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I'm 72 years young. I've had a few Vettes over the years. In fact I have a 2012 convertible GS in the garage now. It's an automatic and it does nothing for me... let's call it my wife's car. My daily driver is an F150. I also have a 1959 Triumph TR3 that I call my toy. My wife and I love driving vacations and we've had that Triumph on many vacations over 2000 miles. So what's the problem?
I'm absolutely smitten with the desire to own a chrome bumper, small block, 4 speed, C3. I pour over the internet. I visit Corvette restoration and sales shops. I'll talk with any poor s.o.b. that will listen. I consider myself a decent mechanic but with the internet, I'm now a C3 "expert". I'm thinking 35K ought to buy me a pretty damn good driver. I know what I want except I'm on the fence over vert or coupe.
Is there any end to this agony? Please help me.
Old Man
Vert all the way. Nothing like cruising with the top down. 35K should buy a really nice car. Maybe spend a bit less and add a 5 speed over drive trans.
I'm 72 years young. I've had a few Vettes over the years. In fact I have a 2012 convertible GS in the garage now. It's an automatic and it does nothing for me... let's call it my wife's car. My daily driver is an F150. I also have a 1959 Triumph TR3 that I call my toy. My wife and I love driving vacations and we've had that Triumph on many vacations over 2000 miles. So what's the problem?
I'm absolutely smitten with the desire to own a chrome bumper, small block, 4 speed, C3. I pour over the internet. I visit Corvette restoration and sales shops. I'll talk with any poor s.o.b. that will listen. I consider myself a decent mechanic but with the internet, I'm now a C3 "expert". I'm thinking 35K ought to buy me a pretty damn good driver. I know what I want except I'm on the fence over vert or coupe.
Is there any end to this agony? Please help me.
Old Man
In my opinion, 35k should get you a VERY nice 68-72 SB. I have owned my 68 convertible L79 since 1985. I also have a "waiting to be be fixed up" running 69 Coupe L46 real side exhaust. So, here is my 2 cents. Most here are going to advise you to get a convertible. Mind you I have both, and have had my convertible for almost 34 years. Personally, my tastes have changed. There was a time I would never consider a coupe. Now, I am leaning on actually liking the lines of the coupe a bit more. A coupe will have a little less rattle. You can take the rear window out (at least you can on my 69), t-tops off, and it is very similar to the convertible experience. The convertibles (no idea why) are a bit more expensive so you may get a nicer coupe for the money. Again, just my opinion. A convertible is really nice but driving that sucker mid-summer in the early afternoon with the top down can get really uncomfortable in traffic. Best cruising times for me (in the Summer months) is early morning and the evening.
Now, you live in Florida. My grandparents ( long deceased) lived in Sarasota (The Landings?). Anyhow, it is HOT! I would seriously try to find one with AC. It was an expensive option back in the day so not as many out there. It will likely not blow cold like your 2012 GS but it is something. These cars get hot as heck sitting on top of the transmission.
There are a lot of very knowledgeable early C3 guys here on the forum. Whatever you do, shop around and get the car checked out by someone who knows early c3s. It is worth it. Are you looking for an original drivetrain car? Higher performance SB or base? 4spd or auto? When you find one you are interested in let up know and post up pictures. Good luck!
Vert all the way. Nothing like cruising with the top down. 35K should buy a really nice car. Maybe spend a bit less and add a 5 speed over drive trans.
Like I said, "I'm on the fence". I'm thinking a coupe might be a little more solid?
In my opinion, 35k should get you a VERY nice 68-72 SB. I have owned my 68 convertible L79 since 1985. I also have a "waiting to be be fixed up" running 69 Coupe L46 real side exhaust. So, here is my 2 cents. Most here are going to advise you to get a convertible. Mind you I have both, and have had my convertible for almost 34 years. Personally, my tastes have changed. There was a time I would never consider a coupe. Now, I am leaning on actually liking the lines of the coupe a bit more. A coupe will have a little less rattle. You can take the rear window out (at least you can on my 69), t-tops off, and it is very similar to the convertible experience. The convertibles (no idea why) are a bit more expensive so you may get a nicer coupe for the money. Again, just my opinion. A convertible is really nice but driving that sucker mid-summer in the early afternoon with the top down can get really uncomfortable in traffic. Best cruising times for me (in the Summer months) is early morning and the evening.
Now, you live in Florida. My grandparents ( long deceased) lived in Sarasota (The Landings?). Anyhow, it is HOT! I would seriously try to find one with AC. It was an expensive option back in the day so not as many out there. It will likely not blow cold like your 2012 GS but it is something. These cars get hot as heck sitting on top of the transmission.
There are a lot of very knowledgeable early C3 guys here on the forum. Whatever you do, shop around and get the car checked out by someone who knows early c3s. It is worth it. Are you looking for an original drivetrain car? Higher performance SB or base? 4spd or auto? When you find one you are interested in let up know and post up pictures. Good luck!
Agree with all the above. Most "experts" seem to feel that I can install a quality after market air for less than the adder for original. Think?
Agree with all the above. Most "experts" seem to feel that I can install a quality after market air for less than the adder for original. Think?
Absolutely you can add AC. Depends on your tastes when it comes to originality. I can't speak about the cost of adding vs finding one that was originally equipped with AC (and working).
Last edited by avalonjohn; Jan 23, 2019 at 06:54 AM.
For $35K you can get one heck of a lot of car. Anything from stock to modified, mild to wild. Or somewhere in between. You are in the drivers seat, literally, so have fun doing your search. These have all been in the Howard family over the years with the convertible now here to stay. Good luck with your decision.
For $35K you can get one heck of a lot of car. Anything from stock to modified, mild to wild. Or somewhere in between. You are in the drivers seat, literally, so have fun doing your search. These have all been in the Howard family over the years with the convertible now here to stay. Good luck with your decision.
We have the detachable HT with our C3 and I really like the lines of the top, however being in SoCal we never put it on. If you road trip with the vert you will have to drive with the top up or else you will have limited room for luggage. We recently completed the Rt 66 drive with the rag-top up. We also have factory air. As previously mentioned, with the top up in the heat of the day, the factory air barely offsets the heat coming off the transmission.
We share the same age...go for it! Either decision is still a good one!
I need a Corvette exorcism
