What options were important to you?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Madeira Beach, FL
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What options were important to you?
Ok, I want to throw this out there to original car owners only.
I'm not asking if you could be teleported back to 196....
what options would you have ordered on a hypothetical new car.
I'm asking because I saw the prices of the options back in the day.
I know on an average young or mid aged professional it must have been tough norrowing down what was a must have.
I know it was all relevant to personal income.
I'm just curious what made you choose the options you did
when you ordered your car new.
Today, you get what's out on the lot, must have been nice to check the box
.
Yeah, I know we all wished we checked the L88 or L89 box in hindsight.
I'd really like to hear from those that may still have their car....Alan?
And would you order the same thing today after owning it for 40 some years.
It's meant to be a fun and informative thread guys.
Marshal
I'm not asking if you could be teleported back to 196....
what options would you have ordered on a hypothetical new car.
I'm asking because I saw the prices of the options back in the day.
I know on an average young or mid aged professional it must have been tough norrowing down what was a must have.
I know it was all relevant to personal income.
I'm just curious what made you choose the options you did
when you ordered your car new.
Today, you get what's out on the lot, must have been nice to check the box
.Yeah, I know we all wished we checked the L88 or L89 box in hindsight.
I'd really like to hear from those that may still have their car....Alan?
And would you order the same thing today after owning it for 40 some years.
It's meant to be a fun and informative thread guys.
Marshal
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,102
Likes: 1,221
From: Madeira Beach, FL
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13B, 
That's why I threw it out here.
Let some long time orig. owners chime in and share.
I may only get 3 or zero but a few have mentioned in various posts in the past that they have owned their cars since new.
Marshal
That's why I threw it out here.
Let some long time orig. owners chime in and share.
I may only get 3 or zero but a few have mentioned in various posts in the past that they have owned their cars since new.
Marshal
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,159
Likes: 4,236
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Marshall,
I bought my 71 from stock on a whim.
So I didn't even consider options except from the other side… what might it have had that would have STOPPED me from buying it?…. that would have been an automatic, a convertible, a/c, and certain colors.
Also, I don't THINK it would have caught my eye if it had had wheel covers on it, but I'm not sure if that would have stopped me.
IF it were March 1971 AGAIN I would have looked for an LT-! convertible, but that's based on what I'd like to have now, not based on what my thinking was in 1971.
The fact is that because it was such a plain and simple car it was very easy to just hang on to it when I bought something else. It never really "asked" for anything from me except for new brake calipers in about 1980. It just wasn't ever enough of a hassle to keep that I wanted to get rid of it.
Regards,
Alan
I bought my 71 from stock on a whim.
So I didn't even consider options except from the other side… what might it have had that would have STOPPED me from buying it?…. that would have been an automatic, a convertible, a/c, and certain colors.
Also, I don't THINK it would have caught my eye if it had had wheel covers on it, but I'm not sure if that would have stopped me.
IF it were March 1971 AGAIN I would have looked for an LT-! convertible, but that's based on what I'd like to have now, not based on what my thinking was in 1971.
The fact is that because it was such a plain and simple car it was very easy to just hang on to it when I bought something else. It never really "asked" for anything from me except for new brake calipers in about 1980. It just wasn't ever enough of a hassle to keep that I wanted to get rid of it.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Aug 22, 2015 at 07:16 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 40
All the Information Age , has changed things . Everything is at our fingertips . Road tests on line ...1000's of opinions on line .
Also the buyers age is a factor . I was barely 18 when I bought my first used corvette in 1978 . I had little experience to base anything on. My father was NOT a car person at all . I had no siblings to copy or influence my car buying
Different from a 30 yr old 1969 who had owned several muscle cars .
Cars then weren't sold as collectors cars , they were transportation . The whole thought process was different .you mostly bought what you needed or could afford. ..C 3 was my daily driver ...college car too!
Just owning any corvette in the 60 s or 70 's was a big deal back then .
I quickly dumped the two auto cars for a 8 month old 79 L82 M21 car in black .
I knew more knowledge, had magazines on corvettes by that time . I was still only 20 and single .
Also the buyers age is a factor . I was barely 18 when I bought my first used corvette in 1978 . I had little experience to base anything on. My father was NOT a car person at all . I had no siblings to copy or influence my car buying
Different from a 30 yr old 1969 who had owned several muscle cars .
