A few weeks ago, we featured a hot-rodded Pontiac Fiero offered up for sale with the tags from the auction it was purchased from still on the car. This 1991 Chevrolet Corvette is a recent charitable donation that is a similar case of auction regret, as the Mecum tag is still on the back of the car! This could also be a case of yet another set of children donating dad’s pride and joy to the local donation center, completely devoid of any other instincts telling them that such a car would bring $10,000 or better to the right buyer. Whatever the story is, aside from what sounds like a persistent misfire issue, this Corvette looks like a driver. It’s listed here on eBay with no reserve and bidding at $4,700.
Now, I know there’s always some folks who will say that when it comes to donating vehicles, it can be easier than dealing with the numerous tire-kickers littering craigslist and other pages these days. I truly get it. Plus, if you’re in the middle of settling an estate for a deceased loved one, the thought of entertaining numerous strangers at your home to look at dad’s old car that doesn’t run all that well can seem like a turn-off, too. I guess I just feel these days that people of a certain generation have such little interest in cars that more often than not, they’d prefer to just give it away rather than re-home it with an enthusiast like their father or uncle would have wanted. Who knows – maybe the previous owner didn’t even have any heirs.
This C4 Corvette may not seem like the most desirable of specimens, as it is just a run-of-the-mill automatic transmission model. There’s no ZR1 or Gran Sport designations here, and the lack of three pedals makes it even more unappealing. But you don’t see the C4 in yellow all that often, and if it was riding on the Collector’s Edition five-spoke wheels as opposed to these cheap-looking chrome jobs, it’d be much more appealing. Fortunately, the condition looks quite good inside and out, with seemingly damage-free body panels and black leather sport seats that may have even been redone at some point in the past. A quick Google search indicates just 615 cars were painted yellow in 1991.
The seller doesn’t perform exhaustive testing of these donation specials, basically just firing it up and seeing what happens. The listing indicates it is running roughly at the moment and showing signs of frequent misfiring. The battery also needed to be jumped for the test, so all signs point to it having been sitting for some time. Perhaps it was even bought at the auction, shipped home, and never registered, hence the Mecum tag still adhered to the back. Whatever the story is, the bidding is certainly cheap enough to justify picking up a C4 in a rare color that may just need some new plugs and wires to run like a top once again.
Wow, undiagnosed mechanical issues and 144K miles on the clock. I guess those bidding on this know something I don’t. I do like the color, though.
Take a look at the yellow C4 convertible of BaT. Wow!!!!
“on”
Methinks someone with a sense of fun and misadventure put the Mecum tag on this screaming yellow zonker.
Mecum would treat this thing like that maitre d’ treated Ferris and his friends in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. I too suspect the tag is the result of somebody with a dry sense of humor.
1991 is the most desirable L98 Corvette. However, it’s wishful thinking to believe any C4 with this kind of mileage it’s going to bring 10 grand. And quite frankly, I’m surprised it’s even up this high.
Charity Car Donation operations are a really good source of barn (garage)find cars. They are the go-to solution for real estate agents and families preparing properties for sale after a death or moving someone in to long term care.
Frequently the involved parties are from out-of-town, are not “car people”, or are just too busy to deal with it. It is rare that immaculate collector/muscle cars end up in the system, but decent projects are found with some regularity.
In the last several years, I have bought a few, including a disassembled ’74 Corvette. The owner had spent years performing a frame-off restoration of a decent car. He had rebuilt or replaced almost everything, and it came with a pickup truck load of NOS and repro parts. when I got it, the body was back on, in primer, but the top, interior, wiring harness, gauges etc were all in boxes. The rebuilt engine and transmission were in, but not hooked up. I had it running and moving in a weekend.The owner had sadly died just as he was starting to reassemble it. I paid $4,500 for it and spent about $2k finishing it. It was red with tan interior. I drove it a few times, and later sold it a year later for $15k. I am not a flipper……I just had too many Corvettes, and like my C2s better.
I’ve been to this storage/auction site in Orange Ca. and despite the name (JD Just Donated), I believe it is a privately owned business and is NOT affiliated with any charity. Although this looks like a nice Corvette, most of the cars that roll through here are laden with problems, too costly to repair so the owners just donate them. So, before bidding, have it thoroughly inspected. And be aware, be very aware.
100% total scam. At least they have a sense of humor. The contact’s last name is “Riggers”.
Perhaps you’re 100% uninformed
@DN- Tell us about how this is a charity then. Nothing on the website has anything listing any details of how it works.
Frank has a point. You have to be very careful when it comes to charities and a little research will go a long way.
There is no JDC or Just Donated listed on https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm
If you want to read some interesting stuff google Kars4Kids.
Read their eBay feedback FIRST…
This Vette sold at Mecum Chicago Fall 2021 for $8,250 incl fees:
https://www.mecum.com/lots/CH1021-468190/1991-chevrolet-corvette-coupe/
Oh my goodness that was a lousy investment. I guess they must have got caught up in the moment. The buyer probably either expired or it was so problem laden that they just shuffled it off to the charity, leaving the once proud Mecum sign on it in grim passive aggressive satisfaction
I notice that there’s no mention of the mileage in the Mecum listing.
L98 + automatic+144,000 miles = $4000 Corvette. Maybe.
Located in:
Orange, California
I really wish someone would donate a Vette to me, a 65 big block 4 speed please !
😂
Hmmm… wonder if that car has had some kind of flood damage… lots of rusty screws along the door sills and carpet is really nasty.