This $700 Corvette Posted On Craigslist Turned Out To Be Worth Millions (2024)

The seller had no clue what he was sitting on.

It may have looked like an early C1 Corvette but it turned out to be much, much more than that. Too bad the guy from the Tampa Bay, Florida area who first posted it for sale about five years ago on Craigslist only priced it at $700. Big mistake. It was the No. 1 Cunningham Corvette. Here's what his ad claimed (typos included): "SERIAL # X53L on documented 1953 pre-production Corvette Frame. We believe this to be a 1953 Pontiac prototype that was to assume the name Longoria?

Info received todate indicates that Zagato designed and PIininfarina constructed the body for GM in late 52. Might anyone have knowledge of some former FISHER BODY executive that could assist in further identifying this automobile?"

This $700 Corvette Posted On Craigslist Turned Out To Be Worth Millions (2)

Clearly this guy had no clue what he had. The No. 1 Cunningham Corvette is the most sought-after Corvette ever built, and is worth millions of dollars. The Cunningham Corvette, of which three were built, is a 1960 model year C1 made into racecars by Briggs Cunningham. All three raced at Le Mans that year, but only car # 3 finished, and it won its class. But then the cars were turned back into street cars and were sold. They disappeared for years. Number 3 was found first and restored. Number 2 was found in a California junkyard, but is now on display (and restored) at the Petersen Automotive Museum. Number 1, according to a Fox News report, has been positively identified and is now owned by an Indiana car dealer.

No word on how much the guy ended up paying for it, but a full restoration is planned, which will cost more than $500,000 and will take at least a year. After that it's expected the owner will sell it, asking somewhere from $3 million to $7 million, if not more. So, the lesson here is that if you plan to sell something on Craigslist, or any other online platform, do your homework first. Who knows? You could be missing out on millions.

This $700 Corvette Posted On Craigslist Turned Out To Be Worth Millions (2024)

FAQs

Is a used Corvette a good investment? ›

The data from the survey tells us that the average lightly used car costs about 12.8% less ($5,778) than its new-car equivalent. However, pre-owned vehicles like the Chevrolet Corvette tend to keep their values higher than the market average even after 12 months or 10,000 miles of use.

How much can I sell my Corvette for? ›

2021 Chevrolet Corvette Value - $40,229-$62,840 | Edmunds.

What are Corvettes worth? ›

2023 Chevrolet Corvette Value - $52,318-$105,539 | Edmunds.

What is the most undesirable year for a Corvette? ›

In-Depth Analysis: Why These Corvette Years Failed to Impress
  • 1953 C1 Corvette: The Early Struggles. ...
  • 1979 L48 Corvette: Underpowered and Overproduced. ...
  • 1980 California 305: Emissions Troubles and Power Deficits. ...
  • 1982 C3 Corvette: The End of an Era with a Whimper. ...
  • 1984 C4 Corvette: A Rocky Start to a New Generation.
Apr 11, 2024

What is the best year Corvette to buy used? ›

  • 1962-1965 L75 327/300. Best Used Corvettes to Buy – #1 1964 Corvette – Photo Credit Chevrolet Archives. ...
  • 1969 L46 350/350. ...
  • 1980-1981 Corvettes. ...
  • 1988-1989 Corvette Challenge Cars. ...
  • 1985-1991 L98 Corvettes. ...
  • 1982, 1988, and 1993 Special Edition Corvettes. ...
  • 1996 LT4-Optioned Chevy Corvette. ...
  • 1997-2000 Corvettes.

What is the average income of a Corvette owner? ›

A Chevrolet spokesman told FOX Business that the median income of a Corvette buyer last year was up $76,000 to $214,000, suggesting it is being cross-shopped with cars well above its $59,995 base price, which is only $3,000 more than the previous version's.

Do Corvettes hold their value well? ›

A Chevrolet Corvette will depreciate 18% after 5 years and have a 5 year resale value of $84,704. The iconic Corvette is one of the best models out there for holding its value over the long term. Out of over 100 popular models, it consistently ranks in the Top 10 in years 5 and 7.

What is the best way to sell a classic Corvette? ›

The best way to sell your classic car for a good price is to use a broker or an auction house.

What is the least valuable Corvette? ›

C4 (1984–96)

After debuting with 205 hp, base cars quickly got a bump to 230, and for 1986, a convertible model returned to the lineup following an 11-year absence. It's the '86 coupe we're interested in, however, and at around $17,900, it's the cheapest Corvette of them all.

What year is the most sought after Corvette? ›

The 1969 Corvette ZL-1 is perhaps one of the rarest and most highly sought-after 'Vettes ever made. You could say that it is a true automotive unicorn since only two of these beasts were ever built.

What is the downside of owning a Corvette? ›

Corvettes Are the Ultimate “Low Rider”

First, ask any non-Corvette automobile enthusiast what the biggest downside to a Corvette is, and the majority will readily reply that “the car sits too low!” They're not entirely wrong, though there are also plenty of cars that sit just as low a Corvette, and some sit even lower.

Do used Corvettes hold their value? ›

The Chevy Corvette depreciates slower than others

The Corvette has been a top performer in the resale market for some time. In a 2018 study by iSeeCars.com, a 2013 C7 Corvette placed third behind the VW Golf R and Subaru Impreza WRX for having the lowest average five-year depreciation among sports cars.

Is buying an old Corvette a good idea? ›

Pay Attention to Cost

The cost of owning a Corvette can be steep, so be prepared to pay for the luxury of owning this classic car. However, they are a good investment if you like to fix and resell cars. Unless you plan on purchasing a Corvette that needs repair, be ready to pay a hefty price.

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