First time vette owner -finally!!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 434
Likes: 240
From: TINLEY PARK, IL
First time vette owner -finally!!!
Hello to all here on the forum. My name is Ray.
I have wanted a C3 Corvette since I was 13 years old and rode in my Uncle Ray's 68'.
Finally, at 61 years old, my dream has come true!
I found this creampuff 82' CE in MA and had it shipped here. I negotiated them changing all 4 brake calipers to stave off the caliper corrosion issue, fix the power antenna that didn't deploy, and also take care of the A/C vents not blowing air.
It came with the original bill of sale, original window sticker, dealer options order sheet, hand written Chevrolet new car warranty, original owner's manual, and other documents. The car was sold by Ted Chevrolet of Staten Island, NY, on Aug 6th 1982, for an out-the-door price of $22,396.68
The car has every option offered for the 82', and the Gymkhana suspension, which I was afraid before I drove it that it would be too tight and bumpy, but I actually like it. The car handles very well. My Wife's mid-sized SUV rides worse-
The car drives like a dream, and I had forgotten after all those years that driving a C3 Corvette is a VISCERAL experience, with the deep bass rumble of the exhaust hitting you in your gut, and the ROAR you can feel in your bones when you get on the throttle.
We plan on driving the HECK out of it, and taking it next year to Estes Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Trail Ridge Road, and beyond.
I am like a little kid at Christmas, sneaking out to the garage every now and then to check out my Baby.
It took me a few years to save up enough pennies to buy my Vette, but now I have one!
-And of course, now I am thinking about an earlier version to go in the garage too, maybe with a big-block!
-Ray
I have wanted a C3 Corvette since I was 13 years old and rode in my Uncle Ray's 68'.
Finally, at 61 years old, my dream has come true!
I found this creampuff 82' CE in MA and had it shipped here. I negotiated them changing all 4 brake calipers to stave off the caliper corrosion issue, fix the power antenna that didn't deploy, and also take care of the A/C vents not blowing air.
It came with the original bill of sale, original window sticker, dealer options order sheet, hand written Chevrolet new car warranty, original owner's manual, and other documents. The car was sold by Ted Chevrolet of Staten Island, NY, on Aug 6th 1982, for an out-the-door price of $22,396.68
The car has every option offered for the 82', and the Gymkhana suspension, which I was afraid before I drove it that it would be too tight and bumpy, but I actually like it. The car handles very well. My Wife's mid-sized SUV rides worse-
The car drives like a dream, and I had forgotten after all those years that driving a C3 Corvette is a VISCERAL experience, with the deep bass rumble of the exhaust hitting you in your gut, and the ROAR you can feel in your bones when you get on the throttle.
We plan on driving the HECK out of it, and taking it next year to Estes Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Trail Ridge Road, and beyond.
I am like a little kid at Christmas, sneaking out to the garage every now and then to check out my Baby.
It took me a few years to save up enough pennies to buy my Vette, but now I have one!
-And of course, now I am thinking about an earlier version to go in the garage too, maybe with a big-block!
-Ray
Last edited by GRAND SPORT GUY; Nov 3, 2015 at 12:02 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Super nice...
.around '83 I rode in the rear hatch of a CE over to Daytona beach, cruised the beach all day sitting on the rear, hatch in my lap,
The fun part is I am 6'2"
Not long after that the car busted a motor mount the fellow then around 85 parked it in the back yard and I lost contact until I heard about a year ago the car sold as a basket case, never had been moved from that back yard and it was I was told fully trashed that water had gotten in it etc...
When I think c3's of course I think of the L-88's and such but when I get practical I just love the CE, a vette book I have called it the corvette to "covet" I have to agree with that idea....
.around '83 I rode in the rear hatch of a CE over to Daytona beach, cruised the beach all day sitting on the rear, hatch in my lap,The fun part is I am 6'2"
Not long after that the car busted a motor mount the fellow then around 85 parked it in the back yard and I lost contact until I heard about a year ago the car sold as a basket case, never had been moved from that back yard and it was I was told fully trashed that water had gotten in it etc...
When I think c3's of course I think of the L-88's and such but when I get practical I just love the CE, a vette book I have called it the corvette to "covet" I have to agree with that idea....
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
Very nice looking CE!! Congratulations. I was reflecting on the just the other day on the exact feeling you've got with your first Vette, as I passed my 10 year anniversary with mine. Hopefully you'll still feel the same in 10 years.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,189
Likes: 830
From: Chapel Hill NC
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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I was fortunate enough (or foolish?) to get my first Corvette 45 years ago and the "thrill" of Vette ownership is still there.
Congrats on such a nice looking car.
Congrats on such a nice looking car.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 434
Likes: 240
From: TINLEY PARK, IL
Wow folks, thanks for all the nice replies! Yeah, after posting yesterday, I went out for a cruise down to Kankakee River State Park, had a Diet Mountain Dew, and drove back home. -A 100 mile loop all on back roads that I do frequently on my Harley. Thursday, my Wife and I are taking the 'Vette down to Peoria to see Frank Caliendo and cook our own steaks at Alexander's Steak House.
Man, I LOVE this car! It is cooler than I ever imagined in real life. I feel like a kid at Christmas!
Shoot! Enough internet B.S., I gotta' go take a ride in my Corvette!
Man, I LOVE this car! It is cooler than I ever imagined in real life. I feel like a kid at Christmas!
Shoot! Enough internet B.S., I gotta' go take a ride in my Corvette!
Last edited by GRAND SPORT GUY; Nov 4, 2015 at 09:35 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 231
Likes: 39
From: Imboden Arkansas
Congratulations on one gorgeous CE. I know your feelings exactly. I'm 66 and did the same thing this summer (only mine is a '77). I still go open the garage door every once in a while just to be sure there really is a vette in there. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
Wow folks, thanks for all the nice replies! Yeah, after posting yesterday, I went out for a cruise down to Kankakee River State Park, had a Diet Mountain Dew, and drove back home. -A 100 mile loop all on back roads that I do frequently on my Harley. Thursday, my Wife and I are taking the 'Vette down to Peoria to see Frank Caliendo and cook our own steaks at Alexander's Steak House.
Man, I LOVE this car! It is cooler than I ever imagined in real life. I feel like a kid at Christmas!
Shoot! Enough internet B.S., I gotta' go take a ride in my Corvette!
Man, I LOVE this car! It is cooler than I ever imagined in real life. I feel like a kid at Christmas!
Shoot! Enough internet B.S., I gotta' go take a ride in my Corvette!
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,221
Likes: 9,359
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Congrats I know how you feel. I look forward to the weekends so I can go take a ride. The daily drive is a bore compared to my 68. Next summer seems soooo far away
