I've seen a few nice looking C3's recently and I'm starting to consider one. A 69 Stingray to be exact. My main question is, how dependable are they? Could I use it as a daily driver without having alot of problems? What are some of the things I need to do keep it tuned up? I'm restoring a 65 Mustang right now, so I'm pretty familiar with how to keep it in shape. Please let me know. Any information is appreciated!!!

 

I have a '66 Mustang which I never have to work on and runs perfect. I just get in and turn the key and go! But I usually work on the Corvette every weekend, if it needs it or not, fun hobby. Once you drive around the Vette, you will never get excited driving the mustang again. There is no comparison on the two cars. Anyone out there want to buy a '66 Mustang with 67,000 miles (second owner car). I am tired of wiping the dust off of it monthly.

As far as driving the Vette as a daily driver, keep in mind the car is over 30 years old and will need to be worked on often. When cars hit 100,000 miles back then, you junked them. Now you get over 200,000 miles without proper maintenance on the newer cars. I would not drive an old vette for daily transportation.

Dwayne

 

As with any 30+ year old car you may run into problems. With a C3 vette it is the rear suspension that need to be check out really good before buying. Pay close attention to where the trailing arms are attached to the frame. It likes to rust there because of dirt and stuff trapping moisture. I don't use my Vette as a daily driver but it starts right up every time (ZZ4 crate engine helps that out). The good thing about a Vette in my opinion is that you can get the most common engine found on the planet....the small block 350. Parts are everywhere. Sound like you are a gearhead like me so you should have no problem keeping running. As far as tuning it up...just the basic tools and a timing light. Good luck finding the right car and I want to be the first in welcoming you to the Corvette family
John :chevy

 

There is place in Arlington called Berry Motor Cars. He does frame off restorations on old cars. Mostly Chevy's. He does outstanding work and offers very reasonable prices. Thanks for the info and the welcome. :chevy

 

Welcome to the C3 forum, Tony :cheers:

Depending on what you buy, you'll find a wide range of possibilities. A 69 is going to be over 30 years old, but if it has been restored it MIGHT be better than it was new, depending on the skill of the restorer and the degree of the restoration. OTOH, you'll find 69s that haven't been "touched" since they left the factory, other than the minimum necessary to keep them running. And everything in between.

If you like working on cars, a C3 can be a daily driver - I know two people who use their C3s daily (a 70 and a 75). They require more TLC than a new car, but Duh! They're a lot older.

And the good news is that C3s were built as performance cars. The old Mustangs looked cool (sorta), but it really was just a cool looking "2-door sedan." Once you drive a Vette for a while, that Mustang just won't feel the same.

The other great thing is that now that you've found this forum, you'll get all kinds of help and support. There are a lot of knowledgeable folks on here, and a lot more who are experiencing the same things you will be if you buy that 69. And C3s are popular enough that there are lots of sources for parts and even improvements on the original design.

In short, a C3 can combine practical transportation (gas mileage notwithstanding) and fun hobby all in one. :yesnod:

Good luck! :seeya

 

I wouldn't use a 69 as a daily driver, but that dont mean I wouldn't drive it. Im assuming you're from the c4 camp? (so am i) I use my 86 as my daily driver, and even that's not the do all daily driver, I use an 86 phord T-Chicken if its really crappy out.

So how dependable would a 69 be? well.. a few factors come into play. They're old, so things wear out or are worn out and need to be fixed. Thats down time. They're major cool, and if you have one, you'll always want it to be cooler Thats down time. When you're doing repairs or upgrades, parts sometimes aren't readily available. Thats down time. If its hailing out, you wont want to drive it. Thats down time.

The good side is that it's good ol' chevy iron, and one of the coolest set of wheels on the road. So its worth it :D

If i were you, I'd get the 69, + a geo metro for the down times :lol:

Jim-K


[Modified by Jim-K, 8:22 PM 8/23/2001]

 

You guys are awesome!!!! I feel so at home here. I think I'll stick around more often.

 

I am currently driving a 78 Pace Car daily. If you don't mind turning wrenches, don't be afraid of using the older Vettes as a daily driver. I drove a 72 coupe for almost three years daily. I loved every minute of it. I say go for it. :seeya

 

I drive my '70 anywhere and everywhere I want to. I do all my own work, but it really doesn't take much to maintain this car.

 

It really is do-able to drive as a daily driver. The big issue is to make you have access to backup transportation for those days when something IS wrong and you can't fix it in an evening.

Aside from the peculiarities of the rear suspension, the rest of the car is pretty much just a 30 year old Chevy. The normal things wear out and need to be replaced. Radiators, hoses, shocks, tires, bushings, etc... electrical stuff can go "zzzztttt!" at the drop of a hat thanks to rubbing that you didn't or couldn't see. Stuff like that. Otherwise, there should be no problems as a daily driver.

This has me thinking. There has to be some age at which cars are just generically "old". I think my '79 Bonneville needed as much maintenance as my Vette does. But I'd rather work on my 32 year old Vette than a 10 year old "used car" with modern electronics anc all that crud.

 

About that '66 Mustang. Is it a conv. and do you have pictures?

 

Tony, I drive my 77' every day, and on the weekends. I realize the 69's are older, but it is certainly doable, especially if you are handy (I am not handy.)

Plus, if you are not dead set on a 69, you have LOTS of C3s to choose from and you can for sure find a daily driver that much easier.

Good luck!

Tom

 

The '66 mustang is a hardtop, 6 cylinder. I need to get a digital camera soon to take pics.

Dwayne