Value for a 57 vette

[Russell O.]

Hello guys, I stumbled across this 57 for sale recently. The asking price of $10,000, which I think is a bit high for the condition. No interior, wrong front end, (appears to be after market) no chrome trim. The glass is all bad and no vin # on the door. I also couldn't locate the vin on the frame as well. But not being an expert on this, may have just missed it. Has good title though. It was a street custom/racer back in the day. I was thinking of making a "gasser" out of it but want to see what others thoughts are on it and if it was worth even messing with. My budget would be around $20,000.

Thanks
Russell

[George W.]

Re: Value for a 57 vette

Sounds to me like you have talked yourself out of this car...I know I am out on this one. Good luck.

[Ed S.]

Re: Value for a 57 vette

How can a person have a "good title" for a vehicle that does not have a VIN # on it? Am I missing something here? Suggest you do a search of this forum archives for discussions regarding "vehicles with no VIN tags" or "no title" or "bad title"; after you read about experiences of others you might reconsider purchasing this car. Like George, I also wish you Good Luck.

[Russell O.]

Re: Value for a 57 vette

Thanks for the info so far. I was always taught that if you have concerns or questions about something, steer away. But on a side note, the car has been in the same family for 35 years. So the work could have been done after it was titled and tagged. The current owner is the son of the previous car owner. He stated he rode in the car when he was around 5 years old, and never any after that. It was put away and never brought back out. My guess it probably was in a front end wreck and some time in the 70's perhaps.

[Dave H.]

Re: Value for a 57 vette

Are those E-T slotted mags??? Haven't seen any of those in 35 years! How cool...

[Gary C.]

Re: Value for a 57 vette

Russell,

FWIW, in most States it's against the law to have a car without a VIN tag.

Like Ed said this issue's been discussed several times on this forum.

The VIN is stamped into a '57 frame on top of the driver's side outside frame rail directly under the driver's side door sill. Almost impossible to read without cutting a slot in the sill fiberglass.

Also you can contact the State or local Police and have them check the VIN against their stolen database. NCIC database search for stolen cars. https://www.nicb.org/theft_and_fraud_awareness/vincheck

Not recommended to purchase a car without a VIN. The seller can get a replacement VIN from their State.

$10K sounds like a lot for basically a '57 body and frame. Unless the car have any verified race history.

Gary
....

[Tom B.]

Re: Value for a 57 vette

Are there other parts that go with the car? Maybe the vin tag is in a box with other stuff. If not I would put it on the seller to have the vin on the frame verified with the state and have a state issued vin tag installed. Then you can talk purchase. Don't take on this task yourself. If the number on the frame doesn't match the title you may end up losing the car and the money.

As for value, wrong front end and missing interior parts don't matter much if you are building a gasser. What is the engine? I think you would have a hard time finding this much '57 Corvette for this price in today's market if the frame is solid and the body is ready to go. As for chrome I'd put on a grille oval, park lights, tail lights and forget the rest.

Tom

[Donald O.]

Re: Value for a 57 vette

Are there other parts that go with the car? Maybe the vin tag is in a box with other stuff. If not I would put it on the seller to have the vin on the frame verified with the state and have a state issued vin tag installed. Then you can talk purchase. Don't take on this task yourself. If the number on the frame doesn't match the title you may end up losing the car and the money.

As for value, wrong front end and missing interior parts don't matter much if you are building a gasser. What is the engine? I think you would have a hard time finding this much '57 Corvette for this price in today's market if the frame is solid and the body is ready to go. As for chrome I'd put on a grille oval, park lights, tail lights and forget the rest.

Tom

I agree, for that price and the amount of parts you'd be hard pressed to find another. Have the seller PROVE the VIN or have him get the state to issue a new tag.
If he won't or can't do it, call the local PD and tell them the seller tried to scam you with a vehicle without a VIN tag.

DonO

[Domenic T.]

Re: Value for a 57 vette

Russell,
I bought a 57 chevy convert ( not a vette) with a clean title and no vin on the car. Found the vin tag in the boxes of parts.

Dom

[Jim T.]

Re: Value for a 57 vette

Was the original VIN only attached with two screws easily removed?

[Kent S.]

Re: Value for a 57 vette

Was the original VIN only attached with two screws easily removed?

Yes - two phillips head screws

[Russell O.]

Re: Value for a 57 vette

Lots of GREAT advise here. I won't buy it unless the VIN # is there. I felt around the area to see if I could feel indentions or something in the frame, but I may have not been in the correct location. I felt more back of the location then what has been discussed here. But since never being around the C1's, I don't know anything about them. I had offered him $6000 if we could find the VIN # but for sure $10 G's is out of the question.

As for the motor, it has a 400 with a 4 speed. He offered to start it, would have to jump start it, but that's my least concern.

I will let everyone know the outcome if we find a vin # and I buy it.

Thanks
Russell

[Ed S.]

Re: Value for a 57 vette

Russ, you are prudent to be cautious about this purchase. You have received a lot of good advice but be advised that regulations and laws governing vehicle registration (and titles) vary from state to state - and the differences are significant. For example, Georgia does not issue a title for a vehicle manufactured before 1980 (not sure that the year of 1980 is correct but I know the 64 'Vette I purchased from a GA owner did not have a title and that was normal). Recommend checking out the law for the state you intend to register / title the car in. Also, you state, "I won't buy it unless the VIN # is there". Smart move - but don't take the seller's word on it being there - the state that the car is in needs to be the entity that verifies the authenticity of the VIN. Again - good luck - the car looks like it will be an awesome "old school" gasser - hope you are planning to put a 2 gallon aluminum tank in the grill opening - just like the old days.

[Dennis O.]

Re: Value for a 57 vette

I dunno. I think I'd be all over that for 10K. It's got a 400 ,a 4-speed, and a hardtop for cripes sake. I'd make sure it wasn't bogus (stolen) and worry about the registration later. With proper cooperation from the current owner, registration should be handleable. If you don't want it, PM me. The paint job does really does detract from it though. To your benefit!

[Steven B.]

Re: Value for a 57 vette

Lots of GREAT advise here. I won't buy it unless the VIN # is there. I felt around the area to see if I could feel indentions or something in the frame, but I may have not been in the correct location. I felt more back of the location then what has been discussed here. But since never being around the C1's, I don't know anything about them. I had offered him $6000 if we could find the VIN # but for sure $10 G's is out of the question.

As for the motor, it has a 400 with a 4 speed. He offered to start it, would have to jump start it, but that's my least concern.

I will let everyone know the outcome if we find a vin # and I buy it.

Thanks
Russell

Russell, you won't be able to feel it. It is on top of the frame, probably with scale, dirt, etc. on it. That is how my '57 was/is. You may want to check out the parting out prices of the parts. If you can get a VIN and want a gasser for $10,000---Check current prices---