New guy looking for my first Vette

[zgator]

I was sent over here buy the second gen Camaro site.I am looking for my first vette an it has to be a C3.I'm looking for a NICE driver.No projects. I love the chrome bumper cars but I'm really looking for something in the 78-81.I've been scared off the cross fire cars by people that have told me they can be a big pita.My first pick would be a 78 two tone silver aniversary L82 4 speed.I do like the other years tho' but it seems that the 80-82 4 speeds are few and far between.I like the seats in the newer C3'sand if the right one came along with an auto trans I'd jump all over it.I've done quite a bit of homework on these cars but I'm sure ya'all know a bunch more than me.I know to look for stress cracks around the hood opening,rust in the door frames,frame rust,birdcage rust,electrical problems,Vacume leaks.I'm going to be ready money wise in about a month.Looking to spend between $9,000-11,000.Please help.I've wanted a C3 for a long time but something allways seemed to come up car wise.This time I'm putting on blinders so I won't get distracted.I looked in the for sale section but I'm new so I don't know whats for sale and what has been sold.I don't want to mess with ebay.I want to deal with someone who is a member of this board.I'm looking for a turnkey get in and go.I'm a serious buyer so let me know what you have or what to look for or lookout for.I'm located in Savannah GA so if any of you are located close by it would be nice(Fla,Ala,So calrolina ect.)

 

[76okievette]

How far are you willing to go, there is a 1978-1982 model two tone for sale right up the street, the sign says 7,000. I know nothing about the car but if you want I could get the number for you tomorrow. The car looks good from 25 feet. So let me know. PC

 

[Kinger82]

Zgator,
Excellent choice going with a C3. I truly believe it's the best looking body style of all the Vettes and you gotta love the curves of the C3. Be patient and plan on spending time and energy finding the right one. It will show up where you least expect it and you'll know when you find "The One". Don't be afraid of the '82 Cross-Fire's, not many were made due to the intro of the C4's in 1984. My '82 stock runs awesome and I wouldn't trade it for any other year. But forget finding a '82 four speed, they were never made due to a transmission supplier issue. Best place to find one?......hit the classic car shows and check out your regional Corvette Clubs. Good luck and keep looking...that's the fun part!

 

[mdenno]

When I was looking for my convertible I spent a long time searching the net and ended up finding a car 25 miles from my home. I also sold my other vette online to someone within 5 miles from my house. Here are a few of the places I surfed

CCTOL.com (Collector car trader online)Where I found my 72 Convertible

usedcorvetteforsale.com This is where I sold my 77

Also in GA check out buyavette.net

Good Luck

 

[Lglove]

New Guy looking for first Corvette

If you're not in a hurry and can travel, Bloominton Gold Auction and Gold Mine are coming up at the end of June in St Charles IL (west of Chicago 30 miles). Bloomington Gold is the premier Corvette show in the country. I bought my vette from a Mecum auction also and I think I did okay.
Good Luck.

Lglove

 

[Flared69]

I found my car at Corvettes @ Carlisle.

You should go to corvette shows as much as possible, there are allways lots of cars for sale.

Browse the tech forums and see what people have to say for problems etc Decide if you want electronics or not, what features etc.

Good luck, and welcome to the forums

 

[BiggBrakefuelie]

One thing I would say is find a C3 that hasn`t been tampered with too much.The more original the better all else being even.1 or 2 owners is ideal and one thing,if they say the car has been painted try and find out who painted it.Documentation is always important because anyone can say "I had the motor rebuilt or it was just painted" You want to make sure mostly OEM parts have been used.Other than that just be patient.

Good luck.

BBF

 

[MidShark]

Welcome to the CAC!

I have a line on an older project Vette for myself, and will be putting my '81 up for sale as soon as the weather breaks and I can get it out of storage. It is a nice, clean, no rust driver. PM or E-mail me for details.

Dick

 

[78SilvAnniv]

Welcome zgator!

Welcome to Corvette Action Center and happy shopping!

It seems you already have a clear idea about what you want and what you are willing to spend. I have to agree, be patient and shop with your head, not your heart, and the Right One will eventually find its' way to you.

Be sure to keep us updated on your progress and let us know what you finally buy! I'm partial to the 78SAs, myself... Do be sure to check out the Regional Forums section (SouthEast) for upcoming Tail of the Dragon runs and Mountain Cruises with other CAC members. There are also many major Corvette events coming up with spring just around the corner.

Enjoy the Corvette shopping experience! I almost envy you the excitement...
Heidi

 

[80convertible]

When I bought my vette I new nothing about cars in general and even less about old vettes. I had never done more than change an air filter. So there I am with cash in hand looking at vettes and I bought the first one I found. I probably payed to much but I love the car anyway. A great site to check out is Idaho Corvette. Not sure of the full url address so try google. There is a three part article on how to buy a corvette. It details almost everything you need to inspect to ensure a good purchase. I sure wish I had known about this article. Good luck...searching for a vette is half the fun!


