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