Re: chevrolet cabilista

[Bill Stephenson]

Don,

-------I believe what you saw was simply another "neoclassic" nightmare. Something like an Excalibur,but not near as nice. Didnt Byron Cooper build some stuff like that? Several different designs of these around and not a one of them worth more than the frame and drivetrain value,IMHO!..........Bill S

[Don S.]

Re: chevrolet cabilista

attached is web site with pictures.
I dont know what to think is this the Rolls Royce of corvettes and worth twice as much as a calloway or is it junk?
is it collectable or is it not?
does it have appeal or does it not?
Is it valuable or is it worthless.?
Is it part of our hobby or is it worthless whimsey?
see attached. interesting though no matter what

http://www.tedvernon.com/79vette.htm

[Dick W.]

Re: chevrolet cabilista

Bill, Byron did in fact have some of the Excalibur cars. He had them at the Expo for sale.

[John M.]

Re: chevrolet cabilista

Don,

There was one on Ebay last week that only brought about $15K. It was a real low mileage car and looked in very good condition, but I just don't think that they will ever be worth much.

Regards, John McGraw

[Mike Cobine]

Re: chevrolet cabilista

I remember all of these types of custom Corvettes showing up at the big car shows in the '70s. Somehow, they were superior to the backyard customizing that was done in our own garages or the local body shop. I think it was because they usually had an outrageous price tag on them then.

Today their value is only to someone who wants to claim a piece of that tiem 35 years ago or is on the fringe that wants to be different, no matter the cost. (Watch eBay awhile, you'll see lots of examples of being different.)

I thought they were ugly then and I think they are ugly now. The only redeeming thing is that they are a chapter in Corvette history, just like the mile-long caravans to Bloomington in the '70s, the restoration craze that hit many clubs where members got drunk and challenged the others to who would be done restoring their car first (which left a lot of cars in pieces), and the Hot Rod Magazine Corvette issue each year of outrageous customs.

A friend ran a small car lot and got an Excalibur in. He sold it to some place in California, and was glad to unload it, but we took it to lunch a couple of times before that. Without the weight of the '73 or '74 Corvette body, the 454 really took off, although it was basically a mild engine. And the really open touring car was kind of neat to ride in.

But the example like your URL to the ones like cheap "Death Race 2000" style imitation Lincolns, Rolls, and others never appealed in any way, never getting any advantage over the stock Corvette except in drawing attention.

You can get all the attention you want if you get naked and paint clothes on you, if all you want is attention.

[Bill Stephenson]

Re: chevrolet cabilista

--------Geez Don, reading your response made me realize you must have bought the car in question! Im sorry if my comments were out of place. Would never have said that stuff if Id known,LOL!
--------My first post is no more than my particular dis-like for most of these travesties. If they somehow become worth millions they will still be particularly ugly to me..........Bill S

[Don S.]

Re: chevrolet cabilista

Bill--

I did not buy the car but when looking at the pictures of the car it looks kinda neat to me and where else could one buy a distinctive looking sports car (Forget that it started out its life as a vette) with 9800 miles on it for on 15k or so.

[Bill Stephenson]

Re: chevrolet cabilista

-------Distinctive is right!.......Oops,did I type that? Sorry. Mean spirited,I guess...............Bill S

[Dennis C.]

Glad I looked w/empty stomach. *NM*

[Dick W.]

Re: chevrolet cabilista

and everyone says that I am the only one that can open mouth and directly insert foot!