Is the C3 your favorite generation?
#1
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Is the C3 your favorite generation?
When I think of a Corvette, the C3/shark shape seems like *the* definitive Corvette design to me. My Dad had a '65 with a 327 4-speed and I enjoyed the heck out of driving it and it was a bad *****. I don't know what the 0-60 was but it would break the wheels loose in 3 gears (pretty sure it had a 4.11 rear) and I personally never got beaten in the local stoplight wars. Those C2s absolutely are pretty and from what I've seen they go for more money today than C3's but it's always seemed they were a stage in the evolution to the C3 - it's like that's when the designers found *the* shape. I've always thought that basic C3 shark shape is the slickest car design of all time.
Yeah, newer Vettes are better aerodynamically and have high tech gizmotry but the aesthetics of all Vettes after the C3 just don't strike me with the same cool factor. Later gens look like they're all trying to retain some suggestion of the C3 styling. The C3 got kneecapped by emissions regulations but you can always put a hotter than factory engine in them.
Do you have a favorite?
Yeah, newer Vettes are better aerodynamically and have high tech gizmotry but the aesthetics of all Vettes after the C3 just don't strike me with the same cool factor. Later gens look like they're all trying to retain some suggestion of the C3 styling. The C3 got kneecapped by emissions regulations but you can always put a hotter than factory engine in them.
Do you have a favorite?
Last edited by brassplyer; 11-12-2018 at 02:04 AM.
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bmans vette (11-04-2019)
#2
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I dont like any after 82 i like 80-82 but 68 to 72 convertibles best of c3s.
However, my modded 66 convertible was my all time fav but not a stock c2 sp much, my 66 had more a grand sport racer look.
However, my modded 66 convertible was my all time fav but not a stock c2 sp much, my 66 had more a grand sport racer look.
#3
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2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
You are writing in the c3 forum, so you will most likely get a lot of support, but, I agree with you, there is no Corvette generation that gets even close to the "right look" of a C3. The body styling is simple, clean and sexy. It may not be the most powerful in stock configuration, but it is easily improved. When you read about how the body styling was developed, the car could easily have been different in many ways, and I am glad it became what it did. It is a work of art.
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Alex66 (11-12-2018)
#4
Burning Brakes
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C3 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '19
Simply...Yes
I like all versions of the C3 cars and unlike many I very much like the plastic bumper versions.
I like all versions of the C3 cars and unlike many I very much like the plastic bumper versions.
Last edited by 74_stingray; 11-12-2018 at 05:37 AM.
#5
Safety Car
Yes, for me it`s the 68 to 72. I love ALL the Corvettes, and many other makes & models of cars & trucks too, but the chrome bumper C3s were the new thing when I was a kid moving into teen-ager, and first started really noticing girls, and cars. So I think the love for the early shark style has a lot to do with the time I grew up. The sleek, sexy lines were never matched by any other US auto maker.
#7
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St. Jude Donor '05
Not sure about fav but close. The C1-3 are real vettes far as Im concerned. Just timeless
#8
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From birth to 82 vettes were just a standout,
I can only imagine the reactions when people of the day first saw a split window driving along in 63 or a 68 bb rumble by in 68, must have been mind blowing,
But i recall well when c4s came out, i was unimpressed.
84 on to me gm was like "yeah, whatever, corvette name on anything will sell"
I can only imagine the reactions when people of the day first saw a split window driving along in 63 or a 68 bb rumble by in 68, must have been mind blowing,
But i recall well when c4s came out, i was unimpressed.
84 on to me gm was like "yeah, whatever, corvette name on anything will sell"
#9
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From birth to 82 vettes were just a standout,
I can only imagine the reactions when people of the day first saw a split window driving along in 63 or a 68 bb rumble by in 68, must have been mind blowing,
But i recall well when c4s came out, i was unimpressed.
84 on to me gm was like "yeah, whatever, corvette name on anything will sell"
I can only imagine the reactions when people of the day first saw a split window driving along in 63 or a 68 bb rumble by in 68, must have been mind blowing,
But i recall well when c4s came out, i was unimpressed.
84 on to me gm was like "yeah, whatever, corvette name on anything will sell"
#10
Race Director
From birth to 82 vettes were just a standout,
I can only imagine the reactions when people of the day first saw a split window driving along in 63 or a 68 bb rumble by in 68, must have been mind blowing,
But i recall well when c4s came out, i was unimpressed.
