ideas??
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
ideas??
hey i'm looking for a vette, perferably '70, or maybe a 69. i want a pre-smog, c3 withought the trouble of a '68., and a 68 isn't a stingray. i also am not looking for a "numbers matching" "survivor" vette, i want something i can fix and modify w/o worrying about spending a ton of money on correct parts. i'm gonna modify it, though subtly as i can, trying to keep the image intact. adding new speakers, maybe wider wheels etc. i want to heavily mod the engine.
what i don't know is what exactly i'm looking for. i'd love a '70 lt1 (my dream car), but i know i can't afford that. do you think i should look for a badly damaged "project car" or a running car? i don't know, i'd just like to hear comments of suggestions on this.
what i don't know is what exactly i'm looking for. i'd love a '70 lt1 (my dream car), but i know i can't afford that. do you think i should look for a badly damaged "project car" or a running car? i don't know, i'd just like to hear comments of suggestions on this.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: ideas?? (chromebumperC3)
Find one with good paint and suspension, decent interior and fair non-original motor (NOM). The interior, although you wouldn't think it, can nickle and dime you to death, painting a vette is pretty expensive too. But Chevy eng parts are cheap and plentiful.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Denver Colorado
Re: ideas?? (chromebumperC3)
Make an honest call about the amount of money you can afford to spend, and just how good your talents are for repair, and then buy the most complete and nicest car you can afford. To pay some one else to do the work you cannot gets very expensive very quickly. If you have no talent for body and paint work, but have no problem rebuilding a motor, then do not buy a car that runs, but needs a new fender. Don't buy the first car you see, keep looking, you will be suprised at how nice of a car you can get if you are willing to look hard, and take your time. Good luck in your search.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,427
Likes: 1
From: Boxford Mass
Re: ideas?? (Fevre)
:iagree: Fevre is spot on. Look for car with no options that drive the price up, good paint & not a #s matching car.
Avoiding the need for paint & body work will save you thousands of $$$.
Avoiding the need for paint & body work will save you thousands of $$$.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,103
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
Re: ideas?? (Jack71)
Even a car that needs paint is not a real problem. No one says the car needs to be painted to be fun to drive. I would find a good running car with a solid frame, NOM, good interior and body. The car should run!! All of this will allow you to drive the car and enjoy it with minimal work. Many of the upgrades, replacements can then be done as short term projects. Don't get caught up in a project that will require too much time off teh road initially. If you are buying the vette to enjoy and drive, this defeats the purpose. I have also seen too many cases where long term projects with too little driving time leads to a loss of interest.
0As for the 70 LT-1, even a very rough NOM will set you back a pretty penny. (been there, doing that). If that is the car you want, start with a less expensive (within your budget) base model and enjoy it. you can trade up. Or simply wait till funds allow you to get what you want. I compromised. Bought the car, got her back on the road, but all retsoration work will probably wait for a good 5 or so years. I am content to drive her looking like a war torn relic for now!
What ever the case, think through your decision.
0As for the 70 LT-1, even a very rough NOM will set you back a pretty penny. (been there, doing that). If that is the car you want, start with a less expensive (within your budget) base model and enjoy it. you can trade up. Or simply wait till funds allow you to get what you want. I compromised. Bought the car, got her back on the road, but all retsoration work will probably wait for a good 5 or so years. I am content to drive her looking like a war torn relic for now!
What ever the case, think through your decision.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,770
Likes: 3
From: St Louis MO
Re: ideas?? (chromebumperC3)
Hey neighbor!! Buy the best car you can for the money you have to spend. You'll see this said all over the forum. It's good advice. Also, decide what options you want and what type of engine/tranny combo you want. This will go a long way in helping you decide on a car. Don't let buying from a distance intimidate you. I had a forum member look at my car before I bought it from a guy in Tampa, FL. If ya need some help in person, email me. There's another guy from the forum here in Jackson. We don't mind helpin ya out.
Brett :thumbs:
[Modified by Brettmc, 1:20 PM 1/9/2004]
Brett :thumbs:
[Modified by Brettmc, 1:20 PM 1/9/2004]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Re: ideas?? (Brettmc)
Buy as much car up front as you can afford. Be BRUTALLY honest about what you can and cannot do. Decide on a budget and realize most any real project car will cost double what you think. Realize that any chrome bumper car will bring a premium over the other C3s. Don't be afraid of cars needing paint, it isn't cheap but can be done. Be wary of wild customs, they are cheaper up front, but parts are expensive ($500 for headlights, $700 aftermarket nose 'glass, $300 wiper door assembly, $150 door shells, $300 front bumper, $150 bumper brackets, etc.) 69 Grilles are not too bad (about $100 set) but 70-72 grilles can really set you back. Anyway, there is nothing wrong with a project if you are into that, but realize they take a lot of time and money. If you don't want that-buy one running.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Re: ideas?? (Robert N)
oh yea, i know that the '70 lt1 is incredibly expensive (and rare, beautiful, fast...) and is somewhat my dream car, but i wouldn't get it for a couple of reasons, 1 i wouldn't get an lt1 w/o the original motor, because thats what makes it an lt1, so i'd be spending a ton of $, 2 there'd be the need to not modify it, 3 and buy "correct" replacement parts, which would make upkeep really expensive as well. also, fuel would be a pain in the neck w/ the high compression ratio, so i'd either buy really expensive fuel for a gass guzzler, or i'd have to compromise on the performance.... but thanks to all for the suggestions :(
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Re: ideas?? (chromebumperC3)
Common restoration repairs:
Suspension rebuild - complete front end dissasembly - new bushings, ball
joints, tie rod ends - rear usually comprises replacement of trailing arm
assemblies, as special tools are needed to do rear bearings.
Birdcage (steel frame around passenger compartment under fiberglass) rust.
Be very careful not to get a rust bucket. Take a look at my website for scary
pictures of rot. Oh yeah - frame rot, too - but the frame is more easily repaired.
Brake caliper replacement (and usually upgrade).
Brake and fuel line replacement.
Radiator core support frame.
Then, you can always replace every piece of the interior to make it new.
... about $30k later, you have a new C3 (doing work yourself).
So, as the advice above points out, try to find one where someone else already
paid for most of the restoration. It's a better deal.
Go to corvettefaq.com .... get the buyer checklist - and recruit a local friend
from here to help inspect it.
Good luck hunting ... :seeya
[Modified by NHvette, 6:19 PM 1/9/2004]
Suspension rebuild - complete front end dissasembly - new bushings, ball
joints, tie rod ends - rear usually comprises replacement of trailing arm
assemblies, as special tools are needed to do rear bearings.
Birdcage (steel frame around passenger compartment under fiberglass) rust.
Be very careful not to get a rust bucket. Take a look at my website for scary
pictures of rot. Oh yeah - frame rot, too - but the frame is more easily repaired.
Brake caliper replacement (and usually upgrade).
Brake and fuel line replacement.
Radiator core support frame.
Then, you can always replace every piece of the interior to make it new.
... about $30k later, you have a new C3 (doing work yourself).
So, as the advice above points out, try to find one where someone else already
paid for most of the restoration. It's a better deal.
Go to corvettefaq.com .... get the buyer checklist - and recruit a local friend
from here to help inspect it.
Good luck hunting ... :seeya
[Modified by NHvette, 6:19 PM 1/9/2004]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,103
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
Re: ideas?? (chromebumperC3)
i wouldn't get an lt1 w/o the original motor, because thats what makes it an lt1
[Modified by Robert N, 3:41 PM 1/9/2004]
