I need a Corvette exorcism
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
I need a Corvette exorcism
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
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
#2
Find me a decent Austin Healey 3000, 1967, white, and we'll talk.
#4
#6
Le Mans Master
Does it have to have chrome bumpers? $35K will get you the three nicest vinyl bumper 4-speed drivers in your state.
They all look the same from the driver's seat!
They all look the same from the driver's seat!
#7
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Location: Easton, PA
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St. Jude Donor '10
My first C-3 Convertible. My fifth C-3. Why did I wait so long?
#8
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Oct 2018
Location: Henderson, NV
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St. Jude Donor '19-'20-'21-'22
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
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
#9
Le Mans Master
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!
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!
#10
#11
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
#12
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
#13
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
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!
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!
#14
Le Mans Master
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; 01-23-2019 at 06:54 AM.
#15
Go to Kissimmee and bid on one. C3 market is kinda soft right now.
#16
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St. Jude Donor '10
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.
#17
Melting Slicks
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.
#18
Pro
Member Since: Jul 2014
Location: SC
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2018 C3 of Year Finalist
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!
Regards,
Tom
We share the same age...go for it! Either decision is still a good one!
Regards,
Tom
Last edited by Tom69; 01-23-2019 at 09:45 AM.