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| biggrizzly | What is the best C3 year to buy? | ||
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2011 Memorial Day Car Show Winner!
 
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I know this is a loaded question, but if "one" was in the market to buy a C3 (hypothetically of course), which year would be the best to buy as far as driveability, dependability, best bang for buck? I would think the last two years would be the most desirable, but I'm afradi of that crossfire. I also like the looks of the later years too but seems "bumper cars" are the hot ticket these days.
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Posted on: 2010/4/6 15:32
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| captmike13 | Re: What is the best C3 year to buy? | ||
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Elite Guru
 
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I like the 67 through 73 personally. No emission crap to deal with.
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Posted on: 2010/4/6 15:35
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Mike| Andrew | Re: What is the best C3 year to buy? | ||
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My favorite and a great investment would be a 69 L88, or 73 for the unique chrome rear bumper only, however, from reading your notes, I'd suggest an 80. This is the last year without a "computer", has most of the comfort items you would want, and the price on these are very good right now. Down side is emission stuff and poor performance (mpg, top end, and 0-60).
I still love the lines of the C3 though. IMHO, best lines on a Corvette with the exception of the C2. |
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Posted on: 2010/4/6 15:49
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| TommyT-Bone | Re: What is the best C3 year to buy? | ||
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Chair-man of the bored
 
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A heavily modded 82 CE. 78 25th Anniversary, 72 Vert. Something along those lines.
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Posted on: 2010/4/6 15:57
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| BillH | Re: What is the best C3 year to buy? | ||
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The Stig Moderator
 
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67 Mike? :tongue: I like the 68 thru 73's too. But the 68's had their little problems, first year cars. I had a beautful 76 which I'm still kickin' myself in the ass for selling. |
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Posted on: 2010/4/6 16:15
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| 1Fast04Vert | Re: What is the best C3 year to buy? | ||
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73 with a big block would be nice.
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Posted on: 2010/4/6 18:42
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| captmike13 | Re: What is the best C3 year to buy? | ||
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Ok so I missed by one. No big deal they're all great. |
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Posted on: 2010/4/6 19:43
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| Ultraman | Re: What is the best C3 year to buy? | ||
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I think a 73 or 74 BB with air would be a kick. It would be rare and I liked the look of the 73. I had a 73 L82 Automatic. Liked it a lot and I also had a 71 with a 390 H.P. BB. Lots of fun! Had a 77 that was junk the day I bought it. The only Vette I couldn't wait to unload. The C4's are better sport cars so if I went back to C3's it would be to get something unique. I would take about any C2 if I could find one anywhere in reality.
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Posted on: 2010/4/6 21:41
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| Durango_Boy | Re: What is the best C3 year to buy? | ||
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I agree. I love the '73 with it's chrome rear bumper and front rubber bumper. Big block would be the way to go, with everything else as simplified as it could be and still be comfortable. |
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Posted on: 2010/4/6 21:46
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| cuisinartvette | Re: What is the best C3 year to buy? | ||
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Had a heck of a time getting rif of my 73 noone wanted the rubber front bumper...bang for the buck? For some reason the 70 something BB 74 or so cars are less than youd think.
74-82 are fairly reasonable and rode better than the ear;ier ones. Always wanted a 70 LT1 but prices are through the roof. |
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Posted on: 2010/4/7 0:02
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| bogus | Re: What is the best C3 year to buy? | ||
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Grand Imperial Pooh-Bah
 
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My recipe for the perfect C3:
1. Start with a 1979-82 vintage car. 2. Get an SRIII tube chassis 3. Upgrade with C5 driveline 4. Tons of cheap HP from LSx engine of choice 5. Add Greenwood widebody kit for that uber bad ass look Done. |
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Posted on: 2010/4/7 1:50
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| Matatk | Re: What is the best C3 year to buy? | ||
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Webmaster
 
