Frustrated
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 781
Likes: 113
Pardon me as I write in frustration but I have to vent to the group. Maybe someone can comment in such a way to give me some solice in my search for a C3. I have been searching for a few months trying to find a C3 that isn't a project car or basketcase. Everytime I call on a local or out of state car I ask my questions and then see the car and it is misrepresented! Its not like I'm willing to pay a fair amount of money which is up to $20K. I just drove a 1980 car last night and before going over I asked the owner how is the paint on a scale of 1-10. Person responds back with a 9.5...yeah right. I also asked if the car needed anything fixed or repaired mechanically or electrically and he said nothing needs any fixing. Well I went to see and drive the car and here is what I found. One of the mirrored T-tops was severely cracked two places all the way across the glass. The water pump was leaking and transmission was leaking on the front and rear seal. Outside passenger door handle was not working and the blower fan motor didn't operate at any setting. The driver's side inside door handle was about pulled out. The paint was a single stage and low gloss riddled with touchups and poor ones at that. Valve covers were leaking and engine was smoking due to the leak. Heaven knows what else was wrong with it before I gave up. I really want to get a nice C3 but I'll be damn if I can find a decent one that is not needing a lot of work or is misrepresented 
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-michigan.html
Not perfect but well cared for w some sensible upgrades as well as all original parts for the NCRS purist...Jim
PS the '78 SA vettes are really well designed late C3 's..We love ours ..
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
You need to ask specific questions that only a competent OWNER would be able to answer:
How long have you owned the car? Where and when did you acquire it? What work have you done on it? What does NOT work properly on the car? etc. etc.
If the seller cannot answer those questions...or chooses not to...you need to say "Thank you", then hang up.
Also, if they answer those questions (and others that you have), but the answers indicate that the owner doesn't know much about the car or hasn't done any work on it, you probably should take a pass on it.
You want to buy a car from someone who is knowledgeable about the car, who has worked on it or knows what work was done (and why), and someone who you believe has CARED for the car. These are the types of folks who respect and appreciate the car and who would have taken good care of it.
If you aren't asking these types of questions, you can't pare down all the cars for sale into the few which are worth the effort to investigate.
How long have you owned the car? Where and when did you acquire it? What work have you done on it? What does NOT work properly on the car? etc. etc.
If the seller cannot answer those questions...or chooses not to...you need to say "Thank you", then hang up.
Also, if they answer those questions (and others that you have), but the answers indicate that the owner doesn't know much about the car or hasn't done any work on it, you probably should take a pass on it.
You want to buy a car from someone who is knowledgeable about the car, who has worked on it or knows what work was done (and why), and someone who you believe has CARED for the car. These are the types of folks who respect and appreciate the car and who would have taken good care of it.
If you aren't asking these types of questions, you can't pare down all the cars for sale into the few which are worth the effort to investigate.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,121
Likes: 1,231
From: Madeira Beach, FL
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Very good advise.
Marshal
Marshal
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
As you look, you are getting better at your inspections, and you are getting better at asking questions, and getting better at price points. you now know what questions to ask, which detailed pictures to ask for and what a decent price is, and you know what your requirements are.
what kind of gets to me is that some folks don't factor in their acquisition costs. looking, looking and more looking, and traveling, and passing on cars due to wrong paint when a car is in great condition overall or over priced, sitting in front of the computer for a hundred hours.
I probably overpaid 5K for my car ( according to some folks here on this forum), but my search was ended, it wasn't across the country so shipping and acquisition costs were much lower ( a day trip and a trailer), and it only needed nickel and dime stuff. it was rare so I wasn't going to find a cheaper one.
you either have to lower your requirements, or increase the price you are willing to pay. else if you do finally find a nice buy, then another buyer will beat you to the deal.
what kind of gets to me is that some folks don't factor in their acquisition costs. looking, looking and more looking, and traveling, and passing on cars due to wrong paint when a car is in great condition overall or over priced, sitting in front of the computer for a hundred hours.
