What are the best ways to maximize the value of a Z car?

I feel like the most valuable Z cars are those in concours condition, or extremely clean, unmodified cars. So in restoring my own Z, I've been careful to keep every single original part and the modifications I'm performing are reversible and tasteful (in my opinion of course).

So, what type of modifications do the least to hurt the value of a Z, or maybe even increase the value?

For instance, I'm upgrading springs (Eibachs), shocks (Tokico HP), and bushings (urethane kit). I would think on a super low mileage beauty these upgrades may actually hurt value slightly, but on my 177k '77 I imagine these can only make it more appealing than the 10 to 37 year old parts she had.

Thanks,

Kai

IMO, if you're not talking about a concourse car, then invisible mods made for reliability sake are certainly acceptable -- things like electronic flashers, headlight relays, alternator upgrades, and the like. Visible mods made for reliability, like MaxiFuses, are less acceptable when preserving value, but they aren't intolerable. If you actually drive the car, you should do the mods necessary to make it a reliable machine.

I feel mods that change the appearance of the car detract from the intrinsic value, but I also realize most people don't feel this way. I don't like the practice of changing the bumpers, putting air dams on the front, lowering the stance, or flaring the fenders. These are all period incorrect, and they change how the car fits in with automotive history. I personally draw a line at the raising of the hood. I'm willing to have mods under the hood (engine mods being a common practice throughout a broad chunk of automotive history), but I want the car to look the way it originally did when the hood is closed. Wheels of course are an accepted exception, including by me.

Sadly I do not believe these cars will ever have a lot of value, except for the earliest of the series 1 cars. There may also be some low mileage cars of latter years that can demand a high price based on condition/mileage but once your over 100k? I own a late series 1 (Dec. 1970) that has been modified slightly for better reliability primarily in the electrical area, value who knows/cares I did not buy it as an investment. I drive it and enjoy it.

I agree with FastWoman do mods to make it reliable and fun to drive and do just that.

Edited July 2, 201410 yr by jwtaylor

I admire your preservation efforts but I think there are a couple of issues here.

First is the "collectability" of the car itself. I realize that most of our Z populations have been attrited through rust, driver error, other driver error, teenager mod hacking, race car modifications, and abandonment. But collectability is different than rarity. It is held in the mind of the collector - not the numbers crunchers. A few years ago my daughter bought a 10 year old Firebird convertible, thinking "it was the last year of production so it is going to be valuable someday." I think you can understand there is a difference in the collector value of a first year Firebird.

Second is the utility you will get out of any modification. A major part of the Gestalt of a car is driving it from point A to point B. Restoring a car to concourse condition so it can sit a garage is less a car in my mind. Preserved, yes. An example of the automotive art, yes. But it is but a pale reflection of what it once was.

So if a modification extends its life, increases your safety, gives you increased enjoyment, or leads you to drive the car more, I would lean towards doing it even if it may effect some future "collector's" opinion of desirability. As I watch my Australian Shepard puppy mature, I know after ten years with advancing arthritis, he would still prefer to be out, running the sheep and not lounging on the porch.

When I replaced the original heater with a VintageAir AC, I did preserve the removed components for the sake of a future owner. I mounted the compressor in the old air pump location to preserve the original under the hood appearance. And I only hacked the center console for the new controller after I was assured that replacement OEM panels would be readily available. The utility of AC in Florida far outweighed the extra distance from concourse condition.

If you are not in the business of concourse restorations, and your efforts at preservation are successful, you may well be selling to someone who IS in the business of restorations. It is almost guaranteed his estimate of the value of your preservation efforts will be less than yours.

Yes, weight one factor against the other, decide and don't look back. Enjoy!

Edited July 2, 201410 yr by djwarner

I think I'll be lucky to get my money back on my '77 if I ever sold it. There's still plenty of those around.

Here is a recent blog by Keith on the subject.

How Many Mods to Your Collector Car?

Good read, I especially liked the comments.

What are the best ways to maximize the value of a Z car?

So, what type of modifications do the least to hurt the value of a Z, or maybe even increase the value?

Do Quality Work - no matter if it's Stock, Street Mod or HybridZ. We all know the difference between "Quality Work" and "Half-Fast" work when we see it. Do it right the first time - or leave it alone.

Go "Mild" not "Wild" - A really well done HybridZ. with a beautiful Corvette V8 and fantastic drive train etc - - can have its value to others destroyed when the owner paints it some horrendous wild Color - or has Skills and Big Boob air brushed on the hood etc.

Want to increase Value - start from a lower beginning point. Control your spending to begin with. Just because you got in a hurry and paid too much, or did too much keep - in mind you won't recover most of it.

I'm sure there are more "rules of thumb"…

FWIW,

Carl B.

Do Quality Work - no matter if it's Stock, Street Mod or HybridZ. We all know the difference between "Quality Work" and "Half-Fast" work when we see it. Do it right the first time - or leave it alone.

Go "Mild" not "Wild" - A really well done HybridZ. with a beautiful Corvette V8 and fantastic drive train etc - - can have its value to others destroyed when the owner paints it some horrendous wild Color - or has Skills and Big Boob air brushed on the hood etc.

Want to increase Value - start from a lower beginning point. Control your spending to begin with. Just because you got in a hurry and paid too much, or did too much keep - in mind you won't recover most of it.

I'm sure there are more "rules of thumb"…

FWIW,

Carl B.

I have seen some really nice LS1 conversion, almost perfect executed work and wonder if that will be a minus factor on a clean early Z .

It will be a minus factor to people looking for a clean early Z - but HybridZ's done in a professional manor sell easily for far more money… More than the person spent doing it? Maybe not. But the market values for a clean early Z {#3 Condition" might be in the $13K to $15K range right now - and the well done HybridZ might sell for $18K to $25K or more..{all depends on the car of course}.

WE have seen some shoddy V8 swaps lately not bring $12K…in those cases it would have been better to leave the car alone.

FWIW,

Carl B.

@Carl Beck. Good to know that a well verse Z person does not insult a well done Vette powered Z. The Z is a canvas that has high gallery pieces and flea market finds.

Ive seen modified cars go for a decent amount. (I know purist won't agree with this) Its all about the quality of parts.. I think japanese modded cars can hold their value.. Authentic japanese wheels as opposed to Rotas/XXRs, Authentic jdm fender mirrors, as opposed to the plastic fender mirrors etc.