It is always interesting to find out you people came to own a C3 Corvette. Some of us have told that story but it may have been a long time ago so let me start with mine. Please add yours to the list.
I had a friend, Tom, in college that work at a muffler shop and was the driver for the owners that were trying to break a speed record (I do not remember what it was) at the Bonneville Salt flats. I do remember Tom wanted to be the youngest man to break the 200 mph which meant he had to do it before he was 21. That was in 1964. They were using a C2. This was my first encounter with a Corvette.
From then on, I always wanted to own a corvette and I fell in love with the C3 curves. Got married and family and kids came first. I almost purchased a chrome bumper corvette in the early 2000‘s but it was not in that good of shape and I really did not have the money to fix it up.
Imagen my surprise in 2007 when my wife, for Father's Day no less, purchased me a 1982 Collector’s Edition Corvette from her girlfriend that had not driven it for a longtime.
I drained the gas put about 5 gallons in the tank, put in a new battery and it started. I drove it carefully home as you could feel the flat spots on the tires. I went to register it and like I thought, it had not been non-opt for a number of years. I live in California and that cost me a little over $2500. It turned the purchase price from a great deal to a good deal. Anyway, it is the thought that counted. My wife knew I wanted a C3 corvette and when she had a chance, she purchased one for me.
I was traveling for work a lot and I found if I purchased the parts my brother-in-law would come over and install them for me while I was gone. Believe me when I say I took advantage of this opportunity.
I started off making it safe to drive, new tires, brakes, shocks, and steering came first. Then came the major vacuum issues, and a new dash along with replacing the heater core while it was easy to get at. I upgraded radio and speakers. I still have the 8 track radio and the original rims. The paint job was ok so I did not do that. The list goes on and on and on.
I love this forum because there is always someone to provide help when you need it. Like most 82 Collector Editions the back window would not open because the hinges are poorly made, and they stretch over the years. I found a person through contacts made on this forum that made a set of hinges for his wife’s car and about once a year made six sets to sell. I was able to become the sixth buyer that year and had a set of hinges within two months of ordering them.
1982 are not the fastest of the C3 but Lots of fun to drive and that fuel injection makes them start like a dream. However, if you own a crossfire, you know why it was not in production very long.
What is next? I need to replace the rubber fuel lines as the new fuel makes them swell up and become dangerous. I have some vacuum leaks still but nothing major. I need to repair the cruise control and the corvette.
I'm not a possessive type of guy when it comes to cars, and I will let people I know drive my corvette and my wife thinks I am crazy for doing that. She especially thought that when I started letting boys from church after they received their driver's license drive the corvette to their home after church.
At 75 years old, I still like the way it feels on the road and love the car's design. It needs a paintjob. I’m going to be sacrileges and paint it a Toyota metal flake red so it can show off those fantastic C3 curves. It will give the next owner something to do.
Hopefully you have alcohol-free gas in your area because otherwise you will eventually have problems in the fuel system. It was not designed to tolerate alcohol.
1973 L-82 4 spd
not a chance I live in California
If you go to "My Story" under the "Account" menu you can create your story for all to see. You can also see a list of others that have already created a story by going to "Member Stories" under the "Members" menu.
-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: C3 Vette Registry
C4 Vette Registry, C6 Vette Registry
My first Vette, now owned by JB79: