1957 Corvette

Ikestaa · #1 (**permalink**) 11-27-2001, 06:34 PM

My dad is trying to sell his '57 vette before we get a Cobra. Price is 40,000, but negotiable to a certain extent. Any inquiries please email me at Ikestaa@home.com.

Cal Metal · #2 (**permalink**) 12-08-2001, 10:34 PM

What options does this car have. FI? 4-speed? 579E option?

Ikestaa · #3 (**permalink**) 12-09-2001, 07:09 AM

Not a fuelie, but has a 4-speed. Not sure what 579E package is, could you please elaborate. It does have a white soft top as well as red hard top. It also has a Wonderbar radio (still works!). Red leather interior. Currently has a 283 with Rochester 4brl carb installed. We have the original 283 that has been rebuilt, not installed but comes with car. Any other questions please reply.

mrmustang · #4 (**permalink**) 12-09-2001, 07:49 AM

Post the details of the car, as I may have a client interested. However, before you do, make sure you have a complete detailed description (IE: interior condition, exterior condition, amount of detailing, originality (all), what still needs to be done to the car, etc. The more information you can give on the car, the better Cal or I might be able to find you a buyer, put yourself on the other side of the sale, get down right anal about the details if you have too.............

Yours in Buying and Selling Fords(among others),

Bill S.

Double Venom · #5 (**permalink**) 12-09-2001, 09:47 AM

The timing on this is so perfect. I have been checking all over trying to find some information, avalue, etc.

I can only tell you what I have been told by a very knowledgable person.

The car: '63 Split window. Matching and correct numbers throughout, Concourse quality, however I don't know which grade of "concoursre."

Have no idea if it's been restored or original OEM. Have no idea what engine or "packages" it came with.

But, lets assume the lowest factory package, in a concourse condition and all components are original.

Estimated value?

Thanks guys...I gotta have this one!
DV

mrmustang · #6 (**permalink**) 12-09-2001, 10:05 AM

DV,

If it is a NCRS "Top Flight" car, but not a fuelie, figure in the $24,000-$29,000 range (current market conditions applied)......For a Fuel Injected car, add another $4,000-$6,000 on it depending on the options...........

Yours in Fords(among others),

Bill S.

PS: The real baragin early vettes right now seem to be the small block 64-66's, with sale prices in the $16,000-$21,000 range for matching number, "restored" examples............

PSS: Bloomington Gold award winning cars, add another 10-`5% on to the value stated above......

Cal Metal · #7 (**permalink**) 12-09-2001, 10:15 AM

Bill is pretty much on the money. Base horsepower cars (Corvettes) don't command that much; that is, the 250-300 h.p. option. I saw a very nice '63 FI at Elkhart (Mecum Auction) go for $43,000 last summer. I thought it was a nice car. My question was, though, if it was all correct, why wasn't it 'Top Flighted' by NCRS.

When investigating Corvettes, one has to be real, real careful about counterfeit cars. This applies primarily to BB and SB Fuel cars. Running down the history or having a Top Flight designation clears up a lot of that worry. A lot of bogus "correct" motors have been slipped into these. In some cases, it makes a difference of anywhere from $10,000-$30,000 in the value of the car. The FI cars are always the most suspect, given their huge premium over non FI cars.

bnewell · #8 (**permalink**) 12-09-2001, 10:48 AM

DV,

If it would be of any help, I have a 1963 - 1964 NCRS Judging Manual and also an original 1963 Corvette shop manual. I would be more than happy to send them to you. My split-window is long gone. Let me know.

Brian

Double Venom · #9 (**permalink**) 12-09-2001, 12:07 PM

Fellas,
Thanks a bunch! This "guy" is a collector of some rather fine automobiles. His 12,000 sq. ft. facility has just run out of room, forcing him to sell some "stuff".

I just know enough about these baby's to get in trouble!
Asking price is 30K. Seems like he may/may not be in the ball park.

Brian, if this goes past the I "got to have it stage" to where I may buy it stage, would you be willing to give it a once over with me?

DV

bnewell · #10 (**permalink**) 12-09-2001, 03:14 PM

DV,

Sure, we can take a look at it, although my vette knowledge isn't what it used to be. I agree with Cal Metal, there are so many re-stamped vettes out there for sale and its a shame that some of the owners are advertising them as original cars. In todays market an unsuspecting buyer can really get taken if they do not know what they are looking for. To be honest, that is one of the reasons I decided to buy a SPF. Looked at several 67 big block cars but decided to shy away from the whole vette scene thing.......been there, done that already anyway.

Cal Metal · #11 (**permalink**) 12-09-2001, 04:06 PM

Specs on '57 Corvette

Ikestaa · #12 (**permalink**) 12-09-2001, 04:17 PM

MrMustang, This is a good as I can do on the details.

