I have a 96 LT4 (stock) and a C6 GS (I modded with a Maggie blower). Love them both but the 6 is night and day better in every single way. Agree with the suggestions to keep your C3 and buy another one, but understand garage constraints and/or budget constraints. That said, if its strictly a space issue, you might consider a 4 post lift....not sure of your ceiling height, but even with low ceilings, I've seen them work, and a lift is a few grand....I've gotten my ROI on my lift multiple times over just by doing the basic maintenance and servicing of all my vehicles.

I like C3s and have been considering getting one down the road to restomod. Your 76 looks great, really like the stance and rims too. My preference on the C3s is the 68 - 72 for the front and rear chrome bumpers. I definitely understand what you'd like to do! That said, I don't remember the listing name, but in the C3 for sale section, someone has a restomed early C3 and it is bad ***. Already has the modern chassis, coil overs, 5 speed, and an LS1. Gray or sliver and black interior. It was listed for a long time, over a year I think, and I believe the seller noted there was like $75k or $80k invested in it, but had dropped the price multiple times and it was down in the $40k range. I think the seller ended up putting it in storage and gave up for the time being on selling it. Think the seller is located in Cali. If it was 3-5 years down the road, I would have likely bought it, or at least gone to look at it, and seriously considered buying it. It was a coupe though, which is my preference, but you mentioned you were thinking a vert perhaps. Good luck with your decision!

Went and looked, here's the link for that listing:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...s-6-speed.html

 

Find a C3 that already has a manual. You'll love it. Buy it, make it your own.

If you want to sell your '76, this is the year to do it. Get it sold before July. Most folks have already spent their tax refunds.

 

Conversely, all those comments recommended keeping your car. Buying a similar quality 68-72 is going to be a fair bit more than what you'll get out of yours.

 

I help out a a Corvette Shop 2 days a week.
It has given me the opportunity to drive near a 100 different Corvettes.
My fav is a C7 6 speed.
A C6 is really close.
They are both so much smoother and comfortable and roomy than my C3, with more storage too.
They could make a great daily for a car guy.
Honestly they ride as good as my Caddy.

But the C3 body is still one of the best looking cars around.
And gets attention at car shows or cruise ins, not the newer ones.

 

The last car show I went to, there were 5 C1 - C3 Vettes, and 15+ C8's alone.... No one wants to see a car they can walk into a dealer and buy, unless it's highly modded. They may be proud but they aren't cool

 

Well, when I bought my car, I wanted a convertible, four-speed, chrome bumper. I could only afford a convertible four speed. Ended up with the '75 with 16k miles. 34 years later, it has 107k miles. Multiple iterations of engines and transmissions. Don't think I will ever get rid of it but I am finally gong to upgrade. On the waitlist with multiple dealers for a 2027 GSX HTC. That will be my last toy.

 

You have started a good thread Mr P. I originally suggested keeping the C3 and getting a C6. But after reading these comments and now knowing your garage situation I have changed my mind. No outdoor storage, especially in the part of the country you are in. And I get the idea that you need something to do and the current C3 is about as good as you can get it. Or WANT to get it. I have been working on my 78 project for about 10 years and it's almost done. Just needs paint. But life keeps getting in the way and this past year it has presented some major roadblocks so I am at a standstill. But as much as I am struggling to keep the enthusiasm up, I have already started thinking about what to do when this car is finished. Total ground up project is not going to happen. And the only hard thing this 75 yr old guy has to deal with is getting off the floor. As some have suggested look for something already started. There are lots of people out there who had all good intentions but quickly found themselves over their heads and are looking for a way out. Maybe it's not a vette. Start a list of what you want/need and go from there. Suspension, computer tune, classic body... I am thinking of an old cabover truck maybe for myself. I am not sure. But I will know it when I see it. Go to a bunch of shows and look around. You obviously have the talent and skill sets to do whatever you need to do in making a car your own.
But one thing is obvious. The C3 is on it's way out, just do't let it know because it will let you down and leave you stranded when you least expect it. Just because i's a car doesn't mean it doesn't have feelings. Good luck on your search. That's half the fun.

