Well I have been out of town all weekend and just back.  I am still considering all of the wisdom filled info ya'll have given me in this topic.  Yea Rick, I have been feeling a little skiddish about pursuing the '68 in the link I posted based on the exchanges with the dealer that I have mentioned previously. After all, it is alot of $ and feel that maybe some more research and knowledge gained will help me make a better decision.  And from your suggestions I won't follow thru with a purchase without consulting a more seasoned C3 veteran.

The vast majority of the dealers buy the cars at auctions or as trade-ins.  Most restorations are done by shops and some by individuals (like me).  When an owner gets tired of a car, there is always a dealer out there that is willing to buy it for bottom dollar, make a few cosmetic repairs, color sand and buff and then turn it around listed as a "great driver" or "older restoration" and make some decent money at the expense of the buyers naivete'.  Keep your head on and shop wisely (Don't buy on impulse).

[QUOTE=rdupler2]

Well fellas.... you have certainly given me alot to think about, i.e.,

1. Do I really want an "investment grade" car that I cannot really drive or one that I am not afraid to drive?
2. Do I want a '68 considering the problem with one-off year parts availability?
3. Perhaps better to go with a '69 (fewer parts problems and '68 bugs worked out) or '70 (rarer due to the shortened model year).
4. Maybe a later year model with more "creature comforts"?

[/QUOTE]

Just my $.02.

Why do I see so many 80 vettes for sale? anything under a 80 seems to pick up value. The 80 was the last year they had carbs after that they went to fuel injection.

Well it's just surprising to me how many Corvette only dealers there are and how many C3's seem to be available from them ....at mostly premium prices.  They must get 'em fairly inexpensively considering how much (at least from what I have read and heard) it costs to restore one.

Thanks also for the thoughts on big vs small block. While my preference is for the big block car as an investment,  I would also like to be able to drive the car.  I priced insurance from Haggerty thru my Allstate agent. The $329/yr they quoted for the '68 427/390 was based on only dirving it a max of 300 miles per year .

Finally, thanks for the info on the '80 model year. You've got a great looking one  but I am very partial to the '68 thru '72 bumper cars.  Hopefully I will end up with my dream Corvette soon.  Just have to avoid getting too excited and ending up with a problem car.

Regards,

Roger,
Just for comparison sake, why don't you call Grundy and get a quote from them on a '68 427/390. Make sure that you ask for the same "declared value" and other coverage. Grundy has unlimited mileage. Their toll free number is 1-800-338-4005.

[QUOTE=frstvette]Why do I see so many 80 vettes for sale? anything under a 80 seems to pick up value. The 80 was the last year they had carbs after that they went to fuel injection.[/QUOTE] DaveM2007-10-24 06:58:32

Hey Roger,

Ok, I will call Grundy and Hagerty and get more info.  The girl that I spoke to at Allstate did not seem to be that familiar with it.  Maybe they don't sell that much insurance for classic cars.  Oh well, being a rookie at this I assumed that the best way was to go thru my insurance agent.