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Topic: New Member Seeking Info/Help

in Forum: C3 General Discussion


New Member Seeking Info/Help

Posted: 7/30/11 9:19pm Message 1 of 17
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So I guess 3C means the third generation of Corvette. The first being the 1955 thru 1960 or so. The second being the 1963 thru 1966 or so. The third being this 1970's body style. 

So I posted some questions. I guess those were not yet answered, the answer is on some other page along with the question or else it all happens on Facebook. Which is it. 

And to restate the question. What is the big deal with the 1970 Vette. I guess it was pre smog and perhaps had a certain motor to it. 

I have trouble seeing why people like the big block when it seems to only have 25 or so more horsepower than the 350/350. Wouldn't the smaller block rev higher and have less weight making the car perform better. Or is it that you have so much potential in the big block to hop it up that you can go to 500 or 600 horse power. Do you make the really big flared out fenders yourself or is there a kit to morph onto the stock car. The one video of the German vette had 15" tires..I think that is 15" wide. How reliable is a stock 350/350 corvette with carburetion. As reliable as a 1973 240Z (mine was bullet proof) like a Chevy Impala of 1970, or like an MGB, a true pain in the ass. Just wondered what I am getting into here. It seems to me that what would make the most sense would be to buy a good 1970 350/350 with carburetion (the corvette guy told me to beware of fuel injection)  then slowly hop it up a bit here and there. Once I had determined if it was the car for me, get another and start building a crazy wild one kind of like the German black on on the video but not to the tune of $180,000 like his. Where is the corvette market now. At the bottom, at a terrible bottom, climbing out of the hole or scarce as hens teeth. I had my heart set on a stock 1963 convertable like the frat boys had while I walked to class and then worked till midnight washing dishes. But now this 1970 Vette idea is growing on me. They say there is no such thing as a stupid question. I hope those on this forum agree.

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Adams' Apple2011-08-03 10:25:56


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New Member Seeking Info/Help

Posted: 7/31/11 9:00pm Message 2 of 17
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Lemon Grove, CA - USA
Joined: 10/17/2007
Posts: 2041
Vette(s): 1982 C3 Collectors Edition 44000 miles, sat in the sun most of its life, My wife purchased it for me for Father's Day in 2007 from her girlfriend that had it for 19 years. It is on the road again. I'm retired but it is now my daily driver.
You are welcome and there is no such thing as a stupid question. 

While we have fun on this forum we do not like being made fun of. Approve  We all really like our C3 basic body style. 

From your post I'm not sure what you are trying to get answered or making fun of people that own a C3.  I own a crossfire and yes they can be a pain in the ass but I have seen some run really strong.  (mines not there yet).  I have found people that do not like them just do not understand them.  They can give you 200hp at 18 plus miles per gallon not bad for a daily driver.  For 500 buck or more you can easily get them up to 240hp and 18 to 20 miles per gallon that really is good and fun as a daily driver. 
One thing I would mention it would seem you are being disrespectful of earlier C3's, If was not your intention then I apologize.  I would suggest that you be more careful on the way you word your questions.

I have also found that asking one question at a time or grouping them would help for example if you are trying to decide to purchase a small or a large block with an idea to make it a real monster why not ask it in those terms.  If you did I would bet you would get a lot of responses. 


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Posted: 7/31/11 9:23pm Message 3 of 17
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First I was not trying to make fun of any one or any car. I don't know how that was read into my post. Over the years I have heard horror stories about corvettes but I always assumed it was certain model years and then the smog years. That is why I was asking for the comparison. I have no idea what a crossfire is. I would walk past the 63-66 Vettes at the Frat houses when I was going to class and later wash dishes at night. I assumes I would get one some day, but now this idea of the 1970 Vette came up. Cheaper, something I could take out and romp on with a big ass engine, to get the frustrations out of my system. I do not understand the whole dynamics of Corvettes over the years. But I do know that certain friends would not shut up about the horrible vettes they had. I have no ax to grind as I have not put one dollar into a corvette. In highschool some wonderful chevy salesman took me for a test drive and signed me of for the corvette news. 

I'm just trying to get a handle on whats, what. with the various years of corvettes. It seems that if I could get a 1970 corvette for $7.,600 like my friend claims to have, with even a 300 horse engine, it would be a no brainer unless it was like that MGB that I had, a disaster. 

This site is terribly confusing to me likne most computer sites. I have no idea what I am doing and where these posts are being answered. It does not seem logical, but none of the sites seem logical to me. So I plug along and try to make a game plan for this corvette idea. 

Thanks you and sorry for being disrespectful of corvettes. 



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Posted: 8/1/11 5:49pm Message 4 of 17
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Sykesville, MD - USA
Joined: 4/27/2008
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Vette(s): 1979 Corvette Coupe Corvette Light Blue Midnight Blue interior Mirrored Glass T-tops
I don't know, a 1970 Corvette for only $7,500 is either a great deal or its hiding some warts. The chrome bumper C3s (68 to 73) usually go for a lot more then that, usually $20,000 plus. The only problem with Corvettes is that there is a lot more things you have to look out for then in ordinary cars. Since they are different and collectable, there are many people out there looking to take unsuspecting consumers money. I would not buy ANY collectable car (especially Vettes) without having a reputable shop (for Corvettes, a Corvette shop) look it over. Any older car will have some things to take care of, since they are old. If you're looking for a more affordable C3, the 74 to 82 models can be had more cheaply (but they do have the soft bumpers). We are here because we have found Corvette C3s that we like and enjoy the help and comradery of like minded people. We have some awesome get togethers and shows, also! I hope that helps answer your question.
 
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Jaws792011-08-01 17:51:04


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Posted: 8/1/11 6:50pm Message 5 of 17
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I understand. While it's not realistic at $7,600, twenty grand is not impossible.

Is the 350/350 carbureted motor the way to go, for my first one?


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Posted: 8/1/11 7:23pm Message 6 of 17
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Sykesville, MD - USA
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Vette(s): 1979 Corvette Coupe Corvette Light Blue Midnight Blue interior Mirrored Glass T-tops
First off, all C3s were carburated, until 1982 (crossfire). The 1970 was the lowest production year of Vettes due to a strike, so they're a little more rare. Saying all that, if you can find a 70 in good shape, I would go for the small block if you want to drive it. As you stated, they handle better, are cheaper, and parts are more plentiful. But whatever you buy, get it checked out by a reputable Corvette shop before you put down the money. People on this site will be glad to help you fix problems or find solutions to various issues. A great group of people here!
 
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Posted: 8/2/11 4:05pm Message 7 of 17
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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?


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Posted: 8/2/11 7:20pm Message 8 of 17
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Sykesville, MD - USA
Joined: 4/27/2008
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Vette(s): 1979 Corvette Coupe Corvette Light Blue Midnight Blue interior Mirrored Glass T-tops
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!
 
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Posted: 8/2/11 9:52pm Message 9 of 17
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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.



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Posted: 8/2/11 9:53pm Message 10 of 17
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Its right next to the Arabia steamboat display.


in Forum: C3 General Discussion


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