Twelve months of looking, and nothing to show for it. Admittedly, I've changed focus and adjusted budget a couple times now, and in the early days was only casually looking, but I'm starting to hit my frustration point. I've already looked at a number of cars, and just can't find anything I would feel comfortable spending my money on. The worst part of the whole process is the sellers completely misrepresenting the cars. (I know big surprise) The last two cars I looked at were complete Franken-vettes, no VIN tag, missing or mismatched parts, just such a mess I didn't really know where to start, and they weren't even priced that well. I looked a 68 vert, with a good frame, but a CE engine, no trim tag, no VIN tag, with a Colorado reassigned VIN, 20K. The most recent one was a 72 vert, with a good frame, that looked to be a 72 body on a 78 chassis, NOM from a 78, no VIN tag, wrong color paint and interior, hardly anything left of the vacuum system, rusted and bondo-ed over doors, no weatherstripping, no softtop, and as an extra bonus, both power window switches and window cranks,15K OBO. I didn't even bother to make an offer, because I wouldn't pay anything near that.

I'm trying to stay around 15K, and I'm not looking for perfection, just running, non-rusted, and non-Bubba-ized. It seems that Bubba has set up permanent shop in the mid-west, because he has touched everything for sale around here. Maybe I should look to spend more, and I could be pushed up to 19K, but then that would have to be a pretty solid car, because I wouldn't have much left over.(for major work at least)

Forgive me, I don't even really have a question here, I just needed to vent. The car yesterday upset me quite a bit because I thought I had finally found "the one", and it turned out to be nowhere close. At least it confirms one thing everyone here says, NEVER buy one of these sight unseen. Both of the above cars looked great in the pictures, and looked like a hot mess in person.

I already know the answer here though, suck it up, put on your big boy pants, and wait until the right one comes along. I'm sure I'll be right back at it again tomorrow, I have the fever!

Thanks for listening to me whine!
--Mike

 

When you call someone about a car, you need to do a lot more than just ask about condition and mileage. You need to ask specific questions:

How long have you owned the car? Where did it come from and what was condition & mileage when purchased? Has it ever been in an accident? What have you done to the car since purchased? How do you use the vehicle? What repairs have been made to it? Did you do the work or have it done? Why have you decided to sell the car? (Is the seller a long-term owner or just flipping the car for a profit?)

You get the idea. You need to pick useful information about the car from the owner RATHER THAN just asking his OPINION about the condition of the car. From this, you can get a better idea of what the car is really like.

If you encounter an owner who is hesitant about discussing actual facts about the car, politely end the call. An owner who "hedges" info is an owner that is deceitful. One who LIKES to talk about the car is someone who has enjoyed owning it and is proud of the car.

These questions will pare down the list of cars so that you can concentrate your efforts on those that have reasonable chances of 'success' on your terms. YOU are the buyer and the owner wants to sell it. YOU have the leverage. If, during your conversation, you ever feel like you do not have the leverage, end the call...because you don't have the kind of seller you want to work with...EVEN IF THE CAR THEY OWN WOULD BE A GOOD ONE.

Think about these suggestions and come up with a 'screening' plan that will focus your attentions on serious owners with serious candidates for you purchase.

 

15k for a good chrome bumper C3 is going to be challenging as you already know.
Bubba gets around to all parts of the country, not just the Midwest. As far as sellers misrepresenting vehicles I believe some really don't understand what their selling and others truly believe their car is worth more than it is. I think maybe Barrett Jackson/ Mecum on TV brainwashes many sellers. I have been disappointed many times over the years but sometimes things do work out. I just bought a low mileage, all original 82CE that was 100% accurately described by the seller. Your quest will be an interesting/funny story once you get YOUR Vette.

 

I feel sorry for you because it is getting much harder to find a good C3 for a fair price. Most of the good ones seem to have already been restored and are commanding a premium price ( Most over inflated )and the rest have been scabbed over by Bubba. Not to say that there aren't any still out there to suit you but it is just a harder hunt. Don't give up , you will find the right car. Don't settle for less or you will regret it.

