C2 parts prices: Is this a rich man's hobby?

[Larry S.]

There's a set of NOS sidepipe covers on eBay that are currently bid to $3050, and the last-hour bidding frenzy hasn't even started. There's also a set of '67 key blanks bid to $24 (I bought a set 3 months ago for $8) and a set of NOS park light lenses up to $67. I also bought a set of NOS softtop clamps 6 months ago for $100, and now one clamp has been bid to over $100.

I believe in the free enterprise system, but dam*! How can anyone afford to restore a C2 anymore, particularly for show?

[Mike M.]

Re: C2 parts prices: Is this a rich man's hobby?

avoid ebay. use Driveline, yer NCRS buddies, Corvettes at Carlisle, Florida regional in kissimmee and Hemmings etc. . i believe that the outasight ebay prices are a result of professional restorers needing parts for their customers(who in most cases wouldn't know a delco ballast resistor from a chinese replacement).mike, cheap as ever.

[Clem Z.]

Re: C2 parts prices: Is this a rich man's hobby?

i believe that the outasight ebay prices are a result of professional restorers needing parts for their customers(who in most cases wouldn't know a delco ballast resistor from a chinese replacement).mike, cheap as ever.[/quote]i have said that for years those are not cellar dwellers paying those outrageous prices for parts. NCRS should have 2 classes of awards,one for pro restored cars and one for owner restored cars. if not the little guy is going to loose interest in the hobby because they are out pointed by the big $$$$ cars. JMHO

[Larry S.]

Re: C2 parts prices: Is this a rich man's hobby?

Mike, that's good advice, and that's what I do personally. But won't the high eBay prices eventually 'trickle down' to even the sources you mention?

[Wayne M.]

Re: C2 parts prices: Is this a rich man's hobby?

.

....I believe in the free enterprise system, but dam*! How can anyone afford to restore a C2 anymore, particularly for show?

Larry --- we're living in strange times. With the economy tanking, I'd expect sellers to be a little more desperate to liquidate their horde. But prices seem to be going in the opposite direction.

Recent examples on eBay: 396 unrestored carb $ 2800; used original '66 BB plug wires $325; original '65 spare with dry-rot rubber & cracked air valve $ 213, reserve not met. [would be afraid to put 5 lbs air in it].

Oh well, let's give it another 6 months .

[Bob J.]

Re: C2 parts prices: Is this a rich man's hobby?

Agh Wayne......you'll remember collectables usually run in the opposite direction of the stock market.......people like tangible things instead of paper and promises in the worst of times Bob

[Steven S.]

Re: C2 parts prices: Is this a rich man's hobby?

But won't the high eBay prices eventually 'trickle down' to even the sources you mention?

Absolutely, if a guy selling parts at a swap meet know he can get X amount on ebay, he is going to ask ebay prices or just put it on ebay. I believe this to be true with 90% of the guys out there, and the other ten percent will sell there parts cheap to guys who will buy them to flip on ebay. There is just no getting around it, unless you get there first, which is rare. IMHO this is absolutely turned into a rich mans hobby.

[Stuart F.]

Re: C2 parts prices: Is this a rich man's hobby?

I've often thought I might better part out my original 63 than leave it behind to my heirs.

stu Fox

[Roy B.]

Re: C2 parts prices: Is this a rich man's hobby?

C2's are where the high rollers are $$$$$$$$$,they are more derivable, option'ed , sexy, having AC, power steering & brakes ,more engine choice so that those old guys now that they have the money an afford what ever they wont or make it what they wont. Money who worries about money? What's amazing is that %99 that get restored never see the road . At one time the C1's were hot when the same guys were younger ,now with bad backs, weak arms,BIG bells ,bald heads ,weak legs,and wife's that are spoiled you think they wont to ride in a C1 getting in and out plus no AC.DA!!
I see more C1's on the road now and again the amazing thing is most owners are getting younger. Yes there are still a few old fart hold outs driving a C1 but not going fare from home !
I'm one and seeing the price of C2's I must be middle class or below now days driving a C1.

Compare prices C1 parts to C2 the C1 are becoming a poor mans Corvette.

[Larry S.]

Re: C2 parts prices: Is this a rich man's hobby?

Stuart, I've thought the same thing. I have a '67 with 46K miles. I could sell the unhit body for $20K, the frame and engine for $20K, the leather seats and door panels for $2K, the A/C for $2K, the boltons for $10K, the sidepipes for $3K, the hardtop for $2K, the dash for $2K, and on and on. I wouldn't do that, but it's odd when the parts are worth more than the whole.

[Joe C.]

Re: C2 parts prices: Is this a rich man's hobby?

There's a set of NOS sidepipe covers on eBay that are currently bid to $3050, and the last-hour bidding frenzy hasn't even started. There's also a set of '67 key blanks bid to $24 (I bought a set 3 months ago for $8) and a set of NOS park light lenses up to $67. I also bought a set of NOS softtop clamps 6 months ago for $100, and now one clamp has been bid to over $100.

I believe in the free enterprise system, but dam*! How can anyone afford to restore a C2 anymore, particularly for show?

There's a guy over on CF with another of those "What's it worth?" questions!
Yes, Virginia, this run-up is reminiscent of the flurry of activity which occurred just prior to the Crash of 1929!
It is time for all of us to customize our Corvettes, and to hell with accuracy. Only, make sure that you use lacquer.

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2383867390014147512koaRwN

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2432859280014147512MPJHMM

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1951786

http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/corvette-photos/showgallery.php/cat/513

http://www.sacvettes.com/2000Corvette/index.htm

http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080808....rs-mystery-car

[Bill M.]

Re: C2 parts prices: Is this a rich man's hobby?

My wife used to make fun of my pile of Corvette junk in the basement. After I told her what some of this stuff is now selling for, no more junk remarks. (I don't tell her what I'll have to spend to restore the '59.)

[Ridge K.]

Re: C2 parts prices: Is this a rich man's hobby?

I wanted to add a little perspective from a person who has sold about $250K worth of original used, restored, and NOS parts on eBay, since November of 2001. I recently started the TDB thread about how eBay is changing to paperless payment beginning in late October (no more checks or money order payment allowed).
I retired from my real job early in 2005, and decided that I would merge my love for attending swap meets, and attending business liquidations, with listing un-needed parts on eBay. I would name my eBay user id here, but a few months ago I mentioned in a TDB post that I had recently offered a car for sale on eBay, and one of the more senior members of this club objected to moderators that I was mentioning "for sale" items, and the thread was deleted, so I will not mention the eBay user id. Trust me in saying I have quite a bit of experience in selling C1, C2, and C3 parts.

Now a word about "eBay pricing". I mark the parts up 25% over my initial purchase price to offset the average travel expense I have of roughly $15K per year (fuel and hotel expenses) to attend the swap meets, and pay the eBay listing, and sales commissions, that average 5% per transaction. MY minimum opening bid price usually reflects this 25% mark-up. Roughly 70% of my successful auctions go off at the minimum opening bid amount.

[Clem Z.]

Re: C2 parts prices: Is this a rich man's hobby?

the govt wants your capital gains taxes and now there will be a record. too much stuff being sold and no taxes collected,look what happened at carlisle with the Pa sales tax

[Ridge K.]

Re: C2 parts prices: Is this a rich man's hobby?

Amen, Clem. That's the real reason why PayPal wants your social security number, if you're withdrawing over $1K per month. They just won't admit it, as usual for them.