Corvette C3 temptation.....

[Crowbob]

I'm wondering if parts of old Hardrive suddenly shrunk or shriveled up.

[Scott Douglas]

There once was a time, not all that long ago, when I was infatuated with the idea of a '57 T-bird. I think they are one of the best looking Fords out there, and I'm a Chevy guy at heart. I really thought I'd enjoy having one, that is until a friend of mine kindly let me try out his '56.
Talk about a let down. I guess it shouldn't have surprised me that much, but it drove like an old Ford, or what I'd envisioned an old Ford would drive like.
I still like the looks of the '57 -bird, but I sure don't want one unless it's a resto-mod'ed one.

[Racerbvd]

Throw a low ball offer, you never know. Much "different " driving experience than a Porsche, but fun.. a buddy had had one for a long time, and currently has it apart for restoration. When you jump on it, the front end raises like a boad in the water. What others have, chrome bumpers, 4sd , etc are much more desirable, but cost more as well. All that being said, parts and upgrades are readily available and could be a fun project.

[DonDavis]

Can’t go wrong with silver and red. It looks pretty good as it sits.
If it runs well, just tinker with suspension bits and enjoy.

[coldstart]

My dad bought his 1968 Corvette new in 1968. He stopped driving it ten years ago and me and my brother have been driving and maintaining it since.

The C3 is a great car except for the handling. It has been super reliable too. I highly recommend one.

[WPOZZZ]

I had a 77 L48. It wasn't very fast, but it got me around. The floorboards get really hot from the exhaust, and high speed driving is not very fun.

[JackDidley]

I think thats too much money for that car. 76 and newer had steel floor boards that rust. I put 200,000 miles on a 75 that I modded but that was in the 80s. A lot goes bad in 40+ years. Weaherstrips, rust and interior problems can all be a problem. Also the rubber bumpers can look fine but may crumble if you push on them. If you are going for a C3 a chrome bumper car will return the money you spend but the rubber bumper cars, not so much.

[HardDrive]

Assuming the bird cage and frame are not completely rotted, what if bites at $6k? Zero thought towards future value, just buy it as a beater.

[masraum]

Well, I think the best C3s are '68-72 and '82.

I suppose if you live someplace that you don't have to worry about smog inspections, so you can mod it (which appears to be the case), then that's a huge plus. Also, you should be able to replace the horrible bumpers.

I think an old corvette could be fun, and I've seen them modded to handle decently.

Just don't take yourself too seriously.

[Embraer]

I never really cared for Corvettes (although as a kid, I thought C3's were cool)...but after seeing this thread, I was looking around on the internet for info on them. Man, the L88 was a beast. I saw a video on youtube tonight of a guy drag racing an original one. I couldn't believe how that thing scooted. I guess the factory completely understated the HP on those things.

[sc_rufctr]

I'd prefer a Datsun

[911boost]

I think it’s cool and you will have fun.

This thread reminded me of a buddy that had a late 70’s Trans Am, screaming chicken and all. Was a complete rust bucket but he spent every dime he ever made on the motor. Holy sheet, I swear it would pull the front wheels off the ground and anyone that came from out of town got schooled by that ratty looking Pontiac.

[pavulon]

Find a '72 or older.

Danny Popp regularly destroys the field in his.

[slow&rusty]

You live once, go for it. You'll a get a million opinions, but if its what your heart desires then do it

[Chocaholic]

Sounds like you want it. At that price, it’s not a huge risk. Life is short. Buy the car and keep us posted.

Too many opinions are not a good thing.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by slow&rusty

You live once, go for it. You'll a get a million opinions, but if its what your heart desires then do it

Agreed, if you like it who cares? $8k is dirt cheap for a toy car, and they are easy and cheap to repair.

[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!

[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.

[chuckr]

I had a 77 and agree with others, it’s slow and a bit scary over 120mph,but it was fun to cruise in !

[monoflo]

If you like it -go for it.
Wanted a 79 once upon a time (early 80s) then I drove it -- L48 and slow though everything was in the late 70s.
Had a 454 -1971 -- pretty fast but didn't like curves too much.

Cant hurt to offer em say 6K --