What advice would you give someone looking to purchase a C3?

-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: C3 Vette Registry 
C4 Vette Registry, C6 Vette Registry

My first Vette, now owned by JB79:

Definitely take someone with them that knows all of the little idiosyncrasies of the particular year they're looking at such as frame rot, non-stock powertrain items, flood damage, etc.

1973 L-82 4 spd

Ditto from above, AND if the buyer is not mechanically inclined, Don't buy it!  Get a newer one. These cars need attention, and the computer minded don't usually get their hands dirty. No offense to anyone, just using my son inlaw as an example.

Click on image for full view

Don't buy a project - unless that is your thing.  Spend a little more money and get a good quality driver.  You'll be money ahead.

Jim Olson 

"The Toys"...!!!  Save the Wave!

Where I've been in a Corvette...!!!

Buy the best one you can find! Restoration adds up very quickly if you pay someone else to do it and if you do it yourself, it can drag out for years.

My ‘81 had been sitting in a wet garage since ‘84 when I got it in 2017, and everything mechanical and electrical had to be replaced, EVERYTHING, except the engine and rear end. Luckily everything is available so it still looks stock.

Beside the fact I got it for nothing from my high school buddy who bought it new and got disabled and parked it in 1984, I have a little more in it now than what it’s worth but it’s in almost new condition again and it drives great. I don’t ever intend to sell it so I’m ok with the restoration costs. Luckily he kept the doors and windows closed and except for a musty smell when I first got it, the interior is perfect.

The pictures are how I found it after being stored 33 years.

Buy one already restored.....it's cheaper.

I agree on not buying a restoration project unless you have the skills to work on it yourself.

When I bought my '75 I was actually looking for a project (and, boy, did I get one!).  After almost 6 years 600 hours of my time, and more money than it will ever be worth, I have a Vette that is in almost pristine condition and a nice driver.  Someday it will probably be my son's.

My first advice to prospective buyers is "Read the books!"    I'm amazed at the number of people who go into Corvette ownership without a clue about the cars, or their history. 

When we were planning on buying our '78 I picked up a couple of books and read them cover to cover before we looked in detail.  So, I knew model years, specs and even some of the issues before we took the plunge!

And, I'd say know why you're buying - do you want a project to work on it full time for a few years, or just enjoy the driving with routine maintenance?   

As said, buy the best you can afford!

Oh and, make sure you have somewhere to keep it!   Back in the UK it seemed a lot of people hadn't given adequate storage any consideration, never a good idea in the UK's weather!

I’d tell them to be sure they’re viewing the purchase as a hobby/project, not an investment. Trying to keep track of $$ spent vs. the cars value is a great way to suck the fun out of it. 

Of course, that’s not true of every c3… but those are the rare ones. I’m guessing the vast majority are not the high-dollar Top Flight candidates. 

I agree buy a good car. It's very rewarding to restore cars, I have been doing it for 50 years.

But if you're not experienced a c3 is a very awkward car to work on compared to other 60-70s chev muscle cars 

I couldn't agree more -- I've been working on GM cars for 60 years, and was surprised on how awkward getting to things on the C3 was!  (And being a bit older doesn't help either!)