Randy's recent post about C3 Corvettes as as CP autocrossers got me thinking about one as a track day toy. They cost next to nothing and have unlimited aftermarket support. I know that the frames rust, but the fiberglass body is a plus. Any thoughts?
they can be made to work......after nearly everything is replaced. Stock or anywhere close to stock and you'll be outhandled and prolly outrun by a midget in a rascal power chair.....
Basically, check frame closely.......I've seen one that looked right on a "restored C2", until it broke and some asshat had bondo'd it. Then look into suspension systems, braking systems, wheel/tire, then drivetrain upgrades.....Personally, at this point.....you'd probably be into the c3 more than you could buy a c4 for, and nearing cheaper c5's. Stupid Corvette tax on parts....
I have thought about this more then once. I like the body style of a C3 much more then a C4.
Funny, they didn't seem to handle badly back in the day versus the Ferraris, Jaguars, Porsches, etc...
They are like any other 70's car, they just need updating. The factory body can hold a pretty good size tire. I'd stick with 15's and run NASCAR style wheels/tires for maximum budget awesomeness. The suspension isn't great for autocross, but on a track it's a different story. Lots of options for the springs/shocks. Drivetrain is either a SBC or a BBC with something suitably stout for the trans, so no problems there.
You can still find late C3s with 4-speeds out there that people want rid of cheap. Many of the late 70's ones got shoved in the garage under a layer of dirt because the owner doesn't want to spend the time or money to fix it.
You're gonna find ones that need total refreshening, but if its going to be your track car, you're not going to have a problem gutting the interior and trimming off the fat. Yes, the suspension will need to be upgraded and what not, but you could build a competent track car with not that much work.
I've seen one or two back when I did HPDE, but they were basically full on race cars with C3 bodies on them. I owned an '80 once, and loved the car. But it would have made for a E36 M3y track car. I couldn't imagine trying to place that schnoz perfectly on an apex...I couldn't even see end the damn thing it was so big. It was exiting the corner by time I was halfway through. 
The joke around the table after the HPDE's with Corvette's used to be that they needed a floor jack to make it around the corners compared to the smaller sports cars. Of course with the advent of the C5 and C6, that isn't applicable.
Of course on the straights, the 'vette's with the oomph would drive right on by.
Bottom line? Do what you want and have fun with it. As with any old sports car, there is always room for improvement now that time has marched on. I suspect that one could use GRM methods for adapting better braking and body control technology without using vette specific parts.
Here's a local Detroit guy's C3...
A buddy of mine has an '80 with over 500hp. When he got it it was a pig. He took the body off the frame, did a bunch of re-inforcing of the frame, changed the suspension completely, replaced the power steering with a Borgeson system, upgraded the brakes and put the engine and a Tremec TKO600 in it. Oh, and he replaced the lousy seats with racing seats. That's just some of what he did. It's an incredible car now, but the original idea of a relatively cheap track car went out the window somewhere in the process. Personally, while I like the looks of the C3 better, for a track car I'd start with a C4.
Worked for Frankenstein. (I had to, it's halloween)
bravenrace wrote: Personally, while I like the looks of the C3 better, for a track car I'd start with a C4.
Hey... I know a guy.... lol
What I remember of the 79 we had was the frame was as stiff as a wet noodle, the brakes were messed up, you had to use adapters to fit a different wheel and that was just what I remember from a non-running car.
In reply to Bobzilla:
I was once asked to take a ride in a co-workers pristine '78 Vette. He let me drive. I drove it on some country roads as fast as I felt comfortable with, which wasn't all that fast. When we got back he asked me what I thought, and I lied. Then I took him for a ride in my turbo CRX. I can still remember the look on his face..
If it is for fun and the price is rite why not. Get one beat it to death and move on. Get it out of your system. However I would look at C5's. Stock they are a competent machine and they are hitting the sweet spot on the depreciation curve and with moderate add ons they can go faster than most drivers are capable of handling. (me included)
But PLEASE don't be one of those corvette drivers that slows down to a crawl in the corners and then blasts out of them down the strait to the next corner where they just crawl along. I found this so irritating when I tracked my 924s.
The draw back to any corvette is the consumables are quite high. Brake pads tires rotors will all cost you a lot due to the power and the weight.
The Old Man always called vettes Plastic Pigs. He was around til '82, and I tend to agree. All the room of a MG, with twice the douchebagliness.
wheelsmithy wrote: The Old Man always called vettes Plastic Pigs. He was around til '82, and I tend to agree. All the room of a MG, with twice the douchebagliness.
Best lookin' Chevy truck ever created! And I own one. Have considered track but can't afford THAT investment. Have auto-crossed it occasionally. Tight courses are no fun. Of course I had Hoosier A6s on 93 Vette 17x8.5 front and 17x9.5 rear.
In reply to vwcorvette:
I don't believe you. All I see is a pile of snow.
bravenrace wrote: In reply to vwcorvette: I don't believe you. All I see is a pile of snow.
Stowe autocross earlier this year. .003 off the pace of C5 z06
dean1484 wrote: But PLEASE don't be one of those corvette drivers that slows down to a crawl in the corners and then blasts out of them down the strait to the next corner where they just crawl along. I found this so irritating when I tracked my 924s.
QFT.
Did a PDX at Road America a couple weeks ago. A certain black Corvette convertible was exactly that.
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