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03-07-2013, 05:35 PM
#61
Burning Brakes
Storage condition plays a large part in tire condition. Moisture, sunlight, weather all affect a tires aging. Tires left in the elements on a car will look cracked and older sooner than garage kept tires. The date code really is the key though. Any more than 10 years in any condition and I'm replacing tires.
06-14-2013, 10:22 PM
#62
1st Gear
Member Since: Jun 2013
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Actually, what you've added wasn't what I was saying 
I live in the UK. If I want to buy a Vette from the US then I would consider buying unseen. For some of us there's no economical alternative.
What I was suggesting you could add was something like:
"If you must buy a Corvette without seeing it in person, these are the photos you need to demand from the vendor to get an idea of the condition of the car..."
I live in the UK. If I want to buy a Vette from the US then I would consider buying unseen. For some of us there's no economical alternative.
What I was suggesting you could add was something like:
"If you must buy a Corvette without seeing it in person, these are the photos you need to demand from the vendor to get an idea of the condition of the car..."
06-28-2013, 10:59 PM
#64
Drifting
Member Since: Aug 2010
Location: Kanuckistan
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2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I beg to differ.
A friend had a 76 that was looking absolutly mint, Nothing missing, nothing added. A rolling time capsule.
Of course no rust, boy that made me envious
Even the then 35 years old weatherstrips were still peachy.
I'd consider such "Survivor" as perfect condition.
A friend had a 76 that was looking absolutly mint, Nothing missing, nothing added. A rolling time capsule.
Of course no rust, boy that made me envious
Even the then 35 years old weatherstrips were still peachy.
I'd consider such "Survivor" as perfect condition.
06-29-2013, 12:12 AM
#65
TheCorvetteBen
Thread Starter
I beg to differ.
A friend had a 76 that was looking absolutly mint, Nothing missing, nothing added. A rolling time capsule.
Of course no rust, boy that made me envious
Even the then 35 years old weatherstrips were still peachy.
I'd consider such "Survivor" as perfect condition.
A friend had a 76 that was looking absolutly mint, Nothing missing, nothing added. A rolling time capsule.
Of course no rust, boy that made me envious
Even the then 35 years old weatherstrips were still peachy.
I'd consider such "Survivor" as perfect condition.
06-29-2013, 12:53 AM
#66
Melting Slicks
I beg to differ.
A friend had a 76 that was looking absolutly mint, Nothing missing, nothing added. A rolling time capsule.
Of course no rust, boy that made me envious
Even the then 35 years old weatherstrips were still peachy.
I'd consider such "Survivor" as perfect condition.
A friend had a 76 that was looking absolutly mint, Nothing missing, nothing added. A rolling time capsule.
Of course no rust, boy that made me envious
Even the then 35 years old weatherstrips were still peachy.
I'd consider such "Survivor" as perfect condition.
no leaks?
no bad gaps?
uh -
06-29-2013, 11:23 AM
#67
Burning Brakes
Agreed, gaps, rattles, wind noises, weird dimensions on parts that should fit....I guess they were as perfect as gm could do back then, but not compared to todays production standards.
06-29-2013, 12:47 PM
#68
TheCorvetteBen
Thread Starter
Rattles, leaks and wind noises sure bug me to death, but if you compared any c3 to today's standards, you might as well give up now because you'll never find one up to it.
06-30-2013, 03:13 PM
#69
Intermediate
Member Since: Jun 2013
Location: Clayton NC
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a few photos
I got lucky too, I bought my 1st corvette a few weeks back, a 72 that looks very nice, test drove it looked under the hood checked the #s to the VIN and made an offer. Never knowing where or what problem areas to look for. Got the car home and then started researching. Taking off kick panels, checking frame for rust ect. But all in all very happy with what I got. A good running 350 very nice paint, very little rust to be found, great interior.. I think I forgot how to buy a used car because the last two have been new. Did buy my daughter a little ford escort zr2 10 yrs ago spent $3000 and still had enough sense to put it on a lift and look under it. I just had the corvette fever for them chrome bumpers.
a little rust at bottom of windshield
a little rust at bottom of windshield
06-30-2013, 03:36 PM
#70
Instructor
Member Since: Mar 2013
Location: sahuarita az
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keep a cool head
#1 I always try to keep in mind what my old man told me. IT'S JUST A CAR. Maybe in this case, you'd be more realistic in keeping in mind what I've seen written on these forums - IT'S JUST A CHEVY. It ain't a hand built Ferrari. There were buzzillions of these made and the late seventies and early eighties were the highest production numbers ever for Vettes.
