Yes! But there are definitely "Steps" involved with value:

1st step is the year, for C3 IMHO 69, or 70 is the highest value.

2nd step is model, IMHO the 'vert is higher value.

3rd step is motor, big blocks bring more.

4th step is HP, 3x2's bring more, (L88, ZL-1 excluded)

5th step is rare options, Side exhaust, Alunimun heads, etc.

6th step is documentation and numbers matching.

7th step is Certification NCRS Top Flight or Bloomington Gold.

8th step is Condition. Well maybe that's the 1st step???

So a mint Top Flight ZL-1 Convert with side exhaust would top the list. and a total resto needed base 350 coupe stripper would be at the bottom... With ALL the flavors in between!!!

 

I am going out on a limb here with a 68.

One reason and one reason only...

the ignition is where it belongs



otherwise...I would go 69...followed by a 78 pace car (most comfortable seats I have ever been in)...followed by an 82.

 

'82. Nice refined car. Put on some hi compression heads, a cam, and a carb.

 

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I'm like most..partial to 68-69, only 2 to offer the real gills, 68 had key on the dash, offered 427's etc...people are forgetting that 68 hog wash about quality and they're coming on strong now days.

for the most part most will say 68-69's are worth a little more than all the other years.

2nd style i like is the 70-72

after that I could care less personally..I had a 79 years ago when it was nearly new..well my dad did anyway. What a dog!

 

Why 68 of coarse, they are the most unloved bumper cars and bastards to find parts for so you have to love the 68 to own one. I love mine !

 

'73. Larry Shinoda's favorite ... and mine too

 

Hit the nail on the head!

My vote is for the 68

 

Thanks!

 

Purchased in 2000 for $5,400. 9 years of daily driving and now with an agreed policy of $15,500.

 

68's are the most unloved? no thats 73-82's, and 70-82 all look like someone slapped mud flaps on them.

just look at the prices, hey anyone remember when 58's brought less than 59 and 60's?

now look 58's are worth more due to the 1 year only hood, tach, chrome rear stripes

you just wait and see 68's will continue to command better prices, remember I told you this in 09.

 

1983 steel bodies with the turbo 6 cyl.

I like my '72 vert just fine

 

I have owned a 1968, 1980, and now for the last 3 years, a 1982. Yes I could get more for the 1968, but the 82 is twice the car as the 68, and in 14 years, if the car market doesn't leave us, The 80-82 will be in line, in value, just like the C2 market, is today. My 1957 2dr. HT. is modified to the hilt, 15 years ago, you couldn't get as much out of it, as a stock one. Now today, it's hard to find someone who wants a stock one.
The suspension, air Cond., brakes, and late model 330 H.P. engines, make a lot of difference. Have a great time, Life is shorter than you think. Gene

 

I completely agree. Some people "back into" their bias by just buying a car because it's available, then learning to love it best. I chose the '69 out of all the other shark cars because I personally think the body style is easily the best looking of the series. Love the side gills and it isnt a '68 which had their share of problems. Very fishy-looking. Convertible is best of course, and prefer a small block for ease in driving.

Also love the last year for black for a long, long time. Last car of the 60's and chrome bumpers really adds to the vintage feel.

#5 above is actually pretty interesting... within about 2 weeks of my engine casting date and assembly dates, 1. Men landed on the moon 2. Ted Kennedy went for a swim in the Chappaquiddick 3. Manson family killed twice 4. Woodstock. Yikes.

 

Sounds like you're one of the guys that you're talking about that won't admit he doesn't have the car he really wants..just like you justifying your smallblock perchase. You bought a smallblock for ease of driving? ya ok

my l36 is just as good of a daily driver as any small block chevy I've ever had and it does great with mileage with the 4sp and m21 and 3.08 gear.

just has tons more power

no 68 i've ever owned has had ANY problems (obviously they've needed your normal maintenance) and I've owned 3 and had the one I have now since 82. That saying is the biggest bunch of hog wash I've ever heard, The first 68 I bought was in 71 I remember when they came out it was car of the year or something like that then they flipped the coin and said poor quality, lol never seen one that sqeaked and rattled anymore than a 69 haha. never understood what they meant. They added a brace, changed the backup lights, added stingray to it, changed radio *****, added a map pocket and called it way better quality? ever rode in both? same darn car.

I bought the 68 for the same reason I bought my 58 it's different, I wanted the key on the dash that was the one biggest reason I have always bought a 68 over the 69.

other than that I could care less if I had a 68 or 69 to me they're 98 percent the same car which is why I find it funny people like you run them down.

pure ignorance, just repeating what you've heard is all

 

Last I checked the 68 has the same gills and the 69?

 

"6) Try repainting and egg crate"

I just did the egg crates on my 70 with no problem, there's a method and it's easy. Not calling anyone an idiot, just pointing out that you have a forum full of experience here and it's a simple thing to ask for tips before starting a project.

As for 68, 69, 70 etc...I wish I could have one of each and pointing out "production problems" in any year is a hoot. You are talking about an era that was some of GM's sloppiest work on their whole product line so picking on any one year is just splitting hairs...that's one reason they are so fun to restore, you get to do it the way it's supposed to be done.

 

This debate is brought up all the time, and everyone says 69....and the rubber bumper cars the boot. C3s are C3s...but 69 is the best year.

 

to the above, i like a 69 myself but what you never hear is how they smogged the 69 down a bit from 68.

69 bb went to a 2" exhaust from a 2.5"
lost the key on the dash
gained the ugly map pockets
gained the door latch in one system which unless it's been replaced will always kinda stick down when you push that handle spring system down.
lost the full tail-lights..they put the backup lights into the tail-lights which doesn't look as good.


just things like that you never hear, all you ever heard is 68 bashin

 

I would say Best year might have to go to the 1969 epecially as it had the L88 as an option and looked just killer!

The 1970 for first year of the 454 and 350 LT1 and last year of the High Compression.
As far as fuel problems I have none, and I beat on it now and then with no signs of detonatation.