Hey guys

I know everyone hates these kinds of threads, but its how I always start my journey into new cars.

I have a 2000 FRC C5, and its my first vette and first American car for that matter, I really love it so far.

Anyways I always loved the look of the C3's , they still turn my head when I see one, I actually think in many ways they look better then the C5's , but of course they lack a lot of the newer benefits of technology and power etc...

I am thinking of buying a late model C3, late 70's early 80's as they seem to be the most affordable for me, I will not buy an automatic, , manual is mandatory, im just wondering the basics of what I should look out for when purchasing one.

Is there any notorious issues that I should look out for?

Are they fairly bulletproof cars are problematic?

How hard is it to lower the vehicle? On the c5 we can lower it using the stock bolts by simply adjusting the bolts or replacing them, is it just as easy to do with the C3?

Or would I need coilovers?

Also I would want one with some good power, so im assuming I would need a total engine rebuild or replacement? Or are they capable of making good power with some bolt ons?

Baiscally any info would help

Thanks in advance guys

Heres a photo of my C5 just for reference, I really like the lowered look with agreesive wheels, id like to do something similar with a C3.

 

Ok, I will bite. Please read the sticky at the top of the General section "10 Rules for Buying Your First C3 Corvette" then decide if you are still interested. Bulletproof? Never. Problematic? Always. These cars are 35 years old. Something is always breaking. Either have fairly good mechanical skills to wrench it yourself and save, or deep pockets to pay someone else. That being said, there is nothing more iconic than a C3 Corvette. We are just starting to look for a C5 convertible for my wife, maybe pull the trigger after our daughter gets out of high school. But I wouldn't trade my C3 for 5 C5s. Just my $.02. Good luck in your search! Nice C5 btw!

 

Depending on where you are at.. Check the body mounts and birdcage for rust. (Pull the kick panels to see the front mounts). Check the frame for excessive rust, or bad welds that have split (especially the crossmember under the engine). People tend to jack the car using the front crossmember, and can damage it. Check the panels for good alignment, and look for cracks in the fiberglass. If the car has rubber nose and tail, your going to probably have to replace them with fiberglass units. Plus the usual.. wiring, brakes, etc.

 

Thanks guys , I guess its pretty much what I was thinking then, that its going to take a lot of work to get it right.

mechanically I am not very good, but body wise and interior im not bad.

I had a 93 lexus sc400, and even that car, despite its incredible engineering, was in need of quite a bit, like all the rubber mounts and bushings, tune up, dry and cracking leather etc... age really takes a toll on cars.

I guess my main concern is engine and tranny, and something is telling me to perhaps buy one that has been dealt with already, either rebuilt or swapped.

Thanks again

 

I will nibble. I pretty much agree with the previous posts. 30 something year old car will always have issues/problems. I think the main thing to look at on C3s is rust and the bird cage. You can always do an engine swap later but thank god there are places like Ecklers, Corvette America, and Zip to find car parts and accessories for them. I have a C5 and love it but the C3 is my second favorite corvette. Oh yea just remember the years you are looking at for the C3 don't have the deep curves that make the C3 iconic in my opinion. The last year to have them were the 76 C3s.

 

Hey *****, there is a pretty active Canadian section here on the forum, with plenty of members with C3s in the GTA:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ian-events-97/



My C3 is heavily modified, so if you are ever interested in chatting or checking out my car, let me know. Most Friday nights I hang out at a burger joint in Whitby called Pete's Big Bite with a few dozen other gear heads. I also quite often go to the Saturday night car cruise at the 427/Queensway Canadian Tire.

 

Hey Buddy thanks for the link

I am rarely in whitby but I have family in Mississauga/etobicoke area and I pass by the 427/Queensway quite often.

Ill give you a shout if im in the area

 

Engine and trans are the easy part. Finding one that the frame and birdcage is really solid can be tricky.

 

I've noticed C3 owners tend to become mechanically skilled over time. The cars are pretty simple, just nuts, bolts and screws. Thanks to the interwebs and places like YouTube and this forum paint by number instructions are only a click away.

 

Im assuming the bird cage is the interior ?

Ive heard these cars can get the frames twisted up easy because of the way people jack them and put them on lifts, so I will keep an eye out for that.

Thanks

Well even the C5, compared to the other cars ive owned, seems relatively easy to work on, so the C3 must be even better since its 20+ years older.

thanks

 

Sorry. The "birdcage" is the part that runs from the firewall back to the frame kickup in front of the rear wheels. Windshield frame, cowl, A-pillars are all part of it. And they tend to get rusty- there are countless threads of guys doing repairs to the windshield frame and top of the cowl. Gets ugly pretty quick.
I don't know about frame twist- my 69 seems pretty stiff- I was under it years ago with it setting on 4 jackstands. I spun around on a creeper and kicked one- IT went flying across the floor and the car just set there on 3 stands.
A C3 (IMHO) is easier to work on than a C5- no electronics to speak of, and most everything is way more accessible.

