Paul L

I don't mind being kidded!

PeterC3

Sweet 'vette. Which model year is it? No chrome and no little rubber bumperettes in the front.

crawfish333

Not trying to be nosy, but for the sake of discussion, I am curious as to why you make the cutoff at 71 when a small block 72 Stingray is almost identical. Is it the published HP? If so, then are you aware that the reason a SB 71 shows more HP than a SB is because the government changed the way the horsepower is rated and published in 72? I believe that the engines are the same. If it were me, I would make the cutoff on the other end; I would not want a 68. It is not because I do not like them. This is because as a first year C3, they are unique in some ways and I am afraid it would cost prohibitive for me to keep it up. They do have some unique features.

Just Curious

bb62

Different people might have different "cut-off" dates for things they prefer, like chrome bumpers in 1972. Consider that 1971 was the last year you could get a serious old-school high HP big block Corvette with solid lifters - the LS6 big block. Some might consider the 1970 model year since it was the last year with high compression, etc. etc.

Paul L

That is a 1974. Last year of the BB and true dual exhaust.

0Willcox Corvette

From someone that has owned C1, C2, C3, C4 cars... I don't have a pecking order, it's up to the individuals taste and what is important to them. I will say that if I take my 62 to a show it seems to draw way more attention than my 70 or 72. . . But 87 on the other hand... Like I posted in another thread, if someone wanted to steal it I'd toss them the keys and save them the trouble.

I do however feel that the earlier cars are a bit snubbed by the C5 and C6 car owners but what they forget is that without those older cars, their would be no later cars.

For me I love the old raw school horse power vs. the newer tuned and tweaked mean machines. I don't want a car that drives like a sports car and rides like a cady, I want the bumps, hard steering and feel of old school power.

IMHO.
Ernie

Tooch1

Hi Crawfish,
I thought I would get that question when I posted. You are correct about the hp rating stuff. I knew all that. To me the base 72 is too similar to the 73. Like you mentioned not much hp difference, the interiors/dash are the same. If I were to sell or trade my 73 I'd just like to get one a little older. I think the fiber optics would be nice, less emission stuff etc, I like the 68 because it was the first body style change, ignition on dash, no map pocket etc. Maybe I'm not presenting a good enough argument but, it's just the way I feel....
Now, that's not to say that down the road if I came across a 72' steel cities gray, low optioned, base, 4speed, convertible that a reputable Vette dealer has that is in the same nice rust free condition my car is and he would take my 'Top Flight' car in on trade + plus ONLY a couple grand! Would I do it? Yes, the chrome front bumper, wiper door, and egg crate grilles/fender vents would be worth the couple grand in that scenario.
Take care!
Tooch

crawfish333

I get that, I was just curious about what was different between 71 and 72. He had specified a small block in his post, so the BB was not an issue. He answered in a later post.

Richard Daugird

It's all opinion. My only criteria when I was shopping was '77 or older, I had to have the removable rear window. Didn't know that had stopped in '72. I ended up with a '74, couldn't afford a '68-'72. After learning bore on specific differences, I would have PREFERRED a '74 over a '75-'77; I like the smooth bumpers without the "bumperettes". And yes, I did buy a removable rear window to swap in.

krazy canuck

nice one Alan if Anyboby wants to see one let me know mine fell to the ground when i dropped the gas tank lots of information there.

vettebuyer6369

Wow Ernie, I find the idea of a C5 or 6 owner snubbing a C1-2-3 owner a little funny. All the early car owners I know do nothing but complain about the endless miles of late model cars at shows. I know I do.

crawfish333

My club sponsors a Corvette only car show for charity. It is really more of a social event than serious competition. This year we had about 10 C1 and C2s, and about 7 or 8 of us entered in the C3 class. The total number of entries was about 100 or so. Without the late model cars, the show would not have been financially viable. It would not have happened. I have previously been in 2 other car clubs that sponsored shows and the same was true in both cases. Most of these shows would not happen with only vintage cars. I have never heard of anyone in my clubs snubbing old corvettes though, but maybe it is true with the general public who just go down and buy a Corvette as a DD with no interest in the hobby. I find it is funny that when I am road tripping in my late model car, people often come up and make some statement like "if I had a Corvette it would have to be a early 60s Sting ray with one of them big motors." Then they get into their Hyundai and drive away. I do not think there is any pecking order for C3s, but obviously some are currently worth more money than others. I see nothing wrong with that.

