Considering a C3
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 125
Likes: 2
From: Guilford, CT
Considering a C3
I currently own a C5, but I've always been a big fan of the C3. I came across an ad for a C3 that appears to be a great deal. Just thought I'd get some opinions from C3 owners to get a feel if this is a something worth considering.
It's a 1979 white C3, all original with 116,000 miles on it. The original 350 motor was rebuilt at 100,000 miles and a cam was installed. The paint is in great shape aside from some minor chipping on the hood, nose, and doors. Recently, the brake lines, rotors, pads, and master cylinder were replaced. Oil changed every 2,000 - 2,500 miles. Interior is near mint, as the only flaws are faded sun visors and some gauges that have failed due to age. No rips or tears in the interior of the vehicle. Asking $5k.
Is that a lot of mileage for a C3, and should the engine rebuild at 100k miles concern me or reassure me that this car has lots of life left?
It's a 1979 white C3, all original with 116,000 miles on it. The original 350 motor was rebuilt at 100,000 miles and a cam was installed. The paint is in great shape aside from some minor chipping on the hood, nose, and doors. Recently, the brake lines, rotors, pads, and master cylinder were replaced. Oil changed every 2,000 - 2,500 miles. Interior is near mint, as the only flaws are faded sun visors and some gauges that have failed due to age. No rips or tears in the interior of the vehicle. Asking $5k.
Is that a lot of mileage for a C3, and should the engine rebuild at 100k miles concern me or reassure me that this car has lots of life left?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
Pics would help a lot. Are the maintenance records available? If it was well maintained, oil changed regularly through out it's life etc..., I would think with 16k on a rebuilt motor, it should last a long time. How many owners in it's life? The price sounds good based on your description.
Glenn
Glenn
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
No. The car is nearly 40 years old. My '68 has 156+K on her.
No, depending on who did the work.
FWIW: don't bet the farm on the oil changes every 2500 miles.
Worth the price of a copy:
Michael Antonick also has a C3 buyer's guide.
Good luck.
...should the engine rebuild at 100k miles concern me...
FWIW: don't bet the farm on the oil changes every 2500 miles.
Worth the price of a copy:
Michael Antonick also has a C3 buyer's guide.
Good luck.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Jul 28, 2010 at 09:07 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 23,419
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From: In limbo
St. Jude Donor '13-'15, '17 thru '22
As to the question of "is that a lot of miles?", the car is 31 years old, so we are talking 3700 miles per year, so no, that isn't a lot of miles. In fact, if the car had 216,000 miles on it, that would still be less than 7000 miles per year, so even 216,000 is not out of the question here, especially in light of the engine rebuild. A car with that many miles on it will either have issues with things like wheel bearings and steering box, or those have been replaced/rebuilt.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 924
Likes: 15
From: DFW Metroplex Texas
On the one hand, it is somewhat refreshing to see a seller admitting that his car has over 100,000 miles on it, as most seem to want to convince you that it has 16,000 "original" miles on it, whatever that means. But on the other hand, the idea that an engine that was babied needs to be re-built after only 100,000 miles is in congruent.
My '82 had a top end rebuild due to a bad cam needing to be replaced after about 100K miles. I noticed the OP mentioned a replaced cam as well. It's my understanding the cams in the (later?) C3s were prone to developing flat spots.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: teeswater ontario
the price is not bas at all, i seen a crate engine 78 original everything else with moderate shape interior and could use a new paint job vette for 12 thousand, passed it up for sure.
but 5 for that it is still original engine (so what its been rebuilt)and it sounds like its in good shape then ya its a good price... i would just bring it to a machanic and get a good service done maybe a paint job and it be as good as new...now any seriose problems you should be able to find before buying (if there is any at all)...
but 5 for that it is still original engine (so what its been rebuilt)and it sounds like its in good shape then ya its a good price... i would just bring it to a machanic and get a good service done maybe a paint job and it be as good as new...now any seriose problems you should be able to find before buying (if there is any at all)...
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,682
Likes: 829
From: WI
Back when the economy was good, I paid $4,500 for a car that needed a LOT of work. The engine/tranny were rebuilt, but I probably could have done a lot better. So I think 5k is a great price based on what you described.
Mark G
Mark G
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Somerdale NJ
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-‘17-‘18
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Fiberglass springs are not supposed to wear out, but they can be damaged by road debris or exhaust heat.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 125
Likes: 2
From: Guilford, CT
This is a must read:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...-corvette.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...-corvette.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,456
Likes: 10
From: Somerdale NJ
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-‘17-‘18
This is an excellent resource, thanks for the link. I will definitely focus my efforts on looking for rust when I see this car. There is definitely a lot to consider when buying a car that is 30 years old or more. If I don't see anything wrong with my eyes, I will ask the seller if I can take the vehicle to my mechanic who services my C5. Unless the seller has something to hide, that's not an unreasonable request is it?
I had mine up on 3 lifts - before I committed to buy. If they're not willing to let your mechanic look at it walk away.
Last edited by JW3101; Jul 29, 2010 at 12:53 PM.
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Norman Oklahoma
Something I learned after I bought my c3, If you're going to buy an old car, spend the most you can afford when you first buy it and get a nice car as opposed to not spending as much and getting a project, because in the long run you'll save money if you buy the nicer more expensive car as opposed to the car that needs work. Also, do your research on c3s as to whether you want a later c3 or an earlier c3. the earlier ones like 68-73 are more desirable because of the chrome bumpers and higher horsepower but it just depends on what you want.
