How nice of a GT/Grabber can $8-10K get me?

Edit: I want to make known that I'm simply shopping right now, I'm not exactly ready to buy, but I'm looking at options and what I can get for certain money. That's why I didn't post this in the "wanted" section.


I'm potentially in the market for a Comet GT or Grabber. I'd prefer the Comet but I'm open to certain Grabbers. I want a real nice one that needs nothing, something that I can put in shows, and drive. I'd also prefer the manual trans, and 302. I'd like the bright colors, Red, Orange, blue, green, maybe yellow. And has to have stipes. Every car from that ara HAS to have stripes IMO.

There aren't a lot of these for sale, or sold, so getting a good idea on market value is hard. I REALLY like the Blue '71 GT on Ebay, but for $16K that seems way high, and they're not exactly specific on details of it's history and/or work done.

I'm really looking for something mostly original, low miles, or fully restored and completely rust free.

What are these cars worth? What kind of car can I get for $8-$10k? And how rare are they? Are there any production numbers for the GT's and Grabbers?

I know they're entirely different cars, and priced differently, but I'm debating between the GT/Grabbers, and something like a Torino GT/Cobra (71ish), '69-70 Cougar, Falcon, 71 Mach, etc.

 

For the money your looking to spend, compared to the car you describe, you might be able to find something. I would think it'll be all a matter of timing. There is a real nice Maverick on Ebay right now at @$9000 last time I looked, and that car needs nothing sone to it, but it hasn't hit the reserve yet.
To find a decent Grabber or GT in rust free condition, I would think you's start at least @$2000, then add body and paint (minimum $5000) engie work, say $3000 (low) then Interior...$1000.00, were up to $11,000.00 without trying, then depending upon what you can and can't do, see where it ends up? Hope you find the right car.

 

I'm fine with spending $10-$12 or higher as long as the value is there. I'd be spending more than that for some of the other cars anyway.

What are the most desirable? Colors, combos, years, etc?

 

That all depends upon personal taste, Mavericks and Comets came in many colors, most people like red and black cars, I like green, it's different. Small bumper cars are the most popular (1970-1972) in 73 the front bumper grew a bit (one year only) then 74-77 were all big bumpers, 70 Grabbers are hard to find, but they all were six cylinders, 71&72's are prob the most desirable, but I like my 73 & 74. I've always liked the big bumper cars.

 

If you are talking small bumper Grabber or Comet GT ... I don't think you could get a Perfect completely restored show quality car for $12K ... unless somebody is really down on their luck and is liquidating fast ...

There are several folks on the board that I consider have Perfect cars or working on perfect cars.... you ain't gonna get them for that price ...

 

Yes, the small bumper cars are what I like, and the one in your sig is a perfect example of what I'm looking for.

 

I figured that car was a real nice one, and I'm not looking for concours, but a nice driver. When I refered to to that one, I was more talking about the "look". Obviously it's hard to tell that it was a flawless restoration by one pic, but it does seem to be very nice.

In Utah the cars don't fair (fare?) well because of the salt, but in ID, NV, AZ, CA, etc, there are a lot of nice originals floating around, so I'd be just fine with a west coast car.

 

if you dont want an original grabber/gt you could probably save your self a little green and just make a clone out of an already nice mav/comet since its really just a matter of a stripe kit, grabber/GT hood and deck spoiler. just my $0.02

 

It depends...

...in my opinion. I think there is a variance in value/price in different parts of the country. I see some prices for cars on E-bay and here on this board in the NE part of the country that I consider high given the rusty condition.
It's all relative to where the buyer is from in his perspective. We don't have the rust issues here in the South and SE that NE and Midwest cars tend to have. The SW and California seems to produce some nice rust free cars in very good original condition (another difference) at good prices. I have seen many original clean models of all types for sale in CA and AZ in the last few years. Many of the comments here on this board of 'I wish it were closer' speaks volumes about value differences.

I think the Grabber Mavericks are a little more valuable in the marketplace than Comet GT's as there were more built to begin with and more are around, thus creating more interest. I don't know how accurate NADA is on these cars, but I would say a top condition GT is probably worth $1,500-$2,500 less than a equally nice Grabber.

There have been many conversations at the MCCI Roundup Nationals about values of GT/Grabbers vs. regular, V8 vs. 6 cyl., and big bumpers vs. small bumpers.

I think there will eventually be a point with these cars where originality becomes more and more important, such as an original V8 car being more valuable than a car that originally came equipped with an I6. Even though it's easy to swap a 6 to an 8 cyl., there are enough people migrating here from the Mustang clubs with their concours restoration guides that I think this will be important to many future buyers. Many of those buyers are running in our direction because of the Barret-Jackson asking prices on Mustangs and other more notorious collector vehicles. They bring with them their likes and dislikes for originality, restomod and full blown customizing.

From a position of aesthetics, small bumper cars (up to '72) are more appealing. This can be argued, but look up 'bumper swap' in the archives here and see how many people want to go to the big bumpers. Small bumper cars are more valuable.

Color combinations also play a roll in value as can auto vs. manual shift.

I think a nicely restored not heavily modified V8 GT or Grabber will bring between $8,000 and $15,000. Color and condition as well as the seller's urgency to sell and information on the market condition will greatly affect the final price. The problem is, you can't dial up a website and find hundreds of examples for sale like you can Mustangs. You have to hunt, wait and be ready to snatch one up. I would look carefully at those rust free examples coming out of the SW and California if your are serious about buying.


Good luck.

Seth Roberts
1971-1975 Comet GT Registrar

 

where would sprints or even stallions fit into the equation? all values aside I think i would rather own a sprint than any year grabber or GT

 

I agree, as for other cars I'm sure the value will increase, but since they were one year only models you never know. To me I find Sprints kinda plain, but to each his own.