I am a brand new member. I watched the "Newbie video" and it was helpful in what to look for fairly quickly. I have two challenges before I actually purchase, 1) to get rid of a 77 MGB taking up space in garage and 2) convincing the wife. Obviously #2 is 99% of my battle. She just doesn't understand why (since age 12) I want one.

I primarily want the bumper car (68-72). I've seen prices from $15 to $125K. I have preferences in mind (as stated in the newbie video) but just in case I have a dilemma in a selection, I would like to know a few other things for "value". As in the engine, seems the bigger the more valuable however I have no personal preference. I would be satisfied with any. So, are there any advantages of engine other than the "value"? The second thing is transmission. I would rather have auto over manual since I do have a little issue with my left leg, (old injury) but it's not going to make me walk away over the issue of manual. Seems convertibles command a higher price/resale but I do not want a convertible. I have one now, I know the issues. Unless the condition great/price was insanely low, I would pass. Lastly is the color. I have preferences but that doesn't mean it would make or break a deal. My question (and I know it might be just personal to many) is what colors are more desirable than others. Red is the most common color I see, then maybe black. But I've seen some C3's that looked sharp that were the brighter yellow. I would rather stick to something that is color correct to the car to begin with, so repainting isn't my thing.

I've watch RM, Barrett-Jackson, and other shows, visited websites, etc. One thing I hear/see is "this was only 1 of 550 produced". If I have a VIN number, how can I research how many were made? Example: A 72 coupe that's the brighter yellow or the 69 that is blue.
I used those example because I know those two are for sale within my looking distance.

As I first mentioned, once I either ask for forgiveness or convince for the purchase, it will be my first Corvette. I'm not looking for car that someone buys and never drives, to me that's pointless. But, it will be something that's not a daily driver, just fun weekend trips. Something reliable. I am a medium mechanically inclined person not afraid to get dirty but also not afraid to call for help when needed. I've never "restored" anything, just properly maintained vehicles.

Hope this makes sense and I didn't ramble too much. I just want to become as knowledgeable as I can before buying and learn what is deal or no deal.

 

I'm a first time Corvette owner also. Mine will be a "weekly" driver (will drive it several times a week).

What I have learned is.....get someone who knows about Vettes to look at/test drive the car with you to see what's right and wrong.

You can buy a $2,000 car....but you'll put $15,000 more dollars into it to make it safe, reliable, and sharp-looking......................

OR..............

You can buy a decent $15,000+plus car.... and spend a few $$$ to do a few modifications to it to make it "your car".

Either way it's a Win/Win.....buy the cheapy/learn how to rebuild it.
Buy a turn-key car/drive-it-now and maintain it.

 

Ohhhhhhh......as for your wife........

It will be easier to rebuild the $2,000 car than to convince her that you need a Vette! Ask her nicely "Please , Precious--can I do it?" Give her 24 hours so she can think of what SHE will get out of the deal and come back with a counter-offer......LOL!

If she says "Not No, but **** No".........file for Separation after she gives you her answer----then get the car anyway-----spend 6 months patching things up...either way you do it, it will take 6 months for her to fully "get with the program"

......either way.......believe me----the Vette will be worth the trouble


EDIT: Let her read this.....it will speed up the entire process.......ONE WAY OR THE OTHER!

 

Well, I'd rather not have to work too much to start with on it because then I'll have the "that's all you do" comments. Come to think of it,...if she is saying that, then I have it. My problem has been this MGB. It runs, etc. and it started out as a project car. (came free from sister) and I've not done anything to it,..mostly because it's not going to go up in value after $$$ of work and I would much rather save the money from that and put into the vette that will hopefully and if history is correct, will at least retain it's value. Hmmm, I just typed a "pro". The con is she isn't a fan of any type of older car work/value and thinks it's dumb.

 

I didn't know my wife had a sister!


Seriously, I'm not familiar with your situation.......but my reasoning was this: I don't gamble, go to titty bars, drink or smoke........and Corvettes are cheaper than girlfriends. Worked for me.

 

Trust me on this. Get your wife to buy into the hobby or you will both be miserable.
Two things to do. 1. Get the Dave Ramsey book (Total Money Makeover) for you both to read together. Wives are concerned with security and safety for their nest and family.
2. Take her to some car shows and help her to fall in love with some of those beautiful machines.
When and if you decide to get into the hobby together then buy something you can afford to pay cash for and make sure you have the garage space to store it and work on it.
I do not know your financial situation but it never hurts to start small and work you way up as your life situation improves over the years. I can pretty much guarantee that your first Corvette will not be your last and that your tastes will change over time.

 

A couple things:

Buy as much car as you can afford. Its an old adage but still true. If you buy a junky $4000 "deal" and after messing with it for 3 years you have spent 20 grand, countless hours, listened to your wife moan and groan and you end up with a wrong engine car with the wrong color thats worth $8500 ... it's a mistake.

Choose wisely. Get help inspecting cars. Dont settle for colors that dont thrill you that people say is a "good deal." You wont like the car in a year. Dont overlook rust or body damage. Dont listen to people who say numbers "dont matter"... they might not matter to you, but they will matter to value. Make sure the price matches the car.

 

Usually you can't. VINs through 1971 contain no option information. VINs for 72-82 contain a code for the original engine, but no other option information.

GM did not track options combinations or paint per body style. As an example, you may know your 1968 L79 is one of 9440 produced, but there is no way of knowing how many L-79s were coupes or convertibles, in what color combinations, or potentially any other options in addidtion to the engine.

