cond:
2-. SOLD AT $75,900. A good driver-quality
restoration of an attractive and usable lowmileage
car. This was top dollar, but both well
bought and sold for the fun factor alone.
TOP 10
#4
#1290-1971 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
ZR2 coupe. S/N 194371S112787.
War Bonnet Yellow/black vinyl. Odo:
Cool aluminum radiator, Wilwood brakes,
Steeroid rack and pinion steering, and vintage
a/c. Glass replaced, chrome new, giant stereo
installed. Headlights apparently not working.
Hawaii plates. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $88,000.
This project felt like it was rode hard and put
away wet, and it was further proof that money
and good sense don't necessarily co-exist. If I
were the seller, I'd have high-fived my way to
the bar and bought a few rounds of mai-tais.
Well sold regardless of the restoration cost.
#755-1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194679S734788. Silver/black
vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 599 miles. 350-ci 350-hp
LT1 V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Rare M22 rock crusher,
claimed 600 miles from new. Clearcoat over
cracks in original paint, door jambs atypically
smooth, top correctly finished. Amazingly
replacements, panel gaps good, nice paint over
smooth body. Rally wheels, appears new underneath
but sits high at rear. Tidy interior. Cond:
1-. SOLD AT $49,500. This car had a good
color combination as well as the big-block and
4-speed, but it somehow lacked some pizazz.
Maybe a/c would have helped. Well sold.
#690-1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 194379S700172. Dark green/black
vinyl. Odo: 56,245 miles. 427-ci 400-hp V8,
3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Equipped with aftermarket sidepipes,
American Racing Torq Thrust wheels,
ps, and pb. Aftermarket stereo, fair paint and
body fit, OK interior. Decent chrome, white
24,149 miles. 454-ci 425-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp.
One of twelve ZR2s, and one of eight coupes
built with the LS6 454—a one-year only option.
Sold by the 20-year second owner. Matching
numbers, M22 rock crusher, dual-plate clutch,
#1070-1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 1946679S708790. Daytona
Yellow/black vinyl/black leather. Odo: 61,739
miles. 427-ci 435-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Bodyoff
restoration of a non numbers-matching car.
Equipped with ps, pb, pb, AM/FM radio, and
leather seats. New bumpers, wrinkly top. What
aluminum
radiator. Superb paint, correct
throughout with smog pump and painted valve
covers. NCRS awards date from 1989, original
documentation displayed. Cond: 1. SOLD
AT $357,500. This looked like a lovely older
restoration and felt like a museum piece. It
must have been a nice original that probably
wouldn't be restored today, but who knows?
Appropriately expensive.
letter Goodyear tires. An excellent hot rod
driver 'Vette. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $38,500.
This looked like a decent driver and was well
bought at the bottom of its price range. Likely
to be very loud with those pipes, it crossed the
block first thing Sunday morning. Ouch!
56 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
#1265.1-1973 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
“Mud Bogger” coupe. S/N 1Z3723940799.
Blue fade/tan & yellow. 454-ci V8, 4-bbl,
auto. Monster Garage “Mud Bogger” project
car by Jesse James. Fitted with 12-inch lift,
4WD using chain-driven Toyota 4Runner front
axle, nitrous, roll cage, zoomie pipes, Cobra
seats, 9-inch Ford rear, and Mickey Thompson
Baja Claw tires. 6-lug front wheels, 5-lug
Page 56
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Barrett-Jackson
Scottsdale, AZ
overall wear. L82 motor, automatic, pw, alarm,
T-tops, a/c. An Idaho car with visible scratches.
One of 6,502 made, dreadful T-top fit. Cond: 3-.
SOLD AT $27,500. It looks as though proud
original owners saved every one of these, as
there were three at B-J alone. This was the
most expensive, but it was still just a used car.
Maybe they should join the DeLorean guys in
the Rodney Dangerfield club?
C4
rear. No dash, scruffy paint. Cond: 4-. SOLD
AT $33,000. What did this poor old car do to
deserve this? A classic case of “just because
you can doesn't mean you should.” Or as
F1 champion James Hunt once said in color
commentary at a Madison Square Garden Hot
Rod show, “Looks like they all started with the
wrong car.” Well sold.
#416-1976 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 1Z37L6S435795. Yellow/black
vinyl. Odo: 168 miles. 350-ci 180-hp V8,
4-bbl, auto. An as-new example with 168
miles, original tires, and window sticker with
fuel economy ratings. Equipped with a/c, pb,
ps, pw, tilt/telescopic column, AM/FM radio.
rubber. Magnaflow aftermarket exhaust fitted.
Cond: 2. SOLD AT $17,600. The quickie redo
of this tidy-but-tired C4 answers the question
of why nobody goes further into these modestly-powered
electrical Rubik's Cubes. This
was all the money. Well sold.
Indisputably correct, down to orange peel in
paint, wavy nose, and dull tail plastic. From
Sunderland Chevrolet in LeMoyne, PA, according
to the dealer tag. Cond: 3. SOLD AT
$38,500. Perhaps the Corvette's low point.
Clearly bound for a museum, as its value will
evaporate with the passage of every feeble
mile. Somebody must have been filling out a
collection. Where are the 100-mile '66s?
#51-1978 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Indy Pace
Car
Edition coupe. S/N
1Z87485900315. Black & silver/silver leather.
Odo: 9,234 miles. 350-ci 220-hp V8, 4-bbl,
auto. An original-mile example showing some
Cond: 1. SOLD AT $36,300. ZR-1 owners may
be holding out hope after the $1.1m price paid
for the first 2009 ZR1 at B-J this year, but for
now this is bang on high book for the early '90s
super 'Vette—about $20,000 less than they cost
new. There are lots of these around, and they
conjure up memories of those 1976 Eldorado
“last” convertibles.
C5
#1275.1-2000 CHEVROLET CORVETTE C1
Replica convertible. S/N 1G1YY32G5Y5129768.
58 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
and front air splitter. Domed carbon fiber hood
with window for the supercharger. Described
as “the first retailable unit built.” As-new, no
warranty. All proceeds to benefit the United
Way. Cond: 1. SOLD AT $1,100,000. Rumor
has it these will sticker at or above $100k, but
you'll likely have to pay double retail to get
one from your local dealer... and that's if they
have one to sell. While that might sound silly,
it's a deal compared to what was paid here. Or
is it? When you account for the charitable tax
write-off, the buyer might not have done too
badly. Well sold, and well bought for a good
cause. ■
#398-1990 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
ZR-1 coupe. S/N 1G1Y223J8L58008893.
Black/black leather. Odo: 5,300 miles. 5.7-liter
375-hp fuel-injected V8, 6-sp. Essentially a
new car in climate controlled storage all its
life. Factory-new aside from a new battery and
new oil filter. Shiny extra wheels included.
#345.1-1986 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 1G1YY9789G5116620. Red/red
leather. Odo: 73,752 miles. 350-ci 230-hp fuelinjected
V8, auto. Glass-top Pace Car with a/c
and Z51 performance package. Orange peel
to paint, overspray on taillights, tired window
Black & silver/black cloth/black leather. Odo:
70,000 miles. 5.7-liter 350-hp fuel-injected
V8, auto. Re-creation of '62 C1 on a 2000 C5
chassis with carbon fiber body, a/c, all power
and safety equipment, and most options.
Reverse-engineered by Boeing “Skunk Works”
designers, proportionally incorrect with fourinch
wider track and standard C5 windshield,
but nicely finished with 45-pound one-piece
tilt nose and cold-air induction. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $123,200. The demonstrator for a
Lakewood, WA, firm that has sold 54 of these
over the past five years for between $135,000
and $150,000 each. This had 70,000 miles on
it, so for the price paid you might as well have
just bought a new one... and you'll still have to
explain what it is every time you drive it.
C6
TOP 10
#2
#1316-2009
CHEVROLET
CORVETTE ZR1 coupe. S/N N/A.
Blue/black leather. 6.2-liter super-
charged V8, 6-sp. Claimed by GM to be the
new benchmark in
Corvette
performance,
with over 600 hp providing a top speed of
over 200 mph. LS9 V8 fitted with Eaton
TVS supercharger and intercooler, Brembo
carbon ceramic brakes fitted from the factory.
Carbon fiber roof, fenders, rocker extensions,
Page 58
Market
Report
Russo and Steele
Scottsdale, AZ
Sports and Muscle in Scottsdale
It seemed like all of the C2s missing elsewhere ended up here, with C3
consignments close behind
Company
Russo and Steele
Date
January 16–20, 2008
Location
Scottsdale, Arizona
Auctioneers
Dennis Wisbey, Rob Row
Corvettes sold / offered
27 / 47
Corvette sales rate
57%
Corvette sales total
$2,303,400
Corvette high sale
1969 L88 coupe, sold at
$412,500
1982 Collector Edition sold at $26,400
Report and photos by B. Mitchell Carlson
Market opinions in italics
S
ince fellow CM Auction Analyst Dan Grunwald
generally covers the Russo beat, I rarely make it
across Scottsdale Road to the company's annual
Arizona event. But as I wasn't covering Barrett-
Jackson this year, I spent quite a bit of time under Russo
and Steele's tent.
Generally, I liked what I saw. The layout was quite
good and somewhat logical (once you figured out the lot
numbering scheme), and every car was parked under a
tent and on covered ground. That was no easy task, considering
that for 51 weeks out of the year this is bare desert
along the 101 Freeway. The flow of cars moving from
their parking spaces, through the staging lanes, onto the
auction block, and then back to the same parking space
moved quite well, even if things did seem a bit cramped
coming into the bidders auction arena.
The cars tended to be in the same league as those on
the grounds at Barrett-Jackson, but slanted more toward
more practical cars (not necessarily numbers-matching
correct) and European sports cars. Russo and Steele uses
both consignment numbers as well as lot numbers to reference
their cars, which meant that if you had seen a '69
big-block convertible in the catalog ahead of time and you
wanted to check it out, trying to find it meant you had to
60 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
cross-reference it to the run number to find it under the tent.
Sales were down overall a touch from last year's $20,157,605 for 294 cars to
$19,144,455 for the 298 on offer this year. Looking specifically at Corvettes, 47 crossed
the block, with 27 selling for a gross of $2,303,400, at a 57% sell-through rate.
While the first five generations were represented, it seemed like all of the C2s missing
at the other Scottsdale auctions ended up here, with C3s being close behind in consignor
popularity. Most of the trends at the other venues tended to hold true here also. In particular,
higher-end C2 big-blocks seemed to be
slipping, while late “bubble back” C3s picked
up noticeably.
Another factor here was that a higher per-
Russo and Steele Sales Totals
$500k
$1m
$1.5m
$2m
$2.5m
$3m
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
centage of cars had reserves. That affected the
sales rate more than anything else. While two
years ago this was a “no reserve” auction, that
line of thinking has now swung 180 degrees, as
Russo announced that after this sale, all of the
cars they offer will have reserves. “Everybody
has an idea of what their car is worth, why pretend
they don't?” said auction founder Drew
Alcazar. What that means to the Corvette
market as a whole remains to be seen, but it
can only make sellers more comfortable in
consigning their cars for auction, and that can't
be a bad thing. ■
Buyer's premium
10% (included in sold
prices)
Page 60
Market
Report
C1
#TH297-1954 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Custom roadster. S/N E54S003591. Sportsman
Red/tan cloth/red vinyl. Odo: 52,060 miles. 5.7liter
350-hp fuel-injected LS1 V8, auto. Claimed
to be an original Sportsman Red car, but that's a
moot point now. Original frame powder coated
red and adapted with C4 front and rear suspension.
Custom widened steel wheels fabricated
to accept stock wheel covers. Highly worked
body with original imperfections smoothed
out. Better than stock chrome work, highlybuffed
stainless trim. Correct for '54 top, stock
Russo and Steele
Scottsdale, AZ
price for the year. However, this type of work
can't be done for $115k, even with sweat equity,
so the nod goes to the purists.
#F476-1958 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N J58S103670. Signet Red
& white/white vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 1,353
miles. 283-ci 245-hp V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp. Recent
body-on restoration consisting mostly of fresh
paint, some rechroming, and buffed-out stainless
trim. New replacement top well-fitted and
with minimal wear. Mostly correct engine
bay detailing, rusty brake master cylinder.
and a $20k budget, I'd have the mechanicals
rebuilt and still have enough left over to consider
four-wheel discs to go with my only other
deviation from stock—a dual master cylinder.
Expensive considering the body needs still
evident.
#TH290-1962 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Custom convertible. S/N 20867S102538.
Teal metallic/tan cloth/tan leather. Odo: 548
miles. 5.7-liter 400-hp fuel-injected LS6 V8,
6-sp. Recent build by Greg Thurman of GTS
Customs. Built on a Neuman Car Creations
chassis, suspension based around 1996 C4
components. Powertrain is a crate “fuel infected”
engine and Tremec T56 “manuel”
transmission.
1996 Grand Sport brakes,
reproduction
upholstery. Modern stereo in
dash, billet steering wheel, tilt column. Cond:
2+. SOLD AT $82,500. You could do far worse
for a Corvette resto-mod. Indeed, in passing,
it looked to all the world like a well-finished
'54 which sits low. In the never-ending conflict
between purists claiming it's ruined versus
those who built it to make it enjoyable, we'll
call this one a draw, having been sold for what
would be in the range of a bone-stock restoration
in this condition. Everyone's a winner
here—buyer and seller included.
#F491-1956 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Custom convertible. S/N E56S003684.
Red/black leather. Odo: 3 miles. 5.7-liter fuelinjected
LS1 V8, auto. Complete ground-up
custom build using frame rails from the original
'56 and custom fabricated tubing to accept
a C5 powertrain and suspension. Mirror-like
paint finish with limited pinstriped graphics.
No exposed chrome, minimal other brightwork
nice. Exceptionally clean engine bay, power
operated hood and trunk with billet hinges and
Undercarriage brush and aerosol painted in
gloss black. Reupholstered seats, new carpeting,
new dashpad, and new door panels, aftermarket
embroidered carpeted floor mats, Hurst
shifter, and “Chevy” AM/FM/cassette deck
in the stock location. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD
AT $64,000. Since this car seemed to run out
quite well, it made sense that only the cosmetics
were redone. Since trunk-backs seem to be
cooling down in price a bit, the final bid here
was rightfully all of the money in the world for
a pretty driver.
#S645-1959 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N J59S103287. Red & white/
red & white leather. Odo: 2,669 miles. 327-ci
300-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. 1964 Corvette engine
fitted with modern GM throttle body fuel injection.
Modern power brake booster with dual
master cylinder, 4-wheel disc brakes, two-wire
alternator conversion. Some front fender bonding
strips visible under newer paint, some body
cracks, heavier touch-up to rock-chipped nose.
Good door fit, gaps aren't great. Faded front
emblems, serviceable brightwork. Non-stock
Budnik alloy wheels. Stock body contours
except for slightly radiused rear wheel openings.
Most brightwork retained, custom leather
upholstery in non-stock patterns. Fitted with
Classic Instruments gauges and modern Sony
sound system. Cond: 1. SOLD AT $112,200.
Fitted with all this custom stuff—including
the frame—yet it still wears a '62 VIN. For a
car that cost double this selling price to build,
you'd figure that they'd spend the extra minute
and run spell check on the auction description.
If green resto-mods are your can of Red Bull,
then this was the right car at the right price.
#F530-1962 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 20867S101057. Honduras
Maroon/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 26,492
miles. 327-ci 300-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Recent
repaint already has some light polishing swirls.
Some light body ripples visible, especially
on front fenders, but no bonding strip broadcasts
through body. Excellent headlight bezel
to body fit, good older bumper and emblem
chrome. Sloppier door weatherstripping glue
application
with modern black adhesive.
Similarly recent engine detailing, with some
latches. Custom fabricated interior with dash
cluster relocated to the front of the console.
Cond: 1. SOLD AT $115,775. This came off
as way over the top, which is what the builder
wanted in the first place. In our purist vs. modified
tally, we could give the nod to the builders,
as the best restoration on Zora's personal '56
would be the only way to go beyond this selling
62 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
leather seating has minimal wear. Correct reproduction
door panels, dashpad, and carpeting.
