My first Corvette
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 111
Likes: 18
My first Corvette
Looking to pick up a C3 vette. I't's my favorite styled Vette, and I feel it;s the best looking car ever made period!. It's the 40 year old part the concerns me. I'm thinking about looking at one this weekend. It would be nice to use the experience here to filter out bad initial choices. Is it improper to post Craigslist ads here to get a "go/ no go , initial assessment for candidates?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 111
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,347
Likes: 1,181
From: CLEVELAND STUCK IN OHIO
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Have you reviewed the 10 rules for buying, already??? You absolutely must do it!!!
AND also the many other threads here on inspection of a potential purchase!!!
Happy hunting,,
AND also the many other threads here on inspection of a potential purchase!!!
Happy hunting,,
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 111
Likes: 18
Here's some email responses about the car.
" There is some surface rust in the the engine but it can be cleaned up. It was restored a by the previous owner I have pictures of the restoration but they are printed I’ll send you some, the car runs good. The passenger window is not working and the lock for the driver side is not working, there is a oil leak but is not a lot it is minor. I run the car and it takes a while to see there is a leak on the floor. Probably the seals. But the car runs good, I changed the oil last month. I attached a video I just took. There is background noise so if you notice nocking noise if the house in front of me is getting their roof tiles replace. I’ll take a video later without them there. "
" I'll get pictures of the frame, and the t-top is custom made is screws I’ll get picture of that too. "
So the concerns so far are the "small" oil leak, and that bit about "custom T tops with screws"?????????
Also, this is Florida, so I would have to overhaul the A/C system?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
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I'm currently have a knee issue so that will problem to get on the ground to inspect the frame...:-(
Last edited by Wmacky; May 29, 2020 at 09:44 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,370
Likes: 180
From: Lockhart, TX
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 111
Likes: 18
In a email he states that the Issues are a minor oil leak, A/C does not work. Passenger window not working, as well as driver side lock. Also something about the T-topps being custom with screws that I don'y understand?
He said the car was restored a while back by the previous owner. no details though?
He said the car was restored a while back by the previous owner. no details though?
Last edited by Wmacky; May 29, 2020 at 10:14 AM.
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,370
Likes: 180
From: Lockhart, TX
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 15,138
Likes: 283
From: Salt Lake City Utah
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (stock)
Restored a 37,000 mile car? Careful about the mileage, i would not count on that being correct. Cars claiming low mileage need to have some records to prove it or it means nothing. Maybe he means 37,000 since restored? Also, that cloth interior does not look stock, check that one over closely.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,664
Likes: 417
From: Central Texas
First off, welcome. Secondly, get a pre-purchase inspection! Nearly every auto shop will do this, pick one with a lift so you/they can inspect the frame and rust areas. And take for lond test drive, like at least 20 min. Issues tend to pop up then, overheating, no restart when hot, etc.
Good Luck
Good Luck
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 111
Likes: 18
First off, welcome. Secondly, get a pre-purchase inspection! Nearly every auto shop will do this, pick one with a lift so you/they can inspect the frame and rust areas. And take for lond test drive, like at least 20 min. Issues tend to pop up then, overheating, no restart when hot, etc.
Good Luck
Good Luck
Yeah, My wife wants the inspection! Good Idea
Here's one last one. It looks really nice, and claims a new crate engine,NewAir, Rebuilt Trans, But, I'm short on doing a $17,000.00 cash in hand deal. Way short! I'm starting to wonder where I could get the extra funds.
https://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/d...124390405.html
Last edited by Wmacky; May 29, 2020 at 11:12 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 111
Likes: 18
OK, About the last car
https://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/d...124390405.html\
I'm starting to look hard at it. The claim is like new. If that's anywhere close to the truth, it might be with finding the funds, and perhaps he'd come down? IT happens to be my favorite color inside and out for a C3.
Any options on that car? I really like the new crate engine. Is it worth losing matching numbers to get a new engine? I really like the New A/C claim. I live in Florida!
https://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/d...124390405.html\
I'm starting to look hard at it. The claim is like new. If that's anywhere close to the truth, it might be with finding the funds, and perhaps he'd come down? IT happens to be my favorite color inside and out for a C3.
Any options on that car? I really like the new crate engine. Is it worth losing matching numbers to get a new engine? I really like the New A/C claim. I live in Florida!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,972
Likes: 4,522
From: Virginia
Be sure you REALLY want an automatic, before you buy an automatic.
If you do take a look at one of these cars, take some photos, and post them in this thread! The white 81 looks like the best value to me, but it still needs to be checked for rust.
How comfortable are you working on a car?
If you do take a look at one of these cars, take some photos, and post them in this thread! The white 81 looks like the best value to me, but it still needs to be checked for rust.
How comfortable are you working on a car?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...orvette-6.html. Okay. Go to post 107 and read. Especially rule 5. Then go to craigs or facebook marketplace and find some for sale near you. Both too expensive for you and especially a cheap 1 or 2. Looking at 3000 dollar c3's is kind of like checking out girls at the welfare office. Give you an idea what you don't want. And an idea what the bad stuff looks like. You are considering 75-up cars. First know the values. That 17k 80 is too high. I wish they were worth that. But do some local shopping for market research before you go for a long drive for one. And these ain't camrys. They don't sell fast unless way too cheap. So don' be in a hurry or worried that somebody gonna buy it out from under you.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,672
Likes: 2,477
From: Indiana
I hit your second link..i like this one..if as says...decent deal take a grand off cash pays for plates and antenna and....
its also a manual
https://sarasota.craigslist.org/cto/...129525044.html
its also a manual
https://sarasota.craigslist.org/cto/...129525044.html
Racer
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 327
Likes: 75
From: west mi. / ms. gulf coast
The first red car looks good, the 37000 miles is questionable though. That front seat looks terrible . I have the same vinyl / cloth seat in my 80 and it looks like new with 40,000 miles. The air doesn't work can cost you a big chunk of money so take that into account when buy-in any car. !980 used R-12 . If it hasn't been changed over to 134 $$$$$$$$$ or if it has been why doesn't it work????? Sometimes a DIY charge will do and most of the time NOT!!!!! Good luck with your search.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,176
Likes: 633
From: perth western australia
In a email he states that the Issues are a minor oil leak, A/C does not work. Passenger window not working, as well as driver side lock. Also something about the T-topps being custom with screws that I don'y understand?
He said the car was restored a while back by the previous owner. no details though?
He said the car was restored a while back by the previous owner. no details though?