64 prices ??

[Tom S.]

I have heard over the years that the 64 was the least desireable of the C-2'S. If this is so about how much should that effect price all other things being equal? I have been looking for a nice C-2 for a long time and now 2 64's have come up for sale in my area. Thanks for the input. Tom Stanton

[Lynn H.]

Re: 64 prices ??

Tom,
Least desirer able does not always equate into less money, and it really depends on the car, condition, documentation etc. That being said, if you hypothetically had two perfectly identical cars, as far as condition, with no docs (lets say 63 and 64 convertibles, because the SWC would bring more just for that reason). I would not think the difference would be more than a couple thousand bucks. There are really way to many variables to put an exact number on it, in my opinion. I would agree with the consensus that the 64's are the least desirable of the C2 era cars. I would also think you will a few more opinions, some that probably are polar opposite of mine. The best thing I would suggest is to do your homework, know what you would prefer to have, and possibly take another person with you for inspection of said vehicles, as an objective opinion from a knowledgeable person is ALWAYS helpful. If you belong to a local chapter, I would suggest trying to find one of your fellow members who may go with you and help you inspect the vehicle you are looking at.
One mans opinion,
Lynn

[Tom S.]

Re: 64 prices ??

Lets say a 64 coupe compared to a 65-67. All things being equal.Then a 64 roadster compared to a 65-67 . What is the opinion in this case?

[Dan H.]

Re: 64 prices ??

Well, if you truly want to drive the car, a 64 Coupe is much more user friendly that a 63 Coupe. I put over 40K on my 63 Coupe, including one cross country trip, neat car but not as quiet etc. as any of my 3 64 Coupes I've owned. The 64 is a lot less to restore and maintain than say a 65,6, or 7 Coupe due to good old drum brakes, inside trim etc. I love driving my Corvettes so the best all around midyear for me is 64. Value wise, it all depends on the particular car and how it was restored/maintained and presented. To pass on one car in favor of another which is equally as nice but lots more money I guess boils down to 'bragging rights' about the car. I remember reading years ago that the least disirable C1 was a 59! Gee, I loved my 59 and how that point of view has changed. Think we're talking about the same thing here. ANY mid year is a great car if it's done right!
Dan

[Ed K.]

Re: 64 prices ??

Good question. I hope many members respond.

I have a 327 64 coupe and a 427 66 convertible, both in great condition. Not NCRS level high quality but the 64 has taken first place in several local non-NCRS shows - never entered the 66 since free time is tight since finishing it. EVERY TIME I take the 64 coupe out at least one stranger will comment on it being a great car. (Interesting to note is that no compliments are given should I have a passenger in the car????). I don't get nearly the same response with the convertible. Regardless, I'm finding the numerous 64 compliments come from folks not really into details of C4 values, and some are car guys, some not.
At the moment I'm concluding that 64 is equally desirable to the average guy/girl, whereas the C4 car guy preference order is 67, SWC, 66, 65 then 64. No feeling for placing the 63 convertible. I also agree with Dan Holstein, eventually any mid year will be equally desirable.

[Paul J.]

Re: 64 prices ??

Tom:

I too have heard that 64's were less desirable, but I don't know where that came from. I think it may have come from some old car nuts expressing personal opinions with no factual support (an "old husband's" tale?).

Realistically, 64's had many technical improvements over the 63's, and there were several styling changes that were well accepted by the automotive press and general public. These types of changes continued in subsequent years, but I don't see these changes making big differences in the prices of similar cars between 63 and 67.

I would suggest that you look carefully at all of the detailed differences between the C2 years and make your decision based on what year you like the most.

If your question is about potentially lower appreciation rates for 64's, I haven't seen it. The values of these cars depend upon the options, special features, condition, originality, documentation, etc. 64's are no different from the others.

Paul

[Tom S.]

Re: 64 prices ??

Paul
Good answer, I appreciate the way you have stated your opinion and agree. Now I think I will stay with my original quest and make my choice a coupe for sure. Then after 63 I don't care as long as it is nice and has some history. Thanks Tom Stanton #41491

[Ed K.]

Re: 64 prices ??

Gentlemen........Although I agree with everyone's comments, skim through the NCRS Driveline. 64 prices are typically lower. Perhaps the condition is not sufficient to warrant a higher price??? Perhaps we ourselves are victims of the "old husbands tale?

[John D.]

Re: 64 prices ??

