I'm in the market for a C3 big block Vette and would like to know what your favorite year is and why? I'm talking stock BB. Thanks :D

 

Either the 427/425 of 68/69 or the 71 LS6.

tom...

 

You didn't mention your budget which will obviously have a major impact on what you can purchase, but I'll offer up a suggestion or two based on a "cost no object" approach...

If you are looking for a completely stock Corvette (matching numbers on everything... the whole nine yards...), I'd say that your best bet would be to find a nice 1971 LS-6 coupe. For about $45,000-$50,000 you'll have yourself a pretty exclusive car, excellent performance, and something that will probably increase in value over the next 5-10 years. You can also operate it on any available pump gas which is something that you can't say about my other two choices. These cars are seriously undervalued in my opinion. LS-6s are also easily counterfeited and I would suggest hiring someone who knows these cars inside and out if you seriously intend to buy one.

A close second would be a 1968 L-89 coupe... Also undervalued (especially compared to their 1969 counterpart) and can be had for $35,000-$40,000. If you don't have a problem with '68s (and realize that in the near term they'll generally be valued less than a comparable '69), then this might be the ticket. Goes with the same caveat as the LS-6 cars... Easy to "manufacture" one.

L-88s are a bit undervalued now as well and I've heard of a few excellent purchases on REAL cars in the past year. About $75,000-$80,000 will put a 1968-69 L-88 coupe in your garage.

Those are my thoughts... Anything in particular that you are looking for?

Regards,

 

71 LS6 :yesnod: one day...one day... :)

 

In order of my interest : ZL1, L88, LS6, L71

I really like 427s...in hindsight I kind of wish I would have built a 427 instead. Those are my top four favorite engine. An LS6 454 sure would be nice to have :).

 

I'm not looking for anything to fancy. I do want the orignal BB though. Weekend cruiser to play with. Mid 20's is all I have to spend. I just want a mean BB. :D

 

I'm kinda partial to 1968 L36's- 427 c.i., 390 hp. Good luck with your search, you should be able to find one in the mid-20's that will be pretty nice.

 

If you are looking for a BB in the mid 20's I would go with a '71-'72 LS-5 car. They are designed to run on unleaded fuel and with your budget you can get a near perfect example.

 

How's about a 69 L36? :cheers:

 

Dollar for Dollar the 73 454 is the way to go, they are cheap compared to the so called bumber year vetts and all you have to do to wake up the 73 monster is add a cam and a good carb. and you can join the club, chances are you will be able to pass just abought anything on the road except the Gas stations. When ever you boot these monsters that is at least 1 gallon. I found it is very tough to find a BB in good shape. Also make sure the vette is an orginal BB

 

Mighty Mouse
I forgot to mention my 73 BB is for sale. I did a ton of work on it over the winter. I have it dialed in and ready to enjoy. You can buy it for a lot less then the 69 427, I would put money on the fact that my 454 would blow the doors off the 69-427

 

No offense 73-454 but you are also failing to mention that your engine is not original. If I was looking at non-original BBs I would go for a 502

 

73-454 has a good point. The LS4 from '73 and '74 are probably the lowest priced of the big block Vettes. Not many of them built but at least you can verif that they were original big blocks by the VIN (5th digit would be Z).

tom...

 

For the mid 20s you could probably get a nice 68/9 435hp coupe. If finding good gas is a problem then I would go with a 70/72 454.

 

What Rowdy Rat owns! :cheers: nice car btw :cool:

EDIT: or ZL-1 light, fast + potent


[Modified by garagedweller2, 5:50 AM 4/11/2002]

 

only one for me......427/435, tripower and a running bitch. :cool: :cool: :cool:

 

HOW MUCH MONEY????? TORONTO IS ONLY 3.5 HOURS FROM ME!!! HA HA

Dwayne


[Modified by BigBlockVette, 10:16 PM 4/11/2002]

 

Any 427 would do it for me if I wanted a BB. Never thought much of the 454.

 

427 - All the way, baby ! :D

Why ? - that motor is 'legendary' - not that a 454 is 'not' good but it came too late.... by the time the 70's hit - gov't mandates 'squeezed' the big block to extinction.

The "427" will always be remembered with a higher status & it's history starts with the 1966 C2's where king-of-the-road belonged to Corvette. :cool:

 

I don't understand the couple of jabs here on the 454 cars. It's okay to toot your horn if you love your car but slighting the others isn't cool.

BTW, the 70-72 LS-5 cars bring more money than the 68-69 390hp cars. That's because the they had many improvements and were better overall cars.