Hey all! I know gas prices are going up, but I have to keep my trend of buying older and older cars!

Started with a 1991 Camaro, then a 1989 VW Cabriolet, then an 1987 Fiero, now... I am VERY interested in a C3 Corvette!

I still have the Camaro, if anyone got a C3 Vette and would be willing to trade for a TPI camaro, let me know!

ANYWAY onto the question

Anyone own or Have owned a C3 corvette? And i want to know more about them, about handling, matinance and the like. Basically, someone give me an unbiased review of them! Gas milage for the quadrajet 350, and just their power feeling. I love their looks and the T tops they got!

My uncle is a Vette fanatic. He's owned at least 2-3 of each body style. I've been able to ride in most of them, and drive a couple as well. Regarding the C3 Vette, my personal opinion can be summed up in 2 words: rattle trap.

im a vette enthusiast and i must say the C3 were the worst gen built (im assuming your getting a late model C3) The motors and trannys sucked, they both need replacement

now this isnt beacuse they were unreliable, thier just old, have old emmisions tech, and because the most powerful one made 200hp.

suspension was virtually unchanged from the 1963 model, transverse leaf spring IRS (not horrible but no ferrari)

most were steel springs the last 2 years had fiberglass rear springs (auto only), (they also had the junk twin TBI Crossfire)

really its all about what you want to do with it, if you want it fast, swap in an lt1 or tpi (or do it right with BBC), if your going for classic, than refurbishing the engine and transmission might cost alot.

honestly if you want fast, than find an 84-86 C4 in good condition, thier design was extremely radical for the day and can beat the crap out of most sports cars even today, ,that and the C3s need a straight axle swap to fit any wider tires than 7 inches in the back.

[This message has been edited by 4-mulaGT (edited 05-30-2008).]

200 hp? Stick with the earlier model years of C3 and you will be happy woth power. C3 is the "Stingray" body years.
-from Vette enthusiasts site-
1969 L71 427 ci 435 hp engine, M21 close ratio 4-speed manual transmission and F-41 suspension. Options include factory side mount exhaust, power disc brakes, power steering, power windows, Redline tires, headrest and shoulder belts.

The ZR-1 option was described as a Special Purpose Engine Package and came equipped with a 350 ci 370 hp LT-1 engine, M22 4-speed heavy duty transmission, heavy duty power brakes and a special aluminum radiator. Only 25 of 1970's 17,316 Corvettes were built with the ZR-1 option.

The 1971 was the fourth year for the C3 generation of Corvettes but, unfortunately for horsepower enthusiasts, the future had arrived in the form of lower compression ratios. Unleaded gasoline and its lower octane rating forced the move and an era was over, never to return. The change caused the hp ratings of the LS5 motor to go from 390 hp (1970) to 365 hp.

[This message has been edited by 2.5 (edited 05-30-2008).]

74 and older are the ones to get if you can they tend to rattle alot but that can all be fixed hell my fiero rattles olmost that mutch. look into VBP for the susp. they can help out quit a bit by the way ive had 2 74s

I learned a lot about them when a friend of mine had a '74 Stingray.

They handle very well - for a 70's era car. Engines could be an anemic 305 smog motor up to a fire breathing 454 depending on year. You could also get a Muncie 4 speed or Turbo 400 automatic in the pre-emissioned ones. Those are 2 bullet proof transmissions.

If you're not concerned about collectibility, with the availability of crate motors - just pick how much power you want and drop the engine in.

One real nice thing about ANY Vette is virtually EVERY part is available - original or reproduced.
One bad thing about any Vette is, if it says "Vette" on it, it's going to be more expensive.

I'd get a 74 or earlier so you don't have to deal with emissions. I prefer the 70-72 chrome bumper cars myself.

quote Originally posted by 2.5: 200 hp? Stick with the earlier model years of C3 and you will be happy woth power. C3 is the "Stingray" body years. -from Vette enthusiasts site- 1969 L71 427 ci 435 hp engine, M21 close ratio 4-speed manual transmission and F-41 suspension. Options include factory side mount exhaust, power disc brakes, power steering, power windows, Redline tires, headrest and shoulder belts. The ZR-1 option was described as a Special Purpose Engine Package and came equipped with a 350 ci 370 hp LT-1 engine, M22 4-speed heavy duty transmission, heavy duty power brakes and a special aluminum radiator. Only 25 of 1970's 17,316 Corvettes were built with the ZR-1 option. The 1971 was the fourth year for the C3 generation of Corvettes but, unfortunately for horsepower enthusiasts, the future had arrived in the form of lower compression ratios. Unleaded gasoline and its lower octane rating forced the move and an era was over, never to return. The change caused the hp ratings of the LS5 motor to go from 390 hp (1970) to 365 hp.