Cond: 3. SOLD AT $51,700. This was recently
owned by actor Hill Harper, who spent $20k
to “make it drivable and reliable” as his daily
driver while filming in L.A. It likely started out
as a wounded warrior without a motor, since if
you gave me a '59 with the original powertrain
Page 62
Market
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Russo and Steele
Scottsdale, AZ
oxidation on aluminum valve covers. New top,
door panels, carpeting, dashpad, and seat covers.
Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $80,300. While quite
a few solid-axles sold for lower prices than I
expected, this one did about what I thought
it should. Perhaps '62s are holding on better
thanks to the 327s under their hoods?
C2
#S672-1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 30837S104708. Saddle Tan/tan
leather. Odo: 39,540 miles. 327-ci 360-hp
fuel-injected V8, 4-sp. Fitted with 4.11 open
differential and AM/FM radio. Moderate body
prep work with some bonding strip broadcasting
and original texture on door jambs and
door edges. Glossy older repaint, good original
chrome with some light frosting in places still
buffs out well. Passenger's door fit slightly off,
on both sides. Lightly scuffed original chrome,
superficial engine clean-up. Newer interior
vinyl and carpeting, modern seat belts tucked
behind seats. Good older replacement top with
some moderate wear from being stowed frequently.
Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $41,800. Nothing
added up on this compilation of parts. The
seller claimed that the “350HP” engine was
numbers matching, but there wasn't a 350-hp
option in '64. The other statement about “will
turn heads” was definitely true, as anyone
who knows how to read a data plate will turn
head—and tail—and run away. Sold very well.
#TH275-1965 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 194375S116841. Rally Red/black
vinyl. Odo: 44,482 miles. 327-ci 365-hp V8,
4-bbl, 4-sp. Factory options include the 365-hp
solid-lifter motor, a/c, teak wheel, and AM/FM
radio. Reproduction knockoff wheels and
Redline radials fitted. Body heavily worked
with
original
rippling, bonding strips and
dimples missing. Right side headlight bucket
sits low in body. Newer reproduction trim and
emblems, average grade replated bumpers,
specify a color, both inside and out. This final
bid was not entirely out of line, especially since
it was $5k more than the $105k it was bid to
at Carlisle in August '07 (CM# 46617). The
consignor should've considered the money if it
truly needed to find a new home.
#TH236-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 194376S118798. Black/black
leather. Odo: 35,420 miles. 350-ci V8, 4-bbl,
4-sp. Originally Milano Maroon with standard
black vinyl upholstery. Good repaint, serviceable
original weather seals. Mostly reproduction
trim, older rechromed bumpers, modern
reproduction simulated knockoffs. Fitted with
a ZZ3 crate engine with Edelbrock intake and
Carter AFB-style carburetor. Original-style
other panel fit OK. Newer engine bay detailing,
replacement seat upholstery and carpet.
Original door panels have some light fading
and discoloration, especially when compared
to the seats. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $107,250.
It may not have come off as a show stopper,
but this was still a sympathetic restoration of
a cared-for car. The price might have been
slightly on the high side, but a Split-Window
fuelie is about as iconic as you can get in
the Corvette world—or even outside of it in
a global market. A decent buy that will likely
look even better by this time next year.
#F449-1964 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 40867S108142. Red/white
vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 45,415 miles. 327-ci
350-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Originally Saddle Tan
with Saddle leather interior, fitted with pw
and tinted glass. Pretty repaint on a minimally
prepped body. Hood won't latch properly on
driver's side, doors require a hefty slam to close
door handles heavily scratched and loosely
mounted. Older repop seat upholstery has far
less wear than original door panels. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $56,100. The seller's description
sheets went on ad nauseum about this being
exceptionally rare as a solid-lifter car with air,
with only 300 made. Probably just as rare is
that it was a real deal car, and an original red
one to boot. Lackadaisical cosmetics should
not make for a good pay day, yet this car did.
Sold well despite the claimed rarity.
#F524-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 194376S108512. Tuxedo Black/
black vinyl. Odo: 56,710 miles. 427-ci 390hp
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Factory a/c, California
smog equipment. Over-restored body, including
mirror-smooth door jambs and superb
repaint. Slightly muted body character lines,
light waviness to right
rear bumper, other
chrome near perfect. Fresh engine bay ready
for NCRS judging. Freshly restored correct
interior shows no wear or use and wears a full
complement of repop instruction tags. Cond:
2. NOT SOLD AT $110,000. It doesn't take
too much of a rocket scientist to figure out why
an all-black big-block would've been ordered
with air conditioning in California. All black
was the standard color code if the dealer didn't
64 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
replacement a/c compressor, Doug Nash 5speed
manual transmission. Reskinned seats
in leather with repop door panels and dashpad.
Repainted interior, original trim somewhat dull
and dinged. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $40,150. If
you really wanted to take this car back to stock,
it wouldn't be too monumental of a task—but
you'll never have a numbers-matching powertrain
unless you have a set of stamps in the
proper fonts. At this price, I certainly hope
it was bought as a runner with all sins well
known to the buyer.
#F503-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194676S106515. Laguna
Blue/white vinyl/blue vinyl. Odo: 29,915
miles. 427-ci 425-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Restored
in 1990, shortly after it joined the Otis Chandler
collection. Several major national NCRS
awards include three Top Flights from 2002
to 2003, a Performance Verification Award,
and the Duntov Mark of Excellence in 2002.
Shows only light signs of wear and aging on
undercarriage and interior. Body fit and finish
better than new, recently detailed engine bay.
A turn-key concours C2 convertible. Cond: 1.
SOLD AT $178,200. Very strong money for
a '66 big-block convertible, but Otis couldn't
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Market
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Russo and Steele
Scottsdale, AZ
have had a bad car if he tried, and the stack of
NCRS accolades was proof of that in this case.
Pretty much an instant trophy magnet.
#TH269-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194676S100038. Red/black
vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 81,527 miles. 350-ci
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. A very early model year car,
and the 43rd convertible body fabricated by
A.O. Smith for '66. Originally Milano Maroon.
Left rear wheel well lip both shaved and repaired,
both front fenders are replacements
with no bonding strips underneath. Heavily
much, if at all, so it's hard to see why the radials
were put on instead of bias plies. I guess if
you can drop $128k on a near-new cruiser, this
will give you some creature comforts without
going the resto-mod route.
#S684-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194677S112420. Silver Pearl
& red/black cloth/red vinyl. Odo: 15 miles.
427-ci 435-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Recently
completed
frame-off restoration.
Equipped
with L89 aluminum heads, 3.39 open differential,
side pipes, F41 suspension, ps, pb, and
AM/FM radio. Over-finished body with muted
character lines and highly-finished door jambs.
Loose left rocker panel side pipe trim, antenna
mast unscrewed from base. Average grade
bumper rechromimg, correctly detailed motor.
All new interior upholstery, door panels, and
limited use. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $79,750. The
consignor went into great detail to show that
the car was all correct, including breakdowns of
stampings, casting numbers, and tag data. This
price was more than quite a few of the other
big-block C2s here, so it should serve as proof
that the presentation of good documentation is
what it takes to get a respectable sale on a car
that otherwise has a few warts from being used.
Bought well with no future stories to rehearse.
#F532-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194677S118754. Goodwood
Green/black vinyl hard top, white vinyl soft
top/saddle vinyl. Odo: 8,671 miles. 327-ci
300-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Factory options include
a/c, ps, pb, both tops, AM/FM radio, and
alloy wheels. Generally original body finish
with some light bonding strip broadcasting and
ripples apparent. Moderate waves to replated
sanded body with GM-spec panel gaps except
for sagging doors. Older reused weatherstrips
abound, replacement emblems, chrome, and
trim fitted. Older top has heavier bow bite on
each side. Replacement interior soft trim worn
but still presentable. Cond: 3-. NOT SOLD
AT $40,000. If this was repainted in Milano
Maroon and had a generic 327 as a replacement
engine, this would be market pricing.
However, as it sat, it was basically one owner
away from being a daily driver with stories
to tell. Plenty was bid here, so it should have
sold.
#F500-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194677S108512. Marina
Blue & white/white vinyl/white & blue vinyl.
Odo: 88,014 miles. 427-ci 400-hp V8, 3x2-bbl,
4-sp. Optioned with a/c, ps, pb, side pipes,
AM/FM radio, and alloy wheels. High-quality
body prep and paint with no factory imperfections
remaining. GM-spec panel fit, all new
chrome and professionally buffed
stainless
trim. Concours-quality engine bay, all new
upholstery
and
carpet
in expertly-restored
interior. New top only has wear and wrinkling
from being stowed. Runs out quite well in a
beefy but not obnoxious manner. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $128,700. Excellent workmanship
yielded 435-hp money from a 400-hp car. One
restored to this level won't likely be driven
66 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
carpeting. Pedal pads and aftermarket floor
mats have heavier wear. Cond: 2. NOT SOLD
AT $110,000. On its trip to the block, this 'Vette
had an upper A-arm bolt back completely out,
causing the front driver's wheel to gain about
three inches of negative camber. After a heated
struggle, the consignor was able to wrestle the
front suspension back into place right before
this car's time in the spotlight. No one was interested,
as this bid was way under the money.
The consignor didn't really play up the L89
aspect, or much of anything at all.
Best Buy #TH298-1967 CHEVROLET
CORVETTE convertible. S/N 194677S104781.
Sunfire Yellow & black/black vinyl/black vinyl.
Odo: 80,940 miles. 427-ci 400-hp V8, 3x2-bbl,
4-sp. Fitted with ps, AM/FM radio, and reproduction
alloys with Redline radials. Original
Rallies included with car. Older high-gloss repaint,
shiny hood drip edge shows cracking and
flaking. Body cracks at driver's side headlight
and left bottom edge of hood scoop. Doors
function OK but sit slightly low at rear. Older
replated bumpers and semi-dull stainless trim.
Recently fluffed up engine bay, older upholstery
and interior trim shows moderate wear from
bumpers, other chrome and trim nice. Black
vinyl on both hard and soft tops newer and
expertly installed. Generally stock engine
bay superficially cleaned. Full complement of
reproduction interior components, with only
light wear to carpet. Cond: 2-. NOT SOLD AT
$67,500. Competed in the Muscle Car 1,000
last fall, reportedly quite reliably. Since it's
starting to show the wear of a driver, that was
likely where the potential buyers were looking
to go with it. With the condition issues noted,
this car really should have sold at this price.
C3
#F513-1968 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 194678S424867. Corvette Copper/
tobacco leather. Odo: 5,329 miles. 427-ci 435-hp
V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Bloomington Gold certified
in 1996, 2005 inductee to the Bloomington Gold
Hall of Fame. 1997 NCRS National Top Flight
winner. Mileage claimed correct. L89 aluminum
heads, M21 close-ratio 4-speed. Good original
condition, some moderate older detailing visible.
Light ding on left front fender, paint highly
buffed but shows light orange peel. Nice door
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Russo and Steele
Scottsdale, AZ
fit, original engine bay with some newer OEM
service components. Interior shows only light
wear to seats and carpeting. Cond: 2-. SOLD
AT $192,500. Apart from its appearance at the
Bloomington Gold Special Collection in 2005,
this car hasn't been out and about much in the
last decade, so some light cosmetics wouldn't
be out of the question—but keep that spray gun
away. Being one of the 1,030 L89 optioned 435s
and with mega-low miles added up to almost
$200k here, and it was justified. This is also the
third Corvette Copper '68 big-block I've seen
since Fall Auburn, so things are happening in
cycles again.
TOP 10
#3
#S714-1969 CHEVROLET
CORVETTE L88 coupe. S/N
194379S727107. LeMans Blue/black
vinyl. Odo: 33,085 miles. 427-ci 430-hp V8,
4-bbl, auto. Original tank sticker confirms L88
with automatic, ordered with power brakes and
side exhaust. Body retains original contours,
rippling, and bonding strip broadcasting under
better quality older repaint. Light fiberglass blistering
on hood scoop, newer chrome and trim,
fit, equally good repaint, replated bumpers and
all new trim. Near concours engine compartment,
all interior soft trim has been replaced
with high-quality reproduction pieces. Parking
brake handle original and soiled. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $53,900. Generally, 435-hp C3s
have been slowly creeping up in value lately,
while the 1967s have settled down somewhat.
All in all, this was not an entirely out-of-line
price for a car that is about a week's worth of
evenings in the garage from being very competitive
in NCRS judging.
#S667-1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194679S705127. Riverside
Gold/beige vinyl soft top, gold hard top/black
vinyl. Odo: 67,689 miles. 427-ci 435-hp
V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Ordered and used by the
Buffalo, NY, Chevrolet Sales Zone office as a
courtesy car. K66 transistorized ignition, G81
3.70 Positraction, A06 auxiliary hard top, UA6
alarm, PT7 whitewall bias ply tires, PO2 wheel
covers, U69 AM/FM radio, and A82 headrests.
Light body ripple under repaint, door alignment
with minimal war wounds from racing, full
race configuration underhood and in cockpit.
'79–'82 seats, 5-point harnesses, full roll cage.
Comes with optional hard top for endurance
racing, memorabilia, and all log books. Offered
at no reserve. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $66,000.
This was a pretty good deal for a turn-key B/P
vintage racer—all you need to add is money,
gas, and a trailer to hit the track. It was a
life-long race car with a pedigree, so you don't
have to take a C3 convertible out to the pool to
go racing, either. Why build a replica when you
can have the real deal for the same money?
#SN870-1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194679S703894. LeMans
Blue/black vinyl/blue vinyl. Odo: 1,281 miles.
350-ci 350-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Factory options
include a/c, ps, pb, pw, and both tops. Soft top
not exposed, hard top re-covered in non-authentic
vinyl. Recent brake work and clutch job,
very recent repaint might give you a headache
if you hang around it too long. Good door and
semi-rippled replated bumpers. Well sorted
engine bay just lightly dusty. Correct assembly
markings and hardware installation, light to
moderate wear on replacement interior. Cond:
2-. SOLD AT $412,500. In addition to being
one of the 216 L88s made from '67 through '69,
this was one of the 17 from 1969 with the TH400
automatic, making it the ultimate in point and
shoot. This was the top selling Corvette out here
over the weekend, and apart from its condition,
it's not hard to see why.
#F473-1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 194379S702373. Daytona Yellow/
black vinyl. Odo: 79,338 miles. 427-ci 435-hp
V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Tank sticker documents engine,
M21 4-speed, K66 transistorized ignition,
G81 3.70 ratio posi, PT6 red stripe bias ply tires,
U69 AM/FM radio, A82 headrests, and A01
tinted glass. Frame-up restoration now dating
a couple of years. Very good door and panel
68 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
appears factory, driver's door glass scratched.
Engine bay and underhood drip rails better than
new. Restored interior soft trim dusty and worn,
parking brake lever lightly pitted. Tank sticker.
Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT $65,000. Claimed to
be the only C3 Zone Courtesy Car, and was used
by GM brass and other dignitaries when in the
area. It was more likely that this was the only C3
Zone Courtesy Car which has surfaced so far,
as these were high-profile cars for high-profile
people, and there are not too many higher-profile
cars in GM's stable than the Corvette. Final
bid was not entirely out of line.
SCCA
#F508-1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
B-Production racer. S/N
194679S702572. Blue metallic & white/black
vinyl. 358-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Known history
dating to 1972. Competed in B-Production in
the Northeast, campaigned by Allan Anderson,
won titles in '72 and '75. Restored within the
last five years, raced with a small-block instead
of the original big-block. Good quality repaint
panel gaps, redyed door panels and dashboard.
Older replacement seat covers wavy, original
carpeting soiled and worn on the driver's side.
Several dashboard and seat components rusty,
some electrical
connectors dangling from
under dash. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $22,000. All in
all, just a driver that was dolled up enough to
make it pretty and saleable. Sold well, but the
buyer didn't get a bad deal if he just wants a
runner with future restoration potential.
#SN873-1974 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 1Z67T4S436093. Silver
Mist/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 64,147
miles. 350-ci 250-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. California
emissions L82, AM/FM radio, ps, pb, and luggage
rack. Newer repaint done to an excellent
standard, typical C3 fit and finish issues to door
gaps and bumpers. Some light crazing to taillights
and side markers. Typical rattle-can redo
of engine, compartment mostly original yet
dingy and corroded. Chassis painted and covered
in road grime. Newer interior soft trim,
with moderate wear starting on foot well carpet
Page 68
Market
Report
Russo and Steele
Scottsdale, AZ
#SN860-1992 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
ZR-1 coupe. S/N 1G1YZ23J3N5800206.
