1973 of course...
What Year C3 is Best?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 8,512
Likes: 3
From: Memphis, Tn
What Year C3 is Best?
I searched and didn't find anything, but my Search skills suck.
I know this is a loaded question, but what I'm really looking for are the pros and cons for each year. I had an 85 (betcha couldn't guess that from my sceen name), but have always liked looks of the Sharks. I'm thinking of getting one, but I need to know more about the ups and downs of each series. Chrome bumper cars look the best, but all look great.
Looks aside, what should I consider for each year?
I know this is a loaded question, but what I'm really looking for are the pros and cons for each year. I had an 85 (betcha couldn't guess that from my sceen name), but have always liked looks of the Sharks. I'm thinking of getting one, but I need to know more about the ups and downs of each series. Chrome bumper cars look the best, but all look great.
Looks aside, what should I consider for each year?
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 34,455
Likes: 665
From: Republic of Texas
Depends on the cars purpose, if it's going to be a daily driver then I'd search for a 80-'82, if I were all about style and power then '68-'72. All things considered the entire C3 line is pretty much the same, no one car is leaps and bounds over the next and any problems that may have flawed the car new has certaibnly been fixed by now.
So in short the best year is 1968.
So in short the best year is 1968.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 8,512
Likes: 3
From: Memphis, Tn
Originally Posted by Corey_68
Depends on the cars purpose, if it's going to be a daily driver then I'd search for a 80-'82, if I were all about style and power then '68-'72.
Keep the ideas coming. Which is cheapest to buy, cheapest to maintain, but looks the best.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 34,455
Likes: 665
From: Republic of Texas
Originally Posted by 85 Dave
If I get one, it won't be a DD. Weekend cruiser. I would love to have a 4 speed 'vert with sidepipes and a really lumpy cam. But then reality sets in... And cost is an object. Which points me towards the non-chrome bumper cars.
Keep the ideas coming. Which is cheapest to buy, cheapest to maintain, but looks the best.
Keep the ideas coming. Which is cheapest to buy, cheapest to maintain, but looks the best.
Cheapest cars are going to be the '76-'77 cars, NOT becuase of their quality more because of their low stock hp #'s and high production numbers. Nothing wrong with a rubber bumper car, many here rather that look over the chrome bumpers.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
From: Brookfield IL
Not sure what is your exact search criteria, but I was just looking for a safe, reliable car to drive to work everyday-- nothing fancy. After looking at Volvos and other supposedly "safe" cars, I ended up buying a 69 L46 convertible because it has a unique safety feature. With the fiber optic monitoring system I know if any headlight or taillight burns out.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
While I love Corey's 68 ... and many others, it has to be the
worst year to own .... due only to the 1-year only parts that
can be nearly impossible to find (or costly). Even 69's can have
hard-to-find parts.
I would honestly say that 73 is the best bang for today's buck.
The prices haven't shot up yet (but climbing). The chrome bumper rear
with the back-swept deck are more appealing than the 74-up rear bumpers.
10k will get you a driver, and 15-20k will get you something sweet.
Add a couple more for 'vert.
worst year to own .... due only to the 1-year only parts that
can be nearly impossible to find (or costly). Even 69's can have
hard-to-find parts.
I would honestly say that 73 is the best bang for today's buck.
The prices haven't shot up yet (but climbing). The chrome bumper rear
with the back-swept deck are more appealing than the 74-up rear bumpers.
10k will get you a driver, and 15-20k will get you something sweet.
Add a couple more for 'vert.
Last edited by NHvette; Jul 31, 2006 at 07:39 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 7
From: Fort Pierce Florida
I'd go '80 up if you're going to use it as a daily driver. Honestly though, if a chrome bumpered Vette is your dream car I'd go for that. I sort of inherited my '82 but I had to have a chrome bumpered car so I went out and bought a '72 in ruff (to say the least) shape. Working on that now.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 4
From: Va
Chrome Bumper C3s no doubt, I have a 71 Vert 383 stroker with OEM sidecovers and custom built 3" side exhaust. If I had my choice and the money , it would be a 69 Red L-88 vert with OEM sidepipes. A friend of mine had one of those in 69 and I road in it, no words could describe what it felt like. Unfortunately the friend sold it to someone, and it got totalled and the driver didn't survive either, what a waste.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
The later model C3s (between '76 and '81) have the highest production numbers and are generally priced accordingly. Make sure you look it over REAL HARD because most don't seem like a basketcase until about 3 months of driving them. Try and find one that recently had the suspension rebuilt and was treated well over its years. Remember these are 25+ year old cars we're talking about. It's not the mileage that kills them, it's the time. I personally like the '78 - '82 style best because of the big window. Gives more storage space for stuff like helmets at autocross
Cool thing about C3s, ALL of the coupes have t-tops. So even if you ca n't get a vert you've always got t-tops.
Cool thing about C3s, ALL of the coupes have t-tops. So even if you ca n't get a vert you've always got t-tops.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,664
Likes: 162
From: columbia city in
Originally Posted by Corey_68
Depends on the cars purpose, if it's going to be a daily driver then I'd search for a 80-'82, if I were all about style and power then '68-'72. All things considered the entire C3 line is pretty much the same, no one car is leaps and bounds over the next and any problems that may have flawed the car new has certaibnly been fixed by now.
So in short the best year is 1968.
So in short the best year is 1968.
all c3 are great .
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 8,512
Likes: 3
From: Memphis, Tn
Need more pros and cons for each year. I don't want to skew this to one year or another. Bumper cars are $$$$. 73 cars are almot $$$$. 80 - 82 look great, too. 82's have cross fire... good and bad.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
From: Brookfield IL
It's such a generic question, I think it's hard to answer. The C3s are all similar cars. Basically the older ones and big blocks are usually more $, and convertibles add a premium as well. The newer C3s are more refined. What are you specifically looking for? A dependable daily driver? A cheap C3 to tinker with on the weekends? A chrome bumper you've had your heart set on since you were a kid? A convertible for fun in the sun? A big block that can shred the tires? Numbers matching? A cheap late model C3 with a crate engine and other modern upgrades to suspension, etc.? A specific color?
Maybe if you tell us specifically what you are looking for, we can give you better answers.
Maybe if you tell us specifically what you are looking for, we can give you better answers.