Which C3 should I buy?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: York PA
Which C3 should I buy?
Hello all. I am a life long fan of the Corvette. I have had a red '87 Vette now for a few years, but can see an early C3 in my future. I was wondering what years you guys would suggest I buy if I tell you what I'd like to do to it.
Ultimately, I'd like it to have power steering and hydrolic clutch. It would need a strong tranny because I have dreams of droping in a massive engine (what was the last year of the Muncie?). Also, I have a soft spot for the '68 through '72s that had chrome bumpers all the way around (but '73 thru '76 will do as well). I'd like side exhaust, but I guess I could buy that after-market.
Do you guys have any suggestions? Any model years that were prone to frame rot or weird quarks that I should stay away from? Thanks!
Mike
Ultimately, I'd like it to have power steering and hydrolic clutch. It would need a strong tranny because I have dreams of droping in a massive engine (what was the last year of the Muncie?). Also, I have a soft spot for the '68 through '72s that had chrome bumpers all the way around (but '73 thru '76 will do as well). I'd like side exhaust, but I guess I could buy that after-market.
Do you guys have any suggestions? Any model years that were prone to frame rot or weird quarks that I should stay away from? Thanks!
Mike
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,508
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Re: Which C3 should I buy? (funky87vette)
I don't know of any that a hydraulic clutch, mechanical is faster anyway. Just go buy yourself a chrome bumper. An M20 or M21 will need to be rebuilt stronger to handle more power anyway.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Which C3 should I buy? (funky87vette)
Any!
Seems there is a buyers guide somewhere on the forum but I am unsure where. Rusted frame or windsheild posts is what to look our for. 73's have been coming up in price lately but are still the cheapest way to get a chrome, well at least on one end, 73. They also came with a big block but no side pipes. No c-3 had a hyd clutch but that can be added. Norval put one in his and has detailed the parts needed in some post.
[Modified by Fevre, 3:56 PM 6/10/2003]
Seems there is a buyers guide somewhere on the forum but I am unsure where. Rusted frame or windsheild posts is what to look our for. 73's have been coming up in price lately but are still the cheapest way to get a chrome, well at least on one end, 73. They also came with a big block but no side pipes. No c-3 had a hyd clutch but that can be added. Norval put one in his and has detailed the parts needed in some post.
[Modified by Fevre, 3:56 PM 6/10/2003]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,050
Likes: 124
From: Wichita KS
Re: Which C3 should I buy? (funky87vette)
Several web sites have buyer's checklists for C3s. I would decide what I wanted color, NCRS, year, etc and then begin a search.
Take a look at the auction results on C3s that you like. Cars that are similar to the car you want to eventually have. These cars should be ones you have personally inspected. Be prepared, that the auction price on those cars, is most likely less than a car you purchase to "fix up".
Nothing wrong with purchasing a car to "fix up", I am doing mine because I like to work on the car. It is just that it isn't the cheap way to go. IMO
C4s were the first with a hydraulic clutch.
Take a look at the auction results on C3s that you like. Cars that are similar to the car you want to eventually have. These cars should be ones you have personally inspected. Be prepared, that the auction price on those cars, is most likely less than a car you purchase to "fix up".
Nothing wrong with purchasing a car to "fix up", I am doing mine because I like to work on the car. It is just that it isn't the cheap way to go. IMO
C4s were the first with a hydraulic clutch.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,665
Likes: 1
From: Ontario
Re: Which C3 should I buy? (funky87vette)
I picked up my 77 (and I love it) because for the price the car was in great shape, especially the frame. If I could go back and do it again (and I had many more thousand $$) I would pick up a 68-72 big block. I like the chrome bumpers and big blocks gives me a woodie.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,600
Likes: 0
From: Valencia (near LA) CA
Re: Which C3 should I buy? (funky87vette)
'68s are a little more difficult t find parts for, but not impossible. I think 70-72 have lower seats to improve head room.
There is a company that makes a nice bolt on Transmission http://www.keislerauto.com They sell the TKO II 5 speed overdrive rated at 650HP
I think Keisler also makes a hydrolic clutch for C3s.
There is plenty of room for a big block in old C3s, but you need a short intake or a tall hood.
the later C3s are more cozy inside and less likely to leak when it rains.
As long as you are willing to spend some big money any C3 can be quirk free.
It will take a lot to get a C3 to handle like your '87 But it isn't impossible.
~Jay
There is a company that makes a nice bolt on Transmission http://www.keislerauto.com They sell the TKO II 5 speed overdrive rated at 650HP
I think Keisler also makes a hydrolic clutch for C3s.
There is plenty of room for a big block in old C3s, but you need a short intake or a tall hood.
the later C3s are more cozy inside and less likely to leak when it rains.
As long as you are willing to spend some big money any C3 can be quirk free.
It will take a lot to get a C3 to handle like your '87 But it isn't impossible.
~Jay
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: Which C3 should I buy? (funky87vette)
Another good thing about the 73's is they came with true duals and no cats. Also the 73 was the first year for raised hood and functional cowl induction. I still retain my cowl setup but even if you later remove it, the 73's hood is raised to give you more clearence for yur mods later on. 68-72 smallblock hoods have very little clearence for induction mods like hirise manifolds and such.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 943
Likes: 0
Re: Which C3 should I buy? (funky87vette)
I looked at all of the C3's and it came to the '74. A couple of thing that I wanted in the vette Big block (last year), t-tops/convertible, 4-speed, no cats (last year). The rest was an added bonus. Also I was born in '74 so we will both age together. :reddevil
:thumbs:
:cool:
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 30,183
Likes: 313
From: Lake Norman NC
Re: Which C3 should I buy? (vetteguy75)
i'm partial to the rubber bumper C3s....sleek and stylish...my opinion...nothing wrong with chrome bumpers either...just whatever your preference may be.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 296
Likes: 1
From: Sarasota FL
Re: Which C3 should I buy? (funky87vette)
Later models (like my 80) are cheaper and the original engines were weak. People are not fanatical about keeping them stock so you can modify to your hearts content and not be hurting your investment. There are some reasonably priced Crate motors that drop right in. I got mine to 425 hp (stated). Do be aware that a 5000 vette can cost allot of money to get fixed up the way you want. Most systems need substantial work ...unless it is super low mileage or someone already went throught the expense. Figure on adding 10000 to a 5000 car and you won't be to surprised. These cars just deserve to be done right and every improvement makes other imperfections stand out.
It IS fun though! I did mine on a dedicated credit card that I treat as a car payment. It helped. I am still spending but am down to the last 10%. I have 20K in it already but it is almost ALL new.
Good Luck, Marc
It IS fun though! I did mine on a dedicated credit card that I treat as a car payment. It helped. I am still spending but am down to the last 10%. I have 20K in it already but it is almost ALL new.
Good Luck, Marc
