what is the story on the primer only cars for 1972,ran across one that may be for sale. Does it affect the value? If so by how much? He bought the car about 15 years ago, but it has been painted, but he says it is a primer only delivery car? Will the trim tag show a primer only, or no color code? any info would be helpful. thanks for input.
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Re: 72 primer only cars
Trim tag willl show "SPECIAL" if an early car, or more likely "SPEC" I doubt it will affect value very much, but that is my opinion -- others may have a different opinion.Terry -
Re: 72 primer only cars
You may want to check with the Team Leader for confirmation but it is my understanding that in NCRS flight judging it would get a full deduction for body color if it is painted and does not match the trim plate.Comment
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Re: 72 primer only cars
"SPEC" or "SPECIAL" (abbreviated in '73 and spelled out in '70, I don't know about '71 and '72) does not necessarily mean primer. A local '73 that has "SPEC" on the trim tag was definitely painted black according to the build sheet. The window sticker states "special color". Without documentation stating that this car was delivered in primer, I think you'd have to assume it was painted a special color. I find it hard to believe that a car was delivered in primer as there would probably be no credit for this.Comment
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Re: 72 primer only cars
If a SPEC trim plate shows up on the judging field it will need all the original paperwork the owner can come up with to prove how it was delivered to the dealer and to the customer. Their will be no guesses on how it might have been delivered. The owner will need to be ready to prove to all the judges involved how it was delivered to the dealer. Their were cars delivered in primer for dealer special paint. I have only seen one car on the judging field with SPEC paint.Lyle
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Re: 72 primer only cars
My last reading of the manuals was that a Corvette presented for judging with SPEC or SPECIAL trim tag was presumed to be delivered in primer unless the owner can present documentation otherwise.
The OP stated the car in question, a 1972, was delivered in primer and asked what the trim tag should state. I gave him the best answer I could based on my experiences with 1972 Corvettes. He did NOT ask about NCRS judging, and that is the reason I didn't address that issue.TerryComment
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Re: 72 primer only cars
I have seen a black 72 that had a "SPEC" color speciifed on the trim plate, but they also delivered cars in primer. And, No, I doubt you got any credit for the color deletion; it was probably enough to be able to just prep the primer and spray color after the car was received.
I agree with Terry...in the buyer's market, it will be difficult to sell a car in primer without taking a big hit IMO; the car is worth more painted than in primer. On the other hand, if you're having the car judged in NCRS, the "SPEC" trim plate will be problematical for judging...as Lyle says, you will have to be able to document how the car was delivered, or you're looking at a total deduct on paint.
But, regarding value, the average Corvette buyer would PREFER paint rather than primer.Comment
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Re: 72 primer only cars
Hello Bob,
The RPO code ZP3 is Special Paint. Chevrolet built (32) coupes and (16) convertibles for a total of (48) 1972 Corvettes.
What is the VIN to the Corvette you had seen? How was the car build with options?
Regards,
Drew PapsunComment
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A real pro/con issue...
Corvettes with trim tags that read 'SPECIAL', 'SPEC', 'PRIMER' or 'PRIME' are generally considered undesirable by the serious factory concours restoration crowd for several reasons:
(1) If it's a SPECIAL paint car, the burden or proof falls on the owner to document the non-standard color the car was painted (IF it was actually painted) by the factory. This typically involves lengthy (and prehaps 'impossible') prior owner/records research....
(2) If it's a PRIMER car, then it's a full deduction for the car to be painted on the judging field. Ugh! Who wants to drive/own a car finished in primer!!!
BUT, these cars often have a very special prior owner history with a reasonable number of the PRIMER cars having been ordered/shiped to racers for on-track competition. If that's the case and it can be documented, then the car could qualify for a completely different area of award/recognition (NCRS calls it the American Heritage Award).
There, special 'one-of' cars (GM prototypes, styling cars, cars with bona fide race competition history) are to be restored and shown in the 'dress' they spent the lion's share of their prior life in. These cars can be worth CONSIDERABLY more than a 'typical' restored driver car.
BUT, the burden of proof falls on the owner document the past history of these cars and that may be an arduous task...Comment
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Re: 72 primer only cars
the person with the car is going to meet me on thurs, i will have a better idea of what the car is and any documentation he has on the car to prove original delivery of primer car, sounds like a very hard to prove item , thanks to all for the input
bobComment
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Here are the rules:
From the NCRS Judging Reference Manual...
Section 4, Rule 13, Trim Tags
"....Cars appearing with tirm information unusual for normal production, such as exterior paint denoted as "PRIME", will need to be shownn in that finish in order to comply with NCRS Judging Standards and suffer no automatic color change deduction. In the case of an exterior paint code such as "Spec" or "SPECIAL", ususally denoting a nonproduction color or primer, it will be the sole responsibility of the owner to provide satisfactory documentation to the judges which confirms the color or finish applied at the factory, not the dealer, or the deduction under color change will apply."
Section 4, Rule 12, Altered Car
"...Change of Exterior Color: 100% Originality Deduction."
Bottom line, the burden of proof falls on the owner to document how the car LEFT THE FACTORY. If it indeed left the factor in PRIMER (versus some special paint finish), then it's a full deduction for the car to be shown in anything other than primer finish...Comment
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Re: Here are the rules:
I was referring to your statement: "Who wants to drive/own a car finished in primer!!!". I own one finished in primer!Comment
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Ahh...
I get it now. Well, Chuck, in the big wide world of Corvettes and general resale value, I guess I have to stand behind what I said...
In general, a car finished in primer (with no other mitigating factors like a bona fide race history) WILL have a smaller resale maket. You can just about rule out buyers from the deep pocketed Pebble Beach crowd.
BUT, I have to admit, there WILL be a smaller crowd of true afficianados who'll appreciate the uniqueness of these cars....Comment
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Re: Ahh...
Again, I respectfully disagree with you Jack. In almost all cases, Corvette marketability and values are uneffected by Pebble Beach. Exotics, Classics, rich history racing vehicles, and the like are the norm for Pebble. The Corvette marque is rarely, if ever, even invited to Pebble.
Amelia Island is however more tolerant and appreciative of Corvette as Bill Warner is both a Corvette collector as well as an enthusiasts.
While being displayed at the Glenmore Invitational last year, George Barris approached us and expressed interest in purchasing our "primer car" on behalf of Bo Derek. So.... I guess beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
In fact, to my knowledge, there is no documentation of sales or transfers of primer cars specifically that support their value being any different from a conventionally painted Corvette.
Actually, I chased after the car that I now own for several years, being out bid by other collectors until I finally bought it (above conventionally painted Corvette market value) just prior to it being shipped to auction at Olde Towne a few years ago. A friend of mine, who also previously owned the car, then received a call from another well known collector in Vegas who saw the car listed for auction and asked if it was available for purchase (again above conventionally painted Corvette value). So I guess I believe that the novelty of a primer Corvette, correctly restored, increases its value in excess of a conventionally painted car. I guess I just don't see any factual evidence that a primered Corvette would be less valuable than a painted car. As a driver? Perhaps. But then again, just paint it if you like!
I agree that the primer car, to some folks, may not the best looking Corvette made but I also don't feel that the Mormon Meteor is the best looking Duesenberg to many folks either, yet it's value is huge when compared to the rest of the marque. More than body finish determines value.Comment
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