Gray/black leather. Odo: 80,269 miles. 350ci
375-hp fuel-injected V8, 6-sp. Paint chips
and nicks at hood edges and headlight doors,
heavy wear on shift knob, driver's seat side
bolster worn through. Rusty parking brake
and driver's seat. Original seat belts slightly
faded. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $24,200. A year or
two ago, $20k for this driver would've made
bells and whistles go off. Today, it's a market
price. Even at that, it was a better deal for the
consignor than the new owner.
#F545-1978 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Indy Pace Car Edition Replica coupe. S/N
1Z8748S428815. Black & silver/black leather.
Odo: 52,945 miles. 350-ci 205-hp V8, 4-bbl,
auto. Standard issue model, with optional L82
motor, automatic transmission, a/c, pw, and
tilt/telescopic column. Aftermarket one-piece
smoked tint Plexiglas roof panel. Mediocre repaint
with buffed-out gloss and thick masking
Nice
original
interior, with leather show-
ing only moderate wrinkling from light use.
Wheels and tires in very good condition with
minimal wear. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $26,400.
Within the last year or so, the '82 Collector
Edition has really taken off in value. This can
be attributed to equal amounts of it being the
last C3, better build quality with the first full
year of production at Bowling Green, and the
fact that it is now officially a collector car in
the states that have a 25-year requirement. As
this example proves, these can give a '78 Pace
Car a run for its money, and this one ran for
the money until the bidding stopped and the
consignor dropped the reserve.
C4
#F446-1990 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
lines. More stone chips on tail than nose.
Borderline grungy engine bay with only light
superficial clean-up on top. Replacement seat
leather, dashpad, and carpeting, semi-worn
door panels. Accessory rotary switch mounted
below passenger side of dash. Cond: 3-. SOLD
AT $11,275. Since the Silver Anniversary edition
and the Indy Pace Car edition were the
only '78s that could be had in two-tone paint,
we'll go ahead and call this one a fakey-doo.
Why else, apart from a preference for black
leather in lieu of silver, would one paint it in
the Pace Car combo when there are over 6,000
real ones floating around out there? Sold well,
bought poorly.
#TH233-1982 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Collector
Edition coupe. S/N
1G1AY0788C5115230. Silver Beige/Silver
Beige leather. Odo: 19,521 miles. 350-ci 200hp
fuel-injected V8, auto. Every option except
FE7 Gymkhana suspension and CB radio.
Mileage claimed correct. Stripped to bare fiberglass
and repainted to better quality than stock.
Expert application of NOS fade-out decals,
excellent panel and door fit. 1991 Bloomington
Gold certification took place before the repaint.
70 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
ZR-1 coupe. S/N 1G1YZ23J8L5801459.
Bright Red/saddle leather. Odo: 7,104 miles.
350-ci 375-hp fuel-injected V8, 6-sp. Ordered
new through the Chevrolet Central Office, with
dual-zone climate control and both roof panels
as the only options. Kept as an instant collectible,
with only maintenance miles covered.
Some light swirling scratches in paint, ECU
has been replaced with a remanufactured unit,
engine bay tidy. Original tires were pulled off
handle, console door torn, driver's door glass
loose and rattly. Dirty engine with evidence of
fluid leaking on underside of hood. Autometer
“Quick-Lite” shift light screwed to dashboard.
Dirty glass. Indiana State Police support sticker
on rear window. Cond: 3-. NOT SOLD AT
$11,000. Huge miles on an apparently unloved
ZR-1. This could have been a good buy, but I
suggest patience here, as there are lots of good
ones out there, and making this one great will
be just as expensive as buying a better one off
the bat.
C5
#TH242-2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Z06 Commemorative Edition coupe. S/N
1G1YY12S845129945. LeMans Blue & silver/black
leather. Odo: 14,784 miles. 5.7-liter
405-hp fuel-injected V8, 6-sp. In better condition
than low mileage would suggest. Crossdrilled
brake rotors and Firestone Firehawk
tires fitted. Superb original paint with only a
few light stone chips on the snout, like-new
wheels, pristine engine bay. The worst of the
the rims and stored, both sets come with the
car. In as-delivered condition, and includes
the entire delivery package and all paperwork
since new. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $30,250.
Here's another strike against pickling “instant
collectibles,” especially when you have to pay
additional dealer markup. The final bid was
just about what the nicest one on the planet
should bring, and with nowhere to go but
down, the consignor cut and run. On top of
that, there are still cars with under ten miles on
the clock out there being held by their original
owners—so this wasn't the best, most minty
one in the world anyway.
interior wear is on the driver's seat bottom,
which has a significant amount of wrinkling
from use. Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT $32,000.
An extremely pampered car from northern
Nevada. It was claimed by the seller to be number
1,607 of the 2,025 Commemorative Z06s,
although I've yet to find out how to verify that
claim. The bidding stopped just shy of average
retail for an above-average example, and the
seller held his ground and ended up taking it
back home. ■
Page 70
Market
Report
Mecum Auctions
Kissimmee, FL
Kissimmee High Performance Auction
C3s with better-than-average restorations saw mostly above-market prices,
while low-mile C4s also doing well was a surprise
Company
Mecum Auctions
Date
January 24–26, 2008
Location
Kissimmee, Florida
Auctioneers
Mike Hagerman, Mark &
Bobby Delzell
Corvettes sold / offered
100 / 156
Corvette sales rate
64%
Corvette sales total
$4,507,697
Corvette high sale
1953 Corvette roadster,
sold at $249,900
1969 427/435 convertible unsold at $62k
Report and photos by Chip Lamb
Market opinions in italics
O
nce tied to the NCRS January Winter Regional meet, Mecum's Kissimmee sale
was then a part of the festival of Corvettes in Old Town near Disney World.
Since the dissolution of Mecum's marriage with the NCRS in 2006, the size
and breadth of offerings at this sale have increased greatly, but the legacy of
Corvettes selling at Mecum in January has not dissipated.
With an auction running for three days and preview for two days prior, the outdoor
area surrounding the Silver Spurs Arena hummed with activity as transport trucks
rolled in and out alongside trailers brought
by smaller dealers and private consignors.
The threat of rain loomed as a large number
of consignments rolled through check-in on
Tuesday and Wednesday, and Wednesday
evening's downpour necessitated the marshalling
of pumping trucks to clear up the marshy
conditions that confronted many bidders and
sellers on Thursday morning.
The large number of vehicles combined
Mecum Orlando/Kissimmee
Corvette Sales Totals
with the torrential rains created some initial
confusion; many vehicles did not receive lot
numbers or car cards until after the sale had
begun, nor were they placed on the five-acre
grounds in any order relating to their run
sequence. In some cases, even some Saturday
“Star” cars arrived only minutes before being
72 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
$1m
$2m
$3m
$4m
$5m
$6m
$7m
$8m
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
lined up to cross the block.
Despite all this, bidding was frenetic, particularly
on Saturday, and the high sale ended up being a wellrestored
1953 Corvette, chassis number 112, for a reasonable
$249,900. Second among the Corvettes was a
silver '67 L71-equipped and Bloomington Gold-certified
convertible at $188,000. Possibly the restorer's dream
among more affordable lots was a Polo White 1957 with
a power top and a matching-numbers dual-quad 283
and 3-speed at $74,450—market and a little more for
its condition.
The trend most noticed at this sale was the upswing
in early C3s—particularly an unexpected surge in
small-block cars with better-than-average restorations
selling mostly above market. C4s were also up, showing
that these cars are starting to find their feet—especially
low-mileage, well-preserved examples.
This year's sale saw 441 cars selling for a final total
of just over $15m, with Corvettes making up $4.5m of
that number. Last year saw 453 cars bring over $20m,
with 'Vettes then accounting for $5.5m. This is one of
Mecum's biggest events of the year, and it dovetails well
with the company's Midwest successes at selling rare
muscle and high-quality Corvettes. ■
Buyer's premium
$300 on the first $5,499,
$500 from $5,500 to
$9,999, 5% thereafter
(included in sold prices)
Page 71
C1
TOP 10
#6
Best Buy #S109-1953 CHEVROLET
CORVETTE roadster. S/N E53F001112.
Polo White/black cloth/red vinyl.
Odo: 62,754 miles. 235-ci straight 6, 3x1bbl,
auto. Nicely executed example of a
1953 Corvette, paint and bodywork to a high
standard. Chrome and brightwork older but
well-preserved throughout. Beautiful interior
with correct seats, carpet and dashboard. Sill
plates scuffed from entry wear. Wide whitewall
tires yellowing. Incorrect chrome valve cover
and slightly brighter shade of blue on engine
detracts from overall correctness. Cond: 2.
fixing to be great. I'm not sure what the new
owner will do with this car, but the price was
about right. Fair for all parties.
#S185-1961 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 10867S107004. Roman Red
& white/white vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 56,370
miles. 283-ci 270-hp V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp.
Excellent panel gaps and paintwork, light uniform
ripply waviness down both sides. Correct
white convertible top nice, interior similarly
well-done except paint on dash shows excessive
orange peel. Chrome and brightwork immaculate,
engine bay done well but for missing
go up and down, but that's just the perfectionist
in me that also tells me to leave a car like this
a lot closer to stock. Well sold.
C2
#S124-1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 30867S115228. Riverside
Red/black vinyl, red hard top/red vinyl. Odo:
48,507 miles. 327-ci 360-hp fuel-injected V8,
4-sp. Fresh complete frame-off restoration of
low-miles original
fuelie shows uniformly,
including accessory hard top. Excellent gaps
and finish quality evident. Chrome redone,
brightwork original with light uniform scratching.
Interior redone to a high standard, light
wear to center console. Steering wheel redyed
in too bright a hue of red. Engine bay very well
SOLD AT $249,900. For the second time in
three months, a restored 1953 takes high-sale
honors at an East Coast auction. With only 300
produced and not that many left, how often will
we be able to make that claim? With the #1 car
at Worldwide's Hilton Head sale in November
'07 another $150,000 away (CM# 47636)
and a similar #1 car down the road in Tarpon
Springs in December '07 doing still $100,000
better than this one (CM# 47750), I guess that
for some light detailing and refreshing work
ahead, this was the best deal yet.
#S162-1957 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N E57S103241. Polo White
& Venetian Red/white vinyl/red vinyl. Odo:
30,974 miles. 283-ci 270-hp V8, 2x4-bbl,
3-sp. Early production 1957 'Vette. Multiple
chips and touch-ups, crack in left rear body
at exhaust hole. Original power-operated top
intact, driver's seat torn across the bottom,
original carpet faded. Dash still very good,
distributor cover and other small details hurting
entire presentation. Cond: 2. SOLD AT
$91,875. This car's consignor claimed it received
a 96.5 and a 98.7 at two NCRS meets
in 2006. Unless the trolls invaded one night
and did some sloppy touch-up work, removing
some parts in the process, I can't see these high
results being immediately repeatable. A nice
car, yes. A true Top-Flight car? Not anytime
soon. Well sold.
#S149-1961 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Custom convertible. S/N 10867S107270.
Tungsten Gray Metallic/black cloth/red leather.
Odo: 1,851 miles. 350-ci 330-hp V8, 4-bbl,
auto. Resto-mod with C4 suspension, brakes,
and steering. Well-executed apart from oddlooking
late model Mustang color. Body gaps
factory or better, but not to the same standards
as later resto-mod 'Vettes here. Small accessory
done while not being over-restored. Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $97,650. It's nice to see a uniformly
restored car of this kind in a shade of red they
used to write songs about (well, perhaps not
the Riverside part). It takes a little extra level
of determination to take on the restoration of a
fuelie and get it to this point. I spoke with the
underbidder, who actually had buyer's remorse
of the opposite kind, but he was just as happy
for the top bidder. Well done for both parties. A
nice car at a market-correct price.
#S64-1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 30867S120393. Ermine
White/white vinyl, white hard top/red vinyl.
Odo: 66,992 miles. 327-ci 340-hp V8, 4-bbl,
4-sp. Claimed to be a matching-numbers example.
Chrome and brightwork without major
flaws, 1963 spinner caps with correct size white
sidewall tires. Older interior redo shows use but
no lack of care. Weatherstripping original and
beginning to deteriorate in door jambs. Engine
bay nicely restored, but not overdone. Cond:
3+. SOLD AT $48,500. Last seen at Mecum's
door panels not too bad. Right side hood latch
sticking. Cond: 4+. SOLD AT $74,550. Last
seen at Silver's Reno sale in August '07, where
it didn't sell at $75,000 (CM# 46889). Dual
quads, original numbers-matching powertrain
with a 3-speed and a power top made for an
appealing car that would not take much careful
switches litter driver's door jamb and under
dash. Chrome and brightwork all excellent and
uniform in finish quality. Black cloth top and
red leather attractively done, small TV screens
and audio system stuff installed in sun visors
and console. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $90,300. I
was not too enamored of the sloppy mixed bag
of switches that made things turn on and off or
www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2008 Corvette Market 73
Page 72
Market
Report
Mecum Auctions
Kissimmee, FL
St. Charles sale in June '07, where it didn't sell
at $49,000 (CM# 45432). Matching numbers
or no, this was a deal compared to some other
drop-top 327/340s here, not to mention the
high prices paid for dubious coupes. I guess
I'm OK with some cars in white, and this was
one of them. Well bought under the radar, but
let's hope there's nothing lurking underneath.
#F118-1964 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 40867S105662. Riverside
Red/white vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 42,259
miles. 327-ci 250-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Hood
finish features excessive orange peel, sags,
dirt, and waviness not found to this degree in
the remainder of the finish. Panel fit excellent,
original bumpers refinished. Brightwork older,
chromed bits pitted. Interior redone with incorrect
pattern and material on seats, wood steering
it looked black under the shadowy tent, so I
had to look for this car a few times before I
ran across it. The gap issues were hopefully
marginal ones, and they seemed to have very
little effect on the sale price, which almost
touched that of similar convertibles at recent
sales. Slightly well sold, and the green interior
must have appealed to someone besides me.
#S221-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194676S123600. Marina
Blue/black vinyl/blue leather. Odo: 84,533
miles. 427-ci 390-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Claimed
body-on restoration shows a few blisters, swirl
marks, and polish scratches. Factory or slightlybetter
gaps, chrome slightly wavy as original
on bumpers, brightwork lightly overbuffed.
Newer black convertible top fits well. Blue
leather seats exquisite originals or NOS, rest of
AT $108,150. Whether the black hard top was
original to this car or not, the overall presentation
was stunning—sidepipes, knockoffs on
Goldlines, telescoping teak steering wheel,
and luscious black leather rounding out the
interior. The new owner certainly thought this
as well, since he bid it squarely into six digits,
no doubt pleasing the dealer consignor who
brought it. Well sold, but not badly bought for
an unusual piece.
#S156-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 194377S102684. Marina Blue &
black/blue vinyl. Odo: 43,410 miles. 427-ci
435-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Recent body-off
restoration shows spotting and prep issues
in right rear and along roof. Bumpers excellent,
brightwork likely original with minor
scratching and installation damage. Interior
near pristine with mild abrasions to console.
Teak steering wheel very nice. Engine bay
near pristine, California emissions look odd
wheel shows light wear. Engine bay detailed
with freshly-painted small-block showing light
rust on exhaust manifolds. Cond: 2-. SOLD
AT $37,275. The low-horsepower Corvette for
1964 reflects what many consider to be the low
point for the C2 body, and all this needed to
be bargain basement was a fixed roof. Not a
bad car, but obviously not restored to concours
standards. At least it hadn't been made into a
thumping big-block car. A fair deal for both
buyer and seller.
