Thinking about getting another C3. Really would like a BB midyear but the prices are sky-high. Just found this 69 online. What do you guys think about it. Looks really nice from the pics however, hard to judge a car just by that, as we all know. Here is the link.

http://www.corvettetraderonline.com/...ale/l2235.html

 

Based on the site info and pict's it look very nice, just check out the numbers and codes before laying out the cash, I have a 71 bb

 

Thanks Ed.....Yup that would definatly be a treat and definatly closer to home! With only 29k on the clock and about $10k more. Might be worth it though.

 

The only thing that jumps out at me is the car is listed as a "400" hp engine which would be the L-68 tripower, and the pic shows a round air cleaner which would be on top of a single 4bbl. So, what engine is it really, and what intake/carb is it really? $38k is a lot for a coupe. For that money I would expect seller to know what he is selling and I would expect everything to be there and to be right.

 

From ad:

Sounds like someone went single 4bbl but the tripower comes with the car.

 

thanks! I missed that part. Now that I have read the description I notice they refer to the transmission as "correct". Don't assume "correct" means "original", ie, has the vin # derivative that matches the car.

 

For $38000.00 I would build a BB clone, and have mega cash left over.
But, thats me

 

I'm not one for hype. A car is a car. If I were going to spend that much money, it would be on a 435hp vette or a downpayment on a new Z06, but not on a 400hp vette. Not to insult anybody with a 390hp or 400hp vette but the engine is completely low hp from the root to the fruit compared to the 435hp or L88 engines. If you want a really cool C3 maybe you should seek a 68-72 or so and put in a crate LS6, LS7, or build a big block with new technology. It wouldn't be as expensive and would roast the 400hp car. There is something embarrassing about being beaten by a new small block car and the price of a low performance big block should reflect that in my opinion. I am probably in the minority in also thinking that the over-inflated prices of the older cars should subside due to the fact that the new vettes have become faster. There was a long stretch when the old cars could blow away the new cars but that day is gone. All that is left is the hype and in my opinion that should not amount to older cars selling for so much money.

 

Nice car. Price seems a touch high for an L-68 coupe--more what I'd expect to pay for a vert. Tripowers are cool, but you could get a hell of a nice L-36 for considerably less scratch, and only give up 10 rated horses.

JB

 

Actually that is one of my very options. I have been looking for a car with a nom, trash whats in there and do a crate install, wheels, tires, susp, exhaust, ect. Probably not any cheaper in the long run. It all depends on what I find.

 

It should be cheaper that way and it sure as heck will be all new, so you can't go wrong. You can build a more modern engine with roller cam (with a more modern cam profile), newer technology engine components and have a much more enjoyable and capable car to drive. If you could find a car which has the wrong engine, that would be ideal. The price of the vette should be lower and you want to swap out the engine anyway! I bought a crate 454 some years ago and modified it with all new technology and it made a huge difference. I gained about 200 hp for about $3500. No nitrous, no blower, just more modern heads, cam, intake and carb, etc. I like your approach. Take your time and find the right car.
Personally, I am not a big fan of the big block crate motors currently available from Chevrolet. Very low compression ratios, oval port heads, etc. don't exactly impress me. I would go with someone else's motor, maybe one of the vendors that Summit uses or build your own big block behemoth. Believe it or not, there are still a few LS6 and LS7 454 crate motors here and there, which have never been used. However, even these can be imnproved with new, aluminum heads and more modern cam profiles. It might be best to start from scratch and build the engine that way. As far as the suspension mods go, all the information is in this forum.