Her 82 C3
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola FL
Her 82 C3
A C3 Story
In the almost 20 years we have been together my wife and I have endured some hardships and have never been financially well off. We never had a wedding or a honeymoon. As the years ticked by birthdays, Christmases, and anniversaries passed without lavish gifts or trips and most times there was nothing more than a card and a hug. At every instance she would look at me with her soft, brown eyes and say: “That’s okay. When I turn 40 you can buy me a (c3) Corvette!” So this year she turns 40 and I kept my promise. Sitting in the drive the other week was the car which my smoking hot red head waited so long and patiently for. Yes it is a 1982 Sliver /Claret. It is bone stock with just over 50k on it and we are the third owners.
I did a LOT of research on the C-3’s. I would have loved to have her in a 68 (her birth year) convertible but they are out of reach. I tossed and turned over a 75 convertible and the 80-81 carbureted and the 82 cross-fire. I read as many post as I could and talked to people who owned them. I knew my budget and how the car would be used, which is mostly on Sunday drives and date nights. I read countless threads of numerous forums and gathered a lot of information. I searched the sales sites both of the dealerships and the sites like Corvette Trader. For years I looked at what people were asking for them on e-bay and what they were selling for or final bid on e-bay. I read about fuel economy vs. raw horsepower. I went down to the local Corvette Specialty Shop and picked the owners brains for hours on end about my top 3. I finally decided on the 82 for the way it looks, the amenities, the gas consumption, and the uniqueness of it being the last of the C-3s.
I work out of town a lot and found this car on corvette trader and made contact with the owner. We discussed it and I balked. After about a month I got back with him and he still had the car. We negotiated a fair price after an exchange of pictures and we ended up doing the transaction completely over the internet/phone/mail. Mr. K.B. of Missouri was helpful, knowledgeable and happy that his baby of almost 24 years was going to a good, new home. I sent him a check. He sent me the title and the car was shipped to Florida. I got very lucky and the car is exactly as described. Not a trailer queen. Not a daily driver. It is as it should be. A unique car that is enjoyed on bright sunny days. I hope that in the years to come as we tinker with it and laugh over the quirkiness of this car it will be a source of enjoyment for us. It is an 82. It has a funky CFI, a weak transmission spindle (27 spline), lip sealed brake calipers that leak, the power steering control valve leaks, and the car cannot decide if it wants to be in OD or 3rd when we are at around 45mph. But that is okay. Nothing in our lives is easy and there is always room for improvement and this is embodied in the 1982. I want to thank you for all of your previous advice and all the advice which I am sure you will dispense to me in the future.
And in answer to some thread questions: 1) It is possible to do a purchase online as long as you trust the other person. 2) I know that it will never be a 69 427 tripower, blow everything off the street, and worth a ton of money. But it is what she wanted and will enjoy. 3) And Yes, a Corvette can still get you laid!
My only current questions for the forum is: What is your recommendation for getting to the underside of the car to work on the issues above. Ramps? Jacks? Both? Take it to a mechanic? Buy a $5000.00 dual pedestal hydraulic lift? (ha!) I do pretty well with cars and though I’d never attempt a cam job (yet) I’d like to work on most things myself.
And, How do I get the pictures of it from my desktop inserted into a post. I have tried but it ask for a URL address?
In the almost 20 years we have been together my wife and I have endured some hardships and have never been financially well off. We never had a wedding or a honeymoon. As the years ticked by birthdays, Christmases, and anniversaries passed without lavish gifts or trips and most times there was nothing more than a card and a hug. At every instance she would look at me with her soft, brown eyes and say: “That’s okay. When I turn 40 you can buy me a (c3) Corvette!” So this year she turns 40 and I kept my promise. Sitting in the drive the other week was the car which my smoking hot red head waited so long and patiently for. Yes it is a 1982 Sliver /Claret. It is bone stock with just over 50k on it and we are the third owners.
I did a LOT of research on the C-3’s. I would have loved to have her in a 68 (her birth year) convertible but they are out of reach. I tossed and turned over a 75 convertible and the 80-81 carbureted and the 82 cross-fire. I read as many post as I could and talked to people who owned them. I knew my budget and how the car would be used, which is mostly on Sunday drives and date nights. I read countless threads of numerous forums and gathered a lot of information. I searched the sales sites both of the dealerships and the sites like Corvette Trader. For years I looked at what people were asking for them on e-bay and what they were selling for or final bid on e-bay. I read about fuel economy vs. raw horsepower. I went down to the local Corvette Specialty Shop and picked the owners brains for hours on end about my top 3. I finally decided on the 82 for the way it looks, the amenities, the gas consumption, and the uniqueness of it being the last of the C-3s.
