Back In The C-3 Family
 

I thought back on my "wants" since being a teen in Michigan and my first real fun car was purchased and owned by my dad. It was a gorgeous Chevy Chevelle and it was my first driving experience. I loved the lines of this car. I cannot recall the exact year, but it had to be early 70's. It had a couple of flaws though, two that I wanted to fix, neither would he allow me to touch.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...a96d01b23e.jpg
First, full disclosure, it was not an SS like the one shown above. Rather it was a 307 dog of an engine with a three speed shift on the column. I wanted to update the engine (350) and I wanted to move the shift to a four speed on the floor. I was told no, and that was the end of that discussion.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...6ba6cf5453.jpg
I loved the color then, still love the color today.

I looked at a 1969 Corvette in 1974 when I got off active duty and I could not afford the insurance at the time, so that dashed the dream of a Corvette. My dad told me he saw a new 74 Corvette Convertible at our local dealer and I went and took a look, drooled, and had to walk away. It cost over $6,000 and there was only $1,200 saved up in my savings account, so that was out and again, the insurance was way high.

Time almost got away from me until I got the Corvette bug again and purchased my first 1977 Corvette in 2006. It was a mess, I bought too fast, I worked to build it to be a better car.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...3b3d801b6a.jpg

While building the 77 red car (originally orange and I intended to take it back to Orange) I found a 77 Orange all original car and I bought it. I was working on one, showing the other.
The 77 Orange was a good purchase, and I enjoyed having both of the 77's in the garage at the same time.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...0d561287b3.jpg

Then I got the bug to buy and restore a 1971 Brands Hatch Green basket case and I learned a lot with that car. Named it Sparty and it is shown here on the CF as are the two 77's. I began the restoration of the 71 and five years later had it finished. During those five years I showed, and sold, both of my 77's. The red 77 lives in Chicago, ILL. The Orange 77 now lives in Joplin, Missouri. The 71 was my only car in the garage for a couple of years.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...74fac56449.jpg

Having had a restomod 77; an original 77, and restoring to near stock 71, I decided to build something a little more spirited and took on the challenge of building a 1972 road race replica. While building the racer I sold Sparty and he now lives in Harrisburg, PA.
It was January 2017 that I made the leap into the C-7 arena with a purchase of the Stingray that we have been enjoying, well until I broke my foot anyway. I had found the correct color that I loved and it is a modern work of art. It just lacks the openness that I wanted in the Corvette. But it is a wonderful car.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...cf1f41ab8b.png
So I got a buyer for the 72 road racer and that left me with just the 2017 here. I began my search "ONE MORE TIME" for a convertible Corvette, in the right color, in good condition, I can work on. The search began.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...d34b86281b.jpg
I got a very good offer for the 72 road race replica so I sold it recently and it is heading to its new home now.

I then located a 1974 Medium Red convertible in South Bend, IN. It had 71,100 miles on it and I checked it for completeness and numbers matching information. It did, and it does. It is not perfect, I can make it better. It starts right up and drives. I will do a few minor things over the winter, then drive it next summer. Future changes won't be planned yet, I want to drive it.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...f05c9e52c0.jpg

So coming full circle I now have the convertible I have wanted, in the color that I have always loved, in good condition, that I can work on, and it is sitting here at home now awaiting Spring.
Motto of the story, never let go of your dreams. They often take a long time to come to fruition, but they can and do come true.
I will keep this one along with the 2017 and make them my babies.
Now to find that elusive 1100950 alternator. LOL.
Thanks for watching.
David

Beautiful 74. Glad you finally got what you wanted. My story is somewhat similar.

Congratulations David. Some things are worth waiting for. She's a beauty.

Nice looking car!
I too had a specific C3 desire. My beautiful bride put the brakes on several cars I wanted telling me to hold out for the one I REALLY want!
In Feb of 2002 I purchased my red chrome bumper convertible! Others also have come and gone but the 69 stays steadfast in my garage and in my heart!

Congrats on your new ride!
Scott

David,
Thanks for sharing your automotive journey with us. I too started out in 2010 looking for a 67 Chevelle convertible and ended up in a 68 BB C-3.
Some times like the Super Tramp song goes "Take the long way home"
Shes definitely a beaut.
Marshal

Welcome back to the love you never really left!

Personally, I think the 74 is the best looking of the 74-77 C-3.2 group. Never really loved the black bumperettes. As usual Bill Mitchell and his team, normally came up with the best looking unit in the first year and them 'added stuff later'. (C-2's excepted)

My 69 WAS burgundy...so I lived with that color for 25 years....RICH, Refined, Classy.

Run the ever-lovin' wheels off of it!

UnkaHal

ps My Dad had a 69 Chevelle....best car he ever had, until my Bro managed to wreck it between two trees 12' apart....that boy has TALENT!. lol

"Future changes won't be planned yet"


You have not talked to me long enough about this! As you are well aware I can spend YOUR money very quickly.

Looks like a beautiful ride. :cheers:

Very cool story and a very nice looking 74! I can't wait to see the work you do to it.

Beautiful story!! Beautiful cars!!!My quick story is I am now 58 and have worked all my life. A rarely indulged my more expensive passions for many years. My parents were immigrants and quite frugal and I guess I inherited that trait.

But I have come to realize that "life is too short" so:

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...d0d244bcc1.jpg
Thanks to all of your assistance!!! Learned a lot, the car was in good shape but needed a lot of detailing.

So now I have the convertible bug much like you David and have been looking for a 1968-72 nice, and original.

After I retire and I have some serious spare time, I will take my knowledge I learned by restoring the Vette to restore this:

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...7ffc601703.jpg

My 1979 tenth anniversary Trans Am that I purchased in 1980 and has not run since 1987. It has a long and complicated story.

So Life is too short, enjoy it while you can!!!!!! Ike

David,
Very cool story and pictures to follow along. All beautiful Vettes. Congrats on your new 74.

Terry

Now now Gordon, play nice here. LOL. I am starting a "Go Fund My Addiction" page for upgrades to the 74. Have to have the funds before I spend. Might be awhile.
David

I'll wait.
:willy::rofl:

LOL. I don't think his wife would let us play anymore if that happened.

I betcha David made SURE this car wasn't a frame-off candidate. yeah, he is good at it. but just cuz you are good at something doesn't mean you want to spend your spare time doing it... just ask a proctologist! Gyno? maybe...