Thinking about a C3
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 81
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From: Pearland (Houston) Texas
Thinking about a C3
Well, I have always loved the 79-81 model style and before I start getting too old to fit into one of these I am seriously thinking about making the jump. I have never owned a vette but I have always owned a toy (65 Nova SS, 59 Impala, 54 Chevy). Every one of these I guess you could say have ended up being resto mods.
I am looking for a cool daily driver. I only drive about 25 miles a day round trip. So, I have a couple of questions:
How bad do these things leak from the t-tops and pillars?
Is it better to modify the vette (brakes, engine, overdrive trans, fuel injection) or keep it original?
What are the things I need to be aware of when shopping for one?
thanks to everyone in advance.
I am looking for a cool daily driver. I only drive about 25 miles a day round trip. So, I have a couple of questions:
How bad do these things leak from the t-tops and pillars?
Is it better to modify the vette (brakes, engine, overdrive trans, fuel injection) or keep it original?
What are the things I need to be aware of when shopping for one?
thanks to everyone in advance.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 23,419
Likes: 22
From: In limbo
St. Jude Donor '13-'15, '17 thru '22
If your tops fit properly and your weather stripping is in good condition, they shouldn't leak at all on a coupe. The soft-top convertible I had leaked like a sieve until I changed the top. It was my first experience with such a thing but after some adjustments and re-working, it hardly leaked at all.
That depends on a lot of things. If we are talking re-sale value, original is usually better. People like to modify things themselves. However, in the 79-81 years, I think upgraded exhaust or other simple bolt-on modifications won't take away from value significantly, and might increase it slightly depending on if you find the right buyer.
Tons of threads here on that. Some time with the search function will be time well spent. Most important would be frame and bird cage rust.
Is it better to modify the vette (brakes, engine, overdrive trans, fuel injection) or keep it original?
What are the things I need to be aware of when shopping for one?
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 2
From: Rochester NY
No leaks from my T-tops... 
Most Vette addons can be removed if you wish to turn the car back to original ..
As for Value and resale Value, it should not be affected by returning the car to stock. And in some cases mods will raise the value of 1979-1981 C3s
Most Vette addons can be removed if you wish to turn the car back to original ..
As for Value and resale Value, it should not be affected by returning the car to stock. And in some cases mods will raise the value of 1979-1981 C3s
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 5
From: Schererville IN
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Kansas City, MO ...I'd like to go fishing and catch a fishstick. That'd be convenient. - Mitch Hedberg
My windows and t-tops don't leak. That's because I don't drive in the rain. Wait, I don't drive in the rain because my windows and t-tops leak.
If you are a hands on type of hobby car owner, you can fix these things relatively easily. I need to adjust the door glass on my car, I'm just too lazy to do it.
I wouldn't bother keeping a 79-81 original unless you found an impeccable car in it's original state. I went out in search of one that was already a NOM. Cheaper purchase price and I don't have to have the "should I modify a stock Vette" argument.
Biggest purchasing tip I can give you is: Buy the car with the best paint and body. The interior/drive train can be fixed/replaced for cheap compared to the cost of painting one of these cars.
If you are a hands on type of hobby car owner, you can fix these things relatively easily. I need to adjust the door glass on my car, I'm just too lazy to do it.
I wouldn't bother keeping a 79-81 original unless you found an impeccable car in it's original state. I went out in search of one that was already a NOM. Cheaper purchase price and I don't have to have the "should I modify a stock Vette" argument.
Biggest purchasing tip I can give you is: Buy the car with the best paint and body. The interior/drive train can be fixed/replaced for cheap compared to the cost of painting one of these cars.
