Very respectfully, I'm not 100% certain I agree with you, Alan.

This car is a 1970 that has been listed here locally for a few months for $18,500. I know 2 people in my Corvette Club that have seen the car in person and convey to me that it is in very fine shape. But it obviously isn't a 'numbers matching' or 'correct' example. I'll bet if someone showed up with $15k or $16k in their hand, this car could be easily had.







I think a lot of damage can be done with $15k to $18k if you are flexible on certain things.

Problems and all, I couldn't be any more pleased with my pitiful little $7k investment on my 1970. 4-speed to boot...THAT was tough to find...



I'm sure there are MOUNTAINS of NCRS and NCM members that would LAUGH THEMSELVES SILLY at my car. I care nary a bit...the car is PERFECT-O FOR ME!!!

I concede, however, that my car will never, ever, ever, ever be "Investment Grade". Mine was purchased by me as a driver and a driver it will stay. While I know I will never lose my house over this car, I also know I will never make any amount of money either. My GRANDCHILDREN may when it is 100+ years old, but not me.

 

post in error... sorry!

 

Ummmmmmmm...no...he didn't.

Maybe you're thinking about that other guy overseas that is looking for all that stuff for $12k or something nutty like that...

This is the essence of the OP's requirements, as I read them (I added emphasis to the operative "investment" and "originality" statements):

By those realizations and the question about the crate engine, I'm figuring the OP is starting to rattle around a very, very nice driver. Not a numbers matching 90 point A/C Convertible.

Again, very respecfully, if what YOU said he was looking for was what he SAID he was looking for, I would TOTALLY AGREE with every word you said and never would have bothered to make my post identifying some "outside the NCRS" options. Honest.

Unless I'm totally out in left field, I believe he can get a very nice (maybe too nice) non-numbers matching, non-convertible, probably 4-speed, maybe A/C STARTING POINT DRIVER CAR to which he can then add sidepipes, cages, numbers and huge engine for the $15k to $18k range.

 

I think this thread and the original poster's desires have "evolved" from a 68-72 big block with a $30,000 budget to a $15,000 budget and a track type car with a roll cage and an over the counter motor. Very different animals and price points. Both fun to own and drive. You could probably find a 72, non original motor small block, coupe and stuff a 502 in it and really enjoy it. The motor might test your budget though.

 

Whichever direction he goes, I think the budget is about right...or at least a really, really good starting point.

 

I think 25-28k is the entry price point for a number 3 driver big block convertible...a nice quality NOM driver.

Gary

 

I should've been more specific originally, which is why I added the background of why I like C3's. I have my original C2 and that's nice and all, but I'd like to either have a C3 for under $30k tops. Yes, there are two ways to go about it; some investment potential, or just for fun. I don't want to tie up money on parts like the C2, that'll increase in value as is. I do want something that puts a grin on when I grab the keys; hard to do that with worrying about the NCRS. So the realization, given all the contributed posts is that the sharks gill sides is a great look, and the rest can be whatever's fun. Oh yeah, I'm thinking coupe, already have the C2 convertible.

Btw, it was me who said AC, convert., etc.

Nice black coupe there Keith.

 

Edit, it was NOT me who said AC, vert, etc

 

Thanks!!!!!!!

I enjoy NOT having to keep the car correct. Mine was already thoroughly violated, so I am in it for the FUN!!!!

The lay-person will see a cool old vette. The person in the know will see where I deviated. But it isn't so silly obvious as to betray the "oldness" of the car.

I think you and I are barking up the same tree. You will just START with the car I hope to END UP WITH. Double the budget makes a big difference.

 

Same with my 68 Vert, nothing matches anyway.
So in went '74 plush carpet, 1982 leather seats, a red shift boot, etc etc.
It's all C3 - just not all 1968

-W

 

There is another way to look at your purchase. Several very nice chrome bumper C3s have sold on this forum in the past year with nom 383s or other motors. They were 100% redone and beautiful cars. $30k is about what they sold for or slightly less. Most had more horsepower than a stock big block. My only point is you cannot build that quality of car today for $30k. The sellers had the cars for a long time and may have purchased them very cheap in the 80s and 90s. $30k for them was a good deal. There is one on the forum right now with a new ZZ502 installed for $27k. That's a $10k motor with serpentine assy. Just food for thought.

 

OK, now you are just messing with me!!



Yikes. I just went back and read this, I was in fact confusing the thread with the foreign guy with those requirements and toggling around all over... and glossed the "investment grade" into the big block talk!

Too old for multitasking... I have no excuse.

Sorry keith and goesfast! My error.

 

It's all good. I'm right SO SELDOM...at least that's what my wife tells me...

I'd rather have a totally awesome kick-the-can discussion and help a guy out with figuring out what he wants than talk about NCRS, investment grade cars, and correctness ANY day of the week and twice on Tuesday.

 

72 has removabal window and fibers but motor sucks if u get a 72 u would want to do a motor transplant cause of power robing emmisions

 

You can find a nice C6 for $30K and meet all your personal criteria.

 

I own a 70 coupe and a 70 convertible. Both small blocks. Sometime down the road I'd like to add a 68 or 69 Big Block to the collection. I just dont have anymore room to store another car. I love all these style of vettes. Good Luck!!

 

If I was looking to spend 30k on a C3. I would prioritize my desires. I would want :

1) Very Original Car-in great shape-with original color (Black or Blue) & original motor
2) Convertible
3) 4-speed
4) Small block to stay within the 30k budget. So I would be targeting a '68 L79 or a '69 or '70 L46. (Big blocks or LT1 converts would very likely push the budget over 30k)

 

Then you relied on wrong.

KeithInSpace had a lot of wrong information.

71 & 72 horsepower the same but rated different.

72 has a removeable rear window