Best way to get a collector car appraised?

bento · bento's Garage

Don't know if this is OT, hopefully not as I believe it has 911 relevance as well:

What is the best way to get a collector car appraised?
The car is question is a 1958 Corvette and is the subject of "dum da dum dum" a divorce proceeding. I figured I would be using the local fancy pants collector car dealer here in San Francisco. Is there anything out there in the Dupont Registry Universe that would be similar? Should I contact the respective car club?

Thanks

david

ken_xman · 10-10-2005, 10:57 AM

corvette club if its hers. local mechanic if its yours..... assuming 50/50 split

Brillo · Brillo's Garage

A certified auto appraiser. I believe there may be some listed in Hemmings. Local Corvette club may know someone.

bento · bento's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by ken_xman
corvette club if its hers. local mechanic if its yours..... assuming 50/50 split

It's not for me, but the assumption is amusing.

db

pwd72s · 10-10-2005, 01:25 PM

A '58 Corvette is a really old car. For purposes of divorce proceedings, I'd say it's worth $1,500...tops!

anthony · 10-10-2005, 05:25 PM

Cars like that can be graded by an expert on the typical 1-5 scale that they use for American cars and then comparitive auction sales can easily be looked up.

pwd72s · 10-10-2005, 06:35 PM

Seriously, a darned close appraisal should be no problem with an American icon like the '58 Vette...

JR_NYC · 10-10-2005, 10:22 PM

I bid $1,501 cash.

ddavidv · 10-11-2005, 04:46 AM

Being an insurance appraiser, collector car appraisals are kind of a pet peeve of mine.
I've seen a few...often, they reflect what the owner wishes it was worth moreso than what reality is.

Example: Carlisle Productions gives away cars at their shows. One of their vendors provides an appraisal for the give-away car for tax purposes. The same company also did an appraisal on a buddy's car. In both cases, the car was valued much higher than any realistic selling price, and the paperwork did not substantiate the results (no references or publications were cited). These were both common, affordable cars.

I would seek an appraisal from a Corvette specialist, as that is a rather unique market.

I would also be certain the owner requests a "fair market value" appraisal (explain that it is for a divorce) and not an inflated "may be worth this much next year" for insurance purposes appraisal.

RickM · RickM's Garage

IMO, the best way to access the value of a car is to see what the current market will actually bare. If it's a common car then a look at a local paper or some websites will likely give one an idea.

For a collector car I'd resort to an auctioneers current database....Kruse, Barret/Jackson etc. Sometimes their websites carry this info. A Google search may uncover sales prices as well.

This very service is also provided by Sports Car Market magazine. If you or a friend have a subscription then you can view current auction results and assessments from many sources.