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Topic: Re: QOD (Question of the Day) for 1/4/2023

in Forum: C3 General Discussion


Re: QOD (Question of the Day) for 1/4/2023

Posted: 1/5/23 3:21pm Message 11 of 20
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Ellijay, GA - USA
Joined: 1/2/2007
Posts: 38
Vette(s): 1996 Collector Edition Coupe, LT4, 6 spd 1982 Red on Red, 60k miles 1970 Convert, Maroon, Lt Saddle, 383 4 spd conv with ac 2016 Z-51 yellow Convert, 7 speed (Sold) 1974 Avanti w/Chevy 350 - 4L60 trans 2020 Polaris Slingshot GT LE

My favorite year was the 73, nice front end look with smooth lines, plastic grills, single side vents and no vac/ electric wipers.  I still Like the chrome rear bumpers and Square exhausts.  I currently have a 70 convertible, but prefer the 73 style and flow of the design on the 73 convertible!

The  biggest improvement was the wiper door delete!  The 73 has the best rear end treatment and last of high performance engines and a lot of smooth lines.  Love the little bubble cowl on the hood and improved sound deadening, better seat belts and the best of the old and newer features!   Add a later model HEI ignition and a few little improvements from later models and it’s probably the best all around good looking, good performing combo of all the C3s! 

I like all the C3s …… and each year has its pluses and minuses! My 70 Conv with some later model upgrades is hard to beat, but a 73 is probably the best overall! 

68-71 fiber optics were a cool feature, πŸ‘ but a real PITA to maintain replace or restoreπŸ‘ŽπŸ»πŸ‘ŽπŸ»

the 68-71 wiper door and hidden wipers is also very cool feature, πŸ‘ had a nice low hood and looked great, πŸ‘ but also a PITA to maintain and was a GM design failure! πŸ‘ŽπŸ»πŸ‘ŽπŸ»

68-72 the metal grills and side vents look good  πŸ‘ but deteriorate quickly and are heavy and expensive to replace!  πŸ‘ŽπŸ»πŸ‘ŽπŸ» Metal trim parts on a fiberglass car along with heavy metal headlight assembly’s were another design “feature” from GM! πŸ‘ŽπŸ»πŸ‘ŽπŸ»

The 68 has so many unique features it makes it a PITA to restore, unique seats, door panels, outside door handles, dash and console panels, 7” rims, 327 engine, ignition on the dash, many other transition parts and trim.  PITA To restore and maintain. πŸ‘ŽπŸ»πŸ‘ŽπŸ» But the 68-69 side gills look great!πŸ‘

the 77 has a lot of unique features also, steering column, steering wheel, console and first year for radial ac compressor and Blue engine color, but the starting of the C3 to be a more sophisticated car πŸ‘

74 was last year for  tach drive distributors, mechanical tach and points, unique rear end with split rear bumper πŸ‘πŸ‘ŽπŸ»

the 80 305 was unique, ran well for a 305, but only year for unique California engineπŸ‘ŽπŸ»

the 73-74 seat belt interlock was a design failure πŸ‘ŽπŸ»πŸ‘ŽπŸ»πŸ‘ŽπŸ»

love my 82, another one year model with one engine option with cross fire and 700R4  trans, quiet, smooth and economical too!  Great driver! πŸ‘πŸ‘

Each year has its positive ❀️ featuresand negative  πŸ‘ŽπŸ»πŸ‘ŽπŸ» features but they are all good solid cars that  we made to be driven!❀️❀️

 






οΏ½

 


Gary & Ina
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Re: QOD (Question of the Day) for 1/4/2023

Posted: 1/5/23 3:25pm Message 12 of 20
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Hartland, MI - USA
Joined: 12/20/2022
Posts: 17
Vette(s): 1982 Collectors Edition

I like the 1982 CE because of the 1 year only opening rear hatch, the one year only aluminum rims, the one year only tinted T-Tops, the 2 year only fuel injected motor, and the custom leather interior. Also the overdrive transmission. These cars are cheap and extremely under rated. A real C3 bargain for a 41 year old car. It’s still easy to find them in excellent shape also.




Re: QOD (Question of the Day) for 1/4/2023

Posted: 1/5/23 4:45pm Message 13 of 20
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Cana, VA - USA
Joined: 7/3/2016
Posts: 375
Vette(s): 1975 Stingray 71 350 engine Flat top pistons Sniper fuel injection Hyperspark ignition Vintage Air air conditioning Borgeson power steering box

I have always loved the C3's with chrome front and rear bumpers -- so 72 or older for me.




