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Parked for 25 Years: Corvette Collector Edition

The Collector Edition C3 Corvette is a bit of an anomaly, as the packaging essentially amounted to special wheels and colors, and over 6,000 were sold. Featuring “unlimited availability,” you can still find nearly new ones for sale today. This example is said to have once been loved but been left to rot by the seller’s father for the last 20-plus years. Find it here on eBay with no reserve and light bidding activity.
 

Take note of what the C3 is parked next to in the top photo – it looks like more than one Corvette has been languishing outside. The seller claims he and his father bought the Collector Edition with front-end damage and proceeded to replace the damaged components with new parts direct from GM. This also included all new weatherstripping and factory decal kit, but the engine developed a knock and the car was parked.

What a shame to see that work go to waste, but then again – if the seller’s father was in the business of fixing and flipping – once the engine required a rebuild, it became a money loser. The Collector Edition-specific turbine wheels are still present and the body shut lines look good. With all the junk cleared away, it’s possible to see that the tires still hold air and the seller claims the Corvette rolls freely.

Only two photos of the front end are included, and you can see the paint peel is significant. This Collector Edition likely represents a fair deal with no reserve, unless the title indicates it was salvage due to the aforementioned front end impact. The seller does not have a pink slip for the Corvette and it will come with a bill of sale only – not normally a big deal, but the disclosed accident damage becomes more of a concern at that point. Is this a parts car or a project?

Comments

  1. Avatar Rick

    Wow… mixed feelings as I own one of these. “Worth” is a relative term. But since this has no title, that knocks any value down to the point of it’s either a parts car or a high budget project. The wheels and T-top panels specific to this car are unobtainum unless someone parts a car to eBay (or someone finds NOS stock, like last month, and puts them up for mega dollars). If the price stays low and a title was able to be had, every single part to restore the car is available, and you’d still be upside down in the end. Late C3’s still aren’t holding value (yet).. if you wanted to play the waiting game, once restored it would be a fun Sunday runner.

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  2. Avatar Gary

    Keep an eye on this seller and maybe that C1 sitting next to it will be the next thing he lists.

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  3. Avatar Andre

    ^ curious indeed.. 56/57 with a hardtop.. interesting

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    • Avatar Andre

      Now that i’m on a real computer see it (C1) has an NCRS sticker on it… Surely a top flight car….

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  4. Avatar ronebee

    no title = little value

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    • Avatar PoPPaPork

      This one has minimal value even with a title, ive seen late c3s going for under 4 grand running and driving. This thing is not even worth much as a parts car l! the frame and birdcage are most likely rusted, interior is shot. What parts would you use from this heap other than the rims? Diff to use as a core for a rebuild if yours exploded? Even if it was mechanically perfect just paint and interior would cost double the value of a mint one

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      • Avatar Steve R

        If the car is local to where the ad is placed rust will not be an issue.

        California requires a title, any interested person would need to find out if there are any back fees, that could easily be more than the auctions closing bid.

        Steve R

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      • Avatar PoPPaPork

        STEVE R i strongly disagree, you do not know the history of this vehicle, where was the ftst owner located? if there is no rust how come the seller took 13 pictures and did not atempt to take a single “undercarriage pic”? its super easy to do from the back on these cars. Obviously the seller is hoping someone will buy it sight unseen….

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      • Avatar Rick

        For someone restoring their own CE, the T-tops, wheels and rear hatch were particular to this car. I have spares of each since they can’t be (usually) had easily. Badging is specific to the car, as are all the interior pieces. The interior on this one is beyond shot, other than the dash surround there doesn’t seem to be much salvageable.

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      • Avatar PoPPaPork

        RICK i agree with your statement however someone resorong a CE should already have all the glass and t-tops, i cant imagine someone starting with a worse car than this, this will always be a late c3…

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      • Avatar Rick

        PoPPa.. yes, that’s true, everyone should have all the parts in a resto, but if your tops are scratched etc. The rear hatch glass… there’s always the possibility of busting it if an owner errantly tries to adjust the hinges. Yes, it will always be a late C3, but to us enthusiasts it’s still one that can be used to save another. I have seen way worse be brought back (not a CE, but a late C3).

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      • Avatar PoPPaPork

        Rick, since the lat3 c3 have so little value i think there are best candidates for resto mods, pro streets etc.

        Btw i have a 79 :)

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  5. Avatar leiniedude Member

    She also has a 1978 CORVETTE SILVER ANNIVERSARY L82 4 SPEED for sale in about the same shape, only missing motor and four speed.

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    • Avatar Vin in NJ

      And missing the pink slip as well.

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  6. Avatar CCFisher

    Collector Edition cars were the only C3 Corvettes with an opening rear hatch.

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    • Avatar Steve

      Never knew that.

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  7. Avatar BillB

    My father had one of these. It was stolen out of my parents garage in 1985 when they were sleeping with three dogs in the house. Definitely stolen by professionals. No title….could be his!?!

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  8. Avatar Jim M

    I’m also a 1982 Collector Edition owner. In the sorry state this CE is in, it will cost a fortune to bring it back. Paint and graphics alone will be $8-10K to do it right. Add another $3-4K for a complete interior. Now get to the engine problem. You’ll be buried in this one in no time. At this point, sadly it’s a parts car.

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  9. Avatar sparecr

    $1650 as I type this. Tempting. I live in Alabama so the title is a non-issue after 25 years… But then again I could buy a running driving low milage CE for the same money (after restoration) and enjoy it immediately. This is what I call poor credit collector car financing. By the car and every month instead of making a payment you buy a part.

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  10. Avatar jeff6599

    Title not a problem in Michigan. Have VIN inspected and verified not stolen by local police. Take their verification to DMV office and a title is yours for $15.00.

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    • Avatar PRA4SNW

      Same here in NH.

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  11. Avatar leiniedude Member

    Winning bid:US $2,000.00
    [ 9 bids ]

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  12. Avatar CATHOUSE

    And now relisted with the bid at $1580.

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  13. Avatar Mark

    Just a question,if I had one of these vettes , and I live in Connecticut, and it was mint, it would be worthless because Connecticut does not issue titles for cars 25 years or older? I can buy a car from any state and register here.

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