Having C3 Troubles...
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Looking to buy a C3...
Hey everyone, I've been a fan of C3's forever, but never got too serious about buying one until now due to work, school, etc. I'm currently debating between a 76 and a 77, but I'm not too sure which one I prefer. I really like the way the 76's look, but with the 77 I'm not sure what paint scheme I'd go with. My main questions in buying either model year is mainly concerning the overall look of the car as well as the interior. My main concern without a doubt is the motor, I'm a big fan of horsepower and wanted to know if there was an advantage of one over the other.
Thanks a ton guys,
Eddie
Thanks a ton guys,
Eddie
Last edited by C3VetteMan; Jan 29, 2006 at 11:26 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,950
Likes: 498
From: Chino Hills CA
First check your emmisions laws. Is a 76 or 77 smog exempt in your state? Here in CA a '74 or older is smog exempt. If you have to worry about smog checks or yearly inspections, consider going with an older model. Otherwise, you will pretty much have to leave the engine fairly stock, with all emmisions equipment on and functioning.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 12
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Originally Posted by lowbuck72
First check your emmisions laws. Is a 76 or 77 smog exempt in your state? Here in CA a '74 or older is smog exempt. If you have to worry about smog checks or yearly inspections, consider going with an older model. Otherwise, you will pretty much have to leave the engine fairly stock, with all emmisions equipment on and functioning.
Luckily enough, my area is free of the smog tests so I can stick with my dream car in a 76 or a 77. Thank you so much for asking that though, because I hadn't checked that till now.
I'm really just having trouble deciding between a 76 or a 77. Also, ever now and then the thought of buying a 75 or lower C3 lingers into my mind, but I still haven't been sold on one car specifically. I'd really like to get some opinions on what years have the best motor, interior options, body style, etc. That's kind of why I posted in the 'Tech Section', because I wanted to get an idea of C3 years have the best specifications.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
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From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
The center gauge cluster and console is the same as the 78-82 models. The rest of the interior (except for the aforementioned 76.2-82 dome light location is the same design as the earlier models. The body is identical to a '76, but the emblems are different.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Did you go look at them? Not identical, 74-77 are very similiar. Note mirrors, door panel inserts & console.
The 77 has a shorter st. column, a plus if tall. Some 77 info. on my website.
The 77 has a shorter st. column, a plus if tall. Some 77 info. on my website.
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 26
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From: England, UK Somerset
I had a '77 initially - lovely shape, and as has been said - identical to the '76 body wise. Interior is different; console mainly. As for performance, nothing really to choose between them. If you aren't concerned with factory originality then there is no power advantage that can't be easily, and cheaply, matched.
Main thing as far as I would be concerned, and it's a minor point, but '76 is the last year the Stingray name was used. So a '77 won't have the Stingray badge. Here in England, people see a C3 and assume it's a Stingray. With the '77 I used to say "well, you're sort of right, but it's not actually a Stingray"
. With my '72 I just say "Yes, it is a Stingray" - much easier 
Just get the best '76 or '77 you can. Colour, condition etc is, IMO, more important.
Main thing as far as I would be concerned, and it's a minor point, but '76 is the last year the Stingray name was used. So a '77 won't have the Stingray badge. Here in England, people see a C3 and assume it's a Stingray. With the '77 I used to say "well, you're sort of right, but it's not actually a Stingray"
. With my '72 I just say "Yes, it is a Stingray" - much easier Just get the best '76 or '77 you can. Colour, condition etc is, IMO, more important.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Last edited by Ganey; Jan 30, 2006 at 09:15 AM.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2006
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Well before I go on, it's needless to say that the C3 Generation just further proved to me that it's the greatest generation of Vette's made, but I'm sure you all would agree with me anyways. Man, everytime I look at one, even though I'm not sure what year it is, it just reminds me how much Corvette has changed the way we look at cars.
But that's beside the point...
I think I've got a pretty good feel for what I want now. I'd say I'm probably going to stick with the 76, just for the sake of the Stingray name, along with the dome light placement, steering wheel column length, emblem placement, etc.
But I'm still not 100% on it. Being a big fan of horsepower, I'd like to have the best street/strip combo that I can put together...
Does anyone know what year has the best weight transfer for doing wheelies?
Thanks again,
Eddie
But that's beside the point...
I think I've got a pretty good feel for what I want now. I'd say I'm probably going to stick with the 76, just for the sake of the Stingray name, along with the dome light placement, steering wheel column length, emblem placement, etc.
But I'm still not 100% on it. Being a big fan of horsepower, I'd like to have the best street/strip combo that I can put together...
Does anyone know what year has the best weight transfer for doing wheelies?
Thanks again,
Eddie
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 194
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From: Hamilton Ontario
If you can get either year with low miles and great shape you will be happy. If you want that Stingray badging, your choice is limited to the 76. You won't be disappointed either way. Good luck.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 868
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From: Olney MD
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,606
Likes: 5
Originally Posted by C3VetteMan
What about a 76 or 77?
Unfortunately, if you want to pull wheelies, your only choice is a '68...