Interior: Red leater and carpet interior (not sure if original, but in good condition); All gauges original except for tach, and water temp; original water temp gauge is in place but does not work; clock is missing (gave to a guy to restore and his shop burned down, I think we got had); Wonderbar AM radio, still works; All original switches and knobs.

Body: Has been repainted, but painted to original paint scheme (venetian red with white coves); all original emblems; white soft top (not tares) and a red hartop (covered in garage); all chrome plating was redone when it was restored ten years ago (some pitting here and there though); couple of small chips in the paint; all lights functional.

Drivetrain: Currently does not have the original 283 installed (have it in the garage, rebuilt and ready to go); Installed is a rebuilt 283 with a 4brl Rochester carb; 4 speed manual tranny; not sure of the exact rear end ratio but I know it is geared a little shorter for acceleration; complete frame off drivetrain restoration 10 years (5,000 miles) ago; rebuilt to be a driver, not a show piece; runs, drives great; does not overheat, even in traffic in humid summer weather; a little play in the steering system (worn bushings I assume).

That's all I can come up with now, please reply and I will ask my dad if there are any questions I don't know.

Ikestaa · #13 (**permalink**) 12-09-2001, 04:25 PM

The pics I have of it are too big to put on here, so if you would like them just email me at Ikestaa@home.com

Cal Metal · #14 (**permalink**) 12-09-2001, 04:30 PM

Ike:

What was the original motor? A 230 hp, 245 hp, 270 hp. I assume it is not a Fuelie. The motor in the garage will have the correct designation. There is a pad in front of the passenger valve cover/head just above the water pump. There should be two letters at the end of those numbers. What are they? Put up the VIN if you want. It will tell when it was built--sequence that is. There were 6,337 '57 Vettes made.

Ikestaa · #15 (**permalink**) 12-09-2001, 04:50 PM

Cal Metal, I just went down to check and I realized the the original motor is not complete. It is missing pushrods, intake manifold, valve covers, and carb. I assume some of these parts were put on the motor that went into the car. Sorry about the mixup. The only number I could get to (underneath some tarps and cushions and other crap) was on the right passenger side fo the block, just below the head. It said L2056. I was reading the attatchment you sent me I rember that the motor in the car has the cast valve covers with corvette written on them (not sure if 9 or 7 fin though). I will check what it says on motor in the car and reply later. Thanks to all you for your help, your knowledge is very impressive.

Cal Metal · #16 (**permalink**) 12-09-2001, 05:31 PM

Ike:

On the front of the engine--in front of the head-- passenger side the numbers should end with two letters beginning in either E or F. Thanks.

mrmustang · #17 (**permalink**) 12-09-2001, 09:30 PM

Don't take this the wrong way, but you had better rethink the asking price if you truly want to sell it any time soon, as it is far too high for what you have described so far. Figure more in the $22,500-$26,800 range...........

Sincerely,

Bill S.

bnewell · #18 (**permalink**) 12-10-2001, 12:18 AM

I wish I could find a 57 in the low to mid 20's, I'd buy a dozen or so of them!!

mrmustang · #19 (**permalink**) 12-10-2001, 05:28 AM

In the condition that Ikestaa stated in his post, yes, that is the price. Want one, come down to NJ, and I'll take you for a ride within a 100 mile radius to show you several forsale in that general price range. Some with, some without the original engine installed. What most sellers do is take a concourse or Top Flight Bloomington Gold car, that sells for say $40,000-$45,000, then says, "well, my car only needs a little bit of this and that", and deducts $5,000-$10,000 off that price, not realizing that it will take at least $20,000-$30,000 to get their car in to the true condition that the $40,000-$45,000 car sold for. Doubt what I say, check with "ProTeam Corvette Sales" in Ohio, or the classic Corvette dept at FC Kerbec & Sons here in NJ....Both have sold Top Flight 57's in the range listed above, both are proffesional dealers......All within the last 3-6 months.......In this case, I do not have a buyer, nor do I wish to purchase the car myself, making for a truly unbiased opinion on the cars actual "current market value".

Bill S.

Quote:

Originally posted by bnewell
I wish I could find a 57 in the low to mid 20's, I'd buy a dozen or so of them!!

bnewell · #20 (**permalink**) 12-10-2001, 07:48 AM

Bill,

I did check out Pro Teams site along with Mershons in Springfield, OH, their cars range from 39,998.00 for a non-matching numbers car, several listed for 49,995.00 w/matching numbers and conditions between CC 2/+3 (1) fuelly (1) non-fuelly and $69,995.00 for a CC 1 fuelly car.
I realize that these are just the asking prices and with todays market who knows what the real selling price will be. I have been to Pro Team on a couple of occasions and thought that their prices were a little high considering the condition of the cars that I looked at. And if my memory serves me right I think back in the 80's they ran into some problems with a few re-stamped cars.

Brian