67 Coupe Survivor Value

[Rocco S.]

I'm close to purchasing a '67 Coupe I recently discovered. It is an L79 with M21, 3.70 posi, TI Ignition, A/C, PW, off road exhaust and Headrests. Its a one owner car with only 53K on the odometer. Lots of documentation including Protect-O-Plate window sticker and maintenance records. It is an untouched, un-restored, matching number car.

The car has been stored since 1976 when it was parked due to a slight front end collision which damaged the fiberglass nose. It will need brakes and typical mechanical things before it's roadworthy. Not a problem. I'm concerned with the front damage and recently visited 2 Vette repair shops in my area and both quoted between $10K-15K to repair. The car has original paint. Both shops said they could get original laquer paint to match and paint just the nose. One shop suggested replacing just the few damaged panels (upper & lower nose and left front parking light panel) and the other said its better to replace the entire nose. It was not a hard hit and there is no frame damage. It will also need a new grille.

The engine has been maintained by oiling the cylinders and priming the oil system periodicly and spinning the crank by hand. However, the engine has not been started since the 1970's. The A/C system is still holding a charge.

The asking price is $40K which seems high due to the body damage. Looking for opinions on whether the price is in line with the market and feedback on repairing the fiberglass and paint. I would like to keep this car as original as possible. After repairs would this car still qualify as a "Survivor Class" car? What can or cannot be done if I wanted to keep it as a survivor? I'm new to the NCRS Corvette world but I did own a '64 roadster in the late 70's.

All feedback is greatly appreciated.

[David S.]

Re: 67 Coupe Survivor Value

Hi Rocco Sounds like a great car.
I would suggest to you that before you do any repairs to such an original car that you do yourself a favor and research what is needed to obtain a star or bowtie award in NCRS. No repairs should be done especially to the body and paint. Star and bowtie awards are judged on originality not condition. Any repairs you make will effect the originality.
Dave

[Joe R.]

Re: 67 Coupe Survivor Value

Rocco,

You say the nose upper and lower needed replacing. The lower is a seperate piece of fiberglass but the upper is the cener section of the surround panel. Replacing the lower is no problem but the upper would require major repair and would eliminate all chances of a survivor. Replace the lower with an original and repair the upper as you would run into major repair.
Sounds like a great 67 Corvette and I would not let the repair stop me from the purchase. Done correctly the repair will never be noticed. Others can debate it's survivor chances.
Nice 67, you won't find another one like that! Own it!

JR

[Scott S.]

Re: 67 Coupe Survivor Value

Rocco, What color is the car, I may have paint.
Scott

[Daniel Y.]

Re: 67 Coupe Survivor Value

Rocco - each seaction (Exterior, Interior, Chassis, Mechanical) must have 80-85% originality (depending on the section). To Joe's point, the less you have to touch the better chance you have to get a star for each section. Of course in this case the exterior is obviously the biggest section that is vulnerable so the least amount you have to do the better. hopefully you dont have to pull the radiator or repair core support (another section)but you may need to repair/replace braces and such. dont be in a rush there are some really good specialist out there who may be able to fix things without replacement. Just remember that every nut you turn may put you in jeapordy of loosing a section star. Normal maintance is not an issue but over 45 years there may have been many things changed or replaced. From what you have told us I would not be afraid of purchasing the car but you should get some very knowledgeable folks to look the car over if the Bowtie is what you are after. Ask some chapter members near where the car is located. good luck and good find!

[Gene M.]

Re: 67 Coupe Survivor Value

I would be more concerned with having the car repaired (restored) correctly and not be so concerned with Bowtie award.
Straight and running down the road is better than a poor driving car (trailer queen) with an award.

[Mark H.]

Re: 67 Coupe Survivor Value

Just my .02 and as we all know it's a lot easier to spend somebody else's money, but it looks like you're getting the cart before the horse. I would get the car first and then decide which would be the best way to go. Cars like this don't come along too often any more.

[Timothy B.]

Re: 67 Coupe Survivor Value

If you spend $40,000 how much are you going to spend repairing and what's a L-79 A/C coupe worth in today's market.

Cars like this don't come around very often, I myself would buy it because much of the work I can do myself and I would be happy if in the end it was worth what I have invested in the car. There are a lot of cars out there for that money that are no where as nice if it's what you say it is.