84 on to me gm was like "yeah, whatever, corvette name on anything will sell"
I can only imagine the reactions when people of the day first saw a split window driving along in 63 or a 68 bb rumble by in 68, must have been mind blowing,
But i recall well when c4s came out, i was unimpressed.
84 on to me gm was like "yeah, whatever, corvette name on anything will sell"
#11
Melting Slicks
C3s hands down..................................bu t i also like my C5 and the C7s are growing on me AND i wouldn't mind a C1 if i didnt have to sell a bodily organ..............................
#12
Melting Slicks
Yes to C3 being my favorite but that's a broad range from 68 to 82. It's my favorite because I can tell you that was the day the Corvette bug bit me...it was in the fall of 1978 and I was riding to school with my mom...we caught the red light next to the Chevy dealer in our little town and sitting in the front show room was a 78 S/A.
I've always liked the 80-82 best; total package, inside (dash/seats) and out with the integrated front and rear spoilers. Timeless. The chrome bumper cars (68-72) are my next favorite but only from the outside...I'm just not a fan of the dash/seats.
As for other models...I fell for the C5 Z body style the day they came out and added one to the stable 12 years ago. Again, timeless.
One day...one day, I'll add a 63 split window but this summer I started looking at wooden boats (57-58 Chris Crafts) and that will certainly suck up my budget and time!
I've always liked the 80-82 best; total package, inside (dash/seats) and out with the integrated front and rear spoilers. Timeless. The chrome bumper cars (68-72) are my next favorite but only from the outside...I'm just not a fan of the dash/seats.
As for other models...I fell for the C5 Z body style the day they came out and added one to the stable 12 years ago. Again, timeless.
One day...one day, I'll add a 63 split window but this summer I started looking at wooden boats (57-58 Chris Crafts) and that will certainly suck up my budget and time!
Last edited by 2TONE82; 11-12-2018 at 10:08 AM.
#13
Race Director
Split window big block C2 is by far my favorite.
I couldn't afford my favorite so I went to my second choice, C3.
I wanted a 68-72, but again budget dictated that I purchased a 73.
At least I was able to get the chrome bumpers on the rear and a big block.
I couldn't afford my favorite so I went to my second choice, C3.
I wanted a 68-72, but again budget dictated that I purchased a 73.
At least I was able to get the chrome bumpers on the rear and a big block.
Last edited by OldCarBum; 11-12-2018 at 11:19 AM.
#14
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I do like the looks of the C4 (but not nearly as much as the similarly shaped 3rd generation Firebird), but other than that I think all other Corvettes are butt ugly, the only real Corvette to me remains the C3.
Last edited by Priya; 11-12-2018 at 02:53 PM.
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LS WON (04-28-2021)
#17
Melting Slicks
C3's are the best for me!
Agree, I like all Corvettes for sure, but for me C3's are the best design of all of the generations.
I never liked the C2 design very much and do not understand the appeal at all. The 57, 61, 62 are great, plus C6's are cool, the rest are the "rest" in my view.
I never liked the C2 design very much and do not understand the appeal at all. The 57, 61, 62 are great, plus C6's are cool, the rest are the "rest" in my view.
Last edited by 20mercury; 11-12-2018 at 04:33 PM.
#19
Burning Brakes
I grew up a fan of 65-68 Mustang fastbacks and still love them. But in my older years I grew to first like and then love the C2 and C3 Corvette convertibles. My
vette is a 69 L46 Convertible 4spd, and I am ashamed to say that I often sneak peeks of her in my garage at night - she is that beautiful! I will be restoring her to near new condition throughout, and then I will have to hang pictures of her at work to bide the time.
vette is a 69 L46 Convertible 4spd, and I am ashamed to say that I often sneak peeks of her in my garage at night - she is that beautiful! I will be restoring her to near new condition throughout, and then I will have to hang pictures of her at work to bide the time.
#20
Le Mans Master
I wouldn't kick a C2 or C7 out of the garage, but I only find the C3s appealing. Most of the C3 "problems" are easy to fix (smog engines for the most part, and simple suspension improvements), but the C3 look is unique, and amazing. I, too, prefer the vinyl bumper, bubble window years the best, in part because they are moddable without guilt, but also because I find that chrome makes the car look dated
Last edited by Bikespace; 11-12-2018 at 08:24 PM.