#S105-1965 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 194375S109705. Glen Green/
green vinyl. Odo: 11,255 miles. 327-ci 350hp
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Above-average paint and
body restoration still has issues. Driver's door
gap wide at A-pillar, small blisters under paint
visible in the same spot. Passenger door and
remaining gaps to factory specs. Cowl vents
slightly askew. Bumpers well-chromed, other
brightwork original. High-quality interior
restoration, engine bay well turned out with
only slight detailing issues. Cond: 2. SOLD
AT $61,950. Glen Green is almost black, and
interior very presentable overall, down to correct
wood steering wheel for 1966. Nicely restored
engine compartment, incorrect battery. Cond:
2. SOLD AT $80,000. Since the C2's battery is
hidden down under the fender, some folks think
nobody sees it. A few points go to those who use
AC/Delco modern batteries, but this one was a
bit of an eyesore. Overall this car presented well
and sold a little below the current market for a
high-output 4-barrel big-block car—especially
one with matching numbers.
#S134-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194676S114040. Tuxedo
Black/black vinyl & hard tops/black leather.
Odo: 30,013 miles. 327-ci 350-hp V8, 4-bbl,
4-sp. Even and deep black respray shows
evidence of old gouges in small areas. Chrome
and brightwork excellent, aside from scuffed
trim on accessory hard top. Paint quality on the
hard top also not uniform to the body, leading
one to suspect it has not been with this claimed
low-miles car the entire time. Interior near
perfect throughout, new leather just a little too
smooth. Engine bay correctly restored with
little to fault. Factory a/c. Cond: 2+. SOLD
on freshly-rebuilt L71. Bloomington Gold
certified, NCRS Top Flight winner. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $136,500. Last seen at Mecum's St.
Charles sale in June '07, where it didn't sell
at $115,000 (CM# 45586). Despite having a
brand-new L71, F41 suspension, and some
recent NCRS history, the paint flaws should
have kept this car's price down quite a bit. It
did look good going across the block with the
auction employees milling around the car, so
with any luck, the high bidder knew about the
glaring finish issues and didn't get a surprise a
few minutes later.
#S211-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194677S108603. Rally Red
& white/white vinyl/red leather. Odo: 35,789
miles. 427-ci 435-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Fresh
restoration shows numerous small flaws, including
hood gap width issues left to right, edge flaws
in paintwork, and sloppy door jambs with lessthan-perfect
touch-ups. Chrome and brightwork
above average and in line with restoration.
Nice reproduction convertible top shows well,
red leather a bit wrinkled on the seats. Teak
wheel, dash and console well-presented. Engine
bay restoration appears older, with older hoses
and some light plating issues from use evident.
Cond: 2. SOLD AT $135,450. An above-average
restoration on a mid-year car, most of which
when restored wear incredibly overdone paint
and bodywork. A rare car given the leather and
L71 engine, but it was also one of the nicest
driver examples in a hot color at a relatively
74 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Page 73
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Page 74
Market
Report
Mecum Auctions
Kissimmee, FL
affordable price. I like that kind of combination,
and apparently both the buyer and seller
could agree on a price that got this one sold in
a sea of 'Vettes. Well done.
TOP 10
#10
#S135-1967 CHEVROLET
CORVETTE
convertible. S/N
194677S116355. Silver Pearl & black/
white vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 48,615 miles.
427-ci 435-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Two NCRS
Top Flight awards, Bloomington Gold recipient.
Incredibly high-quality body and paint, windshield
rubber siliconed too much with excess not
trimmed. Rechromed original bumpers slightly
wavier than new. Brightwork around windshield
detailed to local car show standards, chrome
dress-up items underhood a bit much. Cond:
2. SOLD AT $54,600. This appeared to be a
mostly original car with one repaint. I know a
guy who did a '69 427/435 in the same colors
some years ago, and he can attest to how big a
project it is when done right. I have a soft spot
for preserved cars, but the price realized here
seemed to have gone a bit beyond someone
else's soft spot. Well sold.
lightly dinged and shows minor installation damage.
Hole in fender from antenna mount. Interior
well-restored, white top appears older. Engine
bay very correctly done without being overdone,
transistorized ignition present. Cond: 2+. SOLD
AT $197,400. First seen at Mecum's St. Charles
sale in June '07, where it didn't sell at $180,000
(CM# 45595). Seen again at Mecum St. Charles
in October '07, where it didn't sell at $170,000
(CM# 47057). While it appeared to have been
done well at one time, the price this car commanded
was for a fresh restoration—something
this car was absolutely not. Well sold.
C3
#S180-1968 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194678S412550. British
Green/black vinyl/black leather. Odo: 39,764
miles. 427-ci 435-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Older
repaint done to a high standard, except thick
jamb masking lines poorly hidden from view.
Gaps factory or better, with mild cracking at
corners under paint. Excellent original interior
shows light entry wear, console flaws similar.
Chrome and
brightwork
likewise
original
and above average, front emblem appears to
have had some paint buffed off. Engine bay
76 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
#S34-1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194679S712410. Can Am
White/black vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 69,746
miles. 427-ci 390-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Heavyish
white repaint looks to have been done with
body on. Less-than-perfect masking lines in
jambs, overspray on fasteners, non-uniform
orange peel gives a wavy look on flat surfaces.
Luggage rack on rear deck looks incorrect or
at least a bit much. Top well done, brightwork
original except for chrome bumpers. Interior
pristine apart from wear to redyed console and
aftermarket radio. Engine bay tidy, but an overabundance
of chrome dress-up items seems
excessive. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $39,375. An
amateurish restoration here. Although many
catalog parts were used in this effort, the
bodywork anywhere. Brightwork and chrome
pitted, interior in very good shape though seat
edges wavy. Engine bay appears to have been
underwater, undercarriage similar. Cond: 3-.
SOLD AT $72,450. Enormous cubic dollars
for barn-find condition cars usually requires
that the barn have a few more boards intact
than the one this jalopy got dragged out of.
While it was an LT-1 and was all there, the full
restoration this is going to need is not going
to improve its value over what was paid here,
so the new owner could already be said to be
underwater—just like the engine could well
have been. Well sold.
#S68-1970 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 194370S403916. Red/red leather.
Odo: 42,877 miles. 454-ci 390-hp V8, 4-bbl,
auto. Claimed original body completely restored
within the last year, gap issues between
doors and front clip, wiper cover off-kilter.
Paint very good aside from edge and jamb prep
work. Original and restored brightwork present.
Red leather kit nice, console slightly worn and
paint and bodywork brought this car down to
driver and local cruise-in night quality. Money
spent does not always correlate to the quality
of the work performed, and this car was the
poster child for calling a professional in on a
car you intend to sell after the restoration is
completed.
#S114-1970 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194670S405774. Laguna
Gray/black vinyl/black vinyl & cloth. Odo:
9,179 miles. 350-ci 370-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp.
Claimed all original except for front brake
calipers, this LT-1's original paint appears
heavily checked, pitted, mottled, and chipped
throughout. Finish on passenger door flaking
off in small bits. No evidence of retouching or
cracked. Steel rims, cheap Kelly whitewalls,
P02 deluxe wheel covers. Clean engine compartment
brought down by chrome alternator
and non-original valve covers. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $32,550. Despite factory a/c and
some nice leather, there wasn't enough going
for this car to command the price realized.
There are some body adjustments and paint
corrections to be made before the new owner
is back in the black, and even then it might take
a while.
#S32-1971 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194671S106530. Sunflower
Yellow/white vinyl & yellow hard top/tan
vinyl. Odo: 37,994 miles. 350-ci 330-hp V8,
4-bbl, 4-sp. Older yellow repaint to less than
a sympathetic preservation standard. Possible
collision repair evident, body gaps only marginal.
Troubling white overspray behind windshield
on A-pillar trim. Original chrome and
Page 75
brightwork present but wavy in places. Interior
appears all original and dry. LT-1 engine bay
clean but to driver standards only. Claimed
matching numbers and actual miles. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $47,513. Another look at a lowmiles,
mostly original LT-1 with a late 1970s
used-car treatment. Looking at a low-miles car
such as this one in a condition such as this, it's
hard not to wonder why it was taken off the
road and stored, since it was far from well-preserved
and did not display damage from poor
storage. Well sold.
#S27-1971 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194671S116284. War Bonnet
Yellow/black vinyl/black leather. Odo: 86,875
miles. 454-ci 365-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Complete
recent restoration
to an unusual color car.
Paint and bodywork done to a high standard,
front door jambs near to factory original finish.
Weatherstripping
mostly original and
dry. Chrome redone, brightwork original and
worn. Engine bay sports clean “CE” warranty
block from early-on replacement. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $23,625. First seen at Mecum's St.
Charles sale in October '07, where it didn't sell
at $21,000 (CM# 47102). Later seen again at
Mecum's Kansas City sale in December '07,
where it didn't sell at $24,000 (CM# 47867).
The story went that the original owner's child
took this out and blew up the original LT-1,
requiring a warranty replacement from GM.
The price paid was a reflection of the fact that
this was once an attractive LT-1 convertible
and might be again. Well sold.
#F52-1971 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194671S106121. War Bonnet
Yellow/black vinyl/black leather. Odo: 66,900
miles. 350-ci 270-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Older
respray shows lack of prep work, orange peel
most noticeable in rear deck. Door jambs have
peeling paint. Chrome redone, brightwork
well-preserved original. Newer black vinyl top
fits well if a little tight at header bow. Leather
interior new and perfect, console OK, door
panels show an orange tinge as though from
Corvette-sourced 454 big-block engine detailed
well, but a puddle of fuel on the intake beneath
the carburetor inlet is large and scary. Cond:
2-. SOLD AT $25,988. Even though there were
over 700 cars on the entire field this weekend, I
did not see a fire truck anywhere, merely a host
of A-B-C fire extinguishers scattered around.
While I'm sure that's what insurance dictated,
it would have been easy for this guy to tighten
up the big inlet filter nut on his Quadrajet or
figure out where else all that fuel was coming
from. I guess the fireball was averted, and
apart from this, it appeared to be a nice driver
plastic-bumper 'Vette—but it was subjective in
terms of taste.
#F193-1973 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 1Z37T3S412431. Blue-Green
Metallic/tan vinyl. Odo: 4,867 miles. 350-ci
250-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Light overspray on
window sweep trim and T-top latch. Sags and
scratches appear under paint, most notably on
tops. Chrome bumpers and brightwork appear
original. Interior well-preserved, console shows
some wear around climate controls. Engine
lightly scuffed from polishing. Nice replacement
black convertible top fits well. Leather
seats well-preserved, console shows light wear.
Well-detailed engine bay, factory a/c compressor
replaced with modern unit. Cond: 2. SOLD
AT $45,150. With factory a/c, ps, tilt/telescopic
column, black leather, Posi rear, and an unusual
original period color, this car's overall
uniformity and preservation appealed to me. It
broke the bank a little bit for its condition, but
it appeared to have been prepared all at once
and not in short jolts. Well bought and sold.
#F212-1971 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194671S115378. LeMans
Blue/white vinyl/blue vinyl. Odo: 74,013 miles.
350-ci 330-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Older paint to
reasonable quality with some bubbling and
surface contamination. Body gaps acceptable,
wiper cover stuck up. Chrome and brightwork
older, bumpers original. Interior older, piping
on seats wavy. Door panel and A-pillar trim
cracked in numerous places, console lightly
another car. Engine bay clean, with chrome
dress-up items to match chrome rims, but
distributor
cover
is conspicuously
absent.
Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $27,825. This looked like
someone's credit card project that just never
got done the way he wanted due to lack of
funds at the end of each stage. The aftermarket
mags did not help this car's looks, but a return
to stock is usually a return on your investment,
so for the money spent there's some upside here
if the numbers are found to be matching.
#S31-1973 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 1Z37T3S408748. Sunset Orange
Metallic/black vinyl. Odo: 46,729 miles. 454ci
390-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Paint and bodywork
completed to a high standard, panel gaps
factory or better. Chrome nice, brightwork
uniform. Driver's seat very wrinkled, interior
appears all original and well-preserved. 1970
bay clean but not detailed near to show-quality
condition. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $18,900. A fair
price for a better-than-average condition driver.
Power was not the prevailing consideration
here, and for under $20k, this has some upside
if the overspray and preparation blemishes are
dealt with while enjoying. A more-than-fair
price, but nobody got hurt here.
Silver
#F40.1-1978 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Anniversary coupe. S/N
1Z87L8S408202. Silver & gray/white leather.
Odo: 59,036 miles. 350-ci 185-hp V8, 4-bbl,
auto. Front clip areas resprayed, apparently
some original paint survives. Front clip to door
gaps wide, other gaps OK. Original leather
shows light wear, white carpet ratty, discolored,
and separating from console. Engine
detailed in used car lot fashion, accessories
look original and show their age. Cond: 2-.
www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2008 Corvette Market 77
Page 76
Market
Report
Mecum Auctions
Kissimmee, FL
SOLD AT $11,288. Likely a low-miles original
car with light paint touch-ups and an interior
that wouldn't take much to spruce back up, this
early Friday lot was a nice buy at this price.
#T182-1978 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Indy Pace
Car
Edition coupe. S/N
1Z8748S903826. Silver & black/mirror glass/
silver leather & cloth. Odo: 9,999 miles. 350ci
220-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Original pace car
replica with decals applied. Possibly spot-repainted,
with finish wavy in places and showing
non-uniform orange peel. Original interior
nearly pristine, with minor dryness to leather
with little effort. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $17,588.
I liked this creamy off-white Vette. Despite its
abysmal power output, it exuded presence beyond
that of many far pricier examples at this
sale. The only question was why a car with such
a perfect interior had had a repaint carried out.
Aside from terrible original GM finish quality,
it showed no signs of accident repairs. Nicely
bought and definitely ripe for appreciation in
the future if preserved.
#F30.1-1982 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 1G1AY878XC5118208. Tuxedo
Black/mirror glass/tan leather. Odo: 7,105
miles. 350-ci 200-hp fuel-injected V8, auto.
Older black paint possibly largely original,
with multiple touch-ups evident. Front clip
shows evidence of damage to left front with
average quality repairs. Excellent gaps, doors
shut well. Interior above average, seats intact
than a used car at the beginning of Saturday's
run list. The front bumper issues were obvious
from any distance, and the other cosmetic flaws
led me to believe that this was a snowbird's car
driven a few winters in some salt paradise like
Ohio or Michigan before making its way to
Florida. If the cosmetics were a priority, there
was almost no upside here. Well sold.
#S164-1995 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 1G1YY32P2S5101305.
Dark Purple Metallic/black cloth, purple hard
top/light gray leather. Odo: 1,728 miles. 350-ci
300-hp fuel-injected V8, 6-sp. Absolutely asnew
condition inside and out, aside from light
polishing marks and lightly-wrinkled driver's
seat. Matching purple hard top elegant and a
and slight entry wear. Original AM/FM/CB
radio a nice touch. Engine compartment clean
but undetailed, apart from being intact. Cond:
2. SOLD AT $21,000. Two of these showed up
at this sale, this car and another with around
3,700 miles and an automatic transmission (lot
F163, sold at $30,450). This car had a little
more wear, but with the rarer 4-speed manual
transmission, this was hands-down the one
to own. Not a bad price, but a little detailing
would make it collection-ready.
#F186-1981 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 1G1AY8761BS416046. Frost
Beige/mirror glass/dark red leather. Odo: 26,372
miles. 350-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Older repaint in
original color evident in very light overspray
and masking lines. Factory gaps. Original
leather interior in unbelievably as-new condition
throughout. Engine compartment original
down to wax crayon numbers on innerside of
the hood. Factory anodized mag rims still shine
but dry, front carpet replaced, rear compartment
covering faded. Engine bay clean and appears
well-maintained. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $9,500.
The factory alarm key cover on the left front had
a small tag that read “Bloomington Corvette
Corral 1983.” I thought that said more about
this car's history than anything else. Assuming
it was put there then, it attests to its enthusiast
ownership. Cheap fun, well bought.
C4
#S9-1991 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 1G1YY2383M5104184. Bright
Red/tan leather. Odo: 55,738 miles. 350-ci
250-hp fuel-injected V8, auto. Original paint
mostly decent, front bumper and air dam have
lost most of their clearcoat. Black trim shows
abrasions around front of removable targa
top, anodizing on alloys beginning to crust.
Original interior shows light entry wear but
is generally well-preserved. Engine bay completely
undetailed. EFI ECU shows AC/Delco
tag and appears to have been replaced recently.
Cond: 3. SOLD AT $10,000. Nothing more
nice touch on the car during the preview. Cond:
1-. SOLD AT $29,925. I thought this was a
pretty good value for an as-new demonstration-miles
1995 C4 in an unusual color. I'm not
amazed that it was cut loose at this price, but I
was a little surprised that someone who lost out
on some far more expensive older 'Vettes didn't
give this car a few more bids. Well bought, as
they're only new once.
