Hey guys,

I've been lurking around here getting ready to buy my first c3! I've read a lot of the articles that tell you what to look for in a used c3. I found a white 4 speed 1980 corvette in Eureka california. I would take a local mechanic but it is a 5 hour drive from where I live.

Just wondering if there is anyone close to Eureka ca that can help me look at it.

Or do you guys think the car can be checked out without being on a lift?

Thanks

 

Do you have a set of ramps? I brought a pair with me and the dude that I bought mine from was afraid it would catch on them so I had him pull the car up on tall speed bump so I could take a look at the under belly of the car. I did get good enough look at the suspension, oil pans and drive train to satisfy me to buy it.

First thing I do is bring a white rag and some paper towels with me. I use these to inspect all the fluid colors so I know how much work I will need to put into the car. DO not be afraid of inspecting everything you can get your eyeballs on. Check everything you can and if it does not look good walk away. Before buying the one I have now I looked at alot of cars in the same price range.

Check the body lines for uneven gaps, look for body work done in the door jams and under the hood.

I was able to find a 1977 with low mileage but it still needed a few thousand bucks worth of work still to be done. Suspension mostly is what mine needs bushing are slightly dry rotted but in good shape and not compressed. Fluids all needed replacement and did in the months following the purchase.

Because there were over 500,000 C3s made there are still plenty of them on the road today so you can afford to be picky when choosing one. Think about how much you will have to spend after you buy it. Many of them will need work and were neglected by the owners. I saw 7 C3s before I bought one and took me 3 months of searching saw many online that I did not even bother to go see. Take your time and do not rush into the car because you want one is the best advice I have.

 

A lot of those NorCal Vettes have had the chance to exposed to a lot more humidity and rain, than a SoCal car, just so that you're aware of that, but I'd picka an area that's closer to you.

If Eureka is five hours North of you, you must be pretty close to the SF Bay area. In my years and years of scanning Craigslist ads for the whole State, the SF Bay area has the most Corvettes, followed by LA, then OC, and San Diego has the least Corvettes. Fresno and Sacramento are about in the middle, with deals to be had in the farmlands, here and there.

 

I don't know anyone up that far.

 

That was a big help thanks guys!
I'll try to find one closer to me towards sf/bay area since i'm by stockton. I was having a hard time finding a 4 speed. Just have to look for some more time I guess

If anyone finds a 1980 4 speed around sf/bay area fresno or sacramento do tell me!

Thanks

 

1980 Only?

Check LA as well. Cheap plane ticket and I have a contact for Corvette inspections.

I had my 1969 shipped down from Portland. Eureka just doesn't have many people but that is a nice car I see on CL. A little pricey so I hope it would be supper clean.

What about doing a auto to manual swap or are you looking to stay stock?

 

BTW are the 80 CA cars Auto only? That would make the search a little more difficult so you would be looking for an out of state car that was brought in.

 

I prefer the rear end of the 1980 and higher corvettes. 1980 did come with a 4 speed not a lot were made I believe. I'd be willing to do an auto to manual swap but for now I'm trying to keep the costs down to 10-12,000 if that is realistic at all

I also don't have much knowledge of the crossfire injection but i'd be willing to get one of the 1982's also so anything 1980-1982 works I guess haha


by the way it'll stay stock for about 3-5 years and then i'll start doing major work to it. Motor swap, tranny swap, beef up the suspension or get a new tube chassis for it

 

If I did any auto to manual swap i'm thinking a 5 speed o/d tranny and plus i'd be putting in a 5 or 6 speed later on in the 4 speed also

 

If you prefer the rear bumper on an 80 and are not worried about originality why not open your possibilities and look for 74 and up, or 78 and up if you definately want the sloped rear window, knowing you can put an 80 style bumper on any of them. Just a thought.

 

Take a good size mirror with you, if you can't get the car raised up enough.
Then you can look underneath from the side by looking down into the mirror.

 

Yes. All the California cars also got the LG4 305 smog engine with computer.

For 1980, the 4 speed was available only with 49 state cars with the L-48.

 

haha definetely take a mirror with me then did not think of that.

Also didn't know you can swap the rear bumper on the 74 and up to an 80 that will open up a lot more possibilities thanks!

 

Harry,
If you are in Cali, check your emission laws and what year models it affects. Exspecially if you are planning on engine mods.
Mike

 

Traccdogg,

I already did before I started looking into them. 1974 and before there's no smog check but after they are pretty strict about it. Thanks for reminding me haha