Corvette C3 temptation.....

[HardDrive]

I have heard all the horrible things about them. It has not dissuaded me.

This one is local. I had a long talk with the owner who was very open about condition. Car sat for 10 years indoors, he recently went through it get it ready for sale. It has had a patch riveted into the driver side floor. Original paint, which he describes a 10 footer. It has a cam, headers, L82 carb. Radiator support was replaced years ago.

He said he can move on price. Would I be nuts to give him $8k for it?

Yes...its a nearly 50 year old Vette that has been sitting...I'm aware of what I'm getting into. I just can't shake the itch. I would just love to have one to cruise around.

https://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/d/howard-76-corvette-stingray/7111876551.html

[Scott Douglas]

I know this one is a world away from you but I think it's a better value...

https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/d/placentia-corvette-chevrolet/7125392972.html

[Crowbob]

Not nutz.

But you will end up putting $$ into it. You won't be able to help yourself. I'd look for something nicer (like not with a riveted floor) for the same or probably a little more money.

IMO 1982 was the prettiest year (also the crappiest power year).

[Scott Douglas]

https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/d/temecula-1988-corvette-covertable/7125317171.html

Fly out drive it home...you doin' anything these days?

[HardDrive]

I want a C3, not a C4.

[Scott Douglas]

OK, you'll probably have this much invested by the time you get done with that one....

https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/d/apple-valley-1977-c3-corvette/7121652790.html

[KFC911]

Are they all, or virtually all automatics? That would not trip my trigger...meh.

[Scott Douglas]

Or take a vacation to Palm Springs and pickup this one....

https://palmsprings.craigslist.org/cto/d/palm-desert-1977-corvette/7120698035.html

[Crowbob]

For a cruising around town or road-trip car I'd buy an automatic. It's like buying sleek Buick minus a few seats.

[fastfredracing]

Man, I hated mine. I could not wait to get into a Corvette. Once I did, it was a huge let down. It handled far worse than any year Camaro I had ever owned , it was slow, the seating position was horrible , I can't think of much I really liked about it . I painted mine, fixed the brakes, and drove it for one season, then I was done.
It was one of my least enjoyable car experiences ever .
I think a 1985 Bonneville would be more rewarding to cruise around in .
They are pretty cars though .

[Scott Douglas]

It's funny how new(er) cars have spoiled us with how good even the mundane ones are.
We've come a long ways in almost 50 yrs of motoring....

[aigel]

My suggestion would be to spend a little more up front and get a car that is more of a driver's car as well as more desirable, meaning you won't throw 10k at a 5k car and end up with a $8k car when you are done.

- 68-72 chrome bumper
- 4 speed
- Non rustbelt car

I had a 71 ragtop 4 speed C3 and it was a lot of fun to drive and it did handle quite well. The chassis beneath is practically the same as the C2. I would NEVER consider an automatic corvette of this vintage. As a matter of fact, another one of these is high on my list of "next car to buy".

There you go. Now if you say you want a rubber bumper C3 and chrome is a no-go, well then go knock yourself out.

G

[doug_porsche]

Tricky .

The repair made to the floor is not because of rust. its a fiberglass floor.
Not uncommon for it to be a weak point, but deserves better than a pop rivet fix.

If you like the car, and can afford the nickel and dime stuff it will need for setting 10 years, go for it.
As others have said, not a very collectable year and no special options to help that.


If you want a fairly inexpensive toy, could do worse.
If you are looking for a car to flip for quick cash, could do better.

[David]

I dated a girl in high school that had one. It felt like it was handling good until it broke loose and then you just held on until you hit something or skidded to a stop. My last attempt to drive the thing resulted in a 360 on the freeway in the dry at about 75 mph. No thanks!

[nota]

check for frame rust that is a vet killer in ohio from salt

76 is not a good year heavy smog power loss
but you can get better bits in the 350 or just ls7 i

[RWebb]

Just do it.


Besides, we a thread on an extensive 'vette restoration...


also a 'vette engine swap thread...

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by nota

check for frame rust that is a vet killer in ohio from salt

76 is not a good year heavy smog power loss
but you can get better bits in the 350 or just ls7 i

Cats gone, hotter cam and springs. Hooker headers. Has a bigger carb on it as well.

[LWJ]

Reminds me of a joke.

What is similar between riding a moped and screwing a fat girl.

Both are fun but you don't want your friends to know.


C3's are the moped/fat girls of sportscars.

(Unfortunately, I shopped for corvettes on Craigslist this morning. I get it)


(apologies to large, young women everywhere)

[wdfifteen]

The car is not ugly. It has kind of a stigma, but if you just want to have fun, why not? $8 k is only $2700 more than I paid for a 65 VW, so value per dollar seems like a plus.
I’d avoid getting too invested in “ It’s a Vette,” originality and treat it like an amusement appliance .
It could be really fun if treated with love and appropriate disrespect.

[Norm K]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

It's funny how new(er) cars have spoiled us with how good even the mundane ones are.
We've come a long ways in almost 50 yrs of motoring....

It's not just newer cars, Scott. Most of my car buddies are about ten years older than my tender 62 years and, not all that surprisingly, are Corvette owners. We'd park together at local car shows where it was always Corvette, Corvette, Corvette, 930, Corvette, Corvette. They (well, one in particular) kept bugging me to buy a Corvette, something I finally did - a first year C5 ZO6. Have to admit it was cool to look at and the performance bang-for-the-buck is pretty much unmatched. I toyed around with it for about three-four months before I'd had enough. I'll take the 50 year old technology in the 930, thank you very much.

_