I'm thinking about buying a second C3 to use as a daily driver. I aquired my first one, an 82 C.E., after my sister gave up on the car. My dad and I dropped a fuel injected 383 stoker motor in it. The idea was to make it an ultimate driver, and money kept pouring into the car. We thought we were finished a couple months ago, but then a guy pulled out in front of me and I tangled with a sign. Prior to that I had run a 13.07 1/4 with absolutely no traction and was getting 20 mpg. So now we're wrapping up a frame off on the 82' and replacing everything with VBP stuff (and Steeroids if the Group Purchase goes through). The car is so nice I'd feel guilty driving it too often. Not only that, but the car is technically my dads though I've done all the work on it and he considers it mine (he has also fit the bill for most of the modifications).

I'm 23 and I've just graduated college and gotten a pretty good job. I drove the 82' quite a bit before doing the engine swap, and had a blast despite the lack of power. I have an 82' Chevy full size truck that guzzles gas at a 8-10 mpg rate that I have to keep for hauling. Anyway, I'd like a car that is completely mine and has attitude and performance. I also don't want to be afraid to drive it. I know Stinrays inside and out now, and I'm thinking about a manual transmission Vette that I can steadily begin upgrading. I'm waffling right now because everyone tells me I should get something reliable, but I want a car that's different and has lots of potential. Do you guys have any advice for me?? :auto:

 

THis question comes up often, do a search and be pleasantly surprised on how many of us use our C3's as daily drivers, often putting on 50+ miles a day. If you are going to drive it every day, my advise is to buy the best car you can afford, not a fixer-upper. Original is also better, so you know what you are starting with. Joe

PS, they are more reliable if you drive them every day, it's the long periods of inactivity that cause problems.


[Modified by joe73vette, 6:46 PM 6/30/2003]

 

It can be done. Just plan on spending lots of money to replace things like the suspension joints, dealing with overheating issues, getting decent a/c to work, having a leak free weatherstripping.

If I were to do a "driver" I would look at something with solid tops and something in the lesser value range of a 75-77. Get a decent 350 with about 250 hp (running a 260 - 262 cam) exhaust manifolds (not headers), poly suspension with a mono rear spring, rack and pinion steering. Look at some decent priced 15-16" wheels and tires. A really good a/c system (if you live in the south), excellent radiator and fans, a 4/5 speed would be good if you want to shift - if not do a turbo 350 with a 3.08/2.87 rear gear ratio.

It could be done for car and rebuild total of under 15K.

 

SuperJames,

I am currently driving an '80 as my daily driver. I made the transition about two months ago. So far, no regrets. I have a bit of a small water leak on the passenger side but I think I found out where that is coming from yesterday while doing some T-top adjusting, so that will be fixed in the next day or two. Luckily the wife has a mini-van as a back up vehicle just in case. There is nothing like driving a car with personality instead of those boxes on wheels that are coming out today.

Why not buy the '82 off your dad? That sounds like a car you know inside and out already, plus the work is already done. As for reliability, underneath all the glitz and glamor of that fiberglass skin lies a Chevy. Parts are plentiful. If you want to be safe then buy a Toyota. You have a job and have already been through a Vette with the '82. You sound like the perfect guy to buy an old 25 year old car! My advice....go for it!

Best of luck in your quest.

CVT4ME


[Modified by CVT4ME, 4:10 PM 6/30/2003]

 

Yes, these cars can be a reliable daily driver - I drive my 78 every day - it has the original engine (w/ no mods) unless you consider a rebuilt water pump, fuel pump and distributor modified. ...oops I do have headers and sidepipes so there is some kind og mods there......nothing reliability wise though.

The rear suspension is fully rebuilt, the front is original (for the most part) new 5 speed tranny for increased reliability - I've owned it for 6 years and driven it on three long trips (in excess of 1000 miles). It has only once stranded me. - Not bad for a 25 year old car.

Get the best one you can afford - and drive the heck out of it. :steering:


[Modified by fauxrs, 2:37 PM 6/30/2003]

 

Hi SuperJames,

I have owned my '69 for 21+ years. Right now it has 253,000 miles on it and the original engine is still in the frame. I drive it nearly every day and short of off-roading, I will take it about any where. Through the years its been as far as Seattle, WA (1200 miles) and has always brought me back home.

Along the way the usual parts have been rebuilt or replaced. The suspension has been rebuilt at each end. So has the rear-end. The engine though, is still going and quite well too. Seventeen years ago I replaced the auto with a Muncie and I just rebuilt that in February. I do all of my own work, so that helps with repairs. But the car doesn't really need that much. It just goes. I get in and turn the key and it's ready to go where ever I want to take it.

This is my first Corvette and it is an absolute joy to drive. I will probably keep it forever.
So, all that said, I think the older Sharks like mine are much simpler than the later ones. No, I don't have some of the creature comforts of an '82, but I do have A/C, power steering and brakes. It is an easy car to keep operating.

