I'm in the process of saving for my first Corvette. I've been wanting one of these cars since... well, long enough. Most of my time lately has been spent researching Vettes of all years and seeing what's available. I've driven and inspected many Vettes as well. All of this effort has lead me to a grim conclusion......

I have no idea which Vette I want!

The C3 is my current focus. Do I go with an early model, a mid-year, or late C3? Just when I had decided on a 1973 coupe (based on a neat dark green example with a four-speed that I christened "Kermit" even though I can't buy it), I discovered a hot looking silver 1979 and a catch-me-before-I-faint 1982 coupe (the '82 was cherry red with a 383 and a restored red interior and OMG I wanted it BAD!).

So my question for you C3 owners.... What year did you choose, and why? Am I the only one to face this problem? So far, I figured the only solution is to, well.... get one from each year!

 

There are no bad Corvettes....some are just better than others.

 

I chose a 1971 for the following reasons:

Last year of performance 454 without emissions. The L-88 of earlier is FAST. The 71 is not the "hottest Vette". 1970's were slightly more powerful and faster, but required a higher octane gas to run properly. In 1971, a stock Vette could run on 91 octane gas. It is highly prized by collectors.

A 1970 had higher compression heads. Mine is lower, so it deals with todays gas. 1970's would like to run on 95 octane if they could.

I also wanted a Chrome Bumper Car. 1973's were the first year of plastic bumpers, and they didnt really get them right for a while. 1974's had plastic front and rear.

It's a personal matter of preference.

What are you looking for? A daily driver? Trailer Queen? Trophy Project? What about Big Blocks and Gas Mileage? Stick to Originality with numbers matching or get the car you WANT to drive?

If I was going for a day-2-day driver, I would get a 1971 with a rebuilt 350 engine with slight mods, Alum Radiator, power windows, tilt/tele and a 700R4 tranny. Now ya got a good cruizer, decent gas mileage, better first gear for hole shots, longer overdrive for freeways at 80mph. A convertible would be cool. This can be had as a non-numbers matching car for decent money, and be a great driver.

 

Look for a while if you have the patience. When you have the money lined up, and you see one that you just fall in love with, you'll know. It may not be that "WOW! That's cool, I want it" feeling. It will be more like "If I don't buy this car and tomorrow it's sold, I will be totally heartbroken." That's the feeling I got.

As for which year to get, you just have to pick one. Originally, all I wanted was the 80-82, but I "settled" for a 78 cuz it's got the front/rear kit to make it look like an 80-82, which is totally cool with me. I originally ONLY wanted a charcoal gray one, but after seeing a beautiful blue one that was almost perfect, I fell in love with it...I bought it right then and there.

I guess what i'm trying to say is that you'll just know she's the one when you see her...

 

......... ......and BTW, you have to buy a '71.....'cause your Forum name is Treadstone71.........

I had 4 criteria when I went shopping: coupe, chrome bumpers, 4-speed and big block........wasn't even looking at verts when I found mine....so I didn't get a BB, but I got a vert, chrome bumpers and a 4-speed.....very

Just remember that a low priced early C3 will need a lot more dollars spent on it then a similar priced later model C3 that doesn't need anything done to it.....after all, for most, the whole point is to drive it !!!!!

Good luck with your saving and search

 

I'm trying real hard NOT to do that, currently own 73, 77, 79 and 82.

IMO get a chrome bumper Vert.

 

When I was looking for my Vette, I only had three requirements: had to be a 4sp, '74 or older(pre-emissions & CAT) and under $10,000. I figured if I met those it would be easy to change to anything else I wanted (BB).

I looked for 2 years from 1998-2000. One finally showed at a dealer, about 1 mile from my home, where I previously bought an older Mustang. He wanted $9,999, I got it for $7,400 but it needed a lot of work.

 

I wanted a flat back window and I knew I couldn't afford a chrome bumper so I got the next best thing when I found my 74

 

 

I would get a chome bumper if I had the money. I didn't so I bought a 76 that I could afford. Don't really care for the bubble backs. Get something before 74 so you don't have to worry about emmissions. I'd put true headers/side pipes on mine if I wasn't required to have CATS.

 

Buy the best one (condition) you can afford....otherwise they can be money pits.

Good Luck in your search.

 

Your approach is wrong...first, decide what you want the car to do for you.

Do you want a garage queen/show car? Do you want something you can mod or that has been modded? Do you want to wash-n-wax and cruise in the car or do you want to track the car? Is it a daily driver or fair weather - Monday/Friday car (no matter how bad the week was, the drive home on Friday in a Corvette makes it all okay!)...while it is possible to have a single car do most of the above you will need an additional budget for beer!

Seriously, once you've decided the above then you can narrow down your choices. If all else fails do like I did and get two!

As for the year, I graduated high school in 1982, couldn't afford the car then but later in life an 80 - 82 was all I wanted. I love the chrome bumper cars (68 - 73) but not from the inside...the modern dash/seats of an 80 - 82 coupled with the body-style of the C3 made it a winner for me.

As for the 04 Z06/Z16...wanted a C5 when I retired from the Marine Corps in '03 but retirement is not a good time to add payments to your life. Waited...and waited...and saved and stumbled on the Z at a bargain price...it's not an '03 but she was built in Dec of '03 - close enough!

Last thing, I always tell people to enjoy the hunt, other than owning a Corvette this is the best time you'll have.

 

Thanks for the comments, guys.... Just to answer some common questions that came up, my goals for the car are to drive it on weekends, maybe to work now and then. It will certainly be no trailer queen, and I won't rule out a few modifications. I decided on the '73 because it's pre-75 (so no smog check, and perhaps I'd want to swap the engine), had the 4-speed, had been well-maintained, and, at $18k, was more in my league than several early C3s going for close to $40k. Whoever did the paint, however, didn't know what he was doing--the dark green shade was nice but there was some orange-peel on the end near the driver's door. But, as I said, then I saw the other ones.

And don't even get me started on C4, which I've also looked at.....

Anyway, there's plenty of time to figure this out while I'm socking cash away. I'm thinking at least another two years before I take the plunge.

 

I wanted a fun semi-daily driver, for going to work when the weather was nice and I was living in California. I wanted the nicer interior of the newer ones and liked the body style of the 80-82 but decided any 78-81 with a 4-spd in decent condition for a reasonable price would work. After looking for a few months I finally found my '81.

If I were looking for a trailer queen or show-only car I would have gone for a flat-window Vette.

I guess I'm repeating what 2tone82 said, decide what you want to do with the car and what styling you want. '78+ for cheaper and more comfortable and practical (relatively speaking of course), older for a more classic show look and higher value and collectibility.

 

I think 73 is a good choice for a vette you plan to lightly modify.
... that or an earlier year that has already been deflowered.
The 73 retains the rear of the bumper years, which is the most appealing part of these - IMO.
Also, I actually like the plastic front which is a bit more sleek than the chromies.
That said, there is nothing as beautiful as a black 69 with sidepipes.
Good luck deciding

 

Wow - all good points, everyone of them.

I say get the best one you can find that a girl will buy for you

Just keep looking, There is a Vette for everyone.

 

In that with the Green Machine...

 

My reason for choosing 1971 (currently have 2 coupes) is that it is the last year to have all of the neat features.

Last of the fiberoptics display panels
Last of the complete data plates for engine information
Last to use metal bezels on floor pedals
Last to use chrome plated plastic on radio ***** and fresh air vents
Last to use the phosphorus green lettering on instrumentation for illumination at night
Last to use engine decals to display cubic inch & horsepower

etcetera.............