I'm seeing it in a lot of other classic car markets too. I think folks are just financially squeezed right now, a lot of people are selling their classics, buyers not buying and instead saving the cash.
My budget choice was a late C-3 (80's) or a C5. I chose the C5 for the gas mileage as it was going to be my alternate daily driver. Now I'm retiring and I wish I had found a reasonable C3
The content within this video is Outstanding! I watched 6hrs of Mecum coverage last week and your camera work and comments were every bit as good if not better than Mecum itself. IMO this was extremely well done and your overall C3 content is by far the best I've seem. Thank you for sharing.😀👍
That’s very kind of you and sincerely appreciated. I use my iPhone exclusively for making videos, so most of the credit belongs to them. Thank you so very much for watching! 😊👍🏻
I had a 77 for years. It cost more to redo it than it would ever be worth. But, if you want a cool looking Vette at a lower price then the later C3 is a great option.
We will never sell our 72, so it doesn't matter. Ours is not numbers matching, but I think it's better. It's got a 63 327/365, frame off restored, Steel Cities Grey. It's not worth a lot but it is one of a kind, LOL.
They are still great looking cars. One of the best designs ever I think. But after your year, things went downhill power wise. And they were never great driving cars. Just boulevard cruisers, with style.
This isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's just turning into a buyers market. I tried to buy an 80 off an older man looking to part with his and he checked market prices and went well over my fair offer because he thought inflation was on his side. It's been a sellers market for a while. But now some younger guys and those that have been saving can finally get behind the wheel!
Those prices are much lower than I wouldve expected. I think the economy plays into it. Plus, maybe a generational shift, as Xers (my age) appear to be driving up prices for 3rd and 4th gen Trans Ams, etc.
In some cases yes. Big Block w/ manuals (454 4-speeds) have a broader support base). I had the chance to buy a low milage 1-owner ’73 (the C3 transistional year w/ Rear Chrome bumper and Front compositie bumper) with just the basic 350c.i. /Auto and I made more $$ on flipping that than I did with a ’72 350 Auto in near equal condition and about 8k more on origianl miles. I actually found there are collectos of the transitional year which was a suprise to me, so any more I know expand that old ’68-72 C3 core range to ’68-’73. Probably the only make/model of any brand that I include the '73 model year in a search setting.
I always watch your channel to get my C3 fix and still hope to own a 1972 Targa Blue 4 speed. I did own a '79 but made a mistake by getting fooled by a nice paint job. The A/C Heater Control caught on fire but I never lost my love for the C3 Corvette. Love your channel and thanks for all you do!
1973's-early 80s Vettes just aren't that desirable. They made a ton of them, due to the fiberglass bodies they tended to survive, and they just aren't that fast. Some guys are struggling to sell early 80s Vettes for even 10k.
I get a kick out of it when people speak for everyone. But you are correct about one thing they are not fast. Not compared to today's vehicle's Especially. But neither is a model t. The best part about what # Everyone is saying. Is it's not about the resale value if you love it. So if you love it , you can get it cheaper. I personally think the eighty one eighty two are the best looking corvettes that's ever made. Think, I'm sexy and I know it ! It may not handle like a new one. But there is room for a 408 ls ;) And if you're into custom paint jobs, You would be hard pressed to find a body style that's going to show off pearls And flake then these cars. 🤙
@@kevinwest3689I have a 81, 4 speed manual with side pipes and it’s a blast drive and beautiful to look at. I didn’t buy the car to race people, I bought it because of its looks and feel of how car drove back in 81.
It's a buyer's Market , for both Classic Cars and Motorcycles ! Folks in their 70's and 80's are selling their Collections and their Bikes and cars in Garage's ! 🤔
C3, 4 & 5s are the best buys right now. The only ones I would stay away from are the cross rams from '84 and the LTs from 1993-1996. The sweet spot I think is 1997-2004 w/ the LS1. If you can find an early 70s w/ a Big Block that would be a cake topper.
