A penny for your thoughts
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Twin Falls Idaho
A penny for your thoughts
For a first time Corvette buyer and hopeful long time owner I wanted to get some advice on good solid years for C3s. For about a month of been searching the world wide web for my 'dream car'. So at the risk of someone wanting to bump me to the wtb section I'm really just looking for some advice on a good year. I've narrowed my search from 74 to 78 (but open for suggestions). Not sure of auto or manual transmission at this point. Any literature you could point me to would help or just a few minutes of your time would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,285
Likes: 4,374
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Andrew,
I'm sure you'll get lots of opinions and guidance.
I'd like you to consider a 71-72, small block , 4-speed, car. A convertible if your wallet allows, otherwise a coupe.
Regards,
Alan
PS You're in for big fun.
I'm sure you'll get lots of opinions and guidance.
I'd like you to consider a 71-72, small block , 4-speed, car. A convertible if your wallet allows, otherwise a coupe.
Regards,
Alan
PS You're in for big fun.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 1
From: Quincy IL
Andrew,
If you are wanting to purchase an "original" car vs. a customized car I would recomend getting a copy of the Corvette Black Book. An updated book comes out every year with the newest info for that year. They are a wealth of information. Also - again if looking for an original car - learn what exactly numbers matching means. This will be a fun search for you and a fun bit of learning also. Glad to hear that you are researching before the purchase... many of us would have benefited from doing that instead of jumping on the best deal we could find. Steel/Chrome (68-73) cars have a lot of popularity, it seems the 74-77 models are more affordable (from what I've learned), then 78 was an anniversary model as well as a pace car available, 79 had a lot of nice options and the body styling from 80-82 seems to be growing in popularity. You will get many opinions - but just remember it's going to be your car so get what you like best and enjoy it! They are addicting.... I own 3 'vettes.....
Good luck!
If you are wanting to purchase an "original" car vs. a customized car I would recomend getting a copy of the Corvette Black Book. An updated book comes out every year with the newest info for that year. They are a wealth of information. Also - again if looking for an original car - learn what exactly numbers matching means. This will be a fun search for you and a fun bit of learning also. Glad to hear that you are researching before the purchase... many of us would have benefited from doing that instead of jumping on the best deal we could find. Steel/Chrome (68-73) cars have a lot of popularity, it seems the 74-77 models are more affordable (from what I've learned), then 78 was an anniversary model as well as a pace car available, 79 had a lot of nice options and the body styling from 80-82 seems to be growing in popularity. You will get many opinions - but just remember it's going to be your car so get what you like best and enjoy it! They are addicting.... I own 3 'vettes.....
Good luck!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Twin Falls Idaho
Sorry the boss came in and cut my post a little short. I guess I'm most worried about the pitfalls of any certain year. I've done a lot of reading online and haven't come across too many 'what not to buy' websites. I'm going to end up the in sub 10k price but I would like to get a manual with T-Tops. I'm not afraid to do a little bit of work, but I would like to have a turn key car. Just looking for a little feedback, because you guys know a helluva lot more than I do and any information I can get is going to make this process more enjoyable.
Thanks
Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,924
Likes: 6
Sorry the boss came in and cut my post a little short. I guess I'm most worried about the pitfalls of any certain year. I've done a lot of reading online and haven't come across too many 'what not to buy' websites. I'm going to end up the in sub 10k price but I would like to get a manual with T-Tops. I'm not afraid to do a little bit of work, but I would like to have a turn key car. Just looking for a little feedback, because you guys know a helluva lot more than I do and any information I can get is going to make this process more enjoyable.
Thanks
Thanks
For some reason people get all itchy about the steering wheel because it was shared with the Vega GT. Like anyone would even know what a Vega wheel looks like some 30+ years later.
Me, I liked Vega's. Especially the Vega GT. I 'almost' bought a V8 Vega GT project a few years back, but passed on it. I won't make that mistake given a 2nd chance. And the 76 Vega's had Corvette steering wheels
Buy something you want, can afford and if it happens to be a '76.. make sure it has the stock one year only steering wheel.
and HOLD OUT for the 4 speed.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 872
Likes: 3
From: Cortlandt Manor New York
If your budget is below $10K and you want a turnkey car you need to look at post 75 TTop coupes. Anything earlier than that will be a major project for under $10K. Had to knock any one year as after 30 years most of the bugs have been taken care of. Drive it and stop it quick that will tell you a lot about what kind of car it is.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
Sounds like you've already got the corvette bug! Post your city and meet some local C3 owners. They'll steer you right!
There are no specific production year difficulties with any of the C3s. They're all 27-41 years old and they all need rebuilding to some degree!
Welcome aboard!!!
There are no specific production year difficulties with any of the C3s. They're all 27-41 years old and they all need rebuilding to some degree!
Welcome aboard!!!
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 4
From: Regina Saskatchewan
If you aren't tied down to finding a local car , hold out for a 5 spd manual or 6 spd manual. Or at least an OD auto. These cars are an absoulte pleasure to drive without 'em , but multiply that by 10X with an OD!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,352
Likes: 1
From: Westminster Maryland
It sounds as if you are doing this right. Research, research, research. Good luck is opportunity meeting preparedness. Know what you are going to look for in terms of options and years, then know what to look for on condition. There a many great threads here, and any member will be glad to answer a question. Many will even help you when you go to look at a prospect, and show you what you can fix, and what to run from. Post your location info (it's ok, we have a great group here), and members who are local to a car can help you to find your car. Mine turned out to be 3 miles away for 9 years while I spent hours looking through magazines, e bay, and classifieds. I think my car found me. Best of luck, and welcome to the forum!
