C3 selection recommendations
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: York Haven PA
C3 selection recommendations
Hello. This is my first post to the site and I'm very happy to be a newbie here! I have been around vette’s all my life and have owned a C2 with my Father in past years. Now I'm looking to buy my first C3. They have been my favorites for years. My question is what year, if any is the best for partial to full restoration? Are any of the C3's less expensive to restore based on parts pricing/ availability? Is there a year I should stay away from? I am looking at getting into a project car to restore to close to original. Maybe even buy a DD that the numbers match, Preferably under 80k and straight with no frame rust issues. I am partial to 77's but would look for 73-77 based on your recommendations.
Thanks for the help.
Thanks for the help.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 177
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From: Collierville TN
No car in your year range (73-77) should be selling for more than $25-30k, even fully NCRS restored. A good daily driver could go for $8-16k depending on the engine, options and year. If you want a big block, 74 was the last year they were available, and if you want a roadster, 75 was the last year for those. Other than that, I don't think there should be any significant differences in the restorability or cost to restore a 73-77 'Vette.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Manitowoc WI
Welcome to the site.
If your partial to the 77 then go with that. i just bought a 77 with the L-82 4speed with 46,000 original miles for $10,500. For that it doesn't pay to buy one and do the work yourself. Unless you want to. Please let us know what you decide.
If your partial to the 77 then go with that. i just bought a 77 with the L-82 4speed with 46,000 original miles for $10,500. For that it doesn't pay to buy one and do the work yourself. Unless you want to. Please let us know what you decide.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 4,930
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From: AnyTown NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
If your looking for a project to restore I would focus on the years 69-73. These are the years that have appreciated the most and will probably continue to do so. Parts are plentiful for all years with the exception of 1968. 68 had a lot of first year only parts and that's why I didn't include it as one of my picks. If you wanted to restore a later year 74-82 you will find yourself upside down in value very quickly if that's a concern to you. Otherwise look for a rust free car. Frame rust/rot can turn a project into a money pit very quickly......good luck with your search. 
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 634
Likes: 0
From: Hastings MN
If your looking for a project to restore I would focus on the years 69-73. These are the years that have appreciated the most and will probably continue to do so. Parts are plentiful for all years with the exception of 1968. 68 had a lot of first year only parts and that's why I didn't include it as one of my picks. If you wanted to restore a later year 74-82 you will find yourself upside down in value very quickly if that's a concern to you. Otherwise look for a rust free car. Frame rust/rot can turn a project into a money pit very quickly......good luck with your search.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,164
Likes: 4,242
From: Westminster Maryland
Since you say that you've been around the 63-67 cars perhaps you should consider a 69-73 car. They will be more $$$ than the 74 and up cars but will be more like the cars you're use to.
Regards,
Alan
Regards,
Alan
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
Primo C3 years are 68-70; next best 71-74; 75-82 are still nice cars, but less desirable [based on their present value]. IMO, you would be doing yourself a favor to look for a good condition 1973 Corvette. It doesn't seem to command the same price as the earlier years, but you still get a "chrome bumper car" [abeit in the rear only] but the '73 was the ONLY year Corvette to have a unique body style [Endura nose/dove-tail rear]. If you find a '73 BB 4-sp. for decent money ($10-15K), you will have a great platform to work with. You can also use regular unleaded gas with the 8.5:1 compression engine...or you can "soup up" the engine to get whatever HP you want out of it. Finally, I have a feeling that the '73-74 cars will be the next C3's to start escallating in price [like the earlier C3's have recently].
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3
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From: York Haven PA
Thanks for all the great comments so far. I love the '73! I take it that the L82 with the 9.0:1 compression requires a higher octane fuel to make her purr....
I just have never cared for the luggage racks.
I just have never cared for the luggage racks.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,140
Likes: 7
From: Ohio
Lots of 73's without luggage racks because they were not put on at the factory. Dealer- owner option. I have a 73 vert L48 auto with air ps pb that needs a total restoration. It runs drives and stops with a numbers matching motor for $12,500. nice frame and body.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 454
Likes: 0
From: SAN CLEMENTE CALIFORNIA
If your looking for a project to restore I would focus on the years 69-73. These are the years that have appreciated the most and will probably continue to do so. Parts are plentiful for all years with the exception of 1968. 68 had a lot of first year only parts and that's why I didn't include it as one of my picks. If you wanted to restore a later year 74-82 you will find yourself upside down in value very quickly if that's a concern to you. Otherwise look for a rust free car. Frame rust/rot can turn a project into a money pit very quickly......good luck with your search.
except add 74 454 w 4 speed going up fast....
