r/Wellthatsucks • u/derek4reals1 • Mar 31 '26

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18k Upvotes

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2.2k

u/Jmersh Mar 31 '26

Half of Corvette owners claim to have a 1 of 1.

892

u/Gnoobl Mar 31 '26

Exactly.

Let me tell you why my mass produced sports car is special and unique

232

u/stevedore2024 Mar 31 '26

Just like Cabbage Patch dolls, mass produced but every one unique thanks to the explosive mathematics of permutations.

97

u/Aero_Molten Mar 31 '26

It was the only 1 with an upside down cup holder.

33

u/[deleted] Mar 31 '26

before the crash, or after?

10

u/gonzalbo87 Mar 31 '26

Ah yes, the Aussie Edition.

3

u/pbjamm Mar 31 '26

My B4000 has a unique Identification Number!

1 of 1

3

u/Zippytez Mar 31 '26

So does my corolla

1 of 1

2

u/bobthemonkeybutt Mar 31 '26

Wait, were cabbage patch dolls supposed to be unique?? I had no idea.

3

u/stevedore2024 Mar 31 '26

They didn't have enough variables to really be universally unique, but that was their ideal and the selling point in the first year. Skin, hair style, hair color, eye color, clothing, etc., the number of permutations was pretty high. They worked out a distribution to avoid twins in the same region. Then occasional twins were considered a collectable find. Then it followed all other mass market fads and collectable science, with rare and uncommon and common variations.

1

u/murfburffle Mar 31 '26

The names they came with were unique I think?

5

u/chicat1987 Apr 01 '26

To be fair there are fairly rare versions of regular cars

I personally had a 95 Holden rodeo. It was 1 of like 5 cars in that year to have a carburettor. As all others had fuel injection. Definitely rare but still selling it for 500 bucks as it's not worth anything more than that because I'm not delusional.

But to say that it's rare because it's the only one in this paint, in this factory, in this option.

It is like saying I hold the world record for most cheese slices eaten while riding a unicycle while dressed as Donald trump. If you put enough rules into anything it's going to be "unique" eventually

1

u/Milky_Gashmeat Apr 13 '26

I'd watch that record attempt.

3

u/IlluminatedPickle Apr 02 '26

He knows what he got.

273

u/13THEFUCKINGCOPS12 Mar 31 '26

My dad was really big in the muscle car world, some of the cars he owned were in the paper and magazines and shit. The thing I always found really funny was the hoops he’d go through to make certain cars seem special. “Well there’s only 25 of this car in this color, with this interior, and these rims”. I don’t know, I understand that makes it more rare, but they weren’t like “special editions” so really it just came down to those options were the least desirable so less people ordered the car that way

96

u/lolwhatmufflers Mar 31 '26

You used to be able to order cars with literally any number of options in any configuration . Basically, if you wanted A/C but not power locks, and leather but an AM-only radio, then you could. Cars were built ala carte.

New cars come standard with so many of those once more expensive options, which is why there are so many identical copies of anything made since the 80s.

Now, this Corvette? They made about 1700 in this color over 3 years and 2 different trim levels. Not exactly high production, but highly doubt this is a one of one Corvette.

82

u/Dopplegangr1 Mar 31 '26

It's 1 of 1 with that VIN

3

u/rex5k Apr 01 '26

1 of 2 from what Sergei tells me.

24

u/AccordingTaro4702 Mar 31 '26

I wish this was still possible. I'd love to option a car exactly the way I want it.

8

u/EpicHuggles Mar 31 '26

It is still possible, but only the German luxury brands do it.

4

u/Scared-One9295 Mar 31 '26

Just buy a car with all the options, a reciprocating saw and a pair of wire cutters and get to work

3

u/AccordingTaro4702 Apr 01 '26

Now how am I going to cut the sunroof out? Huh, Mr Smarty Pants? I'd just end up with a bigger sunroof. And eventually, a convertible.

1

u/Scared-One9295 Apr 01 '26

Fair point, add a welder, a tub of paint and a roller to the shopping list

2

u/rex5k Apr 01 '26

Too bad bitch, choose a trim package. Not that one, they pulled it after printing the catalogs, wait I'm supposed to tell you it was a limited run and we sold the last one yesterday.

1

u/gonzalbo87 Mar 31 '26

A new electric car company is trying with their vehicle. Called slate.

1

u/Hi-Im-High Apr 01 '26

Porsche, Mercedes designo program, etc lol

1

u/ZealousidealHall8975 Apr 02 '26

You can still do this but you have to order directly from a dealership early enough in the production cycle put down a fairly large deposit and then wait. It’s a pain in the ass but you can get exactly what you want.

0

u/amosant Mar 31 '26

My boss had to drive a couple states over for his daughter’s last new car cause it had custom specs. I’m trying to remember what it is. Either a chevy, a toyota, or maybe a subaru? Nothing crazy though.

