Why the C3?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 0
From: Henrico VA
I guess I was in Colorado and I saw my girlfriend's dad's A/T '74. It was a red show car with '69 side pipes. I wanted it just after looking at it. When I drove it, I thought it was pretty quick. I loved the way the front end came up when I put it in drive. I got him down to $15,000 and it was appraised at $22,000. I think he still has it. I didn't get my Air Force money in time and he wanted $18,000. Then I found out that another cadet had a yellow M/T '69 for less, I jumped on it...fast... I think the looks grabbed me first.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Why?
My story's a little different. I grew up in a Ford family. But back in the fall of '67 I saw my first "shark" Corvette in a parade... it was a '68 Red roadster. Captivated me.
A few years later, my buddy's brother in law buys a used Vette... yup, a '68 Red roadster, 427, 4-spd, redline tires. Once again, captivated.
Thru our high school yrs my buddy and I got to play with that car on weekends now and then. What a thrill... that was when the car wasn't very old.
Eventually my buddy ended up owning that car and for a few years I looked for one just like it. Then I gave up the dream.
Then in the mid '80s he called me up and asked if I'd like to buy his car. Wow, the opportunity to own, not a car like that one, but THAT ONE. Thankfully my new wife was supportive and we were able to swing the financing. We're still enjoying THAT ONE now, over 20 years later.
Beyond that... I do love the look of the early sharks.
A few years later, my buddy's brother in law buys a used Vette... yup, a '68 Red roadster, 427, 4-spd, redline tires. Once again, captivated.
Thru our high school yrs my buddy and I got to play with that car on weekends now and then. What a thrill... that was when the car wasn't very old.
Eventually my buddy ended up owning that car and for a few years I looked for one just like it. Then I gave up the dream.
Then in the mid '80s he called me up and asked if I'd like to buy his car. Wow, the opportunity to own, not a car like that one, but THAT ONE. Thankfully my new wife was supportive and we were able to swing the financing. We're still enjoying THAT ONE now, over 20 years later.
Beyond that... I do love the look of the early sharks.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: Chandler Arizona
To me, it is the body style that I (and probably most people) think of when you mention Corvettes. Also, I think the body style cannot be touched. I am a child of the 70's and that is what was around when I was a kid.
LOVE them.......
LOVE them.......
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 5
From: Schererville IN
My story's a little different. I grew up in a Ford family. But back in the fall of '67 I saw my first "shark" Corvette in a parade... it was a '68 Red roadster. Captivated me.
A few years later, my buddy's brother in law buys a used Vette... yup, a '68 Red roadster, 427, 4-spd, redline tires. Once again, captivated.
Thru our high school yrs my buddy and I got to play with that car on weekends now and then. What a thrill... that was when the car wasn't very old.
Eventually my buddy ended up owning that car and for a few years I looked for one just like it. Then I gave up the dream.
Then in the mid '80s he called me up and asked if I'd like to buy his car. Wow, the opportunity to own, not a car like that one, but THAT ONE. Thankfully my new wife was supportive and we were able to swing the financing. We're still enjoying THAT ONE now, over 20 years later.
Beyond that... I do love the look of the early sharks.
A few years later, my buddy's brother in law buys a used Vette... yup, a '68 Red roadster, 427, 4-spd, redline tires. Once again, captivated.
Thru our high school yrs my buddy and I got to play with that car on weekends now and then. What a thrill... that was when the car wasn't very old.
Eventually my buddy ended up owning that car and for a few years I looked for one just like it. Then I gave up the dream.
Then in the mid '80s he called me up and asked if I'd like to buy his car. Wow, the opportunity to own, not a car like that one, but THAT ONE. Thankfully my new wife was supportive and we were able to swing the financing. We're still enjoying THAT ONE now, over 20 years later.
Beyond that... I do love the look of the early sharks.
Great Story!
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 5
From: Schererville IN
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,453
Likes: 461
From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
...I'm 47yrs old and not much of a performance guy either(least not anymore). Did that in my high school days with 396 Chevelles & SS Camaro's. Now, I just like to "cruise". Yeah, I still take my cars "through the gears" getting on an highway entrance ramp and take 'em up to 4,000rpms and such....I just don't "pound" my cars. I appreciate them too much now. When I do get the "bug" every so often, I'll either rent a stock car up at Michigan International or Lowe's Motor Speedway for 30 laps.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 149
Likes: 1
From: Toronto Ontario
High School
Some have already mentioned this before. For me, the C3 Corvette was the coolest car on the road 
, and especially with me being a teenaged immigrant to Canada from Ireland in November '74 and never having seen one before. I graduated high school in 1977 and bought my dream car last year - a '76 'Vette.
Cheers!
, and especially with me being a teenaged immigrant to Canada from Ireland in November '74 and never having seen one before. I graduated high school in 1977 and bought my dream car last year - a '76 'Vette.Cheers!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,821
Likes: 204
From: Lincoln CA
I got my C3 because it was available from an old friend and I knew it was a significant car (all original BB 69 Coupe). The Corvettes of my youth were the 57 - 62 cars and the 63 and 64 Sting Rays. I probably can't afford one of those, but I've learned to love my C3. The coke bottle shape cramps the interior but is a visual grabber and the big block panache is amazing. The car draws spectators at car shows like flies. It's getting repainted in the same LeMans Blue right now, and will receive fresh badges and rechromed bumpers and trim. I can't wait for this summer's shows to see if the car's crowd impact will be even greater. Right after I bought the car, which was a ten footer at the time, I had a kid of 13 or so actually stop in a cross walk to admire the car and ask what year it was. These cars transcend age groups.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,268
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota in the summer, Las Vegas in the winter
I actually bought my 72 for a different reason than most.
