I'm looking to buy a C3 (Shark, 68-82). Since I don't know much about Corvettes at this time, I'd like to know what years to avoid or what options to avoid. Looking for a coupe with manual. I do know the EPA grabbed hold of the Vette during these years and strangled the heck out of the engines, so what say you?

BTW, I'm looking to spend around $20k or less, and I'd rather be spending time in the car than under it.

 

That budget (more or less) rules out a "chrome bumper" (68-72) that doesn't need a lot of work.
I would look for a 75-81 with the L82 engine option, forget low production cars like "pace cars and anniversary editions"
Avoid 305ci California cars and 1982s with "misfire injection"
That's a start and just my opinion, you should get lots more of them.
Good luck.

 

20 large will net you a really nice driver and return some change if you're not determined to own a chrome bumper car. Knowing how you feel about non-stock engines, color combinations, options like air conditioning, and stock versus modified suspensions will help us direct your search. 1974 to 1982 cars which have had "updated" engines, clutches, 5 or 6 speed transplants and the like can be very appealing to a person who would rather drive than wrench.

If however you want an "original" style car there will be some tradeoffs about "turn the key and drive it" versus a more involved (mechanically) ownership. Define your dream C3 and let the search begin!

 

Huh? According to several CF people in this thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...-way-home.html
the blue '69 in that thread is only worth about $15,000 and I think it probably fits his requirements.




This one just sold for $20,000.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1972-CHEVROLET-CORVETTE-LOW-MILES-AWESOME-TARGA-BLUE-SHIP-WORLDWIDE-/181108306097?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2a2ae570b1




This one has a $17,999 buy it now.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1972-CORVETTE-STINGRAY-COUPE-T-TOPS-/140940127038?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item20d0afab3e


This one only sold for $11,000.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1972-Corvette-Stingray-SB-350-Turbo-400-numbers-matching-original-/140943832410?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item20d0e8355a




Now on the average, I'd say that you are looking at $15,000 to $50,000 for chrome bumper cars in decent shape and ready to drive, depending on what they are option-wise.

The rubber bumper cars seem to be selling for $5000 to around $13,000 for good, driving cars.

 

They all look pretty decent in those pictures, so maybe I'm wrong and you can get a good 68-72 for under 20K ????

 

I just checked your location and realized you may be out of touch with our wonderful economy. Many things that should be worth more are selling for less because they are selling.

As such, a lot of Corvettes are selling for much less than asking or what most feel their value is.

For the OP, if in your search you find one that is much higher, then pass and go on. There will be others much cheaper. The market price of all these cars is quite fluid.

 

Yeah I've seen some nice "chrome" bumper cars going for $15-22k!!! Just need to be patient and look hard.

 

Prices in Australia, even for a "project" car are ridiculous. It's worth the having a holiday in the states, pick up a nice c3, and ship it back for 5k.

Road trip??

 

Road trip!!!!!!!!!! Watch out for that puddle. It's big and really deep.

 

I was (trying) to help a friend find a good chrome C3 for under 25K.
Everything he looked at needed a lot of work for that kind of money to be "nice"
Maybe the good cars are snapped up quickly by US residents or there's a lot of "unrealistic" sellers ?
Yes, it's a lot harder when you're not there with a fist full of dollars.

 

In Pensacola a 71 small block, 4 speed with a/c and in great shape listed for 15,500 a little over a year ago. After 3 weeks, finally sold for 12,500. Car was in great shape, economy not so great.

 

Yes, my "wonderful economy" comment was in sarcasm. We are currently looking for a house in Orlando and well over half of the houses we find listed are in foreclosure. That is an outrageous amount.

People are simply not doing well at all, and selling what they have to in order to survive. So all these $30,000 C3s are getting cut loose at much lower prices.

If you want a good deal, watch Craigslist, and prepare to fly over on a moment's notice. Have your cash arranged so you can retrieve it here, and be ready to buy. Cash talks, well, you know the rest.

Even with a $5000 shipping fee, you can probably do good coming over and buying.

For the OP, you need to read some of the horror stories on here. Trusting a dealer is very tricky. Some are good, some aren't. Many will pass off an NOM car as original. Some through ignorance, others through greed and deception. Be sure to do a search for "birdcage rust" and read all the threads you can. Many of these types of problems you can find yourself, but you may not always know what you see, and suddenly paying someone who really knows these cars to check them for $100 or $200 is money very well spent.

There is a guy in the C1/C2 section that is about $13,000 in the hole right now because he believed what the dealer told him. Right about now, $200 or so to avoid all of this would have been an incredible deal.

What model to avoid? The 1980 305 cid California model is about the only one most avoid like crazy, because it is seriously underpowered. However, if you are not staying original or even stock, the 305 can come out and a 350, 383, ZZ4, or a host of engines could drop right in and give you all the performance you can imagine.

Most of the rest is personal preferences. Some like blue, others red, and still others don't care. Many like coupes, while as many like convertibles. Some like to row their own with a 4 speed, and others prefer an automatic.


Read this thread, it is a good place to get some ideas.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...ody-style.html

 

The key is coupe vs convertible. A chrome bumper (68-72) convertible under 20k should need substantial work, or will be an NOM. A coupe on the other hand, in good shape can easily be found for 20 of less.

 

Thats the problem isn't it...we all want that BB convertible for under 20k

 

Let's try and break it down a bit more.

68 base motor coupe in very nice shape should be out there for the 20k.

69 coupe may go for quite a bit more even with base motor unless it is an unpopular color.

70 coupe same as 69.

71 base motor coupe should be out there for his budget.

72 same as 71 and maybe a little less.

Throw in a popular color A/C and perfect running condition and 20k is going to be tough.

They are out there from very motivated sellers but be willing to compromise on color and options.

By all means get a knowledgeable corvette person to help with an inspection. There are a lot of scammers out there.

Bill

 

Its impossible to paint this with too broad a brush, but I would disagree that a 69-70 coupe should go for "quite a bit more" than 20... I'm just not seeing it in this market. Of course, there are examples on both sides. Good colors, cosmetics and options will always push the prices up, but Im seeing decent 69-70 coupes under 20 fairly regularly.

It goes without saying Im talking about 300 or 350 hp cars.

If my budget was quite a bit more than 20, I'd be convertible shopping.

 

PM sent

 

So you're saying that a nice driver quality 300HP auto vert can be had for around 25K that isn't green ?
I could make a living out of them, where are they ?

 

Thanks for the help. Just took the Porsche out for a spin. Fun, but lacks the "testosterone" I'm looking for. Definitely don't need a convertable, and as much as I love the side pipes I've heard stories from people who owned them. After one long trip they hated those pipes. Any thoughts? BTW, I'm in CO and the car would only be driven in the summer.

 

if some of the above values are accurate, I would look for a 70-72 coupe with A/C
Other option can be easily added and side pipes are pretty tolerable with the windows up.
Good luck