 

Why not buy any of the coffee table Corvette history books and read up on Corvette?

 

Just an FYI the 4 speed cars tend to get beat on more than the autos, also an auto has a removable cross member while the manual has a welded in one, I converted my car to 4 speed it's not too hard to do and I saved a couple grand cuz the seller couldn't pull that it's a manual so it's worth more bs

Tldr you can save money by getting an auto then converting to 4 speed

 

Go west young man and seek the chrome bumpers and march to the beat of 4sp..4sp..4sp. You will not regret it as you will soon forget the higher prices of these. I'm in the Seattle area and you will not have any of the rust problems with a western car. In the past I've owned 5 '70-72 c3's now down to 1 '72 L48 coupe sadly it's an A/T. Looking at converting to 4sp this winter. Ditto, they are old and feature old technology so don't drive anyway near like a newer model. C3 SB's are far better drivers than BB's. A/C on BB's is silly as they all run HOT (as baking in the passenger area) with this option . I've never used the heater on my BB's

My wish list of favorites... best years? 1970 then 1971 then 1972, 1969 way down the list.

'70-72 base 4sp roadster
'70-72 base 4sp coupe
'69 4sp base roadster then coupe.

My past fleet: These were all GM no aftermarket junk parts PLEASE!

'72 A/T loaded L48 coupe fantastic '82 caddy bronze paint, not correct I know but WOW!
'70 L46 4sp coupe red/red 11:1 compression Great with high octane fuel horrible without additives
'70 LS5 A/T coupe Cortez/black leather
'72 L48 4sp roadster 47K miles survivor Warbonnet/black easily my favorite
'72 LT-1 coupe NOM 28K miles Warbonnet/ saddle, loaded,no A/C, Match #'s original bare block and all smog stuff went with the car

I advertised both the LT-1 and the roadster for sale at the same time at the same price years ago. Calls were 20 to 1 about the roadster vs the LT-1. Shows the demand of an open car and it hasn't let up at all.

Roadster...roadster...roadster...4sp...4 sp...4sp...chrome bumpers...chrome bumpers...chrome bumpers....

All the best,
SW

 

Nothing looks better than a C3! I have a '75 and tore it down to parade rest. I will never recover what was put into it, but it's a labor of love. I would do it again without question. Your choice.

 

I just traded in my 2004 C5 Vert for a 1973. Best thing I have done in awhile. I was lucky to get one with extremely low miles and none of the normal issues a 42 year old car has. (yet). Try and find one with lower miles if possible, and has not been kid-owned (i.e. hot-rodded and abused). That may be tough though due to their age now.

 

It always kills me when someone says that these C3's have issues/problems . What would you expect when you try to drive a 30 to 40 year old car every day on the old original parts. All of my Corvettes have been rebuilt from top to bottom and have been as reliable as they were when they were new. Sometimes more reliable because I'm not all hung up on original and not against minor upgrades like HEI ignition . You have to pay to play so start replacing those parts all at once or continue to have those problems but don't blame the car.

 

I recently went from a 2002 to a 1972. I have always wanted a chrome bumper C3 and I'm very happy with my 72. That being said I have noticed that while I do enjoy driving the 72 more than I did the 02 I drive the 72 way less. It isn't so much a reliability issue of the 72; its just that I'm more paranoid with it in parking spaces, traffic etc. I never hesitated to take the C5 anywhere. The 72 gets lots of attention wherever it goes but I do miss the power and handling of the 2002. I think I'm gonna just have to break down and get a newer vette after my DD is paid off next year and have both. The next C5 will be a Z06 because in my opinion its the best bang per buck going right now in the vette world.

 

1Willy1:

Don't know what kind of responses you will get here, but I [for one] am always glad to witness the acceptance (or conversion) of C5/6/7 owners into C3 lovers.

Rust is BAD! --especially in the window frame area, birdcage, body mount areas, and rear frame around the rear wheels.

I much prefer the 1970-72 models as they have greatest acceptance with the general public, have better engine power availabilites, and [in my mind] have better visual apprearance qualities that other years. But I still like them all.

1971 and later years have lower compression ratios and power, due to emissions and EPA requirements. But, they can still be performers with some modest 'tweaking'.

If you are not the DIY type, either spend the money for a good resto-mod of a vintage C3, or be ready to shell out BIG TIME to bring an original car up to that level. Repair and modernization of a C3 at $100 per hour rates adds up quickly. Get one already done and in good shape. Whatever you pay will be LOTS less than having one built. In particular, DO NOT buy a pristine 'original condition' car and then butcher it into a resto-mod. Get a regular daily driver (at much less cost) and 'massage' it into what you want. That will save you money and protect those few remaining 'original' C3 cars from the "knife".

Good luck!

 

C2 was the prom queen ....miss perfect.

But

C 3 was the ...... Brick chit house built sexy **** ....all the other girls hated and the boys dreamed of ....

I like my women a little on the trashy side....