talk me out of a c3?
#1
talk me out of a c3?
i'm now in the market for a new car, i already have a dd 4x4 but am looking for something more fun on the weekends and tinkering. I've always been a fan of c2's but the market for those has gone a direction i cannot follow.
recently i saw a clean c3 which did not disappoint and am considering one of my own.
my concerns are the rumors of lacking production quality through these years of production. i'm hoping someone on here will be honest and give a realistic impression of design flaws or quirks these cars might have
My primary interest is a 68-72 (right years for metal bumpers?) manual small block convertible. I'd like a car that is driveable but also enjoy doing some work. a/c power etc.. are not important to me and i'm not sure what exactly these cars came with anyway. numbers matching is not important either as i am not wealthy enough to collect/show and i typically tinker on my cars like legos.
can say $10,000 be enough to start with? i'd especially appreciate a little help here pricing how much these are worth// condition
this probably appears as a WTB ad but i am not even that far along yet and was just thinking someone could talk me into or out of the direction i've been looking.
thanks,
btw. these cars are rather long correct (too long?)? what range of driver height is a comfortable fit (i think im on the short end)?
recently i saw a clean c3 which did not disappoint and am considering one of my own.
my concerns are the rumors of lacking production quality through these years of production. i'm hoping someone on here will be honest and give a realistic impression of design flaws or quirks these cars might have
My primary interest is a 68-72 (right years for metal bumpers?) manual small block convertible. I'd like a car that is driveable but also enjoy doing some work. a/c power etc.. are not important to me and i'm not sure what exactly these cars came with anyway. numbers matching is not important either as i am not wealthy enough to collect/show and i typically tinker on my cars like legos.
can say $10,000 be enough to start with? i'd especially appreciate a little help here pricing how much these are worth// condition
this probably appears as a WTB ad but i am not even that far along yet and was just thinking someone could talk me into or out of the direction i've been looking.
thanks,
btw. these cars are rather long correct (too long?)? what range of driver height is a comfortable fit (i think im on the short end)?
#4
Pro
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You don't want one!!!!! Once you start driving it you won't want to stop, and then all the chicks stare and wave at you and guys that don't have one are jealous................why put yourself through all that pressure?
greg
greg
#6
Drifting
FWIW - I still consider the 73 to be great cars, great bang for the buck. You give up the front chrome bumper, but you still have the back and overall I think the car looks great.
The cars get considerably cheaper as they age. The older the car, generally the cheaper you can get them. I think you could get a fairly nice 74+ for less than $10K.
Personally, I like the looks less after '73, but that's JUST ME. However, you may want to look all the years over as they all have strengths/weaknesses.
If you're going to tinker, there is an advantage to the older cars as the initial investment is less and the stock engines are weak but can be made to perform. Therefore, the money you spend on engine will pay out with a lower cost.
That's just my $.02
The cars get considerably cheaper as they age. The older the car, generally the cheaper you can get them. I think you could get a fairly nice 74+ for less than $10K.
Personally, I like the looks less after '73, but that's JUST ME. However, you may want to look all the years over as they all have strengths/weaknesses.
If you're going to tinker, there is an advantage to the older cars as the initial investment is less and the stock engines are weak but can be made to perform. Therefore, the money you spend on engine will pay out with a lower cost.
That's just my $.02
#7
Racer
You're going to be hard pressed to find a convertible C3 for 10 grand. Mine was in decent shape, but needed a lot of TLC, and it was still over the 10 grand mark. After brakes, new carpet, rechrome bumpers, some engine detailing, and a new paint job, I have a pretty good looking car, but still not perfect. (I have a front end rebuild kit still in the box to put on) I agree with previous posts, buy the best you can get. If you don't know anything about C3's, find someone that does and have them go with you before you buy. The cars have their issues... so look for a good frame and pay special attention to the birdcage. C3's are great cars, affordable, fun to drive, great styling and terrific for short drivers. I just laugh at the tall guys complaining about cramped room in their cars. At 5'6", I'm very comfortable in my car.
