Documentation is the appraisal
On a 1967 Chevelle, the number we land on has less to do with the car in front of us and everything to do with the paperwork behind it. Matching-numbers status, a build sheet, a Protect-O-Plate, or factory invoice can move a valuation by tens of thousands of dollars versus an otherwise identical car without them.
SS-package cars, big-block cars, and cars with rare factory options (bench seat, specific rear-end gearing, dealer-installed items) each pull from a different comparable pool. We never price a plain Chevelle off SS sale data, and vice versa.
Restoration quality vs. originality
The market treats a numbers-matching, largely original car very differently from a frame-off restoration — even a superb one. Both can appraise well, but for different reasons and against different comps. Part of our field inspection is simply determining which category a given car actually falls into, since sellers and even long-time owners aren’t always sure.
- Matching-numbers verification
- Build sheet / Protect-O-Plate
- SS vs. base documentation
- Restoration vs. original paint
- Frame & floor condition
- Period-correct parts sourcing
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