Well you have done the first right thing in your search for your perfect vette and thats getting to here. I joined here before I got my car. After having done a body off on a 57 210  years ago I thought I was ready for anything. Wrong, this is a bow tie of a different breed. The seemingly simple becomes a multi week project and perfection seems to elude me. You have to know your limitations. I too wanted and still want a steel bumper but I'll learn and enjoy my 80. I live in Florida also and my first requirement was working A/C. I looked for cars up and down both coasts and there is a lot of junk out there. Take VETTERBOB up on his offer.

Man thanks for all of the info, there is a wealth knowledge here. I'll keep you posted as I progress.

Rick

yesterdays St pete times  classifieds had 2 chrome bumper vettes listed for sale. 68. and 69

 

Hey Rick -

I found a couple of cars to call on if you wish.  610-582-4161 - '68 39,000 orig mi, nos. match, 327/350 eng w/4spd, T-tops, dual SS exh, orig tank sticker for $26,500

859-442-9486 (KY) '68 Convertible, 327/300 matching nos, 4 spd, Blue ext, new blk interior, garage kept, never been in rain (??) for $27,250 obo

Texas car - '72 Coupe, blue over blue, matching nos., 454ci. V-8, automatic (yuck), restored, call for price - 806-792-4699

'69 427/390, M-21 4spd, fatham green, grn int, T-tops, pw, t/t, nos. match, same owner for 20+ yrs, NCRS show winner, seriousinquiries, $35,999.  304-472-0215

'69 350/300hp, 4spd, 86K orig mi, AC/climate control, Gold w/black int, new inspection recent valve job & new head gaskets, recent tun-up, new belts, recent tranny service for $21,500 obo at 717-645-3722

Texas & Kentucky (southern area) usually don't have rust - no salt on the roads.........

 

I went through this 2 years ago with my wife. She finally agreed to allow me to buy a vette that I could drive.

While I could drive mine it needed n almost complet restoration once I started getiing into it. My wife has been a trooper but man do I wish I listened to some of the guys with some experiance.

My recommendation is to try and find a frame off and documented Vert, with air and chrome bumpers. The verts will always be more valuable. There are guys that have dumped $25k in to their cars to make it like new. Pay a little more for one that has been completely restored unless you have a lot of time patience and money and really really enjoy working on cars.

Don't get me wrong. I love my vette but I really miss driving it since replacing the carpet has turned in to a complete interior restoration and of course it has to be painted before the interior goes back in. You get my drift.

Buy one and drive it. There is nothing like a chrome bumper C3!

Bill

 

68-72 is a good choice. Be prepared to shell out some bucks for a good 68. That's my most desiriable year although I own a 71. I love it and have done a certain amont of restore. I feel that I have doubled the value already, and will probably have more into it than its worth. Its a labor of love, and resale doesn't matter to me, as I have made her part of the family and not ready to divorce her. Good luck with your C3 journey. You won't regret chrome bumbers. Terry

As mentioned above by Terry, I'm with her for life barring a major crisis. She's far from original at this point, but there's no better feeling (well, maybe a couple) than climbing  into the cockpit and hearing the engine come to life. Too much $$$ invested to part with now.....probably worse thing I can do is break even. Good luck with your search.

JR

 

Investment is a strange reason to buy. I used that angle to get mine but once you start driving it and get hooked, investment is long out of your mind.

Advice: unless you are a mechanic or body man, buy the best car you can afford.

English: completely original= nothing has been done to this car in 25+ years and you need to put allot of your money in to enjoy a reasonable driving car. For longer term investment and short term enjoyment, buy something that has had everything replaced to original specs so everything is functional.

Chrome bumper cars are in their prime now so appreciation is faster. Soft bumpers cars can still be found at a great value, your choice. Either way buy something you like.

 

Gotta go with the "chrome bumper"....I totally agree!!  Investment, yep that was my angle too.  That's gone now, I'm drivin' my puppy till I can't get in or out of it anymore.  It's like a piece of "history."  Crank windows, bright light button on the floor and of course the loud engine noise.....there is no other car but a C3.  Well........I used to have a C2, '65, conv., air & I admit that I regret selling it - she was so sweet.

Found out also just yesterday I had a tire blow out, driver's side, front.  I was doing 65 and that C3 '69 handled just fine to the shoulder of the road so I could put my spare on. 

Got some new tires and 4 mags.  But, I saved the beauty rings, etc. just in case I do sell eventually.  That's another option you have - make your changes, but keep the original stuff.  You might want to consider the color.  You don't see many Vette's this color - I don't think it was a "best seller color."   Well, it kinda grows on ya!