I am not at this point a Corvette owner but am looking to fulfill a dream that started 43 years ago in 1973. There had been a place in St Charles, Illinois, at the time called Sports Car Emporium which specialized in Corvettes and Jaguars. I put money down on a then 10 year old Nassau Blue Split Window which was being redone and was going to cost $4,500 once they finished going through it (new carpets, brakes and so forth.) Every weekend I would go down and give another $100 or so and check on the progress.
Ex -wife discovered soon after that our second child was on the way and a 'Vette was probably not a wise purchase at that time.
Still in the late 70's I looked at another Split Window in Elgin, IL that was not nearly as nice (white with red interior) and cracks in the paint etc and the dealer was asking $10,000. That was the last C2 Corvette I had considered but would always talk to the few folks I would see with one out and about or at shows.
I'm 64 years old now and getting close to retiring and am beginning to kick a few tires again. At first I was watching E Bay and Auto Trader at a few '63 Coupes but after reading on the cars and model year changes decided the 65 with the disc brakes and the somewhat lower cost (relatively speaking) might be a good way to go.
I guess I had always had Chevy's (64 Impala SS rag top, 67 Chevelle SS 396, and a Mach 1 70 Mustang thrown in for good measure) and could list a lot of Impalas, Chevelles and Novas that I would LIKE to have but the mid year Corvette is still my ultimate "love to have" car.

Couple questions.... I notice a surprisingly large percent of cars for sale have the Power Glide auto trans. I had one in my 64 Impala and remember it as a draw back and yet there is something to be said (especially as one gets a little older) to having auto. Those that have autos, do they drive out well? Did the Turbo Hydros make it into any of the C 2s or did they come later?

A car in this price range I would certainly pay to have it inspected by someone familiar with the cars and I have read up some on key items to look for etc.
For now I'll just nose around the forum and read as much as I can and might ask a question here or there.

 

Welcome.

 

welcome to the forum!

 

Welcome to the forum!

 

Welcome! I had a '65 coupe a few years ago, it was awesome. I still own my 1970 Mustang.

 

Welcome

 

Thanks. Good to year you still have the 70 'Stang. I looked at some 67-68 Shelby s but even the nicer clones are in the 60-70 thousand range so I've set my sights on a mid year coupe. Was your 65 a 4 speed? I'm leaning that way but am in my mid 60s so don't want to have the stick be an issue down the road. Quite a few power glide automatics out there. I also think A/C is almost a must since when we retire will probably move to Carolina or somewhere down south.
I have owned Opels (new and used)most of the last 45 years and have a nice 75 Manta Rallye I redid a couple of years ago and a 70 GT that I've had for 20 years that's getting a fresh original Chartreuse paint job at a local shop now. Wife has pretty much stated one of the Opels need to go if a Corvette comes home.

 

Welcome!!

 

Welcome!