Cars then weren't sold as collectors cars , they were transportation . The whole thought process was different .you mostly bought what you needed or could afford. ..C 3 was my daily driver ...college car too!
Just owning any corvette in the 60 s or 70 's was a big deal back then .
I quickly dumped the two auto cars for a 8 month old 79 L82 M21 car in black .
I knew more knowledge, had magazines on corvettes by that time . I was still only 20 and single .
Last edited by LS4 PILOT; Aug 22, 2015 at 07:48 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 829
Likes: 131
From: Spartanburg SC
In the late 60's, early 70's, it was more simple in my opinion. You didn't have the option pkgs like we do now. It was basically PS, PB, AC, AT, tilt wheel and leather int. oh yeah, vert or coupe. Although I didn't order mine new, when I bought my 72 in 74, I wanted PS and PB.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
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From: SW Florida.
times were so different then. 18 in 74. parents wouldn't loan me 1k to get a 58 in primer with the top missing. they likewise did the same same money for 57 chevy convertible. ended up settling for 65 GTO convertible for 200 bucks. and left it for junk on a navy base.
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Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 721
Likes: 105
From: hernando fl
I bought my 72 from the original owner , I have known him for 25 or more years. he ordered it with specific options. had to be a convertible , big block , 4 speed , p/s , p/b , a specific color , no power windows , no tilt wheel , comfort weave seats.
since it was going to be his daily driver , he decided a/c would be a pretty nice thing to have so he added that too. all things considered I would not change a whole lot on the car if I had bought it new.
since it was going to be his daily driver , he decided a/c would be a pretty nice thing to have so he added that too. all things considered I would not change a whole lot on the car if I had bought it new.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 366
Likes: 7
From: Mobile Al
I bought my 76 through the PX while I was stationed in Germany. While filling out the paperwork I was asked by the salesman what options were wanted. There was-$250 AM/FM (not the stereo version), a rear window defogger and so forth and so on. Didn't like any of them so I got one where everything was standard including the 4 speed. Alot has changed since I bought it but I've had it ever since and will never sell it.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,159
Likes: 4,236
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Easy,
I've told the tale before…. I drove past the dealer on my lunch hour, saw it parked in front, stopped to look and liked it, (didn't drive it), made a deal (traded a 68 GTO), went back to work (a bank), came back at 5:00 pm with a check and drove it home.
That's it!
Except noticing my wife in the 6th grade it's probably the best thing that's happened to me. (Getting through 1966-1972 in one piece was good too.)
Regards,
Alan
I've told the tale before…. I drove past the dealer on my lunch hour, saw it parked in front, stopped to look and liked it, (didn't drive it), made a deal (traded a 68 GTO), went back to work (a bank), came back at 5:00 pm with a check and drove it home.
That's it!
Except noticing my wife in the 6th grade it's probably the best thing that's happened to me. (Getting through 1966-1972 in one piece was good too.)
Regards,
Alan
Race Director
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From: Danville Illinois
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One owner, picked it up two days before Christmas.
Decided i wanted a car with most all options, went with the TB400 because every other car i had was a 4/5 speed, just tired of sticks.
<center>
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p11/123canman/Miss%203/VET%20INFO%201_zpstcva4cpp.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo VET INFO 1_zpstcva4cpp.jpg"/></a>
</center>
Decided i wanted a car with most all options, went with the TB400 because every other car i had was a 4/5 speed, just tired of sticks.
<center>
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p11/123canman/Miss%203/VET%20INFO%201_zpstcva4cpp.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo VET INFO 1_zpstcva4cpp.jpg"/></a>
</center>
Last edited by Mod75; Aug 22, 2015 at 10:08 PM. Reason: I cant spell
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,102
Likes: 1,221
From: Madeira Beach, FL
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Hi Marshall,
I bought my 71 from stock on a whim.
So I didn't even consider options except from the other side… what might it have had that would have STOPPED me from buying it?…. that would have been an automatic, a convertible, a/c, and certain colors.
Also, I don't THINK it would have caught my eye if it had had wheel covers on it, but I'm not sure if that would have stopped me.
IF it were March 1971 AGAIN I would have looked for an LT-! convertible, but that's based on what I'd like to have now, not based on what my thinking was in 1971.
The fact is that because it was such a plain and simple car it was very easy to just hang on to it when I bought something else. It never really "asked" for anything from me except for new brake calipers in about 1980. It just wasn't ever enough of a hassle to keep that I wanted to get rid of it.
