Mopar Guy thinking C3
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 428
Likes: 30
From: Cape Coral, FL
Mopar Guy thinking C3
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
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
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 6,196
Likes: 58
From: Denton, Texas
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!
Best of luck!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 428
Likes: 30
From: Cape Coral, FL
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?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 6,196
Likes: 58
From: Denton, Texas
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!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
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!
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
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 428
Likes: 30
From: Cape Coral, FL
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!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
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.
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.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 992
Likes: 28
From: Sutton MA
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.
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.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,750
Likes: 268
From: Central Wisconsin
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.
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.
I got carried away
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 428
Likes: 30
From: Cape Coral, FL
Hi John,
Mopar die hard here as well...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.
Mopar die hard here as well...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.
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?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 992
Likes: 28
From: Sutton MA
[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
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
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 428
Likes: 30
From: Cape Coral, FL
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.
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,907
Likes: 6
From: Madison WI
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!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 428
Likes: 30
From: Cape Coral, FL
This very close to what I think I need and want.
http://www.autotraderclassics.com/cl...ationId=690339
http://www.autotraderclassics.com/cl...ationId=690339
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
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.
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.