C3 vs other classics

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Sep 1, 2011 | 06:49 PM

#21

Lupigiato

Melting Slicks

Joined: Aug 2010

Posts: 2,207

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From: Ocean County NJ

Always wanted a Vette. Never got goosebumps looking at a GTO or Chevelle as a kid. As an adult, I appreciate the GTO and Chevelle and Shleby, but at the end of the day, no car ever got my heart pumping or turns mynhead like a Corvette (C2 and C3).

Sep 1, 2011 | 07:18 PM

#22

LancePearson

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Joined: Oct 2010

Posts: 1,972

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From: Chester Virginia

I started looking for a 1965-66 Pontiac GTO. It took about an hour to figure out that one in the shape I wanted was way, way, way, way out of any price range I would commit to an old car and started looking at Corvettes. I am very happy with my 76 and now wonder when I see a GTO if I would have been half as happy. When I drive my re ingineered Vette on winding, twisty roads I know it's superior. At a drag strip, give me the GTO...but then, I never go to a drag strip so in the end I found what worked for me.

Buy what rocks your boat though I never personally found the fascination with anything Chrysler ever made.

Lance P.

Sep 1, 2011 | 07:48 PM

#23

vettebuyer6369

Administrator

Joined: Jul 2000

Posts: 53,971

Likes: 6,196

From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcloving

The chrome bumper cars are at the top of heap for price. This is due to the bumpers .

Sep 1, 2011 | 07:58 PM

#24

arkus

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 3,164

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From: CA

also due to the chrome on them bumpers

Sep 1, 2011 | 08:06 PM

#25

parkerracing

Safety Car

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 4,206

Likes: 8

From: Belmar NJ

Dream cars I would like to own;

'69 T/A vert

'70 Superbird or Daytona (Hemi 4 spd, nach

'64 Cheetah

'70 W30 442 or GS Stage III

'67 Iso Grifo (the Italian Corvette)

All the above are at least 100k above what I have in my lil red Corvette.

Sep 1, 2011 | 08:08 PM

#26

mcmsmsc

Instructor

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 113

Likes: 0

From: duluth minnesota

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i bought the gto back in the late 80's because i could not afford the vette. i just got the vette a few months ago and i had to sell a road runner to buy it.

Sep 1, 2011 | 08:08 PM

#27

81pilot

Drifting

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 1,635

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From: Enid Oklahoma

Quote:

Originally Posted by rafalc

I have been an enthusiast of the muscle car era for quite some time now. I of course love the vettes but the GTOs, Chevelles and Camaros also have their own special characteristics.

While shopping for a vette I also looked at a number of classifieds for the other 3 cars and to my surprise, C3s seemed the most expensive of the bunch (of course not including the z28, big block Chevelles and such). Corvettes definitely have the best body lines but ... how would you rank the 68-72 years against the other comparable cars?

Vettes have the least amount of room inside - fact
Best looking bodies - fact

Anything else anybody can share?

How come I am able to find better deals on Chevelles and GTOs than a base motor chrome bumper in similar conditions?

When driving the Vette, I LOOK for curves and go out of my way to nail it around them and GRIN from ear to ear, in my MANY muscle cars I simply turned corners, that is the difference......

Sep 1, 2011 | 08:14 PM

#28

Kavinsky

Advanced

Joined: Aug 2011

Posts: 98

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From: MA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam and Jess

I also was looking for a car (Camaro or Chevelle) and realized Corvette's were cheaper. I kid you not, the exact same thought as above went through my head and out my mouth.

plus 4 wheel disc brakes, not discs and drums.

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Sep 1, 2011 | 08:25 PM

#29

Sunstroked

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 2,071

Likes: 147

From: S Nevada

Corvettes of the era were much lighter than the old muscle cars, and were built as sports cars. Muscle cars were your family sedan rebadged with a powerful engine. I grew up in the era, owned or driven in many of the big engined classics. Such as BB chevelles, cudas, chargers, camaros, javelins, mustangs etc. Powerful yes, head snapping torque yes, handle compared to the days corvette no.
The best part of a corvette is the lack of a back seat. If it were meant to haul kids or grocerys it would be just another camaro.

Sep 1, 2011 | 08:44 PM

#30

DJordan442

Pro

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 735

Likes: 1

From: Harleysville PA

The comparison that is being discussed is too general. I would compare a small block chrome bumber vette (non-LT1) to a 67-69 small block (non-SS) camaro, malibu, or less desirable GTO (68+). Prices should be comparable for similar condition cars.

I would compare LT1 and big block chrome bumper vettes to 66-70 SS chevelles (all big blocks), 64-67 GTO's (all big blocks) and 67-69 SS camaros (all blocks). Prices are comparable with these models with variation between options. For example, an L78 69 camaro is probably comparable to a 69 427 (400/435) but 390 HP would be less valuable.

