Best C3 to get?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,734
Likes: 276
From: Port Huron MI
I'd like to echo some of the things said here, and being a noobie with limited mechanical skills and budget myself, perhaps you'll relate.
Later models are generally cheaper, and if you're on a budget or particular about individualizing your ride, you can modify/modernize some components without vette guys wanting to shoot you in the face with a bazooka.
I've spent the last six weeks, the whole time I've owned my 75 "restoring" the interior. The customization/modernization has been a ridiculously fun mechanism for releasing my creativity. I only drove her 4 times, before I gutted her. Being Michigan and winter and all. So I guess you'll have to take all of this with a grain of salt.
I fell in love with the body style 20 years ago and could finally afford to buy one this year. On a limited budget the 79-81 seem most affordable, but if you like the flat window, the 75 (sissy vette - low HP) are a good entry level car, too. A couple engine mods and she's plenty fast. Luckily mine were already done.
I'm sure mine will have problems like any other classic car, but, like I said, I'm having a ball working on it. And I'm learning so much (especially from the folks here). But the biggest thing: I've never looked so forward to spring in my life. What's that worth?
Another echo from earlier in the thread, buy as complete a car as possible. Parts will break the bank.
Lastly, if you hit the lottery tonight, forget everything I've said, and buy a fully restored 69 or 70 big-block manual convertible... with air ... Chrome bumpers, egg crate louvres, power and style... Floor it and blow the curls outa your hair. Don't bother with the '69 L88, they're so valuable you'll be afraid to drive it. Well, maybe.
Good luck.
Later models are generally cheaper, and if you're on a budget or particular about individualizing your ride, you can modify/modernize some components without vette guys wanting to shoot you in the face with a bazooka.
I've spent the last six weeks, the whole time I've owned my 75 "restoring" the interior. The customization/modernization has been a ridiculously fun mechanism for releasing my creativity. I only drove her 4 times, before I gutted her. Being Michigan and winter and all. So I guess you'll have to take all of this with a grain of salt.
I fell in love with the body style 20 years ago and could finally afford to buy one this year. On a limited budget the 79-81 seem most affordable, but if you like the flat window, the 75 (sissy vette - low HP) are a good entry level car, too. A couple engine mods and she's plenty fast. Luckily mine were already done.
I'm sure mine will have problems like any other classic car, but, like I said, I'm having a ball working on it. And I'm learning so much (especially from the folks here). But the biggest thing: I've never looked so forward to spring in my life. What's that worth?
Another echo from earlier in the thread, buy as complete a car as possible. Parts will break the bank.
Lastly, if you hit the lottery tonight, forget everything I've said, and buy a fully restored 69 or 70 big-block manual convertible... with air ... Chrome bumpers, egg crate louvres, power and style... Floor it and blow the curls outa your hair. Don't bother with the '69 L88, they're so valuable you'll be afraid to drive it. Well, maybe.
Good luck.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 62
From: Kona Hawaii
My 76
Aloha's,
Bought a 76,cuz I like the small window and it was affordable.It's fun to drive,causes neck snap from onlookers.Heck I even get waves from cute and not so cute women every now and then! Paid 5k for it,put over 6k in upgrades and still going.It's all mine and I'm not scared to take it for a drive anytime I want.With all the upgrades I've done the vette is plenty fast to get me in trouble...Best part is it still looks stock!!
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Driving a C3 Vette is better than driving a rice burner,even if it can smoke my A$$..For myself I would've liked a chrome bumper C3 but no ways could I afford one and do all the upgrades that I wanted.Good luck searching for the right Vette ......
Bought a 76,cuz I like the small window and it was affordable.It's fun to drive,causes neck snap from onlookers.Heck I even get waves from cute and not so cute women every now and then! Paid 5k for it,put over 6k in upgrades and still going.It's all mine and I'm not scared to take it for a drive anytime I want.With all the upgrades I've done the vette is plenty fast to get me in trouble...Best part is it still looks stock!!
[IMG]
[/IMG]Driving a C3 Vette is better than driving a rice burner,even if it can smoke my A$$..For myself I would've liked a chrome bumper C3 but no ways could I afford one and do all the upgrades that I wanted.Good luck searching for the right Vette ......
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
From: NE Colorado
Dang that's a nice vette!
I think I might be leaning towards the bigger window so I can lean back.... one more thing I need to research. I stand 6'5" and weigh about 215, so leg room is a must, doesn't look like an issue though
Like everyone keeps suggesting, I think I may need to take in some car shows.
I think I might be leaning towards the bigger window so I can lean back.... one more thing I need to research. I stand 6'5" and weigh about 215, so leg room is a must, doesn't look like an issue though
Like everyone keeps suggesting, I think I may need to take in some car shows.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: MA
Someone might have already hit this spot, but I haven't read the whole thread. You should chose whether you like the flat window or the bubble window better. That will really narrow your choices. I have a '79 and I love it. A little off original though. And as far as having to be a standard, you can find pretty much any year standard.
