nightli

So I am set on buying a C3 Corvette, and I want to know which year is best for what i want it for. I heard in a video from a bigger car youtuber that after like 71 or 72 they started making the horsepower lower because of some emissions thing and that some c3's cant even do a burnout.. I want to know what is the best year or maybe give me a few years recommended for what i want (buying 1 specific year might take a while to find a good deal on.) So I'm looking to buy this car for pure FUN. I want it to **** around with friends, race, burnouts, all that fun crap teens do with friends. also i just love the ******* look of the C3.

Thanks in advance for any answers i get!

PeterC3

I could probably do a burn out in my 81 C3 with a 383 stroker engine if I had the experience to do it safely, but I don't, and it's not my style anyway. At least not yet ... :-)

I like my non original 81 because it's an easy driving classic vehicle with enough umpfff to be satisfying. I can use it daily if I choose to. One post from a member with an early and late model C3 said that the early models were a lot of effort to drive longer distances. I don't see that with my '81 with power everything.

I guess I'm getting ******* old... :-)

Rotonda

68 thru 72 C3's offered more performance than later models, which had lowered compressions and other mods to comply with emission mandates. The most performance was generally found in C3's equipped with a big block (427 and 454 cubic inch ) engines. 2 caveats - 1) these chrome bumper cars are considered the most desirable C3's and you will pay a premium for them, and 2) most of these were designed for high octane leaded gasoline which is not generally available anymore.

Another avenue to consider is to purchase a C3 that a previous owner has modified to provide higher performance. These can range from engine swaps ( either a later big block - up to 502 cubic inches OR a late model LS engine from a C5 thru C7 Corvette). These may provide you with the performance you describe above

Finally, which ever way you go, be aware that you will need some mechanical skills. Any C3 is a MINIMUM of 35 years old and it is not something you can take into a nearby dealer to fix. Most shops have lost the skills to deal with many of problems THAT WILL crop up, and those that retain the skills will charge the dreaded "Corvette Premium".

Easy Mike

Impressive. Your first post and you choose to put the F word in it.

Dynra Rockets

My thoughts...

1) Any year C3 with a 4-speed will do a burnout. Just dump the clutch.

2) To find a 45-50 year old car that will stand up to that kind of abuse will cost at least $25k as everything will need to be in about new condition. If you are looking for a cheap starter car then it will likely break a lot doing that.

3) Also keep in mind very few retail garage mechanics know anything about these cars or even want to work on them. Even if they agree to work on it, even the simplest of jobs they will charge full book rate as the bolts will be corroded and they will have a learning curve from not having done it before. You will probably have to work on it yourself.

chstitans42

Sounds like the type that will end up wrapping his newly purchased C3 around a pole...

RMVette

Sunracer

Yep, so let's say a cheap one would be best, so there is money left to properly insure it for the inevitable

Maybe a Mustang would be better for the post cars n coffee burnout crash on youtube

Revi

Welcome to the Corvette Forum! Congrats on your first post, you're just the type of person we are looking for in this hobby!
You probably shouldn't own a C3 or anything else with more HP than a bicycle.

Alan 71

Don Rickles

tokim

Going back a long time, as a teenager, roasting tires, trying to impressive girls/buddies, I get where you're coming from.
A lot of us Corvette owners are what I considered when I was a teenager, are old Foggies.

As a current old Foggie myself, not appreciating the F bombs on this site, and really takes away from any serious help offerings you may get from the very experienced Corvette owners on this site.

As a group we question where are hobby is going?/who is going to be interested in our old cars?,etc. We need new blood. Therefore, not trying to turn you off, on this site.

If performance is your main objective, concentrate on the cheaper C3 offerings ('74+) and build your own personal powerplant/drivetrain (many books on performance upgrades for big and small block Chevs.

Welcome, good luck in your search, just tone it down, and you will receive some priceless advice.

KingRat

I work with young people. This generation seems to think the F-bomb is interchangeable with a period in a sentence.

bkvette3

Priya

For a fun performance C3 you're looking for I'd say your best bet is a later C3 that has a modified original or transplanted higher horsepower motor. It'll cost you a lot less than an early C3 with one of the more powerful motors and could be even more powerful than an early C3.

TimAT

That will be a 30 minute owner. If it's got any power at all, it'll break loose and be pointing the other direction just before it hits another car or a pole.

Faster Rat

Ya think?

nightli

am i not allowed? Doesn't literally everyone swear... especially on a forum with most people being over 20 i assume

nightli

I'm not a dangerous driver. i dont do these crazy things irresponsibly or in dangerous areas. i wouldnt do any crazy stuff unless its in a big parking lot or something.

nightli

It's just a word man... Of course this isn't my forum so i will respect what you guys wish, but It's 2017 and i assumed most people were okay with it especially because my whole family swears so casually. I'll tone it down though.