C2 origional motor

**Robert C.** · April 16, 2003, 06:34 PM

Re: C2 origional motor

I always figure $5,000 for the original optional motor.

**Don H.** · April 16, 2003, 06:35 PM

Re: C2 origional motor

I think that would be very hard to say. There are many other variables such as overall condition of car and what other options it has. As a wild guess I would say it should add $3000-$10000 to the value. This can vary greatly depending on the year and horsepower. An extreme example would be the huge jump in value to have the original engine in a '67 427/435. Don H.

**Joe L.** · April 16, 2003, 06:58 PM

Re: C2 origional motor

Dan------

While the increase in value for a Corvette "re-united" with its original engine is a highly debatable subject, I think that we can say, with certainty, that the engine is worth far more to the original owner of the car it came out of than it would be worth to ANYONE else. A rebuilt 327 engine vintage 1964 is, intrinsically, not worth very much, at all. It's major value is to the person who owns the car that it came out of. Significant value might also be applicable to someone else with a car for which the engine would be, generally, "correct" (Corvette or otherwise). But, the real value is to the original owner of the car it originally belonged to.

A SELLER of such an engine, knowing the significance to the owner of the car the engine was originally part of, might be tempted to inflate the price of such an engine accordingly. In other words, if the engine is sold to the person that owns the car it originally came out of, then the price is considerably higher than the price would be to anyone else (since, no one else would be willing to purchase the engine at such a "premium" price). Whether this is fair, or not, probably depends upon whether one is the buyer or the seller (or one who sympathizes with either position). If too great a premium is asked for by the seller, then, perhaps, it's best to have an "intermediary", sympathetic to the buyer, purchase the engine at its "fair market" price and then transfer the engine to the person that owns the car that it originally came out of.

**Dan Tewell** · April 16, 2003, 07:00 PM

Re: C2 origional motor

Thanks, Don and Bob. So if I understand, that makes the cost to buy the motor 3000 to 10,000 minus the cost to install?

**Craig S.** · April 16, 2003, 09:03 PM

Re: C2 origional motor

Joe - I like that bait and switch approach....takes the greed out of the equation....and gets the car owner a fair price. Too bad not everyone would be thrilled like most of us just to help out a fellow restorer get correct parts back together. I know if I had an opportunity like this as the car owner, it would be hard not to want it no matter what it cost (within some degree of reason)....Craig

**David W.** · April 16, 2003, 09:32 PM

Another option

If it were me, I'd really want that original engine. How about a different approach, and maybe a cheaper one. I assume the guy has your engine in some vehicle right now or else he would not have had it rebuilt. Assuming he is interested in performance, wy not ofer to swap him even for a hi-performance GM crate engine right out of the box (or crate). I don't know the exact prices but my guess is you can get a nice one for under a couple of grand. Makes ense to me and everyone would be happy. David

**Craig S.** · April 16, 2003, 11:09 PM

Re: Another option

David - not a bad idea, it might work. Seems like the hot crate small blocks are in the 3K-4K range. Still a good deal for getting an orignal engine back home....Craig

**Dan Tewell** · April 16, 2003, 11:26 PM

Re: Another option

Thanks, guys. Here's the deal. Back in 72 I owned the 64 L76 car. My room mate had purchased a 67 L79. He decided that he couldn't afford it any more and wanted to sell it. I had dropped a valve in mine and it was being rebuilt. I told him that I'd give him some money and my 64 for his 67, but I wanted my fresh engine. That's what happened. I've raced the 67 for the past 30 years. I spun a bearing in the motor a couple years ago and had a 70 LT1 built for the car. I'm in the process of rebuilding the L76 now. It still has the serial number for the 64 Vette. So you see I'd like to sell this motor to the gentelman that has the car now. I just found out that the car is still registered in my home state. By the way, all things being equal, he should have my L79 engine. I just didn't know what an origional fresh motor would be worth?
Thanks Dan

**Mike Cobine** · April 17, 2003, 08:21 AM

Re: Another option

Thanks to 31 years of Bloomington, NCRS, and restorations, he has probably gotten rid of that incorrect '67 engine and put in a correct '64 engine (probably the "original" complete with VIN) and doesn't need the '64 engine from you anymore.

But in case it is still there, then to get yours back in the '67 and his back in the '64, probably there should be a minimum amount change hands. If his engine is fresh, then probably nothing or perhaps you offer to spend a weekend helping swap engines. If his is old and tired, then maybe the cost of a rebuild, roughly $1000. (There are too many rebuilt engines out there available at low prices to dictate more, even if rebuilding does cost more.)

Reality, you probably want YOUR engine back more than HE does. So you may have to eat the difference.

Still, even if he is interested, the best approach to actually getting the '67 engine back is to arrange an engine swap weekend. Without any knowledge of the '64 owner, it would be impossible to say he would be thrilled to have the original and that he would even be inclined to do the manual work of changing an engine. If he is like many, the "original" is just bragging rights tha the really doens't understand, something to raise the selling price tag up $10,000, and probably doesn't even get his hands dirty checking oil, let alone change it. So don't be surprise if he doesn't jump at the idea of "HIM" installing an engine.

C2 origional motor

C2 origional motor

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