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
You may want to consider the smog test and after market implications depending on where you live. In California that means a 1975 or earlier car is smog exempt. 76 -78 ( and up ) will still have smog requirements.
The 78 is a different body style. It has the large back glass to it.
77 has a slightly different interior to it than the 74-76 cars.
kdf
The 78 is a different body style. It has the large back glass to it.
77 has a slightly different interior to it than the 74-76 cars.
kdf
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 460
Likes: 1
From: Millbrook Al.
Keep in mind all cars look great in pictures. Be sure to drive it, if it is the right one you will know. Then walk away, sleep on it. Then the next day make a list of things you didnt look at the first time, because you were so awestruck. Good luck.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 15,125
Likes: 283
From: Salt Lake City Utah
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (stock)
Hold out for what you want, take the time to find it. For me it was an 81. I bought mine almost 2 years ago and had new paint and tires plus everything worked. It had 74K miles and I got it for $8,500 and it's a great driver. You can find a deal, just be willing to hold out for everything you want.here's mine (love to show it off)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,030
Likes: 363
From: Lubbock Texas
I found this book helpful during my search:
http://www.amazon.com/Corvette-C3-19...4409602&sr=8-1
DC
http://www.amazon.com/Corvette-C3-19...4409602&sr=8-1
DC
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 345
Likes: 0
From: Sebago Lake Maine
St. Jude Donor '09
As mentioned above hold out for want you really want (unless it's just not possible with what you got to spend.) I wanted a 4 speed and if i could get an L-82 also, that would be icing on the cake.
I looked at so many and got so discouraged and was about to just give up. then I found her in a local ad.
by the way Jon, that is one nice looking '81.
I looked at so many and got so discouraged and was about to just give up. then I found her in a local ad.
by the way Jon, that is one nice looking '81.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola Florida
Andrew, I am in the same boat. I have been researching and looking for about three weeks. I have always wanted a vette but I'm not an impulse buyer. I don't know where you are but I'm in the southeast and have found that with my budget I can get alot more variety on a c4. There are just more to choose from but I am holding fast for my dream car. Good luck to both of us.
Jon--Beautiful ride--I hope to get as lucky!!!
Jon--Beautiful ride--I hope to get as lucky!!!
Racer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 390
Likes: 8
From: Louisiana
I've always wanted a Corvette and when I saw this 1980 Vette sitting on a car lot I had to get it. I am now a proud owner of this car and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I'd go with an 80, but that's me. Either way you'll be a lucky owner!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 7
From: Fort Pierce Florida
Unless you're just looking for a car to completely go through there are two things I would look for:
1) a car with a perfect or near perfect paint job. To completely paint a C3 is an absolute minimum $5,000....and that really is a bargain price.
2) a solid bird cage. Do a search in google image to see what a C3 bird cage is (and what a rusty one looks like). Basically, it's the metal structure that surrounds the driver that the front and rear bond to. TRUST ME, you do not want a car with a bad bird cage as the front end may have to be chiseled off, rust repaired, bonded back on, and the painted. That's a minimum $7,000 repair!
Tyically if these 2 things are OK, the rest of the car is probably maintained as well. Really, everyting else is not that expensive to repair or upgrade if you do the work yourself. I'm going to say what everyone else has said: hold out for the exact car you want and buy the best car you can afford.
Last piece of advice, if you're looking for something to drive don't fall into the originality pitfall. There is no '74-'82 that is going to pay to hang on to for the next 10 years, so unless you want a museum piece don't dismiss a car because it has been modified. It might be better that way
1) a car with a perfect or near perfect paint job. To completely paint a C3 is an absolute minimum $5,000....and that really is a bargain price.
2) a solid bird cage. Do a search in google image to see what a C3 bird cage is (and what a rusty one looks like). Basically, it's the metal structure that surrounds the driver that the front and rear bond to. TRUST ME, you do not want a car with a bad bird cage as the front end may have to be chiseled off, rust repaired, bonded back on, and the painted. That's a minimum $7,000 repair!
Tyically if these 2 things are OK, the rest of the car is probably maintained as well. Really, everyting else is not that expensive to repair or upgrade if you do the work yourself. I'm going to say what everyone else has said: hold out for the exact car you want and buy the best car you can afford.
Last piece of advice, if you're looking for something to drive don't fall into the originality pitfall. There is no '74-'82 that is going to pay to hang on to for the next 10 years, so unless you want a museum piece don't dismiss a car because it has been modified. It might be better that way
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 668
Likes: 3
From: Platteville WI
For a first time buyer, I would recommend a 75-77 t-top coupe. They are probably the cheapest to get into, which means you can buy one in better condition at an affordable price. I agree with everyone here that you should not buy a "project". You can tinker with the car and if you want it to be quick, you can modify it for about $2000 and it'll be as fast as any other vette. Do the searches here on cost for paint, body, frame repairs. They are a deal killer! As far as impressive looks.... only the folks here care much about the subtle differences between 68-82. Outsiders will simply know it as a pre C4 "classic" style vette. Good luck and welcome to the club.
Jay
Jay
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,625
Likes: 0
From: Cut n Shoot TX
A nice 75 up would be more in line with the budget you have. you have to remember in that budget to allow for some fixes you will need to do once you get the car, and the previous owner did not tell you about!!