I am considering buying a C3 corvette to restore. Right now, I have my eyes on either the 68 and 69 or the late 70s to 82 years. Love the look of the 68, 69, but also wouldn't mind some of the advancements of the later year C3s. Fact is I'm still learning about all of them.

Also how difficult is it to work on these yourself? I've done some basic stuff with my other vehicles, suspension swaps, bolts ons, brakes, simple stuff.

I was hoping any of you could give me some general information about restoring a C3.
My goal is to have a classic vette that can tear up the street and I'm not prepared for a motor swap so I think I want to stay away from the early to mid 70's models.

Things like,
in what years beneficial changes were made?
How wide of tires can I run in the rear? I read about some issue with the rear fenders on 69s
I could really use some help with all the different engine options and their upgradeability.
How readily available are parts?
Common issues with models.
If I get a 68, 69 can I pull improved parts of the later years such as brake calipers or rotors,
Basically what things should I be looking for.

Really just anything will help. I'm learning stuff every day, but your experience would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time in advance.

Chris

 

There is alot of info here
Good luck!

http://corvetteactioncenter.com/spec...973/index.html

 

If you are not up to a motor swap late 70's or 80-82 with stock engines won't be tearing up any streets.

 

Here's some info I've learned from my own experiences and others'.

The chrome bumpered cars, '68-72, are going-up in price. If you're looking to build a hotrodded vette, these cars could eat your budget just for the car. Of these years, I'd go with a '70-72 big block (454ci) car. There's no replacement for displacement. The '70-72s have a slight rear fender flare that allows slightly wider wheels/tires. The only downside to the '68 cars are that they have a lot of one year only parts. The '68-'69 (and maybe '70) have a vaccum operated door covering the wipers. Many people (myself included) replace their hoods with extended hoods that eliminate that door. You may want to consider a '71-'72 car.

The '73 cars have a rubber front bumper and a chrome rear bumper.

The ''74-79 cars have always been a good buy. The money you'd save over a chrome bumpered car could be put into the motor, or an engine swap, or other mods.

The '80-82 cars are my personal favorites of the rubber bumpered cars. But, if you want a manual trans, one can be hard to find.

I reccommend you think about which bodystyle you like, chrome bumper, rubber bumper 74-79 or 80-82. Then plan out what you want to do: motor, drivetrain, suspension etc.

Chances are just about anything you can think of, has already been done. Post your ideas, or search the forum for ideas. There are some incredible Vettes on this forum, from NCRS near 100 point cars to heavily modified race cars.

Good luck

PS - When searching the forums, check the "search archive" box.

 

Actually, that vacuum operated cover stayed thru the '72 models. It was changed in '73.

 

Thanks, that definately helped. I love the gills on the 68, 69 but I definately want room for bigger tires, I hate it when you can't get the power to the ground.
That gives me a good idea of where to start. thanks for your time.

 

I own 5 Corvettes...all of which are now ( finally ) in good enough shape that I will and have shown them all...

BUT I question your definition of RESTORING...

I think you are interested in cleaning up a Corvette, replacing needed or worn parts with correct or aftermarket parts, and having a great street car...

I own a 64, 72,76,79 and 98 Vettes...

But my 76 L48 4 speed is my overall favorite to drive
it is also the lowest powered Corvette I own, basically stock engine but still enough to lay rubber in the 1st 3 gears and chirp the tires going into 4th speed shifting..
its a low optioned car...no air, no power windows etc...
less to go wrong in my opinion... Only modification I did to the car was make the rear window removable like the 68-72 coupes...and to replace the Rally wheels with Factory Mag wheels.. and I can honestly say the car is a true Stringray...

When buying the 76 thru 82 cars are about the least expensive C3 years to buy... too.

MY 76 does absolutely nothing better or as good as ANY of my other Corvettes... its just that when you add everything up and count smiles per mile the 76 ends up as my favorite... slower then any of my cars except the 79 (handicapped since it is the only automatic I own)
Its a Coupe and honestly I am a Ragtop guy...but I never remove the tops ...

Personally I would stay clear of the 68's ONLY BECAUSE they have so many year specific parts... and I would stay clear of the 82's ONLY BECAUSE they had a darn computer ...

BTW... even without replacing the engine it is easy and fairly cheap to increase the power in the after SMOG
350 engines...especially if the car is exempt from your States emission police..

I always buy COSMETICS over Mechanicals ..Good Mechanics are easier to find and cheaper then good paint shops and the cost of replacing door panels etc..

I'm a good wrench but a slow and not so good Body and Fender Man...and am absolutely dangerous with a paint gun...

Bob G.