#2 ALWAYS buy the best example you can find.
#3 TRIPLE your budget estimate.
#4 The CO is not you. Everyone has their own opinions of what "cherry" "mint" "pristine" etc., means. If it quacks like a duck it, is a duck.
#2 ALWAYS buy the best example you can find.
#3 TRIPLE your budget estimate.
#4 The CO is not you. Everyone has their own opinions of what "cherry" "mint" "pristine" etc., means. If it quacks like a duck it, is a duck.
Last edited by vettestu; 06-30-2013 at 04:05 PM.
10-30-2013, 12:28 PM
#76
Administrator
Member Since: Jul 2000
Location: About 1100 miles from where I call home. Blue lives matter.
Posts: 51,395
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Everyone, I decided to go ahead and post this thread as a sticky so people can access it more easily.
I cleaned out a lot of the personal postings that arent particularly relevant to the information to make it easier to navagate. The OP will be updating and adding info as well.
I cleaned out a lot of the personal postings that arent particularly relevant to the information to make it easier to navagate. The OP will be updating and adding info as well.
Last edited by vettebuyer6369; 10-30-2013 at 04:00 PM.
11-03-2013, 03:55 PM
#77
If the C3 your checking out is a 72 or up , please examine the VIN # and be sure the " fifth" digit engine code is indeed the car that is being presented to you.
Example: If an Ebay listing has a 74 454 for sale , be sure that it has the correct "z". Code letter in the fifth digit.
At the moment their iS such a car on eBay ......the seller.....is selling it as a 454 corvette convertible .....in fact it is a clone ......the vin code is "j" for a BASE 350 L48 car....... No where does he mention this car started life as a 350 ci. Corvette. He does say the engine is not matching numbers, but that's only HALF the Story. No honest disclosure .
He doesn't feel that it I necessary to point this fact even after I bought it to his attention.
I wouldn't buy nothing from this person, much less a car.......be ware
Example: If an Ebay listing has a 74 454 for sale , be sure that it has the correct "z". Code letter in the fifth digit.
At the moment their iS such a car on eBay ......the seller.....is selling it as a 454 corvette convertible .....in fact it is a clone ......the vin code is "j" for a BASE 350 L48 car....... No where does he mention this car started life as a 350 ci. Corvette. He does say the engine is not matching numbers, but that's only HALF the Story. No honest disclosure .
He doesn't feel that it I necessary to point this fact even after I bought it to his attention.
I wouldn't buy nothing from this person, much less a car.......be ware
11-03-2013, 09:12 PM
#78
No honest disclosure .
Gee! THAT never happens!
Before I got my '76 project, I inspected a 'Vette for sale that was quite clearly a '77 body on a '75 frame. Probably a Crate motor, but not sure. When I questioned the seller about the 'incorrect idetia' ('emblems') he huffed:
"I've seen 'em all sorts of ways! I mean - if it was a Stingray, it had [insert some blubber about shape of 'flares and or tailpipes here]! That's a model designation or option package....etc....etc..."
Yeah.
Right.
Dan G>
Gee! THAT never happens!
Before I got my '76 project, I inspected a 'Vette for sale that was quite clearly a '77 body on a '75 frame. Probably a Crate motor, but not sure. When I questioned the seller about the 'incorrect idetia' ('emblems') he huffed:
"I've seen 'em all sorts of ways! I mean - if it was a Stingray, it had [insert some blubber about shape of 'flares and or tailpipes here]! That's a model designation or option package....etc....etc..."
Yeah.
Right.
Dan G>
11-07-2013, 05:43 PM
#79
Accepted amount of work vs. the initial cost.
Every car is going to need work; how experienced are you and how much time do you want to devote to it? Some of us are not rich and cannot afford a classic car in near perfect condition.
I consider mine "retirement therapy" and view it as a kit car to play with.
I knew it was a junkyard dog when I bought it.
Every car is going to need work; how experienced are you and how much time do you want to devote to it? Some of us are not rich and cannot afford a classic car in near perfect condition.
I consider mine "retirement therapy" and view it as a kit car to play with.
I knew it was a junkyard dog when I bought it.
11-09-2013, 01:12 AM
#80
1st Gear
Member Since: Nov 2013
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Thanks for this post, I am new here but I will be lurking for a while. A C3 is my wife's dream car and I have been looking for a muscle project so here we go. I plan to spend a lot of time reading here and there and building a solid canyon carving monster for her to putter around in. God I hope she goes for three pedals, damn autos have spoiled her.