#10
Instructor
56 Ford F100 pickup (sold)
58 Ford F100 pickup (sold)
71 Landcruiser (sold)
74 Landcruiser (sold)
71 Challenger (Resto complete - Still own and drive)
69 GTX 440 6-Pack (Resto in progress)
-----
Pertaining to your concern for production quality; I ran into the same questions when I read about the 68 Coupe (which I just acquired after sitting since 1984) I heard Quality was terrible and after researching most of the problems that it is known for, I found out that (IN MY OPINION), the quality issue would have been more important prior to the year 2000 (before the internet). As of today, there are tons of (repop) parts companies offering gas tanks, brake lines, interior kits, suspension kits, wiring harnesses, engine components, etc...etc.. and if all else fails, you have EBAY - sooner or later, whatever it is you're looking for will (usually) show up on EBAY by someone parting out or upgrading their Vette. Since you're not looking for #'s matching or originality, your options are a lot better.
I've ran into a lot of Quality issues with the resto of my vehicles above, and difficulty finding parts, but with the Internet/EMail/(This website in particular) and today's modern reproduction parts, you should be ok with any C3 you choose.
I'm happy with my 68 Coupe (427/390 Barn Find) that was sitting since 1984. When I got it, all engine hoses were ate up by rats, the electrical wires were gone (rats ATE all insulation), Brakes were rusted like a Russian Submarine, etc... but after $50 in new wires and hoses (Plus $5.00 in Marvel Mystery Oil) sprayed into Cylinders.... It started and RAN !
Doesn't matter what factory quality issue you run into (Electrical, Engine, Interior, Weather Stripping Leaks, etc...) today's replacement parts (if you're patient while looking for them) work just fine.
Go for the C3 !
I'm new to new to this board (1st Vette), and have found the information on this board to be a great asset for info and parts.
Good Luck
#11
Burning Brakes
Production quality might be low by modern standards but at the time it was mostly OK, and over the last 30 or 40 years owners should have fixed anything that needs fixing.
I bought my '76 here in the UK when I was 23 having fallen in love with the C3 during a rushed test drive while on holiday in Virginia Beach. I never expected to buy this car - I wanted the chrome bumpers but this car was a steal and I figured I'd learn on this one and buy the car of my dreams later when I could afford it. I didn't really know what I was doing. 13 years later and I've still got the same car. I'll never sell it because I've invested so much time, experience and care into it. Oh, and money. I'm in the middle of a body-off resto now. The car is part of the family. I love it.
You budget might not stretch to the car of your dreams right now, so there's a danger you'll buy from the cheap end of the market just to get chrome bumpers and get one with major hidden problems that needs a lot of work, leaving you disappointed by the ownership experience. IMHO you'd enjoy it more if you bought something from '74 up, where your $10k budget will get you a very nice example that you can drive and enjoy and play with. Once you've learnt about the cars with a good example you'll be hooked and better experienced to buy a nice chrome bumper model when your budget has grown.
Expensive problems to watch for when buying from the 'unrestored' end of the market:
- birdcage rust under the trim around the windshield and behind the kick panels in the footwells
- frame rust, especially in front of the rear wheels where the trailing arm attaches
- frame accident damage
There are some good C3 buyers' guides around the Internet that'll give you a full list and I'd recommend reading them thoroughly and understanding the terminology, especially in relation to the birdcage. If you can find a local Corvette club whose members you can ask for advice then that'd also help you to avoid the problem cars. It's easy to get suckered into buying a car that looks perfect on the surface but has hidden (birdcage) horrors just beneath the surface.
If you go into it with your eyes open you'll never regret buying a C3.
I bought my '76 here in the UK when I was 23 having fallen in love with the C3 during a rushed test drive while on holiday in Virginia Beach. I never expected to buy this car - I wanted the chrome bumpers but this car was a steal and I figured I'd learn on this one and buy the car of my dreams later when I could afford it. I didn't really know what I was doing. 13 years later and I've still got the same car. I'll never sell it because I've invested so much time, experience and care into it. Oh, and money. I'm in the middle of a body-off resto now. The car is part of the family. I love it.