I had assumed he didn't have 30-100k to drop on a 427, LS5, or LT1 C3...

quote Originally posted by 4-mulaGT: I had assumed he didn't have 30-100k to drop on a 427, LS5, or LT1 C3...

and you are right, hehe, I want something cheap to drive in but still turn heads like my Fiero does . I'd trade my Camaro for a Vette because I personally like the Corvette body styling, the Third Gen Camaro doesnt "do it" for me, Second gen does, but C3 Vette makes me go... well need to change my pants. I think they are the best looking, with the mile long nose and tiny passenger compartment. Buddy of mine has one with a 1300hp drag racing engine in it, it is AWESOME. Before he put the drag racing engine in it, I wanted to buy it off of him for $4,000, he said he would think about it, and just said nah, and did the engine swap.

Generally for me to get a C3 Vette, it needs to be a trade, currently. Once I am out of college, makin money, and can afford to finance a good C3 vette, then I will do that probably, and throw in a 502 Ramjet in it...

We have several at the store, this is one of my favorite. When I was much younger, a bud had a 427/395HP 4spd convertible with the lakeside pipes. He was a purist of sorts, ran it with the original style Goodyear bias ply tires. No radials on that beast, but then it ran so well and fast, we didn't care (or didn't know better). There is this curve in Carmichael, a 'burb of Sacramento on Fair Oaks, south of El Camino that we often tried to kill ourselves on, but that car just did what it needed to keep us alive at insane speeds. Anyway, our moto back then was 10mpg at 15 or 150MPH and we went 150 quite frequently on road trips to Tahoe. Not your ideal mileage cruiser, but I venture your love life and ego won't suffer.
Myself, having tooled around in just about every generation of Vette since I started working at Gateway Classic Cars, can say my vote for a daily driver would be a C4 or later car. In particular, I like the 91 drop top, very civilized and I think they just run better. (MisFire excluded any year) We also have a low mileage 91 ZR1 which is just a beast, but you can turn that key and make it less beastly. I mean it does have the gas saving 6 speed. Now if your foot doesn't have the will, what the hell...

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Wudman-FieroDriver-Radio Free Mojo-WDLJ 97.5FM

quote Originally posted by Wudman: We have several at the store, this is one of my favorite. When I was much younger, a bud had a 427/395HP 4spd convertible with the lakeside pipes. He was a purist of sorts, ran it with the original style Goodyear bias ply tires. No radials on that beast, but then it ran so well and fast, we didn't care (or didn't know better). There is this curve in Carmichael, a 'burb of Sacramento on Fair Oaks, south of El Camino that we often tried to kill ourselves on, but that car just did what it needed to keep us alive at insane speeds. Anyway, our moto back then was 10mpg at 15 or 150MPH and we went 150 quite frequently on road trips to Tahoe. Not your ideal mileage cruiser, but I venture your love life and ego won't suffer. Myself, having tooled around in just about every generation of Vette since I started working at Gateway Classic Cars, can say my vote for a daily driver would be a C4 or later car. In particular, I like the 91 drop top, very civilized and I think they just run better. (MisFire excluded any year) We also have a low mileage 91 ZR1 which is just a beast, but you can turn that key and make it less beastly. I mean it does have the gas saving 6 speed. Now if your foot doesn't have the will, what the hell...

My foot? Not floored? are you a lunatic?!