The Sharks seem to be disappearing from the roads and I would like to see more of them driven. So I hope that you find a good one, give it a little TLC and then take it out and drive it. That's what they're for. :yesnod:

Good luck, good hunting and save the Wave,
JIM

 

I have owned several older corvettes and alway used them as my daily drivers. It's a little more difficult here in Orlando. Going from one red light to the next is a PIA with a 4spd but then throwing quarters into the toll road baskets gets expensive. I am not exactly your average C3 driver though as I do all of my own work and think of my 69 as a hobby. I drive mine to work almost every day. I think our C3's are actually more reliable than most late model used cars with all of their electronics. A friend of mine got a $2800 dollar estimate for a tranmission on a Ford Taurus.. reliability is a little bit luck and a lot preventative maintainence.

 

Tell me about it. I was going to UCF and for graduation I decided to bring up my Vette to Orlando for the first time. Dude yanked out in front of me on 50 and I swerved enough to miss him, but the rear of the car swung around and I broadsided a sign in the median. BLAH!!

 

Used my 1976 as a daily driver in the Army. Now have a 1978, and it gets driven almost daily too (when I'm not driving the '76 or the 1971 MG-B).

Yes, you do have to deal with more maintenance, but since these are not 'ultra-rare' museum pieces, I say go out and have FUN with the car!

Just keep an eye out for the maintenance heavy parts people have mentioned here.

Have fun! :steering:

 

I don't think you'd have any problem with a C3 as a daily driver... but I would suggest going to the dark side and getting an early C4. About the same price, but with the fuel injection, overdrive, and everything stock, it would prove to be a better car to drive everyday because of the gas mileage gains. A standard C3 is going to average 13-15mpg which isn't much better than your truck.

 

I've thought about buying the Vette from my dad, but I would like a manual transmission this time around. I've always wanted a manual tranny Vette, and this will be my chance to own one before I have any big responsibilities (kids or marriage). I would convert the Vette we have, but my dad is paralyzed on is left side so he would be unable to drive it and that just wouldn't be fair to him even if it was MY Vette. Thanks for the luck.

James

 

I wave at everyone, and I too don't see as many sharks being driven these days. :D

 

I've actually gone and looked at a few. I know from a performance standpoint they are a much better car to start with, but I'd rather take the challenge of turning a C3 into a potent street machine. Plus, the curves just aren't there. I've gotten so many compliments on my car and I just don't think it would be the same with a C4. As for gas, I could probably deal with a guzzler if it looked :cool: doing it. :yesnod:

 

I agree about the curves. The C-4 always struck me as kind of sterile looking with a lack of pizzazz. The C-5 is closer to getting some of the curves back but nothing is as sexy as a C-3. Gas mileage be damned, this is a V-8 powered American sports car! It is supposed to go fast and get crappy mileage.

CVT4ME :cheers:

 

[QUOTE]PS, they are more reliable if you drive them every day, it's the long periods of inactivity that cause problems.


:iagree: a driven vette is a happy vette!

 

I use mine as a daily driver and have just installed a new aftermarket a/c system in it. Since I replaced just about everything it has become very reliable again. My only complaint is that the gas mileage sucks. I drive this thing through rain and heavy traffic without any difficulty. If I were to do it again I would go with a 700r overdrive tranny and fuel injection.

 

If you look at my signature you'll see that the Vette my dad and I built has an aftermarket EFI system on it. It runs a 13 flat with plenty of room for improvement and gets 22 mpg on the highway. It has a 4L60 transmission in it. Same as the 700R4 except with an extra valve body. After we finish putting hte car back on the new/used frame we'll have replaced everything except the body and steering column. I would definitely recommend going with fuel injection to anyone who plans on driving the car daily. We built the Vette we have to be a driver. After I finished painting the inside of the new frame the other day I thought about how devastated I would be if I were to wreck it again. Not sure it's worth the risk driving it reguarly would bring. Rather just use it for shows and events I think.

 

Yes, you can absolutely use a C-3 as a daily driver. my small block '69 is mine. i drive 80 miles a day to and from work, which is almost 2000 miles a month, i just recently replaced the original drive train(it had almost 190,000 miles on it). My take one it is, they are easy to work on, and keep running, plus life is too short not to drive cool cars! Just find one that you dont have to do tons of work to for reliability. Besides, when you price some of the new econoboxes, its pretty easy to hit $15-20k, for that you can have a very mechanically sound vet. on the C-4 note, I used to drive an '85 prior to the '69, dont get me wrong, it was a blast to drive, but that car taught me that computers belong on desks...not in my car!


[Modified by HWY 9 - '69, 10:51 AM 7/1/2003]

 

CVT4ME,
nice to hear you know how to adjust the tops. i will bring mine on the 29th. if you will help me with them i will buy you two beers. passnger side needs to move toward the front a bit.

Daily driver when its not raining

Mike

 

Someone else just posted the same question in another post I responded to. Although alot of the above points are valid, I disagree with getting an "original" car as a daily driver. C-3's are usually worth more in original form. Any car that is daily driven has a much higher chance of not staying original due to weather damage and everyday wear and tear.