gold mine for C1s

[Bill#34162]

Re: The big sell-off is just beginning

It is sad. I am encouraged, however, when I see fathers involving their young sons and daughters in the car hobby. I suppose the old timers who have restored cars from the 20's and 30's probably feel the same way towards us. I just can't think its a good thing to go to a car show 20 years from now and seeing a field full of ricers held out as examples of fine machines. Just my $0.02.

[Jim Hufford]

Re: The big sell-off is just beginning

Well, I am one of the young people trying to keep it alive. I am 32 years old with a two year old at home. I am hoping one day he will ask me if he can take a car out to impress a date of his. I have always loved the 59-62 corvette. I remember in high school I drew a picture of a car just because I loved the lines the car had. Anyways, I hope there are more people like me out there who will take on these projects.

I am just ashamed in the condition my cars are in. I do believe in the great sell off. I bought all of my first cars from a person who knew his days on working on his cars were numbered. I met him about a year before he went into the hospital. He told his son to sell off what he had to me since he knew I was going to restore the cars.

The second person has two cars he is restoring. He just does not have the time nor a body and frame to restore another car.

[Jim Hufford]

Re: The big sell-off is just beginning

One last note. I have had several offers from people my age who are also interested in restoring a 62 corvette.

[David W.]

Re: The big sell-off is just beginning

Jim-
I have been in your position many times over the last decade re parts hoards. The first couple of times I was hesitant as you develop many self-doubts about what you are trying to do. Each time, without exception, it was the right move. You will get your money back quickly by selling some choice duplicates and at the end of the day you will be close to even on the money side and still have a ton of good parts left. My wife use to shake her head as well, fuggetabouit. I have proven to her there are very few bad parts deals out there, especially the bigger the hoard. It's even easier now with eBay and the internet as that is a quick vehicle to move items quickly. You'll be surprised how far people will drive to get the right part. Go forward with the deal, you won't be sorry, but make sure he doesn't set back the goodies for himself. Good luck, David

[Scott Myers]

Re: Hey Jer

35 with a 64? What about 40 with a 60, I guess you have me beat by one year.
Oh and Jerry I would love any of your C1 parts.

[Gary C.]

Re: Hey Jer

I'm 41, have a long list of cars and the associated parts I would like to own and care for the next 30 or so years, God willing. Let me know when the fire sale starts.

P.S. I do most all my own work.

[Walt McGaw]

There are some of us out here.

Hello!

I've had fun working on (and growing attached to) my 72 coupe, but it was actually my oldest son that got me back into cars. He bought, and we restored together, his 67 Mustang (I'm not biased to any specific "American" brand!) when he turned 16. My wife was so impressed, she said lets get something for us! We've both wanted a Corvette since childhood, and timing was right, so we brought home our 1st Corvette a little over 3 years ago. Like someone elses post here, she picked it out and *insisted* we buy it

Well, my youngest son just bought his first car 2 nights ago. It's a 1964 Chevy Nova with a stroked 350 under the hood, TH350 automatic and a fairly good body. It came with the original 283 (in pieces) as well. He's excited and we are looking forward to another family project that we can work on and be proud of

My daughter doesn't have a car yet, but she too is interested and is starting college this fall in the autobody program. I hope my kids all keep the spirit of American Classic Cars in them throughout their life.

Walt

[Wayne C.]

Maybe not...

I thought the same thing would happen to the old classic cars when the WW2 generation started dying off.... didn't happen, try and find a 30's Deusenburg, Pierce Arrow, Cadillac, or a '32 Ford for that matter, at an affordable price.

[Wayne C.]

PS...

check this url:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2002-08-05-old-cars_x.htm

...then tell me how this fella (Tom Souza) bucks conventional wisdom: that you can't buy and restore a Corvette for less than you can buy an already-restored Corvette.

[John H.]

Re: PS...

Of course, his labor is free, relatively speaking (vs. paying a shop $75/hr. to do it), and we don't know how "correct" the resulting restorations are. The prices in that chart are for one-off/rare exceptional cars (I subscribe to Sports Car Market, the magazine they came from), not the kind of cars we see in the Sunday paper or in the "Trader" rags. And the devil is still in the detail, as the emotionally-hyped buyer who paid $130,000 for the '65 396 convertible at B-J (which is the one in the chart) found out a few days later when he finally had the good sense (too late) to talk to someone who knew something about Corvettes and found out the car was 11,000 units too early to be a 396.

[Jim K.]

Re: There are some of us out here.

WOW! Great thread. My $.02... I think younger people simply can't afford to get into a Corvette. When I was 8 or 10 (30 years ago) I was complete nuts over Corvettes! I knew all about them wanted one badly. I had to settle for Camaros and Corvairs because I couldnt afford anything better. I also did all of my own work out of satisfaction, lack of money and pure love of it. When I got lucky and found a fairly complete project 61' 2 years ago, it was a lifelong dream come true! I still drool over these cars like a school boy; I still do all of my own work for all of the same reasons.
I was very lucky to find a mentor in the neighboring town who has been into solid axel Vettes for 40+ years (Carl Marrow). He doesn't mind the stupid questions, gives me great advise, won't sell me an every part repair package if I only need one piece. He has many NOS and used parts and still buys and sells regularly. I hope I can return the favor to someone some day.
There is at least one or two highschool kids that I know that are into Corvettes as much if not more than I was. There will always be someone filling in the shoes of the older generation, maybe not as many, but there aren't as many old Corvettes as there used to be either...

[Michael A.]

Re: The big sell-off is just beginning

Please print this email (and its address)and attach it to your will. I guarantee if someone contacts me, the legacy will continue!

[Jim 38243]

Re: The big sell-off is just beginning

Say I recently purchased a 1965 Fuelie I could sure use that manometer, although I dont have a clue what to do with it. I do have all the right manuals to figure it out.

[Bill W.]

Re: The big sell-off is just beginning

Im almost 53 and still drive the 62 360 that i bought when I was 19 .makes me feel young !I still have a few projects to finish .I always told my wife she could cremate me and use the ashes for filler on a body repair. I never thought about my parts . wow I wonder if you could use NOS outside door handles to carry a casket ? and maybe that extra set of 396 emblems . or better yet trade them all for a case of Viagra ! Bill

[Bill W.]

Re: The big sell-off is just beginning

PS now I know what to do with that extra gallon of yellow lacqure in the basement .and maybe a black stinger.