Used Corvette: What Year Would You Buy?

[fotodad]

If you were to buy a used Corvette what year/model would you get and why? Let's say within the market of used Corvettes money is no object. And let's also stipulate this theoretical used Corvette you are buying is in mint condition, all original, and with only 1,000 miles.

I'd probably buy a 2004 C06 convertible.

[GeeWillikers]

Easy answer -

1966 Stingray Convertible with big block 427/425HP option. Rarer than what you normally see on the road. Love the bodystyle and love the motor. I much prefer the older vettes over the newer stuff.

[ashadiow]

I would buy the first corvette. That would be sweet, or a used '05 C6.

[Garnet Canuck]

Originally Posted by GeeWillikers

Easy answer -

1966 Stingray Convertible with big block 427/425HP option. Rarer than what you normally see on the road. Love the bodystyle and love the motor. I much prefer the older vettes over the newer stuff.

I would agree...no question. My uncle had a 66 Stingray convertible with the 427...it was blue with white leather. That thing was beautiful. I definitely would take an older vette any day!

[Msedanman]

Big block: '66 or '67
Small block: '63 S/B window

C.

[Garnet Canuck]

Originally Posted by Gsedanman

Big block: '66 or '67
Small block: '63 S/B window

C.

Yep, the 63 split window would be my second choice. Very rare. Didn't come with the 427 I don't think....just the 327 correct?

[Z06ified]

Originally Posted by canuck

Yep, the 63 split window would be my second choice. Very rare. Didn't come with the 427 I don't think....just the 327 correct?

Correct. The 427 didn't come out until 1966. The first big block option was the 396 in 1965, which was quickly replaced with the 427 a year later to out-gun Ford.

Money no object? I would go with a 1969 ZL-1 Corvette. It is the rarest production Corvette ever made - only 2 were ever built. It had an all aluminum 427, with the same power as the wicked L-88 (which was cast iron). The engine made 585 hp with just a set of headers, and the car weighed only 2,900 lbs. thanks to the lightweight aluminum engine. The ZL-1 option doubled the price of a regular 427 Corvette, and cost $10,000 back in 1969. That's like a $45k new Corvette today selling for $90k with just an engine option. Which is why only 2 were sold. But, the car did the quarter mile in 12.1 seconds and had a top speed of 180 mph - VERY fast for 1969.

Today, a ZL-1 is worth about $1 million because of its rarity and legendary performance.

[giddyup69]

Originally Posted by Z06ified

Correct. The 427 didn't come out until 1966. The first big block option was the 396 in 1965, which was quickly replaced with the 427 a year later to out-gun Ford.

Money no object? I would go with a 1969 ZL-1 Corvette. It is the rarest production Corvette ever made - only 2 were ever built. It had an all aluminum 427, with the same power as the wicked L-88 (which was cast iron). The engine made 585 hp with just a set of headers, and the car weighed only 2,900 lbs. thanks to the lightweight aluminum engine. The ZL-1 option doubled the price of a regular 427 Corvette, and cost $10,000 back in 1969. That's like a $45k new Corvette today selling for $90k with just an engine option. Which is why only 2 were sold. But, the car did the quarter mile in 12.1 seconds and had a top speed of 180 mph - VERY fast for 1969.

Today, a ZL-1 is worth about $1 million because of its rarity and legendary performance.

here's some pics:
http://www.c3sharktank.com/techinfo/whiteZL1.html
doesn't look like much on the outside... but this baby surely fly's.

[GZire]

'63 or a C6 Z06.

[NovaJay]

Originally Posted by GeeWillikers

Easy answer -

1966 Stingray Convertible with big block 427/425HP option. Rarer than what you normally see on the road. Love the bodystyle and love the motor. I much prefer the older vettes over the newer stuff.

What he said. Red with black trim.

[ChicagoX]

I think an original Grand Sport would be nice to have, parked between the '63 split window and the LT5 ZR1...

[Philly_G35]

I would go with a '67 427 L88. My buddy's dad has a all original '64 327/365 convertible which he bought in '66. Very nice car, but a little temperamental.