P.S If you are looking to overpay for a vette, I'll sell you mine :L

 

[Evolution1980]

Only $9-$11K....hmmmm

I'm looking for a NICE driver. No projects. I love the chrome bumper cars but I'm really looking for something in the 78-81. My first pick would be a 78 two tone silver aniversary L82 4 speed.I do like the other years tho' but it seems that the 80-82 4 speeds are few and far between. Looking to spend between $9,000-11,000

What do you guys (and ladies) think? I think finding a nice driver that isn't going to come ready for a project or two is asking a lot for only $11,000.

I'd say you can pretty much rule out a 78SA L82 4speed in that price range.
The earlier C3's are fetching more the closer you get to 1968.
1979's are typically pretty cheap, as they were also the most abundant of the C3's. However, I've never been a fan of the '79 if only because of the major improvements done for the 1980 model.

The nice thing about the early C3's (say 1968) is that you can find a very base model with a 327ci, drive it for a while, and then over time just turn it into a beast with a big ol' 502ci or something wild like that, if so desired.

As you'll find with most owners, we are most partial to our own year. Me, I'm a 1980 guy. Always have been from my first viewing of a 1980. I definitely liked the body style more, along with the improvements in overall design and construction. They shaved off 350 lbs in 1980, which is a lot, especially when you take into consideration the continuously lowering HP numbers after '72.

Best of luck in finding one, and as Heidi said above, keep us posted. I personally think you may be disappointed for what you'll find in the price range you are looking. But there are some steals out there. And you can probably find the best ones either on the first day or last day of Corvettes @ Carlisle.

You can check this link to see production numbers and specs on the various years...
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/

 

[citruspilot]

zgator, I suggest you drive up to Charlotte next month. On April 1st thru the 4th there is a huge car show at the Lowes Motor Speedway. There will be about 2,500 cars on display. I have been to this event in the past and find that there are always a few Vettes for sale. Dont know the name of the event buts its huge believe me. Maybe someone here can give us the name. There will be about 150,000 visitors for the four day event..........should be fun!

I live here in Charlotte and will be showing my 79 Yellow Corvette. It only has 28,000 miles and because I just got it it should be fun to show off.

In the past I have gone to this car show and am always impressed with the amount of cars to see. Like I said there are always a few Vettes for sale there. You might find just what your looking for or you might get a good lead. Its worth the drive if you ask me.

Good Luck with your hunt.

Jeff

 

[photovette]

Hey Citruspilot, I'll be at that event doing a model shoot--I'll be glad to do a few pin-up type shots of your 'vette with the models if you like--no charge of course.


Here's one I snapped today with a digital after the real shoot, models sure love C3's and my 'vette sure loves models!

 

[Glensgages]

models sure love C3's...

CURVES like CURVES!!!!!
:cool

 

[citruspilot]

Cute! She can stand, sit, lay, frolic, pose, or anything else for that mater on my Vette! Look for me. And yes send a message to my screename and lets meet. Your more than welcomed to use my car.......er, my car yea. <wink> Its a real sharp low miles yellow Corvette that I am sure would make for some nice photo's with a blond, brunette or redhead! I would post a few pics of it but I dont know how.

Lets talk........

Jeff
Boeing717Driver@aol.com

 

[Robin7TFour]

GATOR, I saw a couple of ads for mid-year C-3's in the orlando paper. would you like me to send you the phone numbers?


ROBIN

 

[vetteKID]

I havent posted here for about a year. However, this is the perfect post for me to start up again. I actaully bought two corvettes with in two weeks. I made the mistake of jumping on the first vette i saw. a white 77, auto, l-48 (with a next door nieghbor rebuild), a few mods and 120,000 on the clock. this car was a nut case, alot of electircal problems and some suspension stuff too. I bought it for $7,000. i spent about a week, washing and waxing, cleaning the interior and some minor mods that i had sitting around. but this thing was still a pain. a week later at about 10:30am. i drove up to a local car show for a little and a guy saw my car, offered me $8,000 for it on the spot. i told him about some of the problems but he still bought it. the next day i looked in the paper and found a car about 20 mins away. looked promising, 74 vette, vette orange, 4 speed, obo. i called the guy, turned out i was the first one to call. i saw the car the next day, checked its out (radiator support, electronics, vacuum, other stuff) and it turn out solid. wasnt perfect but alot nicer than the last. bought it the next day for 8,000. turn out to be a damn nice car for a great price, and i love it to this day. i should have waited, so moral of the story......wait for the right one. theres a 76 sittin down here in maryland, let me know if ya want some info.