I've been thinking about C3s lately, stepping back from my dream of owning a steel bumper car (not going to happen) and looking at later models. I prefer the looks of the '74-'77s, both inside and out. However, just to be thorough, are there any advantages to the '78-'79s other than the glass back having more room for storage that I may be missing? Thanks.

 

Each and every year has it's pro's and con's. It really comes down to personal preference and of course the condition of the individual car.
me, I love my 77, yet I have seen those online that really bash the 77 model year.
I personally prefer the super scoop rear glass/roofline of the earlier C3's. I personally prefer the dash and gauges in the 77 and earlier cars.
but perhaps many like the newer setup.
The cars are basically the same.
A 4 speed car is definitely more fun to drive even if it isn't quicker. The factory gymkhana option is definitely worth seeking out. (And then improve from there).
It's all about what YOU like.
Oh, and I can pack a LOT of stuff in the back of my 77 if I leave the tops on!

 

also there is emissions inspection to consider. CA is inspected 76-up. PA is 75-up. research where you live for what years are exempt. life is much easier if you don't have to deal with the smog guy...

 

You really prefer the interior, with a map pocket instead of a glove box? How about a 76 with the Vega steering wheel? The 77-only brushed aluminum horn button is pretty cool, if you can find one.

The bubble glass rear is really useful if you carry stuff, or want to do a weekend getaway, and the visibility is better. There's even a cargo cover. With a modular tach/speedo assembly, the 78+ interior is likely easier to work on. 79 was the first year with ATC fuses, like a modern car. Though an easy swap in early cars, the 79+ clamshell seats (also in 78 Pace Cars) are very comfortable.

There are many reasons that the 79 was the most popular Corvette EVER. There's also a reason why so many automatics are for sale. Find a 4-speed, a swapped restomod, or budget to swap the trans yourself.

EDIT: Added a 79 photo

 

Fact is.....every C3 Corvette is 95% the same car as every other C3 Corvette. Engine power is easily fixed. Cosmetically....there are differences that are obvious. The interiors were consistently the same up till 78, then they had the 80's look.....I prefer 77 and prior. The chassis and driveline are nearly identical, although 80-82 went with lighter frame, differential mounting, etc. The appearance of the car is purely personal....I like them all, and each one has something appealing about it. If I had to pick ONE, which I do not, I woudl say the 69 is the most beautiful.....but its personal. I love the long hood and shovel nose of teh 80-82. Some like the later model seats....but I find the early seats as comfortable as a seat can be....so does my wife. The 77, which is one of the C3 Corvettes I own.....has the MOST BEST features, IMO. They fixed lots of problems with the early models, got rid of the silly nonsense like fiberoptic light indicators, crazy windshield wiper doors, Astro Ventilation, etc. Starting in 73 they mounted the body on rubber mounts to the frame, better isolating vibration. The sugar scoop rear window up to 77 is MANDATORY for me. Bubble window is just not classic C3 that I want.

Truth is.....its really a personal thing. Nobody will convince me that one year is better than another.....because "better" is a relative term. But how can you look at my 77 below and not see how beautiful it is.

 

What is your budget?

 

The budget would be 5k-10k, $7500-$8500 probably optimal. I'd prefer stick, but can easily swap in a four speed if need be. A solid frame and birdcage is more important than what transmission it would currently have,
The car will see antique tags, so emissions aren't an issue

My dream Vette is a '69. Unless I part with my Nova and Fox Mustang, that's probably not going to happen. I definitely prefer the sugar scoop/flying buttress rear glass and older dash as its reminds me of late 60's/early-mid 70's. The rear glass treatment in the '77-'78s reminds me of my C4 and thus the 80's. The newer gauges also give off that vibe of the 80's despite being analog. I do like the idea of side impact beams and more SMC body construction which all the years I'm considering do offer over a '69 at least.

I guess in the end, I was checking to see if their was something crucial or important that I overlooked the '78-'79s as having over the earlier models. I still dig the later cars, especially the '78 Silver Anniversary, but the earlier ones win out in the looks department for me. As much as the '80-'82s were well-received BITD (to my recollection, anyway), I always felt GM was just tweaking and tacking appearance things on to keep the C3 going a little while longer before the C4 debuted.

BTW, I think all front engine Corvettes are beautiful so I mean no offence to '78-'82 owners. All C3s look awesome.

 

One big one. No blind spot!
I like the looks of mine more, but that right side buttress can hide a Corolla.
And most C3's up to '77 don't have a right side mirror because it was a dealer installed option...

 

The great things about c3’s is that you can mix and match most parts. Make it whatever you think looks best!
im personally not the biggest fan of the bubble rear glass. But I prefer the later model bumpers.
here’s my 75, with an 81 front clip, spoiler from a 76.

 

Can you tell me where you got the hood scoop?

 

its Harwood part number 4114
really easy install. The 355 small block I built is about 1.5 inches too tall for the L48 hood. Better than driving without a hood on(which is what I did for about a year)

 

I'm sure a L88/ZL1 style hood would have worked in your application as well, as long as you aren't running some sort of tunnel ram. The L88 hood gives a lot more than 1.5" clearance - it's like several inches, and looks more natural - something that the car could have come with from the factory.

No offense intended whatsoever, but that hood scoop screams 'aftermarket', and simply doesn't belong on such a cool car. And no, I'm not a Corvette purist. I enjoy tasteful upgrades as much as the next guy....

As for the OPs original question - Anything beyond 73 is basically the same car in both overall performance and look - other than the bubble window. The L82 being the exception, as it is more akin to performance of the chrome bumper C3s. If budget is limited, you're on the right track looking for a later model C3, and they are still pretty cool - performance enhancements are relatively cheap and easy. I've always liked the 80-82 models in the later years, as they look more aggressive, and by then, enjoyed well over a decade of continued, albeit minor/incremental, (arguably) improvements over production run... Overall, the last 3 years of production were (arguably) more 'refined' cars than the earlier years with a host of creature comforts as standard equipment that were 'options' on earlier cars...

 

darn it! I guess I’ll have to throw away my hood scoop because a stranger on the Internet doesn’t like it LMAO

 

Ah, cmon. I didn't mean to offend. It's your car, and if you like it, that's all that matters. We're all strangers on the internet brought together by a common interest - Corvettes, and we all have opinions -some of which you may not agree with. Even many (if not all) of the folks you agree here on the forum are probably strangers too...

 

you right! I’m just being a little factious lol
this is a great forum, very helpful

 

I like my 78 bubble-back so two golden retrievers can occasionally come along for a ride. They get a panoramic view, but one of them will barf if I drive too fast.

 

I never liked the bubble window, I remember the first time I seen a new 74 model, I thought what did they do! They destroyed the look of the rear.. from that time on, I never liked the rear of a corvette till 1980.. I had my 74 since 89.. I originally went to buy a 67 bb, black on black. I turned it down when he opened the hood, If I recall correctly it stated 427 435hp.. I went there soley to buy it, nothing else.. I thought with the luck I have with engines, that will be costly to replace while making payments.. and won't beable to afford both. Being a corvette dealership there were plenty of vettes,.. I chose a 74 4 speed l82 that was immaculate.. didn't even ask what the price was.. sure they liked that!

 

Another nice thing, the '77 and later can be fitted with the pop out rear window from the '68-'72s, which was mandatory for me.

 

In NJ no inspection for anything pre OBDII.

 

Get what you want, and can afford. Then drive it….the waves, smiles, it’s something to experience it. I probably have one of the slowest Vettes ever produced but I love driving it and turns heads, like all C3s. Good luck in your search and hope to see your purchase soon.






my ‘75