FINWOLF

the order starts with customs and then it is down hill from there.

crawfish333

The13Bats

Finwolf
I resemble that remark,




Crawfish, while askew form the original topic a hair you are 100% correct if not for late models local type shows and cruises wouldn't have much turn out, and perhaps in turn the club couldn't afford the show, which is weird if they have dues etc,
however,
I dont have interest in late models if I did i would visit a dealer and buy one, not saying those cats shouldn't get to show off their cool new floor mats but the lack of vintage stuff is why I seldom hit shows or cruises any more, but that is no way the fault of the late model owners who are doing a better job supporting the hobby.

The corvette club here in eustis is what appears 90% late models and it appeared 98% of the owners were sitting in lawn chairs guarding their cars with that look of I don't know you don't speak to me on their face.

I haven't really seen late model guys ditch the older models, not like I ditch the newer models which you are far too familiar with, ( if saying I dont want one counts as ditching )
I do have guys, mostly older cats ditch my car for being modded or not "correct" I admire guys who have so little a life that they have time to worry if my car is "correct", which to me it is very correct,

The cats that have to get in a pointless diss like "I would own an old big engine blah blah blah "

I have ran into those walking bags of fertilizer types all my rev head life, they stomp around a cruise braying loudly, normally wearing surfer shades on the back of their head, in swim shorts and a stained tank top, sporting a mixed match tan/burn and a silly tribal tattoo,

a few wanna just fit in but most want to belittle you out of deep jealously , all have an uncle, dad, cousin with a better , badder faster corvette than mine or yours, it would be there but the ( name expensive go fast part) is getting machined, the car is just too far away to take a look and damn it man, no pictures, well, they just got a new phone, pix on old phone,

They usually rode with a buddy in a pos mini van,

But somehow this asinine behavior fuels their very life's blood.

steersdad

I'll give you a Pecking Order, laddie

1. 69 ZL1
2. 67 L88
3. 68 or 69 L88
4. 67 427/435 L89
5. 68 or 69 427 435 L89
6. 67 427/435 L71
7. 68 or 69 437/435 L71
9. 66 427/425 L72
10. 65 396/425
11. any solid lifter smallblock
12. everything else.

FINWOLF

Brothers by different mothers

terry82

I was shocked to not see a 1982 in the top 10

crawfish333

Warning, this is posted tongue in cheek, so please accept it as the attempt at humor it is.


OK well I have decided to settle this once and for all. I will go ahead and give the pecking order. From now on, you all must all accept this as gospel.

1972 (because I own one)
1968 (because it is the 1st year car)
1969-1971 (because they are somewhat similar to the one I own)
1973 (because one chrome bumper is better than none)
1978 pace car and 2 tone anniversary car (because I like the way they look)
1979-1982 (because the body fit is best and the engine can be replaced)
1974-1977 (just because I said so)

bb62

A couple of comments/changes from my perspective:

- The 67 L88 cars that were actually raced - like the LeMans car - will always be worth more than the 69 ZL1. The ZL1s for the most part did nothing. The 67 L88s that raced left an historical legacy that the ZL1 cannot touch.
- Those are clearly production cars. If pseudo-production cars like the 63 Grand Sports were added to the list, they would clearly vault to number 1.
- I would not rank the 67 L71 behind the 68/69 L89 regardless of the aluminum heads. 67s still significantly trump any 68/69 from a perception standpoint.
- As long as you are being specific to fairly low production cars, I would rate the 63 Z06s after the 68/69 L88 cars.
- I'm not sure if you were counting correctly as there is no "8", but the 71 LS6 deserves a spot - I would place it above the 68/69 L89s (but below the 67 L71. (Keep in mind that some 67 L71s are more valuable than others. If you find a black with blue stinger 67 L71, it would encroach upon, if not exceed the prices for the 68/69 L88s - yes they are that valuable in the market - color is a big determinant in value for 67 big blocks).