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I've owned a '62, but the rest of them have been C-2's, including my current '67. Lately I've developed interest in C-3's, but I know hardly anything about them.
It appears that the most rare would be the 2 L-88's with aluminum heads produced in 1969. I couldn't afford something like that, but what would be your suggestions for a desireable C-3, preferably with auto and air? By 'desireable' I mean somewhat rare, along with preferred options, colors, etc. Anything to definitely stay away from?
I remember driving a C-3 once, and I recall it being a pretty good handler and performer. Your opimions on that, too, please. Any suggested reading?
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I have always owned C1's and C2's but decided I wanted an early C3 big block about 3 years a go. I bought a nice 68 427/390 and love the way it drives. May be my favorite car now.
It's all a matter of personal taste but I like the 68-72 big blocks or the 70-72 LT-1's. Good luck with your search
Sounds like you are in the market for a chrome bumper car 68-72 (73's had a urethane nose, but chrome on the rear). For exclusivity, you could find a big block car, as for production #'s, I'm sure someone can help you out with what were the rare colors out there, but I would go for what you like best.
I absolutely love the 68-72's, but the budget steered me in to my '81, which works out just fine for me.
C3's have the same [basic] frame and suspension as the C2's. So handling will not be much different. If you want something relatively affordable but with some 'desirability', a 1970 BB convertable would be my suggestion. The really expensive cars are the LT1 SB and the high HP BB cars. Low HP BB verts with air are desirable but not into the really high dollars [yet]. If you find those are too expensive, try for a '72 BB vert.....lower compression/HP but still a nice car. {P.S. Since you want A/C, you can save more money by going for a coupe.}
If you could consider a car without A/C, a 69, 427/400 (tri-power), Auto, Convertible, side-exhaust, car, would be a wonderful choice and run like a bandit.
Regards,
Alan
IIRC, the automatic tranny is not as desirable as the 4 speed manual. Also consider that the BB cars are somewhat nose heavy and handle more poorly than the SB cars. I would think the ideal C3 for desirability would be a 68-72 (chrome bumper) BB, 4 speed roadster. The earlier the better and preferably with 3x2 carburation.
It appears that the most rare would be the 2 L-88's with aluminum heads produced in 1969. ?
All L-88s produced in 1969 (116 of them) came with Al heads. You are thinking of the ZL-1 which came with an AL block. And you are right, there are only 2 of those.