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 3
From: Springfield Illinois
If your looking for a project to restore I would focus on the years 69-73. These are the years that have appreciated the most and will probably continue to do so. Parts are plentiful for all years with the exception of 1968. 68 had a lot of first year only parts and that's why I didn't include it as one of my picks. If you wanted to restore a later year 74-82 you will find yourself upside down in value very quickly if that's a concern to you. Otherwise look for a rust free car. Frame rust/rot can turn a project into a money pit very quickly......good luck with your search.
Well said. It always amazings me to see people that buy premium 93/94 octane for 4 or 6 banger thinking they are doing their engine good when the engine was designed to run on 87.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
That's one point of view...but a little extreme. The '74+ year C3's are still Corvettes, but have lower HP, smog reducing engines (lower compression, higher operating temp, s-l-o-w-e-r.... BUT, they are much less expensive. You can easily pick up a nice '75-77 car for less than $10K. The downside is that such a car will not be "shooting up" in value like the earlier C3's because they have less demand in the Corvette market. You can always do "things" to the engine to make the car faster [the rest of the hardware on the later C3's is still about as good], but it will never be "factory". Save money.....later C3; or go for the "good ones".....more money, but it'll hold or increase its value.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Manitowoc WI
I've been looking at the 1/4 mile times on the 72 to 77's and there doesn't seem to be that big of a difference comparing like engines. I'm trying to determine why everyone seems to think there is such a big gap as far as HP. Please fill me in. I must be missing something. Thanks,
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
There were differences in the power output, but not much REAL difference in '71s and later. If you look closely at the power ratings, you will see that mid-70's vettes had HP ratings at fairly low rpms (ie, 4400) instead of the 4800 or 5200 from earlier years. The newer cars would still turn 4800 or 5200 rpm; and when they did, they made more HP (more than rated). Why? Because of the emissions flap, the insurance problems with higher HP "rated" cars, etc. etc. So, I think that you're right about the "effective" HP on that vintage of vettes...they all have about the same power [for the same level of engine]. The '68-'70s, however, are way stronger than later years. '61-'70 were the real POWER years of muscle cars!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
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From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
Primo C3 years are 68-70; next best 71-74; 75-82 are still nice cars, but less desirable [based on their present value]. IMO, you would be doing yourself a favor to look for a good condition 1973 Corvette. It doesn't seem to command the same price as the earlier years, but you still get a "chrome bumper car" [abeit in the rear only] but the '73 was the ONLY year Corvette to have a unique body style [Endura nose/dove-tail rear]. If you find a '73 BB 4-sp. for decent money ($10-15K), you will have a great platform to work with. You can also use regular unleaded gas with the 8.5:1 compression engine...or you can "soup up" the engine to get whatever HP you want out of it. Finally, I have a feeling that the '73-74 cars will be the next C3's to start escallating in price [like the earlier C3's have recently].
That's one of the many reason I wanted a 70. I lucked out that one was available that a family member, who's a mechanic, worked for the owner. The rest is history. I feel it will be a good investment, but it's still a driver.I have to say that the 73 is my next favorite year and I would have searched for that year had a 70 not come along.
Good Luck
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
From: Orange massachusettes
If you wanted to restore a later year 74-82 you will find yourself upside down in value very quickly if that's a concern to you
I would stay away from the bigger project cars/basket case C3's of this vintage. You can get behind the "financial eight ball" easy enough w/ a ''bumper car", let alone the 74-82s. Thats not to say that the later C3s dont have alot going for them. They do! There affordable, plentiful, and many are heavily optioned. Any of them would make a fun car/great cruiser. Good luck, and welcome to the forum.
Last edited by 72 LT1; Sep 13, 2007 at 07:21 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 945
Likes: 0
From: Ventura California
No car in your year range (73-77) should be selling for more than $25-30k, even fully NCRS restored. A good daily driver could go for $8-16k depending on the engine, options and year. If you want a big block, 74 was the last year they were available, and if you want a roadster, 75 was the last year for those. Other than that, I don't think there should be any significant differences in the restorability or cost to restore a 73-77 'Vette.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 473
Likes: 6
From: New Port Richey FL
I say just buy whatever you like.. if 77's are your thing, go for it. I bought my 73 because I love the chrome rear bumpers. I love the chrome front bumpers too, but the timing and price was perfect on my 73. A previous poster has it right though that later models have more options. Lots of things that are optional on my 73 are standard equipment on a 77. I find it hard to say that any one would be more expensive to restore, I believe that they are ALL expensive to restore. I'll agree that the earlier the car, the more value you have once you restore it. That said, if you're looking to restore a car and come out ahead.. you will most likely end up disappointed. Buy the best car you can afford.