Issues to look for on 76 C3?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 367
Likes: 3
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
Issues to look for on 76 C3?
Thanks in advance for help on this.
There is a 1976 red C3 on a corner lot for sale and I am seriously thinking about the purchase. I plan on test driving it this afternoon and there is a local corvette guy who I would want to check it out before the sale but is there anything I should look at or look for at first glance?
the car is an automatic and from the VIN, it seems to be the L48 engine. Despite that I am not looking for a drag racer, I am concerned the power will not be enough but yeah, thats for me to decide.
Being that it is an "older" car, Im not quite sure what issues to look for. Of course, leaks and strange noises but is there any known gremlins that are deal breaking issues?
Asking price is $8900 but Ill offer lower. I will find out on the miles also
Thanks
Here it is:
There is a 1976 red C3 on a corner lot for sale and I am seriously thinking about the purchase. I plan on test driving it this afternoon and there is a local corvette guy who I would want to check it out before the sale but is there anything I should look at or look for at first glance?
the car is an automatic and from the VIN, it seems to be the L48 engine. Despite that I am not looking for a drag racer, I am concerned the power will not be enough but yeah, thats for me to decide.
Being that it is an "older" car, Im not quite sure what issues to look for. Of course, leaks and strange noises but is there any known gremlins that are deal breaking issues?
Asking price is $8900 but Ill offer lower. I will find out on the miles also
Thanks
Here it is:
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 129
From: Fredericksburg Virginia
"The power" is something that:
A) Only you can decide
B) Is pretty easy to fix
C) NOT the basis on which you should buy (or not buy) the car
If you really want a stick, but are settling on an auto, don't buy it. If things look sketchy underneath, don't buy it. If there are leaves in the intake, don't buy it. If there is rust on the interior bits, don't buy it.
Seeing the pictures, it looks to be sitting right. It looks nice.
If it feels right, shifts right, turns right (and left)...all the lights work...goes in the direction you point it...wipers work...dunno. If all that stuff is going your way and there isn't any rust on the frame or in the birdcage, it looks like you'd have a nice car.
A) Only you can decide
B) Is pretty easy to fix
C) NOT the basis on which you should buy (or not buy) the car
If you really want a stick, but are settling on an auto, don't buy it. If things look sketchy underneath, don't buy it. If there are leaves in the intake, don't buy it. If there is rust on the interior bits, don't buy it.
Seeing the pictures, it looks to be sitting right. It looks nice.
If it feels right, shifts right, turns right (and left)...all the lights work...goes in the direction you point it...wipers work...dunno. If all that stuff is going your way and there isn't any rust on the frame or in the birdcage, it looks like you'd have a nice car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,623
Likes: 22
From: Boise Idaho
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '15, '17
If the Corvette guy is just going to look at on the lot you might want to have a shop put it on a rack and take a good look underneath. Pre-purchase inspections typically cost $75 to $150.
May want to check and see what the rules are for emissions testing on '76 in your area in case you want to make mods to engine or exhaust system.
May want to check and see what the rules are for emissions testing on '76 in your area in case you want to make mods to engine or exhaust system.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 269
Likes: 1
From: Flemington New Jersey
Rear bumper has ben replaced. Front looks like it may be original. the drivers side top window trip seems bulged, upwards. Make sure there is not rust lurking underneath.
Check for rust.. then check again.. then again. Pull the kick panels..etc.
I have a L48 76. It got plenty of power for cruising..
Check for rust.. then check again.. then again. Pull the kick panels..etc.
I have a L48 76. It got plenty of power for cruising..
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 367
Likes: 3
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
woah woah... power wasnt an issue, I addressed that. didnt say anything about a manual or auto... i also didnt ask about power adders.
simply put, i was asking about known issues with the cars to look for. rust is a good one and I do plan on having an actual corvette mechanic check it out thoroughly, not just in the lot. the bumper replacement.. how can you tell?
thanks for the replies and not trying to come across as a jerk but common sense "its up to you" answers arent the questions Im asking. I just need to know what to look out for besides the obvious stuff
simply put, i was asking about known issues with the cars to look for. rust is a good one and I do plan on having an actual corvette mechanic check it out thoroughly, not just in the lot. the bumper replacement.. how can you tell?
thanks for the replies and not trying to come across as a jerk but common sense "its up to you" answers arent the questions Im asking. I just need to know what to look out for besides the obvious stuff
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,623
Likes: 22
From: Boise Idaho
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '15, '17
Well well and what do we have here? It's a salvage title vehicle.
https://www.easyexport.us/vehicle-fi...nm-albuquerque.
