I have this. It's a great book.
Books for a C3 newbie
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 48
Likes: 2
From: Napanee Ontario
Books for a C3 newbie
Hi All,
Just starting out and was wondering what anyone thinks would be good reading for a newbie to corvettes who wants to do his homework before buying. Amazon have about 77 titles on their search so I'm hoping I can get a sugggestion here on a good C3 info and buyers guide. Just looking to buy a tidy original smallblock manual coupe for around 15-18K budget, nothing rare or special, what books helped everyone when they were buying their cars?
David
Just starting out and was wondering what anyone thinks would be good reading for a newbie to corvettes who wants to do his homework before buying. Amazon have about 77 titles on their search so I'm hoping I can get a sugggestion here on a good C3 info and buyers guide. Just looking to buy a tidy original smallblock manual coupe for around 15-18K budget, nothing rare or special, what books helped everyone when they were buying their cars?
David
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 48
Likes: 2
From: Napanee Ontario
Thanks, I ordered that along with a restoration guide. Would I be right in thinking that for a base model car, similar specs, the most expensive are the 68-70's and the 72 will be a little cheaper?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,334
Likes: 4
From: Midland TX
Do as much research on the internet as you can.
I also bought this book
less than $10 on Amazon.
I made a list of options that I really wanted and then I started searching the internet every day for about a year before I found a Vette that met my wants.
You also need to decide what you want in a Vette. A driver? A NCRS winner? All original? Modded?
My suggestion, arm yourself with as much knowledge as you can get and then be patient. Don't settle. You'll find what your looking for.
I probably rushed to get my Vette and overlooked a bunch of stuff.
But, for the price I think I did good getting a fully optioned early C3 454 convertible. I've put a bunch of money in it but have enjoyed every minute of working on it.
corvetteactioncenter.com is also a good source of information.
I also bought this book
less than $10 on Amazon.
I made a list of options that I really wanted and then I started searching the internet every day for about a year before I found a Vette that met my wants.
You also need to decide what you want in a Vette. A driver? A NCRS winner? All original? Modded?
My suggestion, arm yourself with as much knowledge as you can get and then be patient. Don't settle. You'll find what your looking for.
I probably rushed to get my Vette and overlooked a bunch of stuff.
But, for the price I think I did good getting a fully optioned early C3 454 convertible. I've put a bunch of money in it but have enjoyed every minute of working on it.
corvetteactioncenter.com is also a good source of information.
Last edited by The Spark; Nov 12, 2009 at 03:26 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,108
Likes: 4,170
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi A68,
Your thinking on price is basically sound. The model year affects the price along with condition, originality, options, color, model (coupe or convertible) and perceived desirability.
As you narrow down the years you are considering there are more specific books and guides available that can help educate you in what you're looking for and at before you write the check.
Regards,
Alan
Your thinking on price is basically sound. The model year affects the price along with condition, originality, options, color, model (coupe or convertible) and perceived desirability.
As you narrow down the years you are considering there are more specific books and guides available that can help educate you in what you're looking for and at before you write the check.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 48
Likes: 2
From: Napanee Ontario
When I look at the 1972 numbers of each color made it says
CODE EXTERIOR QUANTITY
972 Classic White 2,763
924 Pewter Silver 1,372
945 Bryar Blue 1,617
946 Elkhart Green 4,200
912 Sunflower Yellow 1,543
973 Mille Miglia Red 2,478
979 Targa Blue 3,198
987 Ontario Orange 4,891
988 Steel Cities Gray 2,346
989 War Bonnet Yellow 2,550
Apart from the green and the orange there were still plenty made in each color. Is it the exterior/interior combination that can alter its value or are some colours more popular among C3 buyers than others? I'm happy to buy what I like as I'm buying the car to enjoy but I'd like to hear what colors are seen as suiting the car better.
David
CODE EXTERIOR QUANTITY
972 Classic White 2,763
924 Pewter Silver 1,372
945 Bryar Blue 1,617
946 Elkhart Green 4,200
912 Sunflower Yellow 1,543
973 Mille Miglia Red 2,478
979 Targa Blue 3,198
987 Ontario Orange 4,891
988 Steel Cities Gray 2,346
989 War Bonnet Yellow 2,550
Apart from the green and the orange there were still plenty made in each color. Is it the exterior/interior combination that can alter its value or are some colours more popular among C3 buyers than others? I'm happy to buy what I like as I'm buying the car to enjoy but I'd like to hear what colors are seen as suiting the car better.
David
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,112
From: Crossville TN
If you restore the car to 'factory' condition, you will get the most return on your dollar by painting it the original color. If you are not going the 'original' rebuild "route", pick a color that you like or that will sell well (red, black, blue always get the buyers' attention). Also be aware that there were some "Firemist" paint options in '72. These were the same base colors, but has a fine, gold metalflake included in the paint that gave those paint colors a custom look. They would have had a special paint code listed on the trim plate...but they were available. The Ontario Orange 'Firemist' color is spectacular.
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