tMichaelis Corvette Perspective

are in for the following NCRS and Bloomington sanctioned shows where ProTeam’s Personal Reserve Collection cars were judged:
June 5/6 NCRS Detroit:
1953 Corvette, VIN #39 = Top Flight
1953 Corvette, VIN #268 = Top Flight
1967 Corvette Convertible Red 435 = Top Flight
1968 Corvette Convertible Red/Red L88 = Top Flight
1969 Corvette T-Top Black 435 = Second Flight
June 11/13 NCRS Wisconsin Regional:
1967 Triple Black 400 hp w/factory air = Top Flight
1968 Red/Red L88 = Top Flight
June 25/27 Bloomington Gold Certification:
1953 Corvette, VIN #39 = Bloomington Silver certification
1953 Corvette, VIN #93 = Bloomington Gold certification
1953 Corvette, VIN #268 = Bloomington Silver certification
1967 Convertible 435 hp Red/Red = Bloomington Silver certification
1968 Convertible L88 Red/Red = Special Collection
1969 Convertible L88 Yellow = Special Collection
1969 T-Top L88 Green = Bloomington Survivor certified, Bloomington Gold certified, Bloomington Benchmark certified
1970 Convertible LT1 Laguna Grey = Bloomington Survivor certified, Bloomington Silver certification
1971 convertible LS6 Export = Special Collection
1972 Convertible 3,000 miles White = Bloomington Survivor certified, Bloomington Gold certified, Bloomington Benchmark certified
1981 T-Top 3,000 miles Beige = Bloomington Survivor certified, Bloomington Gold certified, Bloomington Benchmark certified
These results speak loudly as to the quality of our special  Corvettes and our shop employees who painstakingly prepared them for judging and now we’re off to the NCRS National convention which takes place in San Jose, California on July 12-17, 2009 with three very special Corvettes. See you there!!! Comments and/or questions should be directed to terry@proteamcorvette.com

tMichaelis at work on the judging field Bloomington ‘09

Share This

The search and purchase of the most desirable mid-year Corvettes ever produced…

Number one would be a 1963 Corvette split window coupe equipped with factory fuel injection (327-360 hp) and a 4 speed transmission.

 color: Preferred color would be tuxedo black with a red interior, although I would settle for a black interior. I would make absolutely sure that the trim tag and VIN tag were the original and have not been off the car. I might settle for riverside red but prefer black.

 condition: I would want to buy a body-off restored car with few excuses or a low mile survivor that is unrestored, unmolested, in at least number two condition.

 awards: I would like a car that has been judged by the NCRS (National Corvette Restorers Society) or Bloomington Gold within the last five years as it adds credibility and helps me sleep better.

 price range: I would love to buy the above described tuxedo black examples for $125,000..00 but I am a realist and know that a “real deal” car would more than likely push me to $150,000.00 to $175,000.00.

Number Two would be a 1967 Corvette convertible equipped with a 427-435 hp engine or a 427-400 hp with factory air. I would want a 4 speed transmission with as many options possible. I prefer factory side exhaust but know I can always add (bolt-on) this owner preferred option later.

 color: Preferred color would be tuxedo black with a red interior, although I would settle for a black interior. I would absolutely be sure that the trim tag and VIN tag were the original and have not been off the car. I might settle for rally red but prefer black as only 815 Corvettes were painted this color in 1967.

condition: I would want to buy a body-off restored car with few excuses or a low mile survivor that is unrestored, unmolested, in at least number two condition.

awards: I would like a car that has been judged by the NCRS (National Corvette Restorers Society) or Bloomington Gold within the last five years as it adds credibility and helps me sleep better.

documentation: I would want an original motor car or an original unmolested unrestored car where in documentation would not be necessary. If the car was restored with a restoration motor, I would want as much factory/delivery dealer paperwork (documentation) as possible, at least a tank sticker, window sticker, warranty book/protecto-plate, car shipper, or dealer invoice. At least one of these items would be necessary and the document would be subject to scrutiny by Al Grenning’s CCAS for an affirmation of its legitimacy thus reducing the stress of subjectivity and guru  options.

price range: I would love to purchase the above described tuxedo black examples for $275,000.00 to $300,000.00 but I am a realist and know that a “real deal” car would move my checkbook closer to $350,000.00 which is still a hard find even in our current lackluster economy. A rally red example would be much less since Chevrolet produced almost three times as many.

