Learn Me (and fast...) late-model C3 Corvettes

SWMBO & I's search for a fun, open-top summer car continues- and has taken a bit of an odd turn. We saw this shortly after it was posted last week:

http://lexington.craigslist.org/cto/5100367430.html

SWMBO's dad is a BIG Corvette guy, so she's got a definite like of them, and I rather like the older ones as well. From his looking over the listing when we saw him over the holidays he thought as long as it was solid mechanically that it was probably a pretty good deal, so we're currently planning on going out to look at it this evening.

What besides basic things (frame not rotted to dust, etc.) should I be looking at on the car? General thoughts?

It needs some love, but I would do it.

Those are kind of horrible at being sports cars. Theyre slow and the nose is too long and it makes them feel super weird when turning. If you think theyre cool and youre not concerned with the performance aspect then go for it. If you want a performance car that handles and hauls ass then buy almost anything else. For the same money you could probably get an LS powered 4th gen fbody with an automatic and it would do pretty much everything better. Just my opinion though.

Your woman's dad looked at the listing in December ("over the holidays")? It's been for sale for 6+ months?

I wonder why (unless I misunderstood your post).

My concern about that car is you will spend quite a bit of cash getting it back to presentable condition. Figure on at least a few $K in paint and then that again on the interior. Easily enough to buy a car that doesn't need anything and is ready to go now.

As far as C3's go... yeah... they aren't great as sports cars... but they are great as cruise-night cars, which I gather is what the OP & wife are looking for. Slap a burbling cat-back on it and it'll have all the "performance" it needs.

Methinks that you will spend so much to refurbish that one that you can buy a more expensive one that will cost less in the long run. If you want a project then fine but make sure that you understand expectations (being able to have fun in something that looks nice) versus the reality of what it is.

Guess I should have read Ian F's comment first. So there are two similar thoughts.

"Over the holidays" as in 'last weekend when we were back for the 4th'.

Ian is correct- we're not particularly looking at something performance... high on SWMBO's list of potential candidates is an Olds Cutlass Supreme convertible for example. We mainly just want something that we can enjoy the summer more than we can with the current cars (the D is one of the most enclosed cars there is, and her Mariner isn't exactly fun to cruise around in).

I like it since I like more interesting/different cars, and an older Vette fits that description. To get it into 'show' condition would obviously be quite a lot of money, but hopefully getting it back to just 'presentable' would be a good bit less. It also has the advantage of being an engine/transmission that I'm reasonably familiar with thanks to the Elky. We'd generally prefer a true convertible, but the T-tops (and I think it may have a removable rear glass) would be good enough to better enjoy the nice summer months.

In the short-term I'd likely be looking at using plastidip to improve how the body looks (SWMBO wants it blue, her favorite color- but that would like patently bizarre with the current dark red interior so I'm leaning more towards just keeping the white with a pearlized gloss finish...), put on some seat covers, fix any drivability issues, and just enjoy cruising around in it.

I think it fits your use case.

Having said that, I will also beat the dead and irrelevant horse by saying that, going into it with any kind of performance expectations, a stock late c3 vette was one of the most disappointing cars ive ever driven. I don't hate them, but you have to want the right things out of it for it to make sense.

If she likes it that's 90% of the answer right there.

I'd look hard at frame rot though. Fiberglass bodies hide all manner of sins underneath (as you already discovered with the Stainless D).

Yeah- ultimately (assuming it passes muster in not being a complete and total pile of rust and runs fine) it's going to come down to whether SWMBO wants it or not. We'll see what I- and ideally, she- think about it after driving it. A lot of this car search hinges on what she likes/wants (hence why unless I find a screaming deal on something really fun it has to be an automatic), so if she wants it and I don't think it's going to be a complete money pit disaster I can probably deal with it.

Will be interesting though seeing the condition, and if we get it deciding what I want to do to it if we get it. I asked the FIL about whether if we got it I should be aiming to keep things as original as possible or go for resto-mod style 'upgrade what's broken/not working right' and he was adamant that I should keep it as original as possible, but we'll see.

