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Old Nov 1, 2011 | 08:23 PM
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Default And so it begins

My hands on search for my first C3 officially begins today.

Thank you to all who have answered questions and helped me learn enough to be (somewhat) smart in my search. Still amazing to me how much knowledge of these cars there is here.



Adam
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Old Nov 1, 2011 | 08:28 PM
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GO GET 'EM! It is probably a good time to be a buyer right now. What have you narrowed it down to?
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Old Nov 1, 2011 | 08:43 PM
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First choice would be a '77 for a few small reasons - but as I have been told here - don't settle, get what you really want. Good advice.
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Old Nov 1, 2011 | 08:47 PM
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Just curious, what specifically about it do you like?
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Old Nov 1, 2011 | 09:00 PM
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it's obvious to me.cause it is so much like the 76',the most beautiful of all corvette's.
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Old Nov 1, 2011 | 09:02 PM
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it's just little things over the 75 and 76. The climate controls tend to have less problems. While I do like the style of the "spin wheel" controls, but have read and heard from multiple people that they tend to have more problems. Also, when I sat in a '77 the steering wheel was at a better distance for me. If I understand correctly they have a shorter column when compared to the '75 and '76? Correct me if I'm wrong on that. There are a few other small items like this and none of them are deal breakers to me, just a preference thing.

If I had unlimited funds I'd have a chrome bumper car, but that will happen down the road at some point.

Basically it comes down to a '75, '76 or '77. '77 being my first pic of the three.
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Old Nov 1, 2011 | 09:14 PM
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Good luck with your search Adam. If I see anything on this end of town I'll let you know. Kevin.
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Old Nov 1, 2011 | 09:17 PM
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Bottom line is whatever year car, color car, vert or t-top, manual or automatic, you like the most and afford is what you should get - period. Enjoy the search and best of luck.
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Old Nov 1, 2011 | 10:35 PM
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Originally Posted by 69VetteFla
Bottom line is whatever year car, color car, vert or t-top, manual or automatic, you like the most and afford is what you should get - period. Enjoy the search and best of luck.


Thank you Kevin for the offer... mucho appreciated

Already going to look at one in the morning and another one on Saturday. Odd thing is these are both '73s Yep, not at all what I was planning but who knows.

Not jumping into anything though - if it's meant to be it will happen.
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Old Nov 1, 2011 | 10:39 PM
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Just curious, do you want a 77 because that year is the cheapest C3 available? I respect that. A 73 is a nice looking car.
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Old Nov 1, 2011 | 11:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Clubby99
Just curious, do you want a 77 because that year is the cheapest C3 available? I respect that. A 73 is a nice looking car.
Actually no, there are so many deals out there right now I have really not noticed much of a difference in prices between the '75 to '77 cars. Anything with a chrome bumper is higher of course. These happen to be a little above my price range, but close enough that it might work if the owners are willing to deal a little. Can't hurt to try.
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Old Nov 1, 2011 | 11:29 PM
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Good luck Adam! I love my 77! Haven't seen any nice ones on craigslist lately but there are two listed down in Tucson.

http://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/2641572979.html

http://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/2604885624.html

RCC
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Old Nov 2, 2011 | 12:48 AM
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You can still buy my brothers car outright. I bet he would give you a good deal on it too. Even though it isnt a 77
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Old Nov 2, 2011 | 09:05 AM
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Originally Posted by DrRCC
Good luck Adam! I love my 77! Haven't seen any nice ones on craigslist lately but there are two listed down in Tucson.

http://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/2641572979.html

http://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/2604885624.html

RCC
Thank you RCC I have already talked to the owner of the first one a little. But will check the other out as well.

chstitans42, I am going to keep my search local so I can check them out first hand and avoid using transport companies. The first and last time I used one was in '97.

This is what I gave them to transport after owning and working on it for over 12 years:


This is what I had delivered to me in Phoenix:


Never again.

Last edited by AdamMeh; Nov 2, 2011 at 09:18 AM.
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Old Nov 2, 2011 | 10:04 AM
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Originally Posted by AdamMeh
Thank you RCC I have already talked to the owner of the first one a little. But will check the other out as well.

chstitans42, I am going to keep my search local so I can check them out first hand and avoid using transport companies. The first and last time I used one was in '97.

This is what I gave them to transport after owning and working on it for over 12 years:


This is what I had delivered to me in Phoenix:


Never again.

Looks like they hit a telephone pole???!!! Details!!
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Old Nov 2, 2011 | 10:16 AM
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They hooked it in the wrong spots on the frame which within about 20 miles of getting on the interstate tore the hooks out of the frame. It came off the back of the trailer after beating about which is how the fender and rear quarter were taken out on the the upper deck supports. When it came off the truck it went into the ditch on the side of the interstate and into a fence post (notice the barbed wire). Still makes me sick to even think about it. As I said - never again.

EDIT: The company was called Transport Inc. I don't know if they are still around or not, and don't want to know.

Now, onto great things like looking for my first Corvette!

Last edited by AdamMeh; Nov 2, 2011 at 10:21 AM.
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Old Nov 2, 2011 | 10:43 AM
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good luck on the search!! Cannot wait to see what you buy! remember a lot of pics when you get it.
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To And so it begins

Old Nov 2, 2011 | 10:54 AM
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Default Um hum, Yes!

Originally Posted by billcarson
it's obvious to me.cause it is so much like the 76',the most beautiful of all corvette's.
Ditto 76 for me too!

They are all good and I like them all!

Good advice somebody gave me:
*Like beautiful women, another one will be on the next bus, try hard to decide basis facts not emotion and not take the first one you find home to momma!
*Buy the best condition one that you can afford. IMHO, these are all money pits, do the work yourself and less of a money pit. They will all need some work done to them. Also, IMHO, not an investment, buy a Corvette to enjoy it at hopefully a reasonable cost.
*Recognize you are acquiring a diease for which the only cure is, you guessed it; buying more Corvettes!!!

Half the fun is looking and best of luck to you!!!
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Old Nov 2, 2011 | 11:03 AM
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Originally Posted by 20mercury
Ditto 76 for me too!

They are all good and I like them all!

Good advice somebody gave me:
*Like beautiful women, another one will be on the next bus, try hard to decide basis facts not emotion and not take the first one you find home to momma!
*Buy the best condition one that you can afford. IMHO, these are all money pits, do the work yourself and less of a money pit. They will all need some work done to them. Also, IMHO, not an investment, buy a Corvette to enjoy it at hopefully a reasonable cost.
*Recognize you are acquiring a diease for which the only cure is, you guessed it; buying more Corvettes!!!

Half the fun is looking and best of luck to you!!!


I'll be picking up a extra large pack of AA batteries today for my camera
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Old Nov 2, 2011 | 06:12 PM
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This is fun to watch. I just asked why you chose '77 because I don't know all that much about each year and wondered what the differences were that got your liking. I know the only thing I don't like about my '76 is how hard ($$) it is to change out the steering wheel. I know some of you guys like them and that is great for you. I really wish I did.
Sorry about the Challenger. That just makes me sick.
Anyhow, I bet you can find a solid car down there and the market is definitely right for you. Keep us posted.
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