OK guys, I'm not a fresh newby looking to scam info to flip a car. Profile is complete, I will contribute to the forum, but only if general business, insurance or kilt questions come up. I've had a 49 pick up, first gen Camaro, impala SS, now it is time for a vette. I even have swmbo's permission, but I cannot pick one out.

Oh I had one picked out. 68 survivor, only thing that had been done was a rebuilt carb. Couldn't go as high as he wanted, so he sent it out for a paint job, then decided the chrome could use some work, now he won't sell it. Which is probably best cause I cannot help but wonder what work it will need.

So, I'll try to list what I think I want and you guys can take over. I don't want a show car, I'm not into that much prep and clean every time I want to drive it. But, I would like to take it to cruise ins and local stuff and not get snubbed (damn human nature). I would like to drive it to work every day, but I won't. Gotta take the dogs to work. So really, I want to drive it to work 2-3 days a week, but not in the winter, that and the dogs are the reasons to keep a truck.

I don't want a project, I lack the time to work a project and I would like to drive it fairly soon. I would prefer sound mechanicals to perfect paint. I can buy paint when I decide it is warranted. Now what I really cannot decide here is I don't know if this means I want a restored car, frame on? Frame off? I know I want dependability, mechanically sound and not a rust bucket.

I'm not a HP nut, well, not too bad. The 68 has a 327/350 and I thought that was pretty sweet. BB generally equals money and lessens the importance to me. Mind you, If I found a 69 BB completely restored for $20K... I guess you already knew that.

Not looking for an investment, but I don't want a dead end car on value. Cannot spend a ton of money till I get some things sorted at the office.

I sure hope someone recognizes where I am and can help. I guess I want to start something like this

68-69, sb, reliable driver, good value?

Thoughts?

David

 

Well obviously everything you've mentioned is really only a reflection of how much you're willing to spend. But...you already knew that. Here's my .02. A 68 or 69 probably isn't going to be your best choice for an "almost" daily driver. Besides, most of these cars have either been completely restored or need a lot of work. Even if by some chance you can find another one similar to the '68 you mentioned above, you're going to end up paying much more for it than you would a dependable later model such as a '76 just because it's a bumper car. So there again it all goes back to what do you really want? It sounds to me like you would be happy with a mid 70's coupe. Plus, you're much better off financially with something like a 75,76,77 etc.
Unless you can buy from someone you personally know and trust, my recommendation is to focus on buying a car from a fellow forum member for two reason. First, the forum is an excellent place to research the history of any car you may be interested in simply by doing a quick search on the member who has it listed. You'll be surprised at what you can learn about other members cars just by doing this. I once considered buying an engine from a (fairly new) member until I dug up a previous thread where he was complaining of a loud knocking noise at high rpm's at the track! No way I could have learned that if I ran across the same engine on eBay or something like that. Secondly, the forum actually self governs itself and the members. I feel much more comfortable buying my corvette parts here on the forum because I know that no-one here (with extreme limited exceptions) is actually out to screw anyone over. Usually, those members are weeded out pretty quickly.
Keep searching, you'll find your vette.

 

KY,

I'm with Sperkins. Try to buy from a Forum Member if you can, to reduce your chances of getting burned. Sounds like you are wanting a C3 for weekend cruises, and willing to use it 2-3x per week as a DD.

Keep in mind that these carbureted C3's aren't the greatest for gas mileage. If you are willing to live with this, my .02 is to go for a Bumper SB car (68-72), since realistically these have the best chance of holding their value or appreciating.

For $15-20k you should be able to find a reliable C3. Reliability is the key, since these cars are more than 30 years old now. I know of at least 2 decent C3's available on the Forum now: one a red/saddle 71 coupe belonging to Rick Church, the other a black 72 (?) coupe owned by See 3'er (sp?) in CT.

One more thing, with apologies to my C3 Buds: if you really need to drive this car 2-3 days a week to work, you should really go drive a C5. For the same $$ (15-20k), you could get yourself a heck of a C5 Coupe, probably 1998-2000, that will run rings around the C3 and get much better gas mileage and give you better all around performance.

Keep us posted,

Rickman

 

I bought my 75 as a daily driver. Because it's a less desirable year, I found a car with most of the mechanical work already done at a good price. It still looks great even though the paint isn't perfect. The midrange years for the C3 I think are the way to go.

