Moving from Chevelle to Corvette

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Jul 7, 2005 | 05:15 AM

#21

Jay M

Drifting

Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 1,600

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From: Valencia (near LA) CA

I think I'd try to find a way to keep the Chevelle! That is a beautiful car!

Of course all of us here prefer Vettes

I personally think '69 is a great year. The '68s have a bunch of 1 year only parts that are either expensive or un-availible.

Both '68 and '69 have have shark "gills" on the side as opposed to the so called egg crates. I prefer the gills, however the 70-72s have fender flares that look really cool.

I personally prefer the 68-72 with the chrome bumpers on the front and back. But those are the most expensive.

My favorite place to look is www.traderonline.com They have a classic car section that has a bunch of Corvettes. Some are dealers $$$, but there a bunch of private sellers, that is where you'll get a good deal.

I think matainence on a Corvette will be much higher than the Chevelle... so be prepared!

Take your time searching, then you'll be rewarded with a nice car for the money

BTW- welcome to the forum!!!!

~Jay

Jul 7, 2005 | 03:19 PM

#22

73LS4

Instructor

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 139

Likes: 1

From: Folsom CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBaker

What year's are the best buy? Best car? I don't know much about Corvettes, and have no pre-conceived ideas if one year is better than others. I think that I want to stay in the 68-72 range. Are 73's a different body style?

Having owned a couple dozen Corvettes, Chevelles, ElCaminos, GTOs, 442s (64-73), I'd say it boils down to your personal preference. They all have their pluses and minuses. Usually I buy based on condition, price, and value for the money... because I can love most any of them. In my opinion, 68s and 69s are my least favorite. 68s were plagued with first year issues, and 69s were only slightly better and had wheels that stuck out so far that they disintegrated the paint on the sides. I bought a 69 new and traded it in the day I ordered my 70 LT1, because I couldn't depend on it to even get me to work. But that was just my personal experience. 70s were impossible to find good gas for, and still are. Oddly enough, the value of 68s and 69s reflected all this FOR A LONG TIME... then someone decided 3X2s were valuable (since they couldn't afford a 67 with them)... and now they're being rediscovered :-)

Also interesting that most people favored the small block 71 and 72 Chevelle SS back then, because they were DRIVEABLE. When the gas crisis came along, u couldn't sell a big block ANYTHING. I was selling Chevrolets (71-74), and I remember :-)

Amazing what time does to the value of cars.

Jul 7, 2005 | 06:03 PM

#23

71coupe

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jun 2001

Posts: 2,429

Likes: 14

From: CA

If you can afford it, try looking for a '72 LT-1. It's the safest bet if you are looking for a collectible chrome bumper. 1972 was the first year Chevy put the engine I.D. in the V.I.N. All '72 LT-1's have an "L" in the number - no way to forge that (Unlike '68-'71's).

There's are a couple of '72 LT-1's on ebay right now under 20k.