C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Restoration attempt

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 1, 2014 | 02:15 PM
  #1  
newbie2vette's Avatar
newbie2vette
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 799
Likes: 26
From: Lexington Park Maryland
Default Restoration attempt

I decided to find a C3 I can pick for a good price and attemp to restore it and FLIP. What year are more desirable than the others? Got the "Bug" after restoring my 72 LT1, 79 L82, 1989 C4 and recently a 1992 LT1.
Reply
Old May 1, 2014 | 03:06 PM
  #2  
Alan 71's Avatar
Alan 71
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,170
Likes: 4,248
From: Westminster Maryland
Default

Hi n2v,
I have to ask…. what is your definition of 'restore'?
If you can purchase a Corvette, 'restore' it, FLIP it, and make a profit, you will be the envy of many people.
Regards,
Alan

Probably 68-72, bb and optional hp sb, convertibles.
Reply
Old May 1, 2014 | 03:11 PM
  #3  
MrJlr's Avatar
MrJlr
Race Director
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,239
Likes: 19
From: Chino CA
Default

Originally Posted by Alan 71
and make a profit



Not easy!


Reply
Old May 1, 2014 | 03:43 PM
  #4  
jim-81's Avatar
jim-81
Drifting
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 289
From: Chardon Ohio
Default

Sort of a strange question since you claim to have already restored a 72 and a 79, both of which are C3's. So I would think you would know quite a bit about C3's. Generally, the early chrome bumper cars (68 - 73) are more 'valuable', but this is definitely not universal.

Personally, I find the whole idea of 'FLIPPING' rather distasteful. There is something about these cars that the owners put a lot of time effort and money into and it's not usually to resell for a profit. Maybe there's just too much of that crap on TV these days.

... just my opinion..
Reply
Old May 1, 2014 | 04:25 PM
  #5  
newbie2vette's Avatar
newbie2vette
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 799
Likes: 26
From: Lexington Park Maryland
Default

Originally Posted by jim-81
Sort of a strange question since you claim to have already restored a 72 and a 79, both of which are C3's. So I would think you would know quite a bit about C3's. Generally, the early chrome bumper cars (68 - 73) are more 'valuable', but this is definitely not universal.

Personally, I find the whole idea of 'FLIPPING' rather distasteful. There is something about these cars that the owners put a lot of time effort and money into and it's not usually to resell for a profit. Maybe there's just too much of that crap on TV these days.

... just my opinion..
I guess my definition of restore is: taking a car which have been neglected and returning it as close to original. After 22 years in the Navy my "cleanliness" and mechanical ability and attitude has paid off on the 1992. it was neglected, spend two months on it. Now I am being offered the market value for it. The 89 was the same, except it made the owner feel like S*** after I was done because all I did was do some major detailing and replace badly worn parts and got it running.

My LT1, to some it appeared as if I did an off the frame restoration. I guess my confidence level has increased enough to try one car, not to mentioned I've established good business relation with several C3 vendors.
Reply
Old May 1, 2014 | 04:39 PM
  #6  
kanvasman's Avatar
kanvasman
Safety Car
10 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,789
Likes: 1,693
From: Summerville SC
Default

Good for you. I personally have never started a restore thinking I could break even, let alone make a profit. Now for just cleaning up and flipping, I would think that should be easy. If you have an eye for easy repairs that a lot of non motor heads might overlook, I say go for it. That's what a lot of those reality car shows basically do, as long as you aren't representing the car as something it's not. Have fun
Reply
Old May 1, 2014 | 09:09 PM
  #7  
tak82's Avatar
tak82
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 337
Likes: 1
From: Clyde Ohio
Default

I picked up my 82 cheap, do ALL the work myself, after doing differential bearing, rear wheel bearings, redoing interior to look new and yes I installed the leather skins, repaint small items and polishing the t-top stainless, steering issues, small brake issues and some speedo issues, oh and getting ready to shell out 3k + for paint supplies I'm past breaking even on it's value, and this was I'd say this was a typical 30 yr. car. Guess the definition for restoring a car differs.. Good luck on making a profit, if you do share the secret.
Reply
Old May 1, 2014 | 09:44 PM
  #8  
persuader's Avatar
persuader
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,453
Likes: 88
From: Easton Pennsylvania
Default

There are so many other type of cars out there that you can really make money on and the C-3 is really not one of them.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Restoration attempt

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:54 AM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE