Requesting any advice on C1 purchase

I am considering .... seriously considering, the purchase of a C1 and would
like to know what to look out for in the market today.

The thought of having a C1 has been a dream for many many years. When I was
15 or 16 my dad had a 1962 327-340hp White w/Red int. and my Uncle had a
Frost Blue Fuel Inj. 1959. I was hooked from there on....

Unfortunately, due to having a family and other things that always seemed to
capture my attention, not to mention my finances, I was never able to have a
C1 of my own. Times however are changing and it may be my time. The problem
however, is what people now call "Reasonably priced". It's not that I
wouldn't pay the price, it's just that I want to get the very best for the
money and have an investment as well.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. My dad paid $6900 for his '62 and my uncle paid $8500 for the Fuelie
and thought he was getting gouged. Anyone have a time machine I can borrow?

I think your best source for finding out specific things to check on a
C1, would be www.corvetteforum.com in the C1 section . They will have a
wealth of info on that generation Corvette. I do know that the area
around the headlights are prone to rusting from all the car shows ive
been to. Good luck.

Spectre wrote:
> I am considering .... seriously considering, the purchase of a C1 and would
> like to know what to look out for in the market today.
>
> The thought of having a C1 has been a dream for many many years. When I was
> 15 or 16 my dad had a 1962 327-340hp White w/Red int. and my Uncle had a
> Frost Blue Fuel Inj. 1959. I was hooked from there on....
>
> Unfortunately, due to having a family and other things that always seemed to
> capture my attention, not to mention my finances, I was never able to have a
> C1 of my own. Times however are changing and it may be my time. The problem
> however, is what people now call "Reasonably priced". It's not that I
> wouldn't pay the price, it's just that I want to get the very best for the
> money and have an investment as well.
>
> Any input would be greatly appreciated.
>
> P.S. My dad paid $6900 for his '62 and my uncle paid $8500 for the Fuelie
> and thought he was getting gouged. Anyone have a time machine I can borrow?
>
>
>
>
>
Check this forum thread... it's about C2's, but the principles are the same.
> http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...ad.php?t=85812

If you want to avoid getting ripped off, make sure you are very
knowledgeable
on these cars BEFORE getting serious about purchasing, or find/hire someone
you can trust who you are certain IS an expert, and who has no vested
interest
in any vehicle you are considering. Visit reputable dealers like
Corvette Mike,
attend Corvette shows, study books like "Corvette Restoration & Technical
Guide, Vol 1" by Noland Adams, etc, etc, etc. Above all, take your time,
look
at a LOT of cars, don't let your emotions overrule your common sense, make
certain you are buying quality rather than a dream.

Prices vary wildly based on model, year, options, originality, condition,
desirability, and the degree of desperation of the buyer or seller on
any given day, so there's no substitute for knowledge of the market.
Realistically you are going to pay at least $35k for a decent low-option
driver;
you are talking considerably more money for one in excellent (but not show)
condition, maybe the mid-50's. Your Uncle's fuelie in show condition might
approach $100k.

If you're thinking of it as an investment, you're probably buying for
the wrong
reason... that's how the prices got where they are, and there's no
guarantee the prices
will keep rising. If your Dad and uncle had kept theirs, now THAT would have
been a great investment, but back then they were just ordinary
sportscars and
priced as such.

>
>If you're thinking of it as an investment, you're probably buying for
>the wrong
>reason... that's how the prices got where they are, and there's no
>guarantee the prices
>will keep rising.

=======================
Very true...however These cars are actually pretty cheap to own when
one remembers that even if they just hold their value the cost of
ownership over a period of time works out to a few hundered dollars a
year ... (Insurance Tags etc)...

I already own 5 Corvettes BUT if the right 61 came along I would be
very tempted to buy it even knowing just how bad these things really
rode ... King Pins?

Bob G.