I work out of town a lot and found this car on corvette trader and made contact with the owner. We discussed it and I balked. After about a month I got back with him and he still had the car. We negotiated a fair price after an exchange of pictures and we ended up doing the transaction completely over the internet/phone/mail. Mr. K.B. of Missouri was helpful, knowledgeable and happy that his baby of almost 24 years was going to a good, new home. I sent him a check. He sent me the title and the car was shipped to Florida. I got very lucky and the car is exactly as described. Not a trailer queen. Not a daily driver. It is as it should be. A unique car that is enjoyed on bright sunny days. I hope that in the years to come as we tinker with it and laugh over the quirkiness of this car it will be a source of enjoyment for us. It is an 82. It has a funky CFI, a weak transmission spindle (27 spline), lip sealed brake calipers that leak, the power steering control valve leaks, and the car cannot decide if it wants to be in OD or 3rd when we are at around 45mph. But that is okay. Nothing in our lives is easy and there is always room for improvement and this is embodied in the 1982. I want to thank you for all of your previous advice and all the advice which I am sure you will dispense to me in the future.
And in answer to some thread questions: 1) It is possible to do a purchase online as long as you trust the other person. 2) I know that it will never be a 69 427 tripower, blow everything off the street, and worth a ton of money. But it is what she wanted and will enjoy. 3) And Yes, a Corvette can still get you laid!
My only current questions for the forum is: What is your recommendation for getting to the underside of the car to work on the issues above. Ramps? Jacks? Both? Take it to a mechanic? Buy a $5000.00 dual pedestal hydraulic lift? (ha!) I do pretty well with cars and though I’d never attempt a cam job (yet) I’d like to work on most things myself.
And, How do I get the pictures of it from my desktop inserted into a post. I have tried but it ask for a URL address?
Last edited by C3Joey; Jul 3, 2008 at 02:34 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 11
From: No Prov RI
Good luck with the car. and you will need a photo hosting site 
I use photo bucket. very easy 
http://photobucket.com/?special_track=nav_logo
Hammadown
I use photo bucket. very easy http://photobucket.com/?special_track=nav_logo
Hammadown
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 838
Likes: 0
From: starting to wonder if im welcome here texas
cool story, you cant post pics till you have X number of post but you can post links to pics. pm me and i can host and post them for you.
as far as geting under the car, i use 2 ramps in the back and 2 stands in the front. it will take 2 jacks to do this. i use the jack that came with the car and a normal floor jack for this.
as far as geting under the car, i use 2 ramps in the back and 2 stands in the front. it will take 2 jacks to do this. i use the jack that came with the car and a normal floor jack for this.
Last edited by dodge_ss/t; Jul 3, 2008 at 02:47 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
Had to be the 82
Congrates!
Our stories are not too different although we had several vettes, took a decade off, then I surprised HER with an 82 CE on our 20th Wedding Aniversary.
She cried, so I must have done somthin right!
Enjoy the car. and set up a Photobucket web page. It's free
While you are there search for HER-82 (don't forget the dash)
and check out our album.
Our stories are not too different although we had several vettes, took a decade off, then I surprised HER with an 82 CE on our 20th Wedding Aniversary.
She cried, so I must have done somthin right!
Enjoy the car. and set up a Photobucket web page. It's free
While you are there search for HER-82 (don't forget the dash)
and check out our album.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,714
Likes: 299
From: Concord VA, U.S.A.
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
Congrats on the '82 and welcome aboard. 
This link may help with pics:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...67&forum_id=31
This link may help with pics:http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...67&forum_id=31
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Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola FL
Her C382
Okay I got photobucket and threw a few pics on there. Lets see what happens.
And thanks for the ramp/jacks info. I will use the advice.
http://s323.photobucket.com/albums/nn461/Her82C3/?action=view¤t=DSC05656.jpg[/IMG]
Um, I cut the URL from the top of the page of photobucket to the URL window under "insert picture" but it is not hyperlinking I don't think.
Will try another avenue.
And thanks for the ramp/jacks info. I will use the advice.
http://s323.photobucket.com/albums/nn461/Her82C3/?action=view¤t=DSC05656.jpg[/IMG]
Um, I cut the URL from the top of the page of photobucket to the URL window under "insert picture" but it is not hyperlinking I don't think.
Will try another avenue.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 1
From: North Bellmore Ny
St. Jude Donor '09
Looks like a great first choice good luck.And trust me when I tell you it doesn"t matter what year it is. You stated before its not a 427 tri-power, I'd bet you 100 it rides much better than mine. If you or your wife road in my car and then yours, Guess what yours rides much better, (trust me when I tell you a 69 is not woman ride friendly).Thats what counts the fun you will have and no matter what year c-3 you own it will only become more pricey as time passes. Good luck with the new car
Last edited by 400hp427vette; Jul 3, 2008 at 08:36 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,697
Likes: 833
From: WI
There was a nice silver/clarette (81, I think) with the pinstripes and hood stripe at Bloomington. It was very attractive! There were a lot of lookers and people taking pictures.
I personally like the looks of the 80-82 the best. There were a few ECM EPROM software updates that improved CFI drivability that GM released in the years after it came out. Might see if your ride has the latest.
Mark G
I personally like the looks of the 80-82 the best. There were a few ECM EPROM software updates that improved CFI drivability that GM released in the years after it came out. Might see if your ride has the latest.
Mark G
