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C3 Corvette Help
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 1
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C3 Corvette Help
Im looking at a 1976 corvette right now, I’ve been looking for something that’s unmolested, no body work, I found this one with the color interior that I’ve been looking for. I’ve attached some pictures, how hard would it be to bring this back to mostly stock looking. My biggest thing would be returning to stock headlight assembly. Let me know if you guys think it’s worth it or if I should just hold out for something else.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,822
Likes: 1,728
From: Summerville SC
that appears to be just the opposite of what you said you were looking for. Very molested, some might think, in a good way. Keep looking. The interior can be changed a lot easier than the body work.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2,732
Likes: 2,174
From: Minnesota
Welcome to the forum!
Unless that car is an absolute steal of a deal I would keep looking. There’s many C3s out there that have the factory headlights and front bumpers. Since originality seems important to you I would not be looking at this modified car.
Paint can be one of the most expensive things on these cars. For most ‘74s and up that’s usually more than the car is worth on the open market. I would be looking for a car that has good condition original paint, or has already been repainted. I would also read post #107 of this thread for general buying advice.
Unless that car is an absolute steal of a deal I would keep looking. There’s many C3s out there that have the factory headlights and front bumpers. Since originality seems important to you I would not be looking at this modified car.
Paint can be one of the most expensive things on these cars. For most ‘74s and up that’s usually more than the car is worth on the open market. I would be looking for a car that has good condition original paint, or has already been repainted. I would also read post #107 of this thread for general buying advice.
Last edited by Piersonpie; Jul 14, 2025 at 03:59 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,282
Likes: 7,863
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
If what you want is mostly stock. You'll be upside down on day one if you got that for free.
Run.
Run.
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,607
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Advice above is good.
My car looked similar when I bought it.
I’ve been learning for YEARS about how to get the body correct!
Spend a little more time looking for a decent vette.
Post pictures if you find one so the members can give you more good advice.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SKILL DOING DRIVETRAIN WORK OR BODY WORK?
My car looked similar when I bought it.
I’ve been learning for YEARS about how to get the body correct!
Spend a little more time looking for a decent vette.
Post pictures if you find one so the members can give you more good advice.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SKILL DOING DRIVETRAIN WORK OR BODY WORK?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,960
Likes: 4,518
From: Virginia
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,831
Likes: 1,959
From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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UNMOLESTED ???? That's a huge, molested P.O.S !!!!! ( Beauty can't even possibly be in the eyes of the beholder ) Run Forrest / Run ...................
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
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From: US-PNW
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,831
Likes: 1,959
From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,831
Likes: 1,959
From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I'd say more then 1 Catholic Priest has touched that one................. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,831
Likes: 1,959
From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I thought it said it said ........................ F O R F R E E !!!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,428
Likes: 8,232
From: Napa Valley California
Isn’t this one of the Corvette Summer movie car kits that were available many years ago?
There have been several other forum members who have built some nice customs based on these kits.
I think TransAm has a whole thread on his car he is in the process of building.
If you look closely, whoever started this project has done some very nice panel, door, front bumper cover and hood fitment and finish.
Without knowing what the interior and mechanical components are like, this could be a nicely finished custom project.
Its not my style, but to the right person who likes the Corvette Summer style cars, this could turn out very nice.
There have been several other forum members who have built some nice customs based on these kits.
I think TransAm has a whole thread on his car he is in the process of building.
If you look closely, whoever started this project has done some very nice panel, door, front bumper cover and hood fitment and finish.
Without knowing what the interior and mechanical components are like, this could be a nicely finished custom project.
Its not my style, but to the right person who likes the Corvette Summer style cars, this could turn out very nice.