Bob G. wrote:
>> If you're thinking of it as an investment, you're probably buying for
>> the wrong
>> reason... that's how the prices got where they are, and there's no
>> guarantee the prices
>> will keep rising.
>
> =======================
> Very true...however These cars are actually pretty cheap to own when
> one remembers that even if they just hold their value the cost of
> ownership over a period of time works out to a few hundered dollars a
> year ... (Insurance Tags etc)...
>
> I already own 5 Corvettes BUT if the right 61 came along I would be
> very tempted to buy it even knowing just how bad these things really
> rode ... King Pins?
>
> Bob G.
>
>
didn't ride all that bad, I owned one back in '62. It also was the
smoothest-running car I've ever owned (base engine), with the possible
exception of a Jag XJS V12... there were times I turned the key
to the start position when I forgot I'd left it idling.

Choose a transport company that has impecible standards : )
http://www.wreckedexotics.com/corvet...62402_07.shtml

walt
'88 conv

Spectre wrote:
> I am considering .... seriously considering, the purchase of a C1 and would
> like to know what to look out for in the market today.
>
> The thought of having a C1 has been a dream for many many years. When I was
> 15 or 16 my dad had a 1962 327-340hp White w/Red int. and my Uncle had a
> Frost Blue Fuel Inj. 1959. I was hooked from there on....
>
> Unfortunately, due to having a family and other things that always seemed to
> capture my attention, not to mention my finances, I was never able to have a
> C1 of my own. Times however are changing and it may be my time. The problem
> however, is what people now call "Reasonably priced". It's not that I
> wouldn't pay the price, it's just that I want to get the very best for the
> money and have an investment as well.
>
> Any input would be greatly appreciated.
>
> P.S. My dad paid $6900 for his '62 and my uncle paid $8500 for the Fuelie
> and thought he was getting gouged. Anyone have a time machine I can borrow?

> didn't ride all that bad, I owned one back in '62. It also was the
> smoothest-running car I've ever owned

yeah my 59 drove like a dream, I was 21
now my 79 rides like a truck
of course my 01 drives like a dream

kickstart

"WayneC" > wrote in message
...
> Spectre wrote:
>> I am considering .... seriously considering, the purchase of a C1 and
>> would like to know what to look out for in the market today.
>>
>> The thought of having a C1 has been a dream for many many years. When I
>> was 15 or 16 my dad had a 1962 327-340hp White w/Red int. and my Uncle
>> had a Frost Blue Fuel Inj. 1959. I was hooked from there on....
>>
>> Unfortunately, due to having a family and other things that always seemed
>> to capture my attention, not to mention my finances, I was never able to
>> have a C1 of my own. Times however are changing and it may be my time.
>> The problem however, is what people now call "Reasonably priced". It's
>> not that I wouldn't pay the price, it's just that I want to get the very
>> best for the money and have an investment as well.
>>
>> Any input would be greatly appreciated.
>>
>> P.S. My dad paid $6900 for his '62 and my uncle paid $8500 for the Fuelie
>> and thought he was getting gouged. Anyone have a time machine I can
>> borrow?
>>
>>
>>
> Check this forum thread... it's about C2's, but the principles are the
> same.
>> http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...ad.php?t=85812
>
> If you want to avoid getting ripped off, make sure you are very
> knowledgeable
> on these cars BEFORE getting serious about purchasing, or find/hire
> someone
> you can trust who you are certain IS an expert, and who has no vested
> interest
> in any vehicle you are considering. Visit reputable dealers like Corvette
> Mike,
> attend Corvette shows, study books like "Corvette Restoration & Technical
> Guide, Vol 1" by Noland Adams, etc, etc, etc. Above all, take your time,
> look
> at a LOT of cars, don't let your emotions overrule your common sense, make
> certain you are buying quality rather than a dream.
>
> Prices vary wildly based on model, year, options, originality, condition,
> desirability, and the degree of desperation of the buyer or seller on
> any given day, so there's no substitute for knowledge of the market.
> Realistically you are going to pay at least $35k for a decent low-option
> driver;
> you are talking considerably more money for one in excellent (but not
> show)
> condition, maybe the mid-50's. Your Uncle's fuelie in show condition might
> approach $100k.
>
> If you're thinking of it as an investment, you're probably buying for the
> wrong
> reason... that's how the prices got where they are, and there's no
> guarantee the prices
> will keep rising. If your Dad and uncle had kept theirs, now THAT would
> have
> been a great investment, but back then they were just ordinary sportscars
> and
> priced as such.


