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My C7 was great, and I am sure my C8 will be even better for lots of reasons, speed, ride, comfort etc. But I still think the C3s with the long hood were the neatest looking vet.
My first Corvette was a C3 when I was 20 and did so many stupid things in that car it's the grace of God I'm here. I remember thinking how cool it looked in the rear view mirror going 120 mph down a rain soaked back road and seeing spray as high as I could see in the mirror and late braking on the same back roads until the brakes suffered 100% fade and I had no brakes at all. Still had fun, and the way it drove, it was literally like nothing else I had ever driven. The difference between being nearly 60 and 20 is significant for me.
I think ALL Corvette generations are great, but the C8 will be light years ahead of the C3 in terms of fit and finish, quality of materials (especially the interior), acceleration, handling, and ride quality. The C3 makes a great weekend cruiser. The C8 will be a great “do everything” car that will undoubtably be easier to live with on a day-to-day basis. My suggestion - buy both!
My first Corvette was a C3 when I was 20 and did so many stupid things in that car it's the grace of God I'm here. I remember thinking how cool it looked in the rear view mirror going 120 mph down a rain soaked back road and seeing spray as high as I could see in the mirror and late braking on the same back roads until the brakes suffered 100% fade and I had no brakes at all. Still had fun, and the way it drove, it was literally like nothing else I had ever driven. The difference between being nearly 60 and 20 is significant for me.
My first Corvette was L82 1980 C3 that I purchased in 86 when I was a teenager with 8k miles. It was the biggest POS I have ever owned, I loved the looks and the attention the car got but the quality of the interior and the steering/performance compared to other cars back in the day was sub-par. The brakes leaked when the pistons in the calipers would pit out when they rusted, it was an easy fix but cheap-O GM never fixed it (Aftermarket companies making new calipers with stainless inserts made a killing back in the day, I know at my expense) GM answer was to put longer life pads on the car so it would be out of warranty when they started leaking.
I wanted a C4 but did not have the money to purchase one since I saving for college. I had nightmares of my C3 for years and finally came back to the brand in 2003 when I purchased a 03 Z06. Even that car had its faults like fisher price cheap A plastics, my C7 Z51 and Z06 were the best corvette I have ever owned. After looking at the C8 in person multiple times in interior alone the C8 is a giant leap forward for the brand, I can’t wait.
Last edited by fasttoys; Dec 15, 2019 at 11:12 AM.
My first Corvette was a 1971 Convertible bought in 1983. It was a wreck and wasn’t drive-able at the time. The day after I brought it home, I discovered the framed was totally rusted out. I spent 6 years rebuilding it and my first drive was 3 hours to the Bloomington Gold show. Scary as hell as rust from the gas tank clogged the filter and slowed it down to 10 mph. Replaced the filter and when we were driving on the expressway, ran 120 mph to keep up with my friends.
Sold it it when I moved overseas and bought a 1996 Coupe with the LT4 engine when I returned. Great car. Sold that again when I moved overseas for the second time.
Bought a 2005 when I returned. Soon after, I had Lingenfelter heads and cam package installed. It also ran great and sold it to buy the C7 in 2013 the first month they came out. Took delivery at the Corvette Museum with my buddies and drive it back to Austin, Texas.
Now have my order in for a C8 and couldn’t be more excited.
My first was a 1969 Coupe that was a "year end leftover".
Arctic white/red interior, 350/350 with the rare M-22 muncie 4 speed, 3:73-1 posi rear. Only other option were a set of horrible factory hub caps. Those same hubcaps probably worth a fortune today to anyone trying to restore a car.
I'll agree, I'm a big fan of the C3's as well, but only the chrome bumper cars. It was downhill from there.
Phil1098's post mirrored mine. HOW I never hurt myself in that car, as a stupid 20 yr old, is anyones guess.
First Vette was a 1966 C2, mod with hi rise intake, Holley carb, air shocks rear, spacers front to fit 60series TA radials. Clutch was a bear and had to redo seats. Rode like a flat bed truck. Loved it! My C7 is the only Vette to appeal to me since. The C7 is everything I want in a sports car.
Thanks for all the C3 retrospectives. I feel my retro mod C1 and ultra mod C6 are plenty. With an additional C8 on the way I am tethering on fatherly irresponsibility.... :-)
A pristine "chrome" C3 would certainly deny me passage thru the gates...
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C8 of the Year Finalist Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
The early C3's were terrific cars. Later C3's looked nice but the power was way down. I had a few C3's but this 68 427 and this 69 350/350 factory sidepipe convertible were my 2 favorites.
Still have my first Corvette. This 65 I bought in 1971.
I recently totaled my beloved C7. “Hydroplaned”. If the C8 is anything like the C7 I will be one happy camper.
Glad you’re still with us!
Biggest thrill? C4 (first Corvette!)
2nd Biggest? C7 NCM delivery with VIP plant tour!
Best Corvette
experience with wife? C5 Rte 66 trip Chicago to LA in 2000
Loved all seven of my Corvettes. When kids were little I looked forward to Monday mornings when I could drive Corvette after a weekend of a minivan😀.
My first was a 1981, two tone tan and brown. Traded it for my 72 red lt1 convertible with factory air. Then went to a c-4 4+3 speed. Then a yellow 87 convertible.
Loved them all. The 72 looked the best but had lots of problems.
My C7 was great, and I am sure my C8 will be even better for lots of reasons, speed, ride, comfort etc. But I still think the C3s with the long hood were the neatest looking vet.
Complete car
