I was talking with GDH and he asked me some specific questions. I figured I would post the reply here since then I can get people's opinions/advice incase I say something wrong/stupid.

I am not sure on the price range. One reason is because I am not sure what specifics to look for. I know that a car's price is based on it's quality and features.

I doubt I would find a car in a color I like. I like purple and blue. I know from pics of patsnitrovette's car that there is a shade of blue that I like, but I need to do some checking because I have yet to find a shade of purple that looks good and that I would like. So I would need to paint. Yet that is so expensive that it's something I wouldn't do right away. So I don't know how much a factor the existing paint job would be on the car that I would look for.

Since eventually I would probably end up upgrading a lot of the parts to make the car faster, I guess I don't need super fancy features or superior quality at the start. But of course it needs to be enough to run for a year or two without major costing repairs. Also, I still don't know what parts of a Vette are easily replacable and which need to be in perfect condition because they are the core of the care and impractical/impossible to replace/fix.

It's probably a good thing though that this is my plan since I wouldn't have a problem buying a Vette with a SB engine (since power isn't the greatest concern at the outset). This would be cheaper right? I guess a basic price range would be around $10,000 CDN give or take ~$3,000. Of course I'd want the cheapest I could get away with that meets my minimum requirements. (I am an unemployed student right now after all and money won't be worry free for quite a long time)

:auto:

 

Hmm. After more checking, I suspect that perhaps the part that I am wondering about in my 2 pictures is a front spoiler? Anyone know what it is yet?

Here is another knowledge question. Do C3s have reinforced steel columns? Because when my bro bought his first Camaro it got broken into and if it wasn't for the reinforced stell column, it would have been stolen. As it was, they only smashed the ignition chip trying to get into the column. What about C3s?

 

Looks like an aftermkt. front air dam, lots of them available, and C3 are not to hard to break into at all.
To give you an idea why everyone is talking about frame and windshield inspection, up here to replace a rotten frame you will be looking at $3500 - 5000 cdn if it also includes replacing the window frame.
You stated that you are an unemployed student, buying a vette of this vintage can quickly turn into an expensive hobby. Replacement parts are not cheap just because the are American auto. parts. If I were you I would budget at least 50% more than what your purchase price of the car might be, believe me 4 - 5k can be eaten up fairly quickly on these cars. The papers are filled with vettes that ppl bought on a shoestring budget thinking that they can easilly afford the car, and find that they are continually pumping $1k after another into it. Just don't kid yourself, these cars are not cheap to run just because they are not European, they are a lot of fun on the upside.


[Modified by gdh, 7:35 PM 3/23/2003]

 

Hmm. Are they removable? Or is it a case where if the car was made with it you are stuck with it, and if it was made without one you can add it?

Could I get a 81 for example and just remove the air dam?

And that sucks about the easy break ins. Are there features you can add to improve that? (Like putting in a steel reinforced steering column?)

 

From what I've read in the Corvette Blackbook and on the Corvette Archive, those spoilers were an option that could be ordered on the car in 79. They are actually the 78 Pace Car spoilers.

 

Onehotv6,
Check the website for ProTeam corvetttes in Ohio. You will learn alot just by looking at their cars, prices, waranty and delivery charges.
Good luck,
Twoinchgroup

 

On 78 and 79, yes they are removable, however you would have to fill in the holes in the fender after removing it. 80-82 it is part of the car and is not removable. You could also add a rear spoiler to a 78 or 79, or you could put on an 80-82 rear bumper, which has the spoiler integrated.

 

the '80-'82 had the spoiler intergrated, front and rear. you can see the intergrated spoiler in my sig pic below. you can also get a good idea of a profile of these cars on my webpage linked in the signature. the '78 and '79 didn't come with either spoiler as standard equipment so if you don't like it, you shouldn't have a hard time finding one that does not have them. you cannot remove the front bumper of an '80-'82 and install an earlier front bumper without major fiberglass. the rear bumpers are pretty much interchangable between '74 through '82.

 

Started a new thread as this one was getting kinda long. Thanx for all the help sofar.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=521946

 

A 383 is a 350 w/ 400 crank that is .030 over. Also, a 350 with 400 crank no overboar is also a 377.