I probably overpaid 5K for my car ( according to some folks here on this forum), but my search was ended, it wasn't across the country so shipping and acquisition costs were much lower ( a day trip and a trailer), and it only needed nickel and dime stuff. it was rare so I wasn't going to find a cheaper one.
you either have to lower your requirements, or increase the price you are willing to pay. else if you do finally find a nice buy, then another buyer will beat you to the deal.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 5,009
Likes: 38
From: jackson nj
JohnnieUtah, I feel your pain as I've recently had the same thing happen to me. I found a C3 on Ebay with the most of the options I wanted, and with communications back and forth, the owner and I came to an agreed price. When I went out of state to pickup the car I find it did not have the original engine, the "original color" as advertised, was repainted in a different years color, then the original AM/FM radio was clearly an aftermarket....that even he could not get to work (he owned the car for 15 years he told me), the drivers door would not open with the outside handle, and "all of a sudden" the headlamps would not go up or down...never mind the windshield wiper door (the car is a 1972). Then from there it get's even better...the "new" carpets...which were wrong...were actually put in "before" HE bought the car, so they were over 15 years old (and they were not installed correctly), and the same for the new brakes (including calipers) & new suspension, which all the bushings were cracking...
We then "re-negotiated" the price and when taking a test ride...for a car that rode & drove perfectly...I almost did not stop at the end of his looooonnnnggg driveway because the power booster did not work..!!!! (which of course he did not know) about (he drove this car for 15 years and did not know the power brakes did not work..???) 
Then I see he has the passenger seat held in by bolting the R/H shoulder strap to the seat track because only one forward bolt was holding in the seat...UGGHH.
We then "re-negotiated" the price and when taking a test ride...for a car that rode & drove perfectly...I almost did not stop at the end of his looooonnnnggg driveway because the power booster did not work..!!!! (which of course he did not know) about (he drove this car for 15 years and did not know the power brakes did not work..???) Then I see he has the passenger seat held in by bolting the R/H shoulder strap to the seat track because only one forward bolt was holding in the seat...UGGHH.
Last edited by Redvette_22; Dec 1, 2016 at 01:58 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 781
Likes: 113
One other item to consider..no matter what C3 you eventually decide on ..Where you live and drive will the car need to pass any emissions testing to be registered-tagged?.MOST of the older cars w carbuerators ..won't..
Some of the C3's are easier to work on and repair than others..The 82 with the crossfire fuel injection is troublesome to some..How astute are you for your own repairs, upgrades, troubleshooting...?There are plenty of us who own/drive/enjoy the older cars.but often a task is above our experiences, space/tools..and abilities so having some experienced shops near where you live is a tremendous asset..Jim
Some of the C3's are easier to work on and repair than others..The 82 with the crossfire fuel injection is troublesome to some..How astute are you for your own repairs, upgrades, troubleshooting...?There are plenty of us who own/drive/enjoy the older cars.but often a task is above our experiences, space/tools..and abilities so having some experienced shops near where you live is a tremendous asset..Jim
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,449
Likes: 8,245
From: Napa Valley California
I looked for quite a while at all type of projects on line and found my Corvette at a car show where there were several for sale. The car was in excellent condition for the price and it was a second owner car. He popped the hood and allowed the wife and I to sit inside. He started the car, let it run for several minutes, and was upfront about the under the hood drips. I called him about a month after the show and offered him a lower price and he excepted. I had a safety and valuation inspection done on the car prior to my purchase and it was valued at a higher price than what I paid. I've been happy. Good luck.
Last edited by OldCarBum; Dec 1, 2016 at 10:00 PM.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 493
Likes: 65
Not that this will help you now, but I wasn't even looking for a Corvette when I found mine. And, I saw it in the newspaper in a for sale ad. I looked at the ad, and it said 69 Corvette with a 454. I put the paper down and walked off. Well, about 4 or 5 steps, and went back to get the number, just in case. The seller and I have been friends for 10 years.