Make sure you fit with the Windows up. My shoulder hits the glass and I have to lean to drive. Horribly uncomfortable position.

Look very close a the body work and the paint. In talking with the local Corvette guys, they usually end up costing 20-40% more to paint than steel cars because most shops can't do fiberglass good and if there were prior sins, it was usually done wrong. There can be a lot of sins hidden in a supposedly good car.

My wife loves them and I have the green light to buy one whenever I want to get one. I would have to find a good one to drive as all of the ones I've driven were really a let down.

Dusterbd13 wrote: Make sure you fit with the Windows up. My shoulder hits the glass and I have to lean to drive. Horribly uncomfortable position.

Will definitely check that, thanks!

I like them. I drove quite a few at an old job. Check the frame rails ahead of the rear wheels. That's where I've usually seen the worst rust. Check the bushings that hold the rear end in place. They are probably dry rotted and will make a clunking noise. They aren't tough to change except for the heavy lifting. They are not as fast at they look and most likely the rear hatch does not open. If I remember right only the Collectors Editions did. Most of the parts are simple and inexpensive GM except the brake calipers but at this age they should have been replaced by now.

Awful driving cars that look cool.

Driver seat is not exactly inline with the steering wheel. But looking over that hood with the big fender bumps is cool.

You are better off getting a nicer one. It will be far cheaper in the long run.

Don't bother keeping it original, it's one of the least desirable corvettes made. Restomod it to your liking, and safety! Those things are slower than a prius. My grandparents collected vettes (only one left a 54 with a 327 that will never go back to a "stock" 6cyl) and ive had some experience with those c3s, they had a 76 and 77 I used to wrench on. Swap some bumpers so its not as hideous, add a better motor and enjoy.

Got home from work and hopped in the car with SWMBO and called up the seller- and he said someone had looked at it earlier and put a deposit down on it. Said to call back tomorrow since the guy was supposed to come back in the morning to pay the difference and pick it up. Oh, well- I guess we keep looking...

Rust in the birdcage is really hard to spot. The frame around the windshield and down the A Pillar area was never painted at the factory. If the interior is wet, walk away. The windshield gasket shrinks, water sits on the bare metal and you end up with Swiss Cheese supporting the windshield and doors. Unless you are very accomplished at fiberglass and welding, runaway. This issue can't be fixed cheaply. Google Corvette birdcage rust repair if you want a scare. The majority of Corvettes I've seen for sale in Florida have this issue and this isn't the rust belt.

I've owned my shark bodied 75 since 2001. It's nothing beautiful to look at but I've made it mechanically reliable and I update whenever possible. Chevy made half a million C3 vettes. Spend a little more and get a better car unless you want to upgrade to more modern brakes, suspension, drivetrain, etc. I realize this one is sold. Get the best you can afford and enjoy it. Most are not collectible. The few that are are priced accordingly. Got to give three young kids rides this weekend. Made their day.

This is my car from this weekend

For some reason, I am drawn to 1979 Corvettes, which I think are generally considered to be the cheapest and least desirable Corvettes of all. I don't know...I just like them. I think that it's just a nice clean design without all the spoilers and chrome. Especially the rear 3/4 view.

Drove an 82. Not my cup of tea. Then I drove a c5zo6 and was in love. Don't know your price range but test drive one if you can. I needed a grin-ectomey a week later.

I have worked on more than a handful and Im not a fan. The chrome bumper cars are some of my favorite vettes ever, and I would love one for a cruiser but I cant stand any of the plastic bumper cars, because about the only thing good the early cars have (the good looks) is lost on the later cars, IMO. The plastic bumper cars always look huge to me and the early cars look smaller even though they are the same.

Most of the ones I see are kinda half restored, half ass body work, half ass interior, and half ass mechanicals, which may influence my disdain for them.