I wanted a car that needed TLC. I enjoy going out to the garage and working on it. For every hour I drive the old girl, I work on corvette projects dozens of hours, even days. And the 72 is old enough that an amateur like me can actually do stuff on it.
When I see posts about owners' frustrations with repairs, I smile. Even though I have the same frustrations with mine, I was actually counting on these headaches to solve; to cure. I am really pushing the envelope in this car regarding my skill level. But that was what I went looking for: a neglected car that just needed someone to care about it.
With each part I change; with each project I finish; this corvette becomes less a part of the previous owners and more a part of me.
This car could have been anything: an old truck, a mopar, a camaro, anything. I sure am glad, though, that its a corvette. I made exactly the right choice.
I wanted a car that needed TLC. I enjoy going out to the garage and working on it. For every hour I drive the old girl, I work on corvette projects dozens of hours, even days. And the 72 is old enough that an amateur like me can actually do stuff on it.
When I see posts about owners' frustrations with repairs, I smile. Even though I have the same frustrations with mine, I was actually counting on these headaches to solve; to cure. I am really pushing the envelope in this car regarding my skill level. But that was what I went looking for: a neglected car that just needed someone to care about it.
With each part I change; with each project I finish; this corvette becomes less a part of the previous owners and more a part of me.
This car could have been anything: an old truck, a mopar, a camaro, anything. I sure am glad, though, that its a corvette. I made exactly the right choice.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 0
if there was never a 67 then C3 would be my favorite all over, its my favorite body style, but there is just something about that 67 that takes the cake in my eyes, not sure what, now I still wouldent trade my 74 L48 for a 67 coupe L71, but that is my dream car
Miles
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,839
Likes: 19
From: Folsom CA
My first Corvette, many years ago, was a 72, with a 454, hooker side pipes and some mods done to the engine. Had to sell it because I was SCCA racing and could not afford a race car and a great street car. Always loved the looks of the C3, so last month I bought the white 69 to go with my C5. The last two weekends I have taken one out on Saturday and the other on Sunday. Both cars are great and I plan on keeping them for a while.
Larry
Larry
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,589
Likes: 5
From: Salisbury Maryland
I was a kid through the 70's, so I always admired the C3's. The early chrome bumpers did it for me...if you don't have chrome, go home! Every time I saw one I was wowwed! The sound of HP ran goose bumps up the back of my spine.
Now, I'm 40 years old and own a 69 with factory side pipes(those were a must!). Last year, while driving it through town there were a small group of kids, I stopped and waved at them..while driving away I could hear the "wows!"
Perhaps, someday, those kids will grow-up and have a dream to own America's Sexiest Car.
2nd most important factor...it really pisses off Ford people!
Now, I'm 40 years old and own a 69 with factory side pipes(those were a must!). Last year, while driving it through town there were a small group of kids, I stopped and waved at them..while driving away I could hear the "wows!"
Perhaps, someday, those kids will grow-up and have a dream to own America's Sexiest Car.
2nd most important factor...it really pisses off Ford people!
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 540
Likes: 1
From: Garden City Michigan
My uncle got me hooked.. He had an 81 silver t-top that my dad took me for a ride in. about 5 years later, my dad bought a 76 cherry red vette, but it needed a little work and hes never really gotten around to it. He wouldnt let me touch it so I bought a 77 that now needs some suspension work. But I recently added to the collection with a 98 vert. c3's and c5's are the best body styles in my opinion
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Milton DE
I sold all my hot rod toys in the early 70's and just wanted something that was reasonably fast, had style and was fun to drive. I was sold on the C3 convertible the first time I test drove it and 35 years later I still love looking out over those front fenders. Really fast (now) style and fun to drive does it for me.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,424
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland FL
I love all the generations but the C3 is special to me because it is what I grew up with. The first Vette I owned was a '95 and I really loved that car. But when I went looking for my second Vette I purposely set out for an 80 - 82 and ended up with my '81. Now I've owned the thing for about 9 years and still have only driven it two or three times! 
A quick resto ended up being a complete frame off. It's going to be awesome when done but boy am I slow. My DD is an '06 Vert so I can't complain too much right?
A quick resto ended up being a complete frame off. It's going to be awesome when done but boy am I slow. My DD is an '06 Vert so I can't complain too much right?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: Lake Geneva WI
Quite simply, the C3 says C O R V E T T E..
Nothing else does IMO. It has an unmistakable style and prominent presence that no other Vette can pull off. To me, it is the iconic moment in Vette history that made the Vette, the Vette!
They just look so damn cool... It's the humps in the fenders and that long nose. Nothing like it on earth!
Maybe there will be a C9 that goes retro or something like a lot of the other late 60's early 70-'s retros out there! Otherwise, I doubt I would buy anything post C3 ever!
Nothing else does IMO. It has an unmistakable style and prominent presence that no other Vette can pull off. To me, it is the iconic moment in Vette history that made the Vette, the Vette!
They just look so damn cool... It's the humps in the fenders and that long nose. Nothing like it on earth!
Maybe there will be a C9 that goes retro or something like a lot of the other late 60's early 70-'s retros out there! Otherwise, I doubt I would buy anything post C3 ever!
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
To me C3 is the REAL corvette. I'm sure that it is because it's what I saw growing up and always wanted as a young boy. Most people that I talk to seem to really love the years they saw as a child whether it is a C2,3,4 or 5. To me a C2 is a cool car but I never really saw them when I was young.
Mostly, I think for me it's because there is nothing else that looks like them (except for what was it an opel?). There is no mistaking a C3.
Mostly, I think for me it's because there is nothing else that looks like them (except for what was it an opel?). There is no mistaking a C3.