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Topic: New Member Seeking Info/Help

in Forum: C3 General Discussion


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New Member Seeking Info/Help (7/17)
 8/2/11 7:05pm
tsar777
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Joined: 7/30/2011
Posts: 8

I'm probably missing the obvious but what do you gain by getting a 1970 as opposed to a 1971 or 1972? Don't they all have the chrome bumpers and the 1970's were a strike years and hence scarcer. Why not just get a 71 or 72?
New Member Seeking Info/Help (8/17)
 8/2/11 10:20pm
Jaws79Lifetime Member
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Sykesville, MD - USA

Vette(s):
1979 Corvette Coupe Corvette Light Blue Midnight Blue interior Mirrored Glass T-tops


Joined: 4/27/2008
Posts: 4238

I would say no difference. It really all depends on what you find that you like. 68 to 72 all had chrome bumpers front and rear if thats what you're after. I probably would avoid 68s, only because they have many unique parts and therefore may be harder to restore. However, do not discount the 73 to 82 models. They have soft bumpers, yes, but have the same body style with many more features. The 79 to 82 have the most comfortable seats and the 78 to 82 have the most interior room (fastback style). Go to someplace like a dealer to drive a few to see what you like. Any of them can be modified to do almost anything you desire. In many states, if you register the car as historic, it doesn't need emission or safety inspections. Happy hunting!
 
Barry
 
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New Member Seeking Info/Help (9/17)
 8/3/11 12:52am
tsar777
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Posts: 8

Thank you for the clear explaination of the various years. I am going to try to get to the Wabash BBQ meet up tomorrow in Excelsior Springs around 4:00 and I did visit Vintage Vettes once last week. So it is slowly coming together. Its been one of those dreams that was forgotten till I went to the Vette show at the City Market. 

By the way, at ten every Sunday morning thru September 25, there is a car show at the City Market. Last week was Z cars. This sunday its Rolls Royces and vintage cars. Its quite well done with a metal roofed pavilian in case of rain or bright sun. Both the Corvette show and the Z show had several dozen cars of high quality...like new. Its not advertized hardly at all. I just happened to catch a blurb in the Thursday KC Star Preview section about the vettes. The Z cars show was not shown at all.
New Member Seeking Info/Help (10/17)
 8/3/11 12:53am
tsar777
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Joined: 7/30/2011
Posts: 8

Its right next to the Arabia steamboat display.
New Member Seeking Info/Help (11/17)
 8/3/11 8:53am
Jaws79Lifetime Member
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Sykesville, MD - USA

Vette(s):
1979 Corvette Coupe Corvette Light Blue Midnight Blue interior Mirrored Glass T-tops


Joined: 4/27/2008
Posts: 4238

Take your time and gather as much information as you can before you make the leap. That way the experience will be complete pleasure, not a "what have I done?" moment.
 
Barry
 
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Jaws792011-08-03 05:53:52

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New Member Seeking Info/Help (12/17)
 8/3/11 10:46am
kwoody
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Tucson, AZ - USA

Vette(s):
1982 Black/Tan Leather Build Code C09E Bronze TTop CrossFire Fuel Injection L83 85 Fuel Pump Auto Axle 2.72 Firestone Firehawk Indy500


Joined: 7/11/2010
Posts: 415

Welcome tsar777!

I hope you find what you are looking for.  I got out of the Air Force (ours) in 1983.  I was looking forward to the new vette that was to come out that year.  Turns out the C4 was not produced until 84.  I put the vette desires on hold for over 20 years and put up with my first plastic car that did me well.  But, when the day came, I was happy to put the bumper sticker on my Saturn station wagon - MY OTHER PLASTIC CAR IS A CORVETTE -  a happy day.  Clap

Enjoy the site and I hope you stick around.

Keith



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New Member Seeking Info/Help (13/17)
 8/3/11 12:26pm
tsar777
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Joined: 7/30/2011
Posts: 8

That's inspiring. I just completed the Mopar phase of my life. My friend with ADD actually got me into Mopars...Nuff said?

So I am excited about vetting a vette.

Yes, our dreams do come true if we pursue them long enough.
New Member Seeking Info/Help (14/17)
 8/3/11 1:17pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20126

First off, Welcome to C3VR!!!

