1963 Coupe for $41K - Is it worth it???

[Jack U.]

I'm a current 2001 C5 owner and a previous 1980 owner. I've always liked the midyears. A fellow club member who I've known for about 2 years has a 1963 coupe for sale. I've expressed my interest.

I was told by the local NCRS chapter member to post here for some advise.

The car's current owner picked it up at Barrett-Jackson earlier this year in AZ.
Long story short -- He thought it was a Z06 but it turned out it wasn't so he got some of his money back and kept the car.

The car is all original UNCONFIRMED from the original owner (Bob Bondurant).

Ermine White/Red Interior/L84 engine/90,246 miles

I haven't driven it but the interior is very clean and so is the engine compartment. The exterior paint has cracks on it (stress and otherwise).

Is this car worth $41K?

I almost have enough saved up.

[G B.]

A headscratcher

Jack, I've noticed that you've been all over the internet asking this question. But I have no idea why. There isn't anyone on earth who can answer your question intelligently without inspecting the car.

Should you buy it? Well, why are you interested in this car? It sounds like you want it mostly because it might be underpriced. You mention several financial issues for background information. You also don't say you've always wanted a '63 in particular. If you were happy with a C5 and a 1980 model, my guess is that you will hate driving a '63.

Has the car ever been hit? Rusty? Missing parts? Is it modified? Original block? (You say that someone else says it's all original but that's unconfirmed. It was presented at auction as a Z-06, but really isn't. So does it have the original block, or doesn't it?) You close by saying you can't afford it anyway. After all, we're talking about a toy here, not daily transportation to work or a family car. Are you looking for someone to encourage you to spend your last cent on a toy? As far as being an "investment", I can answer that one for you. Don't do it. Bank Certificates of Deposit are investments. Old Corvettes are just cars.

But maybe the whole goal of the exercise is to get relatively mute folks like me to post something. I guess the plan worked.

[Richard W.]

Nice response *NM*

[Steve Junkersfeld]

Re: 1963 Coupe for $41K - Is it worth it???

Jack, Ultimately, I think you're the only one with the answer to "is it worth it?". I've paid more than I should for some cars because there was something about a particular car that grabbed me (not that the $41K is more than the 63 is worth - I'm not qualified to say that it is or is not). If you really want it - it's worth it. Good Luck Steve

[Jerry S.]

Re: 1963 Coupe for $41K - Is it worth it???

The current price range for a 63 SWC fuelie with most "most all original parts" is approx $45,000.00 You need a paint job? $6,000.00-$12,000.00. Rebuild the fuelie? Approx $2500.00 - $3500.00. Other misc parts, exhaust, uphlostery, hubcaps, seatbelts etc add $10,00.00. Just to get a good car, your intial $41,000.00 is now $60,000.00 to $70,000.00. Would you be happier knowing that the parts you added make the car perfect, in your eyes? Or would you rather buy another car for $60,000.00 and probably still need to correct things you always find wrong? I have never found the perfect car. Your decision is what price range to enter the ball game.

[Jack U.]

Re: 1963 Coupe for $41K - Is it worth it???

Thanks Jerry.

This is what I was looking for -- costs.

[Loren L.]

Run, repeat, RUN, don't walk away

from this car! This car and its description gave more laughter to the Corvette audience at B-J than any other.

[Jack U.]

Re: A headscratcher

Jerry, If you count two other places as "all over the Internet", sure I've asked the question TWICE and received a couple of "good" answers that has led me here.

I happen to contact the local NCRS person and he told me to post here also.

I know the '63 isn't a particularly good driving automobile. That was obvious because of how my 1980 rode. I don't plan on taking it back to the Museum for a convention. I show my 2001 and plan on showing the 1963 assuming I am lucky enough to get it. I think they are great compliments for one another. Many of my fellow MECC members own an older and a newer Corvette. OK... I'm starting to feel left out. For the record, my favorite midyears are a '63 split and a '67 BB. I fell in love with cars in the 1960s.