Regards,
Alan
I bought my 71 from stock on a whim.
So I didn't even consider options except from the other side… what might it have had that would have STOPPED me from buying it?…. that would have been an automatic, a convertible, a/c, and certain colors.
Also, I don't THINK it would have caught my eye if it had had wheel covers on it, but I'm not sure if that would have stopped me.
IF it were March 1971 AGAIN I would have looked for an LT-! convertible, but that's based on what I'd like to have now, not based on what my thinking was in 1971.
The fact is that because it was such a plain and simple car it was very easy to just hang on to it when I bought something else. It never really "asked" for anything from me except for new brake calipers in about 1980. It just wasn't ever enough of a hassle to keep that I wanted to get rid of it.
Regards,
Alan
Thanks for being the first to post.
That's what I was looking for.
Marshal.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,102
Likes: 1,221
From: Madeira Beach, FL
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Hi Easy,
I've told the tale before…. I drove past the dealer on my lunch hour, saw it parked in front, stopped to look and liked it, (didn't drive it), made a deal (traded a 68 GTO), went back to work (a bank), came back at 5:00 pm with a check and drove it home.
That's it!
Except noticing my wife in the 6th grade it's probably the best thing that's happened to me. (Getting through 1966-1972 in one piece was good too.)
Regards,
Alan
I've told the tale before…. I drove past the dealer on my lunch hour, saw it parked in front, stopped to look and liked it, (didn't drive it), made a deal (traded a 68 GTO), went back to work (a bank), came back at 5:00 pm with a check and drove it home.
That's it!
Except noticing my wife in the 6th grade it's probably the best thing that's happened to me. (Getting through 1966-1972 in one piece was good too.)
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,102
Likes: 1,221
From: Madeira Beach, FL
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Mod75,
Orig. sales slip so cool.
Thanks.
I hope others share and enjoy as much as I am.
Marshal
Orig. sales slip so cool.
Thanks.
I hope others share and enjoy as much as I am.
Marshal
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,159
Likes: 4,236
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Marshall,
This one has a pretty short list compared to M75's!
Regards,
Alan
I think the price was a little less than about 2/3rds of what I was earning in 1971. Which means in todays money and todays Corvette prices I'd need to be earning about $100k. Both have increased about 10 fold.
This one has a pretty short list compared to M75's!
Regards,
Alan
I think the price was a little less than about 2/3rds of what I was earning in 1971. Which means in todays money and todays Corvette prices I'd need to be earning about $100k. Both have increased about 10 fold.
Last edited by Alan 71; Aug 23, 2015 at 08:06 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,062
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From: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Hi Easy,
I've told the tale before…. I drove past the dealer on my lunch hour, saw it parked in front, stopped to look and liked it, (didn't drive it), made a deal (traded a 68 GTO), went back to work (a bank), came back at 5:00 pm with a check and drove it home.
That's it!
Except noticing my wife in the 6th grade it's probably the best thing that's happened to me. (Getting through 1966-1972 in one piece was good too.)
Regards,
Alan
I've told the tale before…. I drove past the dealer on my lunch hour, saw it parked in front, stopped to look and liked it, (didn't drive it), made a deal (traded a 68 GTO), went back to work (a bank), came back at 5:00 pm with a check and drove it home.
That's it!
Except noticing my wife in the 6th grade it's probably the best thing that's happened to me. (Getting through 1966-1972 in one piece was good too.)
Regards,
Alan
Unlike Alan, I could not do a deal that I could afford.
There were four vettes in the show room, one by one they sold, except the one I wanted. Eventually we were able to do a deal, the Camaro was traded.
Here it is 45 years later and I still enjoy owning this car.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,349
Likes: 34
From: Porterville Ca
Nice thread, I like Alan's $10.00 deposit. I guess Alan made the right decision. I was hired to get a Corvette ready for the owner to sell. I kept looking at this 69 4 speed big block convertible and she kept telling me to buy her. I discussed price with the owner and have had her ever since. No power anything, but next summer it'll get air and power brakes.
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,093
Likes: 4,017
From: New Braunfels Texas
I bought my 72' because it had everything. PS/PB, A/C, PW, Tilt/Tele, AM/FM CD-MP3 upgrade.....and a 4 speed.
After owning two low option cars.....creature comforts are nice when they work well.
Jebby
After owning two low option cars.....creature comforts are nice when they work well.
Jebby