Mistake on 1st Corvette
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 13
Likes: 1
Mistake on 1st Corvette
I've been hunting for years for a certain Corvette. This week I found exactly what I was looking for. A black on black 68 Corvette Conv. 327 4 speed. It will be auctioned off this weekend. Today I went and looked at it, everything looked great except the car is a 300 HP instead of a 350 HP, which is what I am really after. Everything else is perfect.
So I was wondering if the 50 HP difference is that big of a deal? I don't want to buy it and be unhappy, but if its not a big difference and I can get a good deal, I'd try and get it. I've never had a Corvette before so I don't really have anything to compare and thought this would be the best place to start. Thanks.
So I was wondering if the 50 HP difference is that big of a deal? I don't want to buy it and be unhappy, but if its not a big difference and I can get a good deal, I'd try and get it. I've never had a Corvette before so I don't really have anything to compare and thought this would be the best place to start. Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,279
Likes: 4,372
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi B,
WELCOME!
First post!
You're looking for a pretty special Corvette…. a black, black, black, 350hp car.
I wish I could say that there's not much difference in the 2 engines, but there is!
Only you can decide how important the 350hp is to you.
A 300hp car is close but not quite as special!
Regards,
Alan
It's a bb, but WOW!
WELCOME!
First post!
You're looking for a pretty special Corvette…. a black, black, black, 350hp car.
I wish I could say that there's not much difference in the 2 engines, but there is!
Only you can decide how important the 350hp is to you.
A 300hp car is close but not quite as special!
Regards,
Alan
It's a bb, but WOW!
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 137
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From: Seattle WA
Ischia
Last edited by woodlawnmill; Oct 27, 2015 at 07:55 PM. Reason: wrong HP
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 983
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From: Redding California
That's pretty darn close to your dream car and like mentioned above, you can bump up the horsepower internally without changing the outward appearance. You could do it on the cheap appearance wise and just change the valve covers and air cleaner decal!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
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From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
With everything as you wish and 50 Hp being the only difference I would go for it. One can easily build that 300hp up to 350HP and you would have to tweek a 327/350HP at 11:1 comp ? to run on todays pump gas anyway. If you MUST have all on your wish list(N.C.R.S correct)and willing to "Wait for what you really want"you could search decades. Ask yourself how many have you even seen that are this close to even pass on?
Ischia
Ischia
That might be your last chance to get even that close to what you really want.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 139
From: Syracuse NY
If the body, paint and interior are what you want, JUMP ON IT.
Engines are easily manipulated, relatively cheap (compared to body work) and can be done a thousand different ways.
Sure, 300 vs 350 HP is a noticeable difference, but its WAY easier to hop up a motor than it is to make a body/interior the way you want it.
Engines are easily manipulated, relatively cheap (compared to body work) and can be done a thousand different ways.
Sure, 300 vs 350 HP is a noticeable difference, but its WAY easier to hop up a motor than it is to make a body/interior the way you want it.
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
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These guys are right in my opinion. Horse power is internal, nothing external would have to change, if its a matching numbers car and you could always buy a cratemotor and put the original block in storage. Your first sentence says it all" been searching for years....." buy it now so you can enjoy it
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Boise Idaho
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '15, '17
Plus go over the whole car and if you don't know what to look for then find someone who knows bumper C3s and have them take a look at it. There are a lot of misrepresented cars out there as far as originality.
Team Owner
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Cruise-In II Veteran
...I don't want to buy it and be unhappy...