#S140-1996 CHEVROLET
CORVETTE Grand Sport convertible.
S/N 1G1YY3257T5600696. Admiral Blue
& white/white vinyl/black leather. Odo: 629
miles. 350-ci 330-hp fuel-injected LT4 V8, 6sp.
An as-new original car. GM-typical orange
peel in the finish atrocious for new production,
especially on this supercar. Top slightly dry
and wrinkled, leather shows slight entry wear
from display. Engine compartment appears
as-new with no pitting or damage. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $63,000. Both this car and another
with ten times the mileage and a red interior
brought bids of $60,000, but only this one was
cut loose. Surely that was enough for the other
one, too. For nearly the price of a new C6 that
will have plenty more power and far fewer
gremlins from storage, here's your “new” C4,
sir. Best of luck. Slightly well sold. ■
78 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Page 78
Market
Report
Global Roundup
Corvettes at other auctions
32 Corvettes From Around
the World, $1.2m in Sales
Reports and photos by B. Mitchell Carlson, Chip Lamb, Dave Kinney,
Donald Osborne, and Phil Skinner
Market opinions in italics
T
he first months of 2008 saw Corvette Market's analysts in the field as usual, watching
Corvettes cross the block from Hawaii to Paris, including a healthy group at the annual
Arizona auctions.
C1s again held their own in the market, as evidenced by the $264,000 sale of a slightly
worn but still well restored 1953 roadster at RM's Phoenix auction in January. Down the
road at Gooding & Company's first-ever Scottsdale sale, a 1954 roadster in red sold at
$99,000.
Location was an important factor in C2 sales, and as expected, prices were much more
reasonable in places where more cars were available. At Rétromobile in Paris, Bonhams
sold a 1965 327/350 convertible in #4+ condition for an amazing and unrepeatable $70,035,
while a 1967 with the same horsepower engine and a complete restoration brought $72,360
at Auctions America's Raleigh Classic in North Carolina.
Small-block chrome-bumper C3s in driver condition brought reasonable money, in-
cluding a 1972 350/200 convertible at Silver's Fountain Hills sale at $23,220 and a 1969
350/350 custom convertible at $19,163. A 1969 427/390 coupe in better overall condition did
$27,560 at ICA's Gilbert sale, while Silver sold a 1968 327/300 convertible in #1- condition
at $62,100—very strong money for a base-model car.
Some slight increases were evident in later C3s, including a '75 350/165 convertible in
driver condition that sold at $20,213 at Mecum's Kansas City sale in December. Low miles
and rare options helped significantly here, while used cars with visible wear still hovered
around the $10k mark almost everywhere. C4s saw the same trend, with a 1985 bringing
$10,044 and a 1988 35th Anniversary coupe selling for $11,880 at Silver's Fountain Hills
sale.
These numbers show the Corvette market still to be strong on a worldwide level, with
respectable numbers being attained before nearly every drop of the hammer on America's
favorite sports car.
C1
TOP 10
#5
#182-1953 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
roadster. S/N E53F001268. Polo
White/red vinyl. Odo: 45,764 miles.
235-ci straight 6, 3x1-bbl, auto. Panel fit and
gaps far better than when new. Very good paint
shows some light scars next to top latches. Nice
interior fit, excellent stitching, great fit to the
seats. Very clean underhood and not overdone.
Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $264,000. Not a bargain,
but certainly not overpriced in today's market.
Let's just settle on well bought and sold. It
situation reminded me of those who want a
Model A Ford but have never tried to drive
one. I tell them to go sit behind the wheel, but
most don't even get to that point, since the
gearshift hits them in the knee and the steering
wheel gets them in the gut and/or legs. While
Ford made most Model As that way, Chevy did
not go that far with the 'Vette, but there were
evidently no short bidders willing to pay overthe-top
money for this worked-over example.
Auctions America, Raleigh, NC, 12/07.
seems as if nobody still living remembers how
bad the quality was on these first year 'Vettes,
as just about every single one I've seen has
been “fixed” to better than new. RM Auctions,
Phoenix, AZ, 1/08.
Best Buy #37-1954 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
roadster. S/N E54S002292. Red/beige canvas/red
vinyl. Odo: 7,546 miles. 235-ci 150-hp
straight 6, 3x1-bbl, auto. Panel fit as good as or
better than factory. Very good paint shows light
polish marks throughout, excellent chrome and
interior fittings. Engine compartment detailed
#75-1958 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N J58S101611. Red & white/
black vinyl. Odo: 96,591 miles. 350-ci V8,
2x4-bbl, 4-sp. Non-original engine claimed to
pump out 465 unsubstantiated horses, non-1958
hood with no simulated louvers, incorrect paint
but still slightly dirty. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT
$99,000. A very well-done second-year 'Vette
with lots of eye appeal. Since no one actually
buys these to drive, it should stay in this
condition for quite a while. Well bought at a
below-market price. Gooding & Company,
Scottsdale, AZ, 1/08.
#382-1956 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N E56S001931. Light blue
& gray/white vinyl/white vinyl. Odo: 267
miles. 265-ci 225-hp V8, 2x4-bbl, 3-sp. Tenfooter
restoration throughout. Beautiful paint
with numerous gap, fit, and latch issues. Seat
mountings moved severely
forward,
with
neither seat fitting correctly within the rear
body. Overly wavy bumpers detract but other
brightwork seems to have been well executed.
Interior otherwise appears OK aside from dirty
seats. Cond: 2-. NOT SOLD AT $92,500. This
pattern in coves, atypical shade of red. Decent
repaint on wavy body with some bonding strip
broadcasting. Good door and panel fit, scuffed
Plexiglas on hard top. Replated bumpers and
rear trim, most other trim reproduction replacement.
Aluminum cylinder heads, aftermarket
80 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Page 79
dual quad induction. Older Al Knoch interior
starting to show some wear. Cond: 3-. SOLD
AT $43,200. The consignor claimed that this
was “frame-up restored” within the last eight
years, but it looked like they only restored what
was on top of the frame. This was about a cheap
as running solid-axles get—as long as you don't
mind driving a 20-footer. It had no problem
going past the $38k reserve, so it was a good
enough deal for both parties, but not by much.
Silver Auctions, Fountain Hills, AZ, 1/08.
#539-1959 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N J59S108062. Roman Red
& white/white vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 49,554
miles. 283-ci 230-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Heavily
reworked body with most factory waves and
bonding strips filled in. Sanded-out door jambs
and door sides, good hood and trunk gaps,
door gaps OK with slightly wide fit. All newer
weatherstripping applied after repaint. Replated
bumpers, new emblems, buffed stainless trim.
Replacement top with moderate wrinkling. No
wiper arms attached, mounting studs fitted with
chrome covers. New brake hoses and sway bar
hardware fitted to clean chassis. Older repop
interior bland from wear. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT
$65,880. I'd say this was the best condition
solid-axle 'Vette out here this weekend, but
not by much. It also brought the biggest money
for a Corvette, and although a couple of C3s
were just behind it in price, this one out-paced
the other C1s. A market price, if just a little
bit below the other venues—and you could certainly
do worse for this kind of money. Silver
Auctions, Fountain Hills, AZ, 1/08.
#99-1960 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 00867S100295. Roman Red
& white/white vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 78,589
miles. 283-ci 230-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Original
texture to door jambs, door edges, wheelwells,
and hood well. Better quality repaint thickly
done on underside of hood. Decent door and
panel gaps, VIN tag reattached to body after
repaint with consumer-grade pop rivets. Some
reproduction trim, older replated bumpers have
light scuffing. Engine compartment redone in
Sports Car Market
Keith Martin's
The Insider's Guide to Collecting, Investing, Values, and Trends
“Sports Car Market magazine is the
Cigar Aficionado for collectible cars.”
— Robert Lutz, President of GM North America, SCM subscriber since 1995
gloss black and orange. Rear axle strap broken
and dangling from its mount, rest of chassis
looks crusty. Inside door panels don't fit
squarely. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $42,660. When
the bidding hit $39k, things nearly came to a
halt, then the consignor cut the reserve loose,
and it brought one more bid to sell. “Cosmetic
restoration” here meant the mechanical stuff
that matters wasn't touched. Still,
this did
seem to run out pretty well, so I'll say it was
well bought for a driver that can be easily improved.
This was also part of a trend of solid
axles that sold for less than expected, so either
the lesser grade C1s are dropping back down,
or the trunk-backs in general are getting soft.
Silver Auctions, Fountain Hills, AZ, 1/08.
#275-1962 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 20867S104971. Roman Red/
white vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 38,488 miles.
327-ci 250-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Older repaint
Special Introductory Offer
One year of Sports Car Market plus
our 130-page Collector Car Price Guide, just $58.
www.sportscarmarket.com
www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2008 Corvette Market 81
Page 80
Market
Report
Global Roundup
Corvettes at other auctions
over a somewhat worked-out body with almost
no body weave and faint signs of bonding strip
burn-through. Older replacement emblems and
bumper replating, lightly polished trim, newer
replacement soft top with almost no scratches
in back light. Older engine cosmetics, undercarriage
mostly original and quite corroded.
Older replacement seat vinyl and original door
panels presentable, carpeting somewhat faded
atop transmission tunnel. Cond: 3. SOLD
AT $62,100. Since '62s are generally quite
coveted, as both the last year of the solid axle
and the first year of the 327 motor, even a minimally-equipped
Powerslide variant like
this
will typically do well across the block. While
it had lots of eyeball from even the front row of
the bidders' seats, it was still a driver-quality
example. The reserve was lifted at $55k, and it
didn't have much of a problem getting to this
final bid. In the realm of being market priced.
Silver Auctions, Fountain Hills, AZ, 1/08.
#104-1962 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 20867S105338. Red/white
vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 73,197 km. 327-ci
360-hp fuel-injected V8, 4-sp. Decent panel
fit as per factory. Good paint is a bit dull and
shows a few touched-in chips and polish swirl
marks. Good chrome and trim. Clean interior
has a somewhat strange faded yellow carpet
and pitting on steering wheel boss. Cond: 3+.
4-sp. Non-authentic two-tone paint colors,
some of the original chrome and trim was heavily
buffed before replating. Panel alignment
shows issues and has undergone some amateur
repairs. Interior shows minor pitting to chrome,
seat materials done on a budget. Original ps and
pb, upgraded cooling system and radio. Listed
as a 350-hp car. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $42,660.
Straight-axle Corvettes continue to be one of
the hottest segments, and in many cases prices
are right up there with mid-years of the same
condition. While purists may cringe at a car
like this, it had a certain amount of eye appeal
and would look great traveling up to the North
Shore on H2. Well bought and sold. Kruse
International, Honolulu, HI, 2/08.
C2
#S18-1964 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Grand Sport Replica coupe. S/N
40837S115751. Dark blue metallic & white/
black vinyl. Odo: 54,435 miles. 350-ci V8,
4-bbl, 4-sp. Missouri DMV-assigned VIN
matches original, factory tag removed. Good
quality candy-type metallic repaint with rally
stripe and red hash stripes over left front wheel.
Some masking issues evident,
especially
around dried vent window rubber. Older rechromed
bumpers, some original trim, modern
leather. Odo: 40,576 miles. 327-ci 300-hp V8,
4-bbl, 4-sp. The 172nd coupe made for '64.
Older repaint with custom pinstripes. Slight
crack starting at rear inboard corner of driver's
side headlight opening. Rechromed bumpers,
replaced easily removable trim and emblems.
Blah, dirty, and greasy undercarriage with older
stock-style exhaust system. Heavier rippling
of original seat leather, original carpeting fits
poorly along console sides, heavily worn center
console pad. Hurst shifter, factory AM/FM
radio, modern CD player under glovebox door.
Cond: 3. SOLD AT $36,720. There wasn't a
stock maroon in 1964, so buffing out someone
else's interpretation of body enhancement won't
get you a stock car. Despite that, this was still
a pretty good driver, and if someone really
doesn't like the paint, it can be redone without
getting too far into the car. Bought well as a
driver. Silver Auctions, Fountain Hills, AZ,
1/08.#157-1965 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194675S112397. Nassau Blue/
black canvas/black vinyl. Odo: 9,123 miles.
327-ci 350-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Variable panel fit
past factory tolerances. Shiny paint shows prep
issues and a few small chips. Fenders flared to
clear big tires. Sidepipes, good chrome. Interior
SOLD AT $91,713. Ex-Rosso Bianco collection.
The most potent spec '62 'Vette with
mechanical fuel injection. A typical museum
car: good looking from a distance, tired and
soft around the edges up close. Even if it can
be mechanically recommissioned easily, this
was still a pretty rich price considering the
light cosmetic work needed. Bonhams, Paris,
FRA, 2/08.
#719-1962 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 20867S103249. Teal w/white
coves/White canvas/white w/teal piping vinyl.
Odo: 10,815 miles. 327-ci 350-hp V8, 4-bbl,
82 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
made-up Grand Sport emblems. Billet valve
covers, aluminum intake with Holley carb, billet
oval air cleaner, aftermarket ignition system
and fan. Interior has general patina from use.
Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $29,138. It's hard to get
excited about this rolling example of how not
to buy a C2. Granted, someone now has an
ersatz track play toy, and others would say that
it's just a '64. However, if you can't come up
with more than a dozen reasons not to turn tail
and run, you need the lifetime subscription to
CM... or you're a masochist with deep pockets
and a need to lose money. Well sold. Mecum
Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 12/07
Best Buy #536-1964 CHEVRO LET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 40837S100544. Maroon/black
has wavy trim on seat tops and wear on center
console. Hard top included. Fitted with 235 series
tires to front, 255s at rear. Cond: 4+. SOLD
AT $70,035. Replacement engine, “custom”
sidepipes, big tires, and flared fenders made this
a sort of Euro wet dream Corvette. A bit scary,
actually, and the price paid was quite generous.
Unrepeatable in the U.S. Bonhams, Paris,
FRA, 2/08.
#380-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 194377S119745. Rally Red/black
leather. Odo: 70,333 miles. 327-ci 350-hp V8,
4-bbl, 4-sp. 15-year old restoration holding
Page 81
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Page 82
Market
Report
Global Roundup
Corvettes at other auctions
car. The only fault here was that the typical
'68 first-year issues had been fixed and glossed
over. It had a few bids that went past its $55k
reserve, with a strong following of bidders
up to that point. Not cheap, but bought well.
Silver Auctions, Fountain Hills, AZ, 1/08.
up better than most. Panel gaps not overdone,
but still factory or better with very slight
misalignments. A few small blisters evident
underneath paint. Wood steering wheel and
faultless leather seats likely appear as when
car was restored. Engine bay requires minor
detail work before hitting the the show circuit.
Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $72,360. The attentive
seller brought chairs, trophies, and info sheets
as if he were going to a regional car show, not
an auction. His enthusiasm was infectious,
and for a small-block '67 Vette coupe with a
non-original motor, this was an outstanding
price due in part to his dedication in helping
the car get sold. Well done for him, yet still not
too terrible for the buyer. Auctions America,
Raleigh, NC, 12/07.
C3
#129-1968 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible.
S/N
194678S413320.
International Blue/white vinyl/blue vinyl. Odo:
58,292 miles. 327-ci 300-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto.
Entry level 327, a/c, ps, pb, pw, AM/FM radio.
Mileage claimed correct, over $100k spent
on full restoration. On display at the AACA
Museum in Hershey since the restoration was
completed. Better-than-stock body and paint,
fresh, slightly rippled bumper chrome. Lower
edge of windshield starting
to delaminate.
Fresh and clean underhood. All new interior
#S183-1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194679S737593. Red/black
vinyl/tan vinyl. Odo: 19,150 miles. 350-ci 350hp
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Big-block-style hood, Cragar
S/S mags. Fresh repaint done to an acceptable
standard but hardly to show specs. Serviceable
original chrome, older engine clean-up now
obscured by coolant leak dripping on fan. Good
older top with limited wear. Aftermarket items
fitted inside the car include Hurst shifter and
'70s vintage AM/FM/8-track in-dash stereo.
involve some work and materials. The reserve
was dropped when the bidding stopped, and
the car found a new owner at a decent price.
