DD, and outside uncovered..an early C3 would be a poor choice.[/QUOTE]

Yep, they rot really fast outside! Just peruse Craigslist and you'll easily find many prime examples of faded, cracked and bleached. Covering them presents it's own problems, especially outside, with the dust and wind.
Your 30k investment might be worth 10k after a year of sitting outside.

Why not find a cool 'patina' rod? Something that's already faded, but straight. 1962 or so, bubble top Biscayne, with a 283 and a stick shift. 1969 Chevy Corvair Monza, Pontiac 69' Sprint Firebird, or then1971-1973 Pontiac Formula 350's or 400's. These will generally.hold up better outside, than a Corvette and the parts are probably cheaper.

 

This has been a rough crowd

 

I could use my 68 for an every day driver....it is still running the points and plugs from the early 90's, the only repair I have made is a new Dewitts radiator and some brake work ($10.00) in the last 5 years....thats it....about 510.00 in repairs in the last 5 years....its a Chevy that stops extemely fast, gets great mileage and tons of smileage and with mine...you see a lot of cars in your rear view mirror after leaving a red light.

 

It has! I appreciate their insight though.


@F22-
I'm not deadset on having a Corvette, I enjoy every old car. Chevelles, chargers, novas, Buick GS's, etc etc.. It's just a matter of finding one that meets my criteria.

 

Good deal, because we know these cars well, the good things and the bad. Best of luck in your search.

 

As soon as I saw that the goal is to have a 1968 as a daily driver stored outside I went to the judges for their opinion and asked if this is the car for the OP?

And they said:

 

Listen to these guys, they have a lot of knowledge. I just bought my dream car 7/27/2013, a 1979 Dark Blue Metallic, one owner, garaged, "pristine" according to the owner. Funny that's the word you also used. This car was in great shape on the exterior and the interior, but was neglected mechanically. I L-O-V-E this car, sometimes I get out and just look at it and think how lucky I am to have it and a hubby that wanted me to have it.
So far, I have had to get 1) a new radiator (40 miles from the owners house) then had to get it transported by a U-ship person to MY house 8 hrs away 2) a new Optima battery 3) an alternator (but now the clock works after it hasn't worked in 34 ys 4) front and rear brakes (complete), 5) horn fixed and probably some other things I've forgotten about and that were put in with another repair.
I still need a new compressor, but will wait until after winter, the weatherstripping around the doors and t-tops, and the glass in the doors fixed so they don't rattle. Now I'm prioritizing the repairs and waiting on these things that can wait. Brakes, etc couldn't. If you find one you want have a local vette club member look at it for you.
My car definitely turns heads and I know how happy I always was whenever I saw someone driving a C3 and how happy I am when I see anyone out cruising in any old classic car. I have zero car repair skills, neither does my husband, so this has been spendy, but I understand this poor car sat and sat and sat and now that it's finally being driven, things are showing up. I don't think it matters what kind of classic you get, you are probably going to spend on it. Just depends on your bank account and what matters to you.
My car is garaged and I drive it to work maybe 2 days/wk and on the weekends for a fun drive, luckily I have a Ford Explorer Sporttrac and a Jeep Wrangler for extra cars. We have a local car guy who hosts other car clubs and we do fun drives and dinners together periodically. Nice having a car all the guys appreciate, even if they do drive Porsches and Vipers!

 

Allow me to be the contrarian: It is pure nonsense that you can't safely and successfully drive an old car every day. I did it for years. Granted, the car was only about 25-30 years old at the time, but 10 years doesn't make much difference at all when you're talking about a Corvette that probably was never driven all that much. Just be prepared to replace any dry rotted rubber suspension bits and pieces. (Now that said former daily driver has been sitting for 5 years, it's probably in worse mechanical shape than it would be had it continued to be driven!)

The keys to success are these: Rebuilt (non-original) motor with electric choke carb, preferably with a roller valvetrain. Rebuilt transmission, if automatic. (On the C3 Corvette) Functional vacuum system with new(er) lines. Cover those bases and you will be able to daily drive it just fine with a low entry cost and a low insurance cost. And it will not eat you alive on parts. Most of the parts you will need can be purchased relatively inexpensively right at Autozone. Maintain it right, and you'll be juuuust fine.

 

Please pardon the interuption!!!!!





Okay back to the OP. Good luck with whatever you decide. You have been given great advice here.

 

Thank you all very much, this knowledge will not go to waste!

 

For a daily driver, you have to consider dependability, comfort, fuel consumption, insurance rates, and your climatic conditions. You have not commented on these factors. If you HAVE to get to work each morning a 1968 Corvette is not a good choice.

