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Old May 12, 2009 | 02:03 PM
  #21  
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It is a famous engine. However, your 1976 should have a 1976 350. an early 327 means it's probably from 1962 - 1966-ish

still not bad, and may be a great engine, but it's a dent in the cars value. chances are infinitesimal that you'll NEVER find the engine that came with the car, so it will always devalue the car.

C3 owners are typically nitpicky. (a GOOD thing). But what you're looking at here is someone else's running project car. It will sell to someone, but not at the price a 'pure' '76 would.

I don't want to dirty up your search efforts (the whole grandpa thing) but a 1976 C3 should be on the low purchase price end of a C3. This one appears to be a good daily driver to get out and cruise and have fun with.

What color was Grampa's? What about the interior? Was it a 4 speed? If his wasn't a brown on brown automatic.. then you should expand your search to '75-'77, or accept that this one is a mixed breed mutt. (again... I would be ok with it, but 19 others probably wouldn't)
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Old May 12, 2009 | 02:17 PM
  #22  
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Ok, that’s generally what I figured.

My Grandpa had a green ‘76 with a black interior.

The brown Vette makes me want to puke, never seen a more horrible color on a Vette.

First thing I do will be to get a new paint job on it.

I'm not sure if I want to recreate his, or be original and create mine in his likeness. I do like the Green exterior with a black exterior. I’m also thinking of maybe doing a pearl orange exterior with a red/black interior or red white interior.

Main thing for me is just having the car he drove and I fell in love with.

I’d also like to thank you for all your help and advice.
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Old May 12, 2009 | 02:33 PM
  #23  
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well, if one of MY 3 grandchildren were to dolly up a C3 in my honor, I would hope they would do it up in red/camel with a 4 speed.

Any red/tan '74 to '81 would be fine with me.
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Old May 12, 2009 | 02:35 PM
  #24  
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Oh trust me my friend, that automatic tranny will be gone as soon as it hits the Virginia line.
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Old May 12, 2009 | 03:59 PM
  #25  
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I would never buy a Jersey car. Unless it has sat in a garage since birth and never gone a salted street, or never been down at the shore.

Make sure you climb underneath and thouroughly check the frame and body mounts. And then ask if you can take off the kickplates inside the car to check for hidden birdcage damage.
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Old May 12, 2009 | 10:11 PM
  #26  
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Yea I guess I did say New Jersey.

I"m not sure why, I'm headed to PA not NJ. I have a distrust of everything Jersey too.
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Old May 13, 2009 | 11:58 PM
  #27  
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Hi "Mister",
I can answer your question. The 327 engine didn't come in this car. It came only with a 350. That means someone either changed the engine to an older one, or more likely, the owner
made a mistake.
The more you look at, and ask about this car, the better off you will be. In a car this vintage there will be many things that need to be repaired or replaced. This forum can help you through the process of making it a better car.........................Skip
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Old May 14, 2009 | 12:54 PM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by Mister'76
Ok, that’s generally what I figured.

My Grandpa had a green ‘76 with a black interior.

The brown Vette makes me want to puke, never seen a more horrible color on a Vette.

First thing I do will be to get a new paint job on it.

I'm not sure if I want to recreate his, or be original and create mine in his likeness. I do like the Green exterior with a black exterior. I’m also thinking of maybe doing a pearl orange exterior with a red/black interior or red white interior.

Main thing for me is just having the car he drove and I fell in love with.

I’d also like to thank you for all your help and advice.
Hi Mister,
Welcome to the wonderful world of the C3.

$3500. to 4500. seems about right to me...probably close to the lower end depending on the condition.

Just $.01 of my $.02...

Have you researched the price of paint on a C3?
The price for a decent re-paint, same color is $5000. to $8500., depending on who you ask. The price to change the color is about $2500. more, depending on who you ask. Plus, changing from the original color will reduce the value of the car in the end.

If you want a Green car...you should at least look around a bit for one that was/still is Green. Or...learn to like Brown. (I kinda do, you don't see many)

Good Luck,
Bobby
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