Found a C3
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 628
Likes: 6
Found a C3
Hi guys,
I have a C4 and I'm thinking of getting a C3 too. I saw my first candidate C3 today - but in poor condition. Can I get your opinions on whether this is a good deal?
1981 - 93k miles. Automatic, Black. $5800, clear title (I could probably haggle to about $5300). Here's what's wrong on a quick 5 minute inspection:
Paintwork terrible, fading, cracked, looks like a paint job was attempted but went wrong
Extensive fiberglass spidering
various bodywork 'dings'
Glass tops cracked badly and poor fitting
hood and doors fit very badly (hinges maybe?)
interior in bad shape - needs at least a full set of carpets
huge hole where the antenna comes through, the hole is mis-shapen
broken starter (one bolt missing from the block, or something?)
It has sat for 2 years - still has original gas in it
the owner managed to get it started using JB weld to hold a temporary starter bolt in place - apparently it started first time (although I did not witness it)
The car looks fantastic from 20 feet but close up its horrible. I reckon probably need to lay about about $4-$6k for bodywork and paintjob, $1k in interior, $??k for other repairs I dont know about...
Any opinions? Thanks!
I have a C4 and I'm thinking of getting a C3 too. I saw my first candidate C3 today - but in poor condition. Can I get your opinions on whether this is a good deal?
1981 - 93k miles. Automatic, Black. $5800, clear title (I could probably haggle to about $5300). Here's what's wrong on a quick 5 minute inspection:
Paintwork terrible, fading, cracked, looks like a paint job was attempted but went wrong
Extensive fiberglass spidering
various bodywork 'dings'
Glass tops cracked badly and poor fitting
hood and doors fit very badly (hinges maybe?)
interior in bad shape - needs at least a full set of carpets
huge hole where the antenna comes through, the hole is mis-shapen
broken starter (one bolt missing from the block, or something?)
It has sat for 2 years - still has original gas in it
the owner managed to get it started using JB weld to hold a temporary starter bolt in place - apparently it started first time (although I did not witness it)
The car looks fantastic from 20 feet but close up its horrible. I reckon probably need to lay about about $4-$6k for bodywork and paintjob, $1k in interior, $??k for other repairs I dont know about...
Any opinions? Thanks!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 920
Likes: 1
From: Shelby Township Michigan
Sounds like you are fairly close with your cost estimates. I would just add about another $1k for the miscellaneous amount.
If you are looking for a project, then just make sure that the frame and birdcage area are in good shape. If they are rusted, rotted or in poor condition, you are waisting your time.
I am a previous C4 owner myself (1989). I still miss that car, but would never trade it for my '72.
Good luck,
Dino
If you are looking for a project, then just make sure that the frame and birdcage area are in good shape. If they are rusted, rotted or in poor condition, you are waisting your time.
I am a previous C4 owner myself (1989). I still miss that car, but would never trade it for my '72.
Good luck,
Dino
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,259
Likes: 7
From: Ontario
I think you are low. triple it. Once you get into it other stuff will surface. eg... is the broken starter bolt really a broken block/mount? Did you check the frame and birdcage? Paint bad... count on complete stripping also. What about the diff and trans? I would walk away and get something in decent shape....cheaper that way. New glass tops are also not cheap.
Last edited by Retro78; Jun 21, 2007 at 10:50 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
From: Woodland Park Colorado
If it were me I would look for something in better shape but im more engine trans work person then body work. If you have to get this one I would offer more in the range of 3-4 k . I paid 5500 for mine with 70k miles and stored for 13 plus years and was in great shape body wise and just needed a cam put in the motor had flat cam lobe. It ran good that way. Trans and everything worked and had no rust. With all that said im still at 11k and counting with the 383 stroker/2004r trans/and sidepipes and other misc like new radiator and such. You can sure get alot of money into one without t-top work and paint and body.Hope this helps
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 545
Likes: 2
From: Peoplez Republik (communist portland) Orygun
Hmmm...$5800 seems like a bit of a stretch for that car. Without pics, I would say $2500 to 3k tops just because of the way the body sounds. Now, if it were a 71-73 then yeah, that would be a great price but for an 81, not so good of a deal for a car in that shape. Hold out & wait for a better one, as I'm sure you'll find "the one."