Good luck with the hunt.

 

Neither was my wife......it has to be new or else......then all of a sudden---she started noticing people driving Corvettes (top down)....then, "all of a suddener", she said "If WE got one---could we go to the Gulf Coast in it?"







(She was hooked!)

 

Good luck with your plan. Hearing the tone and fear in your posts reminds me of my first marriage. It wasn't until after my marriage that I realized I could actually make some of my own decisions... go figure. If this has been a dream of yours and you make sound, financially responsible plans to do it, you'll be in good shape. I wish you luck my friend and hope that you too get to enjoy this corvette experience.

 

I generally agree. Buy the best condition car you can afford. Repairs can be very expensive. So far as 'numbers' goes, yes they do matter if you're looking to pay top dollar and possibly get top dollar at a later time. As an alternative you may find a good deal on a NOM, pretty much the same car but trades at lower levels. You won't be shackled to originality. Customize if you wish, no concerns over damaging an original part. More of a driver than a show car. Downside is you won't be having the car judged and may take some grief about not having the original engine.

Bottom line is to buy the best condition you can find. Be aware of the difference in pricing, numbers versus NOMs. Do your homework, get to know what each generally sells for.

 

If it's not tracked, then how do these "ads" make those claims? Personally I could care less if a million were made, it's about what I like and value. (the 1 of 500).

I'm working on it day by day and I realize that I can wait for what I think is the right one. By the way, I'm talking about the car. I prefer the stock over anything else. I never cared for the Mako, etc. though I don't knock anyone that does.

The "newbie" video talked about leaks. If the rubberstripping is replaced around the T-top area and window/glass seals are good and/ or replaced, shouldn't that take care of it for a while? Or is it a design thing.

I do have a person that owns a 70 coupe and he is going to help me learn what to look for using his car sometime soon. His thing was the aftermarket replacement parts were typically of less quality than spending the money for refurbishing original. An example he used was a door mirror and the trim ring on the tail light. Usually hard for a novice to notice the difference until the mirror falls out and the ball socket won't stay tight.

 

You just hit on one of the more interesting elements of the classic Corvette....many claims will be made by some sellers as to the originality and/or rarity to increase a particular cars value.

Thus the value of a knowledgeable C3 person in your corner when buying if you do not posses the skills to identify a correct car.

 

[QUOTE=mtnance;1588277716]I am a brand new member. I watched the "Newbie video" and it was helpful in what to look for fairly quickly. I have two challenges before I actually purchase, 1) to get rid of a 77 MGB taking up space in garage and 2) convincing the wife. Obviously #2 is 99% of my battle. She just doesn't understand why (since age 12) I want one.
Easy it is really easy all you have to do let your wife to buy her self anything she wants tread her sweet as much as you can but don't make it obvious , never reply back on things that she states and actually on something that she wants to buy anything she ask you if you like it say yes or if you like it I like it too.at the time you keep looking for the C3 you want and when you get ready tell her that you love her and u can't live "without her" and invite her to look at the investment that you always wanted to have
good luck!

 

Welcome ntnance! You are starting a wonderful journey.

My requirements were pretty darned similar to yours, other than wanting a manual and not an auto. I knew with this year of car, regular maint. and work will be required, but I wanted to start with something reliable to drive immediately, and while not looking for a show car, I didn't want a beater either - wanted something that didn't need a repaint, and didn't need a new interior.

Take your time. Look at, and preferably drive a handful of examples so you can feel the difference between a solid driver and a not-so-solid driver. You'll be amazed at how differently each drives. Drive big blocks and small blocks so you can determine whether you will have to have one over the other, or in the end, won't care that much.

My advice which I didn't follow is have someone experienced assess the car before you purchase. I didn't follow because I knew I'd lose out on the car I found if I didn't jump immediately. But after a 9 month search and plenty of drives, I was confident I was buying the right car. And probably had a little luck on my side.

 

I have thought about just buying and saying "look what I just did" but in reality, that's not a way of getting my wife on board. I really am in no rush and that's the best part however I would like to have something for next spring. I may have trouble getting someone to travel any distance to help me inspect because I am somewhat limited to nearby. I travel in my job but it's just the western half of NC. These 'car shows" on tv make it look simple, it's not.

What I am amazed is the ads. Pictures of a local car that the owner claims has had for 10 years, but the photo shows a Mississippi tag on the car. Or pictures of the car for sale and looking closely at the various photos, you see a different color on the sill, etc. Not the same car. Or twice I've seen advertised as a 350ci/300hp but the badging on the hood has "427". And this is noticed by me, someone "new" to shopping.

 

The last Corvette I purchased was a C4 that was owned by a USAF fighter pilot in Goldsboro NC. Evidently there are a lot of jet jockeys and mechanics on the nearby base that are into Corvettes. His car was maintained by the base mechanics who also had moonlight jobs at the local Cadillac dealer. It was in superb shape.
My advice would be to watch the Craigslist ads in that area. When these guys and gals get transferred they are sometimes forced to sell quickly.

 

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. That's about a 4 hour drive for me, but might be worth the investment.

 

Rhetorical question?

People can, and will, say about anything concerning Corvettes. The more you know about these cars, the easier it is to detect ridiculous "1 of only XXX" claims.

I can say without fear of contradiction that my 68 convertible is 1 of 1. It's the only 68 convertible I own and that makes her the one and only. Ditto for my 80 L-82; also 1 of 1.

 

Nicely said....