C3 Pro-Touring Restomod
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: San Diego California
C3 Pro-Touring Restomod
Hello, my name is Ian and I am almost 15. I am a resident of California, and recently I was told by my father that if i don't want an old beater of a car, I would have to build it-automotive mechanics and design has been one of my recent and most intriguing passions and interests- so I said sure. I decided to go with a C3, mainly for aesthetic reasons, and the fact that it has been one of longest lasting and best selling generations of corvettes. I don't feel like acquiring one in excellent condition just to strip it down and make it my own, so I would like to know, who knows of any people or businesses that could help me find a C3, a good C4 ZR 1 LT 5 engine (and an EFI/ direct injection conversion kit or parts) and maybe ethanol injection; transmission/trans-axle (manual preferred); brakes; chassis; exhaust; suspension; what year is best; wheels; wide-body and other aesthetic improvements within reason such as aerodynamic pieces; and any other reasonable upgrade. If you have any ideas or information that could help me on this journey of creation, please let me know , and thank you for the help!!!!
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,717
Likes: 551
From: Seattle Washington
Welcome to the C3 ! As it sounds like You want a Project car lets start with that. An early C3 known as a Chrome bumper car is the considered the most collectable and probably will fetch the most value. Some People prefer the Late C3's 80-82 with there up dated body style. And then there are the people who lay in between, with the 74-79's. You just need to pick your own style, one really doesn't have an advantage over the other.
Many a Vette has been left outside in the weather because they are fiberglass and can't rust. WRONG ! Rust is the biggest issue with any car Corvettes just do a better job of hiding it. You need to have a real good look especially if it has been in the mid west. The LT5 is arguably the coolest engine ever put in a corvette, but may not be the best choice for a first time build. Its not a bolt in. There are many other choices that are. A car that has OK paint but needs to be repainted is no better than a car that has terrible paint that needs to be repainted. When choosing a Car You may want to post pictures here for thought, and somebody who is local may go look at it with you. You might consider joining the NCRS, for the same reasons before You buy.
Many a Vette has been left outside in the weather because they are fiberglass and can't rust. WRONG ! Rust is the biggest issue with any car Corvettes just do a better job of hiding it. You need to have a real good look especially if it has been in the mid west. The LT5 is arguably the coolest engine ever put in a corvette, but may not be the best choice for a first time build. Its not a bolt in. There are many other choices that are. A car that has OK paint but needs to be repainted is no better than a car that has terrible paint that needs to be repainted. When choosing a Car You may want to post pictures here for thought, and somebody who is local may go look at it with you. You might consider joining the NCRS, for the same reasons before You buy.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,695
Likes: 65
From: Kissimmee fl
Finalist 2021 C3 of the Year - Modified
2017 C3 of Year Finalist
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
In Ca. your biggest and first concern should be what years and or mods
( newer engines) will not require smog inspections. All of your build and mods need to be made with that in mind.
Good luck with your search and project.
( newer engines) will not require smog inspections. All of your build and mods need to be made with that in mind.
Good luck with your search and project.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 789
Likes: 129
From: Los Banos CA
You can (and SHOULD!) dream big - just tackle it in small portions.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
Soooo......your 15 years old? Thanks for your honesty now here is my advice to a 15YO.....go and buy yourself a Go Kart and learn the art of hi-performance driving before you take on the task of trying to acquire a performance automobile and endanger your life and others. I would recommend devoting yourself to your schooling and studies to allow you to acquire a skill set to make yourself successful in life before desiring a trophy like a Corvette. There will always be Corvettes available but now is not the time for one in my book of " life "
Pro
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 708
Likes: 26
What SolidLT1 said triggered a memory for me.
The Corvette that I bought... it was a project for someone your age. He thought the same thing. In the end he I bought it for less than half of what he put into it (I basically bought the parts he had bought and got the car for free) so he could go buy a something that was actually a good reliable daily driver.
The Corvette that I bought... it was a project for someone your age. He thought the same thing. In the end he I bought it for less than half of what he put into it (I basically bought the parts he had bought and got the car for free) so he could go buy a something that was actually a good reliable daily driver.
Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 1,213
From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
Not sure how well financed you are but take the advice of buying a smog exempt vette. Then pick away at it over the next few years. You're young and have the rest of your life ahead of you so you don't need to be in a hurry. I was always given that advice when I was a teen and well, whatever....... Just wish I could of had the chance to work on a project car but most don't have the opportunity, so don't waste it. Anyway, it's a great way to learn and maybe some day you will be an automotive engineer. Don't let the project interfere with your education. OK, lecture's over now start looking for a C3.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,932
Likes: 845
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
While LT-1 makes some seemingly harsh points, they are not without merit. a c3 corvette can be a handful . many people have been killed in 200 horsepower corvettes because they thought they could drive.
make realistic goals, an lt5 is not one of them.come up with a realistic budget and double it.
get a safe driver quality car while you build the corvette, and oh yes, Good Luck.
make realistic goals, an lt5 is not one of them.come up with a realistic budget and double it.
get a safe driver quality car while you build the corvette, and oh yes, Good Luck.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
Hello, my name is Ian and I am almost 15. I am a resident of California, and recently I was told by my father that if i don't want an old beater of a car, I would have to build it-automotive mechanics and design has been one of my recent and most intriguing passions and interests- so I said sure. I decided to go with a C3, mainly for aesthetic reasons, and the fact that it has been one of longest lasting and best selling generations of corvettes. I don't feel like acquiring one in excellent condition just to strip it down and make it my own, so I would like to know, who knows of any people or businesses that could help me find a C3, a good C4 ZR 1 LT 5 engine (and an EFI/ direct injection conversion kit or parts) and maybe ethanol injection; transmission/trans-axle (manual preferred); brakes; chassis; exhaust; suspension; what year is best; wheels; wide-body and other aesthetic improvements within reason such as aerodynamic pieces; and any other reasonable upgrade. If you have any ideas or information that could help me on this journey of creation, please let me know , and thank you for the help!!!!
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,637
Likes: 27
From: Norwalk Ct
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,936
Likes: 3,344
From: NYC NY
and google "48 Hour Corvette" there's lots of extreme budget ideas for you to look through. There's even threads right here on this forum.