The ultimate mid-year bookends! A high performance small block and a big block. One coupe and one convertible… and both black. email your comments to terry@proteamcorvette.com

Share This

But… Corvette’ing is a Great Stress Reliever… and people are still buying Corvettes and will be Corvette’ing this spring, summer, and fall as owning a Corvette goes way beyond the investment/R.O.I. factor… it actually gives one “bragging rights”

It is easy to get caught up in the “bad” news of the day and forget there is life out there and that it is always better in a Corvette.

Share This

Buy American… and save the domestic auto industry, millions of jobs, and our economy… yeah!!! How about a bail out plan that gives ALL auto manufacturers 5 years to install or bring back 90% North American auto content of parts used in the production of their cars and trucks and tax or sanction those who fail the 90% rule. Sure!!! It would be tough for the domestics but more so for the cheap imports that have been stealing our jobs and raping our economy. The imports would have to build more plants in the US and buy US produced components from the sub-contract manufacturing base thus the rebuild of our industrial/manufacturing industries which equals employment! Sell it here. Make it here!!! Call it protectionism. Call it whatever you want. It’s beyond time that we take care of we!!! Just my two cents!!! email your comments to terry@proteamcorvette.com

Obama… Well, here we go again… It’s March 2009 and we have a new President that is poised to fix the economy, fix the health care system, fix our banking system, fix GM, Ford, and Chrysler, fix our crumbling roads and infrastructure, stop wars, catch Osama, fix and normalize relations with Cuba (foremost), Hugo, Iran, North Korea, and anyone else that we pissed-off over the last fifty years. Can he do it? Absolutely! Will we pay? Absolutely! Are we having fun yet? Yep! Did you get your share of the TARP bailout funds? Nope!? Me neither! There will be an opportunity for many people in the right place at the right time as the Billions/Trillions of dollars are allocated and spent on the many reforms that are coming our way… and hopefully these new rich people won’t forget about our little ProTeam Corvette Sales operation in Napoleon, Ohio (pop. 9,182). email your comments to terry@proteamcorvette.com

Share This

The love affair is still hot as car collectors spent over $170 million in January 2009 on collector cars at ten public collector car auctions. This all goes against the grain when you listen to the news about the US economy but at least owning a collector car rewards the owner with something tangible that other investments lack. The media pundit’s “doom and gloom” forecast was over shadowed by the car collector’s passion and enthusiasm which shows our hobby’s resiliency and in many cases an opportunity, where as, one may have the chance to buy a rare car today that may not ever present itself to the market again, at least not in the short term.

note: The beautiful weather in Arizona and Florida may have had something to do with the excellent results previously described.

email comment to terry@proteamcorvette.com

Share This

from toy, driver, or used car? In the current issue of Classic Cars, the people at Bloomington Gold tackle this question and in the process has delivered the quintessential handbook for evaluating your needs and want when buying a classic Corvette. It gives you questions to ask and the answer you should expect. Not sure what you’re looking for? This article wades into those hostile waters too. Click here to read the article in its entirety.

