Hello everyone! Long time reader, first time poster. I am finally ready to purchase my first vette, and am stoked! The knowledge gained from not only reading but being able to participate in discussions will no doubt help me through this process. And for that I am grateful!
So, let me begin by saying, I have been up in the air for so long on which vette to buy. Down to 2..... 1993 ZR-1 30k beautiful! Gonna be a true collectors item... OR 1968 C3 with a 4 spd muncie trans, 355 posi rear end (believe those 2 items are both stock), and a 350 under the hood. At some time the original 327 was replaced. Now my questions... And just 2 for starters.
I have a partial VIN:c8u215685 Could anyone help me try to find out what this came out of? I also have a build date of V0622 (Flint, June, 22), and on the block it reads: 3970010. But I'm curious to know how to find out the FULL VIN of the car it came from.
Also, I am intrigued by the 1968 one time parts..... And this car is pretty stock with many original items in good repair. But is there something that usually fails that I should specifically look for? All of the brakes, and hydraulic lines (power steering, cylinders) and headlight vacuum lines have been replaced.
It is an AUGUST 1968 car, so almost 1969. Has anyone ever seen a late '68 with the interior door pull that is vertical (not horizontal) like the '69??? Hmmmmm Anyway, Thanks for the replies. I look forward to reading them, and gaining some more smarts on these beautiful machines!

 

Welcome to the Forum! Tough decision about which car to buy: If you are capable of doing your own repairs--the '68 is a good choice since it's not complicated.

Definitely think hard and pick your FAVORITE.

 

Well, Barrett, I'd take the '68, but I'm old and my opinions don't count for much.

Welcome, and good luck with your choice!

 

No 68 came with a vertical door pull. The original door panel design has a hidden door handle at the top. You just have to turn your hand palm up to grab the door. Half way through the model year, GM added the horizontal 67-68 Camaro inner door handle. Lou.

 

Ok, Thanks Lou! I thought so, but the pictures the seller has given me, are very distinctly the inside of the door with a vertical door pull. Sounds like I could easily swap something like this out for the original ones correct?

 

Like you hear often, buy what youre going to enjoy driving, forget about the "invest in a corvette bit"; these are just toys you toss money at like anything else unless you got something incredibly rare

30k is awful strong $ for a 93. Ultra low mile Ruby?

 

For which car? Offhand, what you have does not look like Corvette.

There should be two or three alpha characters following the last 2. Two letters for 68 and 69. Three letters for 70-82.

 

Hello, I have a '70 LT-1 roadster and a '96 LT4 roadster and both are 100% drivable and fun to drive; so I have 2 models similar to your choices. I rode in a ZR-1 so I know what it feels like. With 30K mi, I'd say that the ZR-1 would only need maintenance where the brief description of the '68 doesn't say much, but you will probably always be working on it. Corvettes are like bread, everyone wants the freshest/newest/fastest. The ZR-1 has lost a lot of it's luster because of the HP of newer models and can be a really good buy these days. It is a very cool car that will put you back in the seat and sounds great. The '68 will get a lot of looks and the '93 won't, but If forced to make a choice, I'd take the ZR-1. Besides, I think there is less drama on the C4 board.

 

First let me say that these are both very special cars. The 93 ZR1 is a desirable car that in my opinion has the potential to be one of a very few C4s that will become collectable. This is because of the unique Lotus designed – Mercury Marine manufactured engine. If it is in good shape, it would probably be a very nice driver. This is NOT an ordinary 93 Ruby, despite what the other poster said. The same issues that make this car unique and desirable to own might also make it more expensive to repair. I have a feeling the parts for that engine may be kind of pricey, but I do not have any firsthand knowledge.

A 68 is also a unique car. Some of the others around here know more about the intro year C3 than I, but I know it has some one year parts that can sometimes be hard to find. As a 2 chrome bumper car owner though, I can tell you these cars are really nice.

Which one would I buy? Well if it were to be a DD, I would probably buy the ZR1. If it is to be a weekend cruiser, either would probably work. If you have any aspirations to do autocross, the C4 is very good for that. So it depends a lot on your wants and needs.

Personally given the choice myself, I would maybe buy the ZR1, but then I already have a 2 chrome bumper car.

 

Hi Barrett,
Although the ZR-1 is a good looking car with an unusual and potent engine, I think the 68 is a more interesting car and will be more likely to lead to a deeper interest in old Corvettes than the ZR-1 will.

So, IF THE 68 IS INDEED A NICE ONE, that's the one I'd encourage you to buy. You still need to do lots of homework to know just what the car is and whether it's a good car for you to spend your money on.
Regards,
Alan

Personally though, I'd wait for a car that appears to have it's original engine still in place.

 

 

IMHO, the 68 is the way to go but like others have said, it depends on what you want to use it for. If you have any pics, post them up for us to see.

 

My vote is for the 1968. Even though we haven't seen it.

Ray

 

If you did buy the 68, you would have two holes in each door panel if you removed the vertical handles. Be prepared to pay the "Corvette tax" if you buy a Vette. Lou.

 

https://classics.autotrader.com/clas...NX=PSEMAILLEAD

 

https://classics.autotrader.com/clas...X=PSEMAILLEAD#

 

FWIW: go with the ZR1.

 

As much as love my C3 I would agree with Easy Mike get the ZR-1

 

The engine that is in the 68 is a Chevy small block 350. That partial VIN Is on that small block. I am just curious to know what kind of car it originally came out of.

 

The zr-1 is absolutely beautiful and as the owner of a '69 vert I would jump allover the C4.
Good luck with your choice.