First time Vette buyer here
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 153
Likes: 1
From: Monroe MI
First time Vette buyer here
Hi all,
Im a first time vette buyer looking for a 68-72, preferably a convertible. Ive been a muscle car guy all my life and have had Chevys and Olds but never a Vette. What specifically should I be looking for when shopping for my first vette, obviously the frame from what everyone says but exactly where on the frame. Any certain things to look for at all other than the obvious regular car stuff. Any certain things to consider that are very costly to fix or repair or things that arent available aftermarket I should be aware of? I hear some of the options are pretty pricey to fix too if they are not working.
Thanks Everyone
Chris
Im a first time vette buyer looking for a 68-72, preferably a convertible. Ive been a muscle car guy all my life and have had Chevys and Olds but never a Vette. What specifically should I be looking for when shopping for my first vette, obviously the frame from what everyone says but exactly where on the frame. Any certain things to look for at all other than the obvious regular car stuff. Any certain things to consider that are very costly to fix or repair or things that arent available aftermarket I should be aware of? I hear some of the options are pretty pricey to fix too if they are not working.
Thanks Everyone
Chris
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
almost everything for routine maintenance is available....if you go the 100%restored correctly route things can get expensive fast and may be difficult to find...if you do like alot of us and have fun with it and modify as you want it the costs become what you are use to....the rear end trailing arms can get expensive so you will want to make sure they are in good shape...also make sure the "birdcage" is sound this is the metal frame that the front windshield cowl and doors attach to...
also make sure that everything works...its easy to start racking up $$$$ ....you also have to decide how you feel about having original numbers matching stuff compared to not original numbers stuff....there are definitely two different camps on this issue....sometimes we differ on perspectives but mostly we get along...good luck
also make sure that everything works...its easy to start racking up $$$$ ....you also have to decide how you feel about having original numbers matching stuff compared to not original numbers stuff....there are definitely two different camps on this issue....sometimes we differ on perspectives but mostly we get along...good luck
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 153
Likes: 1
From: Monroe MI
Well I'd like a numbers matching if possible. I hear 68s arent the choice for many since they were the first year and I went to see a car today where the owner says his friend was pivotal in launching the new 68 vette and it was a mad dash and many suppliers were not ready. Hes said avoid them but I looked at one today that was pretty nice. Also can someone direct me to a good site for vin and option decoding?
Thanks
Chris
Thanks
Chris
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,145
Likes: 125
From: The Motor City
The Corvette FAQ is a great resource. There's a good article on what to look for when buying an older Corvette.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Reading through those should keep you busy for a while and give you a good idea of where you should be looking. For options decoding, pick up The Corvette Black Book. You should be able to find it at and decent bookstore or online.
'68s aren't bad, they're just the red-headed stepchild of the chrome bumper cars because of the many one-year-only parts.
Good luck in your search.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Reading through those should keep you busy for a while and give you a good idea of where you should be looking. For options decoding, pick up The Corvette Black Book. You should be able to find it at and decent bookstore or online.
'68s aren't bad, they're just the red-headed stepchild of the chrome bumper cars because of the many one-year-only parts.
Good luck in your search.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Visit some of the online suppliers like vansteel.com and ecklers.com to get an idea of parts availability. The 68 models had many parts that were unique to that year so they are the most difficult to restore. Most of the later C3s have common parts, which makes things much easier.
Rick B.
Rick B.