Thank you for the cautionary words. Is there a specific issue or issues
where it is seen that people are getting ripped off more often than others?
Although a novice in the Corvette arena, I am pretty familiar with GM
products, having had and refurbished several older Chevrolet cars and
pick-ups. Some of these include:
'63 Chev. Nova SS
'57 PU SWB W/big back window
'57 Cameo PU
'64 Impala SS
'68 Elcamino SS
'38 Chev. Coupe W/ 327cid
'67 RS Camaro
ETC...... I know each one has its own areas of problems with various
things such as rust, electrical issues, suspension issues, and I assume the
C1 Corvettes are no different.
I just don't know what they are at this point.......but always willing to
learn.

Kickstart wrote:
>> didn't ride all that bad, I owned one back in '62. It also was the
>> smoothest-running car I've ever owned
>
> yeah my 59 drove like a dream, I was 21
> now my 79 rides like a truck
> of course my 01 drives like a dream
>
> kickstart
>
>
Yeah smooth. --- First time I drove one, accidentally started out in
3rd gear. Took a couple of seconds to realize my error. (At the time,
I'd been driving a MGA for a couple of years.)

--
PJ
'89 Hookercar '02 e-blu coupe

"WayneC" > wrote in message
...
> Spectre wrote:
>> I am considering .... seriously considering, the purchase of a C1 and
>> would like to know what to look out for in the market today.
>>
>> The thought of having a C1 has been a dream for many many years. When I
>> was 15 or 16 my dad had a 1962 327-340hp White w/Red int. and my Uncle
>> had a Frost Blue Fuel Inj. 1959. I was hooked from there on....
>>
>> Unfortunately, due to having a family and other things that always seemed
>> to capture my attention, not to mention my finances, I was never able to
>> have a C1 of my own. Times however are changing and it may be my time.
>> The problem however, is what people now call "Reasonably priced". It's
>> not that I wouldn't pay the price, it's just that I want to get the very
>> best for the money and have an investment as well.
>>
>> Any input would be greatly appreciated.
>>
>> P.S. My dad paid $6900 for his '62 and my uncle paid $8500 for the Fuelie
>> and thought he was getting gouged. Anyone have a time machine I can
>> borrow?
>>
>>
>>
> Check this forum thread... it's about C2's, but the principles are the
> same.
>> http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...ad.php?t=85812
>
> If you want to avoid getting ripped off, make sure you are very
> knowledgeable
> on these cars BEFORE getting serious about purchasing, or find/hire
> someone
> you can trust who you are certain IS an expert, and who has no vested
> interest
> in any vehicle you are considering. Visit reputable dealers like Corvette
> Mike,
> attend Corvette shows, study books like "Corvette Restoration & Technical
> Guide, Vol 1" by Noland Adams, etc, etc, etc. Above all, take your time,
> look
> at a LOT of cars, don't let your emotions overrule your common sense, make
> certain you are buying quality rather than a dream.
>
> Prices vary wildly based on model, year, options, originality, condition,
> desirability, and the degree of desperation of the buyer or seller on
> any given day, so there's no substitute for knowledge of the market.
> Realistically you are going to pay at least $35k for a decent low-option
> driver;
> you are talking considerably more money for one in excellent (but not
> show)
> condition, maybe the mid-50's. Your Uncle's fuelie in show condition might
> approach $100k.
>
> If you're thinking of it as an investment, you're probably buying for the
> wrong
> reason... that's how the prices got where they are, and there's no
> guarantee the prices
> will keep rising. If your Dad and uncle had kept theirs, now THAT would
> have
> been a great investment, but back then they were just ordinary sportscars
> and
> priced as such.


As far as buying one for the wrong reason..... I don't think so... my first
and foremost reason for buying one is the love of the car. And if you can
imagine this... actually wanting to drive it, not just sticking it away in
hopes that someday a goldmine will have appeared in my shop. I was just
thinking, when I referred to an investment, I would like to buy something
that won't lose 20% of it's value in the first year or two. I have a hard
time looking at the new C6's knowing that as soon as you drive them off of
the lot you just dropped several thousand dollars..... not to mention, I
dont really care for the styling of the C6 when compared to the C1. But that
is just personal preference.