Shark education
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,629
Likes: 28
From: FL
Shark education
Hoping some of the experienced C3 guys can suggest some books for a rookie thinking of taking the plunge.
My wife has had the bug for a shark and may invest her bonus check. Suppose initially I'll be looking for buyers guide type information, areas requiring close inspection, what to avoid.
Hoping to gain some education before I make a purchase mistake rather than try to correct one after the fact.
I got dumb lucky on the C4 but would prefer to have more knowledge this time. Any and all suggestions appreciated, thanks in advance.
My wife has had the bug for a shark and may invest her bonus check. Suppose initially I'll be looking for buyers guide type information, areas requiring close inspection, what to avoid.
Hoping to gain some education before I make a purchase mistake rather than try to correct one after the fact.
I got dumb lucky on the C4 but would prefer to have more knowledge this time. Any and all suggestions appreciated, thanks in advance.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Lots of threads recommending books on the subject and pointing out all of the C3 trouble spots to look at. A regular search will turn up plenty, an archives search will bury you in information. 
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 0
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,112
From: Crossville TN
Before you "decide" on a car, you need to seriously consider how you are going to use it and why you want it. Depending on the answers to those two questions, your choice of car will be different. If it is just going to be a "driver" car for having fun, spend less money and buy a mid-70's car. If you want a stock vintage machine with some powerr, it will cost you a lot more for an early C3 big block or LT1. Again, if you tell us the answer to the above questions, we can give you better advice.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,268
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota in the summer, Las Vegas in the winter
Fortunately for you there are many forum members throughout your area. Connect with them and check out their cars. Then, when you go shopping, see if one of them will tag along and offer their opinions.
In my area I am the most knowledgeable C3/C4 guy I know. And that, my friends, is sad........
In my area I am the most knowledgeable C3/C4 guy I know. And that, my friends, is sad........
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 6
From: Nevada City California
toptechx6,
I would recomend you purchase a copy of Corvette 1968 - 1982 by Mike Mueller. This is a nice informative book showing beautiful color plate and good accurate information on the various models produced during their long production run.
I would recomend you purchase a copy of Corvette 1968 - 1982 by Mike Mueller. This is a nice informative book showing beautiful color plate and good accurate information on the various models produced during their long production run.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,629
Likes: 28
From: FL
Before you "decide" on a car, you need to seriously consider how you are going to use it and why you want it. Depending on the answers to those two questions, your choice of car will be different. If it is just going to be a "driver" car for having fun, spend less money and buy a mid-70's car. If you want a stock vintage machine with some powerr, it will cost you a lot more for an early C3 big block or LT1. Again, if you tell us the answer to the above questions, we can give you better advice.
I enjoy performance modifications, but avoid irreversible changes, and always retain original parts.
She wants something nice but not so valuable she will be afraid to drive it, hopefully with the potential at least to increase in value.
Looking back I suppose this sounds like the impossible dream car, but then again these are dream cars right?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 6
From: Nevada City California
My suggestion would be a 1970 LS5, TH400 coupe. Most of these cars with A/C will come with 3:08 axle ratios, however 3:36 would be the performance option, not easy to find but would be the ideal set-up for decent mileage (as decent as these big blocks get) and just unbelievable spine compressing acceleration when you have that occasion to put your foot into it!
Most of these cars are reasonably priced, as the automatic transmission selection has not yet resonated with most of the corvette community as far as appreciation potential...yet.
Most of these cars are reasonably priced, as the automatic transmission selection has not yet resonated with most of the corvette community as far as appreciation potential...yet.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,629
Likes: 28
From: FL
My suggestion would be a 1970 LS5, TH400 coupe. Most of these cars with A/C will come with 3:08 axle ratios, however 3:36 would be the performance option, not easy to find but would be the ideal set-up for decent mileage (as decent as these big blocks get) and just unbelievable spine compressing acceleration when you have that occasion to put your foot into it!
Most of these cars are reasonably priced, as the automatic transmission selection has not yet resonated with most of the corvette community as far as appreciation potential...yet.
Most of these cars are reasonably priced, as the automatic transmission selection has not yet resonated with most of the corvette community as far as appreciation potential...yet.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,112
From: Crossville TN
I would agree with the above suggestion...if you want a big block. Streetable, strong, still has A/C [LT1's do not]. If you would prefer a small block, the 350/350hp option engine was a good one (there's another thread going on this issue, also). You could still get A/C with that small block in '69 & '70. I personally prefer the '70 and up models because of the fender flares behind all wheelwells...the '68's & '69's did not have them & are notorious for rock nicks on the lower panels of those cars. '71's and later had much lower compression ratio numbers..and much less horsepower to boot.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Twinsburg Ohio
Try this link.
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/dpg/part1.htm
Lot's of good info for 1963-1982 vetts. I used it as my guide when I bought my 68. Part 2 and 3 are no longer on line. I do have them saved as MS Word documents. I can send them to you if you are interested.
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/dpg/part1.htm
Lot's of good info for 1963-1982 vetts. I used it as my guide when I bought my 68. Part 2 and 3 are no longer on line. I do have them saved as MS Word documents. I can send them to you if you are interested.