Decided on C3 78-79
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Decided on C3 78-79
I'm narrowing down my choices for the model of C3 I want. Right now the 78-79 models are most appealing to me. I've read the thread on what to look for, re; frame and birdcage.
Anything else I should take into consideration when evaluating these years? For example, automatic vs manual or engine? I'm a novice and this is my first restore. I want something that will be a daily (more than just the weekend) driver.
I'm hoping to spend around $5K for something that is drivable and I'm prepared to put in another $5K for restoring...
For example, in my area I pulled up these:
https://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/4593486822.html
https://frederick.craigslist.org/cto/4629114737.html
Any thoughts, advice or words of caution?
Anything else I should take into consideration when evaluating these years? For example, automatic vs manual or engine? I'm a novice and this is my first restore. I want something that will be a daily (more than just the weekend) driver.
I'm hoping to spend around $5K for something that is drivable and I'm prepared to put in another $5K for restoring...
For example, in my area I pulled up these:
https://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/4593486822.html
https://frederick.craigslist.org/cto/4629114737.html
Any thoughts, advice or words of caution?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
there's a huge quality difference between a $5,000 car and a $10,000 car, especially the years you are looking at.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
That's a pro or a con depending on who's asking.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 150
From: Forth Worth TX
As stated above, spend your $10k on the nicest car you can find. A $5/5 will be a pain in the a$$.
The auto or 4 spd is up to you, not really much difference in price. I would opt for the L-82 if possible. With a few simple mods, distributor curve/timing and true dual exhaust, it wakes the car up quite a bit.
The auto or 4 spd is up to you, not really much difference in price. I would opt for the L-82 if possible. With a few simple mods, distributor curve/timing and true dual exhaust, it wakes the car up quite a bit.
Last edited by Revi; Aug 28, 2014 at 02:03 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 220
Likes: 17
From: Pasadena MD
I'm narrowing down my choices for the model of C3 I want. Right now the 78-79 models are most appealing to me. I've read the thread on what to look for, re; frame and birdcage.
Anything else I should take into consideration when evaluating these years? For example, automatic vs manual or engine? I'm a novice and this is my first restore. I want something that will be a daily (more than just the weekend) driver.
I'm hoping to spend around $5K for something that is drivable and I'm prepared to put in another $5K for restoring...
For example, in my area I pulled up these:
https://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/4593486822.html
https://frederick.craigslist.org/cto/4629114737.html
Any thoughts, advice or words of caution?
Anything else I should take into consideration when evaluating these years? For example, automatic vs manual or engine? I'm a novice and this is my first restore. I want something that will be a daily (more than just the weekend) driver.
I'm hoping to spend around $5K for something that is drivable and I'm prepared to put in another $5K for restoring...
For example, in my area I pulled up these:
https://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/4593486822.html
https://frederick.craigslist.org/cto/4629114737.html
Any thoughts, advice or words of caution?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,227
Likes: 670
From: Northeast
I agree with Qwank and Revi. Take some extra money and buy the most you can. One that doesn't need a whole lot of work if you want to just jump in and drive it.
Unless the pics are deceiving, both need paint jobs. There is a reason they are only asking $5000. A new paint will eat up all of the $5000 you have for repairs.
advice? don't rush.
Just an example if you look around. Don't know anything about the car but for $2500 more incl extra engine? https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-7-500-a.html
Unless the pics are deceiving, both need paint jobs. There is a reason they are only asking $5000. A new paint will eat up all of the $5000 you have for repairs.
advice? don't rush.
Just an example if you look around. Don't know anything about the car but for $2500 more incl extra engine? https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-7-500-a.html
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 992
Likes: 28
From: Sutton MA
He may only has 5K right now or maybe a 10K purchase might be not right, at this time. I can tell you if I had found a C3 for 10-12K and said to my girl, hey wanna buy it, she would have said hell no. But 3K, her response was, holy crap! yes! now we have around 8k into it right now, but it was done over time, not such a hit. Anyway. there is a lot of great advice here. And even though I'm a rookie, I can say I understand now when I read how these cars will take, take take, and when you think they are done, yeah they take some more lol.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,094
Likes: 16
From: Los Angeles California
If you have the 10k disposable to get a 10k car if not get a decent driver that you can fix as you go. I started with a 6k corvette and drove it for 2 years just fixing minor stuff like hoses and gaskets and leaks 8 years later in it later I have put well over 10k on top of car but I love my vette and she ain't going nowhere it's my toy but now that I'm married the priorities shifted so I'm back to doing things little by little til I get a chance to take her to the next level. Mine is daily driver now(Side note chick's love corvette but not so much if you the your vette more than her
)
)
Intermediate
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
From: Muscatine Iowa
When I was looking for one, my wife convinced me to spend a little more and get one done instead of a project. It was a great plan and we have really enjoyed it. It is much more fun to drive than to fix.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
He may only has 5K right now or maybe a 10K purchase might be not right, at this time. I can tell you if I had found a C3 for 10-12K and said to my girl, hey wanna buy it, she would have said hell no. But 3K, her response was, holy crap! yes! now we have around 8k into it right now, but it was done over time, not such a hit. Anyway. there is a lot of great advice here. And even though I'm a rookie, I can say I understand now when I read how these cars will take, take take, and when you think they are done, yeah they take some more lol.
Ain't that the truth, brother!
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Thanks for all the advice. I think I will just save a little longer and get something closer to 10K. Its also encouraging to see that the 79 holds up well as a daily driver.
I underestimated the cost of a decent paint job. Yikes...
And everything I've read so far says even if I get a "perfect" car there will always be things to fix, so that should be enough to scratch my itch.
I underestimated the cost of a decent paint job. Yikes...
And everything I've read so far says even if I get a "perfect" car there will always be things to fix, so that should be enough to scratch my itch.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
Thanks for all the advice. I think I will just save a little longer and get something closer to 10K. Its also encouraging to see that the 79 holds up well as a daily driver.
I underestimated the cost of a decent paint job. Yikes...
And everything I've read so far says even if I get a "perfect" car there will always be things to fix, so that should be enough to scratch my itch.
I underestimated the cost of a decent paint job. Yikes...
And everything I've read so far says even if I get a "perfect" car there will always be things to fix, so that should be enough to scratch my itch.
If you have a chance, try out a four speed. Good thing you understand what it is to own these cars. Working on them, is just the way it is! Keep us posted in your search
Racer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 476
Likes: 37
From: Lynnwood WA
Do they salt the roads where you are! When I went looking for mine I had the sellers take photos of the frame for me. Every Midwest and Northeast car looked pretty scary. I used E-Bay and searched the Southwest. And found a number of rust free cars, including the one I bought out of LA. The prices in LA payed for my airfare, and by the time I had driven it up the coast to Seattle I new what it needed and didn't need. Look for an area that still makes people with thirty year old cars do visual inspections. The car I bought ran ok but the owner had not been able to get tabs for two years. Makes people pretty reasonable! With E-Bay I had to pay $1000.00 down and the rest when I picked up the car. If it had been misrepresented I could get my money back from E-Bay. Been out the airfare and had a weekend in LA. Worth the gamble to get a rust free vette for just over $5000.00 Heck driving the thing up the coast with the tops off in the California sun, was worth what I paid for the car!
Just an idea.
Zorro
Just an idea.
Zorro
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
As the transmission question has barely received mention, IMHO if you're looking for more of a sportscar experience than for a cruiser, I'd highly recommend that you limit your shopping to those with a stick.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 586
Likes: 26
From: Orange Park FLORIDA