What year is this Corvette?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 107
Likes: 20
From: Janesville WI
What year is this Corvette?
Hey y'all,
I'm new to the forum (first post!). I've been lurking for a couple days due to being offered a deal on a C3. I don't know much about it until I go to look at it in person this evening (though I have read the 10 tips for buying one), but I was trying to build my knowledge of C3s by guessing what year the car under all of this snow is. I'm not sure if there's enough detail to even tell, but based on the fender vents behind the front tires it appears to be late 70s? If anybody else wants to hazard a guess, i'll be back tomorrow with the answer. I look forward to learning a lot from the forum; thanks ahead of time!
I'm new to the forum (first post!). I've been lurking for a couple days due to being offered a deal on a C3. I don't know much about it until I go to look at it in person this evening (though I have read the 10 tips for buying one), but I was trying to build my knowledge of C3s by guessing what year the car under all of this snow is. I'm not sure if there's enough detail to even tell, but based on the fender vents behind the front tires it appears to be late 70s? If anybody else wants to hazard a guess, i'll be back tomorrow with the answer. I look forward to learning a lot from the forum; thanks ahead of time!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Emblems can be added but ill guess 73 74 75,
Cant see if it has rear chrome bumper for 73 and no stingray emblem in 76,
Mikes right, the top looks weird
Cant see if it has rear chrome bumper for 73 and no stingray emblem in 76,
Mikes right, the top looks weird
Last edited by The13Bats; Feb 13, 2018 at 02:36 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Lansing MI
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: SW Florida.
Looks like a convertible top. Makes it 75 or older. Looks like bumperettes on the front bumper. Makes it 75 or newer. The guy selling you the car doesn't even know what year it is? Does he have a title? Cuz it generally has a year written right on it.
Last edited by derekderek; Feb 13, 2018 at 04:15 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 107
Likes: 20
From: Janesville WI
I'm absolutely sure he does know what it is. It's sort of a deal-by-proxy through a friend so I won't have a ton of info until later tonight when I go to check it out in person. Just thought it would be a fun challenge to guess, and I've already learned a lot in a couple hours about the minor differences between years so it's been helpful. I'll have the real info (and pictures if I go ahead and purchase) tomorrow.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 107
Likes: 20
From: Janesville WI
Believe me, I had the exact same thought! I'm going to be skeptical until I see her in person in a couple hours (I am from the show-me state originally, after all).
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
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From: SW Florida.
Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
Likes: 3,865
From: Palm Springs, CA.
I think I see the hint of a bumperette on the front so that would rule out '73 & '74. My guess, '75 convertible. And if it is, that's a car worth saving. 
Get a picture of the trim tag as well so we can determine what the original color combination was (because it wasn't black).
Get a picture of the trim tag as well so we can determine what the original color combination was (because it wasn't black).
Last edited by Greg; Feb 13, 2018 at 06:48 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 107
Likes: 20
From: Janesville WI
I think I see the hint of a bumperette on the front so that would rule out '73 & '74. My guess, '75 convertible. And if it is, that's a car worth saving.
Get a picture of the trim tag as well so we can determine what the original color combination was (because it wasn't black).
Get a picture of the trim tag as well so we can determine what the original color combination was (because it wasn't black).
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
I think I see the hint of a bumperette on the front so that would rule out '73 & '74. My guess, '75 convertible. And if it is, that's a car worth saving.
Get a picture of the trim tag as well so we can determine what the original color combination was (because it wasn't black).
Get a picture of the trim tag as well so we can determine what the original color combination was (because it wasn't black).
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 304
From: Lansing MI
Why speculate on rust before even taking a look? Snow doesn't automatically mean a rusted out heap... it could have just been moved to that spot and caught in the snow one time. Heck, my 68 sat out in the Michigan weather for something like 10-12 years. Virtually no more than surface rust on the birdcage and frame. I'm fairly certain it didnt see any salt in it's life after '72 when my dad bought it.
All I'm saying is you can't judge a car by one picture.
All I'm saying is you can't judge a car by one picture.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 107
Likes: 20
From: Janesville WI
So, it turns out it's a 76 t-top, in what looks to be in pretty decent shape. It's recently up from NC. Engine isn't stock but looks and sounds good. I'm bringing it home tomorrow. Only took one picture, but maybe there's some useful info on it?