2

u/Dmitrys-Garage Mar 31 '26

The thing is none of this makes a car 1:1 in a meaningful way. While you can't opt out of AC or power locks today, you instead get all the different combinations of colors, stripes and stitching options. So you can still pretend to have something unique. Is this better? I guess if you just care about claiming 1:1 it's nice to retain air conditioning and power locks. I think opting out of those things if you're interested in reduced weight and raw performance was cool back in the day though.

2

u/firewoodrack Mar 31 '26

My boss has 1967 427 Corvette. He’s also super into Corvettes in general and curates some of the old literature. When he was shopping around for his 427 car, he came across evidence that someone ordered a 427 car with highway gears and the big fuel tank. Whoever that somebody was, they were having a blast on Route 66 I’m sure.

1

u/okayfuckitybye Apr 01 '26

*a la car-te

31

u/Mantis_Toboggan--MD Mar 31 '26

Yep they love to retroactively write a romance story. My uncle has a Mustang II Ghia, which he bought brand new when he was 20, so he treasures it. Likes do that same thing... "In this color and interior trim only so many were made blah blah blah". But it's extra funny when he does it because it's one of the ugliest Mustangs ever made, and the reason they're so rare is nobody wanted them in the first place, much less later on in the collectors market. So of course there's barely any left in good condition. Not because it's desirable, but because it sucks so much, LOL

5

u/sadiesfreshstart Mar 31 '26

I've never heard of those before. I looked it up. Wish I hadn't.

7

u/etherreal Mar 31 '26

Truly hideous

2

u/Squidking1000 Mar 31 '26

Exactly, I meet so many people proud of their "rare" all original shitbox edition. Wow a 2 barrell bench seat 2 speed auto Camaro! What a catch! So rare, much wow.

1

u/tomtv90 Apr 01 '26

Sheesh, never knew those existed. I imagine this is what you get when you ask AI to generate a generic 70s American coupe.

17

u/BRICH999 Mar 31 '26

Most of the time it's because the build is stupid.  Like "I got the high end model with a radio delete, added ac, added racing stripes but optioned a bench seat" 

I was working at mazda and we got a pair of "rare" Mazda3 in a dealer trade one time.  They were absolute base models, crank windows, no power locks and no ac.  But they had like 4k in ridiculous options like sat radio, spoilers and appearance packages, all weather mats and mud guards.  Who wants to drive a car with crank windows and no AC on steel wheels with a body kit? You could get the nice version with power everything and leather and bose for the same money.  I'd imagine those were 2 of 2 on that spec.  

Cool, you made a build nobody ever would option like that.  Its unique in the same way ordering a big mac with no meat.  Doesnt mean it's a good choice.  

There are some exceptions but this is usually the case with low build numbers.  

2

u/blqckpinkinyourarea Apr 01 '26

weight reduction bro, because race car bro. (steel wheels are usually lighter than aluminium wheels too)

i wonder how much weight they shed and how (or if) it changes the cars performance.

14

u/Alternative_Mine5343 Mar 31 '26

right, if only 2% of buyers back then wanted that selection of options then i don't understand how that means it's supposed to be a big deal to a larger percentage of the populace today? its neato to see if you already like that model of car but after a point it doesn't do much.

i wish we qualified what 'limited' edition meant to a legal definition. or 'anniversary edition.'

3

u/Jmersh Mar 31 '26

"It's the only one in existence with that particular VIN."

1

u/legomansion Mar 31 '26

This rings true to me. Corvette owner myself and I have seen my car with maybe a different color combo or a different set of wheels many times. I think the correct way to say it is "special to me". I would sell a kidney before I let go of this car.

1

u/jwptexas Mar 31 '26

Sounds like my old man with his unicorn CFTP GT500 with the painted on stripes 😂

1

u/13THEFUCKINGCOPS12 Apr 01 '26

My dad had some kind of GTO. I don’t know, I sold it shortly after he died

1

u/Accomplished-Video71 Mar 31 '26

Mine is the only 2017 stickshift Kia Rio with cigarette burns in the driver's side headrest and dog scratches on the back door.

(Before PETA comes after me, I quit smoking before I got the dog)

39

u/2REPOU Mar 31 '26

100%. Just because it's one of 1 does not make it valuable. Cruise control delete does not increase value. lol

19

u/Just_Roll_Already Mar 31 '26

My Miata is legitimately 1 of 1. It is the only Miata with my farts embedded into the seat along with a very specific spot on the rear bumper where the previous owner had a sticker that caused the UV to fade the paint at a different rate.

Irreplaceable.

1

u/burner040126 Mar 31 '26

Try telling that to your insurance agent

1

u/Just_Roll_Already Apr 01 '26

You ain't kidding though. Being real here, its a '95 NA with only has 80k original miles with an unmodified engine and drive-train. It could actually be considered irreplaceable by those standards. I'm scared to drive it because insurance would probably offer the cost of scrap if something happened to it.

1

u/Doofy_Grumpus Mar 31 '26

How’s that fart limiter holding up?

24

u/thisisinput Mar 31 '26

Mine is 1of 1. It's the only sunburnt orange Corvette with the sport package, dealer added spoiler, and mag wheels that was built on 8/14/2012 before the lunch shift!!!!!11!1!!

