L78

Been looking around at cars for sale, and I thought all C3 coupe's (I am only looking at 68-72 chrome bumpers) had T-tops.

I see a LOT of people advertising "T-Tops" like its some rare option...

Granted, the rest of those ads usually also sound like a non-car guy, probably just flippers...


Had a guy say his had the "original" engine... I pointed out the center-bolt valve covers and passenger side dipstick, and noted those were 1986 and later... A few days later, he sent me pictures of receipts for an engine replacement. In 1995 (23 years ago), the owner had a 300HP 350 cid GM crate motor (#12355345) installed…

Ironically, its a 300 HP basic crate motor, but the seller now thinks its an "upgraded" engine compared to the original (also a 300 HP, its a base motor car)…

Listening to the guys answers, it seems apparent he doesn't know much about his own car...

NONN37

well yeah. but i guess they just want to differentiate from the convertibles or verts w/ hartops.

Vettedreamer74

I've had the same thoughts. Makes me think they aren't corvette people. Or they're just appealing to the general public, which is more likely.

The13Bats

I believe most people when they try to sell a car do try to make it sound great so saying T tops is just for appeal value im thinking.
Like saying big block or 4 speed,

You would be surprised how many people who own a c3 truly believe this or that myth that they were told sbout the car

av81

I noticed that to , another one "1980 stingray" or "rare 82 collectors edition" .. people just don't know what they are taking about.

kingkohlmn

OK, than what is the proper terminology to use when advertising a non convertible C3? Coupe, T-Tops, hardtop, removable roof panels, non convertible etc. For me if I see coupe or T-Tops, it makes no difference, I know its not a convertible and therefore is a T-Top.
Thanks Bill

Bikespace

When selling stuff on Craigslist, I find it best to include as many searchable key words as possible, though I often add them at the end of the description. When searching, I'll wildcard words, so searches for "Corvet* Manua* " will often return additional results. Not everyone who owns a Corvette is an expert, or can spell.

Were I to sell one of my cars, I would absolutely put Stingray, Sting Ray, Sting-Ray, T-tops, T-top, Corvete, Covette, coupe, and other combinations in my description.

steffan

my favorite is the, removable rear window option

Torqued Off

Typical Saleman lingo.....buzzwords like T-Tops, original, Survivor, all are used to sell cars....even if it is a lie. Typical car salesman, especially con men classic car sales operations. They prey on the naïve, often wealthy people who aren't knowledgeable, but have big bank accounts. These type salesman are right down there with lawyers, ambulance chasers, and other scum of the earth.

L78

That's kind of the feeling I get... I am by no means an expert, but the answers to my questions usually tell me these sellers know less about the cars they are selling than I do...

"Survivor"... Seen quite a few with either new paint, interior, etc, or complete POS rusted to hell (not a Corvette)... But its a survivor because it still exists...

Same goes for "matching numbers" when its not even correct at all (65 with a 350cid engine)...

But thanks everyone. Just wanted to make sure I was correct in that all 68-72 coupes had T-tops and the removeable rear window...



I agree and understand, and do the same with the "searchable key words", but these are often imbedded in the ad text, things like "T-TOPS!" when the rest of the text is lower case, or "rare T-tops", etc...

L78

Hope I don't offend anybody, but another one that irks me a bit is "Stingray"...

Does it really matter if its "Stingray" or "Sting Ray"? Or if someone calls a '68 a "Stingray/Sting Ray" (because IIRC, the 68 did NOT have any emblems calling that out)...

The13Bats

I dont belive everyone who uses "T-tops" in a car ad is a professional car flipper much less a con artist,

I also dont find people who call post 76 corvettes "stingrays" $atan....

Easy Mike

Does it matter to you? After you get a car, you can call it what you want.

Bikespace

Again, I'm not selling a car, but if I were to, I wouldn't care if someone wants a Sting-Ray with T-Tops and a bubble glass window. If they find my listing because I put truthful items in the description, and some more as key words at the end of the description, then the ad worked.



I'll be happy to tell them that 1980 cars were never called "Stingrays", and all of them had T-tops and bubble glass windows. I won't misrepresent anything, but the typical Corvette buyer is NOT the typical CF member. Out on the street, non-Corvette obsessives routinely refer to my car as a "Stingray" and are awed by the T-tops.

The13Bats

Do you find it odd gm dropped the "stingray" name in 77, almost the same car as 74 to 76,
Dropping stingray in 78 or 80 would have made slightly more sense to me,
But i think in 68 to ? the name should have been "mako"

bb62

Even though Chevrolet didn't have the "Stingray" badge on the 1968, they still CALLED it a (and notice the two words) "Sting Ray".

The13Bats

So some hard asses would say a 68 isnt a "real" stingray sting ray
With no emblem saying so...

Still gm should not have called an all new body design stingray.

Nowhere Man

63-67 Sting Ray (two words)
69-76 Stingray (one word)
but note that name means nothing. just a marketing term.

general ike

I love the sellers when you ask them if the motor is original, they answer that the seller, when they bought it told them it was!!!! You've owned the car for years and never checked?Your selling the car and haven't checked.

Or the large classic car dealer asking top $$ when asked if he has verified that the engine vin number match the car that they are advertising as matching, tells me that I can hire a expert to examine the car if I want too.

Or the person that claims that he drives the car on a regular basis but state that the last time he knew that the fiberoptic system worked was 2012. But he expects me to drive 3 hours to clarify that.

I don't know if these people are dumb, naive or playing games. Painful!!!! Ike

The13Bats

All of the above,