Tom, I will tell you one thing about the 64's. There were a lot of FI cars that year. Although only about 1/2 as many as the 63's.
In 64 there were 1325 FI cars from St. Louis.
The last few years I have restored a ton of 64 FI's. Very popular right now.
Although I am a 63 lover I do have to admit the 64 is a better Corvette. JD

[Dan H.]

Re: 64 prices ??

John and all, it's sad that that the 'value' of our cars has been driven by the 'collector car' auctions and Corvette 'dealers' who take glee in getting the 'max' price for their cars. It has only money as an object, not the certain qualities and history each Corvette has to offer! They play on the premis of what will it be worth tomorrow, not what it was in it's day. Each year deserves it's place in auto history, I wish I had one of each!
Dan

[Jim T.]

Re: 64 prices ??

I have heard it mentioned that the 64 Corvette does not bring the price but having owned one and driven it from the west coast to the east coast and halfway back west in the summer of 1969, my 64 convertible was enjoyed very much and the factory air conditioning contributed to the enjoyment.

Sold it a month later in 69 when I left for overseas duty. Started searching for it about 21-22 years ago. Thought I might get lucky and buy it back if I could find it.

I finally found my 64 Corvette convertible this month and talked to the current owner last Sunday. He bought it in 1974 and still likes it very much. It still had the Fenton mags I put on it in 1968 when he bought it. Another item I installed for the cross country trip in 1969 was a trailor hitch so I could pull the smallest U-Haul from San Diego to Dallas, TX. The trailor hitch is still installed on the 64.

I will continue looking at my pictures of my 1964 convertible with a desire to own one like it.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 64 prices ??

As for the C-2's; I love them all, but am partial to the 63 because that is what I have had. Fell in love with it and bought it in 1963. Granted, the subsequent years 64 through 67 each had improvements, none is as unique as the 63 (try finding some of the 63 year only parts). Also, every toy car manufacturer, T-Shirt designer, automobile photographer and painter uses the 63 as a model. It also topped the 100 most recognizable car list for the world a few years back (or something like that).

As for convertible vs. coupe (except for the 63), a lot depends on where you live and how old you are. Without A/C, here in Florida, this old fart will go for the convertible. The 63 coupe is the worst in the heat (no blower vent), and any other year coupe w/o air is not much better. As to the day vs. night for the convert, well, we can pick and choose our days and length of exposure. You also get more cooling air with the top up on a convert than with a coupe.

Stu Fox

[Harry S.]

Re: 64 prices ??

A quote I heard in the past:

Everything prior to 63 is practice, everything after 63 is a copy!

[Lynn H.]

Re: 64 prices ??

While I also agree with all the posts in this thread including the statement that is just as desirable to "the average" potential buyers. When people in general say "less desirable", I think is something mostly heard from folks like the NCRS membership and others who have intimate knowledge of the cars. The 63's (in general and mostly the SWC), are "desirable", because they are the first year for a totally redesigned Corvette. Something can be said for the comment "the rest are just copies". The 64 model year, while have many refinements, really had nothing new to offer. The 65's my personal favorite. I still wish I could have kept the 365 HP coupe I sold at Auburn this year, but it was not in the cards for me financially. They have many things that make them desirable to me with disc brakes at the top of the list. Also, the last year for FI, and the first for the BB have something to be said for them. 66 also had these things, so are desirable for much the same reasons. While the 67 model was "the last" of the era of this magnificently designed automobile, and also had many features offered that can be considered "desirable", the L88, and the 435 HP, just to name a couple.
Unfortunately, the 65, 66, and 67's (in my opinion) seems to go for a Little more due the issue of "counterfeiting". Knowledgeable people, can take low HP versions of these cars, and with the correct attention to detail (and some expensive parts), turn them into something WAY more valuable.
Personally, I would be proud to own and drive ANY midyear Corvette, as they are all a privilege everyone does not the chance to experience.
I think when the term "less desirable" is used, it actually has more to do with value than anything else. I believe with most of the cars being bought, and sold these days, this is the primary concern.
The is NO SHAME in owning a 64 versus any of the others. I think no matter what year you may be looking into, the most important thing is to armed with as much knowledge as possible, BEFORE making the purchase. This is where a little help from some friends can be very beneficial to you, or other when making this potential investment.
Again, just opinion, and we know what those can be compared to (a certain part of the anatomy) as we all have one.
Good luck with whatever you decide,
Lynn

[Tom S.]

Re: 64 prices ??

Thank you very much for all the great input and yes opinions! As always this board is full of a wealth of knowledge. Tom Stanton