For more information on Bloomington Gold. Visit their website at: BloomingtonGold.com

Share This

Corvette prices over the last 3 decades have a proven analytical track record that can be illustrated. I’ve put it in a graph that has come from actual sales and can be tracked by decades of data. There were many highs and lows during this 30 year span, ie: recessions, wars, high interest, low interest, many elections, October ‘87 stock market melt down, ‘89/’91 classic & sports car boom/bust, end of the cold war, tech market boom/bust,  9/11, mortgage boom/bust, an impending global financial zero hour, and now the September ‘08 Wall Street/Big Three meltdown, and the Washington bailout. Time will only tell what the next decade has in mind for classic car and in particular Corvette prices, as the masses continue to pursue their needs over their desires and with any reward there is a degree of risk. The classic Corvette is a proven investment for both pocketbook and garage, take advantage of the current lull in the Corvette price storm and don’t get left behind this time around. Check out an example of Corvette Prices over the last 3 decades below:

*source: figures are based on personal/internal sales data collected by Terry Michaelis & ProTeam Corvette Sales and are specifically based on a 1967 Corvette Convertible 427-435, #1 condition, Red/Black convertible. NCRS or Bloomington Gold with factory documentation.

** Data is from actual sales made by author and author has knowledge of other extremes but chose to eliminate the extreme highs from certain high profile auctions and the many 1967’s that were sold in 2008 for much more, ie: $245,000.00 to over $300,000.00. Using $200,000.00 as the baseline number will leave much room for good appreciation over the next decade.

*** Prior to 1978 the older Corvette was not considered a collectible but was a desirable sports car that, in many times, was used year round in all climates.

**** Why 1978? A) The rage and over editorialization of the Indy Pace car creating awareness and desirability of all Corvettes, B)  Formation of the (NCRS) National Corvette Restorers Society in 1974, C) The beginning of the Bloomington Gold show, D) The many (NCCC) National Council of Corvette Clubs, E) The growth of the Corvette after market parts business that made discontinued parts available.

***** The above example is of one particular Corvette that exemplifies the over all appreciation of most all classic Corvettes, especially the legitimate solid lifter cars, ie: L88’s, 365’s, 425’s, fuelies, LT1’s, and split window coupes. The appreciation curves are very similar to the chart above with the exception of the L88 which simply blows these numbers away. The author will attempt to graph other examples from actual sales records in the near future. For now… enjoy!

author: Terry Michaelis

email comment to terry@proteamcorvette.com

Share This

Scottsdale, Az. — Turns out the guy driving that 1967 Shelby GT500 as an enthusiast has the side benefit of being a smart investor. Leading into the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company’s inaugural event in Las Vegas, the collector car auction house reported that many of the top cars sold have performed better in value than the stock market and gold over the last 10 years.

“Though most people buy a collector car to enjoy, they have also proven to be one of the soundest investment vehicles in the global marketplace over the past 10 years,” said Craig Jackson, Chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “It’s rare that a hobby and someone’s passion has the potential of being a great investment.”

The Barrett-Jackson mini-index (see chart below) was created in 2003 and consists of representative cars that reflect the diversity seen in the collector car market. These cars span from 1957 to 1970 and are primarily European and American sports cars and U.S. muscle cars. The cars used in the index are the 1957 Thunderbird, 1967 Jaguar XKE, 1967 Shelby GT500, 1970 Camaro Z/28, 1970 AAR ‘Cuda, 1965 Austin Healy MK III and a 1967 Corvette 427/435. According to the data released today, the value of the cars in the Barrett-Jackson mini-index grew by a compounded annual growth rate of 16 percent from Q1 1998 to Q1 2008, which included economic and political upheaval stemming from major events ranging from the Invasion of Iraq, the Dot Com bubble crash, and 9/11. During that same period, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) grew a compounded 5 percent annually while the S&P 500 Index grew 4 percent. The price of gold grew a compounded 11 percent in the same period.

“These numbers paint a vivid picture of the intrinsic value and growth of the collector car market,” said Steve Davis, President of Barrett-Jackson. “A financial analyst will tell you that every market has year-to-year fluctuations, but that the true measure is performance over time. We’re proud to be part of that great performance of the collector car market and we believe our expansion this week into Las Vegas will reinforce the view that collector cars are not only our consumers’ passion but offer the potential of providing long-term value. Most enthusiasts like me take great solace that as a car collector, we own tangible assets that have not only stood up to the test of time in value, but can also be driven and enjoyed.”