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People want you to buy $40,000 big block cars. Come on. If you want a reasonable driver the 80-82s are great and haven't gone way up in price. If you want the chrome bumper, you can find some nice driver cars with the smaller motors for decent prices.
Matthew |
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Posted on: 2010/4/7 3:19
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| pr0zac | Re: What is the best C3 year to buy? | ||
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+1 |
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Posted on: 2010/4/7 23:10
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| Curtis1974 | Re: What is the best C3 year to buy? | ||
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Elite Guru
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I agree with the above mentioned on the '73. Great transition car. Very unique.
The '74 verts are pretty interesting as well as there was only 5474 produced. If you could get one in a 454 it was even more rare. The fact that it was the first year to have "rubber" bumpers all the way around and the one in the back had a split in it makes a vert with a big block, and a four speed pretty desirable. 33.7% had four-speed manual transmissions (down from 41.2% in 1973) which includes coups and verts. It's hard to say how many big block four speeds were produced but I know I haven't seen many. Last year a Corvette could run legally without catalytic converters. |
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Posted on: 2010/4/8 2:44
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| dstaley | Re: What is the best C3 year to buy? | ||
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Guru
 
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The early C3's (up to '73) are more popular but are more expensive, which reduces the "bang for the buck" value. I'd stay away from the 80-82 models because of the late model rear differential design, it was weaker than the earlier cast iron one without the batwings.
I'm personally partial to the flat deck behind the cabin, but if you like the bubble rear window, a 78-79 would be good. If you like the flat rear deck, look at something up to a '77. If you want a convertible, you're looking at a 75 or earlier. Big blocks drop into any of them without one causing more hassle than the others, with the possible exception of some of the later ones having a more difficult to deal with transmission crossmember- take a look at it to make sure you have a spot for the exhaust to pass through on both sides, and it's nice if the crossmember is bolted in rather than welded in place. So, if you're wanting to swap engines, any year will do. |
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Posted on: 2010/4/25 3:27
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| Jeffvette | Re: What is the best C3 year to buy? | ||
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Elite Guru
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It always fascinates me this fascination with a big block. They are heavy, they suck gas, did I mention they are heavy!
Andy has the right idea (minus the greenwood kit), depending upon what you are looking for. Mme, a LS based motor with a 6 speed would be in there. I've been shopping 80-82's and 70-72's, Everything else is meh to me from the 70's. |
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Posted on: 2010/4/25 4:40
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| Durango_Boy | Re: What is the best C3 year to buy? | ||
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Elite Guru
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I'd want a '73 with a big block because I have a small block Vette, and I like variety. Not to mention it can cost a LOT of money to build a small block that has the torque of a big block. Big blocks can be fairly cheap to build...fun to build, and let's not forget the 'wow' factor of popping the hood and showing off that massive mill. |
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Posted on: 2010/4/25 15:49
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| BrianCunningham | Re: What is the best C3 year to buy? | ||
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Senior Guru
 
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I autocrossed a friend's big block
that was definitely different, especially with the soft spring in it. I liked the raw nature of it.  |
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Posted on: 2010/4/25 19:20
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| dstaley | Re: What is the best C3 year to buy? | ||
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Guru
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What did you end up getting?
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Posted on: 2010/6/29 2:01
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| Matatk | Re: What is the best C3 year to buy? | ||
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Webmaster
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A broken LT1....(sorry, Don, I couldn't hold back the temptation....) |
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Posted on: 2010/6/29 2:12
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| DreamRide | Re: What is the best C3 year to buy? | ||
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Senior Guru
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My 79'
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Posted on: 2010/7/27 12:33
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| pianoguy | Re: What is the best C3 year to buy? | ||
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Guru Emeritus
 
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An LS3-powered '80 moves along smartly:
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Posted on: 2010/7/27 12:45
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| Trae1976 | Re: What is the best C3 year to buy? | ||
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2012 Memorial Day Car Show Winner!
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Quote:
pianoguy wrote: That would do.  |
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Posted on: 2010/7/27 13:01
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| c3corvette77 | Re: What is the best C3 year to buy? | ||
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Guru Newb
 
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I always wanted a 72, same year as me.....
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Posted on: 2010/9/3 2:57
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| Mekanic | Re: What is the best C3 year to buy? | ||
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Registered Vendor
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win. Cheap late rubber bumper car with all kinds of LS goodness shoved into it would do right for me |
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Posted on: 2010/9/4 19:57
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