Not that it's anyone's business but I do have investments for when I retire. If I wanted to be practical I'd own "rice burner" POS and stay away from the fun things in life. I'm at a crossroads on this car. I appreciate the fact that you gave me some items to look at specifically. I was looking for potential costs of ownership and restoration. I'm not going to provide a lot more information on this car because I know there are people out there that would probably like to "steal it" for a little more than I think I can pay for it.

[Werner R.]

Re: A headscratcher

jack
i think you were a bit unkind to jerry bramlett. he gave you excellent advice; he did not question your retirement account etc.
i am NO expert on the value of c-2's, and neither are you. asking on the internet about the value of this car is the same as asking on the internet about the value of a piece of land etc. who the heck knows.
you must find someone with proven expertise to go with you and inspect this car in detail. i know form coin collecting that the difference between a valuable coin and an average coin can be a subtle scratch or blemish that only an expert can see etc. YOU NEED A PERSONAL EXPERT WITH YOU.
my two cents worth: you are facing the worst of two worlds. 41k is way too much for a driver and too little for a perfect show car. so if your finances are a little tight, stay away from this type of in-between car. imho.
best
werner

[William C.]

Re: Run, repeat, RUN, don't walk away

I was scared of this car fron the description before I heard Loren's advice. He is a very wise man, in addition to being the only respondent who has actually seen the car.

[Mike M.]

As described-@$41k, how many do you want? *NM*

[Jack U.]

Re: As described-@$41k, how many do you want?

As many reasons it would take for me to avoid a mistake or as many reasons to attain perfect C2 ownership.

Pretty vague, Huh?

I have three names of NCRS people around where I live that I will ask to look at the car.

Thanks

[Jack U.]

I'm sorry if I offended anyone

Werner, I suppose I could have come here first but I thought I needed to be a member. Therefore, I posted on two more familiar Corvette-related forums. Please don't hold that against me.

I'm sorry but I took a bit of an offense at the first reply to my first post. OK... I could have been more objective with my question. I'm over it.

In any case, I think I got my answer.

There are some strong opinions here that I shouldn't buy the car. That's what I was told may happen by the local NCRS chapter person.

I think I have a plan of action going forward.

[Shannon Burgess]

Re: 1963 Coupe for $41K - Is it worth it???

Although you say you were looking for "costs", I don't see that mentioned anywhere in your original post. You only asked if the car was worth $41k. You did not describe what the car needed in the way of additional restoration, nor did you ask for opinions of what certain repairs may cost. You sound as though you're on the right track by getting some folks with midyear knowledgeable to look at the car and evaluate it for you. That is by far the best thing that you can do at this point.

You also mention that you show your 2001 and intend to show the '63. What kind of "showing" do you plan for the '63? If it's NCCC type shows, that's an entirely different ball game than NCRS flight judging. You need to have the car evaluated with respect to your intended use of the car. Ultimately only you can decide if the car is worth purchasing for your intended use.

[Jack U.]

Costs and showing

I think the mere fact that I posted here indicates my intention to do at least some restoration on the car. I don't know what to expect. A VERY similar car's owner in my club took 12 years to restore his car. I hope to learn more as I go through the process of POSSIBLE purchase. I've gotten some good feedback in this area here. There will be additional items after I have it looked at for the first time by the experienced NCRS people.

If I do buy it, I was told by the local NCRS person that I should have it (flight) judged in Kansas City BEFORE doing anything to the car. What does everyone or anyone think of this?

I don't know of any local NCRS judged shows. I've done every kind of show within 75 miles of home. (People's Choice to NCCC Concours) One thing I've discovered at all the shows I attend is that people love looking at older cars. I get the most satisfaction at shows when someone wants to talk to me about my car. I could care less about winning another "dust collecting" trophy at this point in time.

I think it will be exciting to see and participate in "the next level" of judging.