C3 Purchase advice
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
C3 Purchase advice
Greetings. I usually am lurking on the C1-2 board as I currently have a '61, but at this time I am in the market for a nice C3. What I am after is a high option convertible (auto, air, ps, pb) in red or white for the little woman. Base engine is fine, big blocks, high hp etc. is unimportant. Any dealers that are recommended or I shouldn't deal with? Any things particular to this generation that I need to be aware of? I am not interested in projects, I want a very nice turn key car and I realize that I probably won't find one on ebay, nor do I wish to travel all over the country to look at worn out cars. Thanks in advance, John
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 34,455
Likes: 665
From: Republic of Texas
Originally Posted by 61Rat
Greetings. I usually am lurking on the C1-2 board as I currently have a '61, but at this time I am in the market for a nice C3. What I am after is a high option convertible (auto, air, ps, pb) in red or white for the little woman. Base engine is fine, big blocks, high hp etc. is unimportant. Any dealers that are recommended or I shouldn't deal with? Any things particular to this generation that I need to be aware of? I am not interested in projects, I want a very nice turn key car and I realize that I probably won't find one on ebay, nor do I wish to travel all over the country to look at worn out cars. Thanks in advance, John
It basically boils down to what you want to spend and you preference.
The '68-'72 convertible will command the most money while the '73-75 will on average cost less w/ it's soft nose and bumper (excluding the '73
). As far as the "better car" from '68-'75 is basically the same car, same suspension, interior, etc. Of course there are differences but they aren't major. The '68 have many "one year parts" which can be pricey, but at the same time sets them apart from the sea of C3's. The '73 is the same w/ having a soft nose and hard rear.Pro Team has some GREAT cars, but are quiet pricey. Take a look at the classifieds, there are deals to be made.
Best of luck
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,469
Likes: 6
From: 68 427 4.11s Roadster
I think because of the era and the smog change your probably going to be looking at the later years.
Power everything. I'm sure they're out there, just more abundant during the power loss years.
Thats a unique thing. Hi compression to low, not sure if cats were put on yet.
Power everything. I'm sure they're out there, just more abundant during the power loss years.
Thats a unique thing. Hi compression to low, not sure if cats were put on yet.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 6
From: Nevada City California
I'd look for a '72 year convertible. It's the first year that autos outsold manual trans, most were optioned with PS, PDB, AC. Prices for a nice correct model will probably run 25 to 30K.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Do your homework. There are hundreds of nice convertibles on the market. Expect to see ridiculous asking prices for some. Keep looking until you find the car you want at the price you want to pay. They're out there. Good luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
I love my 71 but if I were doing it again, I'd find a 73 vert. distinctive design with soft front and chrome rear bumper, no wiper door with all its vacuum tubing and actuator parts and cushions between the frame and body.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
Wow have you picked a great time to be looking for a Corvette. Corvettes at Carlisle is going on from August 26 to the 28th. I guarantee you will find a car that meets all of your expectations… and probably even your price. But seriously there are some outstanding bargains at Carlisle and every year I am amazed by 1) the absolutely absurd prices some people are asking for the next great collectible and 2) the ridiculously low prices some of the cars actually sell for.
I think the best buys are with the private sales, and there will be literally hundreds of them. On the other hand some of the more reliable sales are with the multitude of dealers, since most will have to stand behind their sales. There is an absolute plethora of expertise there to give you advice on any car you want to buy.
I go every year (for almost 20 now) and am always entertained as well has get a major fix of Corvette euphoria. If you haven't been you owe it to yourself and your wife to see it at least once… but wear comfortable shoes!
http://www.carsatcarlisle.com/schedu...ette/index.asp
GUSTO
I think the best buys are with the private sales, and there will be literally hundreds of them. On the other hand some of the more reliable sales are with the multitude of dealers, since most will have to stand behind their sales. There is an absolute plethora of expertise there to give you advice on any car you want to buy.
I go every year (for almost 20 now) and am always entertained as well has get a major fix of Corvette euphoria. If you haven't been you owe it to yourself and your wife to see it at least once… but wear comfortable shoes!
http://www.carsatcarlisle.com/schedu...ette/index.asp
GUSTO
Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 517
Likes: 0
From: The Armpit of Illinois Platato says..... "Sometimes your the windshield & sometimes your the bug".
St. Jude Donor '05
Hi John!
I've put together a nice C3 buyers evaluation packet. If you want a copy, email me and I'l send it to you. It's about 13 pages and is in the form of a MS Word document.
STW!
Platato
I've put together a nice C3 buyers evaluation packet. If you want a copy, email me and I'l send it to you. It's about 13 pages and is in the form of a MS Word document.
STW!
Platato
Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 517
Likes: 0
From: The Armpit of Illinois Platato says..... "Sometimes your the windshield & sometimes your the bug".
St. Jude Donor '05
Hi guys!
Thanks for all the interest in the evaluation packet. I have really enjoyed talking to you and glad I can help a little. Good luck on your hunt and keep me posted if you find a Vette. If anyone else needs a copy, email me.
STW!
Platato
Thanks for all the interest in the evaluation packet. I have really enjoyed talking to you and glad I can help a little. Good luck on your hunt and keep me posted if you find a Vette. If anyone else needs a copy, email me.
STW!
Platato
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
John, in the DC area, you may want to join the CCA, NCCC#1 club in G'burg, then get in touch with Tony Avadesian (sp?) of Tony's corvette shop in G'burg Md.....he helped me buying my shark some ten years ago up there, I"m from that area long ago...Tony has expanded the business a LOT in the last 8 years since I lived there, I need stop in some day to say hello...
GENE
GENE
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Originally Posted by 61Rat
... What I am after is a high option convertible (auto, air, ps, pb) in red or white for the little woman. Base engine is fine, big blocks, high hp etc. is unimportant. ...
Thanks in advance, John
Thanks in advance, John
This is a very easy question.
73- refinement- Duntov specially designed the 73 up body mount bushings to be better & not hurt handling. Will help eliminate the creaks some complain about in the early models. Modern ft. bumper added. (Vac. wiper system cover eliminated which was sometimes described as slow moving & troublesome.)
74- Modern rear bumper added. Little to choose from between 73 & 74 besides rear bumper. Both primarily need TCS eliminated.
75- Clean refined design w/ revised rear bumper w/ energy absorbers. HEI. Safety bladder gas tank. Primary disadvantage- single ex. w/ cat. Replace w/ hi flow cat. or duals. Last yr. C3 Conv.