1968 or a 1974?

The never ending question! I have the chance to buy a 1974 454, 4 speed, a/c rag top. Less than 60,000 miles, 4 owner car. I remember it as well equiped, white with a saddle interior. Air cleaned signed by Zora D.
Now, do I sell my '68 Safari Yellow, 327, 4 speed that I have slowly been restoring for 5 years, or not! Question, is the 74 w/ a BB going to continue to rise in value, because NADA shows the '68 at a higher "average retail" by about $ 5,000. The '74 is a steal at the price he is asking. Need some input from you fine people, what would you do? HELP ME, PLEASE!!

Is the 68 a Coupe?

Do you prefer a coupe or a convertible?
Do you drive the 68?
Is it just a car for investment purposes?

Scot

are either one of these cars numbers matching..

if the 74 BB is #'s matching... id go with that..

but then again... id probably keep both.

cthulhu said: but then again... id probably keep both.

I agree! Buy the 74, keep the 68. The 74 will continue to appreciate as it was the last year for a big block and no catalytic converter. Will the 74 maybe pass the 68 in price? Probably not.

I say go for both! Mortgage the house, sell the kids, put the wife to work...whatever it takes!

EZ68Vet said: . . . The '74 is a steal at the price he is asking . . . what would you do? HELP ME, PLEASE!!

I'm pretty much with Gunslinger on this one. If it REALLY is a steal, then steal it! Especially if you have a way to afford to maintain/preserve both. If things get too tight, the '68 is already worth more if you get in a major crunch. But, if the '74 is truly a "steal" then you should have no problem coming out ahead if you have to sell in a hurry (and you'll still have the "moneymaker" '68).

My personal belief is that the chrome-bumpered cars will ALWAYS be worth more. Not just because they will always be older. Rather, they represent a HUGE part of the true musclecar era. And that "sense of history" is what will drive the pricing. That emotion is what people are paying for - and what I truly believe they/we will continue to pay for. A restored 1960 doesn't bring 60 Grand because it's actually worth that. It brings it because it's a $4K "used car" with a $56,000.00 emotional attachment to a bunch of people.

If you can have both without dipping into the "egg money", I say go for it. Otherwise, keep the '68 and let the other go.

Hope this helps. Let us know how it all shakes out.

John

|UPDATED|5/7/2004 5:12:29 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

keep both when will you ever get the chance for two great Vettes as them?

Are you sure the 74 is an original BB a/c car? If so I'm surprised it isn't sold already. Joe

lumberjack said: My personal belief is that the chrome-bumpered cars will ALWAYS be worth more. Not just because they will always be older. Rather, they represent a HUGE part of the true musclecar era. And that "sense of history" is what will drive the pricing.

while the book may say a 68 SB coupe is more valuable than a 74 BB convertible. I would probably disagree based on watching sales on ebay.

less than 15% of 74's were convertible, I imagine the relatively high gas prices made BB quite rare too..

a 58-62 pretty much sells for about the same price.

when I envision a muscle car.. i think loud, gas guzzler, huge engine, and ridiculous HP/weight ratio.

when i think sports car I think impractical two seater.

i think the 74BB would be both.. where as the 68 SB is a sports car.

of course this is all based on the premise that the 454 is #match.

WOW.. what a response. They are both rag tops. The '68 has a way to go to be a real prize winner, but I like it. Side exhaust, makes noise, runs great! Sorry to say, I can't keep both. The 74 is at $ 18,500, private. I thinks its a deal. The '68 is a "rare' year and parts are tough for a one year only car. '69 & up....never a problem for resto parts. Gee....now what do I do!!! Keep them cards & letters coming, any offers on the '68. I am leaning to the '74, and yes, its a 4 owner, all numbers ok, all origional. Still have to go take another close look at it .
Thanks all....