@@mrjim1973 I certainly agree on the Crossfires, but the LT1/LT4 was the top of the class when it came out. In addition to the 6 speed it was a game changer, big step in the evolution to the LSX. After the low power of the 70s/80s, hitting the go pedal with an LT1 made me feel alive again! If the Opti is a concern, it can be easily sidestepped with a Torqhead or other aftermarket solutions. Replacing the awful Dexcool and keeping up on fluids maintenance would easily get an LT to 200k miles.
80-82 are beautiful cars. I had an 81 4spd that i completely repainted in 1997 and could not give it away back then and it looked brand new. I got $6500 for it in 1999.
Nice to see the auction and results! The bumper cars don't seem to be moving much these days, I'm surprised some didn't sell. Awesome video! Thanks so much for sharing it with us!👍
It looks like the demand has dropped and the reserve prices did not follow….buying them is one thing but maintaining them is more challenging than 5-10 years ago…less parts, less mechanics…
A lot of off years with a couple of good years in there. Nothing wrong with the off years, just not highly collectable. The off years would make good restomods where you don’t feel like you are protecting the car’s authenticity.
Younger gens don’t know what quality and style is if it slapped them in the face. The c3 vettes are still beautiful and can be modified in so many ways without compromising the car
I'm old enough to remember when these cars were new, and "quality'" is not a word I'd use to describe anything that came out of the St. Louis plant after the UAW strike of 1970. The cars would be shipped to dealers needing to be repainted.
@@76vette I'm 22 and hoping to buy a collectors edition c3 with all the add ons with the only damage being undone stitching on the seats. It's sitting at 120k miles and I'm looking at it at about 8-8.5k, do you think that's a decent price? I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty on any engine repairs!
If you buy a classic car, you’ll have to get dirty by working on it, or you’ll have to pay someone to do the wrenching for you. That’s the reality of owning a classic vehicle.
Not a sellers market day, a buyers market, some folks got some decent deals and in some cases, a steal. Some really nice cars towards the end, 37:56 the 1969 White Vette Big Block, beautiful, 39:41 1981 red /2tone? Vette for $26,000 - nice cars! Nice 81 ! The Cassettes had me already sold !
Thank you for the great Video, I have a 1979, Auto, white with a rare blue interior. Driver seat need replacing, but pretty much on par with a few of these..Will eventually sell to Europe, where my wifes family reside
I love my gorgeous 80. Red, t tops great sound. Oyster interior and breaks necks every time I take her out. Best $15,000 I ever spent. Never selling. If you love it, enjoy it. You'll get your money back.
1969 Street Freak Lemans Blue Big Block! Niiice! But did anyone notice the rear exhaust filler panel from a ‘70-‘73 square exhaust port car? C’mon Man! But I guess it matches the molded in front ‘78 Pace Car Spoiler, Hooker SidePipes, and L-88 style hood scoop. This is a Car to go have some fun in! 💪🇺🇸
@@jds1vette I think thats basically it. The "kids" that drooled of that 70's vette in high school are approaching old age and have other financial and health priorities. If they haven't already fulfilled that dream it's unlikely they will now.
Yup I agree. You lust after the cars of your youth. I drove a tone of 60's and 70's classics. I was driving a 71 Chevelle to work every day in the mid 90's. I used to drive a 68 Cutlass convertible and even towed a huge boat with it, lol. A guy has one of those in nice shape right around the corner from me, now. I glance at it every time, but would I want it now? I don't think so. I had my fun with them and new cars just have so much more to offer.
You are right. My 65 Mustang Conv that I didn't drive much was hard to keep up. Cars don't like to sit and a classic car needs to be stored inside which younger buyers don't have the space or tools for.
@@edwsal59First car was a '65 Mustang white with red interior. Got wrecked. Second was a red '66 convertable. Third was a "69 Camero Pace Car Edition. Miss them all.
My first Vette was a '71 LT-1 restoration project, C3's are expensive and complicated cars and its very easy to get upside down in the investment as they have several major trouble spots to look out for. The midyears are actually easier to restore, simpler, yet are more valued. Chrome bumper C3's such as LT's and big blocks can be worth decent money when they are done, but rubber bumper later year models can be just as expensive to do, yet are not worth anywhere near as much. My advice - C3's are awesome cars, they are fun and look great, but have your purchase inspected thoroughly by and expert, and buy the best possible example you can find, even if it seems to be priced high.