 

68-72, yes. I'm still not sure about a mid 70's. I can see where that would make some since. I have toyed with the thought of buying a 76 or 77 and just not worrying about what engine is in it like I would on a bumper car. Might even be able to find one closer to done.(?)
From the house to the office is 5 miles, throw in lunch, and the fact that my regular driver is only getting 15MPH, I don't think gas mileage will bother me.
I look around the for sale section regularly, guess I'm still trying to figure out who is who and what is a good value.
Anyone want the job of spending an hour or so in deep discussion and then finding me a car?
If it helps, I have put off replacing the truck, so I have the money set aside.
Thanks
Keep it coming
David

 

Can't go wrong with a convertible.

 

No argument there, kids might prefer one, but it will not be a deciding factor. I'm off to see who Rick & See are.

David

 

First of all - Semper Fi!

Second; assume you are somewhat new to Corvettes (I know, I know, assume makes an *** out of u and me...) but here's some advice; drive as many cars as you can get your hands on. You will not belive the difference between how a '68 drives as compared to an '82. Also, driver several of the same year, one '82 will drive/ride somewhat different from another.

I'll be the first to admit a chrome bumper car is very cool but I don't care for the ride, dash layout, seats, etc. It's just my personal preference but I feel like the later cars maintain the classic look of the C3 line but are much more comfortable for cruising.

Good luck and remember to enjoy the hunt! This is one of the best parts of Corvette ownership.

 

totally feel where you're coming from. i would do your research first and foremost so that when you DO look around you know what to look FOR. Richard Prince's C3 Buyer's Guide is a must have. what you are looking for can be had. for under 20K - you might be slightly hard pressed, but if you don't care about paint, etc. you should be able to find afew choices indeed. use the forum - these guys really know their stuff. i couldn't have gotten my '71 as it is without their help. good luck!!!

 

I appreciate the thoughts guys. Do I conclude it is time to post a WTB? Seems a little premature. Do I just post an interest in cars close enough to go look at? Will I get any serious offers if I really don't know? Or will you experienced guys just sail over the post?

More detail please, do I conclude that these cars are better off garaged and not driven? My 67RS/SS never and I am serious, never gave me any trouble. Did I get lucky, was Rick a great builder, don't know. But I think there should be vettes of the same age that are mechanically sound. What am I missing?

Thanks

David

 

I bought mine from my brother-in-law's boss who is a mechanic and the shop owner. I was lucky that the car was owned by three previous mechanics and was maintained fairly well and garaged most of it's life. It's great if the car is known by someone you know and can trust. Saves you a lot of headaches down the road.
The only issue I had was with the guy (4 owners back) who did the bulk of the major work, engine, suspension, breaks, trans etc... would not send me reciepts without me paying for them, which pissed me off since he hadn't owned the car for 7 years and were no good to him now.
That aside, I knew I was getting a good reliable solid car.
As stated before drive as many as you can, get as much documentation as possible so you better know the history of the car.
As far as price, again 75-77 are the most reasonable, but only you know weather you want chrome or rubber bumpers.
Good luck, Glenn

 

I called this morning, plan on looking this weekend if we can work it out. Any thoughts on the car or the price?

David

 

Check Ebay and see what they are actually selling for.

 

If the car is as complete as the listing and drives well, I think he's in the ballpark price-wise. The market is a little soft right now. Last year 22-23K would have been a gimme. Please read some posts on birdcage/frame/body mount issues before you go. They can hide and are always expensive and time consuming to fix.

 

You looking seriously???I have a neighbor with 2 that he will part with for 5500-6000 bucks each.The 5500 car is a 75 with a good body and average paint and an interior that will need some re-doing.4 speed car.
The second one is a 25 anniversary that has a fresh 350 and automatic.paint is fair,alot can be buffed out,and the interior is faded red.The dogs won't notice the faded red(being color blind).Its a 78 with the alloy red stripe rims.6000.00 last time I talked to him.I own his old 79,fresh paint,406,I just dropped 4k into the interior.Color change and resto.
Cars are 20 miles N of the Kennedy bridge in Henryville In.Exit 19 I-65N
If you are interested let me know and I'll introduce you to him.
Look at my screen name I still have my 96SS.