Hello
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Hello
I've always liked the C3 corvettes since I was a small kid. I was wondering, are these cars any good for a beginner's project? I don't know much about cars but am willing to learn what I can, maybe night classes at a local community college. Is it easy to find parts/restore to somewhat good shape? Or am I better off buying an older (simpler) car? Also keep in mind that I'm a college student and money's a little tight. Any info much appreciated :-)
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I started on a Vette when I was 17 and I must say there are lots of easier cars. Not only that it was expensive.
It's a great feeling to buy, fix, and drive your first Vette so there is no way I would steer you away from buying one, but just remember that they will take a lot of time and money to do right.
It's a great feeling to buy, fix, and drive your first Vette so there is no way I would steer you away from buying one, but just remember that they will take a lot of time and money to do right.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
IF you remain even 1/2 way serious bout a vette purchase, ANY generation, find and join your local vette club, get to know the club guru for the generation/production run you like....go from there....PAY him for his expertise in looking at a NON MEMBERS' car.....worth the bux.....
that way the peculair rust issues, and repair items will be minimised....
best of luck....do some homework, there are so many things about vettes that are very peculiar to vettes ONLY......
but CAN also apply to other cars in general.....
that way the peculair rust issues, and repair items will be minimised....
best of luck....do some homework, there are so many things about vettes that are very peculiar to vettes ONLY......
but CAN also apply to other cars in general.....
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
I've always liked the C3 corvettes since I was a small kid. I was wondering, are these cars any good for a beginner's project? I don't know much about cars but am willing to learn what I can, maybe night classes at a local community college. Is it easy to find parts/restore to somewhat good shape? Or am I better off buying an older (simpler) car? Also keep in mind that I'm a college student and money's a little tight. Any info much appreciated :-)
But beware it can get expensive if you don't have the tools or if you have to farm the work out.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
As much as I love Corvettes, I do not think one should be used as your first learning tool. Being "plastic", the electrical wiring and grounding is very different from most cars; parts are more expensive than for other Chevys; you can do costly damage if you are not careful with a Corvette. I do agree that the small block Chevy engine is a good place to start, so I would recommend something like a Nova or Camaro as a "starter" project. If you screw something up, it won't cost a lot to correct your error...and the knowledge you gain will be directly useful when you do "graduate" to Corvettes.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Well, as much as I'd like a corvette, I am open to starting out on an "easier" car. I like camaro's. Would an early eighties or late seventies model be a good starting car, or should I try to go earlier (although I hear they're rare). Thanks for the input so far.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
If you can snag a C3 then go ahead and do it. The only real difference is the plastic body, all the rest of it is just regular car stuff, not magic and no harder/easier than a pontiac, ford, whatever.
The worst that you could do is hose something up and have to redo it.
The worst mistake you could make out of ignorance about working on a C3 you could also make on anything else.
There is a lot of Mistique about these cars, just like Harleys, I got one of those too.
Its just a machine, get what ya want and make it yours.
The worst that you could do is hose something up and have to redo it.
The worst mistake you could make out of ignorance about working on a C3 you could also make on anything else.
There is a lot of Mistique about these cars, just like Harleys, I got one of those too.
Its just a machine, get what ya want and make it yours.
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Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
C3s are really rather simple cars. There are parts of it that are unique and difficult to fix as a beginner (wheel bearings being a good example of that) however most of the time it's less costly to just replace a whole assembly remanufactured by places like vansteel and VB&P. The parts for these cars are amazingly widely available and the aftermarket is wide enough to make them not that bad on parts cost. The powertrains in them are the most common in the world, too.
So my point? If you can find a decent C3 snag one up and make it your own. Just make sure the frame isn't rusted. Have a trustworthy mechanic that KNOWS corvettes look at it before you buy it, if you're unsure.
Welcome to the forum.
So my point? If you can find a decent C3 snag one up and make it your own. Just make sure the frame isn't rusted. Have a trustworthy mechanic that KNOWS corvettes look at it before you buy it, if you're unsure.
Welcome to the forum.