This may seem like an obvious question, because many people own their favorite C3 model year, but let's find out why....

What is your favorite C3 model year and why? (It doesn't have to be the year you currently own).

I'll start.

1979.  Because it is the first Corvette model year I was exposed to as a child. I also really like the seats in the later C3s compared to the earlier C3s. And I like the fastback window instead of the flat one of the earlier years.

Sadly, however, I hate the build quality of that year. It holds the record for the highest number of Corvettes built in one model year. Thus, the build quality suffered.

For me it is the year 1974 I own. Several firsts and only features with this year. A few last of also.

1973 for me. Not necessarily because that's what I own but I like the front end style and then keeping the prior rear end style. Plus it turned out to be a one-year only style which made it unique. I was never enamored with the '74 to '79 rear end styling. The '80-'82 style tended to bring back the original style and would be acceptable. I thought it went well with the hatchback window look.

I thought the '69 factory side exhaust set off the C3 from all of the other sports cars. Unfortunately the advent of cats pretty much did away with that possibility from the factory.

1970 LT-1 convertible.  The extra horsepower over the other available small blocks and the handling made it the best all around Corvette.  It wouldn't out run a big block in a straight line but put on a road course it would run circles around a big block.  While still available in MYs '71 and '72 the performance began to fade as the Fed jumped in.

Well, I didn't see this QOD till I passed by other entries. I'm partial to the 72', mine. The egg crates, dual chrome bumpers, last year, 4 speed, roadster, very different color, many things happened in 72 for me personally. I love it, the body shape is mesmerizing. 

72 or possibly a 73.

72=last year for chrome bumpers front and rear and no fiber optics.

73=still chrome on the rear, no vacuum wiper door and the beginning of quieting the interior noise.  Was Zora's favorite year.

1969 or 70. The 68 first year bugs worked out, but still hadn't started drifting away from what it was imagined to be at the beginning. And minimal smog related equipment.

Definitely the 69 I own. The only year of factory side exhaust. Also partial to the second year of the series. Had a few issues from the factory, but not bad. 

69. still one of the best looking I've seen.