Buying a C3
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Buying a C3
Hi all...I'm new to the forum and wanted to say hi to everyone and my question is about buying a C3 Vette. I'm a little new to vetts and just bought a C6 a few weeks ago and now wanting a C3 in Automatic. Is there any years to steer clear from? this car would be a driver not one to be parked and looked at. Looking for a good one in the 70's-80's year range maybe. What would you all suggest.
Thanks Much!
Thanks Much!
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Fishers IN
I'm fairly new to this too. 
Big blocks are the *****. I've only ever owned between '69 and '77.
Mechanically, I don't think there are any in that range that are any worse than any other. Style & price is a different matter. 70-72's look awesome, 73 ok, 74-77 all look same, 78+ fastbacks look better than 74-77, in my opinion. Price is about the same deal.
I've got a '69 BB 4spd for fun, and a '77 350/Auto for weekend trips with the wife. Depends on what you want to do with it.
Big blocks are the *****. I've only ever owned between '69 and '77. Mechanically, I don't think there are any in that range that are any worse than any other. Style & price is a different matter. 70-72's look awesome, 73 ok, 74-77 all look same, 78+ fastbacks look better than 74-77, in my opinion. Price is about the same deal.
I've got a '69 BB 4spd for fun, and a '77 350/Auto for weekend trips with the wife. Depends on what you want to do with it.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Thanks for the advise, I just bought a book called Corvette C3 buying guide. It Looks like there are many things to look for when buying an older model. I do love these cars and it brings back many good times when I see them. Can't wait to find a nice one but do not want to spend too much. I'm thinking I like the 79 at this point but I need to go have a look at a few.
I have a couple .jpg of my C6 on my desktop buy did not know how to post one. I saw insert image but I do not have a hosting area to point to for pictures.
I have a couple .jpg of my C6 on my desktop buy did not know how to post one. I saw insert image but I do not have a hosting area to point to for pictures.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 11,609
Likes: 1,053
From: Compound in the Grove, Ga.
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C4 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
2015 C4 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '16
Welcome...and good luck on any C3..I can't help you with what year to buy as I like all of them...
Just do your home work and if you can get one of the forum members look with ya...
Just do your home work and if you can get one of the forum members look with ya...
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by ZGone
....I just bought a book called Corvette C3 buying guide. It Looks like there are many things to look for when buying an older model.....
Knowledge is power. Read and re-read the buyer's guide and that will give you some background before you start searching for a car.'79s are nice and there were bunches of them.
Good luck with the hunt.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 1
From: St Augustine FL
Pick a year you like with specifications that you like, set your budget and start hunting. The 81-and 82 are the only C3's that are computer controlled. I own an 82 and love it. I just don't have the ***** to start screwing with the crossfire injection myself. I have also owned 2-81 models and a 72 roadster. My favorite of all four was the 72. It was easy to work on and is a fantastic looking car. My next car will be a 68-69 big block if the prices don't go out of sight before I have chance to buy one. Good Luck and happy Hunting!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
[QUOTE=bluesilver82]....My next car will be a 68-69 big block if the prices don't go out of sight before I have chance to buy one....../QUOTE]
IF...?!?! It's kinda-sorta already happened, huh?
IF...?!?! It's kinda-sorta already happened, huh?
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,814
Likes: 105
From: Dearborn Heights Michigan
Originally Posted by SmokinBBC
I am partial to 70 BB chrome bumper-non cal. emissions.
Fred
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: parsippany nj
It's a matter of personal preference. Personally, I love the chrome bumperC-3's. They are easier to work on and all the emissions and unleaded gas started in 1975, which was the lowest horsepower year for the corvette. I love driving my '72 around everywhere.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,848
Likes: 0
From: Beacon NY
Originally Posted by Easy Mike
NOW you're talkin'. Knowledge is power. Read and re-read the buyer's guide and that will give you some background before you start searching for a car.
'79s are nice and there were bunches of them.
Good luck with the hunt.
Knowledge is power. Read and re-read the buyer's guide and that will give you some background before you start searching for a car.'79s are nice and there were bunches of them.
Good luck with the hunt.
As an owner of a '79, I love them. The only thing I don't like about my '79 is that I'm not exempt from emmisions testing like you would be on a 1974 and earlier car. I can't just pop on side exhaust or remove my catalytic converter.
I bought my non number matching '79 in 2000 for about $6,500. I had to do about $2,000 in work before I could drive it, but it has been an extremely reliable and trouble free car for the 6 years I've owned it. In 6 years, I've put on about 40,000 miles.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
The biggest issue with any C3 is rust. You have to examine the frame - especially the area around the trailing arm pockets very carefully. You also have to examine the windshield frame area and body mount areas very carefully. There is almost nothing that can't be repaired or replaced on a C3, but if a car has serious rust issues there will be lots of time and money involved for repairs.
You have to decide which style of C3 you like best. My son and I started with a 79 project because it was cheap, although I wasn't excited about the body style. We recently came across a 72 that we like a lot more due to the leaner styling. I feel a lot better about spending all of my money on the 72 than the prospect of sinking it into the 79, but there are a lot of folks on the forum who love the later body style. If you want to do a lot of mods to the car, something like a 79 would be a good choice. The 79 was the highest production number C3 so it will most likely be the slowest year to appreciate in value. They tend to be more reasonably priced than other years also.
Rick B.
You have to decide which style of C3 you like best. My son and I started with a 79 project because it was cheap, although I wasn't excited about the body style. We recently came across a 72 that we like a lot more due to the leaner styling. I feel a lot better about spending all of my money on the 72 than the prospect of sinking it into the 79, but there are a lot of folks on the forum who love the later body style. If you want to do a lot of mods to the car, something like a 79 would be a good choice. The 79 was the highest production number C3 so it will most likely be the slowest year to appreciate in value. They tend to be more reasonably priced than other years also.
Rick B.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,152
Likes: 33
From: Folsom Ca
Originally Posted by ZGone
Hi all...I'm new to the forum and wanted to say hi to everyone and my question is about buying a C3 Vette. I'm a little new to vetts and just bought a C6 a few weeks ago and now wanting a C3 in Automatic. Is there any years to steer clear from? this car would be a driver not one to be parked and looked at. Looking for a good one in the 70's-80's year range maybe. What would you all suggest.
Thanks Much!
Thanks Much!
The 82 has a overdrive tranny 700R4 and just about all the creature comforts youd want.For a good value the 80-81 very good.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,909
Likes: 6
From: Lake Arrowhead - Georgia > 72 Base Coupe & 74 BB Roadster
Consider this...
70 probably best performer..don't like today's gas octane
72 HP ratings changed to net,,,,rather than gross
72 Last chrome on both ends
73 morph...only rubber front / chrome tail ever...(next $$ maker)
74 1st rubber on both ends...last true dual exhaust..no cat converter and last year for a big block
75 last ragtop
No matter what you pick....it's fun and keeps up with inflation or better.
I have a 72 t-top and should pick up my "new" 74 ragtop tomorrow !
70 probably best performer..don't like today's gas octane
72 HP ratings changed to net,,,,rather than gross
72 Last chrome on both ends
73 morph...only rubber front / chrome tail ever...(next $$ maker)
74 1st rubber on both ends...last true dual exhaust..no cat converter and last year for a big block
75 last ragtop
No matter what you pick....it's fun and keeps up with inflation or better.
I have a 72 t-top and should pick up my "new" 74 ragtop tomorrow !
Last edited by fotyfobravo; Apr 28, 2006 at 04:23 PM.
