best year of c3?
02-27-2002, 06:32 PM
#2
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Re: best year of c3? (OatBoy)
This is largely a matter of preference and how you intend to drive the car. GM started preparing for their engines to run unleaded fuel around 70-71 I think. Hence the lower compressions etc...
Out of 4 current Vettes - I think I enjoy driving my 71 the best. However, they are all GREAT FUN!!
Out of 4 current Vettes - I think I enjoy driving my 71 the best. However, they are all GREAT FUN!!
02-27-2002, 06:35 PM
#3
Team Owner
Re: best year of c3? (OatBoy)
69-72, take your pick.....each year has certain attributes....nothing to do with HP rating games...but more to do with engine options...
72 is more in tune with today's gas than most of the other options/years...
but other than that, they nearly the same....
GENE
72 is more in tune with today's gas than most of the other options/years...
but other than that, they nearly the same....
GENE
02-27-2002, 06:39 PM
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Re: best year of c3? (OatBoy)
Everyone knows the 69 is the best :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D I got a feeling I just opened a big can of worms :smash: :smash: :boxing :boxing :smash: :boxing :nono: 
:nonod: :U :U :U :U :U
:nonod: :U :U :U :U :U
02-27-2002, 06:53 PM
#8
Race Director
Re: best year of c3? (OatBoy)
Larry Shinoda, the famous Corvette designer, once commented in an interview that the 1973 was his favorite of the post-1967 era because the front and rear styling were closest to what the stylists originally had in mind when this series was first designed. Quote from "Illustrated Corvette Buyer's Guide" by Michael Antonick
Zora Arkus-Duntov reckons the new Corvette to be the best ever, and after exhaustive testing of four different models, we're inclined to agree Car and Driver, Dec 1972, in their road test of the new 1973 Corvette.
tom...
[Modified by Tom73, 5:04 PM 2/27/2002]
02-27-2002, 06:54 PM
#9
Melting Slicks
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Re: best year of c3? (OatBoy)
If you're looking at power & just reading HP numbers, don't forget that the HP rating system changed during those years.
But, Corvettes did generally get "weaker" as the 70s wore on.
As far as "best year", that's way too vague a question and one that is answered based mostly on personal opinion.
But, Corvettes did generally get "weaker" as the 70s wore on.
As far as "best year", that's way too vague a question and one that is answered based mostly on personal opinion.
02-27-2002, 07:13 PM
#10
Safety Car
Re: best year of c3? (OatBoy)
After seeing pictures of my dad's '69 Corvette....that is probably my favorite year. I love the look of the chrome bumpered 'Vettes with the big block hood and wiper door. Just my opinion though. I absolutely love my car, I just wish it had chrome bumpers...the bumpers add another dimension to the car.
02-27-2002, 07:15 PM
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Burning Brakes
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Re: best year of c3? (jerryp58)
76
It is the last year of the Stingray and affordable enough that I can
afford to put some aftermarket go-fast parts on it.
But if I had money, I would definitely have a chrome bumpered vette.
It is the last year of the Stingray and affordable enough that I can
afford to put some aftermarket go-fast parts on it.
But if I had money, I would definitely have a chrome bumpered vette.
02-27-2002, 07:54 PM
#13
Team Owner
Re: best year of c3? (Chuck Harmon)
C3 should have a break between rear window type also.
02-27-2002, 08:02 PM
#14
Race Director
Re: best year of c3? (gkull)
C3 should have a break between rear window type also.
68-69 - original coke body design
70-72 - coke body with flares design
73 - rubber nose, chrome rear, one year only style
74 - First with rubber front and rear, last of true dual exhaust, last big block
75-77 - emission years, first of the cat converter cars
78-79 - Bubble back design
80-82 - Heavy chin design
If pressed guess I could lump the 73 and 74 together as they are basicly the same under the skin, but you could also add in the 70-72 to that lump :D
tom...
[Modified by Tom73, 6:05 PM 2/27/2002]
02-27-2002, 08:07 PM
#15
Team Owner
Re: best year of c3? (OatBoy)
In my opinion - the most beautiful and most powerful C3 year was definately 1969. I owned already two 1969 Vettes. I like the vent design on the 68 and 69 models. The 69 is even nicer because it has nice inserts on the vents. I also like the Stingray emblem! Also the round design of the blinker is very nice on 69-69 Vettes! 1969 also had great engine selection with High Compression engines!
Olivier
Olivier
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golfradict (11-12-2015)
02-27-2002, 08:31 PM
#17
Drifting
Re: best year of c3? (Thad)
1971...Chrome bumpers, flared fenders, still respectable hp, first year that can burn unleaded gas and I own one. But I still like them all!
02-27-2002, 08:37 PM
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Re: best year of c3? (Thad)
1968.
Remember, 69 shares a lot of interior parts with those "later" vettes... The 68 has its own door panels, center console plate, nice all red taillights, pretty reverse lights, nice flat gauge bezel plate, full fiber optics, push in door buttons, all kinds of goodies! Plenty of other things, can't recall them offhand.
Plus knowing you have a one year car! One of a kind! Always the rarest at a show!
02-27-2002, 08:57 PM
#19
Burning Brakes
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Re: best year of c3? (Black68Vette)
The best vette 73, crome rear bumbers and a smoth front. I love the lines I have the BB now. But in the good old days I bought a new 73 SB most options less air I drove that vette for 5-years summer and winter great car and a real chick magnet.
02-27-2002, 09:10 PM
#20
Team Owner
Re: best year of c3? (73-454)
OK, I have a 68, I love 68s, but i'll tell you, my vision of the late model C3s was always tainted by their lack of factory performance. i got past that hangup by looking at some of the upgrades/mods forum members have done to their cars. I have really come to appreciate the looks of those cars once their performance matches those looks! :) Amazing how much better a car looks with a 502 under the hood. (or protruding from the hood) :) MJ