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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I have a 350 horse 65 that runs fine on pump gas, 93 octane with no de-tuning. I have owned 300 hp cars in the past. While I prefer the 350 horse the 300 makes most of it's torque lower in the RPM range than the 350 horse. The 350 horse will walk away from the 300 horse once you get the revs up but the 300 horse is every bit as satisfying at lower RPM's which is where you live most of the time. If the car checks out, you should go for it. They can certainly be purchased cheaper than the L79.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2015
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I guess for now the big thing is what the car will end up going for. If I can get a good deal I'll probably go for it. For the record I'm by no means saying the 300 HP is under powered. I'm just trying to find a match. For the area I'm in (corn country) this car or frankly any corvette is a rare find. So when I saw it I called right away, as it's at an auction house about 10 miles down the road. In the end this car will be a Sunday driver. Something we can hop in and take for a cruise. We're not drag racers, and I don't plan on adding a blower and nitrous to give it 800 HP. I'm sure the 50 HP. difference to us would be unnoticeable. Now maybe I need to start another thread and I'll do some checking around but is there any big differences in a 300 HP Vette and an L79 car other than the HP. i.e. Trans, Axle, Suspension?
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I guess for now the big thing is what the car will end up going for. If I can get a good deal I'll probably go for it. For the record I'm by no means saying the 300 HP is under powered. I'm just trying to find a match. For the area I'm in (corn country) this car or frankly any corvette is a rare find. So when I saw it I called right away, as it's at an auction house about 10 miles down the road. In the end this car will be a Sunday driver. Something we can hop in and take for a cruise. We're not drag racers, and I don't plan on adding a blower and nitrous to give it 800 HP. I'm sure the 50 HP. difference to us would be unnoticeable. Now maybe I need to start another thread and I'll do some checking around but is there any big differences in a 300 HP Vette and an L79 car other than the HP. i.e. Trans, Axle, Suspension?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
I guess for now the big thing is what the car will end up going for. If I can get a good deal I'll probably go for it. For the record I'm by no means saying the 300 HP is under powered. I'm just trying to find a match. For the area I'm in (corn country) this car or frankly any corvette is a rare find. So when I saw it I called right away, as it's at an auction house about 10 miles down the road. In the end this car will be a Sunday driver. Something we can hop in and take for a cruise. We're not drag racers, and I don't plan on adding a blower and nitrous to give it 800 HP. I'm sure the 50 HP. difference to us would be unnoticeable. Now maybe I need to start another thread and I'll do some checking around but is there any big differences in a 300 HP Vette and an L79 car other than the HP. i.e. Trans, Axle, Suspension?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Hard to find in your area...outstanding condition
Hey if the price is right go for it.
How many more years do you want to wait?
These cars are old, if its sound solid and not rusted out grab it. Dont suppose theres any chance you can test drive?
Good advice on bringing a C3 expert.a reg car guy may not know hidden problems C3s can give
so many "restos" out there are nightmares covered up...they arent like we remembered them to be 25 yrs ago
Made a mistake many many yrs ago for buying a car with "all the options" rather than one with less options that was pretty in better condition for less (never buy a car in primer ever!).
You can add options any day and the car wont know the difference
Hey if the price is right go for it.
How many more years do you want to wait?
These cars are old, if its sound solid and not rusted out grab it. Dont suppose theres any chance you can test drive?
Good advice on bringing a C3 expert.a reg car guy may not know hidden problems C3s can give
so many "restos" out there are nightmares covered up...they arent like we remembered them to be 25 yrs ago
Made a mistake many many yrs ago for buying a car with "all the options" rather than one with less options that was pretty in better condition for less (never buy a car in primer ever!).
You can add options any day and the car wont know the difference
Last edited by cv67; Oct 28, 2015 at 11:03 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,228
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From: Long Island
50 HP is a noticeable difference in performance.
If you change from a 3:36 rear to a 3:55 rear the car will feel as fast as the additional 50 HP. Cost is less than $800.00..
Also the 300hp engine is better on the street - better manners.
If you change from a 3:36 rear to a 3:55 rear the car will feel as fast as the additional 50 HP. Cost is less than $800.00..
Also the 300hp engine is better on the street - better manners.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
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Buy it. If the engine has not been rebuilt since new even if it is the 350 you might want to pull it and rebuild it anyway. While it is out you can modify it to give more power.
And it might be a long time until you find something that close.
And it might be a long time until you find something that close.