 

Hi Mike,
I agree with plmgr that $15 for a good 68-72 car may/will be difficult.
I often think that the rather narrow range of values between a really excellent 68-72 compared to a quite mediocre 68-72 bunches up a wide variety of cars in the lower third of that range.
It seems like there can be substantial differences between a $5k, $10k, and $15k car, AND that sellers are often overly optimistic (to their advantage) in deciding where to place THEIR car in that spread.
Owners of a $20k car rarely make the mistake of asking $15k for it, while owners of $10k cars seem to have little problem asking $15k for it.
I think that might be part of what you've experienced.
Maybe?
Good Luck with your search.
Regards,
Alan

 

OP, you need to consider a few things. First of all, Chevrolet didn't stamp out Corvettes in numbers like Impalas. During the C-3 run, all they made were between 25 and 30 thousand a year. That, in itself, makes a C-3 a rather rare car.

Secondly, back in the days when C-3s were still considered "new", people were more likely to drive them year round, which in certain regions of the US, that meant the frames and/or birdcages were subjected to road salt, which did a lot of damage to the cars. Also, many cars were lost to stupid drivers who thought they were Mario Andretti, but whose driving skills proved to be far less than Mario's.

Thirdly, again going "back to the day", even though Corvettes were held in a higher regard than an everyday Impala, they still were thought of as nothing more than "fancy Chevys", so when things broke, which they did over time, many times a "bubba fix" was thrown at the car, simply to keep it running. And this is even more prevalent, since you're looking at 40-45 year old cars.

I'm not trying to ruin your dream, but simply trying to add some perspective for you. I'm sure you're frustrated as hell, but in all reality, unless you're 1000% sold on having a C-3, a newer Corvette may be less costly for you to purchase and own.

 

Just my .02 worth and only my opinion. There's only one way, you're going to find an Early C3 in decent shape, for under $25K and that is, if you have some serious luck on your side.

Decent Early C3's start at $20-$25K and they will always need some attention in varying degrees. Under that price and you're almost guaranteed to be looking at 'Serious' attention and at that price point, you'll probably end up spending another $10K, $15K and even $20K to get it back to what it was.

The Early C3's are far more desirable, than the Mid-C3's, just because they had more HP and more importantly, chrome bumpers. That makes the Mid C3's and Late C3's the bargains of the C3 world and we like it like that, because sitting inside my '74, I get the exact same view you would in a 69', except for the fiber optics and wiper door. Same interior and same fender view. With some mild engine mods, a Mid C-3 small block can easily equal or better the horsepower of their older brethren.

You've been looking for a year, willing to spend $15K and that same $15K will get you one, very nice 1974 to 1975 C3 Corvette, that you could've been driving all summer, but if you insist on the chrome bumper C3, good luck in your search. Who knows, you might just luck out and find the Widow of an Early C3 guy, who just passed away and wants to get rid of the car.

 

Sure it is hard/frustrating/time consuming to find the right car for you, but that is the price of admission of early C3 ownership.
Broaden your search, and increase your budget..no longer will $15K net you the car you want.

Don't settle for something you won't be happy with.

Also, sellers misrepresent used cars in all price ranges..the nature of the beast.

 

Thanks everyone, really I appreciate all the responses and sage advice. I think had I not found this forum first, I would be on here asking how I go about replacing a frame on the "perfect" corvette that I just bought sight unseen. I'm definitely not expecting perfection, I know there will be plenty of work to do, I just need to find that car that doesn't require the really major work, but also doesn't completely kill my toy budget. Believe me, I'm painfully familiar with money pits, I've owned multiple boats, Ducatis, modified Jeeps, and a couple old Trans Ams many years ago. They all always need something. Nothing really scares me with Corvettes, as long as I can avoid the really serious issues.

To answer F22's question, I love all years of the C3, and really wouldn't mind having any of them, but, and I know it sounds really wimpy, I have to keep my wife happy. She started out not liking any year of Corvette period, and she has come to warm up to the chrome bumper years, which is helping to free up a little more money to get what "we" want.

I'll keep plugging along, it might be a long winter with an empty garage, but I'm still optimistic that the perfect one is out there.(just waiting to suck up my discretionary income!)