The '70-'72 Corvettes are basically the same cars. The real difference is in the horsepower ratings. The '70 cars had more hp, theoretically, depending on the engine. The Guvment was requiring the manufacturers to phase in engines that would run on low/no leaded fuels at that time, so horsepower suffered. The WAY the engine were rated also changed, from Gross Hp(bare engine, no accessories such as power steering/alternator, etc), to Net Hp(engine with all accessories mounted).
Of course, a '72 LS6 would be the King, but they're really rare....and expensive!
A sweet, LT1 is always nice, but a base engined, Corvette is good, too. You gotta decide how much you want to spend, and buy the best car you can afford, unless you just want a project car, and are willing to shell out the $$$$$$$ over time to fix it up, and get it the way you want.

There are many different forums here available to members. This particular topic would fit perfectly in the "C3 General Discussion" forum. Since this discussion is now taking place in the "Welcome" forum, a LOT of folks will not see it, so the response will be limited. I'll see if I can move this to the Gen Disc. forum, and allow more folks to join in, and help.


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New Member Seeking Info/Help (15/17)
 8/3/11 1:45pm
tinbender
Former Member

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edgwood, MD - USA

Vette(s):
1975 convertible,with the hard top and power streering.it a 350 L48 with auto trans. the color is light blue.


Joined: 11/1/2007
Posts: 736

First let me say the you came to the right place to get information/help with vette issues.Second the people here are the most friendly,helpful and playful I have meet.That said the C-3 corvette like a canvas,and you can make it your our piece of work to suit your taste.Like I say a C-3 looks fast standing still you can't beat the lines of the car,but that just my opinion.Good Luck on yours.
                           Rick
New Member Seeking Info/Help (16/17)
 8/3/11 4:45pm
yostusota
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York, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1969 daytona conv. all original 350 350 380 4 sp w/air..and hard top


Joined: 5/18/2010
Posts: 1518

I looked for two years..I got a L46 4 speed with some options...really what you pay is going to be determined by what the car comes with..a bumper car with tons if history and paperwork and originality can bring more..that said it really depends on if you want that..if you want a stock L46 then go for it..but if you want a car to make fast then get a base 300 hp car and go for the 3 C's..these cars are not hard to work on if you have basic knowledge of how a car works..but really if you know nothing get some books and see if you want to get into it..they can go either way..you fix it or you pay someone to do it for you..are they a nightmare..I don't think so..but really it depends if you can tolerate doing something to the car every once in a while..it depends on how much was done before you get the car..rear wheel bearings and brakes are big ones..it can be costly do do them but it usually only needs done once if it was done right..it really comes down to what do you want to do with it.

Rich

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New Member Seeking Info/Help (17/17)
 8/3/11 11:54pm
chances rLifetime Member
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spicewood, TX - USA

Vette(s):
Sold them Both


Joined: 9/13/2009
Posts: 72

68-72's are often sought after because they were the last of the "Bumper Cars".  And as time goes by, they generally are becoming more and more rare at a reasonable price.  Corvettes have gotten a bad rep because they are unique, and share very little with their GM cousins.  Unlike most GM cars that share the same basic footprint across the relate bodystyles and across differing product lines.  The cars are mostly fiberglass.  Bodywork takes alot more time and practice.  Remember, the cars do not weigh much to begin with, so it does not require a ton of horsepower to really get them rolling, as it would with the vintage steel cars.
 
As was said earlier, C3 engines are easy to manipulate.  But the cars can also be difficult to work on.  Only because you have limited space, and odd angles to access key parts.  Being that the hood raises in reverse, and that everything is fit so tightly into the engine compartment.
 
Remember, C3's are 30 - 40+ years old.  Cutting edge during their time. and To Me, they are not for the faint of heart.  OR for owners without patience.  Time and time again, I have met people that lose interest in their cars, because it DOES take time to fix the little things that most any vintage car will need to have fixed.  AND Because they saw some car show on TV where a shop full of professionals had a car done in a matter of months.  And they cannot understand why one man alone in his garage cannot do it just as fast, in his spare time.  40 year old cars need fixing.  Little stuff and big stuff.  It is that simple.  Not all the time, but things happen, and parts need rebuilding.
 
To me, Corvettes are a passion, of those that own them.  I always dreamed of owning a 69 Corvette.  And now I am rebuilding 2 of them. Why two? Because I can.  Because I have always wanted one, passionately.  And just happened to stumble into two of them.
 
The people I have met here are passionate about their cars.  They are passionate about each others cars.  I have seen the comradary and the knowledge that they share with each other.  These cars are as unique as their owners.  Restoration, Retro-mod, or totally blown out.  It is not a matter of money, it is a matter of taste and desire.  And to each his own. 
 
Pick what works for you and your budget.  Build it that way.
 
Mike
chances r2011-08-03 20:57:55

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