Very nice presentation 👏. It's nice to see what these beautiful cars are getting at mecum. You showed a couple I would have gone a little higher with the bid and maybe brought one of these home. 👍
My 81 corvette was not the best car, my starion I had at the time was a way better car, BUT, the vette has the x factor . It was so cool, so much mojo. It had a certain thing about it that made it more than a car. It was an entity! I loved it so much. Now they are all gone in collections. Never see one,ever. Infinitely better than the computer junk made today.
As a corvette super fan my number one dream car, some of these ones that are showing wouldn't be interested in, as the low miles is nice but not enough to bid against other person, not surprised sone are not fetching lots of money, better off looking for a these dream cars on a dealership that a expert on classics, corvettes are always nicer in person photos and video don't do it justice
By the end of the segment that I could see.. it looks like the Cutty finally hooks up and is goin' to the front.. Props to the Cutty driver "stayin' in his lane".. looked like he has hands full !..
I don’t know…I just perused CL all over the US and all the C3’s seemed to going for pretty good money. At least the asking prices were up there. Decent looking examples were all in the mid to upper teens to low/mid 20’s. A few months ago I picked up a pristine condition 1991 ZF 6sp for $12,9 and thought I paid all the money for it. So I was kind of expecting/hoping decent C3’s would be closer to the $10k range.
The c4 vette in my opinion is the nicest version the 1990 and up to 96, the c3 are also a beautiful car the difference is the ride and comfort of the c4 ,owned numerous vettes in both generations and wouldn't buy any other gen vettes
I’ve owned 4 C3s in my lifetime, I love them but……..they aren’t the fastest or best handling and working on them isn’t as easy as other cars of that era. They look cool, I think fun to drive as long as it’s not a long trip but I can understand why people just won’t pay a whole lot for these.
The sales reflect where the market is and has been for a long time - no one wants to buy a run of the mill C3 with a 350 and an automatic transmission.
The 1975 Chevrolet corvette stingray though less power as the model was and boy there were a lot of coupes that year. The convertible is keeping its great value for sellers nothing like the chrome bumper C3’s but the next best thing. 4629 only made that year and being it was the last year of the C3 convertible and no convertible for a Vette till 1986. Also Zora Duntov retired that year the father of the corvette. That added some mystique of big changes were coming later for corvette.
At 43:36, you see that the duct tape to the Air Cleaner has separated from the intake pipe. Looks like somebody removed the air cleaner and didn't give a crap about realigning or retaping with duct tape the intake pipe. Sloppy workmanship indeed! 🧐
If you’re talking about the flex duct, those usually fail over the years. Personally, I prefer to see a car with all its imperfections rather than duct tape “repairs.”
70s and 80s Corvettes don't command a lot of money. They are beautiful car but they just don't bring any money to the table not yet they were a bit underpowered but were capable
Eventually the classic car market will crash. With some parts getting harder to find and young people have no interest in old cars. And states like California wanting to make it harder to own a classic car.
No, I don't think so. Men are hanging on to their wallets, and to some, their hand bags. Look. Many cars, mustangs, camaros are going through the same ordeal.
All of these people who didn't sell their cars at 2024 prices are going to be in a world of hurt when they see what 2025 prices are like. That's what bottom feeders like me are waiting for.
as a old hot rod guy born in the 60s that has owned them all ford chevy dodge muscle cars it kills me to see the wealthy drive the prices so high on anything pre 1990 my god even a 4 door that no one wanted unless you wanted to haul your family around goes for big money my 78 k5 i bought for 3k back in the mid 80s and my 79 c3 i bought for 4k back in 1990 both in perfect shape HECK I EVEN BOUGHT A 78 TA GUY HAD PUT A 4 SPEED IN IT FOR 800 IN 1994 IT NEEDED A LITTLE TLC 200 MORE DOLLARS AND IT WAS MELTING TIRES now its WELL ITS A 1968 HAS NOT RAN IN 30 YEARS AND HAS RUST ROT I WILL TAKE 40K
Hi, love your presentation’s but PLEASE stop lifting the hood by the corner wingtips. The hoods are heave and are prone to snapping when repeatedly lifted there.👍🇦🇺🦘
