Early year C3 problems?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 45
Likes: 2
From: Naperville IL
Early year C3 problems?
I'm shopping for my first Vette, preferably 69-73. I am working with about $20-25k. What are some problems that I should be looking for in this year range? I don't mind dealing with a few mechanical problems, but I don't want to buy something that will need another $20k to keep it nice and on the road. Thanks!
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 205
Likes: 37
From: Plano Texas
I'd start with this thread:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-corvette.html
...and just try not to break too many of the rules! Good luck!
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-corvette.html
...and just try not to break too many of the rules! Good luck!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,270
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi E,
Welcome!
Considering a 69-73! Very Nice!
The single biggest thing to check-out is the condition of the frame and birdcage.
There is NO reason to knowingly buy a car that's rusty. It will take all your time and money and also break your heart.
There are MANY other things to consider in the car, but the rust issue must be put to rest FIRST.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Welcome!
Considering a 69-73! Very Nice!
The single biggest thing to check-out is the condition of the frame and birdcage.
There is NO reason to knowingly buy a car that's rusty. It will take all your time and money and also break your heart.
There are MANY other things to consider in the car, but the rust issue must be put to rest FIRST.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 45
Likes: 2
From: Naperville IL
Hi E,
Welcome!
Considering a 69-73! Very Nice!
The single biggest thing to check-out is the condition of the frame and birdcage.
There is NO reason to knowingly buy a car that's rusty. It will take all your time and money and also break your heart.
There are MANY other things to consider in the car, but the rust issue must be put to rest FIRST.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Welcome!
Considering a 69-73! Very Nice!
The single biggest thing to check-out is the condition of the frame and birdcage.
There is NO reason to knowingly buy a car that's rusty. It will take all your time and money and also break your heart.
There are MANY other things to consider in the car, but the rust issue must be put to rest FIRST.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,270
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi e,
Well that's a tough one to answer.
If the body is twisted or 'torqued' in some way the fiberglass can crack, but that wouldn't happen under normal conditions and wouldn't be considered typical at all.
It IS true that working on a fiberglass body requires a completely different set of abilities, skills, and experience than is required for working on metal bodied cars.
This is why shops that have the most experience with Corvettes often work only on Corvettes.
I don't think fiberglass cracking has to dismay you in your search for a car. You need to learn as much as you can about these year Corvettes so you have some knowledge about what you're looking at.
I ALWAYS advise that a person new or even fairly new to Corvettes have a person very knowledgeable about the year being looked at accompany them when they look at a car. This person can then relay to the buyer what he's seeing… both good and bad.
Regards,
Alan
Well that's a tough one to answer.
If the body is twisted or 'torqued' in some way the fiberglass can crack, but that wouldn't happen under normal conditions and wouldn't be considered typical at all.
It IS true that working on a fiberglass body requires a completely different set of abilities, skills, and experience than is required for working on metal bodied cars.
This is why shops that have the most experience with Corvettes often work only on Corvettes.
I don't think fiberglass cracking has to dismay you in your search for a car. You need to learn as much as you can about these year Corvettes so you have some knowledge about what you're looking at.
I ALWAYS advise that a person new or even fairly new to Corvettes have a person very knowledgeable about the year being looked at accompany them when they look at a car. This person can then relay to the buyer what he's seeing… both good and bad.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Mar 2, 2017 at 03:10 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 45
Likes: 2
From: Naperville IL
I live in the Chicago area where there are many classic car showrooms and dealers. What are your thoughts on buying through a place like that? They make me a little uneasy because they are in the business for profit.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 45
Likes: 2
From: Naperville IL
Hi e,
Well that's a tough one to answer.
If the body is twisted or 'torqued' in some way the fiberglass can crack, but that wouldn't happen under normal conditions and wouldn't be considered typical at all.
It IS true that working on a fiberglass body requires a completely different set of abilities, skills, and experience than is required for working on metal bodied cars.
This is why shops that have the most experience with Corvettes often work only on Corvettes.
I don't think fiberglass cracking has to dismay you in your search for a car. You need to learn as much as you can about these year Corvettes so you have some knowledge about what you're looking at.
