Looking for a C3, advice
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
Looking for a C3, advice
Hello,
I have an '84 right now which I really enjoy and restored beautifully, and for my next I want a C3. I really like the 82 CE but I don't know if I want to deal with the crossfire again. I also have some interest in C3 convertibles. What I'm wondering is, what should I look for when choosing a C3 corvette? Any rust problem areas? Engine wise? I feel that I know a lot about the C4 and very little about the C3. Thanks for your help!
I have an '84 right now which I really enjoy and restored beautifully, and for my next I want a C3. I really like the 82 CE but I don't know if I want to deal with the crossfire again. I also have some interest in C3 convertibles. What I'm wondering is, what should I look for when choosing a C3 corvette? Any rust problem areas? Engine wise? I feel that I know a lot about the C4 and very little about the C3. Thanks for your help!
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: Price Utah
Buy the nicest possible one from the most reputable dealer you can find.
The birdcage seems to be the most rust prone area. The above caveat is only applicable unless you have a desire to spend lots of time with a droplight and an assembly manual.
The birdcage seems to be the most rust prone area. The above caveat is only applicable unless you have a desire to spend lots of time with a droplight and an assembly manual.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 1
From: Clarksville Indiana
Frame and birdcage rust is what to look hard for.. What ever your price range is, you can get more car for less if you like late 70's but with early 70's you can get chrome bumpers and big blocks!
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Allentown PA
When you are out looking at the car, ask if you can remove the interior trim around the inside of the windshield. Notice if a bunch of rust falls down when you remove the trim. Poke at the windshield frame with an awl and see if the awl pushes through the sheet metal. If it does, the windshield frame needs work. This is a big job. I know because I just went through this with my car. Also remove the kickpanels, (side wall down near your feet and the vent). Look inside the frame at the bottom and see if there is a pile of rust. Bring a flashlight and a phillips screwdriver when you go.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 15
C3 car to buy
If you want a convertible, the best I ever drove was a '74 454 4speed. Yellow with black interior. Ellen Degeneres really liked it. Coupe, '71 small block, gold with black interior ,automatic, very old school. The nice thing about C3 'Vetts is you can always find one with less than 20,000 miles on the clock no matter the year. Look for one with the lowest miles always stored in a garage. You will pay more but enjoy more, work less. I saw a '76 L82 with 11,000 miles on the bay for $10,500 last month and it did not sell??? Be patient and it will appear. MDS...
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
You're talking about a generation of cars that range in age from 27 to 41 years old. Original mileage means very little compared with what has been done to the car over that time. Reliability is also misleading. Compared to today's cars, which can go for 150K miles without opening the hood, no C3 was reliable. Any car with a carburetor (68 - 81) sometimes needs work as does any car with points in the distributor (68 - 74). You already know about cross fire injection.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
Radiator supports tend to rust at the bottom, look for brake fluid running down the inside of the wheels=not changed to stainless calipers. Check under the fenders and feel for 'glass repair seams if wrecked.
Unless you want a basketcase to restore, always get the best example you can possibly afford.
Unless you want a basketcase to restore, always get the best example you can possibly afford.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 15
best c3
If you go for the more affordable '76 thru '80 models go for the L82 only. Do you like the vertical back glass or the fast back green house of the '78 -'80. I love my '77 L82 but really like the more agressive look of the '80 model L82. Mine is an automatic but manuals are more fun to drive and are more rare. Black, red, white and yellow are best colors. I do not like the beige or browns. Just my personal opinion. As for miles, these cars tend to need motor work at about 100,000. Try to find one with less than 30,000. Good luck MDS...
