I've been looking at C3's recently, specifically the late fast back models. I want one I can daily drive and maybe take the occasional trip in.
There's a gorgeous '82 for sale locally with newer paint. It sounds like the owner pampers the car and spends a bit of time keeping it looking good.
I don't think the price is out of line but I know myself, I won't spend the time keeping it looking as good.
I'll be questioning my decision to purchase it with every little chip and scrap in the paint. I may even not enjoy the car as much due to that.

I had an old Pontiac for a few years that didn't get driven much, I was afraid of scratching the beautiful paint.

Has anyone bought a Corvette that was too nice? Or had a car painted and it took some of the enjoyment out of driving it?

 

Every time I leave my driveway, I accept the fact that a stone chip is possible. So be it. If I was concerned about stone chips, I would have a trailer queen. Imo, cars are meant to be driven. Stones chips are a possibility but can be touched up. My car needed a paint job 20 years ago so I don't worry about chips and scratches anymore - they blend in!

 

I love my 69 and am by no means done with it, but I have been looking for a project that I can leave in the driveway without guilt. Maybe I've been watching too many episodes of Vice Grip Garage but I'd like something I can tear into a little bit more and have no guilt over it. I've actually looked at some sad and sorry C3s but want something different

 

if it is so nice and so expensive you are afraid to devalue it by opening the garage door, then yes.

 

My '81 is a 10 footer and looks great, but up close there are paint flaws, chips, scratches and minor touch ups in keeping with an un-restored car.

it is so liberating just jumping in it, driving it with pride know it looks fantastic, but not worrying about getting a stone chip, scratch or other cosmetic defect.

My '92 was a show car, detailed to the last degree, and I never really enjoyed driving it through fear of un-doing all that hard work and detailing.

Much happier now with a useable car.

 

All of these cars are just used Chevy's, drive it and enjoy it for what it is.

 

I never let nice paint or a freshly done undercarriage stop me from driving any restored car.
They dont get thrashed from it unless youre following semis all day

 

I find that we as owners are typically more aware of the body and paint flaws in our cars than are the people admiring them.

 

Go with your gut feeling, that's what counts. Me personally, would not use as a daily driver, your percentages are much greater for something to happen that you won't like.

 

Your question is easily answered.........its ALL up to you and your perceptions. I build everything I have to the highest standards, spend the time and money to do so, and THEN the best part......I use the hell out of them. Drove Vette 8000 miles this year, the Road King 5000 miles. They look beautiful, and both are developing the "patina" earned through use. It does not bother me one bit......in fact, I earned it. THAT is the way to think about it. Cars sitting in garages and parking lot car shows are useless trophies.......which is what museums are for. I have no interest in owning a museum piece.

 

My brother and I bought our '67 in pretty rough but drivable shape. We fixed some things to make it safe- such as the fuel lines and drove the car quite a lot. After the car was restored, we trailered it to shows and now that it has won everything it sits, covered, in our climate controlled shop. Most of the cars I buy are drivers, but it is nice to have a car that is absolutely pristine. So yes, in some ways it was more fun to have the car as a driver but it is worth more as it sits. Everything depends on your intentions.

 

. I drive my cars that is why o bought it. !! I don’t open my garage door light a cigar and look at lt. 😂. That to me personally is a waste

 

than what is the sense on owning one

 

I can appreciate pristine, top condition cars. There is a special place within in our hobby by preserving the history. With that said, I couldn't own a car that I was afraid to take out on the road for fear of dings and chips and in worse case, an accident. My car was bought to drive, maintain and enjoy by myself or with others in a group road trip, not to sit covered in a garage waiting for the next car show.

 

I purchased mine after I saw it at a car show for sale six years ago.
It was in near perfect condition and so I paid a premium price.
I have enjoyed driving it to breakfasts lunches dinners and a few car shows with my wife.
During this time I have been collecting parts to lift the body and do a complete restomod and making it perfect in performance, handling, and in appearance.
Best of all is that everything will be new and the car will be dependable for some nice long weekend drives and getaways.
When I’m all finished it will put those trailer queens to shame, but it will be driven more than I drive it now, because it will be everything I want it to be.
There is nothing wrong in buying a perfect, Bloomington Gold trailer queen and putting it on the road where you can drive it trouble free and enjoy every minute you can with it.

 

Beaters are better!

Personally, after owning over a thousand cars, many that were top show quality, I now prefer driver quality cars. Both of my Corvettes ('79 and '02) can be driven and then parked anywhere without having to worry about them. My girlfriend keeps bugging me about selling both and buying a newer nicer C6 or C7 but I know if I did I'd enjoy driving them but always be a bit worried about where I park or going to less desirable places.

I would not pay a premium price for a pristine low miles car because of that. One with more miles and maybe a few nicks here and there would be much more fun.

 

I buy new cars for my daily drivers.
I drive them home from the lot and drive them every day to work, errands and everywhere else.
Why would there be any difference when you purchase a classic car that you want to drive?
Why not buy one in the best condition you can find and then drive it?

 

I agree. I have enough perfect garage queens here. I actually enjoy them most after I get the first dent or scratch in it. My next project is going to be far from perfect and left that way on purpose.

 

My father owned an all original 11,200 mile '58 Impala, car was purchased from the original dealer who had it on display. Car was so original GM used it for display, car was even running on it's original spark plugs. Car was beautiful, he drove it very sparingly, and became a piece of garage art minus the monthly drive around the block. He sold it after a couple years. Chevy Classics Magazine did an article on on him and the car.

Point being you take a risk every time you take it for a drive, these cars are meant to be driven.

It's Only Original Once...



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I bought mine with very nice 5 foot paint. It had some nicks but it was nice. As I drive it the hood is starting to crack...ALOT but I really dont car anymore. If I wash and wax it it stll looks great from 5 feet. I talked to my friend that did my decals about paint and he said its $8k just to look at a vette for paint and it goes steeply uphill from there. He suggests just enjoying it until you HAVE to get it painted. Once its painted it will be too nice to drive and I'll be worrying about every little nick and scratch. So I drive it and have fun. Maybe someday I'll get the hood redone and the fender ding fixed and buff the rest...not wprried aobut it now.

My advice to the OP is buy the car you love. Drive it like its yours and just keep it clean. THe paint will fade and crack eventually put every nick will have a story and a memory that you can tell your new friends about and remember with your old friends. I have rebuilt an engine almost every winter since I got mine in 2015 ...first winter was a get it running well with a full tune. Second was better heads and bigger carb. After that was a different cams, experimenting with aluminum heads, headers, fuel systems and what have you just to give it more torque and horsepower. Last winter was pulling the milkshaked motor and going big block. THis winter is rebuilding a 427 to my 500/500 specs and then moving on from the motor debauchery every winter to other parts of the car or other hobbies.....maybe.

Just buy what you like and make it yours. Have fun now cause you might not be around to have fun tomorrow