Post a picture of the damage and we can give some good direction on how to repair. Post #3 may be a good option if the top surround is not damaged to bad.

[Tim G.]

Re: 67 Coupe Survivor Value

There are so many things to consider, the color of the exterior/interior is a big factor. The condition of the chassis and lack of rust is a big item, also. A car with 53,000 miles in a bad climate could cause enough rust to make a difference in how the chassis judges.

[Dan D.]

Re: 67 Coupe Survivor Value

I would be more concerned with having the car repaired (restored) correctly and not be so concerned with Bowtie award.Straight and running down the road is better than a poor driving car (trailer queen) with an award.

Amen, Brother. A good car is a good car; a stove is a stove no matter how many ribbons, plaques and cups come with it. To me, a Corvette is meant to be driven and enjoyed. Of course I'm looking at the situation through 75 year old eyes. All I know is, If I liked the car; the price seems right, and whatever it would take to make it look and run right should be available and reasonable.

[Timothy B.]

Re: 67 Coupe Survivor Value

All great suggestions, keep in mind it's only original once. You can make a nice repair on the body, blend the lacquer paint and do the other work a little at a time and enjoy the car for what it was meant to be.

If the original parts are still on the car that makes everything VERY easy. Take it off, overhaul, install and smile driving to local shows or going for a cruise. Oh, by the way, the learning experience you gain will make you a hobbyist like most of us in the NCRS.

If that is not for you it's OK, pass on the car and maybe someone else will purchase and keep the car the way it should be kept and preserved.

[Daniel Y.]

Re: 67 Coupe Survivor Value

amen brother - I think Rocco's original question was regarding "survivor". so it sounds like that's what he wants to do. It sounds like some members want to talk him out of that.... everyone has thier own opinion. But I'm like you - if it might qualify for Bowtie or Survivor, he should pursue that avenue

[John D.]

Re: 67 Coupe Survivor Value

Some pics would be nice. Other than that if it was put away after a smack in the front I would imagine there's significant damage.
$40k is too high then in my opinion...

[Paul J.]

Re: 67 Coupe Survivor Value

Some pics would be nice. Other than that if it was put away after a smack in the front I would imagine there's significant damage. $40k is too high then in my opinion...

Absolutely right, but hard to accurately assess with no pictures.

Rocco, you might go upside down on this purchase unless you can do paint and body work. But that's not a bad thing if you keep the car for a while and allow the appreciation to catch up.

Paul

[Terry M.]

Re: 67 Coupe Survivor Value

I'm close to purchasing a '67 Coupe I recently discovered. It is an L79 with M21, 3.70 posi, TI Ignition, A/C, PW, off road exhaust and Headrests. Its a one owner car with only 53K on the odometer. Lots of documentation including Protect-O-Plate window sticker and maintenance records. It is an untouched, un-restored, matching number car.

The car has been stored since 1976 when it was parked due to a slight front end collision which damaged the fiberglass nose. It will need brakes and typical mechanical things before it's roadworthy. Not a problem. I'm concerned with the front damage and recently visited 2 Vette repair shops in my area and both quoted between $10K-15K to repair. The car has original paint. Both shops said they could get original laquer paint to match and paint just the nose. One shop suggested replacing just the few damaged panels (upper & lower nose and left front parking light panel) and the other said its better to replace the entire nose. It was not a hard hit and there is no frame damage. It will also need a new grille.

The engine has been maintained by oiling the cylinders and priming the oil system periodicly and spinning the crank by hand. However, the engine has not been started since the 1970's. The A/C system is still holding a charge.

The asking price is $40K which seems high due to the body damage. Looking for opinions on whether the price is in line with the market and feedback on repairing the fiberglass and paint. I would like to keep this car as original as possible. After repairs would this car still qualify as a "Survivor Class" car? What can or cannot be done if I wanted to keep it as a survivor? I'm new to the NCRS Corvette world but I did own a '64 roadster in the late 70's.

All feedback is greatly appreciated.

Rocco,
The term Survivor as it relates to Corvettes is one used by Bloomington Gold. Some of the advice you have received is based on NCRS standards for Bowtie judging. There is a difference between the two judging criteria. Just as an example: under the current Survivor rules you can repaint the entire car and still receive a Survivor Award. However, more than 30% repaint will knock you out of the Bowtie Award. There are other differences between the two judging standards so it is best not to confuse them -- although many do -- and it is all to easy to do.