I've spent a lot of time and money on this car, and don't care what the "market" says it's worth, I know what it'll take to hand over the keys. It's not a frame off, but it's a comprehensive rebuild.
Hang in there, and don't give up.....
I've spent a lot of time and money on this car, and don't care what the "market" says it's worth, I know what it'll take to hand over the keys. It's not a frame off, but it's a comprehensive rebuild.
Hang in there, and don't give up.....
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,449
Likes: 8,245
From: Napa Valley California
I wasn't looking to buy a Corvette either. I was actually looking at a Factory Five Racing Cobra or Type 65 Coupe to purchase and build. This 73, 454 just caught my eye at the show. What nailed the sale was the wife fell in love with it.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 684
Likes: 62
From: Ogden, Utah
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 684
Likes: 62
From: Ogden, Utah
I just wanted to thank those that offered such wonderful advice on my search for a C3. I also feel compelled to explain why I need one that doesn't need much work. I have a son with Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy and if you know anything about this disease you would know he doesn't have a long life span. He's wheelchair bound pretty much the whole time and has very little excitement in his life except for when I take him to car shows. He lights right up when this is on the agenda for the day. Before his passing I just want him to have this experience of riding in a Vette, owning it and seeing it shown at the local car shows here in town. I was able to give him the experience of riding on my Yamaha Stratoliner 1900cc motorcycle by designing and building a quick release seating attachment within 6 months. Very sweet indeed and it was shown off at the MDA Harley ride last year. So now as a father I just want to complete another goal which is finding a nice C3 with little work needed so more time is spent enjoying it with my son instead of being worked on all the time. Thanks guys 
Last edited by JohnnieUtah; Dec 2, 2016 at 04:44 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Good looking young man, there. And he'd look even better in a C3!!
Keep looking; quiz the heck out of the sellers, and dump the ones that don't have good answers; stay open minded on 'cosmetics'; stay closed-minded on mechanical integrity. As long as the car is safe, operates as it should, and has pretty good visual appeal, any such car would fit the bill. If you have the luxury of getting one in the color you prefer, great! But, don't lock onto such issues as "important".
Keep the faith! Good luck.
P.S. Post a photo of your son in that C3 when you get it.
Keep looking; quiz the heck out of the sellers, and dump the ones that don't have good answers; stay open minded on 'cosmetics'; stay closed-minded on mechanical integrity. As long as the car is safe, operates as it should, and has pretty good visual appeal, any such car would fit the bill. If you have the luxury of getting one in the color you prefer, great! But, don't lock onto such issues as "important".
Keep the faith! Good luck.
P.S. Post a photo of your son in that C3 when you get it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,623
Likes: 22
From: Boise Idaho
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '15, '17
If you're not familiar with it you can use Search Tempest to scan multiple cities on craigslist.
With your budget you should be able to find a very nice rubber bumper car or even a decent chrome bumper coupe.
Once you find a good candidate I'd have someone familiar with Cs go over the car preferably at a shop.
Best of luck to you and your son.
With your budget you should be able to find a very nice rubber bumper car or even a decent chrome bumper coupe.
Once you find a good candidate I'd have someone familiar with Cs go over the car preferably at a shop.
Best of luck to you and your son.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 374
Likes: 42
From: Coldwater Mi
Johnnie: "I" wasn't saying you did have a budget of $10k....I commented on Cascadian's post as referenced above...sorry for the confusion!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 684
Likes: 62
From: Ogden, Utah
Well everyone the son and I have a new C3 in the family. The inspection report came in today and she's a nice local keeper. Thanks to all for your advice and support. I'm sure you will all be hearing from me as time goes on. And yes I will post a picture of my son in it as soon as this darn winter storm stops so I can bring her home LOL.
And yes I will post a picture of my son in it as soon as this darn winter storm stops so I can bring her home LOL.
Last edited by JohnnieUtah; Dec 8, 2016 at 08:01 PM.
