GT1300

Thanks again for the wonderful reception from you folks in my Intro thread of a few days ago, where I described my interest in finding a C3.

I've since decided that I'd like a '70~'72 coupe, for the steel bumpers, egg-crate side vents, etc. I also appreciate that I can choose between auto and manual 4-speed, as well as the 350 and 454 engines... still lots for me to learn, though. If you have any advice or comment on cars of this vintage and specifications, please kindly post them here, and thanks in advance.

I've begun looking at various websites for interesting candidates, and have found them in all price ranges and very interesting colors - I've seen them as low as $18K for a decent-looking driver, and $40K+ for a very nice example (restored?). Here's an interesting one - a numbers-matching '72 coupe for $25,950 - looks really good for a mid-range priced car. Is this a reasonable price for what the car is? Granted, there isn't a whole lot of information listed:

https://www.classiccorvettemarket.com/Listing/Details/908549/1972-C3-Corvette

Makonut

Not really enough info. You can make any car look great from a photo like that.
Read the sticky about buying a vette. It is great advice. One of the main things in these cars is rust. Always have the kick panels pulled and look in the body mount areas and rear end attaching points for rust.
If you are paying numbers matching money for a car, buy some books so you know what you are looking at.

Gold Dragon

Sellers ad is very vague. You will need more info to determine if this Vette is priced right. Ask the owner to provide pictures of the chassis.

Tonio

My $0.02: if you find a car to your liking, no matter where it is, hire a Corvette inspector that knows These C3's to perform a Pre-purchase Inspection for you. It's the best money you'll ever spend. An unbiased and knowledgable set of eyes is well worth it.

corvette_snoopy

This car is in Gulfport Mississippi and a month ago I was all set to go look at it until the seller sent more pictures and a video. He told me over the phone that the interior was "immaculate" yet those additional photos showed a large crack in the drivers door panel and carpet that was dirty and looked well worn. This car has been for sale for months, I think there is a reason for that.

MRANT212

Any car can photograph well. Usually the disparity of a 20k to 40k Vette is a BIG difference. I've owned my matching # big block 71 for @ 15 years. When I bought it the pictures looked great. They told me it needed paint pretty bad. Took many years before I had a frame on restoration and dumped in some BIG $$$. These cars aren't cheap to put back together. Paint, emblems, rechroming, interior all add up. Enjoy looking and check on the forum. There may be Car for sale right here from an enthusiast.

GT1300

Thank you, everyone, for your comments/advice - it's especially good to know that someone's looked into a certain car and can offer additional information. This one in MS is definitely beyond my physical reach, so never mind.

On the same site is a '71 "War Bonnet Yellow" - what an intriguing color, and the heavy-lifting seems to have been done on the car - rebuilt, original engine, tranny, suspension. Unfortunately, no interior shots as the other one! I like the color, 350 and 4-speed; seems like a good candidate deserving a closer look... and it's in California. Here's the direct link to the listing:

https://www.classiccorvettemarket.com/Listing/Details/918185/1971-C3-Corvette

350 vs. 454 - is the 454 that much heavier that would unbalance the car? These cars weigh about 3,200 lbs.; does anyone know what the weight distribution of the car is, with the 350?

cv67

Get the big block because you love that low end torque. You should drive one of each first. I never felt any big block car drove so bad it should come out for something lighter. They are too much fun.
A good running BB car youre always just cracking the throttle to jump ahead, the SB your pedal is a lot farther down, rpm up to try and do the same thing.

Tonio

The Big block is only 200 pounds heavier. Lots more torque developed, and at a lower rpm. Torque is what moves cars. My 454 handles great, it does not feel much different than my LT-1. A 350/350 small block is a great engine too. The delta is not that huge, any of these cars will be fun.

caskiguy

Speak with Sonja as to what you are looking for she may be able to help.
http://corvettelady.com/allcars.php

bobs77vet

do you live where its hot? these cars generate lots of heat.....454s generate more heat.

these are all fun cars and in that price range you should be able to find something nice

GT1300

According to VetteFacts, the only differences between the three years 70~72 rest with available colors... is that about right? Are color chips posted online somewhere? The colors come with wonderful names, and I wonder if the shades are just as spectacular (one's I've seen certainly are).

So that's good - three model years of cars to choose from, just need to decide on engine size, auto vs. manual transmission, and color. Member "Chapter2", what is the name to your car's shade of green? It looks great.

gleninsandiego

I agree with the PPI recommendation
That saved me from several bad cars that looked beautiful on the surface
some years ago

For me, birdcage rust is huge.
I once bought a fixer that when I started pulling it apart
there were sections of the birdcage literally rusted away
And that was a California car.

Where in CA are you??

Glenn in San Diego

Tonio

It's Elkhart Green. Most people hate it, I happen to love this color. It's so 70's! lol

GT1300

I'm up in Northern CA, next to Santa Cruz on the coast.

What's a "Bird Cage"? I've never heard that before - is it Corvette-specific?

GT1300

I love period-correct colors, including yours. Do you have a larger photo to post here? I'd appreciate that - thanks.

I haven't decided on color yet, but other than plain red and black, everything else is game at this point. I especially like the more period colors, the War Bonnet Yellow, a canyon/copper red, the blue is excellent, as well as the silver and the white. The shape of the 70~72 are just so incredibly "svelte", with slightly flared wheel wells; in truth, any lighter color will aptly highlight its gorgeous lines... I need to go find one and stand next to it for a few minutes to soak it all the coolness.

Thanks guys, I've already learned a lot in a short span of 24 hours.

gleninsandiego

Great question about the bird cage
Yes it is Corvette specific
It is the metal frame that surrounds the cockpit area

That is one of the most expensive things that can go wrong
in a corvette - it's rusting out.

Google Corvette C3 birdcage rust and look at the images
It can get ugly to the point of making a car financially unrebuildable



Glenn in San Diego

derekderek

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-corvette.html

Tonio

Here you go :

GT1300

Thanks, it's a gem!

About the hood - I've seen a number of different hood styles (some with larger scoop?) on C3s... is this the standard hood, or is there a difference between 350 vs. 454 hoods? Any other differences? Again, my questions pertain only to 70~72 cars. Thanks.