 

Hi Pierson,
I just saw this thread and I am surprised you may want to sell your car. I know you put a lot of effort into and you said it is running great.
My thoughts are, if you really like the car keep it. You won't get your money back and if you go to another old car you will have to start all over again or find one that is exceptional and those won't be cheap.

Back when I was a 20 year old kid I built my first vette, a NOM 67 Coupe. The car was 11 years old when I bought it and I went through it and go it running great over a couple of years. The problem was, I bought a vette to drive every day to work, including in the rain.

My 67 leaked like a sieve in the rain. One long rainy day I came back to work to get my vette and go home. I used a company truck during the day since I was a machine repairman. The 67 was parked safely at my work headquarters. By the time I got back the sun came out and the day was beautiful, great for a drive home. I opened the doors to find both floorboards flooded from the long rainy day. I decided to sell the car. This was 1980 and used C2's were $2500-$7500 all day long, C3's were less. A nice 69 350/350 convertible could be had from $2500-$3.500, coupes a little more.

I listed the car for two weeks and the day I was going to pull the ad and keep the car, I got a call. A guy came over, drove the car and so impressed with how tight the car was told me he would be back the next day and buy it. His offer was exactly my break-even mark so I didn't make a dime on the car and it was a lot better than when I bought it.
He showed up the next morning, paid for the car and as I was standing there watching him drive away knew I made a big mistake. I was sick over it and called him two days later. He loved the car but would resell it to me for an extra $5,000 which was good money then and more than I could afford at $5/hr. I regretted that sale to this day.

Working on these cars every day I can tell you there's little difference between a chrome bumper car and yours. All the same flaws and bad work are in the chrome cars as well as the 73-82. Every year had issues, add into the mix the many people who owned and didn't know how to repair them and your solid running car may look a lot better in 6-12 months. If you have just had enough of it ok, but it sounds like you're not sure. I would park the car and walk away for a year and see how you feel about it. But it's your call, so good luck with your decision.

 

Funny that you say that…

The part I haven’t mentioned, I drove the car a week ago and accidentally left the lights on for an extended period of time after parking. A tale as old as time, enough voltage to light up the dash, but not to turn over the starter. Worked with a jump though. I made it about half a mile before the gauge fuse blows. A few miles later the car dies completely. I know exactly why, because I experienced it several times last year…



I think this one looks even better on the side of the road!

The ignition module went out on me. I received a replacement just today and installed it. The car fired up, but ran awfully. I checked the plugs, awfully black and sooty. New set of those and it didn’t help. One drive around the neighborhood later showed the battery having low voltage. The alternator went out, again. Must’ve tried to charge too hard and overheated after jumping it. So a new one of those in on order, and should get here next Tuesday.

Classic car ownership requires a dedicated amount of time, education, and money to keep them on the road. None of these things are particularly difficult, but it’s truly a commitment, and never fun having to do a job twice, three, or four times.

This weekend I’ll be cleaning it up really well, and taking care of a few punch list items that I’ve never really bothered with. I want to drive it a good amount before making up my mind, because it’s much easier to justify getting rid of a broken car sitting in a garage versus one that’s running well.

I’ve heard many stories about people’s “car they never should’ve sold,” and don’t want to make the same mistake. Undoubtedly I would have sellers remorse, but when it’s to make room for something I want more, does that justify it? That’s what I’m trying to figure out.

 

I always wanted a 70 LT-1 C3, as far back as high school, early 70s.
I bought a 70 Z28 with the same engine instead, and kept it 30 years. Loved that car & engine.
I still miss it... a lot.
But I still have the C3 itch...that never really healed.
The only thing that tempers that itch is the C3 I am now building...my dream car.
And why stop at an LT-1? I had one of those...So this one is a 454 LS6.

 

OP: unless you really want to have a project and a classic, what you're asking for is a C6, 6sp convertible, and once you realize that then it will be a GS