first corvette as a driver
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 7
From: Toronto Ontario
i had a tranny shop rebuild the auto for $1200
then i replaced the rad, water pump & windshield wiper motor
year 2 i replaced the tires (which i should have done year 1)
most stuff is easy to do yerself
then i replaced the rad, water pump & windshield wiper motor
year 2 i replaced the tires (which i should have done year 1)
most stuff is easy to do yerself
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 8
From: Atlanta Ga
Here in Ga, we have Classic tags...we dont pay emissions, we just pay an extra amount a yr to have Classic tags...thats really it. You can drive as much as you want, the car just has to be a certain age, and you have to pay more.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
DO IT!
Get something clean, put a few bucks bringing it up to snuff. And enjoy your daily drive. Take care of it, and it will take care of you. I drove mine for years as a daily driver (but hey, in 1985 my 78' was just a cool used car!) Rain or shine it never let me down. I parked in when the snow fell, but that was it.
When I finish restoring it, it will be a driver again.
Get something clean, put a few bucks bringing it up to snuff. And enjoy your daily drive. Take care of it, and it will take care of you. I drove mine for years as a daily driver (but hey, in 1985 my 78' was just a cool used car!) Rain or shine it never let me down. I parked in when the snow fell, but that was it.
When I finish restoring it, it will be a driver again.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 103
From: Southern Indiana
I was not referring to value, sentimental, monetary or otherwise.
I was stating that I believe that cars are meant to be driven. A corvette is meant to be driven...and enjoyed the hell out of. Unless you have one that is rare, or very low miles, or some uber collectors item drive it.
I would think you of all people would be with me on this.
I was stating that I believe that cars are meant to be driven. A corvette is meant to be driven...and enjoyed the hell out of. Unless you have one that is rare, or very low miles, or some uber collectors item drive it.
I would think you of all people would be with me on this.
I know my 76 is not an automotive icon, but the vette name is.
When i own a car its possible the cars best part of its life to date.
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 8
From: Atlanta Ga
What ever I have in the garage is treated with special respect and is not even considered driven in bad whether even if my daily driver is being worked on.
I know my 76 is not an automotive icon, but the vette name is.
When i own a car its possible the cars best part of its life to date.
I know my 76 is not an automotive icon, but the vette name is.
When i own a car its possible the cars best part of its life to date.
I retract my previous statement... A Corvette is not a Car... It is an Iconic Automobile...
But I still believe that it should be driven...or what the hell is the point!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 284
Likes: 4
From: Philadelphia Pennsylvania
The most interesting one I've found right now is a '75 with rebuilt everything and a laundry list of improvements asking around $8500. The thing is it has a rebuilt title. How big of a deal is that for a restored classic? Again I'm not really concerned about resale value but I want something structurally sound and insurable. I can likely bring a mechanic to check it out.
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 1
From: Boca Raton FL
Another way of looking at is is people who say "Its just a car" have an appreciation that it is a material thing and that is all. I love my '69 as much as anyone but also realize it is just a car and would trade it any day for something that truly counts like mine or someone I care abouts health, or even to have my German Shepherd have won his battle with cancer. No reason to have attitude with people who have a different outlook on the world then you do.
Last edited by H P Bushrod; Dec 21, 2011 at 04:55 PM. Reason: TimH's rude comments removed.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 147
From: S Nevada
I wouldn't touch any car that was deemed salvage because it would be nearly impossible to resell.
If you want a dependable primary driver I would be hesitant to recommend a 35 yr old car unless I knew for certain that every part has been reconditioned.
My sons friend bought a late 70's C3 because it was a cool looking car and his father knew the salesman. What a disaster for the young man. I felt so bad for him I was going to suggest he bring it to my house so we could repair the multiple issues. He ended up dumping the car and taking a big loss. Bottom line, let the buyer be wary.
If you want a dependable primary driver I would be hesitant to recommend a 35 yr old car unless I knew for certain that every part has been reconditioned.
My sons friend bought a late 70's C3 because it was a cool looking car and his father knew the salesman. What a disaster for the young man. I felt so bad for him I was going to suggest he bring it to my house so we could repair the multiple issues. He ended up dumping the car and taking a big loss. Bottom line, let the buyer be wary.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 7
From: Toronto Ontario
Another way of looking at is is people who say "Its just a car" have an appreciation that it is a material thing and that is all. I love my '69 as much as anyone but also realize it is just a car and would trade it any day for something that truly counts like mine or someone I care abouts health, or even to have my German Shepherd have won his battle with cancer. No reason to have attitude with people who have a different outlook on the world then you do.
as a young boy , i lost my Dad to cancer - he did not make his 50th birthday
i have lived my life since then, to live life to the max, not reckless but to enjoy, as much as possible...
if i love driving an old Corvette for a DD , i will do it, even if this means the wash/rinse thing becomes a regular habit during the crap weather times.
the day may come , if i have poor health , i want to look back & remember i had an absolute blast !
Pete.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
I think that if you can manage it as a daily driver, it would be pretty cool. I wish I could drive mine every day, but there are factors that I consider that may be helpful to you to.
The distance to work is about 20 miles, and at 12-14mpg thats about 4 gallons of gas round trip. Im in San Jose and gas is still $3.75 per gallon. Thats $15 per day for gas, and $75 per week just to go to work. $300 per month. I can drive my other car with 20 mpg and cut this in half.
The other thing is limited storage space. Getting something larger than a small suitcase in the car is difficult. Going to Home Depot for a semi large item is impossible. So for a daily driver I have to also consider my shopping and purchasing experiences, because this is the car I have to get it home.
