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

How many lifers?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 30, 2009 | 08:23 PM
  #1  
Clams Canino's Avatar
Clams Canino
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 4
From: Anderson SC
Default How many lifers?

The thread on the "owned since new '71" inspired me to ask the broader question. How many here have owned thier C3 pretty much thier whole adult life?

I got my '68 (already 10 years old) at age 18 in 1978. I'm planning on keeping it to the grave, and if I get my way it'll lead the funeral procession. It's pretty much a part of the tapestry of my whole life from Prom on.

I figure if I get Alzheimer’s, where you lose the most recent memories first, I'll still know how to drive it, I'll just get lost a lot.

-W
Reply
Old Jul 30, 2009 | 09:29 PM
  #2  
stock76's Avatar
stock76
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 28
From: Lutz Florida
Default

I got my 1976 in 1982. I'm the third owner, the first two were next door neighbors and the car has never been wrecked or driven more than 100 miles outside of Tampa, Fl. What it is worth in dollars doesn't mean anything to me (maybe it will to my heirs) since mine will never be for sale.

Last edited by stock76; Jul 30, 2009 at 09:39 PM.
Reply
Old Jul 30, 2009 | 09:41 PM
  #3  
69monzacpe's Avatar
69monzacpe
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 51
From: Cartersville GA
Default

got my '69 in 1980, so I've owned it longer than I didn't own it.
Reply
Old Jul 30, 2009 | 09:50 PM
  #4  
400hp427vette's Avatar
400hp427vette
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 1
From: North Bellmore Ny
St. Jude Donor '09
Default

Ive owned a corvette for about 7 years, I owned my 69 for almost 2 years now, I plan on owning it for many years. I am a lifer
Reply
Old Jul 30, 2009 | 10:38 PM
  #5  
Tn81vette's Avatar
Tn81vette
Advanced
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Seymour TN
Default

I got my first corvette in 1982 at age 16, it was a 1980. Got married and stupid in 1990, sold my vette. Regretted sellin it ever since as it was a one owner. Told my wife on our honeymoon that I would get another. Took 15 years and two kids before I found the right one.My cousin had a 69 in the late seventies and that is where I got the fever. I have had one ever since, and always will. Life is good.

Last edited by Tn81vette; Jul 30, 2009 at 10:44 PM.
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2009 | 08:40 AM
  #6  
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: 19,363
Likes: 5,243
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 owned my 65 for 38 years (1971). I had just graduated from high school and basically grew up with the car. Added my 61 25 years ago. I have only had the 68 for 3 years. I didn't really like the 3rd generation until the last few years. As they get older I like them all the more. I guess they keep me young
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2009 | 12:39 AM
  #7  
Steve COSD's Avatar
Steve COSD
Pro
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 683
Likes: 4
Default

Original owner of a 75, bought off the showroom floor in 75. Original owner of an 82, bought in 82 from a dealer who bought from a dealer. both are restored.
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2009 | 01:19 AM
  #8  
TheSkunkWorks's Avatar
TheSkunkWorks
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Default

Have had at least one shark (we didn't call them C3's back when) since age 19, and still have my first since new in '78. So, do I qualify?

Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
Old Aug 1, 2009 | 01:44 AM
  #9  
SEVNT6's Avatar
SEVNT6
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
Liked
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,962
Likes: 3,320
From: Omaha NE
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

Originally Posted by Clams Canino
How many here have owned thier C3 pretty much thier whole adult life?
Me. I bought mine new when I was 18.......

I can't imagine life without my Vette...........
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2009 | 11:34 AM
  #10  
Alan 71's Avatar
Alan 71
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,235
Likes: 4,326
From: Westminster Maryland
Default

Hi SKW,
Where I came from we didn't call them 'sharks' either, we called them 'late models' to seperate them from 53-67 cars. It's always bothered me that the term 'shark' came into use.The styling/show car was Mako Shark, but the production car was Stingray. A stingray isn't a shark. But I've become an old grouch in too many ways.
Regards,
Alan
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2009 | 11:35 AM
  #11  
Ganey's Avatar
Ganey
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Default

Originally Posted by Clams Canino
How many here have owned thier C3 pretty much thier whole adult life?

-W
Got one at a very young age.
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2009 | 01:10 PM
  #12  
3GenVettes's Avatar
3GenVettes
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 30
From: Fairfax Virginia
Default

Ordered my 1980 on my 32nd birthday and in a few more months I will have had it for 30 years.
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2009 | 01:35 PM
  #13  
bmans vette's Avatar
bmans vette
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,445
Likes: 353
From: Athens GA
St. Jude Donor '12-'13, '15- '16-'17-'18-'19, '21
Default

Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi SKW,
Where I came from we didn't call them 'sharks' either, we called them 'late models' to seperate them from 53-67 cars. It's always bothered me that the term 'shark' came into use.The styling/show car was Mako Shark, but the production car was Stingray. A stingray isn't a shark. But I've become an old grouch in too many ways.
Regards,
Alan
We called the C3 late models also.

BTW - sharks and stingrays are in the same family

My cousin had a 66 and I had a 67 Camaro RS/SS - mine was faster but his was cool.
Always wanted a vette - did not get mine until I was 55.

Bman
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2009 | 10:54 PM
  #14  
Ironcross's Avatar
Ironcross
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Default Nrw,

1968 Corvette, Since new. March 1968.....

And since its a production model of the 'Mako ll' and no where has a badge to be a 'Ray' its obviously a 'Shark' if its to be called or resembled a fish of any kind....Mine is definitely not a Ray as there is no spine running down its back as the 61-67`s have, nor any Ray badging....like I said above, call the all the rest anything you want or whaterver.....
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To How many lifers?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:49 PM.

story-0
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-5
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE