G'day guys,
This is my first post here, been lurking around for a while and thought I better register.
I am looking for the titles of any good books, specifically dealing with 68-72 vettes. Or any web sites that have good info, apart from this one of course.
I ordered 3 books today, Corvette Black Book, Original Corvette 1968-1982, and Corvette 1968- 1982 Restoration Guide. Would appreciate any recomendations.
I am curently looking for my first Vette, 68-72 . I missed a nice 68 on the weekend, so now I'm waiting on some pics of a 70 4 speed. I don't know a lot about these cars, so please be warned that I will ask a lot of dumb questions.

Cheers, Doug

 

Welcome! Good luck with hunt. You have chosen the best years, in my opinion. Vettes were great cars from 69-72.

"How to Restore and Modify Your Corvette" by Richard Newton
MBI Publishing- Classic Motorbooks, Osceola, WI. 54020

There are no stupid questions, only stupid people.

 

Thanks for the welcome, and the book title.
I'm looking forward to finding the right car, but not the 3 month wait to ship it.

Doug

 

Vette Vues 1968-72 Corvette Fact Book by M. J. Dobbins is terrific and has pages and pages of photographs of original cars. The second volume, 73-77, is also good.

The 1969 Corvette Stingray Guidebook by Rick Bizzoco is a great source regardless of whether one owns a '69. It's pricey, but it's good.

 

Thanks mate, I'll try to find a copy.

Doug

 

Welcome to the madness! 68-72's definately the best year selection in my opinion.
Corvette by the numbers is also a great book.
Good luck in your search.
Glenn

 

Thanks Glenn.

 

If your looking to buy a car 'C3 Buyers Guide' along with the 'Corvette Black Book' are extremely helpful. Spend lots of time in the C3 for sale/wanted section. Although your down under it will give you an idea of what to look for and what to avoid.

After you buy go to www.NCRS.org and order away. I spend over $150 on reference material for my '70.

Peace,
Jim

 

Hi Jim,
I have ordered the Black Book, should arrive tomorrow with the other two hopefully. I've already spent AUS$150 on these three. Things are a bit more expencive here.
I've been spending a lot of time on this forum and I've learnt a lot of things to check for, and a lot of questions to ask. And I've seen a lot of very nice cars. One of the best things about this forum, for me, is finding out where to source any bits and peices that I may need, prices seem to vary a lot between different companies.
Thanks for your help.

Cheers, Doug

 

Welcome to the Forum Doug 61.
Another good book is "Catalog of Corvette ID Numbers 1953-93" from Cars and Parts magizine.
Here's a typical page for a 77'

 

Thanks mate.
There is certainly a wealth of information out there for these cars. Now to find a car.

Doug

 

Doug, there are many members of the forum from Australia. Try to look them up as well as joining a corvette club. I knoe some of them hang out in off topic*. Those guys would be more than happy to help out.

Jim

* warning. Spending time in off topic may be hazzardous to your health.

 

Trust the Aussies to be in a section that carries a warning.

 

Both are great

 

"corvette by the numbers"-will answer all your "is this the right code?date?casting#?part? for my car?" questions.

 

Just curious, what are prices like where you are? Ball park US dollars?

 

Hi,

Prices vary a lot here, just as they do in the US. The cheapest models over here are cars built in the 80's. I just did a few quick conversions from some adds in a recent magazine, they are just ballpark.

63 split window, 340hp, 4sp. Leather int. Knock off wheels. Mat. No. $84000
68 conv, 427/390, 4sp. $62000
69 t-top, 427/435hp (L71?) ,4sp. $62000
69 t-top, 350, 4sp. Mat.No. $42000
72 t-top, 350, auto, Mat.No, $32000
72 t-top, 350, 4sp. Mat.No. $31000

It is not cheap to import these cars, shipping is around $3000, you pay 10% tax on the purchase price, plus import duties depending on the age of the car. If the car is less than 30 years old you have to convert it to right hand drive. If it is more than 30 years old you can register it left hand drive, but if you want to convert the steering, the price for the cars listed, starts at around US$7500 and up.
The requirements and prices vary from state to state, so these are just ballpark figures. In my state you also must have a compliance certificate. On pre 72 cars, you have to fit retractable seat belts that meet current design rules, indicator lenses must be the right color, mirrors must be flat, and the headlights must dip to the left.( US cars dip to the right on low beam). There are a few other things but I am still finding out all of the details from the engineer I've been talking with.
If you want to own a Vette over here, you really have to love them. I may not be 100% correct on all the details, as I am still finding out, but there may be another Aussie on here that can correct any errors.

Cheers, Doug

 

Thanks doug, I was just curious. Seems like the prices are close to here in the states, I would have thought that they would be much more. Good luck in your search.