Thanks!
--Mike

 

You kind of mention looking at verts but any C3 droptop in driveable condition is going to be over the top your budget. The rubber bumper verts were the last that were affordable but they too are now in the low 20s if its decent. These sleepers with approx. 5K production numbers are finally out of hibernation and on the move.

 

Mike,

Here is a pretty nice looking '73 for $15.5K in Kansas City MO. Right in your price range and it looks, pretty good from here. Excellent looking interior, AC, rebuilt engine, trans. It does have a chrome bumper! Well, not both, but I think it's a great looking Early C3, worth looking at.

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/5279141845.html

1973 Chevrolet Corvette.


Numbers Matching 350 rebuilt with a 400 turbo Transmission. Working Factory Air , PW, PS , PB tilt and tellescoping steering , Everything works on this car. New Tires, new complete front end rebuild with the Power Steering system totally rebuilt , Perfect interior. Much much more.
Call for more info. THIS CAR IS FULLY LOADED. AND EVERYTHING WORKS

 

That advice is spot on....I had the longest conversation with the owner of the car I bought....Honest guy that spent time telling me what the car still needs not just about what he had already fixed. 2nd longest was a car I wish I could have bought, just didn't have the funds and he wants too much anyway. I still think about the big block war bonnet Vette just sitting there wasting away.

Brian

 

Agreed - 73's are neat. And check out the photo below of a 73 with a soft rear end. A sin to do this to a chrome bumper, maybe, but one might argue it's the shape of the rear end on early C3's people like as opposed to just the bumper...

 

Sent you a PM, agree with all of the good advice above, if you look, you will find something and half the fun is the hunt I think anyway! And the more you hunt, the more educated you become.

Best of luck to you and hope this helps.

 

Pm sent

 

Dont give up. Broaden the area of your search. I drove 5 hours each way to check out my verte. And had to make a return trip to pick it up. When I got there I was disappointed to find out the current owner was flipping it, but the body was clean and straight, rust free and he had a lift he gladly put the car on so I could look at the underside.

I started out looking at $6500 running project car, found this forum and decided on an 8-10k better running project. After more thought I went right through the 15k budget and thought 18k was my limit for a good running driver that would give me small projects to work on. I missed what I thought was my dream car at 18k but found my blue beauty dropped from 22k. I spent 19k on the purchase and another $1500 in state taxes, in Massachusetts you pay on the antique blue book, running or not. It was worth every penny.

I was honest with the seller and he was honest with me and he let me spend 2 hours going over every part, then he took me for a drive in it. My car needs alot of minor things, mostly with the soft top and the wiper system. Both will take money and time but more importantly I can drive it and enjoy it before the snow flies. My car was a Maine car its entire life and its rust free so you can still find a good car out there. Somebody will decide they dont want to store it or next spring will decide they dont want to fix it. Yours will come, be patient and find your chrome bumpered prom queen.

The down side is almost every car will have some thing bubba'd. Mine is interior screws, the wiper system and the top installation. I can live with that. Good Luck and keep your wife involved, a family vette will give you both stories to tell the kids.

 

I call the verte my prom queen because shes good looking, she always ready for a ride, she makes me smile everytime Im with her and I can't get enough of her. But, shes high maintenance, requires a steady influx of cash, everyone wants to be seen with her, everyone wants a ride and when she leaves she will break my heart. Be careful what you wish for because the chase can be as fun As the catch, but at a price
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...sting-you.html

 

Mjfrank. Did you receive my pm with a lead on a 72 for sale?

 

It's not the kill, it's the thrill of the chase. I looked for a long time and had a wide net at first. I just knew I wanted a C3 roadster. Looked at the 73-75s strongly, then narrowed it down to a chrome bumper. Decide if you want numbers matching or okay with non matching engine, paint, etc. I finally decided I really wanted either a red/red or blue/blue all original car. Don't give up and happy hunting!

 

I have always had better luck asking the owner what the car needs and what would he do to it if he just bought it or kept it. They all will gladly tell you how good things are. Sometimes you have to pry out what it needs. Saves a lot of looking.