You budget might not stretch to the car of your dreams right now, so there's a danger you'll buy from the cheap end of the market just to get chrome bumpers and get one with major hidden problems that needs a lot of work, leaving you disappointed by the ownership experience. IMHO you'd enjoy it more if you bought something from '74 up, where your $10k budget will get you a very nice example that you can drive and enjoy and play with. Once you've learnt about the cars with a good example you'll be hooked and better experienced to buy a nice chrome bumper model when your budget has grown.
Expensive problems to watch for when buying from the 'unrestored' end of the market:
- birdcage rust under the trim around the windshield and behind the kick panels in the footwells
- frame rust, especially in front of the rear wheels where the trailing arm attaches
- frame accident damage
There are some good C3 buyers' guides around the Internet that'll give you a full list and I'd recommend reading them thoroughly and understanding the terminology, especially in relation to the birdcage. If you can find a local Corvette club whose members you can ask for advice then that'd also help you to avoid the problem cars. It's easy to get suckered into buying a car that looks perfect on the surface but has hidden (birdcage) horrors just beneath the surface.
If you go into it with your eyes open you'll never regret buying a C3.
#12
Racer
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If you insist on it being chrome bumper, then you'll get one that needs a lot of work for 10 grand. If you were to buy something between 74-80, for 10 grand you'll get a car in very good shape requiring little work. Just depends on if you want a car that's ready to drive or one that will require some tinkering. Good luck in your search.
KC
KC
#13
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St. Jude Donor '10
You budget might not stretch to the car of your dreams right now, so there's a danger you'll buy from the cheap end of the market just to get chrome bumpers and get one with major hidden problems that needs a lot of work, leaving you disappointed by the ownership experience. IMHO you'd enjoy it more if you bought something from '74 up, where your $10k budget will get you a very nice example that you can drive and enjoy and play with. Once you've learnt about the cars with a good example you'll be hooked and better experienced to buy a nice chrome bumper model when your budget has grown.
This is great advice IMHO as well. I was where you are now about two years ago. I just couldn't get the want to match the funds so I bought a 1977 for $8500 and began to put my money, my time and my energy into her. I now have a much nice car, a second 77 that I show which I picked up this year, and I am hopeful to have a 74 Convertible as well by the end of the fall. This is a buyers market and there are lots of good buys to be had. Good luck with your search.
Oh, and I could never talk you out of buying a Corvette, that would make me a hypocrite. I made the plunge and I love it, I hope you do as well.
Good hunting,
David
This is great advice IMHO as well. I was where you are now about two years ago. I just couldn't get the want to match the funds so I bought a 1977 for $8500 and began to put my money, my time and my energy into her. I now have a much nice car, a second 77 that I show which I picked up this year, and I am hopeful to have a 74 Convertible as well by the end of the fall. This is a buyers market and there are lots of good buys to be had. Good luck with your search.
Oh, and I could never talk you out of buying a Corvette, that would make me a hypocrite. I made the plunge and I love it, I hope you do as well.
Good hunting,
David
#14
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I bought my first C3 with a lot of your same concerns. But I know what I wanted (C3 body style, chrome bumpers, stingray emblem (not avail on 68), side gill trim, convertible, limited colors). Which after much research narrowed me to the 69-72. I spent a good 2-3 months pouring over websites to find a car I would be happy with. But others here are correct, be prepared for 15-20k for these years. If you want a convertible, maybe a little more. Also, make sure your budget has some room in it for repairs. My car has been in the shop twice since July. Mostly small stuff but two big repairs as well - rear suspension/yoke issue and now a radiator issue. So have some budget set aside, just in case.
By the way I wanted to add - There's no way I would talk you out of it. It's an awesome ride.
By the way I wanted to add - There's no way I would talk you out of it. It's an awesome ride.
Last edited by Rickster - C3 69; 09-17-2008 at 09:28 AM.