JohnRogers

Hello, John here a guy who normally enjoys Mopar flavor. I did own a ’96 LT4 six-speed back in 2001, not a Grand Sport, every American car guy needs quality seat time in a Corvette. I think it may be time to enjoy Corvette ownership again. I’m of the generation that with eyes closed the word Corvette brings to mind the C3 first.


Recently retired from the USAF I’m working on opening a business, keeping expenses low and driving nothing fun. I’m imagining a ’75 through ’80 with after market Throttle Body Fuel Injection as a fun, affordable candidate for daily driving and road trips. Does this readily exist or am I crazy?


I suppose noobs come around with a post like this pretty often but thanks for your patience if you have read thus far.


John

Brandons72vette

Welcome and thank you for your service! I would say that C3s, although they have their small issues, are one of the coolest and most fun cars out there. You can do just about anything to a C3, and can always make it faster if need be.

Best of luck!

JohnRogers

Thanks Brandon. I think I have narrowed down what I am looking for.

Of course this is not stock but a fuel injected 1978-1982 with 300hp and over 300 lb-ft. Maybe '78-82 with a late '90's LT1 swapped in?

sireland67

I say go for it, I currently own 7 Mopars, and one C3.
I like and all enjoy all of them.

Brandons72vette

Yeah there are several C3's with LS1's, LT4's, LT1's,etc. I think 300HP is VERY achievable,especially with an LS or LT swap. I think you will enjoy a "restomod" C3. The late C3's had more options and features modern cars have today. I bet that you could build a pretty nice one. I am sure that others will agree. There are several on the CF, and they look great!

jr73

John, back up a few years from the 75.
Thank me later

F22

The OP might just want a mid to late C3, instead of an early C3. No wiper door, no chrome bumpers to have to dust, wipe or polish regularly, far better seats and not having to pull the dash to change light bulbs, plus a heckuva lot more luggage space behind the seats and even a glove box!

Mick71

Do it!!

JohnRogers

Exactly all the little improvements for almost daily driving and road trips. Plus price, the early C3's command high prices.

F22

So why knock the OP's choice? He doesn't want a chrome bumper car. And with the puke emoji, you come across as elitist. Like the Mid and Late C3's are inferior. Is that what you're saying? He made it clear that he doesn't want to spend that extra premium for an Early C3.

I see nothing wrong with the choices he's contemplating. It's going to be his Corvette to love and enjoy. He's here to get information, period.

Tooonz

Hi John,

Mopar die hard here as well. Our 79 is my first Chevrolet ever. I have to say I have fallen in love with this sexy money hog. The curves of the C3 I have realized bring me right back to the sweeping curves of my charger. But the corvette has all the stuff my mopar was missing, such as a suspension that takes corners like glue Good luck in your search and on your new business.

929nitro

Thanks for your years of service. 300 hp is easily obtained with a good 383 naturally aspirated and no computer to deal with, but that is my I'm old school.

jr73

Sorry John and sorry F22
I got carried away

JohnRogers

Thanks, the C3 is one of those almost timeless designs but it has no torsion bar front suspension!

Thanks, is that 383 a stroked small block? I lost patience with tuning carbs and dealing with chokes.

No problem, we're all good.


Attached is the only pic I can find of my '96 LT4 six-speed, at the Enid Oklahoma Corvette Expo in 2003. Any of you ever attended?

Tooonz

[QUOTE="JohnRogers;1589408297"] Thanks, the C3 is one of those almost timeless designs but it has no torsion bar front suspension./QUOTE]
Yeah those torsion bars were a slick idea back in the day, I never messed with those things of fear of losing an arm lol.



Not the greatest picture but I loved that car

JohnRogers

Thanks for sharing the Charger pic Tooonz.

I've done a Google and Ebay Motors search and didn't see much. I'm going to search Hemmings, any good source for searching a C3 resto-mod? For example a 1980 with a '95 LT4.

overBlown

That is a rare bird but doable. I would take a look at the for sale sections of gm focused internet forums to help find something like that. And post the type of intro that you did here too, people might know of a car like what you're looking for. Try ls1tech.com Also search for corvette and custom car groups on facebook, join them and ask around there. Use the power of the internet!

JohnRogers

This very close to what I think I need and want.

http://www.autotraderclassics.com/cl...ationId=690339

jr73

Love the injection and the sidepipes
Aluminum rad and electric fans nice to have on these cars

F22

It also has the overdrive automatic as well, something that only came on the '82 C3's. The engine install looks good and you may want to inquire and see if the engine came with aluminum heads, like the L98 and LT1 engines that came in the C4 Corvettes. That would be a big plus, because they're 40-50 pounds lighter and are very efficient at rejecting heat as well.

Finally, this C3, likely has the original paint. It has it's share of wear and tear over the decades. Nothing wrong with a little patina. If you decide you'd like,to buy it, I'd highly recommend, you get it inspected by a third party, competent mechanic who knows these cars. Don't be surprised if the interior is a little worn either, as there were no pictures shown. The seats should be in good shape for that price, and the interior should be complete. If not, be warned, interior parts for these car are expensive.

Good luck and let us know, how it goes.