Value of an Orphan C2 Trim Tag

[Wayne M.]

A recent eBay sale (link below) for an original '67 convertible S-body Trim Tag, Black/Std, for the regal sum of $ 2028. got me questioning the possible logic of the buyer.

Given the state-of-the-art in NCRS Trim Tag judging (viz. Grenning et Sinor publication), this tag would have to go on a VIN 21000 + 2 days/-1 day production [unlike A-bodies, S-bodies were almost lock-step within a day or 2 of final vehicle assembly].

An S-body # almost guarantees that its new home will be a big block car. The STD. interior code gives free-rein to body options (no pesky ECL codes apply to black), so "load 'er up".

If it was to be used to "authenticate" a color change, good luck with black-hat "eagle eyes". Proteam places Black/Black BB '67's at the pinnacle of "want/need".

So if the buyer's aim is to pass NCRS / BG judging, IMO, he's paid way too much. Any opinions ?




$ 2028. '67 Trim Tag

[Dick W.]

Re: Value of an Orphan C2 Trim Tag

And I am sure that this tag will show up on a 400 or 435 horsepower car next year at Barrett Jackson with a reserve of $135k+

[Patrick H.]

Re: Value of an Orphan C2 Trim Tag

Enough stipper and all evidence of original color disappears, no matter who is judging. Put the tag on a Goodpuke Green car that used to be a small block automatic and you've more than recouped the price.

Ethical? No.
Practiced? Yes.

Patrick

[Michael H.]

Re: Value of an Orphan C2 Trim Tag

Wayne,

I agree but there's even more. I've seen a lot of "replaced" trim tags and there's almost always something that shows on the tag that says it's been removed/reinstalled. When the original rivets are drilled out on the doner car, the head almost always spins, leaving a shinny circular area under it on the tag itself. The circle is usually larger than the diameter of the rivet head and the new rivet head doesn't quite cover that shinny area.

Michael

[Roy S.]

Re: Value of an Orphan C2 Trim Tag

Can anyone possibly guess who corvettesbyhaas might be. Rocket science says change your moniker if you dont want the world to know.

[Dennis C.]

Re: Value of an Orphan C2 Trim Tag

...And, I wonder if some might make a note of the info on this tag and wait for the day it shows up on the judging field, if it ever does. The buyers ID seems to ring a bell, but what do I know...

[Michael H.]

Here's what happens when....

...the rivets are drilled out. Notice the shinny ring around the rivet head.

[`Michael Southard]

Re: Value of an Orphan C2 Trim Tag

This thread got me to thinkin!

Was this an issue 20-25 years ago? Say, for mid-years?

I got my car over 20 years ago knowing it did not have the original eng., it was still a good price for me. But I don't seem to remember much ado about #'s matching cars in the early 80's. Of course the mid-years were only 15 years old then.

Do you think this practice of producing forgerys was prolific then? I don't think there's any reason to believe mine was tampered with, but was wondering if the issue was big when the cars weren't to desired?

Mike S.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Value of an Orphan C2 Trim Tag

And who ever said the forgers were rocket scientists?

Auctions are an easy way to sell a car like this (will become) without much inspection or paper trail. Then the new owner with the bucks (and a converted SB PG car now sporting a 435) finds out on a judging field just how his car started life.

Oh yes, those old GM records can't show up soon enough.
Then again, I find it simpler to find unrestored cars.
And I know I was lucky on my yellow one.

Patrick

[Wayne K.]

Re: Value of an Orphan C2 Trim Tag

Mike,

I don't think it started happening until there was a sudden increase in value. This may show some ignorance on my part but are there not places that can make up new tags to whatever specs you want ?

Wayne

[`Michael Southard]

Re: Value of an Orphan C2 Trim Tag

I really don't know, it never ocurred to me until I read this thread and wondered if my car was "misrepresented" at some time.

[Rick S.]

Re: Value of an Orphan C2 Trim Tag

Hey Hey Good Doctor,
I happen to have a Goodwood green small block and it doesn't look like puke. Now what is the usual color of puke? Yellow by chance?

Rick
P.S. Just kidding about puke!!!

[Mike M.]

Re: Value of an Orphan C2 Trim Tag

small block midyears were being converted to big blocks as ealy as the late 70's. one could buy a trim tag in the early 80's. they were really easy to identify as repos then and they got better over the years. no repo trim tags today will make it past the team leaders. mike

[Clem Z.]

Re: Value of an Orphan C2 Trim Tag

the engine numbers thing was done in the 80s for sure but what i do not understand why the color is so important,especially black because i had one black corvette,a 66 450 hp 427 and with the silver interior it was nice but nothing special. "all corvettes are red the rest are mistakes" 5 of my 10 corvettes were red. i like red

[Mike M.]

Re: Value of an Orphan C2 Trim Tag

red heads? merry christmas, mike