Hello. I've been looking at this forum 'from the outside' for several months now. I've been a Corvette fan since a kid and have owned one, a '67 small block roadster, about 19 years ago. Circumstances had me sell it and I've pined since. I'm certainly a late 50's guy who loves cars, but the mid-year vette always comes back to me.
I drive a '87 Benz 16V, certainly a nice, well made car as my dd in decent weather, but am thinking of selling it and getting a '66 or, preferably, and unfortunately like most, '67 small block. Living in Cincinnati, I am actually leaning toward a coupe, as there really isn't that much great convertible weather around here; though admittedly I love convertibles. Haven't really made the final decision as to that yet.
I see that the economy has made some cars fairly obtainable, so I'm stepping up my search/research.

I'd like to ask a few questions. Is there someone in Ohio who the Forum would recommend as a good source for info and the market? I'd love to bend somebody's ear a bit. Any dealers more recommended than others?

Also, I had a 300hp car and during that time drove a friend's L-79 - big difference in my opinion. Is this a solid lifter motor, and is there any greater degree of upkeep vs the 300hp motor?
Thanks, and I look forward to further enjoyment on this Forum.
Joe

 

The L79 is a hydraulic lifter engine as is the L75(300hp) engine. Maintenance is identical.
Your best bet for locating a choice Vette is to to contact Pancho Thompson in Kirtland, OH. LINK===>Provette67

 

Joe, the L79/350 horse is a great motor. It is not a solid lifter motor. The 350 horse cam makes more power a little higher in the RPM range than the 300 horse. It does not present any more maintenance issues than the 300 horse. Convertibles are great fun to drive in the summer. If you have two tops, you have the best of both worlds. The coupes just look great.

You can find nice cars at dealers but will generally pay a bit more. I prefer to buy from private parties that have a history with the car. If you contact the local NCRS Chapter in your area you can get great advice on all of your buying/inspecting questions (even if you aren't a member). Good luck in your search

 

The 350 horse 327 is a great motor. I have one. (see signature) Runs cool, has enough power to make the driving interesting, and doesn't completely eat fuel. The car drives nice for how old it is (old technology that is). Good luck in your search. And welcome back to the C2 world.

 

I bought a C2 coupe this year ('66 BB) after being without a Corvette since 1983 when I sold by '63 SWC. (BTW my daily driver is also a Mercedes) Here's where I went to get up to speed on all the various configurations that C@s came in:

http://www.vettefacts.com/C2/1963.aspx

 

No mention of a large Corvette Dealer in Napoleon, Ohio with a huge selection of cars?

 

Do yourself a favor and buy some reference books, including the Corvette Black Book.
The more you know, the better you can judge a car.
And you can take the Black Book along (pocket size) with you when you look at a car to check numbers.

 

Buy a 1967 as they are the most desirable of the mid-years. If you want to have the best re-sale value when its time to sell, buy a car with the original matching numbers motor and either a tank sticker or a protect-o-plate. The people that tell you that you don't need documentation are the people that don't have any documentation for their car. Convertibles are more desirable and will cost more. Buy a convertible with a hard top and you will have the best of both worlds. The most desirable colors in the 1967 are black, any of the Blues (Marina, Lynndale and Elkhart) and Red. Good luck with your search and stay away from the Big Car dealers unless you want to pay $10k more and not know where the car came from.

 

I personally prefer 65, 66 cars and black is way down my list. But, that's my list. First thing you need to do, in my opinion, is decide what year you want and what colors you prefer, what options you will accept, and then search for that car. There are plenty for sale. Check usedcorvettesforsale.com, you'll find lots there. There are a few nice cars for sale on the forum here too.

 

Very opinionated here! You must own a 67!



I have a 65, and I'm glad I ended up with a 65 after looking at 65-67 Coupes. The coupe is the "real" stingray body style IMHO. I also have a L-79, and the nice thing about 65 L-79's is they have the larger 2 1/2" exhaust vs the 2" on the 67 (And I believe 66) Minor things I don't prefer on the 66- hood emblem, and don't care for the 67 back up light. Also like the 65-65 Knock off wheels the best, it's once of those iconic Corvette things. It's all personal all preference, guess I'm very opinionated too! Can't go wrong with any midyear!

 

Here's my thumbnail's sketch of what the various years have to offer:

'63: First year of new "C2" body style and 4 wheel independent suspension. Coupes are iconic (one year only) split windows. Many parts are unique to '63s versus later years of C2s.

'64 Same as '63, except delete the split window and introduce a working vent in B pillar to ventilate coupes

'65 Introduction of 4 wheel disc brakes, as all C2s to that point were drum brakes. Last year of fuel injection option, first year of big block (396). Power antennae was standard. New interior door panel design was introduced.

'66 Vent in B pillar was eliminated. Reverse lights were standard. Big blocks moved up from 396s to 427s

'67 Rectangular reverse light was added to position above rear license plates. Power antennae was deleted. Interior was revised with new seat pattern and parking brake moved to console area. New side vent style rear of front wheels. Knock offs became bolt-ons.

 

Great, quick, 'accepting' and helpful responses. Corvette people are my kind of people!
Agree that year and color are somewhat subjective - color moreso obviously. For example I love Lyndale but don't care for the other blues, and don't want a red one. White, green ok, black also but less-so. Had the Sunfire, so don't really want to repeat.
I just like the '67 because it's somewhat less cluttered, and I do like the backup lights. I wish it wasn't so, since it was the last year and therefore most coveted one. I'm sure I could live with a '66 though - just need to find one that isn't selling for '67 money.
One thing in my financial favor (hopefully) is that, seemingly unlike most, I prefer the rear exhaust to the side. Nothing prettier - on 4 wheels that is, than the rear end of a rear-exhaust mid-year.
Thanks again for all the input!

 

Buy the best and you will always be happy with it. I live with this motto every day and it is so true. You are better off paying more for a 67 than to "settle" on a 65 or 66. I own a 67 and love it. In addition to what was mentioned by another poster, the 67 also does not have that ugly passenger cut-out on the dashboard, the hard to reach lock for the door, and many other standard saftey/crash features and options ONLY available on the 1967 model year. Read any book on Corvettes and they refer to the 1967 as the best production Corvette ever built. Why settle for anything less?

 

The 67 may be the best production midyear Corvette, however I don't agree that it's the "best" production Corvette ever built.

 

I disagree that it's even the best midyear. I don't care for the plastic console parking brake console cluttering between the seats, or the b/u light cluttering up between the tail lights, or the five skinny little vents in the fender, or the antenna that's always up. You couldn't even get a 396 in one. And the rally wheels like all the other gm cars. Even the aluminum wheels had no spinner. No offense to the other 67 owners, I really do like them, they would be my third choice after 65 or 66, I'm just pointing out to VettePro67 that even though he thinks so, his opinion isn't the only one out there. And he is out there.

 

Please see the attached link and read about the 1967 ONLY safety features that were not in any of the other C2's. It never ceases to amaze me the number of people on this board who have NO CLUE about C2's. You people need to get a life or get educated.

http://www.web-cars.com/corvette/1967-2.php

 

Not new to forums, having owned other cars; just this one. At first I thought it was good-natured joking, but is this getting a bit heated? Cmon guys, chill.

 

Gentlemen, It seems to be a challenge for some of you to stay on topic. If you don't have any info to assist the OP, STAY OUT OF THE THREAD or I'll arrange some time off from the forum for the offending party. Enough of the BS.

 

pancho is a great guy. he will help ya if he can. jim

 

BINGO ; and don't get Pancho confused with amateurs like VettePro67