 

I agree with the above. Being a DD and being your ONLY DD are diff things. I DD mine quite a bit some times 5 days a week. however I dont think I would have it be my only car. If you have something to drive when you have a repair that is not going as fast as you want you will still need to get to work.

someone said look at thousands of cars. While that may be extreme I get his point. set yourself a date 6 months in the future. watch craigslist, autotrader, corvette sites, dealers ANY thing that sells vettes. get an idea of the condition you can afford then pull the trigger after you have looked at lots (ok maybe it will be thousands if you have that kind of time ) if you know what RSS is or can be diligent to check these sites every day, or have the sites email you new listings, it makes things easier. Craigslist has RSS, autotrader will email you with new listings etc...

Thats what I do when looking for any car I have not owned a version of before.

good luck, you CAN make it a DD and you CAN find one in your price range. It WILL take patience and time and money.

 

That's fine and dandy until he hits snow (he hasn't told us where he lives). Then a Honda Civic makes more sense.

 

Why Thank You, TheBlackVette! Very kind!
RRHarris, I did buy the 2nd vette I looked at, but admittedly, I'm impatient. I also live in a VERY remote area, so going on weekend jaunts to look at cars was not feasible. I'm on call alot and work alot. So, I did buy this one and maybe if I'd looked longer I would have found a car that would need fewer repairs, but maybe not. I probably would have researched the different years of C3s and maybe would have gotten a chrome bumper/convertible early 70's year, that would have probably cost more to start with? But, I'm happy with what I've got and I'll keep it as long as I can get in it. haha

 

Meh, true we dont know where the OP lives but if we are honest here, civics didnt exist in 1968, not everyone that lives where it snows owns a civic or even a 4x4, I know a lot of folks that drive lightweight rear wheel drive vehicles in snowy areas, note I said I would not have it be my only car too.

heck one might say it would make life "interesting".

its not out of the realm of possibility to use almost daily.

 

You would not use a C3 in my world.

 

You are welcome!

I'm on my 37th car that I am considering.

I need serious help.

 

OK I will concede that that may not be ideal circumstances for a C3 if you will concede that a civic aint going to help you there. LOL

wow, thats just crazy snow right there.

 

I have addressed a few of your questions in a previous post.

I live in central Texas, and all I ever do is drive to work and back (8mi total). The grocery store and everything else I may need is within walking distance. Very very rarely do I make trips that are more than 50 miles or so away. What I am looking for is just something to make that short trip every day interesting.

I don't think it impossible to find an older corvette, doesn't have to be a '68 of course, that will appease that. I am 24, single, I go nowhere, do nothing, I'm actually quite a shut-in haha. I'm not demanding a lot from it at all, I think. I bought my first car on my own, on impulse and pure need to have a ride to work. It's a '05 Volvo s40 that gets up and goes with no problem. In the (almost) year that I have had it I've put 3,500 miles on it. However there are some things on it that need repair.

The guy I bought it from is a private dealer, who promised that if I paid on it for a year he would get me in anything I wanted. Which is why I have held off on repairing it. I understand the insanity from going from one car that has problems, to a classic that may also have problems, but at least I will love and enjoy the car. As well as want to maintain perfect driving condition.

As I mentioned above, the Volvo has never let me down mechanically, is comfortable and safe, great gas milage etc.. But it's not the car I wanted. I was a first time car buyer with zero credit history. Good credit mind you, but no established history. I grabbed the first one someone was willing to give me. Now I want something to keep, something that will be mine in the end. The very first car I ever went and looked at and ever test drove was a 25th Anniversary Corvette. It was love and I have yet to shake that.

 

Once my '69 was sorted out, its become the most reliable old car I can remember having.

If I had to drive this car 8 miles round trip every day, it would do just fine. I took it 200 miles round trip to Bloomington Gold this year and drove it every day we were there. Incidentally, it rained every day.

Ive also driven it a lot all summer long and took it 4 hours mid year shopping recently. These were cars back when they were built... I drove a '65 and then a '68 while I was in college. It was a lot farther than 4 miles one way, actually 10 times that. Biggest problem I had was gas.

Id feel bad leaving it outside now in the Texas sun because it would ruin the beautiful paint, but I doubt you are dumping a ton of $ into paint. The fact is this car would do what you are asking a car to do. Also, its the rebuilt original 350/350 hp, so getting an non-original car isnt necessarily the only way to go about it, albeit a good one.

If I were you Id shop for a decent '69 coupe in good mechanical condition. This will not break the bank and there would be no extra special one year only parts to look for. A rebuilt or crate motor would be necessary as would all the mechanicals verified. Id also put aside a bit of $ for a useable junker DD to have available if your Plastic Beauty decides to act like a Corvette on some days or the weather is particularly ugly.