azmusclecar

That joy of wrenching was one of the reasons I bought my 64 as well as it was the one I could afford. The ability to return to "working" or wrenching on a car brought back a lost joy. Yes, I am going through issues now with heads. I could drive the 64 to a garage and say here...fix this and call me when it's ready. The checkbook is not my best tool in the box.

Using this forum and good information from well intended members have helped elevate my level of knowledge and skills that I hope to pass along to someone someday even though I'm getting long in the tooth.

I had a 2007 ZO6, my dream car with it's mystic 427 badging on the hood. I washed it and polished it and then washed it and then polished it and drove it and with it's extended warranty through GM.........what did I need a tool for?

My fear and love of C2s were both founded on things people had said. Warnings of impending stress cracks in the fiberglass and OMG...look out for axle issues and blahblah blah..........but then I spoke to C2 members and honestly, I found a class of owners I better identified with. OLD SKOOLers........................or OLD FOOLers.
The looks of the car sold itself. It took courage on my part to spend the money to get my C2 and I'm on a very tight budget.
I sometimes feel like the pair of brown shoes in a world of tuxedos.
But I love my C2, I love my 64 and wish I could own a second one.
I hate the days I can't drive the 64. I love pulling plugs and opening the gap from 35 to 38 after a Pertronix install and guess what...........I did it all with the help of this forum, and yes prayers helped too to minimize the cussing.

My agitation to those who feel they need to run someone else's car down to make them feel better really hurts the hobby. We all share one thing in common. A love of these cars in this model. So what if yours is a small block, or a powerglide, or a restomod. Good grief, the hobby is meant to bring us together for a common cause. Not tear us apart because the need to feel superior by making another one feel inferior.

I'm sorry for the rant but I pulled my comments because I was accused of hijacking a thread on another post and all I did was post an example and it was taken out of context. So, I try to keep my opinions to myself, but my old gal 64 cried out from the garage and asked me to come to her defense.

Ya' know............in 1964 you would have done many things to own my car. I'm proud to own it today. I hope you find one to be proud of as well...............and SHARE the joy. There's enough bad things in this world. We don't need 64 bashing in here. Now I'm going out to reassure my 64 there are those out here proud to own a 64.

I rest my case your honor.

Zoomin

So I see. A poor choice of words on my part - no offense intended.

I would rather have a Top Flight Fuelie 64 than an undocumented NOM 67 BB that's in great condition.

I did not mean to infer that 64's could not be enticing or valuable. I simply meant that the OP had described a ... ah, screw it - nuff said.

sub006

For around $50,000, and with the aid of a knowledgeable C2 Forum member, you could get a VERY NICE 90% correct '64 coupe in good shape. It should run and drive fine as is, but need tune-ups and other light maintenance soon enough, that's how they were designed 50 years ago!

Your hobby car would be cheaper than a new Corvette, and it will appreciate in value rather than depreciate. A safe place to park your money while you have fun. What's not to like?

sub006

Are you suggesting that despite their relative rarity, coupes are now cheaper than convertibles?

-third owner of a '64 convertible since 1966 (California black plates!)

vettebuyer6369

Outside of the SWC, coupes have been cheaper than comparable convertibles for decades now.

chevahaulic

I would like to know how current C-2 prices are going to " appreciate " more. One buys a new C-7 for sixty grand and drives it. Sure it is going to depreciate because its not sitting in a heated garage collecting dust. It is being used up. Buy a sixty grand C-2 and you have a classic boat anchor. No one wants it to see the light of day because it may tarnish the exterior and heaven forbid get a paint chip. It becomes a " CD " that takes space in the garage.
As far as preference it is just that. The same car built in multiple years. Ego is the largest difference between them. Condition, rusty, crashed, complete, project, restored, and options are the equalizer for a prospective buyer. Then there is the coupe vs roadster saga. Until 63 one never had a choice. If your happy roof less the choice is easy.
I would never call a 64 less of a car in this series. All years improved in quality and are basically the same package. Some have preferred ribbons and bows.

ctjackster

Jesus what a bunch of sensitive 64 owners taking an honest and factually accurate response to the OP's question as an insult. GTF over it, you own a car that, for whatever reason, is undervalued in the marketplace. No one said the market's under valuation of 64s is deserved; it's just a fact, and in fact just the opposite is implied.

The 64 is the red-headed stepchild of the C2s and thus represents the best value. If you think I am "part of the problem plaguing the Corvette hobby for saying that, please post away so we can identify all of the overly sensitive 64 owners and send you off to a special forum where everyone gets a trophy fir having the best car. .

Subfixer

Having fun with my affordable '64!

VeroWing

64s are ugly and slower than other C2s!

corvetteed

THIS one made me smile

62Jeff

I'm observing that convertibles typically are more sought-after than coupes in corvette and many many other marques, making the coupe traditionally less expensive than a convertible.

mrg

Really? .. A little harsh, don't you think?. Looks like that cuts both ways.

z06scentair

Does anyone think the 76 will go up in value as years go buy.....or should I give it away now?

z06scentair

Coupes are appealing in my eyes....but they are sure hot inside during the summer!

Then again "If the top goes back, the price goes up"

ctjackster

1. OP asks which C2 is the best value.
2. Forum members post honest and factual responses, identifying the 64 as the best value.
3. Other forum members who own 64s get their feelings hurt by the truth, take one of those posters to task and imply an apology is in order.
4. I suggest that those whose feelings got hurt might want to grow a set.
5. Other overly-sensitive forum members accuse me of being . . . Overly sensitive?

I own a 65 - should I demand that the forum members never mention the fact that similar 67s fetch more money in the marketplace, or criticize someone who posts such factual information?

dahogan

Being frugal and being smart are two different things. For a few $k more you will increase your car pool and you might get the year with the options you want.

RatDog

The article in Corvette Magazine I referenced earlier backs that up. They say the best Corvette value on a performance per dollar basis is the 1964 coupe.


-- Steve

65 fi

Beautiful car!
I met a fellow recently with a 64 Z06 tanker. I think I would be tempted to give up both the 63 and 65 for that car.

Regarding Zoomin's comment: you are correct, IMO.

450hp mike9

The four speed I think would be a lot more FUN to drive.

Avispa

Golly, after reading this thread what would y'all have thought of my "mongrel" 65 roadster? It was a big block conversion with all the stuff from a 66, including the frame and an 80s vintage Eckler's one piece hand laid front clip. Motor was a 454 pickup block with a 427 truck crank and stock L-72 cam, headers, Thrush turbo mufflers, oval port heads and one of those old Torker manifolds with the carb turned 30 degrees. Back in the day it was one of the fastest things on the street. I loved that car and would gladly have it back. Used it as my daily driver for years.

I have a museum piece now and I hate it!

OP, enjoy the NOM 64 and build it the way you want it. I think they have the best looking gauges of all the C2s