Take it for a drive and see how you like it. You might not like it...or maybe it'll grow on you. Compared to a C4...it really is a different animal (as stated earlier). And some cars are loose and rattle all over the place, others are nice and tight still...depends what his is like.

Maybe, because he's your neighbor, he'll be nice enough to let you drive it for an afternoon. You can plan a mixed route of country/city driving. That would give you a lot better idea if you think it's for you ...or not. ..vs one trip around the block. Drive it on over to someone you know who knows a thing or two about C3's.

Best of luck!!

 

If everything feels good on the car but sloppy steering (pretty common), that's easy enough to fix and something I wouldn't get too hung up over. Send the steering box off to a guy on this forum for a re-do, and replace a few parts. But yeah, give it a good look over, or have a C3 guy look at it, would be a good idea.

 

As an update, turns out it is infact a 1980, it is an L82, but it's thus sadly an automatic. Has the transmission seal issue, as well as some sort of fuel pump issue.

He wants $8k for it. I'm significantly less enthusiastic about it knowing it's an auto. I could still do a 5 speed swap, but I'm not clear how much more involved that is, the pedals would have to change and add all the clutch hydraulics and all that other stuff.

Knowing that, the price seems kinda ok, kinda a bit high considering it has at least two known issues, and it has an automatic.

 

Did you look at the frame and birdcage too?

Some people run a TKX with a factory style clutch. You can weld a bracket onto the frame for the Z-bar, and use factory parts. If a 5 speed manual is what you want in the end you’re probably better off buying an automatic for less and converting it rather than spending more on a 4 speed car, and still wanting a 5th gear.

As for the fuel pump, it’s a small block Chevy. Worst comes to worst you’ll need a new pump, which is relatively cheap and easy to install.

I would see if you can get a better deal for it, but I would also look at other cars and see how much they’re going for. Look at the price differences between the manual and automatics, and see if that difference in price is worth the cost of a clutch pedal, not even including the TKX itself.

 

Thanks for the update!

You might want to keep looking. If it's an auto in great shape (perfect paint, no rust), 8K could be a bargain. Fuel pumps are easy, and who cares if the transmission leaks, if you are going to delete it anyway. An all-in TKX swap from shiftsst.com will likely run $6K in parts, plus tools, even if you do it yourself. You may or may not want a hydraulic clutch.

 

Nope, didn't get a chance to look at the birdcage. I figured the fuel pump was easy, maybe not as easy as the C4, but easy nonetheless.

It's not going anywhere. It's "for sale" in that he wants to sell it but I haven't seen it move from his garage under a cover in years except the last time he decided to sell it he put it in his driveway with a for sale sign for 24 hours ish (in our gated development no less, lol). So I'm in no rush.

 

I have a 1988 C4 which is more of a "Grand Touring" style of Corvette. It has great air conditioning, comfortable seats and is a nice car to just cruise in. I use it on longer highway trips and have had a blast just driving through fast roads with lots of turns. It is an automatic with the L98 engine and will get up to 30 mpg and a little above that while cruising with the A/C on and the stereo playing. It is not that bad to work on thanks to the clam shell hood. At least you can see most of the important parts. The very early ABS brakes are another PIA to keep working but they do work.

My other Corvette is my first Corvette. It is a 1968 C3 Convertible with a four speed and a solid lifter 427. I bought it not knowing much about Corvettes and did moderately well buying it. The C3 was designed with one intention, Going Fast. You can reach in from above and replace all 8 of the spark plugs on the 427. There is a lot of room in my engine compartment and it looks so different from the later C3's. My car had an A.I.R. pump which is gone and a PCV for the emissions systems.

Both cars had their suspensions rebuilt with Poly-Urethane Bushings which made them both more fun to drive. The C4 handles like it is on rails but the C3 handles well and now has a Rack and Pinion steering system to make it better. Working on the C3 is much easier than working on the C4 only because the C4 has the emissions and other junk all over the engine compartment.

The early C3's were built to handle the horsepower of the 427's and they have several heavy duty parts on them to help prevent breakage. There is ~ 560 hp coming from an L88 Copy 427 and I have had some serious fun with that kind of power. It will accelerate from 0-60 in less than 4 seconds and will keep going to get into the triple digit speeds very quickly.

Modifying a Corvette is fun, It is not fun when you are fighting for every square inch of open space under the hood. If you want to enjoy a C3 the way Zora designed them for us then try driving a big block C3 from before 1970 or earlier. The earlier cars are less restrictive and with less emissions equipment blocking you from working on the engine. On my C3 you simply take a peek at the air/fuel ratio meter on the dash and you will see that everything is working properly.