uxojerry

They are great cars to mod as the original matching numbers arent worth a premium. Most cars of this era arent worth modding because they didnt look all that good. The last era of C3s might be some of the best looking Corvettes ever.

Im trying to decide if I want to do a chrome bumper C3 or an 80-82. Ive gone back and forth in my mind several times. An 80-82 would be as practical as any hatch back and look great. The $50k it takes to mod a C3 makes the decision harder. A chrome bumper will always be worth more or has more potential value.

V8Ranger

Although rather anemic, the Mustang II's were available with a V8. In 74 only the Mexican division made V8 versions, but 75 & 76 they were common in the US.

Corvette was a power house compaired to the Mustangs 140 hp thou...

Carl

Big Block Dave

You could still get a 455 in a 76 Trans Am. Granted the later T/A's did produce no more than 200 hp, but Im sure they produced enough torque to outpower a comparable year Corvette

demoke

[QUOTE=boeing46;1580796950]I understand the smog issues but 190HP. There are so many other options they could have used. Don't get me wrong, The 350 is a great motor and wears like iron but I'm talking about one of the best looking (in my opinion) GM cars ever. Sorta like putting a 4 cylinder engine in a Ferrari.[/QUOT

I thought the same way about the looks and practicallity of the 80-82 C3's. I knew they had low hp but loved the curves and look of those years. I traded a 94 C4 vert for a 1980 4/speed that i have since had an engine rebuild, interior overhaul and countless other detail. I now have a beautiful C3 with the engine hp i wanted(around 385hp) and completly customised without comprimise.

69 Chevy

Because buyers didn't give a crap about performance. It could just as well had a Briggs & Stratton under the hood and go-cart centrifugal clutch. As long as the emblem spelled CORVETTE it was a status symbol.

brent319

I am just glad that GM did not get rid of the 'vette during those dark times, or worse yet put together some econobox with a few curves and call it a 'vette and bastardize the name like many other cars have had done to them.
The good part is that if you don't mind modding you can have a great car. Mine is getting an LS1 and a Richmond 6 and will have (roughly) 2x the horsepower, get way better milage, and I will still be driving one of the best looking American cars ever. Can't beat that

xCCTer

The Mustang II was built based on the smaller Pinto platform. In 1974 the engine selection was limited to either a 2.3L four cylinder or a 2.8L 105 horsepower V6, from Ford of Germany. This was the only year a V8 engine was not available in a Mustang and it was also the first year no convertible was available. From 1975 through 1978 the Mustang II did offer a 302 2bbl, V8 but as with all engines of the time, it was low on power with only 122 to 140 horsepower, depending on the year and whether it was 49-state or a California car.

daanbc

Reminds me of a certain insurance commercial they have running now. LOL CopyCats....

BKbroiler

Well, the OP mentioned "late" C3s, so I'm thinking 80 - 82 era. By then, even the Tran Am was a shadow of its former self.

brent319

Following the second oil crisis in 1979, the 302 cu in (4.9 L) was dropped in favor of a new 255 cu in (4.2 L) V8 due to its better fuel economy. It was the only V8 offered in 1980 and 1981. Basically a de-bored 302, the 4.2 L V8 had restrictive heads and managed to produce 120 hp (89 kW), the lowest power ever for a Mustang V8...........The beginning of a performance revival began in 1982 with the return of the 302 cu in (4.9 L) (called "High Output", or H.O., for the first time), last seen in 1979, and the GT trim level. Now producing 157 hp
Even at Ford 157 hp ="high output"
Sad times indeed. At least the Corvette still looked cool and was fun to drive. I love the looks of the 80-82 and wish I had one.

24695bob

You can only compare these low HP Corvettes to the other cars that were made during the same year.... The Corvette still had one of the most powerful engines anyone offered...

I own one C2 three C3's a C4 and a C5.and my low HP, low optioned, 4 speed 76 is my favorite overall Corvette to just plain drive.... I just like it...what can I say...

Bob G.

jesse10886

AMC eagle sx4 is one ofthe coolest cars ever

Heavy enough no ice storm will stop its traction. More torque an pulling power than you can imagine. Stylish for the time leather 4seater 15-20mpg with 4wd. Go through any amount of mud, sludge and **** you can find. We had several of them when I was growing up. An they are beautifully crafted bullet proof machines. The one my brother flipped became our log pulling tractor and that thing would pull the small farm bulldozer out if we got it stock car was AWESOME!!! I don't like many of the other AMC designs but the eagle is a badass

jesse10886

To the op they made them gutless so in 20 years they wouldn't be as collectible. meaning the very young generation now can afford them still. An we make them as powerful as we want without hurting the value. Example putting an ls3/t56 swap in a 1970 big block would kill the value. Do that swap to a California edition l48 1979 an you have made it a much more enjoyable vehicle and more reliable/valuable. It adds value to allot of people who want modern power/reliability/fuel economy and old school body just my $0.02

Big Block Dave

I can agree with that

Jughead

Plus smog & cafe regulations killed HP. Most American auto makers were unprepared for it and slow to respond. This lasted until the mid 80's.

vairxpert

They actually had the technology but didn't seem to want to use it.
The Vega was available with EFI way back in 1975. Pretty impressive stuff for a time when many people hadn't even seen an electronic calculator yet.

birdsmith

I think the market had as much to do with the problem as anything. Since the tide was dropping at the time the Corvette was the only American sports car game in town and people bought them in record numbers. The market was telling GM that those low horsepower numbers were perfectly acceptable...

TexasYankee

I'm not sure what you mean by late year. If you do a google search for Corvette specs by year, you'll see the 80,81,82 Vettes were not that much different than Vettes after 1974.

For example, a 1975 was 205HP at only 255 torque.
http://www.corvette-101.com/75vettespecs.htm

That all being said, WHO CARES? The C3 is a gorgeous car. I have a Mustang GT if I want to go stupid fast.

There is nothing I can't do legally in my 200HP/285 torque Vette that I can do in my Mustang.

vairxpert

When it comes to performance, "WHO CARES?" applies to a Toyota Corolla.
I'd bet 99.9% of people buying a performance car such as a Corvette CARE ABOUT PERFORMANCE. That's pretty much the whole point in buying a high performance car.

It's also why so many owners of 74+ C3s invest lots of time and money into their engine...so a modern Corolla won't hand them their ***!

Mgrad92

Actually, the only year the mustang came without a V8 was 74. Ford brought back the 302 in 1975 with 140hp.
Those were dark times. And devlopment cycles being what they are, the 80-82 vette were being designed when there were severe gas shortages. The engineers had to do what they could with what they had to increase fuel mileage and meet emissions requirements.
Dark days indeed!