It's so funny how much opinions vary. For me, when I was looking, it HAD to be a '68-'77. No way, no how would I accept a "bubble butt", but some folks prefer them. I was O.K. settling for rubber bumpers as long as I had the flat rear window. Also, I was trading a motorcycle and didn't have cash, so I couldn't be too choosy. Once the "new" wore off, I couldn't stand the tall ride height, so on went the coil-over suspension. Now, having owned the car for several years, I'm starting to hate the "salami" rear bumper. I see a rear tail swap with fender flares in my future...

Moral of the story, get the closest thing to what you want that you can afford.

 

People do knock the 73 model year because it is the last year for the chrome bumper cars but also the first year of the rubber front bumper cars.
Of all the rubber front bumper cars, many believe the 73 has the smoothest lines and cleanest front bumper and grille design.
Its also the first year for the long hood and many 68-72’s have been modified to delete the wiper door and incorporate the taller, longer hood with the first functioning cowl induction.
The 73 is a one year only design.
Just like the 63 split window is a one year design, which at the time was considered to be the one design flaw of the car and now it is one of the most prized Corvette possessions.
I am slightly biased but also believe that any C3 you own can be the most preferred if you love it.

 

pinnacle for chrome bumper cars was 67 , sorry 68 -72 guys but your second fiddle to gen 2 . plus a chrome bumper just another thing to rust , when the pace car 1979 came out I thought that rear spoiler was what all the rubber bumper cars needed and was the missing link , now days I'm a 1980 fan , more areo dynamic better looking front end with no cooling system problems like previous years , nice rear bumper with built in spoiler and modern enough for every day driving . My 1980 L82 isn't much slower if any at all than a 72 , even if it was a L48 building horse power is the fun part ,

 

except I lean '74

 

Buying a C3 is a 100% emotional purchase. Don't even go down the road of justifying it with practical sense, because you will find there just isn't any. None. Sorry.
So buy the one that makes your heart skip a beat when you see it.

 

The sugar scoop is nice to look at. To the OP, go sit in some, and drive some, first. Every time I think it would be cool to restomod a 73, I remember the map pocket, and the tiny cargo area. Those things are a lot harder to change than the seats.

The stock 74-79 bumper is awful, though. Fortunately, neither of my bubble butt cars has that.

 

Depends on what's in your wallet.

#1 - 65-67
#2 - 69-72
#3 - 73-74
#4 - 82
#20 - C4

 

The 73-74 L82 was only 5 hp less than the previous year LT-1.

 

I think if you are shopping for a C3, the 68-69 is by far the most attractive, but after that the 80-82 is a beautifully refined car, inside and out.

 

What do you mean by second fiddle? In looks, performance, value, what? Not in performance, as the 68-70 vettes had the same or higher horsepower ratings, while riding on the same chassis as the C2. Some will say the same thing about the C2 gen being second fiddle to the C1. I have little interest in the C1 and C2 generations, ownership-wise. Look at the for sale ads over the past few years. Early C3 value gap has really started to close in on the C2, so there isn't even that huge difference in price like there was years ago. You could have bought two really nice early C3's for the price of one C2 way back when. Not any more....

When I was shopping, I could have sprung for a C2 had I really wanted one - There is nothing wrong with the C2 Corvette, and it is quite lovely to gaze at - it's just not my bag.

Moreover, no one worries about chrome bumpers rusting on C3's, but everyone worries about frame and birdcage rust which affects YOUR 80 just as much as the 68-72 years.

 

It really is a silly and worthless discussion…….it’s all a matter of personal taste. What I object to is the idea that some present here that there are absolutes about what is better…..which is false, no matter how many times some of you say it. Some cars sell for more $ but that still does not define better….only more valuable, which is only one factor, not the only factor.

We could as easily argue about which is better ……beef or chicken.

 

The C3 playing second fiddle to the C2 comment rubbed me the wrong way. I hate that elitist kind of talk. Try as I may, I couldn't let that one slide.

 

Why?
Nobody is saying the C3 is worse than a C2, all that was ment was to say more people would like to own a C2, but due to rarity and cost its hard to (own one) There are alot less C2 made than chrome bumper C3, thats just the facts.

 

I think that there is a different way of saying it - You can't expect to post a comment like that on a C3 forum without getting push back from members (I know it wasn't you who originally posted said comment) - that can start flame wars, which aren't productive. Saying that the C2 is generally more valuable (money-wise) than the C3 is a true statement. Saying that the C3 is second fiddle to the C2 is generic and infers an inferiority, which the C3 is not. It's just different.

Generally, if guys/gals are 50 and under, they're going to identify with the C3, because that's what they grew up with. Less to do with value/price.

C2's really aren't that rare either - If you do a search for a 65 Corvette on eBaY, you'll find 35 hits. Do a search for a '70 Corvette, and you get 13. If that isn't fair because of the UAW strike, then search for, say, a 71 - you get 25 hits. You'll have more 69's because of the longer than normal run due to the UAW strike, blah blah, but not what I would consider rare. Now nice original, well-cared for, and (chassis) rust-free cars - those are rare in both the C2 and C3 gen cars, but neither the C2 or C3 gen cars are rare. There are plenty to be had any day of the week.

Incidentally, maintenance for the C3 is just as high as it is for the C2, as the chassis is basically the same. Some would argue C3 maintenance is even higher with the fiber optics, and vacuum-powered everything...

And value/price is relative when compared to new car prices these days. Some folks are paying more for one year old Teslas than what you can buy a small block C2 for. A 2023 base model Chevy Silverado (Work Truck) STARTS at just under $47,000!

 

100% with everthing you posted, that is what opinions are all about, just don't see bashing going on in these discussions, just opinions

 

So much for that....

 

68 / 69

 

Yes you are right...there are some unique 1968 year only parts. But fortunately with my cars 4 year restoration project, I have not had any significant issues finding workable parts. However I am not creating a NCRS correct version...just a fun weekend driver.

 

Temporarily close for conflict review

 

Re-opening thread.

Members, in an attempt to salvage an active discussion I took the time to remove several posts of a couple of people engaging in conflict, plus several other pointless subsequent posts including dramatic announcements of leaving the thread.

Please refrain from derailing a members threads with personal conflicts. Take it somewhere else.