What are your suggestions?
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 208
Likes: 6
From: Baltimore MD
i have a '76 and love it. i like it b/c it is the last stingray. however i really don't care for the steering wheel either. i heard it call a vega wheel. i tried to change it but the adapter i had made me lose the tele feature. i would suggest a '74 b/c of big block, no cats, smog. i had the op. to buy a '74 454 years ago and still regret not getting it. but whatever year you get, check for rust in the pillars, floors, and support above the headlight area. good luck
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 10
From: Palm Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '12
I thought I would get some pro's & con's from some folks, I understand everyone loves thier vettes. I loved mine. I was just trying to get some more info, before I go out into the unknown. LOL. I started working on my garage, Preparing it for the new carage. Im painting the walls, and will be doing the tan epoxy floor with blue chips. I'm having a TUFF time getting the old cement stain/sealer off. I need to do this for the epoxy to take. Been working at it for three days now.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 592
Likes: 0
My '73 is my First Corvette. My husband owned two Vettes before we met, a 63 and a
75.I LOVE the steel bumper Vettes and since '73 is the only year which has only the back steel bumper my decision was made as far as what year I wanted.
Granted my '73 Vette is a L-48 no AC, power doors or power locks but Hubby didn't want those options on our Vette.She has several mods under her hood so she has plenty of power for an automatic.
I love her color and the flames which are painted on her hood.Now that her interior is updated and looking mighty fine I am very proud to own ,y '73.
75.I LOVE the steel bumper Vettes and since '73 is the only year which has only the back steel bumper my decision was made as far as what year I wanted.
Granted my '73 Vette is a L-48 no AC, power doors or power locks but Hubby didn't want those options on our Vette.She has several mods under her hood so she has plenty of power for an automatic.
I love her color and the flames which are painted on her hood.Now that her interior is updated and looking mighty fine I am very proud to own ,y '73.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 10
From: Palm Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '12
I really like the steel bumpers also. But there prices are higher then the rubber nose's. I also need a car with A/C. South florida gets hot! We had two straight weeks of 91 and better, add humidity and you are soaked just walking to the mailbox. Speaking of A/C's how much does it cost to fix or replace the A/C system to the new stuff?
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Saint Louis Missouri
You can't go wrong with any of the years you mentioned - now, you CAN go wrong with some cars within those years. I wound up with a '79 for couple reasons: I wanted the extra storage behind the seats that the "bubble backs" provide, although I still like the vertical window styling of 77 and earlier better. Plus, since I live in St Louis, I wanted one that was made in STL. Also, I wanted to drive it right away and just refurbish, rather than do a frame off or other major restoration. FINALLY, MLW (my lovely wife) graduated in '79, so I kinda sold it to her as "the car she never got for her graduation." Worked for me. But the'79 is probably the LEAST collectible (due to 53K of them being made) than any of the other years. I just wanted to drive it, not show it.
Just wondering - why not cars before '74 or after '79?
Just wondering - why not cars before '74 or after '79?
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Race Director
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 16,519
Likes: 2,403
From: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2020 C7 of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 668
Likes: 3
From: Platteville WI
74 - last year for big block
75 - last year for convertible
76 - last year for Stingray badges
77 - last year for short back window
78 - 25th anniversary year
79 - ?
In the end, the best answer was already given. Buy the best condition you can afford regardless of year.
75 - last year for convertible
76 - last year for Stingray badges
77 - last year for short back window
78 - 25th anniversary year
79 - ?
In the end, the best answer was already given. Buy the best condition you can afford regardless of year.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 16,519
Likes: 2,403
From: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2020 C7 of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
79 = Highest production of all years the Corvette has been built (53807).
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 10
From: Palm Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '12
You can't go wrong with any of the years you mentioned - now, you CAN go wrong with some cars within those years. I wound up with a '79 for couple reasons: I wanted the extra storage behind the seats that the "bubble backs" provide, although I still like the vertical window styling of 77 and earlier better. Plus, since I live in St Louis, I wanted one that was made in STL. Also, I wanted to drive it right away and just refurbish, rather than do a frame off or other major restoration. FINALLY, MLW (my lovely wife) graduated in '79, so I kinda sold it to her as "the car she never got for her graduation." Worked for me. But the'79 is probably the LEAST collectible (due to 53K of them being made) than any of the other years. I just wanted to drive it, not show it.
Just wondering - why not cars before '74 or after '79?
Just wondering - why not cars before '74 or after '79?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
From: Okawville IL
St. Jude Donor '14
You can't go wrong with any of the years you mentioned - now, you CAN go wrong with some cars within those years. I wound up with a '79 for couple reasons: I wanted the extra storage behind the seats that the "bubble backs" provide, although I still like the vertical window styling of 77 and earlier better. Plus, since I live in St Louis, I wanted one that was made in STL. Also, I wanted to drive it right away and just refurbish, rather than do a frame off or other major restoration. FINALLY, MLW (my lovely wife) graduated in '79, so I kinda sold it to her as "the car she never got for her graduation." Worked for me. But the'79 is probably the LEAST collectible (due to 53K of them being made) than any of the other years. I just wanted to drive it, not show it.
Just wondering - why not cars before '74 or after '79?
Just wondering - why not cars before '74 or after '79?
Mike.