All joking aside, That car makes me need to shower and change o.o; Looks so perrdddyy... I think the C3 is the summit of all muscle car styling, just before the sport market. same with the Second Gen Camaro, though that is a Pony car. Now you make me want the gas guzzling beast more! I should ask around if anyone is willing to hire me, hehe, and instead of a resume, use a sign that says:

"Will work for C3 Corvette"

Being an active member in a local club and having owned some vettes myself, just a few things to consider. There generally the cheapest ones to buy, performance is less than great in most cases (some with 160 HP smog eng), poor fit and finish on body and interiors. Corvette people generally consider them the least desireable. For playing around, probably find a pretty decent buy on one in fair to decent shape. My personal favs from being around them all the time and working on them are the 57-62 models. I also prefer the straight axle which is practically bulletproof.

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quote Originally posted by rogergarrison: Corvette people generally consider them the least desireable.

Really? That's surprising. I would think the TPI C4 Vette's would be the least desirable.
The C3 has always been my favorite body style, but then I grew up in the 70's. That might have had something to do with it.

quote Originally posted by rogergarrison: Being an active member in a local club and having owned some vettes myself, just a few things to consider. There generally the cheapest ones to buy, performance is less than great in most cases (some with 160 HP smog eng), poor fit and finish on body and interiors. Corvette people generally consider them the least desireable. For playing around, probably find a pretty decent buy on one in fair to decent shape. My personal favs from being around them all the time and working on them are the 57-62 models. I also prefer the straight axle which is practically bulletproof.

True enough, about the low performance of the cheap C3s, BUT I honestly don't care about the performance in the initial buy. in fact, if I can get a $3,000 ok to daily drive corvette C3, paint wont be great, neither will the engine be, but it would be a C3 to work on. Cheap to start with, and since I am not a collector, I wont care about numbers matching. I would rip the smog engine out and put a big block in it, that is fuel injected, and then mate up a 4 speed, and also rework the frame to redo the rear suspension as a multilink instead of transverse leaf IRS (and also fix the suspension geometry in the front). so I would end up spending a total of $30,000-$40,000 dependant on how crazy I go on the engine and mods (maybe like a $12,000 crate engine then mods on top of it for the final engine price of around $17,000). That is more economical then buying a good, numbers matching collectors vette, and then going crazy on it to make it go super fast, plus corvette people would not be up in arms

quote Originally posted by Formula88: Really? That's surprising. I would think the TPI C4 Vette's would be the least desirable. The C3 has always been my favorite body style, but then I grew up in the 70's. That might have had something to do with it.

HA oh no....

The 84 vettes came with teh 200hp crossfire twin TBI that was WAY worse than the TPI, AND had the newer body/frame (which alot of ppl dont like for some reason, which i cant understand.... )

whats wrong with a good TPI any way !!??!!?

quote Originally posted by 4-mulaGT: HA oh no.... The 84 vettes came with teh 200hp crossfire twin TBI that was WAY worse than the TPI, AND had the newer body/frame (which alot of ppl dont like for some reason, which i cant understand.... ) whats wrong with a good TPI any way !!??!!?

Nothing wrong with TPI, but other than the one year wonder 84, the C4s all had either TPI or the LT1 (ZR1 not withstanding). I would think since the body style is the same, the later LT1 cars would be worth much more than the TPI cars because of the extra power. Although, you do get the video game dashboard in the early C4. Talk about classic 80's tech.

The C3 had the last big block, the last non-emissioned engine, the last carbureated engine, and also could be had with the monster 200 HP Cease-Fire Injection engine.

Just personal preference, but I would think the TPI C4 would be at the bottom of the ladder, followed by either the LT1 cars or the C3. Now, throw a 454 4-speed convertible C3 into the mix, and that just screws up the curve for everybody.

I agree with your exceptions. We have 2 ppl with C4 Miss-fire engines, but they dont have any problems. And we also have 3 early 70s C3s with 454s...last of the big muscle. There fast but break down a lot on our little tours.

The cheapest C3's for project type material that even purists will look the other way on:

1980-1982 CALIFORNIA only spec ones.

These weak kneed 305 (yes) powered wonders will get you home slower then many broken down duke powered Pontiac T1000's

Buy one, change the powerplant and trans and it will be a wonderful C3 for a daily use vehicle.

(I'd love to buy one and put the LS-7 in it. Talk about sleeper...)

As for collectibility, forget it.

As for C3 fun, It would be priceless.

[This message has been edited by htexans1 (edited 06-01-2008).]