“With all the turbulence in the current capital markets, we are pleased with our key economic indicators for this event. Tickets sales have been strong, our Las Vegas consignment slots were sold out a month ago, and bidder registration has exceeded our expectations. Bidder interest and registration have not waned despite the negative news coming from Wall Street.”

About The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company: Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to classic and collector car owners, astute collectors and automotive enthusiasts around the world. The company produces the “World’s Greatest Collector Car Events™” in Scottsdale, Palm Beach, Fla. and Las Vegas. For more information about Barrett-Jackson, visit www.barrett-jackson.com or call (480) 421-6694.

Media Contact: Scott Black at sblack@tprm-usa.com or (214) 566-6458 (www.tprm-usa.com)

Share This

Did your 401K turn into a 301K or 201K a couple of weeks ago?

Many people I know still like to keep their money or at least part of it in tangibles, ie: collectibles, real estate, and, of course, Corvettes and at the end of the day they, at least, have something they can touch, use, and enjoy and not be at the mercy of the whimsical minute to minute greedy market shakers, market makers, and market breakers.

Collectible Corvettes have a track record that transcends decades and their popularity knows no boundaries as evidenced by our customer base of 38 foreign countries and all 50 states.

At light at the end of the tunnel? Need proof?… Barrett-Jackson in Vegas Does 27 Million in the inaugural event taking place October 16th-18th, 2008. Proof that there was no shortage of money for collectible cars considering that this was a first time event/location that took place shortly after the post bailout financial scare.

Food for thought!! email: terry@proteamcorvette.com

Share This

In 1970 Chevrolet Corvette introduced to the racing world a new street legal racing machine. The racer was dubbed the ZR-1. Production was limited to 1970, ‘71, and ‘72. Altogether for the three years, ZR-1 Corvettes totals 53 cars; 25 were produced in 1970, 8 in 1971, and 20 in 1972. Racers saw the natural roll bar effect of the coupe as a safety advantage and, as a result, there are few convertibles.

What is a ZR-1 Corvette? A ZR-1 Corvette is an LT-1 equipped Corvette produced in 1970, ‘71, or ‘72. ZR-1’s were specially equipped with all the heavy duty racing equipment  that had previously been used on the L-88 Corvettes of 1967, ‘68, and ‘69.  The only other Corvettes to receive this special group of heavy duty racing equipment in a package were the ZR-2 in 1971. The ZR-1 included the LT-1 engine, M-22 transmission, heavy duty J56 power brakes, transistorized ignition, special aluminum radiator, and special springs, shocks, and front and rear stabilizer bars.

ZR-1 identification features: (1) LT-1 engine, suffix CTV-1970, CGY-1971, or CKY-1972, (2) J-56 heavy duty brake package with dual pin front brake calipers (power), (3) F-41 heavy duty suspension package, 7 leaf rear spring, heavy duty shock absorbers, heavy duty 5/8″ front sway bar and heavy duty rear spindle struts, (4) M-22 (rockcrusher) transmission, (5) large aluminum radiator with expansion tank (no other LT-1 equipped car has an expansion tank), (6) steel fan shroud, other than 1972’s (most), (7) radio delete (no fenders drilled for antenna). The ZR-1 package could not be ordered with any creature comforts, ie: air conditioning, power windows, power steering, radio, alarm system, rear window defroster, or special trim items like P02 wheel covers.

The ZR-1 cars are the rarest small block Corvettes ever produced. The most common ZR-1 (the 1970) has only 5 more than the rarest L-88 (1967 - 20 units total). The ZR-1 cars are about five times rarer than L-88 cars.

You can see a pair of ZR-1’s Go to: 1970 - NSN-CG2 or 1972 - 241Z

note: portions of this article were taken from Vette Vues Magazine

Share This