ICA, Gilbert, AZ, 1/08.
#362-1972 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 1Z67K2S525336. Yellow/
black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 42,872 miles.
350-ci 200-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. 2006 Washington
State rebuilt/salvage inspection approval sticker
under driver's side door latch. Arizona title,
mileage claimed correct. Better-than-stock
body prep and paint, most rubber replaced,
door seals at inner rear edge missing. Replated
bumpers, mostly replaced trim. Clean engine
compartment and motor, Flowmaster exhaust.
The rest of the interior is original and shows
38 years of moderate use. Cond: 4+. SOLD AT
$19,163. Even with the coolant leaking issue,
this had no problems exceeding the consigning
dealer's $17,500 reserve. Without any drivability
issues, this bid would've been about right, so
I hope that either the buyer knows Corvettes and
knows what he's getting into, or someone may
be in for a bit of a surprise. Mecum Auctions,
Kansas City, MO, 12/07
#66-1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 194379S724466. Cortez Silver/
black vinyl. Odo: 63,996 miles. 427-ci 390-hp
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Mortal remains of tank sticker
displayed in a plastic slip. Heavier body prep
before high-quality repaint. Rechromed
bumpers and replacement emblems, typical
C3 door gaps wider at top than bottom on
both sides. All new weatherstrips except for
original windshield seal. Engine shows older
Replacement door panels don't sit far enough
forward. Reproduction seat coverings, dashpad,
and carpet acceptably installed. Cond: 3. SOLD
AT $23,220. Washington is one of those states
that doesn't care much for cars that have been
restored, as they generally have to be bonded
and inspected if the VIN tag has been lifted. That
was the case here, but it didn't faze the Arizona
DOT. Neither did it faze the bidders, who not
only got it past the $18k reserve, but were
joined by two more bidders once that number
was passed. A decent price for a driver-quality
chrome-bumper drop-top C3. Silver Auctions,
Fountain Hills, AZ, 1/08.
#850-1974 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 1Z67J4S428398. Brown/tan
leather. Odo: 66,456 miles. 350-ci 195-hp
V8, 4-bbl, auto. No issues with paint, one
unusual tear in the hood, good brightwork for
what little of it is present. Interior might just
be all original, with lots of even wear noted.
Aftermarket fuel filler lid, wheels, and steering
wheel. Clean underhood, with lots of aftermarket
parts added. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $17,280.
Last seen at eBay/Kruse's Sunrise, FL, sale
in March '02, where it didn't sell at $10,000
(CM# 26623). This car brought more money
than I expected, as it didn't have a whole lot to
upholstery, door panels, and carpet. A-pillar
has some overspray from when the pillar trim
was redyed, discernible only when viewing the
VIN tag. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $62,100. Last
seen at Carlisle's Corvette auction in August
'07, where it didn't sell at $55,000 (CM#
46607). For a base level convertible, even
in this condition, this was very strong money
indeed. Then again, this was a no-excuses
84 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
restoration, mostly matte black undercarriage.
Well-restored interior with replacement seat
upholstery, carpets, and dashpad. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $27,560. While this car presented
well and was restored to a high level, it had
since been used a bit and was starting to lose
some of its sparkle. It wouldn't take much to get
it back to show condition, but that would still
Page 83
visually recommend it. While some of the more
expensive Corvettes have trended downward in
value of late, it seems that some of the lowerpriced
cars have drifted upwards. Interesting
dichotomy, eh? Kruse International, Ft.
Lauderdale, FL, 1/08.
#S127-1975 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 1Z67J5S408424. Bright
green metallic/black vinyl/black deluxe
leather. Odo: 746 miles. 350-ci 165-hp V8,
4-bbl, auto. C60 a/c, A50 rear window defogger,
A31 power windows, U58 AM/FM radio,
N37 tilt/telescopic column, and V05 dual
horns. Average quality older repaint. Driver's
door sits slightly low, somewhat recent engine
repaint and cosmetic detailing under the hood.
Well-preserved original interior, although the
In the current market, this seems to be a poster
child for a typical 1977. Mecum Auctions,
Kansas City, MO, 12/07
#S117-1977 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 1Z23L7S446751. Light blue metallic/gray
leather. Odo: 75,709 miles. 350-ci
180-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Fitted with ps, pb,
leather seats, and AM/FM stereo. Factory alloys
with fresh radials, original California blue
license plate with current tags. Good repaint
with faint masking lines, recently paint-detailed
motor with some clean-up visible. Dash top
speaker covers cracked along the punched-out
seats may have been redone a few years back
since they seem to have slightly less overall
wear. Cheap exhaust unevenly done. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $20,213. Went past the reserve at
the $19k mark, getting one more bid to send it
to a new owner. While the '75 convertibles here
were not too great, I'd probably give the nod to
this one, if for no other reason than the Kermit
green paint being different from the me-too
red of the other one. A realistic selling price.
Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 12/07.
#F60-1977 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 1Z37X7S407625. Red/white
vinyl. Odo: 44,004 miles. 350-ci 210-hp V8,
4-bbl, auto. Factory L82 with a/c. Good quality
repaint, lackluster generally original engine
bay.
Dingy rattle-can-applied undercoating.
'80s vintage AM/FM/cassette deck displaces
original unit, speakers installed in kick panels.
Leather-wrapped steering wheel with pre-recall
holes, some uneven contours to dashpad from
UV exposure. Original interior has little wear,
but is somewhat dingy. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT
$12,600. The consignor dropped the reserve at
$11,500, and bidding went two bids past that.
The car was hyped up by the seller as being
“West Coast clean.” Let's see, that's the land of
mudslides, wildfires, and interior-baking sun, so
that statement made no points with me. Very few
were painted in this light blue metallic, but how
many folks want a light blue Corvette? Anyone?
Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 12/07
#1121-1978 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Indy Pace
Car
Edition coupe. S/N
128748S901094. Black & silver/silver leather.
Odo: 34,313 miles. 350-ci 220-hp V8, 4-bbl,
auto. Very good paint appears original, fresh
Eagle GT Goodyears on spotless rims. Clean
underhood, the interior is as good as expected
with this many miles. Light wear to the driver's
seat and steering wheel, excellent dash and carpets.
Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $23,220. Also ran
as lot #432, a no-sale at $22,000. Well bought,
possibly even a very good buy if the mechanics
turn out to be as good as the cosmetics. For
those of us who have seen the entire production
of these parade across auction blocks in
the past 30 years, it's time for us to adjust our
thinking. All of them have found permanent
non-investor homes, as enthusiasts are the
purchasers now. Kruse International, Ft.
Lauderdale, FL, 1/08.
#F127-1982 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 1G1AY8781C15118808. Dark
Butterscotch Metallic/glass panels/tan leather.
Odo: 96,226 miles. 350-ci 200-hp fuel-injected
V8, auto. Aftermarket exhaust tips, window tint
film, and tri-bar wheel center spinners. Recent
repaint to a good standard, with overspray
and masking hard to detect. Theft recovery
ID number etched into glass. Dusty original
engine compartment, recently refinished interior
with new carpeting and hides on seats
brushed stainless horn button showing quite a
bit of wear. Carpet heavily discolored, new replacement
white seat upholstery has no wear or
discoloring whatsoever. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT
$10,200. Further proof that the mid-vintage
C3s are continuing to pick up in interest. This
was a highly incongruent driver that a couple
of years ago would've been $7k on a good day.
www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2008 Corvette Market 85
Page 84
Market
Report
Global Roundup
Corvettes at other auctions
and steering wheel. Ill-fitting wood appliqué
covers gauge panels and upper console. The
factory sound system replaced by a cheapie
'80s vintage cassette unit. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT
$10,000. While this was a rarely seen color on
an '82, the unprofessional restoration didn't do
a whole lot to help the car. All the money in
the world for one of the least popular years.
Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 12/07.
#321-1982 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 1G1AY8780C5122784. Two-tone
blue metallic/smoked glass/blue leather. Odo:
39,971 miles. 350-ci 200-hp fuel-injected V8,
auto. Claimed original mileage and paint. Full
aftermarket ground effects body kit and rear
wing spoiler. Lower front air dam has curb
damage and moderate splintering. Upper and
lower body paint masking line visible, with
absorbers on all four corners. The seat and
console wear commensurate with almost 100k
miles. Driver's side sill molding extremely
scuffed and chewed up from use. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $10,044. The beat-up sill panels
were another reminder of what must have been
GM's biggest bone-head C4 mistake—locating
the hand brake on the door sill. While novel
initially, this is a pain in the butt (literally)
when you have to live with the car—especially
if you use it as a daily driver. The bidding still
had some steam in it when the reserve was
passed at $8,800, so the “looks good from the
bidders' seats” factor was high. Bought for
all the money in the world. Silver Auctions,
Fountain Hills, AZ, 1/08.
#347-1987 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Callaway Twin Turbo coupe. S/N
1G1YY2181H5107979. Maroon metallic/gray
leather. Odo: 71,541 miles. 350-ci 345-hp twinturbocharged
fuel-injected V8, 4+3 manual.
Buffed-out older repaint, with lots of scratches
at driver's door. Exterior emblems rough,
cloudy, and faded, right side Callaway emblem
headrests. Lightly cleaned engine bay, new
long block installed within the last year. Freshly
recharged a/c. Average used-car undercarriage
with newer KYB shock absorbers. Title delay.
Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $11,880. Last seen on the
weekend before at the ICA auction as lot 343.
Out there it was a no-sale at $11,400, but this
weekend the seller would have taken $10,500, so
the downward depreciation slide just kept working
and building up speed. It also didn't help that
the casino giveaway car for the weekend was a
better 35th Anniversary Edition coupe with the
correct white wheels and leather interior. Silver
Auctions, Fountain Hills, AZ, 1/08.
#126-1995 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 1G1YY22P4S5108184. Dark
green metallic/tan leather. Odo: 101,550
miles. 350-ci 300-hp fuel-injected V8, auto.
Originally painted Bright Aqua Metallic, with
lousy dust-filled repaint peeling off front license
plate cover and roof panel edge masking
lines. Faded emblems, OK panel fit, door and
glass seals stiff and cracked from UV exposure.
runs, fisheyes, orange peel, and light traces of
dust in lower paint. Engine and undercarriage
dingy. Satellite
radio antenna mounted on
cross-bar, aftermarket full glass tinting. New
seat upholstery, carpet, and center console Tpad.
Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $12,296. How was
this supposed to have original paint while it
also had additional body panels painted in the
stock colors? What about that restored interior?
Nothing seemed to add up with this car,
including the selling price. The consignor must
be one happy camper. ICA, Gilbert, AZ, 1/08.
C4
#566-1985 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 1G1YY0780F5127455. Bright
Red/dark gray leather. Odo: 93,932 miles.
350-ci 230-hp fuel-injected V8, auto. Average
repaint shows deep masking lines in roof
moldings, driver's side headlight parks low
when off. Door and window seals breaking
down from UV exposure. Recently cleaned-up
engine compartment looks to have been done
superficially. Newer a/c hoses, new KYB shock
86 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
missing. Engine bay generally dingy and with
dings in aftercoolers. Claimed to have recently
rebuilt turbos. Aftermarket dash and steering
wheel rim covers soiled. Heavily worn leather
to seats on both sides. Uneven idle, offered at
no reserve. Cond: 4. SOLD AT $5,724. I had a
hard time repressing the desire to crawl under
my chair and plug my ears while this was on
the block, as it had the look of a ticking time
bomb. Sold cheap for scores of reasons, and
none of them good. Be afraid, be very afraid.
ICA, Gilbert, AZ, 1/08.
35th
#576-1988 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Anniversary Edition coupe. S/N
1G1YY2184J5116813. Polo White/white vinyl.
Odo: 75,928 miles. 350-ci 245-hp fuel-injected
V8, auto. Recent lower body repaint with some
slight overspray. Chewed-up door and window
seals, some chipped cloisonné to emblems.
Regular-issue alloy wheels replace exclusive
all-white originals, plain white vinyl replaces
leather with original emblem embroidery on
Dusty engine, non-stock exhaust system and
outlets. Seat leather rather loose and heavily
worn. Lower budget carpeted door sills don't
want to lay flat. Cond: 4. SOLD AT $7,526.
This C4 must have set the record for minimum
time on the block at this venue at under a minute.
It was getting late in the evening, it had
lots of needs, and there was no reserve. It got
what it deserved. ICA, Gilbert, AZ, 1/08.
C5
#S114-1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Indy 500 Pace
Car
convertible. S/N
1G1YY32G4W5117365. Purple metallic/black
cloth/black & yellow leather. Odo: 51,104
miles. 5.7-liter fuel-injected LS1 345-hp V8,
auto. Scuffed, polish-scratched paint on most
surfaces, several cracks on both front and rear
fascias from light collisions. Door glass doesn't
seal well and contacts top fabric in places, tire
Page 85
C6—As found on eBay Motors
Condition inferred from seller's 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
pressure monitor alarms on all four corners
don't want to clear. Moderately cleaned up
engine bay, untouched undercarriage. Dealerapplied
plastic carpet protectors can't cover the
fact that the interior has more than its share of
wear. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $22,838. 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 turned up at several other local
auctions in the past. Bought by an out-of-town
dealer who snapped up a couple of the newer
Corvettes that were sold this weekend. Mecum
Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 12/07.
#392-2002 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Lingenfelter
C5-R coupe. S/N
1G1YY22G425108590. Electron Blue/black
leather. Odo: 68,515 miles. 7.0-liter 650-hp
fuel-injected V8, auto. Lingenfelter C5-R conversion.
Upgraded radiator, K&N intake, headers,
Billy Boat exhaust, 300-mph speedometer
with blue lighting, and chrome Z06 wheels on
Nitto drag tires. Modifications still covered
under warranty for one more month. Excellent
BRAKE CALIPERS WITH CROSS DRILLED
ROTORS, SIDE LIGHTING KIT, CARBON
FIBER REAR WING AND DIFFUSER,
BILLET ALUMINUM ACCENTS, NICELY
DONE LAMBORGHINI STYLE DOORS
WHICH ALSO WERE PROFESSIONALLY
INSTALLED AND BOLTED ON ONLY FOR
EASY CHANGE INSTALLED AND WERE
BOLT ON ONLY” 15 bids, sf 42, bf 0. Cond:
1. SOLD AT $35,999. Wow... A little sweat and
some tools would have paid... hmm... about five
grand. Bolt-on Lambo doors don't seem to add
value to 'Vettes.
CORVETTE
paint with only a few light chips on repainted
nose and headlight doors. Engine compartment
and undercarriage with light dusting and wear
from use. Interior wear commensurate with
mileage, floor mats and console lid heavily
worn. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT $30,000.
Blue interior lights? That would get annoying
fast. The older you get, the more you appreciate
regular lighting, and the closer it is to regular
white light, the better. After it was run to $30k
on the block on Sunday, it was back on deck
for Monday, also getting bid to $30k, but now
with a $35k reserve on it. While the car seemed
sorted out, the modifications didn't help much
here. A lot of folks wanted to see what it did on
the block, but none of those people seemed to
want to bid on it. Silver Auctions, Fountain
Hills, AZ, 1/08.
#170189130518-2005 CHEVROLET
convertible.
S/N
1G1YY34U455114516. Yellow/black cloth/
black leather. Odo: 26,846 miles. 30 Photos.
Marietta, GA. Automated dealership ad copy
includes bland assertions like “There are no
known defects - past or present on this vehicle.
This vehicle is clean and has been well kept.”
#270204673415-2005 CHEVROLET
CORVETTE coupe.
S/N
1G1YY24U655101695. Black/black leather.
Odo: 495 miles. 23 Photos. Columbus, NJ.
“ONLY 495 CARFAX CERTIFIED 1 OWNER
MILES SINCE NEW AND LOADED
WITH SHOW WINNING OPTIONS,
...ALMOST $30,000.00 IN ADDITIONAL
EXTRAS...$$$$$ HRE CHROMED SPORT
WHEELS AND TIRES, LARGE RACING RED
comfortable buying cars from dealers. The
buyer here had every reason to feel good from
the get-go, as he just saved about $3,000.
CORVETTE
#180209185805-2005 CHEVROLET
coupe.
S/N
1G1YY24U155111597. Millennium Yellow/
black leather. Odo: 29,500 miles. 23 Photos.