These might be small items, but they should also factor in to the equation. I might mention that on the weekends I do take my vette to Home Depot to get small items, and put my golf clubs in the passenger foot area when I go golf. So its doable.
kdf
The distance to work is about 20 miles, and at 12-14mpg thats about 4 gallons of gas round trip. Im in San Jose and gas is still $3.75 per gallon. Thats $15 per day for gas, and $75 per week just to go to work. $300 per month. I can drive my other car with 20 mpg and cut this in half.
The other thing is limited storage space. Getting something larger than a small suitcase in the car is difficult. Going to Home Depot for a semi large item is impossible. So for a daily driver I have to also consider my shopping and purchasing experiences, because this is the car I have to get it home.
These might be small items, but they should also factor in to the equation. I might mention that on the weekends I do take my vette to Home Depot to get small items, and put my golf clubs in the passenger foot area when I go golf. So its doable.
kdf
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Takes all kinds I guess. If you want to keep your car in the garage on crystal jack stands, with the door bolted shut - good for you.
But don't throw rocks at the rest of us who choose to actually enjoy our cars. Use and enjoy does not mean abuse. I am extremely carefull with all my vehicles (at 150k my truck looks like the day I took it from the showroom) but they are used for their intended purpose. If it gets dirty I can clean it, and if it breaks, there is nothing on it I cannot fix. I drove my Corvette 125k miles as a driver and had a ball. Now I am restoring it, so I can do it all over again. My choice.
As for your respect, I can truly live without it, believe me.
(oh, I assume you mean scared)
But don't throw rocks at the rest of us who choose to actually enjoy our cars. Use and enjoy does not mean abuse. I am extremely carefull with all my vehicles (at 150k my truck looks like the day I took it from the showroom) but they are used for their intended purpose. If it gets dirty I can clean it, and if it breaks, there is nothing on it I cannot fix. I drove my Corvette 125k miles as a driver and had a ball. Now I am restoring it, so I can do it all over again. My choice.
As for your respect, I can truly live without it, believe me.
(oh, I assume you mean scared)
Last edited by H P Bushrod; Dec 21, 2011 at 04:54 PM. Reason: TimH's rude comments removed
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 969
Likes: 1
From: NJ
"1) Perfect show cars. ~$16k and up. More than I'd like to spend for 70s tech."
I highly doubt it (well....depends if you are looking at 68-69, 70, 71-72, 73 and so on...). I bought my '70 in September, it was within that price range...granted it is the best looking chrome bumper I saw during my search but i wouldnt call it a perfect show car. I'm sure that once you see some of those perfect show cars in person, you will notice deficiencies. Keep your eyes open and dont be angry if you buy it and miss a few things you should have caught.
I highly doubt it (well....depends if you are looking at 68-69, 70, 71-72, 73 and so on...). I bought my '70 in September, it was within that price range...granted it is the best looking chrome bumper I saw during my search but i wouldnt call it a perfect show car. I'm sure that once you see some of those perfect show cars in person, you will notice deficiencies. Keep your eyes open and dont be angry if you buy it and miss a few things you should have caught.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
http://forums.amceaglesden.com/index.php?topic=15595.0
Last edited by Priya; Dec 19, 2013 at 06:05 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 2
From: long beach California
love that sx4 eagle amc me and my dad built several of those over the years the straight six is bullet proof and the 4wheel drive will go any where allot of bad cv joints but other than that perfect cars we had two sx4 and 7 4door wagons parts cars dd's and some fix it resales but great cars
i bought my 79 L48 vette for $3k and it needs total suspension rebuild an paint for the exterior a new dash cap tachometer and drivers seat will put the interior beautiful so if you are patient you can get a amazing vette for $8-$12k there is a one owner 81 L88 for sale in newport beach ca close to me for $9,950 asking price it looks perfect the cars are out there if you have money so i say go for it i will have around 7 thousand in mine when im done with everything i want to do to it just matters wheather you want to do the work or buy it work done already i like doing the work but jmo
i bought my 79 L48 vette for $3k and it needs total suspension rebuild an paint for the exterior a new dash cap tachometer and drivers seat will put the interior beautiful so if you are patient you can get a amazing vette for $8-$12k there is a one owner 81 L88 for sale in newport beach ca close to me for $9,950 asking price it looks perfect the cars are out there if you have money so i say go for it i will have around 7 thousand in mine when im done with everything i want to do to it just matters wheather you want to do the work or buy it work done already i like doing the work but jmo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 284
Likes: 4
From: Philadelphia Pennsylvania
I'm checking out a couple next week in the 7-10k range. My last car was about 20mpg and required premium gas so a 'vette will be more expensive but not outrageously. I have an old civic as a backup car right now and I'm going to get a used pickup truck soon for hauling.
Hopefully I'll have a C3 next week! I'll post pictures if it works out.
Hopefully I'll have a C3 next week! I'll post pictures if it works out.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 2
From: long beach California
yeah pryia we had mostly the four speed autos we had an 82 two door yellow black leather interior that was a BEAST and a 83 two door five speed with transfer case two or four wheel drive all of our other eagles were all time 4x4 so the option to save on gas was nice but the vacumm style transfer case actuator and lines were a pain in the *** and didnt work all that well we eventaully put the black one to full time 4x4 as well we had a bunch of the wagons they are fun with burbary interior loaded power and sun roofs the cars were way ahead of their time but no one ever appreciated them is your eagle full time 4wd? do you have the straight six engine or the 304 v8? we had an 80 eagle wagon that had a 304 v8 in it an it was awesome but we redid it an sold it to pay for lift kits and fun mods to my brothers base model eagle stattion wagon