Welcome and good job! I didn't really get involved here until AFTER I got my car. I'm not sure I would have done anything different, but at least I might have been able to negotiate intelligently on the price.

 

As I usually say to newbies.... howdy! :seeya

 

I am a young corvette owner who is just a couple years removed from his college years. I am in the bay area of California and would consider letting you take my baby for a little spin. Its a restored '80 with new paint, crate engine, side exhuast, and american racing wheels. Its a four speed car and lots of fun to drive. Give me an email and we can talk. Welcome to the club, there is nothing like owning a corvette.

Save the Wave

 

Keep in mind that a C3 for 5000 can easily climb to 20000 if you really love it and it needs restoring. It is an expensive hobby and hard to quit improving on ones resoration. Every improvement accentuates the things that need to be fixed. I have 20k in the car now but it is basically new and 425 hp. It comes back from a new paint job in 2 weeks ...one of the most exciting moments of my life! I worked on it for months with it looking like a heap ...finally the results!

You will love it ...just watch out for good deals. If you don't want to do mechanikin' there are some killer deals in the $15000 range. Often someone else is taking a good loss.

Marc

 

Thanks for the advice and the welcomes everyone.

kidvet, my girl and I were hoping to take a run to the bay soon, so I may very well take you up on that offer. And I will definitely be a 'Waver'.

I am trying to put together a list of everything I want in a 'Vette. The above mentioned sidepipes are one thing I really like. Once I have the list made up, I'll put it up in the forums, asking for comments and such. Of course, I don't think I'll be too picky when it comes down to it. Like someone earlier mentioned, my priority will be getting a car that is in good condition - the other stuff can come later, or wait till I can afford another.

One of my biggest concerns is fitting into one (hence the request to drive one). I'm 6'5", with shoes, 240lbs. A friend who weighs a bit more said he fit into a C4 with no problem, so I was figuring the C3 to be similar, but they look so slender when they're going down the road... :confused:

Point taken. I do know there will be more than your usual 'upkeep' (i.e. upgrades) for a 'Vette. I know that I will be looking for a car that is in good shape, vs. the specific one I want that has all the right options, but 'needs some work'. My mechanics skills are weak, but that's for lack of practice, no ability or desire. My father is a good mechanic though, so he can help some. I'm sure they'll be some trial-and-error (probably lots of error), but it would just make it more my car.

I do plan on looking for good deals in that $10-15 range. I can wait for the good stuff. :) And I'll be looking for a driver, not a show car (not right away anyway ;)).

-bZj

 

Welcome to the forum :party: I guess you know if you get one and don't post pictures you'll be doomed to a life of hissing and hounding by fellow CF members :lol: Good luck in your search. :cheers:

 

Oh, I'll have pictures from the first look, to when it hits my driveway, and from then on.... :) Just gotta get the whole "real job" thing worked out, and I'm good to go. :thumbs: Anyone in the market for an operations manager/supervisor? I gots mad kaizen skills, yo!

-bZj

 

Goo dluck searching for your real job - then a real car.

If you like the liberties of making the vette "your vette", then consider
a 74 or earlier. These years can be customized (side exhaust/big block, etc)
without 'breaking the law'. I wonder how you get an 80 with sidepipes
inspected (and passed) in CA.

Welcome !! :cheers:

 

Welcome and good luck in the search for your C3. :chevy

 

:seeya

 

All we have to pass is a sniff test - there isn't any 'modification inspection', like in the eastern states. At least at all the smog shops I've been to.

I think I like the looks of the earlier cars better anyway, so 68-74 works for me. :)

-bZj

 

You have been REAL lucky if you haven't had to pass a visual inspection. They are supposed to check for visual non stock items.

 

Hm... guess I have been lucky.

How common is the knowledge of which years had sidepipes?

-bZj

 

OK - but without cats, the sniffer might fail you.
73s are really good deals.
I like the chrome bumper rear end more than the front end.
The upswept tail is cool. I hate the plastic rear bumpers sticking out.

 

Yeah, definitely fail w/o cats. Is it not possible to have cats and sidepipes?

-bZj

 

1968 was availabe with N11 off road exhaust. 1969 was available with the optional N14 side mount exhaust These are the only two years side exhaust was available from the factory.

As an aside, the Corvette Black Book by Mike Antonick would be very helpful in your search for a C3