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Topic: Should I buy a 'Survivor'?

in Forum: C3 General Discussion


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Should I buy a 'Survivor'? (1/9)
 8/4/11 8:15am
Wazgards
Former Member

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, - Australia

Vette(s):
1974 L82 Silver with black interior. Factory M21, Power windows & steering. Side pipes just because I can.


Joined: 7/11/2011
Posts: 18

Hey guys, 

Im currently looking at a 72' 33k mi survivor (mint cond) big block in my quest to purchase one of these cars. Any comments? I LOVE original cars - that's my thing, but im worried that I could be buying a car that will be a world of pain with up keep and repairs having such little use... of course on the flip side I could buy a car that has had money spent on it but could be a complete lemon...

Anyone got any comments on buying a survivor car? Or any experience?

Waz
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Should I buy a 'Survivor'? (2/9)
 8/4/11 8:40am
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

All a survivor car means is that its had nothing major done to it. Some repairs to these cars are always in order (rubber parts, brakes, etc.). It depends on what shape its in. Some people call a car a survivor to cover up its a POS. It depends on the car. Check it out!
 
Barry
 
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Should I buy a 'Survivor'? (3/9)
 8/4/11 8:43am
Gunslinger
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Frederick, MD - USA

Vette(s):
1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior


Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398

My opinion...and that's not worth much...is that survivor cars are important to the hobby.  They're a reference to how Chevrolet originally built the cars, warts and all.  Once you change something, those references are lost.  If you're willing to own it on those terms (my way of looking at it), then go ahead if the price is reasonable.  

The worst thing you can do is not drive the car...the systems need to be operated to keep from deteriorating.  Brakes on a C3 are a good example...good design but troublesome if not used.

What do you want out of a car?  A driver you can do what you want with or a survivor you can drive some and look at a lot?  Of course, if it's your car you can do what you want with it...don't listen to me.  

Any car can be a world of pain keeping up with...C3's are no different and a good example.  Maintaining a survivor can be a pain at times...making sure repairs are done properly, date codes and markings, etc.  It can also be a source of a lot of pride.

It all depends on what you want.  A great survivor is better than a poorly done non-survivor and a poor, unreliable survivor car does no one any good...and can become a money pit of the first order.
Should I buy a 'Survivor'? (4/9)
 8/4/11 8:44am
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

Oh, by the way, if it still has the original tires, DO NOT DRIVE IT until you put other tires on it. If you want to keep the original tires and wheels, get a matching new set and new tires. Forty year old tires are an accident waiting to happen (look at other posts to see what can happen!).
 
Barry
 
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Should I buy a 'Survivor'? (5/9)
 8/4/11 9:07am
eboLifetime Member
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Holland Patent, NY - USA

Vette(s):
#1 *1980 White, Red interior 14,000 mile #2 *1980 Red, Oyster interior 93,000 miles Resto project car, rebuilt to 383 stroker


Joined: 6/3/2008
Posts: 4420

Just e-mailed you some pict of this 1972
 
Evil Smileebo


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Should I buy a 'Survivor'? (6/9)
 8/4/11 10:51am
KeBo
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Kendall Park, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1981 - 59 Beige over Cinnebar leather. Edlebrock top end, 2200 stall w/shift kit, 3:55s, Mufflex maniback exhaust, nice stereo, 16 in AREs w/BFGs


Joined: 3/9/2005
Posts: 789

Few things - As we all know every Corvette has money pit potential. Its just a matter of how deep of a gut you have. Me the moron, has 32k into an 81. However I have no regrets.   Is this a survivor or is this a SURVIVOR? I've seen Earl Sheib'ed cars called survivors.  If its a real survivor, imho, its a privledge to own one and DRIVE one provided the value would not be harmed.   Belts, hoses, tires, break pads, a clutch - you need these to drive and drive safe. If the price is right and the car checks out, GO FOR IT!!! 
Should I buy a 'Survivor'? (7/9)
 8/6/11 10:39pm
Wazgards
Former Member

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, - Australia

Vette(s):
1974 L82 Silver with black interior. Factory M21, Power windows & steering. Side pipes just because I can.


Joined: 7/11/2011
Posts: 18

Yeah I agree -- you MUST drive these things, and thats what I intend on doing. A once a month cruser is what im after. Im thinking ill just need to be prepared to have some extra cash set aside for things like bushes, shocks etc! Got my eye on a couple now, and getting the feeling more people are becoming negotiable (realistic!) due to the economy etc!
Should I buy a 'Survivor'? (8/9)
 8/7/11 9:04am
lukesvetteLifetime Member
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HOWELL, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.


Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812

Like any C3, even a survivor can have some skeletons in the closet. Birdcage and chassis issues aside from a thorough once over are 2 main areas that I'd try to look for. 

With the chassis, you really need to the the car up in the air. Rusted out trailing arm mounts in the rear, separated spring pockets in the front and soft frame rails are  some key areas I'd look for. Tapping around with a ball peen hammer should give you nice crisp "clanks" on a clean chassis.

As for the bird cage, see if you'd be permitted to hit the windshield with a hose. If water is leaking from the inside windshield moldings, thats a tell tale sign of a rotted out upper frame. We did this on a local 77 and it looked like Niagra Falls inside the car. The owner immediately knocked $2K off the price. 

Also, if  you can pop off a kick panel (one phillips head screw) you'll see body mount #2 inside. Any severe rust is also a bad sign here. On the same 77, we were able to see the chassis through some dime sized holes...Dead  At this point the guy said he needed to fix these issues before he proceeded to sell the car (I think he was going to try to get over on someone less knowledgeable).

Hope this gives you some insight of things to look for aside from normal wear and tear items...

Paul
Should I buy a 'Survivor'? (9/9)
 8/7/11 10:25am
manget1Lifetime Member
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Indianapolis, IN - USA

Vette(s):
Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses. 2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible


Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2418

Ask the seller to define "Survivor."  Does he have a certificate earned from Bloomington Gold?  If not, then the car is not a Survivor (they have the term trademarked and have strict requirements for it).
 
That said, even if it is a true survivor, that doesn't mean it's in pristine condition.  I would, at the very least, find the services of a mechanic near where the car is (and not one recommended by the seller) to have it checked out.  You might even ask a member here to take a look if one is near.
 
My opinion, if I were as far from the US (where most of the parts are), I would not want to get a survivor.  That way, if you need to repair, replace, or fabricate something, you won't need to worry so much about it not being original.  But that's just me.  I never intended to get a car as original as mine (it is not an official survivor and I'm not sure it would qualify), but I now find that I spend more on repairs for certain pieces than I would like to and I feel limited in "personalizing" the car.  Yes, it's mine and I can do what I want, but I feel an obligation to the hobby to try to keep it original (at least for now...)
 
Good luck in whatever you choose to do!


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