Hi everybody. Two years ago I inherited my dad's 1966 Corvette Stingray convertible. He did an off body restoration (a job that he thought would take 6 months and actually took 18). It's the original color, Nassau Blue. It has a 350 hp 327 engine, 4 speed stick shift, and a Holley carburetor. It has a beautiful teak steering wheel. Sadly, that's the extent of my knowledge. I always knew that I would get this car when my dad passed away, but I figured that would be about 20 years from now when he was in his 80s maybe. Unfortunately, it happened suddenly and unexpectedly when he was 61 years old, and my life was turned upside down when I lost the best dad a girl could ask for and my best friend in the whole world.

I have always loved convertibles and I have always loved this car. I watched my dad put his blood sweat and tears into this car restoring it. I watched him work so hard to find original parts and have matching numbers. At one point he sanded so long his fingertips were bleeding and he joked he had no fingerprints. Of course, I didn't understand half of what he was telling me about it! I know he spent a ridiculous amount of money on ebay. I nearly fainted when he told me he paid $700 for the glove box!

Anyway, I don't experience the joy owning this car that I thought I would. I shouldn't own it yet in my mind, so maybe that's it. Even 2 years after losing my dad I still cry every time I drive it. My dad made me promise when the time came that I couldn't afford the upkeep and repairs, that I would sell it to someone who would appreciate it and not let it sit in my garage and turn into a heap of rust. I'm torn, but I think I might be at that point. Last fall I had to have the carburetor rebuilt. It sat in the garage all winter and then this spring it wouldn't start, turned out to need a new battery and voltage modulator. It needs a new top that I can't afford. But I never put the top up anyway. What's the point of having a convertible if you don't drive it with the top down? I also never drive it in the winter or in the rain or if it has rained recently and the roads are still wet.

So lately I've been thinking about selling the car. I want to get the best price I possibly can, of course, because I want it to be worth all my dad's hard work. Does anyone know of a company that will come and appraise the car? Someone who's certified perhaps, or very knowledgeable with Corvettes/old cars? I live in a very small community in Illinois and I had it appraised locally by a guy who rebuilds muscle cars at $55,000. However, he didn't confirm that all the numbers matched and other specific details that would get me the price of what it's worth. I'm afraid that if I do decide to keep it, that I don't have it insured for enough.

Sorry this is so long! Thanks for any help you can offer with an appraisal company.
Corinna

 

Welcome to the forum.

Sorry for your loss. If you have any Corvette clubs near by, check with some of their members. Most are always willing to help. You can also check places online like Corvette Trader. Good luck.

 

I am new to this. I have a 2001 C5 with a stock air filter. The strap on the passenger side has come loose. is there a trick to re-attaching the strap. Maybe a diagram some where on the internet. Thank you. Obie Young

Like I said I am new.. so when I got the email and started to click on the links. Then I noticed I had clicked on unsubscribe for this thread by mistake.. I hope I am back in now.

 

Welcome to the forum.

Can you post a picture of it? I'm not familiar w/ the C5.