Have you ever gone out looking for a top-quality first or second-generation Corvette?
If you have, then you know first-hand how time-consuming and utterly frustrating a process it can be. Not to mention that overlooking a small detail or a single misstep along the way can cost you thousands of dollars in potential resale value.
Given all the factors you’ve got to consider, it’s no wonder so many people trust Greg Wyatt at Vintage Corvettes for their next early-model purchase.
In the end, there is no substitute for the over 40 years of Corvette restoration experience Greg brings to the table. That’s why we trekked up to his new museum/showroom in Summerville, Ga, to get his insights into the Corvette-collecting hobby.
Not to mention, we wanted to get his take on the restomod phenomena, E-Ray, and the upcoming Corvette SUV.
First Restoration
Greg Wyatt – Vintage Corvettes – Greg, you’ve been restoring Corvettes for over 40 years. What can you tell us about your first one?
Greg Wyatt – Vintage Corvettes – Rod, the first restoration I did was a 1954 roadster I bought from a guy who drove it to high school in Fort Wayne, Alabama. It was at his mom’s house, just 25 miles from here.
It took two years to do a complete frame-off restoration, and I eventually took it to the World of Wheels show in Chattanooga when I was 17. Fortunately, I brought home a 1st place trophy in my class at the event.
The profit from selling that 1954 the following Spring and a few other cars went into buying the building up the street. And that is how I got into the restoration business full-time.
1958 Stands Out
Rod Worley – Editor – You’ve seen countless Corvettes over the past four decades. Do you have a favorite generation?
Greg Wyatt – Vintage Corvettes – My favorite is the 1958 body style with the extra chrome on the trunk and louvered hood. But I also like the 59, 60, and even the 61 & 62 model years.
Those are popular with a lot of other people as well. Though I have C2 and later generations so that I can have something for everyone.
Separation From The Competition
Rod Worley – Editor – Let’s switch gears and talk about your business. If we were walking through your front door for the first time, what would you say separates you from your competition?
Greg Wyatt – Vintage Corvettes – Well, I think the main thing is that I’ve been in business restoring Corvettes for 43 years. I know the cars inside and out, and I won’t buy anything I wouldn’t want to keep myself long-term.
Over the years, you learn by working on them every day and knowing what was original on the car when it left the factory. So I search for the best car out there to start with, often with Bloomington certification.
The certification answers many questions people have about a vintage Corvette purchase.
Four Decades Of Experience
Rod Worley – Editor – Being in business for over 40 years says a lot right there. But of course, that begs the question, how has your business changed since you opened the doors in 1980?
Greg Wyatt – Vintage Corvettes – Obviously, I’ve got more inventory now, than when I first opened. Back then, I’d have four or five cars restored.
The main change happened with I moved to a larger facility and set up my website. Before building the website, I’d advertise heavily in Hemmings and several other print magazines.
The website helped build my customer base and increased my business by 150% in the first 60 days.
Well-Deserved Reputation
Rod Worley – Editor – Greg, you’ve got a well-deserved reputation for selling top-notch Corvettes. How do you go about finding quality cars?
Greg Wyatt – Vintage Corvettes – With every Corvette I sell, I tell my clients that if they ever want to sell it, to give me the first chance to repurchase it. So I get a good number of cars back ten or even 15 years later because things have changed in the client’s life or they see something else they want.
For me, it’s easy to buy them back because I already know what’s gone into them. I get about 10% of the cars I sell back into the inventory.
But it’s hard to find quality cars these days, especially the Bloomington Gold Top Flight level. Fortunately, I’ve built a reputation for selling quality cars.
Often people will visit my website or hear about my business from a friend and give me a call. 50% of the cars I get now come from people calling me to sell or see if I’m interested.
Though I still search the Internet, Hemmings, and other areas looking for quality cars, it often comes down to the word-of-mouth reputation I’ve built over 43 years of business.
People are happy with their purchases here, which makes all the difference.
Pointers From A Pro
Rod Worley – Editor – Given your decades of experience, what pointers could you give someone looking to pick up an early-generation Corvette?
Greg Wyatt – Vintage Corvettes – Often, people focus on the car’s beauty as it’s standing there, but they need to spend more time considering other important areas.
They need to look under the car at its chassis and other undercarriage components. And with that, look at the overall quality of the restoration.
Is it done back to GM specs, or has everything been changed around? My advice?
Buy the most original car you can, with the original motor and drivetrain, because five years later, when you want to sell it, that car will bring more money.
Resto-Mod Future
Rod Worley – Editor – Resto-mods are pulling top dollar in the market these days. What are your thoughts on them?
Greg Wyatt – Vintage Corvettes – Yes, in today’s market, resto-mods can bring in a lot of money if built properly. But they can’t be half and half.
They need a custom chassis, LS motor, upgraded components, and drivetrain. In addition, the interior details, exterior paint, and chrome must be top-notch.
I’ve done well with resto-mods if they have a quality build. Though ten years down the road, I don’t know how they’ll be priced in the market.
But I know what a Bloomington judged and certified C1 and C2 will be worth because I’ve lived it, spent my life in the business, and know they will keep rolling on.
E-Rays & Corvette SUVs
Rod Worley – Editor – What are your thoughts on the evolution of the Corvette, such as being mid-engine, the upcoming battery-powered ones, and the SUV model?
Do you see it changing the Corvette collector business?
Greg Wyatt – Vintage Corvettes – I don’t see the C8 changing the C1 & C2 collector market. It’s a different person buying the mid-engine Corvette with different expectations from the car.
I know car collectors who bought a mid-engine C8 because it was so different from the historical Corvette lineup. Plus, it’s a great car with incredible performance. I’d like to have one myself.
But, the electric ones or the SUV, I don’t know about those. How will they be valued over the years? I’m not sure, but I imagine they’ll grow on people over time.
Of course, I’m an old-school guy, you know, I like the old original fifties models, and I understand how the market will change for those early generations.
Keen Eye For Detail
Greg Wyatt’s new museum/showroom in Summerville, Ga, is a sight to behold. Even if you’re not in the market for an early model, this should be at the top of your list of destinations this year.
The attention to detail in this ’50s-inspired decor will leave you smiling at every turn. You can tell that same keen eye for detail transfers over to the Corvettes gracing the showroom floor.
So, whether you want to enjoy a beautiful homage to the ’50s golden era or looking for your next classic car experience, Greg Wyatt and Vintage Corvettes have what you’re searching for.
Contact Information
Website: Vintage Corvettes
Address: 10601 Commerce St, Summerville, GA 30747
Phone: (706) 506-5745 or 706 857-3916
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Monday thru Saturday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
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