Is your c3 ever finished?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 414
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Is your c3 ever finished?
Doing some Sunday morning thinking.
I’ve had my c3 for over 10 years now. bought it essentially stock.
every year I upgrade/change several things, I enjoy it.
I already got the next big projects lined up for the next couple years, new suspension then borgson steering.
Probably after that I’ll be rebuilding the TH400.
have any of y’all guys ever finished tinkering with your c3? Lol
I’ve had my c3 for over 10 years now. bought it essentially stock.
every year I upgrade/change several things, I enjoy it.
I already got the next big projects lined up for the next couple years, new suspension then borgson steering.
Probably after that I’ll be rebuilding the TH400.
have any of y’all guys ever finished tinkering with your c3? Lol
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 3,858
Likes: 827
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Well…just got mine before I put it up for the winter….but great question.
Things I would like to do:
OEM side exhaust
Replace the clock with a quartz clock
Perhaps a new stereo. Would use a stereo that looks OEM but with Bluetooth etc… but will first see if my portable blue tooth speaker works as there is a lot of tearing apart for the stereo and speakers.
But most of all….enjoy driving…that is never ending😊
Things I would like to do:
OEM side exhaust
Replace the clock with a quartz clock
Perhaps a new stereo. Would use a stereo that looks OEM but with Bluetooth etc… but will first see if my portable blue tooth speaker works as there is a lot of tearing apart for the stereo and speakers.
But most of all….enjoy driving…that is never ending😊
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,785
Likes: 2,326
From: Central UT
(I'm writing this just in case our '68 can read, because I believe all C3s are somehow possessed - mostly in a good way - and will purposely do something if we ever feel like we're 'done'.).
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,814
Likes: 1,723
From: Summerville SC
Ten years and counting on my 78. Full restomod, nothing left of the original except the body panels. I got the car dirt cheap but I don't keep track of what I have into it. L98 from a 86C4, 200R4 from a buick ( NO, Not grand national), rack n pinion steering, dakota digital dash and the center console from an 86. I wanted cup holders. sorry. Custom upholstered seats from a 94 C4. Drive train is done. Almost have the interior done, but as said, they are never done. ONce it's all together and running, I will have to take half of it apart for paint. But my wife knows where I am and as I have been told, this hobby is safer than a Harley and cheaper than a blonde. Of is it safer than a blonde and cheaper than a Harley. I Don't know but I have saved thousands in therapist bills by having this toy.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 414
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Glad I’m not the only one lol
I think part of it is that I drive spring-fall and tackle some project every winter.
and also that I just enjoy working on the car. Always going to be something
recently I keep thinking it would look better with different rims lol add that to the list
I think part of it is that I drive spring-fall and tackle some project every winter.
and also that I just enjoy working on the car. Always going to be something
recently I keep thinking it would look better with different rims lol add that to the list
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,987
Likes: 3,333
From: Omaha NE
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Call me the odd man out...
Maybe because I bought it new, but I've never messed much with mine.
Mostly just regular maintenance. I'm more into keeping it a time capsule now...
Maybe because I bought it new, but I've never messed much with mine.
Mostly just regular maintenance. I'm more into keeping it a time capsule now...
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,225
Likes: 7,823
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
I've had mine for over 35 years now. Just finished replacing a rear spindle and bearings. Got my parking brake working, again. Now it's up on ramps. ......
Answer, No. Never done.
A few years ago my then 18 year old Son was helping me with the front suspension. Cutting coils to get the ride height just right.
And he asked me then. Dad, when will it be finished?
I laughed outloud. Didn't mean to laugh at my Son, But I was driving this car the day I met his mother. And he was "helping" me when he was a toddler. Just found it that funny. No, there never done.
It's a great hobby. My car needs tons of maintenance to keep it at the level I wish it to be. I drive it hard.
Sometimes we upgrade, or change things. Sometimes we replace bearings just cause it's been a few years since we were last in there.
Finished ?? Perhaps some owners get to the point of finished. Then the next guy becomes the cars care taker. But these cars are never truly done.
Answer, No. Never done.
A few years ago my then 18 year old Son was helping me with the front suspension. Cutting coils to get the ride height just right.
And he asked me then. Dad, when will it be finished?
I laughed outloud. Didn't mean to laugh at my Son, But I was driving this car the day I met his mother. And he was "helping" me when he was a toddler. Just found it that funny. No, there never done.
It's a great hobby. My car needs tons of maintenance to keep it at the level I wish it to be. I drive it hard.
Sometimes we upgrade, or change things. Sometimes we replace bearings just cause it's been a few years since we were last in there.
Finished ?? Perhaps some owners get to the point of finished. Then the next guy becomes the cars care taker. But these cars are never truly done.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 414
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I also enjoy showing my 5 year old how to work on cars and so on. Gotta try to keep the hobby alive
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,306
Likes: 697
Yeah any hot rod has something to deal with. Some minor and some major. Never had a 911's but my BIL did and I drove them a fair bit. He would drive my various LS swapped hot rods when we went out for a cruise.
My .02. Unless you like to wrench buy the very best C3 you can afford. A plus with a C3 is that they are pretty simple mechanically wise. Although you have to pay Corvette on parts I'm guessing it's less the 911 tax on parts.
My .02. Unless you like to wrench buy the very best C3 you can afford. A plus with a C3 is that they are pretty simple mechanically wise. Although you have to pay Corvette on parts I'm guessing it's less the 911 tax on parts.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,335
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Nope... I'm on revision 3 of the motor, 4 of the exhaust, 2 of the transmission, 2 of the interior, 4 or 5 of the stereo, 3 of the rear suspension, 2 of the front, 3 of the wheels, etc etc etc
M
M
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,814
Likes: 1,723
From: Summerville SC
What keeps me going on my project is that 3 years ago, when we retired from our business my wife ( of 48 years and counting) came to me and said that she knew I had fun wrenching on the C3, but it might be more fun if we had a corvette we could actually DRIVE! After the paramedics came and revived me, we ended up with a 2012 C6. That one is all stock and before I am allowed to go near it with a screwdriver I have to get approval. And I am OK with that. 
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,209
Likes: 9,347
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
finished...HAHAHA HAHAHAHA. 
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 414
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
This year for racing I’m trying out 1.6 rockers and upping the NOS from 125 to 175 shot.
Might be buying myself into more project time if something lets go
Might be buying myself into more project time if something lets go