Hi all! Previously owned a 2001 coupe and a 2012 convertible GS. Been too many years without one now and am looking to get into my dream of a 70-72 coupe. Has anyone ever dealt with Gateway Classic Cars? Good to deal with or bad, any insight would help. Also they are showing one that is listed by their Ofallon Il sight but says it’s in Detroit. I’m trying to clarify this. Any advise to buying something sight unseen? Anything special to watch for with these cars? Anything else anyone can add to help would be greatly appreciated!!

 

Welcome

You may want to Google search "C3 corvette bird cage rust" and ask the seller for photos of the #2 body mounts and the frame kickups just in front of the rear wheels. Might also want to see about a third party pre=purchase inspection once you determine the exact location. A numbers matching block may also contribute to value.

 

I be very careful about buying a car from a consignment dealer! Watch this video:

 

IMO Gateway prices are on the high side, most dealers are. You need to really focus on the underside of C3's, the frames tend to have various rust issues; some involving the bird cage can be very serious. The trailing arms can be an issue, this is not like owning or buying a C5 or C6. I would highly recommend you personally inspect and drive any C3 you plan to buy.

 

While I have no personal experience with Gateway, one of my customers recently bought a 69 Boss 302 from their Las Vegas location. The car was bought only based on the pictures provided by Gateway and the description they gave of the car. It is a nice car and presents fairly well, but there were a lot of little issues with it that weren't disclosed. Overall there seemed to have been a lot of short cuts taken by whoever restored the car, leaving me with the impression it was either an amateur restoration, or restored by someone flipping it to make a quick buck. There were no major issues with the car, just minor problems, and the only thing that might have been actually misrepresented was the car was supposed to have the correct, original Holley, which it didn't.

DON'T! If you can't inspect it in person, hire someone familiar with Corvettes to inspect it for you.

There are a lot of things to know about these cars. First off, a 55 year old Corvette doesn't drive anything like a modern car, or even your 2001 or 2012 Corvettes. Many don't have power steering, and most didn't have power brakes. They don't ride like newer cars, the seats aren't as comfortable, the sound system is two weak speakers in the dash, they tend to be hot inside, the air conditioning in pre 1976 Corvettes is not the best so even AC cars tend to be hot, rattles are common, and a 1970 needs premium fuel but 71-72's use regular and are happy with it. If you go into the ownership of any early Corvette with an open mind and no expectations of it being anything like a new car you'll likely be happy with your purchase.

Read this post at the top of the C3 General Section under the Sticky Threads for some insight into things you should be aware of with any 63-82 Corvette.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-corvette.html

 

Just shot you a pm.

 

UTG visits Kiwi: Visit Kiwi's YouTube channel directly and watch a number of his videos of new buyers not quite ending up with what they thought they were getting. Makes a guy super-skittish about any auction or dealer.

https://www.youtube.com/@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160

 

I suggest that you view the thread that appeared on May, 14th in the forum General section regarding Gateway Classic Cars for some additional opinions. search for "gateway classic cars" that might turn up additional threads and opinions

 

 

First off thanks to everyone who replied!! Exactly what I remember from being on here years ago. This is the place to go for info regarding vettes!! I really appreciate everyone and if anyone knows of a decent 70-72 or a nice collector edition 82 just let me know. I’m in the Chicagoland area ready to buy!
thanks again!!