I've been considering selling my 1979 Corvette but I really don't want to just list it in the local newspaper. I thought about listing it on Ebay too. Here are the details on it...I'm hoping someone might be able give me an idea of what I can expect to get for it:
1979 Corvette
All original parts (even the 8-track stereo)
350 Auto, V-8
30,000 miles
Black exterior
Black leather interior
T-tops
Original wheels
B/F Goodrich tires (like new)
Exterior is in excellent condition (almost perfect)
Runs perfectly, no known mechanical issues.
Interior has 2 small tears in leather seats
Air conditioning does not blow cold air (may just need a re-charge)
Heat/Air control switch plate has detached on one side from center console. (not a big deal)
Speedometer gives a winding noise while driving (I've been told to fix it, a new one needs to be installed and the entire dash needs to be removed)
Clock does not work
Starter and/or solenoid may need to be replaced. (just guessing) --
Last fall, was driving on freeway for about 1/2 hour and when I stopped at a store and shut off the engine, I came back to the car and it wouldn't start. Let it sit for about 1/2 hour and it started right up.
Not sure what the problem was, but it starts up fine now?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you
By your description, you should get somewhere around $7k. If you fixed all the problems, you might be looking at around $10k
Your speedometer may be as simple as a cable. You can buy a Permatex vinyl repair kit to repair the small tears. It does a good job if you take your time. AC recharge might cost you a couple of hundred dollars if it hasn't been converted to R134. No one expects the clock to work. A starter might cost $60, but this problem may be as simple as needing a new battery. For less than $1k, you should make a lot more in resale value. Good luck.
Thanks for the reply - $7K seems too low to me for this vette. Aside from the AC not blowing cold, the other flaws are very minor. The car has been babied for the 15 years I have owned it. I've only driven 11,000 miles over that time. Exterior is immaculate. Never seen snow or rain. Hard to determine an asking price without seeing it, I agree... I'll get some photos soon.
Just remember, $10k can buy an immaculate '79 without any of the above listed problems. You will have an easier time selling and get a lot more money if you fix as many of the easy things as you can. Most of things you listed as being wrong can be fixed very cheaply.
Wow, I didn't realize 79's value had slipped that much. I thought for sure with only 30,000 miles it would bring more $$$. I will take your advice and fix the minor things and test the market. Thanks so much!!
The original owner of the car was a local cop who sold it with about 10,000 miles on it to a friend of mine who is a landscaper and only drove it on weekends. At the time (in 1990) it only had 19,000 miles on it. It now has 30,000 and still looks as good as the day I bought it. I've contacted another friend of mine (a retired GM mechanic) who has agreed to check the car out in detail and make any necessary repairs. I'm hoping with a little bit of minor repair work, the car will bring in at least 12K (what I paid for it back in 1990). Thanks for your help!!
I had a 79 with the same starter problem. Chevy dealer replaced the battery, cables, and starter and never fixed the problem I took it to a vette dealer in Houston and they looked the problem up in a book, from GM. Told me it was a solenoid spring. $12.50 for the spring and 1 hour labor. Cured the problem. Too bad it was after GM got about $500 out of me for nothing. Don't mean to put repair info in the sales space but it may help sell the car.
I don't think $12k is out of the question at all for a low mileage immaculate car. I bought my '80 for $12k with 39k miles, but I did get all docs and repair reciepts since the car was new, and the previous owner did $4k worth of upgrades right before I bought it.
I had a 79 with the same starter problem. Chevy dealer replaced the battery, cables, and starter and never fixed the problem I took it to a vette dealer in Houston and they looked the problem up in a book, from GM. Told me it was a solenoid spring. $12.50 for the spring and 1 hour labor. Cured the problem. Too bad it was after GM got about $500 out of me for nothing. Don't mean to put repair info in the sales space but it may help sell the car.
This is the answer. I'm the original owner of a 79 L82 and I had the exact problem you've described years ago. Back then the spring was like $2. I fixed it myself in half and hour!
By the way, I'm blown away by the $10k for a clean 79. I sure wouldn't sell my one owner, one driver for any where near that. It's fully documented and a very very clean unrestored original car. I'd research prices a little more. I do think they are down, but a lot depends on the real condition of the car, how close to stock, and your documentation.
Any thoughts any one? Am I crazy on expected price for an unrestored stock original car? Not just a clean car, but a really clean one owner.
By the way, I'm blown away by the $10k for a clean 79. I sure wouldn't sell my one owner, one driver for any where near that. It's fully documented and a very very clean unrestored original car. I'd research prices a little more. I do think they are down, but a lot depends on the real condition of the car, how close to stock, and your documentation.
Any thoughts any one? Am I crazy on expected price for an unrestored stock original car? Not just a clean car, but a really clean one owner.
You're not crazy, but take look at what cars are actually selling for, not what people are asking. Ebay is a pretty good indicator. Sure, a one owner car with all docs is worth more, but for $12k, I can also get into a reasonable chrome bumper car and for a little more, I can get a driver quality convertible. FWIW, when I bought my car, $12k could buy a driver quality chrome bumper convertible, but I did choose to buy a rubber bumper car that had no hidden problems and that I could drive right away.
I recently sold my 79 for $7500. The car had alot of work done but incomparison to other cars out there in the same age group it was still about average.
I can tell you I saw a number of under 25,000 mile 78-82 cars in mint condition selling for up to low 20's.
I bought a 79 L82 4sp three weeks ago. It had 19,000 original miles with no mods and in excellent shape for 13,500. I have no regrets and I am loving the fact that original condition of the car is what its all about.
If you make the repairs and the condition is what you say you should make that extra investment before setting your price.
I recently sold my 79 for $7500. The car had alot of work done but incomparison to other cars out there in the same age group it was still about average.
I can tell you I saw a number of under 25,000 mile 78-82 cars in mint condition selling for up to low 20's.
I bought a 79 L82 4sp three weeks ago. It had 19,000 original miles with no mods and in excellent shape for 13,500. I have no regrets and I am loving the fact that original condition of the car is what its all about.
If you make the repairs and the condition is what you say you should make that extra investment before setting your price.
I don't understand your point here. Are you saying don't pay in the 20's for a low milage really clean original car because you got one for 13.5? How much would you sell you car for now? I think what you describe is worth the 20's and you are one lucky dude! By posting and saying you can buy them for the 13's you're misleading others who won't be as lucky as you! Sorry for venting, but if someone has cared for a car for 26 years and it's all original and looks great, why should they price it like a car that's had multiple owners, multiple mods, and who knows what done to it? I really don't think that there are that many really good cars out there. What kind of point would these all original cars get if judged at an NCRS event? Sorry, just IMO.
I was interested in the cost of the steel bumper 68-72 so I did some quick research from, Corvett trader, Hemmings, Old car trader and local dealer. Rational was no flame throwers, pro team, e-bay nitros, Lt1s LS 5s L88 or custom bat mobiles. Just 350 basic automatic, didn't care if it was convert t top, hard top, was just trying to get a feel for what the market was doing. Took 12 cars and prices from around the country and averaged the cost. They were all in decent shape, threw out the junk I think. Came up with 13k for a steel bumper average. Give or take a grand I think thats what I would pay.
You might want to do a little research yourself. I did a quick look at the 75-82 market and it looks like about 9K for an average. Some real buys if you want 185 HP. My sons Honda will fair well in that HP range. I understand the importance of history, documentation, miles etc on the indivdual cars. Just trying to get a idea. Wish you well JIM
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79 Corvette w/low mileage value??