I paid $7200 for my 80. It's a west coast car (no rust) had a new engine, new tires, new(er) paint job, no glass/body damage at all.
The handsome C3 was bought for $7,200
I paid $7200 for my 80. It's a west coast car (no rust) had a new engine, new tires, new(er) paint job, no glass/body damage at all.
The handsome C3 was bought for $7,200
Last edited by Vette80regon; Jun 22, 2007 at 01:22 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,873
Likes: 1
From: Savannah Ga
I have a friend that has an 81 for sale.New brakes and tires.A lot of other things.It's a red t top with read interior.The carpet is fair.It has really faded but a box of RIT dye will do the trick on that.He wants 5,000.runs and drives.I can snail mail a picture.I have no idea how you would post a picture.Anyway the car is in Savannah Ga.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
Don't buy a money pit if you can avoid it. That sounds like a money pit. Mine looked way better then this one sounds, and I'm prob 6k in parts and 10k of my own labor into this. forget about that one, even for 1K.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 924
Likes: 15
From: DFW Metroplex Texas
Its easy to fall in love with the first C3 you look at. Don't fall into that trap.
I agree with the others that say to walk away. This sounds like a over priced project to me.
Keep looking. It took me 6 months to find mine and it was well worth the wait.
I agree with the others that say to walk away. This sounds like a over priced project to me.
Keep looking. It took me 6 months to find mine and it was well worth the wait.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 119
Likes: 2
From: Baton Rouge La
I also looked for 6 months before i found a good deal. Try to find one with as much mechanical work already done as possible. Water pumps, starters, ignition switches all add up and can get pretty costly.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 7,996
Likes: 0
From: McAlester Oklahoma
I just bought a '72 vert a few months ago that had unknown 1,000's of bucks worth of parts with a modded out '70 motor, tranny and rear end work. The spindles had been replaced, brakes and rotors, mono springs and shocks and much much more. Lots of bling-bling under the L88 hood. All the chrome had been redone. The car was just an unending money pit for him I guess. I paid $29,500. It my even been a CF guys car. It came out of Texas. But back to why I put this in the thread. He had just had enough. He was just tired of it. It was always something. Now I guess it will be my "MONYPIT". I am going to try and get that for my tag.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 478
Likes: 0
From: Ellicott City MD
WALK AWAY FROM IT...
If you find a really great C3...you'll STILL have a laundry list to make it right.
Try and stay away from body work issues unless you can do it yourself, or you have a lot of time and $$$ (and someone that can correctly fix fiberglass).
My .02
If you find a really great C3...you'll STILL have a laundry list to make it right.
Try and stay away from body work issues unless you can do it yourself, or you have a lot of time and $$$ (and someone that can correctly fix fiberglass).
My .02
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
New glass tops will cost ~$1,000. If they were leaking there may be rust in the windshield frame area. that you could find a better condition car for $5,800. That one sounds like $3,000 car at best.
Rick B.
that you could find a better condition car for $5,800. That one sounds like $3,000 car at best. Rick B.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 2
From: Arkansas
Look at the pics on my webpage.....that car cost me $2200 when I first bought it. If the one your looking at looks worst than that.....walk away
If it looks similar then the car your looking at is only worth around $2000.
BTW It cost me in the neighborhood of $14000.00 to get it where it's at today (less fuel injection). That's farming out the paintjob and doing all the engine and other stuff myself.
If the car's interior is shot it'll cost more than 1k to fix it..
If it looks similar then the car your looking at is only worth around $2000.
BTW It cost me in the neighborhood of $14000.00 to get it where it's at today (less fuel injection). That's farming out the paintjob and doing all the engine and other stuff myself.
If the car's interior is shot it'll cost more than 1k to fix it..