Check the value guides and you will find comparable values. The only SS chevelle, GTO or 69 camaro that you will find less than a small block chrome bumper vette will be a turd with NOM and bondo. I shopped for my 67 SS chevelle for months and found alot of turds.

Sep 1, 2011 | 08:49 PM

#31

couperdecar

Burning Brakes

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 1,223

Likes: 4

From: Regina Saskatchewan

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunstroked

Corvettes of the era were much lighter than the old muscle cars, ...........

????
Camaro sbc - V-8
1969 2d Cpe 3,135 lbs
1969 2d Conv 3,385 lbs

Corvette sbc - V8
1969 3210 lbs

Sep 1, 2011 | 08:52 PM

#32

DJordan442

Pro

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 735

Likes: 1

From: Harleysville PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dose11

Vettes were more expensive? Umm I have yet to see even a semi decent Chevelle for under 18k....and that's only semi decent....I decent GTO for that price....yeah right....Maybe a Camaro but even the early second Gens are had to find in good condition for a good price....well you can find one for 15k that Bubbas cousin restored in the shed....the others are a little more....and the ones below 15k..well you will probably have to put in 20k to make it a 15k car...The Corvette IMO are the cheapest next to the camaros....unless you are talking 1969...

You can find decent driver 68-71 GTO's out there with original drivetrain for less than $20K. I've seen a few over the last 6-12 months. They are usually a less desirable color (like lime green

) with bench seat and column shift.

Sep 1, 2011 | 08:58 PM

#33

DJordan442

Pro

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 735

Likes: 1

From: Harleysville PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by rafalc

Just some examples...I did find a few more. Of course I haven't seen these cars in person and I am FAR from an expert on these.

http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/2540660090.html

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/2499297267.html

http://albany.craigslist.org/cto/2541286055.html

From what Ive seen during the last several months, I can't find a chrome bumper vette in similar shape for those prices. AGAIN...I'm sure there are variables Im missing here so dont reply with anger

That GTO looks like a good deal if the body/paint is as good as it looks. They are fun to drive.

Sep 1, 2011 | 09:09 PM

#34

Dose11

Drifting

Joined: May 2011

Posts: 1,526

Likes: 8

From: Atlanta Ga

Quote:

Originally Posted by wgarneau

All I could think was, "I can have a Vette?". Suddenly I didn't want anything else.

To me, that's the difference.

I always loved the C3....but it was aalways something that was kinda like a dream...I was looking for a Camaro or a Firebird...I came across a C3 that was pretty cheap...I wondered why it was so cheap...then I started doing searches and was so shocked that I could find so many in my price range....I immediately stopped looking for a Camaro all I could think was

"I can have a Vette!?"

Sep 1, 2011 | 09:11 PM

#35

Torchsport

Race Director

Joined: Feb 2011

Posts: 12,122

Likes: 418

From: Cold Hell, Minnesota...for now

St. Jude Donor '15 thru '26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lupigiato73

Nice statement.

I will say I STILL got (still do) goosebumps from ALL the cool '60's/'70's muscle cars, but the Corvette made those goosebumps a little higher.

Sep 1, 2011 | 09:13 PM

#36

72LS1Vette

Safety Car

Joined: Aug 2001

Posts: 4,883

Likes: 11

From: North Easton Mass

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim H

I really don't see 4 wheel disc as a good thing.

Why, because drum brakes stop so much better?

Rick B.

Sep 1, 2011 | 09:24 PM

#37

Dose11

Drifting

Joined: May 2011

Posts: 1,526

Likes: 8

From: Atlanta Ga

Quote:

Originally Posted by rafalc

You def can find a chrome bumper for 20k also...those cars are all pretty modified...which typically is going to drop the value....unless you are going do something li this http://www.greeningautocompany.com/i...s/completed/16
Keep looking you can find a great C3 for those prices...

Sep 1, 2011 | 09:31 PM

#38

wgarneau

Pro

Joined: Jul 2011

Posts: 511

Likes: 0

Is there a single year where a baseline Camaro is worth more than a baseline Vette, or where a top-of-the-line Iroc/Z-28 is more valuable than a top-of-the-line Corvette of the same year? I don't think so.

Sep 1, 2011 | 09:34 PM

#39

Tim H

Safety Car

Joined: Oct 2000

Posts: 3,593

Likes: 103

From: Southern Indiana

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72LS1Vette

Why, because drum brakes stop so much better?

Rick B.

There would be alot more vettes on the road if it had better owner friendly brakes.

If I had to pick between a vette and that green GTO above I would pay the owner to keep the GTO.
Now I got a question.
Why when someone puts a list up of cars they want its a pure dream list.
'69 T/A vert

'70 Superbird or Daytona (Hemi 4 spd, nach

'64 Cheetah

'70 W30 442 or GS Stage III

'67 Iso Grifo (the Italian Corvette).

A stage III GS, whats wrong with a GS stage 1?
And above all what would you do with these garage queens.