More pics
http://www.crashescars.com/pl/search...l&uid=30583684
https://www.easyexport.us/vehicle-fi...nm-albuquerque.
More pics
http://www.crashescars.com/pl/search...l&uid=30583684
Last edited by TMU; Jul 14, 2015 at 01:39 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,626
Likes: 140
From: Kanuckistan
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 367
Likes: 3
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
Yep sho nuff..... salvage.
So I got to check it out. Alot of overspray underneath the car and under the hood. Fenders were missing the badging..no big deal but tells me the entire car was repainted.
They did disclose that it was a salvage title pretty much right away. Surprisingly enough, the car ran very good and shifted well. The A/C didnt work as the compressor was removed but everything else did. There were some interior cosmetic pieces that need replacing and it showed its age but nothing I would call SUPER major.
The point of getting one isnt for a daily driver or anything and to be honest I dont even know that I am interested in the resale. Im looking for a nostalgic vette that I can just enjoy. I am expecting and frankly, want to do some work to it as I am looking for a new hobby for the driveway, BUT this one just seems like too much of a risk I think.
I did offer 3500 but they said no way. Oh well. The search continues!
So I got to check it out. Alot of overspray underneath the car and under the hood. Fenders were missing the badging..no big deal but tells me the entire car was repainted.
They did disclose that it was a salvage title pretty much right away. Surprisingly enough, the car ran very good and shifted well. The A/C didnt work as the compressor was removed but everything else did. There were some interior cosmetic pieces that need replacing and it showed its age but nothing I would call SUPER major.
The point of getting one isnt for a daily driver or anything and to be honest I dont even know that I am interested in the resale. Im looking for a nostalgic vette that I can just enjoy. I am expecting and frankly, want to do some work to it as I am looking for a new hobby for the driveway, BUT this one just seems like too much of a risk I think.
I did offer 3500 but they said no way. Oh well. The search continues!
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,399
Likes: 793
Yep sho nuff..... salvage.
So I got to check it out. Alot of overspray underneath the car and under the hood. Fenders were missing the badging..no big deal but tells me the entire car was repainted.
They did disclose that it was a salvage title pretty much right away. Surprisingly enough, the car ran very good and shifted well. The A/C didnt work as the compressor was removed but everything else did. There were some interior cosmetic pieces that need replacing and it showed its age but nothing I would call SUPER major.
The point of getting one isnt for a daily driver or anything and to be honest I dont even know that I am interested in the resale. Im looking for a nostalgic vette that I can just enjoy. I am expecting and frankly, want to do some work to it as I am looking for a new hobby for the driveway, BUT this one just seems like too much of a risk I think.
I did offer 3500 but they said no way. Oh well. The search continues!
So I got to check it out. Alot of overspray underneath the car and under the hood. Fenders were missing the badging..no big deal but tells me the entire car was repainted.
They did disclose that it was a salvage title pretty much right away. Surprisingly enough, the car ran very good and shifted well. The A/C didnt work as the compressor was removed but everything else did. There were some interior cosmetic pieces that need replacing and it showed its age but nothing I would call SUPER major.
The point of getting one isnt for a daily driver or anything and to be honest I dont even know that I am interested in the resale. Im looking for a nostalgic vette that I can just enjoy. I am expecting and frankly, want to do some work to it as I am looking for a new hobby for the driveway, BUT this one just seems like too much of a risk I think.
I did offer 3500 but they said no way. Oh well. The search continues!
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 129
From: Fredericksburg Virginia
You did the right thing.
It if was THE car for you and it had something special about it that lived up to the price, then perhaps you could talk.
But a vanilla car that had evidence of being tossed together and painted to 'wow' the dummy customer...I don't have much time for that type of stuff. I mean...come on...you can't stick the badges back onto the car? What...did you misplace them? Overspray? Basic stuff.
For 'real' money, you can get a 'real' car with a clear title.
For $7k, I got a 1970 "hobby" car that I have THOROUGHLY enjoyed. All the pluses and minuses. There are cars out there. Just like poker...just wait for your hand.
It if was THE car for you and it had something special about it that lived up to the price, then perhaps you could talk.
But a vanilla car that had evidence of being tossed together and painted to 'wow' the dummy customer...I don't have much time for that type of stuff. I mean...come on...you can't stick the badges back onto the car? What...did you misplace them? Overspray? Basic stuff.
For 'real' money, you can get a 'real' car with a clear title.
For $7k, I got a 1970 "hobby" car that I have THOROUGHLY enjoyed. All the pluses and minuses. There are cars out there. Just like poker...just wait for your hand.
