VB commodore value - for insurance

[c2105026]

Hi guys,

I was wondering who could give me a value for the commodore for insurance purposes.....

facts are:
- sept '79 build
- base model 3.3 auto with 3.08 diff
- variable intermittent wipers, no other options
- body is in firethorn red, recently resparayed and de-dented
- chrome is ok, but has gone a bit dull in places
- interior is immaculate and all original, save for a harline crack on dashboard and a lo-rise VH console. Some holes have been drilled for various things; these holes have all been repaired or plugged.
- has original radio in dash for looks, but under seat is a modern head unit
- no mecanical defects or issues, engine bay in excellent working condition.

current insured value is $5000 (shannons), have seen original ones advertised as high as 12k, unique cars value guide says $5000 (print version, not net version for some reason)

[c2105026]

will also add that I have traced the cars complete history, background of original owner, (has original rego number) is loaded with period accessories and have all brochures etc.

[ari666]

mate, value it at whatever you want to. shannons only take your word as to what its worth, then you pay more or less depending on what you reckon the value is. my dreamer housemate told shannons his ford galaxie was worth 20 grand and for some reason he was surprised when they stung him with the bill.

[DerekP]

How many km's? (verified)

[Drewie]

We have a VC SL 202 with power steering, air, we are the second owner it has done 224,000km and in good nick and I doubt we would be lucky to get $2k for it. No way would we get $5k for it. People can ask fancy figures for their rides but whether they get it is another question. I guess just insure it for a figure you're happy with, $5k sounds reasonable. We only have 3rd party property damage on our VC.

[SL/ENUT]

If SL/E, they fetch higher price, even highly optioned SL models. But base models aren't worth that much, unless factory paint, extremely low Ks and show room condition.

[c2105026]

thanks for the responses.....it has been a good reality check for someone who was going to insure a 31 yr old family taxi for a 5 figure sum....

- when i raised the value from 3500 to 5000 shannons did not charge me anything
- the mileage is 112k, but this is not genuine. the car had a different speedo when i bought it, and the odometer was not working. Transmission and engine are original, however, so probably no more than 170k.
- true, the paint is not original. however, the car is undamaged, no dings or significant scratches, original headlining, some very hard to find accessories are installed.

According to unique cars value guide 2009 VB SLEs are 8.5-9.5k. It appears that regular classic australian cars go for about 2/3 the price of upmarket offspring....so this suggests a realistic price of $6000, which is about the average asking price of mint original VB-VB 6cyl commodores on carsales....perhaps if it was in concours d'elegance condition i could get my $12k.....

[ari666]

redbook states the true value of all cars, its up to the individual how much more they will pay:

Redbook

redbook says they sold for 8 grand back in the day, and today they are worth 500-1200 bucks...

[c2105026]

hmm yes....unique cars value guide 2010 puts the SL VB-VC at $4800. Given this would include an average of VBs and VCs, VBs would be rarer than VCs due to greater age, so this value would be a little higher i guess.......as for being an SL; the car actually has the same mechanicals than the standard SL, true it misses out on extra bits of chrome, and cloth seats but that is all.....most average punters see it as an SL anyways....

yeh that redbook figure is interesting - that price seems to reflect the price of a project vehicle on Ebay - if i put it on carsales at $1200 i'd sell it in 3 seconds....

have decided to accept market value at $5000, with an insurance of $6000 to cover replacement costs. will go to shannons now.

thanks for all the help

[ari666]

i wouldnt take redbook as gospel. here it lists my impala as being worth 9-13 grand i hope not cos' i have spent more than that on it.
Redbook

i think they get their stats directly from VICROADS and their interstate partners etc, and i dont know a single person who hasnt written down their car as slightly less on the vehicle transfer form, to save themselves a couple of hundred in stamp duty.

i think the problem is too many people look at things like ebay and trading post, see other people selling their cars for X dollars and think "mine is worth that if not more" but its all delusion, because thats what they are selling it for, and generally the price people are actually paying is far less.

[DerekP]

If SL/E, they fetch higher price, even highly optioned SL models. But base models aren't worth that much, unless factory paint, extremely low Ks and show room condition.

Agreed. Someone on carsales.com has been trying to flog their VC poverty pack (L no air / steer etc) for $13k for over a year now with no bites - dreaming. Admittedly it has only 40,000 odd Km's on it but a base model is a base model - not worth a lot. Now if it was an original 308 SL/E with 40 k's..........

[c2105026]

true, according to the 2010 unique cars value guide a VC SLE 5.0 in the same condition could be worth $13k. A condition 1 car of the 13k VC povo-pack type would be worth maybe 4500-4800; if it is unrestored concours condition you can add 50%, so no more than $7000 i'd offer him. besides, judging from the pics the console needs recovering anyway....

I have spoken to a guy who has restored a VB SLE 4.2, he has insured it for $20k........

There was a time when an excellent EH Special was $5000; these are now $12,000, so fingers crossed!!

[old mate]

..i think the problem is too many people look at things like ebay and trading post, see other people selling their cars for X dollars and think "mine is worth that if not more" but its all delusion, because thats what they are selling it for, and generally the price people are actually paying is far less.

10 points right there. i paid $200 for my 1 owner 79 vb sl, no rust, all original down to the sticker on the rear window from the dealer who sold it which was hidden from light for life by plastic venitians.. full service history up to 200,000 at holden dealers. 225,000k in 2005. it had spun a bearing. a pic when i got it after a wash and polish.



$5k would be about right, people ask too much for their cars so suckers think thats what they are worth.