East Bernstadt, KY. “...**TOTAL PRICE
NEW WAS***$54,830.00...WE BOUGHT
THIS CORVETTE FROM AN INSURANCE
COMPANY WITH DAMAGE, AND IT HAS
BEEN PROFESSIONALLY REPAIRED.
REPLACED THE FRONT BUMPER COVER.
RIGHT HEADLIGHT AND RIGHT FRONT
FENDER.THESE 3-REPLACEMENT PARTS
WERE NEW GM TAKE OFF PARTS IN THE
SAME COLOR.WE HAVE PUT OVER 10,000
MILES ON THE CAR SINCE,WITH NO
PROBLEMS...FOR THE DAMAGE LISTED
ABOVE THIS VETTE IS SELLING WITH A
GOOD TITLE BRANDED REBUILT.” 2 bids,
sf 254, bf private. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $29,000.
There are usually about a half dozen C6 'Vettes
on Autotrader with clear titles for less than
$30k. That pricepoint is really tempting, and an
incredible value, but a branded car will always
be that... and this one should have been a pass
at this price. Well sold.
CORVETTE
#200165126619-2006 CHEVROLET
Z06
coupe. S/N
1G1YY26EX65113162. Black/black leather.
Odo: 2,476 miles. 54 Photos. Noblesville, IN.
“This Z06 was traded in on a brand new one!”
Navigation, 2LZ package, polished wheels,
built-in K40 radar front and rear. “Over a $3K
add for it to be done right!...And the DEFUSER
Navigation, Bose stereo, heated seats, polished
wheels, and head-up display are apparent. 4
bids, 1 Buy-It-Now winner, sf 418, bf 15. Cond:
2. SOLD AT $37,888. While their writing might
not induce rapture, a lot of people feel more
basically BLOCKS any laser radar the locals
will carry!” Tint very “DARTH VADER.” 1
bid, sf 82, bf 34. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $59,500.
Whoever traded this in had it all wrong... this is
exactly how you save about $10k off the price of
a new one. Too bad there aren't any slightly used
Death Stars out there. ■
www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2008 Corvette Market 87
Page 86
Vette-o-bilia
Online trash and trinkets—some valuable, some not. By Carl Bomstead
Something to Hang Where You Do
If you can't find dealer posters, then T-shirts, toys, signs, and games can
make conversation among your garage “helpers”
F
inding “garage art” that will enhance your Corvette collection is a real chore. The signs that show up
from time to time are reproductions and mostly marginal quality at best. “Corvette Parking Only” signs
are available priced by the pound, and inexpensive, rather tacky Corvette neon clocks are in abundance.
For $100 or so you can find a cheap-looking neon Corvette bar sign.
For my money, I think some cool and relatively inexpensive Corvette posters would give a much better
look. A 1964 dealer showroom poster was recently offered but, after 21 bids, it did not sell at $360. It would
have been a good buy at anything under $500. Here are a few other interesting pieces we found; they won't
generate much conversation on the walls of your Corvette garage, but will look good sitting on a shelf.
EBAY #300192525448—
1954 TOPPS “WORLD ON
WHEELS” CORVETTE
TRADING CARD. Number of
Bids: 12. SOLD AT: $95. Date
Sold 1/27/2008. These sets were
produced between 1953 and 1955
and included unique and popular
cars of the day. This card was
a high number—161—and was
in excellent condition, with no
creases and crisp edges. Price
was in line with other cards in
the series, so if you are into this
type of collectible, there was no
harm done here.
automotive press at the North
American International Auto
Show in January of this year.
Hard-working scribes stood in
line in order to obtain multiple
copies of the 70-page press kit
and then augmented their miserable
stipend by spending the
evening listing them on eBay. Of
the dozen or so offered, this one
went for the highest price, while
others went for about half what
was spent here. I'd say the buyer
got a little carried away here.
one, due to its size, sold for about
what it cost when first issued in
the early part of this decade.
EBAY #330207566338—
EBAY #220194289284—
ROUTE 66 BOARD GAME
WITH 1962 CORVETTE.
Number of Bids: 12. SOLD AT:
$127.50. Date Sold: 1/27/2008.
This game was made by
Transogram and dated to 1962.
The graphics on the box, which
featured Buzz and Tod in their
'62 Corvette, were bold and
colorful. The box was in excellent
condition and all the pieces,
including four plastic Corvettes,
were included. It's a cool game
to use or display with your
Corvette stuff.
SINCLAIR GASOLINE
PORCELAIN SIGN WITH
DINO IN CORVETTE.
Number of Bids: 19. SOLD AT:
$191.48. Date Sold: 2/02/2008.
This is a fantasy sign that was
made in limited numbers,
although the exact production
was not stated. Reproduction or
fantasy signs such as this usually
sell for about $25, but this one
had a lot of interest. It's cute but
a lot of money for a sign that was
made last month.
EBAY #170189266915—
EBAY #280196195449—
EBAY# #230216489667—
2009 ZR1 CORVETTE
PRESS KIT. Number of Bids:
10. SOLD AT: $101.40. Date
Sold: 1/27/2008. The supercharged,
602-hp 2009 Corvette
ZR1 was introduced to the
CORVETTE RACING TEAM
SHIRT FROM 2002 LE MANS.
Number of Bids: 8. SOLD AT:
$102.50. Date Sold: 3/03/2008.
Worn by a team member during
the 2002 Le Mans week. It was
a cool shirt with lots of patches
and embroidering, but I hope the
buyer has a vivid imagination,
as he will have to come up with
a plausible story on how he
obtained the shirt. It'd be a real
let-down to tell your Corvette
buddies you just snagged it on
eBay.
EBAY #160203308984—
SNAP-ON 1:8-SCALE 1953
CORVETTE. Number of Bids:
19. SOLD AT: $142.50. Date
Sold: 2/03/2008. This is a huge
die-cast model; most are 1:24- or
1:18-scale. Finished in white
with red interior, it included the
packaging, which was stated
to be in mint condition. Also
included were a number of extra
pieces, such as spare shifter and
mirrors. Most die-cast models
do not hold their value, but this
88 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
1989 CERAMIC CORVETTE
WITH SNOOPY. Number of
Bids: 24. SOLD AT: $260. Date
Sold: 2/02/2008. This ceramic
late-'50s Corvette was made in
1989 by Willitts and was also a
music box that played “Puppy
Love” when wound up. Snoopy
was driving with his scarf flowing
behind him and Woodstock
was sitting on the hood. It was
stated to be in excellent condition.
The Corvette guys had to
chase the Peanuts collectors on
this one, but the final price did
not seem all that bad considering
how interesting the piece appeared.
■
Page 87
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(ICCMC 184043)
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800-541-6601
www.thomascsundayinc.com
P.O. Box 217, New Kingstown, PA 17072
(717) 697-0939
Fax: (717) 697-0727
Vintage Advertising Prints
13" x 19"; Just $15.95, including shipping
Available online at
www.sportscarmarket.com
Page 88
rick
Stuff
What you need for your Corvette and where to get it. By John Gunnell
Be Cool at Your School… Reunion
Chill out at the cookout, cabinets with class, how to be shifty, big cubes, and
let's hear it for clean air
Speed Costs Money, But You Know That
If you're going to upgrade your Corvette, you might as well do it right. How about a crate
motor—a 427-ci LS7 with 505 hp and 470 ft-lb of torque?
This mill powers the current Z06 to 198 mph, runs the quarter mile in 11.5 seconds at 127
mph, and hits 60 mph in a jaw-dropping 3.5 seconds (in first gear).
Thank GM for what they call the most technologically advanced small-block ever built. A
natural continuation of the LS family, the LS7 uses a 7-liter aluminum dry-sump block, CNCported
cylinder heads, and titanium rods and valves to make the Z06 get over 28 mpg while
still being the fastest Corvette ever produced.
Here's what you get: intake manifold with injectors, fuel rails, throttle body, dry-sump
oil pan, exhaust manifolds, flywheel and clutch, harmonic dampener, water pump and pulley,
coil packs, spark plugs and wires, and engine sensors. All for $15,999 from Mid America
Motorworks at www.mamotorworks.com.
Cool Cooler
Add a really cool touch to your next Corvette cookout with American Retro's Corvette
Classic Picnic Cooler. This portable “ice box” looks just like the one we used to take to
the beach when “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” was on the Top 10.
Made of scratch- and rust-resistant steel and aluminum, it comes in colors that resemble
Signet Red and Harvest Gold, with the Corvette logo on the front and a built-in bottle
opener on the side. For details, visit www.toysandgamesonline.com and enter “Corvette
Cooler” in the search box. From $139.
Pointing the Way
If you're tired of getting lost in your C1, plug one of these in. Panasonic's first portable
navigation device, the Strada CN-GP50U, has a sleek, slim design with a five-inch touch
panel display and vivid graphics. Strada combines one of the widest screens on the market
with an SD Memory Card port for swift downloading and a friendly user interface. Other
benefits include Bluetooth digital networking, voice command, and GPS Assist—an electronic
compass to compensate when GPS reception is interrupted, like in a tunnel. You get
easy access to maps and 1.8 million searchable points of interest in 51 categories, including
gas stations, airports, hotels, restaurants, hospitals, ATMs, and historic landmarks. Retail
price is $499.95. For more information, visit www.panasonic.com.
90 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Page 89
Short Shift
Thanks to Fidanza's Project C6, the Ohio company now has shortthrow
shifters for your 1997–2004 Corvette. The 800-hp Project C6 was
built by Full Throttle Kustomz, of Bedford, Ohio, and features a twin-turbo
system, Fidan
short-throw sh
aluminum and h
allowing faste
company claim
ing brands,” wh
dealer in your are
Art Deco Decorations
If you're a Corvette owner into decorating y
collector car garage, the new Classic Collec
of cabinets from Pit Pal Products is a collect
dream. The cabinets are the coolest way to
showcase your Corvette collectibles, from m
cars to oil cans. They look like the furniture u
in new-car dealerships in the 1940s and earl
1950s—powder coated and with large-radiu
with chrome accents, to give the appearance o
old, porcelain-finished trimmed metal. “We U
Genuine Chevrolet Parts” is just one of the r
flange signs available. Visit www.pitpal.com f
more. From $199.
Clean Air Act
Your 'Vette's engine is one big air pump. The cleaner the air, the longer the engine lasts and
the better it works. AMSOIL's racing air filters utilize nanotechnology to get the job done.
The nanofibers have sub-micron diameters and small inter-fiber spaces to capture more dirt.
Custom air cleaner assemblies vary in size from two to six inches high, and are for use with
carbureted engines that use a 14-inch round element air cleaner housing. The units are
designed to replace stock cellulose, oil-wetted gauze or foam filters. Visit www.amsoil
.com to learn more. From $50.
www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2008 Corvette Market 91
Page 90
By the
Numbers
Top Corvette Sales of the Winter
January and February proved to be busy months for America's sports car,
as nearly 350 sold at auctions around the world
1969 427/430 L88 Coupe brought $412k at Russo and Steele
Rank Model
1 1963 Corvette “Rondine” Concept Car
2 2009 Corvette ZR1 Coupe
3 1969 Corvette 427/430 L88 Coupe
4 1971 Corvette ZR2 Coupe
5 1955 Corvette Bubbletop Roadster
6 1953 Corvette Roadster
7 1953 Corvette Roadster
8 1958 Corvette 283/240 Convertible
9 1967 Corvette 427/435 Convertible
10 1957 Corvette LS7 Custom Convertible
11 1958 Corvette 283/290 FI Convertible
12 1967 Corvette 427/435 Coupe
13 1954 Corvette Roadster
14 1960 Corvette 283/290 FI Convertible
15 1968 Corvette 427/435 L89 Coupe
16 1967 Corvette 427/435 Convertible
17 1958 Corvette 283/270 Convertible
18 1967 Corvette 427/435 Convertible
92 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Sold Price*
Location
$1,760,000 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$1,100,000 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$412,500 Russo and Steele—Scottsdale, AZ
$357,500 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$270,000 Kruse—Phoenix, AZ
$264,000 RM—Phoenix, AZ
$249,900 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$242,000 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$220,000 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$214,500 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$198,000 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$198,000 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$192,500 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$192,500 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$192,500 Russo and Steele—Scottsdale, AZ
$188,000 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$181,500 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$178,750 RM—Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Date
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/27/08
1/18/08
1/26/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/26/08
1/20/08
2/17/08
Lot #
1304
1316
S714
1290
753
182
S109
990.1
1267
1276
1272
1327
1259
1045
F513
S135
1231.1
SP91
*Sold prices include buyer's premium
Page 91
Rank Model
19 1966 Corvette 427/425 Convertible
20 1959 Corvette 283/290 FI Convertible
21 1957 Corvette 427/510 Custom Convertible
22 1967 Corvette
23 1954 Corvette Roadster
24 1957 Corvette 283/283 FI Convertible
25 1959 Corvette LS2 Custom Widebody Convertible
26 1967 Corvette 427/435 Convertible
27 1967 Corvette 427/400 Convertible
28 1957 Corvette 427/554 Custom Convertible
29 1966 Corvette 555/850 Custom Coupe
30 1957 Corvette FI Convertible
31 1968 Corvette 427/435 L89 Convertible
32 1960 Corvette 283/290 FI Convertible
33 1962 Corvette Convertible
34 1967 Corvette 427/435 Convertible
35 1967 Corvette 427/435 Convertible
36 1958 Corvette 283/290 FI Convertible
37 2008 Corvette Z06 Coupe
38 1956 Corvette 265/225 Convertible
39 1967 Corvette 427/435 Coupe
40 1967 Corvette 427/435 Convertible
41 1959 Corvette 283/290 FI Convertible
42 1967 Corvette 427/400 Convertible
43 2000 Corvette Custom 1962 Convertible Recreation
44 1960 Corvette 383 Custom Convertible
45 1965 Corvette LS2 Custom Convertible
46 1966 Corvette 427/390 Coupe
47 1967 Corvette 427/435 Convertible
48 1956 Corvette Custom Convertible
49 1962 Corvette LS6 Custom Convertible
50 1962 Corvette 327/340 Convertible
51 1966 Corvette 427/390 Convertible
52 2002 Corvette Custom Convertible
53 1966 Corvette 327/350 Convertible
54 1958 Corvette 283/290 FI Convertible
55 1966 Corvette 427/390 Coupe
56 1963 Corvette 327/360 FI Coupe
57 1967 Corvette Convertible
58 1966 Corvette 427/390 Coupe
59 1965 Corvette 396/425 Convertible
60 1954 Corvette Roadster
61 1966 Corvette 427/425 Convertible
62 1958 Corvette 283/230 Convertible
63 1962 Corvette Convertible
64 1954 Corvette Roadster
65 1963 Corvette 327/360 Convertible
66 1954 Corvette Roadster
67 1965 Corvette 396/425 Coupe
Sold Price Location
$178,200 Russo and Steele—Scottsdale, AZ
$176,000 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$170,500 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$167,500 RM—Ft. Lauderdale, FL
$165,000 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$165,000 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$165,000 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$159,500 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$155,100 RM—Ft. Lauderdale, FL
$154,000 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$154,000 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$154,000 RM—Ft. Lauderdale, FL
$151,250 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$148,500 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$148,500 RM—Ft. Lauderdale, FL
$148,500 RM—Ft. Lauderdale, FL
$145,200 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$143,000 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$143,000 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$137,500 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$136,500 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$135,450 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$132,000 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$128,700 Russo and Steele—Scottsdale, AZ
$123,200 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$121,000 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$121,000 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$121,000 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$121,000 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$115,775 Russo and Steele—Scottsdale, AZ
$112,200 Russo and Steele—Scottsdale, AZ
$110,000 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$110,000 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$110,000 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$108,150 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$107,800 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$107,250 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$107,250 Russo and Steele—Scottsdale, AZ
$105,000 McCormick—Palm Springs, CA
$104,500 RM—Ft. Lauderdale, FL
$101,750 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$100,100 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$99,750 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$99,000 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$99,000 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$99,000 Gooding, Scottsdale, AZ
$97,650 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$95,700 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$95,700 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
Date
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
2/17/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
2/17/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
2/17/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
2/17/08
