C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

A C-3 primer, please....

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 19, 2009 | 05:49 PM
  #1  
lspencer534's Avatar
lspencer534
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime Gold
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 6,410
Likes: 2
From: madison ms
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
Default A C-3 primer, please....

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?
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2009 | 07:34 PM
  #2  
capevettes's Avatar
capevettes
CF Community Team
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 90 Days
Active Streak: 120 Days
Conversation Starter
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 19,347
Likes: 5,238
From: Cape Cod, Mass.
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C8 of the Year Finalist Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
Default

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
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2009 | 11:10 PM
  #3  
nate99's Avatar
nate99
Race Director
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 15,161
Likes: 17
From: coffee
Default

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.
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2009 | 11:22 PM
  #4  
7T1vette's Avatar
7T1vette
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,113
From: Crossville TN
Default

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.}
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2009 | 04:14 PM
  #5  
Alan 71's Avatar
Alan 71
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,134
Likes: 4,206
From: Westminster Maryland
Default

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
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2009 | 04:31 PM
  #6  
GDaina's Avatar
GDaina
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
Default

besides the L-88 as the rare C3, next in line will be the L-89, but you won't find one with air, auto, yes, but not air...

C2 and C3 share the same frame and suspension components
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2009 | 05:17 PM
  #7  
RagTop69's Avatar
RagTop69
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,821
Likes: 204
From: Lincoln CA
Default

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.
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2009 | 05:31 PM
  #8  
bb62's Avatar
bb62
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,227
Likes: 416
Default

Originally Posted by lspencer534
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.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To A C-3 primer, please....

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-9

Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

 Joe Kucinski




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:50 PM.

story-0
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-2
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-5
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-9
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE