Hello,

I was wondering if u could tell me the biggest differences between the corvette stingray 68 and 80 and by consequence which one is the best to buy? Or is another C3 stingray a better buy? i have a budget of 8000-10000$ max.

I'm especially interested in fuel consumption and driving/usage comfort

greetings Niels

 

With that budget, you will get a really nice 1975, or a project 1968 that you may not be able to drive.

 

You can get a decent and operational '74-'79 car for that money. The '68-'73s are out of your price range.

 

first link is 6400 dolllar excellent condition 68 model
second link a 7500 dollar 80 model

I'm especially worried about fuel economy and comfort of the 68 model

 

I think the difference is "7" right?

 

preferring 6 above 7 or otherwise isn't really a smart reason to buy or not buy the car im afraid :p

 

Duntov did specially designed body mounts in 73 to eliminate the creeks & groans some complain about on the earlier solid mount cars w/o hurting handling. Can be added to older models which some have done.

That 68 model would not necessarily have worse gas mileage than a later model SB. You would need to find out the rear axle ratio which could be changed. An overdrive trans. is another option.

 

Have you checked on the '68 to see if it is still available? If it is I would buy it tonight. mds...

 

It isnt anymore but it just made me dream :p, but I'm still interested in which model would be best, price/quality

 

Although its hard to see, the doors on that '68 dont look exactly correct , are the "Stingray" emblems right for a '68 ? But it does look very nice for the price. Good luck in your search.
Peace,,, Moosie

 

Did it really sell for 6400? If so it looked like a really good deal. I have a low mileage mostly original '77 and it will never be worth as much as a comperable chrome bumper car. I can not sell it because my wife of 27yrs. and I went on our first date in it. It is like a member of the family. Bottom line buy the best condition car you can find. Chrome bumper will hold it's value better. I think every dollar spent on better condition is worth 2 dollars spent on repair/parts cost. Good luck, mds...

 

I owned a '68 BB 4-speed vert and now a '74 BB 4-speed vert. I am not sure what changes were made to the steering and suspension over the years, but the '74 handles worlds better. The '68 had redline bias plys, so that was part of the cornering difference, but it would go nose up when hitting the gas and the steering was much lighter/number. I would assume that the newer cars would have even better ride/handling charactoristics.

I would not want to use either as a daily driver. From my perspective, a C4 would be much more comfortable in the same price range.

Both mine have been big blocks, and the mileage sucks.

Chrome bumper cars, right or wrong, are considered more collectible, so have higher values. Not sure they will hold their values any better than some of the later cars however.

mds3013 is on the money regarding a dollar in condition is worth $2 in restoration.

 

If you want the STINGRAY looks and not worried about chrome, HP and BB's, brute speed and such, the 81 and 82 cars are very civilized , with decent AC systems , good engine cooling and reliable transportation. I personally would stay away from a 68 , even new they were considered a MINE field or issues even as new cars. The 1980 Corvette is not bad either in terms of everyday use. I think the 80 and up got best milage , better handling and suspension tweaks , the 73 or 74 has better frame mounting rubber and is tuned for modern Radial tires. These latter cars with tuned suspensions drive more like modern cars .

 

For what your looking, fuel mileage and comfort, there is no comparison. The 80 will be superior in either catagory.

In normal driving, an 80 should get you mid teens mileage and high teens to 20 mpg, on the road. The 80 will run fine on any garbage, unleaded regular gas you chose to feed it. The 68 is going to get you 10-15 mpg, at best, and with 10to1 pistons, it will be much happier on premium.

Comfort wise there is no comparison. 80s have air conditioning that actually works, especially when it's over 85 out. The 80 has steel floors, that do a much better job at keeping drivetrain heat and noise out of the interior, when compared to the 68's fiberglass floors. All 80s have power steering, power brakes, power windows, air, tilt/tele column, stereo, remote mirrors and cruise standard, and many have power locks, power antenna and glass tops. PS, PB, PW, and air were all optional in 68, and while many may have one, such as steering, very few have all 4. Things like cruise, power locks and power antenna, weren't even offered in 68. The 80 seats are also far better than the 68's and they are easier to fold and will fold flat (at lease the passenger one) making it far easier to put things in and remove them from the rear compartment.

Being a first year model, the 68 has many one year only parts that can be hard to find and sometimes, get pretty expensive. Most 80 parts are readily available and cheaper to buy. There were many more 80s built and they share more parts with other years, so there are more parts out there for them.

As a collectable, the 68 may be a better choice, but for a car to take on the road and enjoy in comfort, the 80 has it all over the 68.

How do I know this? In 1981, I had a 74 (similar to the 68) that I traded in on a new 81 (basically the same car as the 80). The difference was like night and day. The 74 was a nice car, it was my wife's daily driver and we both really liked it, but going from the 74 to the 81, was like going from a Vega to a Cadillac.

 

I would be VERY surprised if that '68 sold for $6400... that will buy you a basket case chrome bumper car much less a '68.

 

Your right, something sure just dosn't seem right with those two adds.

 

That 68 aint no 68 unless the doors have been swapped...and $6400? C'mon!!

 

Here you go:



Buy a copy. Good reading here. Discusses all the C3 models.

 

Spend your money and find the best 80 you can for your money. I think overall it's going to come closer to giving you what you want.

 

That would be my 80 L-82 and she's not for sale.