New C3 shopper
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
New C3 shopper
Hi. I'm new to the forum and a new C3 shopper looking for so input from the experts. I've found the following '78 locally and am going to look at it tonight, I was wondering what all I should be looking at. I know to look for rust damage at the #2 mount and forward of the rear wheels, and to check out the quality of the seals, but what else should I pay attention to? Basically I'm looking for a summer ice cream getter that isn't going to require work up front (maintenance and repairs I have no problem with.)
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Here's the link...
http://www.adisweb.com/vette/
Thanks
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Here's the link...
http://www.adisweb.com/vette/
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Looks like a respectable '78; it is not 350 horsepower unless the owner has done a lot of work. 350 CID yes, 350 hp, no. Worth taking a closer look this evening.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Jul 18, 2007 at 12:44 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,334
Likes: 4
From: Midland TX
Not too bad from the pics. It is a 78 as it has the sloped back window and the 25th anniversary emblem on the horn button.
Looks like a previous owner put some after-market stuff on the engine.
Engine compartment looks pretty rusty.
Does the A/C blow cold and the heat blow hot?
Look for signs of coolant leakage in the passenger floor. If the heater does not work, they may have bypassed it. The heater core is a pain to replace.
Listen for noises coming from the rear bearings. They are mounted in trailing arms and I don't think got serviced very often. I remember a friends brother driving his "new" C3 home on the highway when a rear bearing failed. He said it locked up. I sent my trailing arms, et al off to be rebuilt and set up right.
Take it for a spin and see how it feels and stops. The parking brake is notoriously lousy (at least on the early C3s). In TX you have to have an operating parking brake to pass safety inspection.
These cars are very simple compared to the ones today.
Good luck. Let us know how it goes.
Looks like a previous owner put some after-market stuff on the engine.
Engine compartment looks pretty rusty.
Does the A/C blow cold and the heat blow hot?
Look for signs of coolant leakage in the passenger floor. If the heater does not work, they may have bypassed it. The heater core is a pain to replace.
Listen for noises coming from the rear bearings. They are mounted in trailing arms and I don't think got serviced very often. I remember a friends brother driving his "new" C3 home on the highway when a rear bearing failed. He said it locked up. I sent my trailing arms, et al off to be rebuilt and set up right.
Take it for a spin and see how it feels and stops. The parking brake is notoriously lousy (at least on the early C3s). In TX you have to have an operating parking brake to pass safety inspection.
These cars are very simple compared to the ones today.
Good luck. Let us know how it goes.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Hey guys, thanks for the help. My wife and I went and looked at the car and it defiantly is not what we are looking for. The guy bought it as a project car and had to stop when his wife got sick, but most of the major work is done. It needs paint, some of the seals are looking old, and the interior has a few spots that need fixing. I was able to coax a few flakes of rust from in front of the rear wheel, so that wasn't encouraging. It drives great and everything but the antenna motor works, it's just not to the finished state we are looking for.
This was the first C3 I've driven and I was really amazed at the Batman feel you get behind the wheel. The exhaust was also quite loud, but the write up mentioned Flo Masters so I think that may have something to do with it.
Again, thanks for your help and the search continues
This was the first C3 I've driven and I was really amazed at the Batman feel you get behind the wheel. The exhaust was also quite loud, but the write up mentioned Flo Masters so I think that may have something to do with it.
Again, thanks for your help and the search continues
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
Also pay attention to the "birdcage", the framework around the front windsheild. You can't see it, but if it's rusted it is not an easy fix. One way to take a look is to remove the kick panels on both sides and you can see if you see rust there. I would suggest doing a birdcage search on the forum here and familiarize yourself with what to look for.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Wichita KS
Don't be discouraged. You'll find the one you're looking for. I spent over a year looking before finding mine.
Lots of good info on corvettefaq.com There's a "Guide to buying older Corvettes" and inspection links in the Misc Overall section.
Lots of good info on corvettefaq.com There's a "Guide to buying older Corvettes" and inspection links in the Misc Overall section.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,152
Likes: 33
From: Folsom Ca
Hey guys, thanks for the help. My wife and I went and looked at the car and it defiantly is not what we are looking for. The guy bought it as a project car and had to stop when his wife got sick, but most of the major work is done. It needs paint, some of the seals are looking old, and the interior has a few spots that need fixing. I was able to coax a few flakes of rust from in front of the rear wheel, so that wasn't encouraging. It drives great and everything but the antenna motor works, it's just not to the finished state we are looking for.
This was the first C3 I've driven and I was really amazed at the Batman feel you get behind the wheel. The exhaust was also quite loud, but the write up mentioned Flo Masters so I think that may have something to do with it.
Again, thanks for your help and the search continues
This was the first C3 I've driven and I was really amazed at the Batman feel you get behind the wheel. The exhaust was also quite loud, but the write up mentioned Flo Masters so I think that may have something to do with it.
Again, thanks for your help and the search continues
Its a wise decision not to jump at the first one if you dont have a good feeling about it.These cars are so good lookin and striking its tough to not get caught in the fever when you go look at one.
I got caught up in it when I bought my first Corvette...and I paid $ for it.