I ALWAYS advise that a person new or even fairly new to Corvettes have a person very knowledgeable about the year being looked at accompany them when they look at a car. This person can then relay to the buyer what he's seeing… both good and bad.
Regards,
Alan
Well that's a tough one to answer.
If the body is twisted or 'torqued' in some way the fiberglass can crack, but that wouldn't happen under normal conditions and wouldn't be considered typical at all.
It IS true that working on a fiberglass body requires a completely different set of abilities, skills, and experience than is required for working on metal bodied cars.
This is why shops that have the most experience with Corvettes often work only on Corvettes.
I don't think fiberglass cracking has to dismay you in your search for a car. You need to learn as much as you can about these year Corvettes so you have some knowledge about what you're looking at.
I ALWAYS advise that a person new or even fairly new to Corvettes have a person very knowledgeable about the year being looked at accompany them when they look at a car. This person can then relay to the buyer what he's seeing… both good and bad.
Regards,
Alan
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,270
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi e,
Aren't owners hoping for a profit too?
When buying from a dealer you have to perhaps be even MORE diligent in examining the car.
If the dealer has a car you especially like and it checks out to your satisfaction there's really no reason not to buy it.
You shouldn't depend in anyway on what the dealer says about the car or what the written description is. You have to examine it carefully and let the car tell it's own story without the added and distracting 'lingo' the dealers like to throw around.
There are all levels of cars being sold at dealers just like there are all levels of cars being sold by owners.
Regards,
Alan
Aren't owners hoping for a profit too?
When buying from a dealer you have to perhaps be even MORE diligent in examining the car.
If the dealer has a car you especially like and it checks out to your satisfaction there's really no reason not to buy it.
You shouldn't depend in anyway on what the dealer says about the car or what the written description is. You have to examine it carefully and let the car tell it's own story without the added and distracting 'lingo' the dealers like to throw around.
There are all levels of cars being sold at dealers just like there are all levels of cars being sold by owners.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Mar 2, 2017 at 04:06 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 205
Likes: 37
From: Plano Texas
I agree with Alan.
My 68 was purchased from a dealer. In hindsight I probably broke a few of the 'Top 10' when I bought it, but it's my first one, I had the money (at the time), and I bought the one I wanted. Past that, there's no lookin' back!
Hud
My 68 was purchased from a dealer. In hindsight I probably broke a few of the 'Top 10' when I bought it, but it's my first one, I had the money (at the time), and I bought the one I wanted. Past that, there's no lookin' back!
Hud
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,270
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
As I've gotten older I've realized that there's really nothing wrong with paying too much for something you REALLY like.
The problem is paying too much for something that as it turns out you don't like as much as you THOUGHT you would.
It's sorta the same thing with wives!
Regards,
Alan
As I've gotten older I've realized that there's really nothing wrong with paying too much for something you REALLY like.
The problem is paying too much for something that as it turns out you don't like as much as you THOUGHT you would.
It's sorta the same thing with wives!
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 45
Likes: 2
From: Naperville IL
I honestly can't say why I haven't been looking harder for a 68... I haven't ruled them out at all, I just haven't done my research. Why don't you give me the cliff notes on the one off things?
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 95
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,270
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
I agree, no reason to not consider a very nice complete 68.
Even the Cliff's Notes version is dozens of items long. So it's important to buy a 68 that has it's '68 only' parts still on it.
Regards,
Alan
This one would be nice!
I agree, no reason to not consider a very nice complete 68.
Even the Cliff's Notes version is dozens of items long. So it's important to buy a 68 that has it's '68 only' parts still on it.
Regards,
Alan
This one would be nice!
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 226
Likes: 22
From: Milton Ontario
I've been looking for a couple of years and I think the first thing you have to come to terms with is originality. Numbers matching is going to cost more so decide if that's important to you or not. Also, many advertised as 'numbers matching' may be fakes so educate yourself if that's the route you are taking. Big blocks command a premium and are harder to find. Horsepower was higher in the earlier years and decreased into the 70's and they changed how it was measured in 72 so they are not much different than 71 for similar engines. Decide what you like and buy the most car that you can afford.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,982
Likes: 6,209
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
As a buyer you have to be informed and judge each car on its own details and determine if it's the right car for you, at the right price, regardless of who's selling it.