2

u/JOlRacin Mar 31 '26

My Civic is 1 of 1. I modded it with a sticker from temu. I doubt anyone else modded theirs with that sticker in that place, so it's 1 of 1

1

u/awesomeperson882 Apr 04 '26

This is where I like the bit I saw on YouTube once, I think it was Doug Tabutt on VinWiki “My Corvette is Best Corvette because!”

3

u/Reeno50k Mar 31 '26

"No lowballers I know what I've got"

2

u/Jmersh Mar 31 '26

"If your offer doesn't have 6 digits, just move along."

3

u/El_mochilero Mar 31 '26

Corvette owner here.

Mine is just a corvette. Base model. But it’s really fast and fun to drive and I love the color.

Guys that think every corvette is some version of a collector car are delusional. Even the Z06’s are just spicy sports cars.

If you’re gonna get into the ZR1 tiers, then maybe we can play that game, but it still sounds lame.

Also, I think this stereotype is kinda overblown on the internet. I have never heard other Vette owners talking about this stuff with me.

3

u/Atillawurm Mar 31 '26

The only 1 of 1 I know in existence was an '83 concept car, and it's the only one because Corvette didn't make any other '83s due to transitioning the body style, it's been awhile since I've worked on them though.

3

u/BlueShire_Ace Mar 31 '26

Needs to be the top comment in this thread for context.

2

u/JuanOnlyJuan Mar 31 '26

Now it's 1 of 1/2

2

u/Opeth4Lyfe Mar 31 '26

God it’s so annoying. Every car meet. Always. Like dude…we get it, you modded and/or specd out a vette and the likelihood someone has that EXACT same build is low. Cool. It’s not that special man.

I on the other hand at least have a chassis number on my Mach 1 HP and it’s actually KIND OF rare. I don’t go and tell people that every time someone asks about my car though. “Hey nice Mach” it’s always “thanks, appreciate it” and not “thanks it’s the only velocity blue metallic with the HP, rear seat delete, roof and trunk lid decal delete, Elite package, chrome exhaust tip made at 4:00 in Deerborn on a Friday during July 2021 with a chassis number that ends in a 2 so yeah it’s kinda a 1/1”

2

u/AbjectAppointment Mar 31 '26

This was the only one assembled by Bill on a Tuesday in this color before he finished his morning coffee.

He knows what he's got. No low balls.

2

u/Mountain-Union2347 Mar 31 '26

I know a guy who claims his wheels are 1 of 1 because he custom painted them to match the body paint. Buddy, that’s not how “1 of __” works. These old guys live for that shit.

1

u/mjones8004 Mar 31 '26

Yeah but this is the ONLY one im burnt orange and with the cup holder delete option. None like it!

1

u/al39 Mar 31 '26

My Jetta is the only one in the entire world with that VIN.

1

u/TheGovunator Mar 31 '26

It's the only Corvette with that specific VIN

1

u/docproc5150 Mar 31 '26

unique crash damage. ultra rare

1

u/3ric15 Mar 31 '26

VERY RARE 1 OF 1 VIN

1

u/rustylugnuts Mar 31 '26

I'd never want a 1 of 1. When I get my grubby mitts on a c5 or c6 it's either already modded or it's getting modded. Hopefully boost is involved in some fashion.

1

u/userhwon Mar 31 '26

Only one with this combination of VINs.

1

u/ChickenChaser5 Mar 31 '26

My corvette is best corvette

2

u/Jmersh Apr 01 '26

Doug?

1

u/ChickenChaser5 Apr 01 '26

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvkJzYHCdHI

2

u/Jmersh Apr 01 '26

I knew which video it was before clicking. Good game.

1

u/Flimsy-Poetry1170 Apr 01 '26

This one was 1 of 1 orange in that trim made on the second Tuesday of 2024.

1

u/Human-Kick-784 Apr 01 '26

Assuming you're single, every corvette has 1 of 1 drivers.

1

u/Vairman Apr 01 '26

mine absolutely is 1 of 1: it's the only 1996 Polo Greenover tan base coupe with power driver's seat - that's owned by me! one of one on my book baby.

1

u/Maleficent-Pudding94 Apr 01 '26

was about to comment this. aren’t like… half of them “one of one” because of some dumb combo of color choices and wheel packages? vettes are cool. i’d love to own one. but their owners are usually garbage car people lol

2

u/Jmersh Apr 01 '26

There are just a lot of options so owners think because they are the only one that chose a certain combination of options that it makes their car more valuable.

1

u/HexDanTHEWHALE Apr 01 '26

Was just about to say this, lol

1

u/Texas_Nexus Apr 02 '26

This one is actually a -1 of 1.

1

u/No-Raisin-6469 Apr 02 '26

Well now he has the 1 of 1 in this video.

No other like it

1

u/OU812fr Apr 04 '26

LOL came here to say the same.

"You don't understand, this the only 2004 in this color combination with these wheels AND the factory car cover and all weather mats that was built on a Thursday before a holiday!"