You probably get this all the time, but now that I am looking at older C3s, I am running across some terminology I am not familiar with, being more versed in the newer Corvettes. :)

Can you help me out with the meanings?

1.) "Survivor" - I assume this has something to do with the cars condition.

2.) "NOS" - referring to parts, not the funny gas! I know it means "New Old Stock", but what exactly does that mean? Is it new or old?! :confused:

3.) "Carburetor" - just kidding! ;) :lol:

Thanks (I may have more as time goes on!)

 

A survivor is an unrestored, completely original car. This is an NCRS term and has very little application in the real world since even having a replacement battery means the car is moving off the survivor mark. Interestingly, a survivor car doesn't even have to run to be judged.

N.O.S. is the acronym as you wrote it, but the term is thrown around so frequently that it has lost its true meaning (like numbers matching) which is: a part that is the same part that was used in production and is old service or production stock made by the original supplier and has never been used. With the reproduction market booming, many folks list repro parts from GM's repro program as N.O.S., which, in fact, they are not even though they are in most cases, the same part. They should be considered repro parts.

 

A "Survivor" is an award for a certain (high) percentage of the car being original. It's awarded by Bloomington or NCRS, or someone. I'm not exactly sure who. Maybe someone more familiar can chime in. Only thing I know about it is that an owner can only have the car judged as a survivor once. If the car doesn't make it, then the car has to change owners before it can be judged again.

Now, NOS can be a good or bad thing. It means that the part is new stock made the same time as the car was made, but it has been sitting on a shelf for 30 or so some odd years. So, something like NOS rubber seals might not be a good thing for obvious dry rot reasons. Whereas an NOS cam would be fine.

Hope that's somewhat helpful.

Bill.

 

cant answer your questions but no question is stupid unless you dont ask it
these guys are great on the forum ask away anytime :yesnod:

 

1.) "Survivor" - I assume this has something to do with the cars condition.

A - Never been restored and is in stock condition with all numbers matching

2.) "NOS" - referring to parts, not the funny gas! I know it means "New Old Stock", but what exactly does that mean? Is it new or old?! :confused:

A - I believe this means Brand new parts that were made by the car's manufactuer but were never sold at the parts counter, then when the manufaturer didn't need to stock the part anymore they sold the inventory to someone (I think the Feds make car companies stock replacement parts for 15 years......may be wrong on that too). This may be incorrect but I am sure someone here knows the answer.
John

 

Blake,

"Survivor" can be a generic term used to refer to a car that is relatively original and unrestored. Bloomington Gold has their own definition of "Survivor" (as well as a further extension of this in their "Benchmark" award) in that certain areas of the car must be a certain percentage original in order to qualify for the award. NCRS also has their version of "Survivor" which they call "Bowtie" (and associated "stars" for each area that qualifies).

Clear as mud, right? :)

Seriously though, if you want actual requirements for the Bloomington Gold or NCRS awards, drop me an e-mail and I can give you a more detailed description.

New Old Stock or "NOS" parts are those parts which were originally stocked for service applications on these older cars. These parts are SERVICE parts; what that means is that while they are functionally suitable for a given application, they may or may not be identical in appearance to the original PRODUCTION part that they replace. Many people are under the impression that they are the same parts that were used when the cars were built... Such is not the case. Be very careful when buying NOS parts.

Carburetor... You late model guys kill me... ;)

Probably some day, probably in the not so distant future, somebody is going to start asking questions like that for real!

Good luck with your car search Blake!

Regards,

 

Blake I have no doubt you and Sharron find a great car in the 10-15k range.

Try and decide what you guys want first it will make the hunt alot easier.

If you want to get a #'s matching car that will be used for shows and stored in a garage you can count on spending somewhere from 18-25k. Early "survivor" C3's are becomming more and more hard to find. But I'm sure the return on the investment will show itself in the next couple of years. If this is your route look for the rare motors/options and paint colors. Don't plan on putting 20k a year on in miles... you have to be fairly tender with a survivor... some parts can be hard - or nearly impossible to come by.

If you want a car to restore - like to do a frame off you can count on spending 4-12k depending upon how complete the car is. Again if you are looking for a numbers matching car plan on spending more - even if it needs total restoration. This really isnt as bad as it sounds... infact I kinda wish I went this route. because I'm heading there anyway!!! You can do a complete frame off for somewhere around 10k-15k (some do it cheaper) but the car is done and should be almost like new afterwards.

If you want a driver, plan on spending anywhere from 9-17k. Try to find a car that has already had most of the major componets either rebuilt or replaced. You know Engine/Tranny/Brakes and suspension, maybe it needs some TLC. The more stuff thats redone the better even if the numbers don't match. You should beable to count on the car being reliable or, at least pretty easy to get to that point. Count on some creaks and groans but that will be part of the charm! ;)

When I got my car, I wanted a driver. Then I wanted it to go faster, handle better and stop quicker. I managed to do most of it without really taking it off the road, but I've decided I want the car to be better now... thats why I'm looking at doing a frame off - hopefully this winter.

I know you saw my car at the CI and maybe you could use it as a benchmark. If I were selling the car I'd prob only get maybe 12k for the car as it sits right now. (I wish it was worth more!!!) I have alot more than that into the car. After I do a frame off and everything is working exactly like it should maybe the value will jump to the 15-18k range but you never know. It will depends on the quality of the work and finding the right buyer for the car. (someone with the same taste in mods) Not that I'm planning on selling!!!

and ... I fully believe its cheaper to buy a car thats already been redone then it is to do it yourself. Take your time and drive some cars on the high end and the low end - (I should have let you drive mine out at BG - doh!!!) you'll find something that will suit you guys well!!! :cheers:



[Modified by Mike69, 4:00 PM 5/31/2002]

 

Thanks for the info everyone!

Mike,
From the definition, we definitely do NOT want a survivor car!
I just kept seeing it in ads, and wasn't sure what it meant. :)
We want something to drive and have fun. Not a shower/waxer.

I am trying to convince her that she needs to concentrate on 502 BB crate motors, with progressive nitrous systems (blown would also be good). :reddevil :jester

 

Blake, you got some good answers above. But, as you search for an early C3 in your price range, the terms you asked about will likely take on the following definitions:

1. Survivor = A real POS unrestored car that has been sitting undriven for the past 15 years.

2. NOS = parts bought on ebay (The seller listed them as NOS, that's all I know).

Good luck! :) MJ

 

That would be C :cool: :cool: L
Sorry to tell you this, BUT NAAAWWWS on a C3 is sacriligious, or ricer...
Dam I can never tell them apart

Anyway DON"T DO IT... :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

Blake - Why do I get the feeling you're going to be behind the wheel? :D Happy hunting and have fun! :lol:

Dave

 

You have chosen the correct path. :D :lol: :cheers:

 

With how quiet she was going down the quarter mile I don't think you'll have any problem convincing her of that!!! Donna would have been punching my arm and telling me to slow down the whole way!!! :D :cheers:

 

To put it simply:

1.) "Survivor" means mo money.
2.) "NOS" means mo money.
3.) "Carburetor" means mo money. (At the pump, less in repairs.)