2/17/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/26/08
1/26/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/26/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
2/24/08
2/17/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/26/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/19/08
1/26/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
Lot #
F503
1238
1327.1
603
980.1
1266
1009
1263.1
SP48
1317
1338.1
SP56
1273
1244.1
444
SP85
1339
1258
1258.1
960.1
S156
S211
991
F500
1275.1
1335
1277
1237
1034
F491
TH290
1023
1016.1
1232.1
S134
1013
1351
S672
204
SP106
992
1242
S139
1538
1284
37
S124
1004.1
1346
www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2008 Corvette Market 93
Page 92
By the
Numbers
Rank Model
68 1954 Corvette Roadster
69 1963 Corvette 327/360 FI Convertible
70 1963 Corvette FI Coupe
71 1967 Corvette Convertible
72 1961 Corvette 283/270 Convertible
73 1961 Corvette 283/270 Convertible
74 1962 Corvette 327/300 Convertible
75 1961 Corvette 283/270 Convertible
76 1954 Corvette Roadster
77 1962 Corvette 327/360 FI Convertible
78 1965 Corvette 327/365 Convertible
79 1963 Corvette 357/365 Convertible
80 1961 Corvette 350/330 Custom Convertible
81 1967 Corvette 427/400 Coupe
82 1956 Corvette Convertible
83 1966 Corvette 427/450 Convertible
84 1966 Corvette 327/350 Coupe
85 1968 Corvette 427/435 Custom Convertible
86 1969 Corvette 350/350 Convertible
87 1961 Corvette Convertible
88 1966 Corvette 327/300 Convertible
89 1963 Corvette 327/340 Convertible
90 1966 Corvette 327/300 Convertible
91 1963 Corvette
92 1958 Corvette 283/270 Convertible
93 1954 Corvette Roadster
94 1967 Corvette 427/435 Coupe
95 1962 Corvette 327/340 Convertible
96 1966 Corvette 427/390 Convertible
97 1967 Corvette 427/400 Convertible
98 1963 Corvette 327/340 Coupe
99 2007 Corvette Z06 Daytona 500 Pace Car Replica
100 1969 Corvette 427/400 Coupe
101 1962 Corvette 327/360 FI Convertible
102 1963 Corvette 327/250 Coupe
103 1969 Corvette 427/435 Convertible
104 1963 Corvette 327/250 Coupe
105 1957 Corvette 283/270 Convertible
106 1966 Corvette
107 1962 Corvette 327/300 Convertible
108 1965 Corvette 327/365 Coupe
109 1955 Corvette 350/330 Custom Convertible
110 1957 Corvette
111 1970 Corvette 350/370 Convertible
112 2003 Corvette Avelate Fifty Three Convertible
113 1963 Corvette FI Convertible
114 1961 Corvette Convertible
115 1965 Corvette 327 Convertible
116 1966 Corvette 427/425 Convertible
94 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Sold Price Location
$95,700 RM—Ft. Lauderdale, FL
$95,700 Russo and Steele—Scottsdale, AZ
$94,600 RM—Ft. Lauderdale, FL
$94,600 RM—Ft. Lauderdale, FL
$93,500 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$93,500 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$93,500 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$91,875 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$91,800 Kruse—Phoenix, AZ
$91,713 Bonhams—Paris, FRA
$91,350 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$90,675 Shannons—Sydney, AUS
$90,300 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$90,200 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$90,038 McCormick—Palm Springs, CA
$89,100 Russo and Steele—Scottsdale, AZ
$88,000 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$88,000 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$88,000 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$88,000 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$86,900 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$85,250 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$84,700 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$83,000 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$82,500 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$82,500 Russo and Steele—Scottsdale, AZ
$80,300 RM—Ft. Lauderdale, FL
$80,300 Russo and Steele—Scottsdale, AZ
$80,000 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$79,750 Russo and Steele—Scottsdale, AZ
$79,275 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$79,200 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$78,750 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$77,000 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$76,450 Russo and Steele—Scottsdale, AZ
$75,900 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$74,800 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$74,550 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$74,550 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$74,250 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$73,700 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$72,600 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$72,450 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$72,450 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$71,500 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$71,500 RM—Ft. Lauderdale, FL
$70,950 RM—Ft. Lauderdale, FL
$70,035 Bonhams—Paris, FRA
$69,825 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
Date
2/17/08
1/20/08
2/17/08
2/17/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/26/08
1/27/08
2/9/08
1/26/08
2/18/08
1/26/08
1/20/08
2/24/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/26/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/26/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
2/17/08
1/20/08
1/26/08
1/20/08
1/26/08
1/20/08
1/26/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/26/08
1/26/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/26/08
1/26/08
1/20/08
2/17/08
2/17/08
2/9/08
1/26/08
Lot #
SP89
F497
SP60
SP163
971
992.1
1228
S185
2732.1
104
S117
20
S149
1047
171
S657
725.1
1058
755
S60.1
464
709
716.1
S85.1
728
TH297
NR11
F530
S221
TH298
S136
1571
S189
1048
S732
1070
1037
S162
S45.1
956
1056
988.1
F1
S114
1573
SP86
SP93
157
S46
Page 93
Rank Model
117 1958 Corvette Convertible
118 1967 Corvette 427/390 Convertible
119 1962 Corvette Convertible
120 1966 Corvette 327/300 Convertible
121 1966 Corvette 427/425 Coupe
122 1969 Corvette Racer
123 1959 Corvette 283 Convertible
124 1966 Corvette 327/350 Convertible
125 1966 Corvette
126 1963 Corvette 327/250 Coupe
127 1967 Corvette 327/350 Convertible
128 1967 Corvette 427/390 Convertible
129 1962 Corvette 327 Convertible
130 1968 Corvette Convertible International
131 1965 Corvette
132 1965 Corvette 327/350 Coupe
133 1966 Corvette 327/300 Convertible
134 1954 Corvette Roadster
135 1961 Corvette Convertible
136 1966 Corvette 327/350 Convertible
137 1962 Corvette 327/300 Convertible
138 1958 Corvette Convertible
139 1961 Corvette 283/270 Convertible
140 1961 Corvette Convertible
141 1960 Corvette Convertible
142 1990 Corvette Marlboro/Penske RM1 Coupe
143 1965 Corvette 327/300 Coupe
144 1964 Corvette 327/250 Coupe
145 1965 Corvette 327/365 Coupe
146 1961 Corvette Convertible
147 1998 Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car Convertible
148 1968 Corvette 427/435 Convertible
149 1958 Corvette Convertible
150 1969 Corvette 427/435 Coupe
151 1967 Corvette 327/300 Convertible
152 1962 Corvette Convertible
153 1966 Corvette
154 1962 Corvette Convertible
155 1959 Corvette Custom Convertible
156 1963 Corvette 327/300 Coupe
157 1963 Corvette Convertible
158 1969 Corvette 427/390 Convertible
159 1963 Corvette 327/340 Convertible
160 1967 Corvette Grand Sport Replica
161 1966 Corvette 327/300 Convertible
162 1965 Corvette 327/365 Coupe
163 1971 Corvette 350/330 Convertible
164 1966 Corvette 327 Convertible
165 1966 Corvette
Sold Price Location
$69,300 RM—Ft. Lauderdale, FL
$67,100 Russo and Steele—Scottsdale, AZ
$66,960 Kruse—Phoenix, AZ
$66,550 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$66,000 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$66,000 Russo and Steele—Scottsdale, AZ
$65,880 Silver—Ft. McDowell, AZ
$65,625 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$65,100 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$63,800 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$63,000 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$63,000 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$62,100 Silver—Ft. McDowell, AZ
$62,100 Silver—Ft. McDowell, AZ
$61,950 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$61,950 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$61,950 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$61,600 RM—Ft. Lauderdale, FL
$60,750 Silver—Ft. McDowell, AZ
$60,500 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$60,500 RM—Ft. Lauderdale, FL
$60,480 Kruse—Phoenix, AZ
$59,850 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$59,850 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$59,325 McCormick—Palm Springs, CA
$58,300 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$58,275 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$56,100 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$56,100 Russo and Steele—Scottsdale, AZ
$55,650 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$55,000 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$54,600 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$54,540 Kruse—Phoenix, AZ
$53,900 Russo and Steele—Scottsdale, AZ
$52,500 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$52,500 McCormick—Palm Springs, CA
$52,000 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$51,700 RM—Ft. Lauderdale, FL
$51,700 Russo and Steele—Scottsdale, AZ
$51,300 Silver—Ft. McDowell, AZ
$49,875 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$49,500 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$48,500 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$48,400 Barrett-Jackson—Scottsdale, AZ
$48,400 RM—Ft. Lauderdale, FL
$48,300 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$47,513 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
$47,300 Russo and Steele—Scottsdale, AZ
$47,250 Mecum—Kissimmee, FL
Date
2/17/08
1/20/08
1/27/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/21/08
1/26/08
1/26/08
1/20/08
1/26/08
1/26/08
1/21/08
1/21/08
1/26/08
1/26/08
1/26/08
2/17/08
1/21/08
1/20/08
2/17/08
1/27/08
1/26/08
1/26/08
2/24/08
1/20/08
1/26/08
1/20/08
1/20/08
1/26/08
1/20/08
1/26/08
1/27/08
1/20/08
1/26/08
2/24/08
1/26/08
2/17/08
1/20/08
1/21/08
1/26/08
1/20/08
1/26/08
1/20/08
2/17/08
1/26/08
1/26/08
1/20/08
1/26/08
Lot #
SP116
TH285
2747
689
975.1
F508
539
F142
T140
743
S78
S43
275
129
F99
S105
F174
NR33
727
417
SP153
457
S216
F130.1
36
961.1
F177
932
TH275
F287
1567
S180
1061
F473
F170
362
S187.1
SP128
S645
130
F269.1
695.1
S64
716
NR27
F212.1
S32
S622
S42
www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2008 Corvette Market 95
Page 94
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
Put your company in the CM R
M Resource Directory. Call 877.219.2605 x211, or email advert@vettemarket.com
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 novelties.
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
96 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
Page 95
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 Che
automobiles. We take pride i
providing our clients with t
finest selection anywhere. O
ing investment quality corv
and Chevrolets for over 30 y
503-256-5384 (p) 503-256-4
www.thechevystore.com
Garage & Tools
Baldhead Cabinet Compa
877.966.2253, Offering a fin
www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2008 Corvette Market 97
tion 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)
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,
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). ■
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
Ad Index
American Collectors Insurance
Bald Head Garage
Baymont Inn & Suites
Bloomington Gold
Bondurant Enterprises
Carlisle Events
Cn'V Corvettes
Corvette America
Corvette Central
Corvette Correction
Corvette Market
Corvette Repair Inc.
Corvette Specialties
Corvettes & Classics
County Corvette
47
65
54
99
49
57
11
23
29
89
83
61
89
69
2
D&M Corvette Specialists LTD 63
Family Classic Cars
65
Fast Vette Accessories &Apparel 96
Flag Caddie
Griots Garage
Hagerty Insurance
Long Island Corvette
Supply Inc.
Mac's Custom Tie-Downs
Mecum Auction
Mid America Motorworks
Mid America Motorworks
Midwest Corvettes & Classics
Mr. Car Art
Advertise in Corvette Market
Contact
John Scharff
john.scharff@vettemarket.com
314.802.8139
KJ Glennon
kj.glennon@vettemarket.com
877.219.2605 x 222
Cody Wilson
cody.wilson@vettemarket.com
877.219.2605 x 213
National Corvette Homecoming
National Corvette Museum
National Corvette Restorers
Society
Park Place LTD
Philadelphia Motorsports
Preferred Products Design, Inc.
Seatbelt Solutions
Sign Past Inc.
Silver Auctions
Sports Car Market
St. Louis Car Museum
The Chevy Store
Thomas C Sunday Inc
Trailex Inc.
Vette Collectibles
Worldwide Auctions
96
67
9
89
69
3
50
100
85
75
55
75
81
16
71
75
79
79
13
81
7
71
89
79
7
59
Page 96
In
Miniature
How details make models into masterpieces. By Marshall Buck
Wingate's '67 is Something Special
There's a wealth of detail and working features, with stickers, emblems, and
badges replicated—and also legible
by Marshall Buck
1967 Corvette Coupe
This is not just another GoodRatings
(
Quality:
Authenticity:
Overall Value:
½
wood Green 427 coupe with a white
Stinger Stripe. It's a 1:24-scale model
of a 1967 FSO (Factory Shop Order)
coupe that was built for salesman
Bob Wingate, who for a number
of years consistently sold more
Corvettes than any other individual.
There is no other Corvette like
it. This little gem is produced by the
Danbury Mint. Unlimited as it is,
is best)
you will want one. The very fine metallic paint finish is
flawless. Engine detail is spot-on and extensive. You'll
be torn between displaying it with the hood open or
closed.
This model is made from revised older tooling so
you will have to put up with the old dog-leg type of door hinges, but that's about it. The
carpeted interior is complete, including a simulated wood Nardi steering wheel. Look
up to the ceiling and you'll notice an interior light over the seats and sun visors,
too. The door jambs even have simulated latch mechanisms and sill plates.
External details delight, like six round taillights unique to this car and the perfectly
replicated license plate. Along the side are gorgeous Torq Thrust wheels, and if you
look closely, you'll see the white calipers with simulated hand-painted text on them.
In addition to the usual working features, there are the flip-up headlights, open-
ing gas cap door, tilting seat backs, and opening spare tire compartment. Having
looked over many photos of the original, everything is there, with the one exception
being the lack of Goodyear lettering on the Blue Streak tires, which are also a bit too
narrow.Must have been a licensing issue. Only $120.
Available from the Danbury Mint, 800.243.4664; www.danburymint.com.
2006 Corvette C6R
Both these cars—#63 and #64—raced
at Le Mans in 2006. Number 64 came in 4th
overall and 1st in the GT1 class. These little
beauties are made by Spark Models and, like
so much else these days, are produced in
China. These resin models are somewhat limited,
so don't procrastinate. The overall detail,
fit, and finish are superb. They rival any static
1:43-scale hand-built.
The bodies are captured perfectly with crisp, prop-
1958 Corvette Fuelie
The restyled 1958 Cor-
Ratings (
vette, with its V8 engine
and new quad headlight
arrangement, offered great
performance and enough chrome to rival Cadillac. It
also produced profits at last. This terrific 1:24-scale
model from the Danbury Mint is billed as a “Special
50th Anniversary Limited Edition” and is available
until December 31, 2008. After that, no more will be
produced... at least not in this color scheme. I can't say
how many are being made; my sample is number 2287.
Even though the edition is rather large, I'm sure
Quality:
Authenticity:
Overall Value:
Ratings (
Quality:
Authenticity:
Overall Value:
is best)
erly scaled panel lines and an excellent paint finish. It
even appears as though they have lightly inked in the
panel lines for proper definition, which you only see
on custom-builts by professional builders at much
higher prices. Detail is great, from delicate antennas on the roof to a fully detailed
interior with belts, fire bottle, full roll cage, and more, though unfortunately it's all
black. Nonetheless, at just $50, I am pleasantly surprised. These are really terrific
little models.
Available from Motorsports Miniatures, 516.794.2831; www.motorsports-
miniatures.com.
98 Corvette Market SPRING 2008 www.vettemarket.com
it will sell out just as previous ones have. This '58 is
stunning in its Panama Yellow with white coves and
black interior. DM goes to great lengths to get all the
details and colors exactly correct. In order to do that,
they work closely with the NCRS, as well as some of
the top restorers and noted experts in the field. As expected
from DM these days, there is a wealth of detail,
and working features include a hinged gas cap door and
removable hard top. Small items like all of the stickers,
emblems, and badges are replicated throughout and
some, like the dash gauges, shift pattern, and entire
warning label on the underside of the trunk lid, are
legible!
Everything in the interior is there, and the same
can be said for the trunk, with its removable rubber
floor mat, wheel cover, and tire with jack. Delicate
emblems are perfectly applied to the body and even
the screw heads on the taillight lenses have been replicated.
Detailing of the fuel-injected V8 is practically
faultless.What's not to like, you ask? Only the overly
heavy working antenna (leave it down) and the year on
the license plates. It is well priced at $140, so order one
and don't play with the radio.
Available from the Danbury Mint, 800.243.4664;
www.danburymint.com. ■
is best)