Corvette C3 temptation.....

[speeder]

So, to summarize, slow and doesn't handle but looks like a Corvette. Maybe save some $$ and just keep the picture?

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by speeder

For simplicity and parts availability, can't be beat. Looks good, just don't expect performance of any kind. It's hard to believe how far that model of car fell from what it was just a few short years earlier to what it was in the mid-'70s. GM was just skating by on brand loyalty at that point, I guess.

My uncle had a new '78, (I think), that he loaned me once when he went out of town. I was a car crazy teenager who was used to driving cheap schit boxes and I distinctly remember how slow it was. Stock L48 automatic. It was winter in MN. and I could not even get in trouble w it. I think he knew this, I mean who would loan a fast car to a teenager?

Looked like a million bucks, though.

If you don't have emissions to deal w where you live, you could always put any decent SBC in it and have a good performing car. The whole shebang would not cost all that much. Not sure what it would take to make it handle but can't be that tough to do. But then you are talking about a project, not a turn-key deal. As-is, it's a dog.

There are kits to upgrade to later suspension and brakes, plus some good forums.

https://www.speeddirect.com/index.php/suspension/corvette-shark-bite/shark-bite-complete-suspension-kit-details

[vash]

i say go for it.

there was a lady next door to me as a kid that had one. her name was Barbara. totally hot italian lady. she would buy lemonade from my janky ass stand and kiss my cheek. solidified my developing manhood. hahhaa..hers was gold colored. she would get out in bell bottoms and totally 70's out. she wore this leather head band thing...geezh.

i should see if i could find her on the webz..her mom is still kicking and lives in the same house.

[Crowbob]

Keep the dream, vash.

Don't look her up.

After many, many years I had a Big Mac because nostalgia.

The memory was better.

[vash]

Originally Posted by Crowbob

Keep the dream, vash.

Don't look her up.

After many, many years I had a Big Mac because nostalgia.

The memory was better.

hahahha.a..

i did the exact same thing with a BigMac. hahah..thanks. i will follow your lead.

[aigel]

I think we need to clarify something ...

The C3 in its late years was bogged down with smog. And there were more automatics built for sure as well, which is totally undesirable.

But in terms of balance and suspension, this is NOT a bad car at all. It has independent rear suspension and the engine sits behind the front wheels. It also has disk brakes all around from the factory. Having driven A body GM vs Corvette of the same year in stock form, the Corvette is quite respectable. Maybe not 911 respectable, but it is much better than a Chevelle for sure.

Like Byron posted, with the right updgrades, this thing can be fun in the turns for sure. My stock 71 Vette sure was. It had a pretty beefy 350 and rowing the gears, it was a hoot to drive.



G

[flipper35]

Originally Posted by vash

i say go for it.

there was a lady next door to me as a kid that had one. her name was Barbara. totally hot italian lady. she would buy lemonade from my janky ass stand and kiss my cheek. solidified my developing manhood. hahhaa..hers was gold colored. she would get out in bell bottoms and totally 70's out. she wore this leather head band thing...geezh.

i should see if i could find her on the webz..her mom is still kicking and lives in the same house.

Are you sure that what was solidifying?

[Sarc]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

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

This seems to be a persistent itch, as I recall you started a C3 thread a few years ago. Definitely a look at the one you linked, but also get some seat time in a 68-72.
More $$$ than the '76, but it will likely be a much better experience.

Plus...they look better.

[vash]

damn..

[sammyg2]

On hot rod garage, lucky and tony bought a ratty ole '74 C3 from aridzona and set to modifying it.
That included a hot big block and earlier fat fender custom body kit, IIRC they said the body kit was $1800? Not zackly my cup of tea but fer sure the only one on the block.


I've seen the first episode, looking forward to the second.
Mobil tech lucky is way cool.


https://www.hotrod.com/articles/budget-built-1974-corvette-hot-rod-garage-preview/

[flipper35]

Originally Posted by Sarc

This seems to be a persistent itch, as I recall you started a C3 thread a few years ago. Definitely a look at the one you linked, but also get some seat time in a 68-72.
More $$$ than the '76, but it will likely be a much better experience.

Plus, they look better.

This body style, with the reverse slope on the rear end is the best looking of the C3.

[sammyg2]

2nd episode preview:

[Rinty]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

Would I be nuts to give him $8k for it?

You can look at it this way: if you buy the car and spend some money on improving it, and then decide it's not for you and sell it, then you will have got it out of your system.

You can calculate the purchase price and the improvement budget as a percentage of your net worth to get a bit more perspective.

In my 20's, I bought a '72, and sold it, after about two months. It was a fair chunk of change for me then, but I learned a valuable lesson.

[monoflo]

[Racerbvd]

[pavulon]

C3 handling, power and braking issues all have established solutions. Detroit Speed and an LS7 (or a ZL-1) are happy to fix almost all of them.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

I've always liked them and we have a few down her in Aus... They are so "American".

A friend owns one like this but it's been "converted" to RHD which is not good IMO.
Anyways.. It's the same color (Speed yellow?) and has the same stock wheels.
They look great IRL. I don't understand the negative reliability comments. Surely you could fix that!

That version of the Chevy "Rallye" wheel is the shizzle! SBC engines when in decent shape will run forever. Anything that old or in rough shape will have issues, but you can fix them. As long as the frame and body are good, the rest can be fixed. Isn't that what most folks like about a project/toy car?

[wdfifteen]

Did you notice it has a" heavy duty differential cover"? I don't know much about Corvettes, but that sounds pretty bad ass to me. Go for it!

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

I don't understand the negative reliability comments. Surely you could fix that!

LOL!
Yep, over and over, and over again...

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

Did you notice it has a" heavy duty differential cover"? I don't know much about Corvettes, but that sounds pretty bad ass to me. Go for it!

The differential cover is where the rear suspension leaf spring is mounted. They can rot over time, so when people replace them, they go with an upgrade.