Derrick Reynolds

I totally get this. As others have said, a Cross-Fire system that is in good shape and well-maintained is a great set-up. In fact, the years that I was most active helping others with their fun-cars was 1986-1995. Tons of my friends had Cross-Fires in those years, but among all the folks I helped with their engines, I never remember working on one. That tells me something. They were reliable, no matte what folks say today.

I'm totally with you on wanting the early '80s technology, I have often looked into buying a 1980 vette as a sort-of DD. But, you don't have to spend the big bucks to get a late '60s early '70s driver that would be perfect for a restomod thing. All I'm sayin is, keep your mind open. If something a little older that is a lot more "raw" but fun in that way is something you might like, it is available for a lot less than $60K.

Good luck!

rudolph schenker

LS4 PILOT

LoL .....you nailed the main issue .....its not height .....people weight too much , in fact the whole damn country is overweight . Look at all the giant width of cars and the monster pickups everybody rides in. They need them to haul their fat azzes around , not for,hauling stuff , but their fat butts. I m short about the exact same size as Zora Duntov was. It works good for people my size , damn near fits like a glove . Tall lanky guys have no issue getting in and out. Fat guts look stupid trying to get in my corvette , some could not even get in my 1965 Coupe ! If you are a 6 foot potato shape then yes you need Caddy . Most race drivers of sports cars back then were little short dudes or very skinny young guys even id they were tall. Todays cars are made for fat American and the cars get bigger and bigger to haul them.

Tom454

I was just at the new car show here in Raleigh and I stood and watched a number of... well let's say... robust guys trying to get in/out of the new Vette. It was entertaining to say the least. S O CK S.

JohnRogers

I readily admit the extra bulk I put on probably effected my ingress/egress. So I think about a nice 82 in my driveway while at the gym.

mrvette

Bought my '72 vert in '95.....I am age 74 very close, and 6'5" 225 lbs....bad spine/arthritis....moved to Florida in '97 for that reason.....my '72 is very highly modified, nothing stock wheels through roof, stem to stern....NOTHING......see pix below.....

the subtle things are that the rear mounts of the driver seat removed so seat is about 2" lower, firewall cut along bottom and up to column height, pried forward about 3" or so, and glassed in the late shark TT wheel brought the dimmer sw up top as if it was a 'modern' car......so that dropped my knees off the even smaller later shark wheel......

plastic spring in rear, Bilstein shocks, late roller SBC serp drive, lectric fans......cross support......50 series tires on '89 vette rims.....

drove it cross country clicking some 850 miles in ten hours.....

I built a 200 4r auto for it, many years ago here.....bought the parts from a well stocked local trans supply house locally here.....

Priya

That's "you're", not "your".

https://www.wikihow.com/Use-You%27re-and-Your

taylor34

The thing that hurt my ability to get in and out of my 72 more than anything was the stock steering wheel. I'm 6'4" and that huge stock steering wheel made it almost impossible for me to get in and out. Switching to a smaller wheel made all the difference.

wicked74

my buddy had an 84 and every time I drove it several of my teeth were loosened!Man that thing was a harsh ride!

71 Green 454

I feel the same way PK, I paid $4,500 for mine, it wasn't perfect and it still isn't. I wouldn't sell it for $4,500.

stingraymyway

Three things to know when getting a C3:
1. They're a classic ie; old.
2. There's always something that needs to be done on them.
3. They're fun as a barrel of monkeys when you do get to drive them.

H P Bushrod

That's why I recently grabbed a '82. I've always wanted a C-3. Finally found a clean one.

stingraymyway

Congratulations Chuck!

terry82

share some pics .we all know the feeling of getting our dream cars.enjoy

ST68

Or just buy a C6 with the Z51 stuff for 20k and be done with it!

I say that mostly because our experience with the '68 we (my wife is as enthusiastic as I am about this stuff) bought was similar - worthless brakes, exceedingly loud, and scary to the point that I didn't get it out of second gear during the test drive. Got a thumbs up from our mechanic, though, so he trailered it to his shop, and found the top end just about ready to cave in, the brakes toast, and the suspension completely wasted. Many $$ later it feels strong and looks brand new under the hood but I'm still working on making it something I trust on the road.

Meanwhile, the C6 is trustworthy, drives like a champ, starts in 2 seconds, and turns heads constantly. One is work and requires perseverance, the other is a driver (when the sun shines) with style and dependability.

TCracingCA

Priya

Is that right, eh?

Other than the steering being a little stiffer than I'd like at low speeds my stock 79 drives perfectly.

mrichi

Really stupid comment from you

Priya

I see what you're saying.

doorgunner

FYI:

My '68 rides like a "Cadillac". Of course I gave up 20% of the cornering ability at high speed.....rather than doing 90 mph in a 60 mph curve I now do 70 mph in a 60 mph curve. I installed Monroe Sensa-Trac shocks front and rear. Any quality shock for mid-size cars will eliminate the harsh ride on city streets/rough country roads. Of course if you must do 90 mph in a 60 mph curve.....keep the stiff shocks.