[/URL
[/URL]
Red headed step child.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 992
Likes: 28
From: Sutton MA
Red headed step child.
Hi, I'm new to this forum.
My girl and I just picked up a 79 c3 in good shape for a very fair price, excited I started sharing with friends. It's getting funny the responses I get. When asked what year, I reply 79' they go, " oh" the in between years, or the " rubber bumper" corvette. And hasn't every corvette since then had rubber bumpers? I don't get it.
Really? It's a c3, who cares if it doesn't have a chrome bumper lol Being a mopar guy all my life I'm happy to have a muscle car that looks kick ***, has no rot, starts on rainy days, and for 3k and only 70k miles? Sounds like a winner to me
Not to mention swing a cat in any direction. And find a plethora of parts. After working on Mopars this car is a dream! Thank god no one wants these years lol
I remember no one wanted Mopars back in my day, I actually had to practically give my charger away, now I would have to take out a small mortgage just to sit in one and it still won't start on rainy days lol.
My girl and I just picked up a 79 c3 in good shape for a very fair price, excited I started sharing with friends. It's getting funny the responses I get. When asked what year, I reply 79' they go, " oh" the in between years, or the " rubber bumper" corvette. And hasn't every corvette since then had rubber bumpers? I don't get it.
Really? It's a c3, who cares if it doesn't have a chrome bumper lol Being a mopar guy all my life I'm happy to have a muscle car that looks kick ***, has no rot, starts on rainy days, and for 3k and only 70k miles? Sounds like a winner to me
Not to mention swing a cat in any direction. And find a plethora of parts. After working on Mopars this car is a dream! Thank god no one wants these years lol
I remember no one wanted Mopars back in my day, I actually had to practically give my charger away, now I would have to take out a small mortgage just to sit in one and it still won't start on rainy days lol.
Last edited by Tooonz; Oct 12, 2013 at 08:35 AM. Reason: Added content.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,708
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Have you tried to start it on a rainy day yet? 
Seriously, welcome to the club! Make sure that you post pics before the complainers wake up this morning.
Every year C3 has its own charms. They made so many more of the later year, rubber bumper cars that they are still very affordable. Many equate this with them being lesser cars but leave that for the haters. A 79 is a great looking car and performance is only a few bolt on, off the shelf parts away. As you said, SBC parts aren't hard to come by.
Seriously, welcome to the club! Make sure that you post pics before the complainers wake up this morning.
Every year C3 has its own charms. They made so many more of the later year, rubber bumper cars that they are still very affordable. Many equate this with them being lesser cars but leave that for the haters. A 79 is a great looking car and performance is only a few bolt on, off the shelf parts away. As you said, SBC parts aren't hard to come by.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 246
Likes: 1
From: Alpine Texas
I just got a '79 in July and it's been so great. Yeah, it's not a "collector" year, but so what, it's still more cool than most cars on the road and where I live you never see them. We have maybe 4 or 5 in the whole county I live in and our county is the size of Rhode Island and Delaware put together. A BIG county. Get lots of thumbs up when I'm driving. Have fun with it and ignore the haters. Post pics.
Terrorizing Orange Cones
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 17
From: Northern CO
Yes please. We love pictures of peoples projects, running and in between running. The important thing is that later year C3 cars are still 3rd Generation Corvettes and I support them as fellow brothers, regardless.
Oh and txdoglover: I know that county well as I am native to the last one farther west than yourself. Born and raised in the high desert amongst rattlesnakes, lizards, and jack-a-lopes (lol) is something that I will always cherish. Touche`.
Oh and txdoglover: I know that county well as I am native to the last one farther west than yourself. Born and raised in the high desert amongst rattlesnakes, lizards, and jack-a-lopes (lol) is something that I will always cherish. Touche`.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
I do prefer the chrome bumper years, specifically the 70-72 with the egg crate side grills and wider wheel flares. To me, they just have nicer lines and look a bit more classy. I always felt the rubber bumper looked like a bit of an after thought.
But, each to their own. I know some people who prefer the rubber bumper years and I certainly don't think they look "bad", just prefer the earlier ones myself.
The other thing is that the rubber bumper years are also the emission years. Many of those rubber bumper cars, if you leave them stock, would be outrun by your average modern econobox hatchback. Of course, if you're willing to put in a bit of money, you can make it as fast as you want.
The rubber bumper years are certainly a lot cheaper and that's a plus. I have considered getting one to turn in to a track car, since I'd be hacking most of it away anyway, the cheaper price is more appealing.
But, each to their own. I know some people who prefer the rubber bumper years and I certainly don't think they look "bad", just prefer the earlier ones myself.
The other thing is that the rubber bumper years are also the emission years. Many of those rubber bumper cars, if you leave them stock, would be outrun by your average modern econobox hatchback. Of course, if you're willing to put in a bit of money, you can make it as fast as you want.
The rubber bumper years are certainly a lot cheaper and that's a plus. I have considered getting one to turn in to a track car, since I'd be hacking most of it away anyway, the cheaper price is more appealing.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
There is nothing wrong with the 78/79 design. Its unique in its own 2 year run than similar versions. You can say the same thing about the 73 with one chrome and one rubber bumper.
The 79 is a nice style, that is built for comfort and cruising. Just take the t tops off on a nice day and leave all the nay sayers at the curb. There will be plenty of thumbs up along the way.
kdf
The 79 is a nice style, that is built for comfort and cruising. Just take the t tops off on a nice day and leave all the nay sayers at the curb. There will be plenty of thumbs up along the way.
kdf
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 10
From: Palm Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '12
The only complainers of "rubber bumper" corvettes are from other corvette enthusiasts. When you are out driving your vette, everyone on the road will notice and smile and ask questions. C3's have that style that no other vehicle has. It looks good parked as well as being driven! Enjoy!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
The only complainers of "rubber bumper" corvettes are from other corvette enthusiasts. When you are out driving your vette, everyone on the road will notice and smile and ask questions. C3's have that style that no other vehicle has. It looks good parked as well as being driven! Enjoy!!
I prefer the earlier C3s though I know some who really like the later years with the big glass rear window.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 992
Likes: 28
From: Sutton MA
Thanks for the positive feedback, it does have its issues, it does not run great, seems as if it needs a new cam which we will have addressed this week, the A/C pump has been removed, and looks like all the smog stuff has been too which for me is just fine. The interior is in great shape, some little light issues, but all in all, we hope to have it running great before we have to put it away.
Last edited by Tooonz; Oct 13, 2013 at 09:53 AM.