After a lot of thought and consideration I am laying out plans to get back into vintage cars. I have been out for a little while and it's a thing I miss a lot. I'm going to be 51 and if I don't have fun now...when am I planning on that? Previously I have owned Olds, Buick, and Pontiac classics and muscle cars, one of them for three decades. I bled the Buick Tri-shield colors for a long time.

Although the prices are a serious enough thing to be sobering, I am looking into C2s. I like C3s up to '72 but I much prefer C2s. I have seen several I would buy given the right conditions, but one of those conditions is the location I would be storing. I have to square away my home garage first, before anything: if I don't have a place to store, no way will I buy. So that means maximizing my storage area, prepping it so the car won't get storage ills, etc. The garage is small but I feel I can make that work with effort and short cash if I just plan it right. I am not going to rush that, which is fine since I plan on not buying the car in a rush anyway.

I've done this long enough to know that you talk to knowledgeable people first, before purchase from ANYwhere or anyone. Typically, the people who know are much surer bets to get lines on the right car than rolling dice.. And that's why I'm here.

My goal is a '64 to '67 coupe, manual trans, 327 car. A 250hp 327 has nothing wrong with it, but is not my interest. '63 is out of the question and I like the '65 best overall. Numbers matching are not my highest priority, since I do not plan on making a need for a trophy room. However I have virtually no interest in cars with say, modern interiors or digital dashes, bumper deletes, LS swaps, 20" wheels etc because that is customization I would have to correct and I am not looking for projects. I would not be adverse to a car with the 'wrong' engine if all else is acceptable however. I can correct that and have fun doing it; building engines is fun when you don't have to do it. The condition I am looking for is for a car which is used on weekends or special occasions, late spring to fall of course. So a nice car but not a museum piece. I realize that covers much ground. What is my budget? I could buy the 80K cars I see advertised. "Could" and "will" are different.

I need to learn a lot about the cars and what is good bad normal and abnormal. I do not expect a car this old to be perfect. I do expect that it will fall within acceptable, known norms.

 

Welcome.

 

Welcome, and I am going to move your thread to the C1/C2 Corvettes section where owners there can perhaps help you out with your search for just the right car.

 

Welcome to the Corvette world - you will love it. I like your preferences regarding a C2 that meets your needs. A few additional thoughts to consider - based on what you have said and your expectations and plans to drive it - I would suggest that you look for a small block with a hydraulic cam, I think you would be pleased with a 327 - 300 HP engine or an L79, 350 hp 327. Easy to maintain - they run smooth and not terribly expensive to acquire. Once you start talking BB or the high performance SBs it = $$$$. Don't discount a 64, they are the least expensive of the C2s and are every bit as good / nice as later models - their interiors are considered the best looking. Good luck - and one more thing - find yourself an expert that can do a C2 pre purchase inspection now and establish a relationship with him or her. When you find the car you like - other people will like it too - you will have to act fast - no time to go looking for an inspection - you need one in your hip pocket. Good luck.

 

You should look at Corvette Mike's in Carver the last time I checked they had a Red C2 looked very nice and price wasn't bad either, Iv'e dealt with mike over the years he always has nice cars.

 

Welcome. FWIW, I think your taking the correct approach - you’ve identified what you want, have some flexibility, are connecting with knowledgeable people (C2 sub forum), and patience. Best of luck on your search.

 

Mike is a good guy. The red 64 and the white 65 are both convertibles.
OP is seeking a coupe.
If I can help in any way, let me know.

 

Thanks fellas. Glad to be starting on this trip.

I wouldn't be necessarily adverse to a solid lifter car on principle, but drivability is on my list so the L79 is very attractive.

I like the '64s just fine actually; one of the reasons I like the '65 are the vents behind the driver's door which the 64 has as well. I was drooling over a silver/silver C2 at the Volo the other day. Great combination and nice car, looks like somebody will be having a nice addition to their garage. What makes a 64 example less expensive I wonder?

 

Why are 64s least desirable? Not a 63 and no disc brakes. To we who own them, they are the best of the mid years. It’s our little secret. Make friends with Paul (Capevettes). He is a wonderful resource for you who is close.
Welcome to the world of mid year corvettes.

 

I'm a '63 convertible owner. I like the car very much, and have no plans to let go of it anytime soon. But, if I were searching for another C2, it would be a
'64. I find the instruments to be slightly more attractive than those of the '63, and I like the seats much better. I prefer the non-power C2 drum brakes over the C2 discs. I also prefer the B-pillar vents over their absence on the coupes, as well as the horizontal lines of the fake fender vents on the '63 and '64. And I like the hood depressions on the '64 slightly better than the '63's cookie sheets, and like them significantly more the hoods of the later small-block cars.

A C2 can be a joy to own and drive, or it can be a nightmare. Crucial is to educate yourself before buying, take the necessary time to be sure you've decided correctly about what you really want, and get an expert to inspect all candidates before you buy.

A repaint alone will likely set you back a minimum of $20,000 in today's market. Any required body work will add to that quickly. Beware especially of rust in the birdcage, which is extremely costly to repair, and frame rust as well.

The best bang/buck for a car you intend to drive, and do not intend to show or have judged for originality, will be a driver-quality car that is mechanically solid, a body that hasn't been abused or hacked, good but not necessarily perfect paint, good frame and birdcage, and a 250 or 300 HP engine. These are often the cars that have seen the least abuse, as compared to the high-horsepower cars, as they were often gently used, and less often crashed. Good interior condition will also save significant rehab $$$. A non-original engine that's in good shape, strong enough, and streetable in its manners will save significant $$$ on the front end of ownership.

Happy hunting.

Live well,

SJW

 

Welcome! Great approach and consideration. Definitely take a tour through the C2 For Sale Forum right below this one on the index. You will learn a lot and many of the cars on there are known to the forum. Best of luck in your search!