   

Re: QOD (Question of the Day) for 1/4/2023: Year

Posted: 1/6/23 7:22am Message 14 of 20
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Hartland, MI - USA
Joined: 12/20/2022
Posts: 17
Vette(s): 1982 Collectors Edition
I like those too believe me! But they can be very expensive to own depending on condition. And still cost plenty in average condition. Think bird cage and suspension replacement…

 




Re: QOD (Question of the Day) for 1/4/2023: Year

Posted: 1/6/23 9:16am Message 15 of 20
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France
Joined: 8/21/2002
Posts: 134
Vette(s): 1978 L48 Auto. Red with Oyster Leather interior. Owned since 1990.

I'm going to say 1978, not just because that's what we have!

Values of '78s always seem down on others, for reasons I never understand.   To me, it was the first year of a "proper interior" with things like a Glovebox etc.  It was also the first year of the "fastback" rear, which not only gave genuine luggage space, but also, in my opinion, looked better and, seems to be more in keeping with what people like Shinoda and Co were aiming for with their C3 design studies.  

I get, shall we say, frustrated by the "chrome bumper or nothing" line of thought as again, I think the soft bumper cars are more what the prototypes were aiming at.  And, I think GM deserves more credit than it gets for the look that it had , in effect, imposed on it by federal regulations.    As an Englishman I am only too aware of the abominations that were hung onto the front and back of Britains favourite sportscar, the MGB (and also the Midget), not to mention the park-benches added to Jaguars, Porsches etc.

So, yep, 78 for meπŸ˜„πŸ‘




Stephen J Irons
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Red Corvettes Have More Fun!

Re: QOD (Question of the Day) for 1/4/2023: Year

Posted: 1/6/23 9:48am Message 16 of 20
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Springbrook, WI - USA
Joined: 10/18/2020
Posts: 36
Vette(s): 1974 L82 coupe, 1990 ZR-1

For me it is the I 1974 I own. Several firsts and only features with this year, also a few of the last offered.  I'm also finding it has one or two year only parts which makes repair or replacement interesting. 




Re: QOD (Question of the Day) for 1/4/2023: Year

Posted: 1/6/23 11:44am Message 17 of 20
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My favourite has to be my "78 Silver Anniversary L82"--the year I met my wife of 42 years! ...plus I love the styling of both.




Re: QOD (Question of the Day) for 1/4/2023: Year

Posted: 1/6/23 12:34pm Message 18 of 20
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Scotch Plains, NJ - USA
Joined: 1/11/2006
Posts: 241
Vette(s): 1981 Corvette Coupe, Stock, Black on Black, 4 Spd

I would have to say a black 1981 Coupe, 4 speed. It's got great appeal.




Re: QOD (Question of the Day) for 1/4/2023: Year

Posted: 1/6/23 8:32pm Message 19 of 20
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Fredericksburg, TX - USA
Joined: 10/10/2017
Posts: 6
Vette(s): 1981, found 1/18/17 with 13,276.7 orig miles, stored since 1984, L81, 3spd auto, frost beige, doe cloth interior, looks new, drives great! Bowling Green s/n 3052

My favorite C3 would be a 1970 with a factory installed LS7 454/560hp.

The 1970 b/c I graduated high school in 1970 and always lusted after a Corvette, plus there is no record the factory ever installed a LS7 even though it was listed as available, that would make it a one-of-one model.




Re: QOD (Question of the Day) for 1/4/2023: Year

Posted: 1/7/23 3:50pm Message 20 of 20
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I've always loved the 78 pace car, or the silver anniversary editions.  Those were the models I started my search for, when I ultimately decided to purchase a (rough/project car) 1979 C3.  I didn't wind up w/one, but have shown mine next to them @ a few car shows since starting the restoration in 2020.  I still want one someday, but am very happy w/mine and seeing her slow journey back to her "High School Figure".  I'll never sell the 79, but as soon as I'm able I'll provide a sibling-C3 for this one in the garage...as they're easy to become addicted to.  They're all C3's, but every year/model has unique qualities that you can easily fall in love with!  From chrome bumper cars, to the plastic-fantastic's, big blocks to small blocks, pace cars, silver anniversary & collector editions, Convertible & T-Tops, L88 to L82's, numbers matching to resto-mods...they're all desirable in their own ways.




in Forum: C3 General Discussion


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