specifically a 58, or 59-60. i have always liked these two variations of the c1. a friend of mine in switzerland is willing to swap his 58 vette for my 456mgt. we are childhood friends, so no money will change hands, and we can choose to reverse the process whenever we want. but it would be good to know how much his car is worth (perfect condition, repainted and restored and completely stock). its panama yellow (i guess only about 465 in that color out of 9300 or so). thoughts?
My father had a 1961 triple black C1. All original, 283 with 2x4bbl carbs, the hottest non-FI setup. I loved that car as a kid, drove it often. My brother owns it now - he's done some work to it, it's in decent shape. Time tends to cloud memory, I've driven the car recently and it drives like a truck! The steering is awful, big wheel with recirculating ball mechanism. Not a car you would feel comfortable driving fast. My E-Type feels like a go kart in comparison. But man, they look awesome! Sound great too! Value depends on engine / tranny combo - is it auto or manual? Carb or FI? A completely restored example would be worth $100,000 USD, give or take a few. Completely different experience from a 456, but definitely worth consideration if you prefer cruising over pure performance. Good luck!
guy I used to work with has one I was never much of a fan of the twin headlight cars, but I will say his is awesome.......I've accepted them now Image Unavailable, Please Login
I had a 1961 for several years. 4 speed, 2x4 carbs, respectable power especially for its 50+ year age. Drives like a truck because it basically has the same suspension as the truck of the same era. I never needed my radar detector, because I never wanted to go significantly faster than the posted speed limit anywhere. As for pricing, my car was cosmetically almost perfect, mechanically very sound except for the common oil leaks at the front and rear main seal (rope seals of the day) and was almost numbers matching, on every component except for the engine, which had correct date code, but the previous owner was sufficiently honest not to re-stamp the serial number, which I think is very commonly done on so-called "numbers matching" cars. I think $100,000 is dreadfully optimistic, unless it really is a NCRS fuel injected car. I got $50K for mine and routinely won casual local car shows with it. You really need to drive one, so that you can decide whether the "vintage" experience is something you like My car below Image Unavailable, Please Login
Today I own a 1964 , 65 and a 2014 Corvettes. I did own a 1960. The solid axle cars are very reliable. If the car is in good shape you can drive and enjoy with no worries. The bad news is they drive like an old truck. To be honest I prefer the 1965 to 67 Mid year corvettes. I think the exterior design is timeless. There are gentleman on this website who know more than I do, but I personally would stay away from the mechanical fuel injected Corvettes. They are hard to find someone who can work on them. The canisters are nearly impossible to find. They have a tenancy to be finicky and just do not start for no good reason. Most people end up converting them to carbs. Good luck with your purchase. Lee
Like my dad's! Yes, I said $100K, but that depends on engine / trans combo. He did note the car was fully "restored", but is that NCRS level or just a "regular" resto. Nonetheless, I agree - $100K is top number.
Definitely drive like a truck. When I was a kid, I thought the thing was awesome, but my reference point was my 1959 Chevy Sedan Delivery (with 3-spd on the column). My other car was a 1977 Honda Civic wagon, so the Corvette was like a dream. I drove my dad's / brother's '61 Vette back-to-back with my '66 E-Type - wow, there really was no comparison. The E-Type was a ballet dancer to the 'Vette's Frankenstein's monster. Crazy cool car, but my memory of the car as a young driver was forever shattered.
Great cars, A lot of work to drive, but the harder you drive them, the better they drive. It'll make you a better driver. $100K is Steep. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Never owned one, did own a C4. A friend of mine had one, a semi retired car dealer who had a small collection. I used to drive his cars to keep them exercised. The C1 body styles are my favorites in looks. As others have said it drives like a truck. Very disappointed in the drive. The only 50's era cars I've driven and found good. The Mercedes 300SL roadster, unfortunate its a million dollar car! Less expensive baby brother 190SL and the Jag XK120. There maybe others, but I'm only going by ones I've driven.
Buddy has one, but it's a resto mod and has 4 wheel independent suspension and a tube chassis, with LS3 drive train. Drives like a modern looks fantastic. I'm not into the old car drive with solid axel, crap brakes and horrible suspensions. They look okay, but drive like junk and it's just not for me. I did almost buy a midyear, but then I went for the e-type which was a space ship compared to the vettes. I would not trade a 456 for a C1.
Value is difficult to determine without more detail. '58 is a one year only car which to some makes it more valuable than the 59and 60. Motor and tranny matter, as does matching numbers, born with drive line and documentation. NCRS awards also add value. If you are over 6' and 200 lbs. (poorly distributed) you might find the interior tight. They do drive like a truck and handle well in a straight line, stopping at speed is exhilarating but they are ionic. I prefer the '63-'67 cars and own a '65 A/C coupe and '65 fuelie coupe. More room, better handling, better riding car. Joe
I would agree that the E type is a space ship compared to the C1-most definitely not when compared to the C2s. I've owned and enjoyed a couple of very nice XKEs(67,68) and still own 63,67,68,69 and 71 Corvettes. My 67 Corvette is every bit as nice to drive as my old Jag-and much faster.
Yes, the steering and handling is challenging, but after all, that is the charm of these cars. Have owned this car since 1970 and still love driving it and it's street presence is nothing less than the exotics that are in our collection. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Big improvements made with mid-year Vettes. I've wanted a '66/'67 coupe for as long as I can remember, blue / blue with rallye wheels. Maybe one day!
Discussion has been on handling. Most have not seen the actual suspension components that are on the C-1: Rear: Image Unavailable, Please Login
I can tell you that if you have the optional hardtop on it starts to become a challenge to wind you way in and out of the car. the top inhibits the entry and exit. Now I an 64 and 5' 8" and I can make it but for the most part I drive it with the soft top only. (and I can't recall the last time I put it up. As for value , a friend just sold a very nice 1961 single 4 bbl carb model with 4 speed at auction for $100,000. Image Unavailable, Please Login
As far as them driving like a truck, yep, pretty much! One thing I did during my suspension rebuild on my 59 was to add this little quick steering piece to the center link. That really did help the response, and works on your upper body strength while parking. Win Win. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
