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I've only ever owned C4's (currently have an 88) but love the C3 generation. I have found one that is very nice and the price has dropped to the point where I am seriously considering it. I looked at it and drove it a couple of weeks ago and here is what I know.
It is a 1981 model with 71,000 miles that has been garage kept all its life. The current owner has owned it for 15 years and clearly babies it. The undercarriage is clean and free of any rust or leaks that I can see. The engine is super clean and is stock except for a few light mods. It has an aluminum intake, Edelbrock carb, long tube headers, and custom stainless exhaust. The body is good and the paint is fair (looks awesome at 6 ft). The interior is OK. The only thing I see is that the center gauge cluster bezel would need replacing because he attempted to paint it or something and it was a fail. It has great oil pressure and doesn't overheat or smoke. The tach doesn't work and the AC compressor was unplugged because he said it was making noise and I think the carb needs to be adjusted (or cleaned) because it idles a bit rough.
Well, I have the title in hand and will pick up the car tomorrow. It's a pretty rough and rowdy ride compared to my C4 but it sure looks and sounds better which is what I wanted. There are lots of little things that need to be done over time but since I usually buy cars that need a full restoration, this one will be a treat. It seems the parts are much more readily available and certainly cheaper than for my C4 (at least interior parts). Thanks for your help and advice. I'm sure I will need much more along the way.
Rookie suggestions below:
Pull out the transmission dipstick-
the fluid should be Red/not reddish-pink or reddish brown.
the fluid should NOT smell "Burned".
Check the manufacture date on the sidewall of the tires...no matter how good the tread is, the old tire will shred itself at highway speed....my ties were 8 years old/30,0000 miles when they failed.
Thanks! Will do. I did check the engine oil on the stick and in the valve cover but not the trans. Is the date code on the outside of the tires? He told me they were new in the last year but you never know. He hasn't driven it much.
Looks like a nice car and the glass tops are a bonus. Take it out on the highway make sure she is straight and true and these cars always need something just like the c4 u have. Good luck with negotiations and you can never go wrong with red.
When you take it out again, go for as long as you can. I bought an old Triumph TR-3 once that showed great oil pressure for first 5 miles and then when motor got good and hot pressure dropped off to almost nonexistent. Think the cam bearings were wore out. $5,500.00 lesson. Regards , Mark
Thanks! Is the date code on the outside of the tires? He told me they were new in the last year but you never know. He hasn't driven it much.
He should have receipts for those tires as well as other recent work. Will the car have to pass smog test? Since the Cross Fire injection has been removed, it will probably fail. You may not need to have it smogged because of its age.
Thanks! Will do. I did check the engine oil on the stick and in the valve cover but not the trans. Is the date code on the outside of the tires? He told me they were new in the last year but you never know. He hasn't driven it much.
I agree in that the tires aren’t a deal breaker, but if needed, they might ad a little room for price negotiation. Good luck. It looks like a sharp ride!
Last edited by Jstan2014; Nov 21, 2019 at 09:41 AM.
Will the car have to pass smog test? Since the Cross Fire injection has been removed, it will probably fail. You may not need to have it smogged because of its age.
No smog testing here. It's my understanding that this was not CrossFire. That didn't come until 82 right? The cats have been removed also
Well, I have the title in hand and will pick up the car tomorrow. It's a pretty rough and rowdy ride compared to my C4 but it sure looks and sounds better which is what I wanted. There are lots of little things that need to be done over time but since I usually buy cars that need a full restoration, this one will be a treat. It seems the parts are much more readily available and certainly cheaper than for my C4 (at least interior parts). Thanks for your help and advice. I'm sure I will need much more along the way.
Looking at my first C3...maybe
