Newbie Question

[Skip - Dallas]

Greetings and what a great site!

I've been looking for a 68 - 72 convertible with a small block, manual tranny, a/c, p/s & p/b. Almost everything I can find is at a dealer, and the prices seem obnoxious. My search has been focused primarily on Autotrader-online and local publications.

Can anyone give me pointers on how to find my car? Am I looking in the wrong places?

Based on the pricing research I've done, I was expecting to find what I was looking for at around $20K - $25K, and have a VERY nice Corvette. Am I way off base?

Also, while I'm at it , does anyone have any thoughts about daily driving one of these things? I've got a 1979 IH ScoutII, so I know how old cars drive... Just wondering if there was anything peculiar about these vehicles...

THANKS!!!

 

[MaineShark]

Welcome aboard!

Someone more familiar with those years will probably be along shortly with pricing advice.

As far as daily driving... why not? If I can drive in the snow, I'm sure you won't have any trouble in Dallas

Just watch out for overheating. Many have upgraded their radiators and fans, and put in lower-temp thermostats. A quick trick is to pop the headlights if the temperature starts to rise, since extra air can be drawn in through the open doors.

Joe

 

[Stallion]

The years you are looking for, the Chrome and muscle period , are a little more pricey than the later Sharks. But your price range is generous even for those years. You can get a nice quality early Shark with that money. And if you were considering going out of your years, you could get a top show quality later Vette (probably '75 - '82) with that money. Like I said, those early Sharks you are looking at are a little more pricey. Naturally, though, because they have the pure unleashed no-restraint muscle that wasn't seen in the mid - later '70s and early '80s. Don't get me wrong, you won't be dissatisfied with any C3 Shark!! At least I wouldn't be.

What you should look for in a Vette is a great example of your year/model. For instance, if you go for a "lower end" Vette (no Vette in my opinion is low end, but I'm referring to something that needs a lot of work and time) then you are bound to pay more and give more time than if you got a show quality or "good example" Vette. But with your price range, I don't think you'll have too much trouble with that.

I would suggest not to go through a dealer. The main reason is because dealers and public sellers are trying to make money off of you. And somethings maybe not the most honest way. Don't get me wrong, a lot of guys here I'm sure got great deals and Vettes from a public dealer, but if you find the Vette you are looking for from a private seller, then go for it.

As far as daily driving, they are just great cars in my opinion!! There is nothing better and you'll love every second of owning a Corvette!!!

Good luck with the search. I'm sure you will find the One. Patience is key though, don't settle for something that isn't perfect. The perfect one for you is out there. You just have to find it.

TR

 

[Stingray6974]

Hi Skip,
Vettes in Dallas are expensive. I found my '69 in La. Where to look? Everywhere. Autotrader, newspaper, ebay, friends of friends. I came across two of mine by accident.
If you are not concerned about the year that makes it a little easier. 1968 has many unique and expensive parts to replace. 1969 is a very desireable year and tends to drive the price up. 70-72 have fender flares and start getting into emissions. As for a daily driver you are looking at a 31 to 35 year old car. It's gonna need work and repairs. But they are still very reliable cars. Figure on replacing all the rubber pieces: bushings, mounts, hoses, etc.
More than likely it will need brake work, have power steering and oil leaks, and cooling problems. Once you find what to look for and where to buy "good" parts all these problems are simple to fix. It might get a little expensive but it's a vette, it's worth it. There's a very unique feeling and pride being a vette owner. Not to mention a huge brotherhood willing to help and every part still available new.

Mike

P.S. If you find one somewhat locally and need someone to look it over for you I'll be happy to assist you.

 

[matchframe]

Hi Skip,
Welcome to CAC!. I live in the Houston area, and will let you know if I come across one in this area. I have taken roadtrips through the Hill Country and found several project cars for sale in small towns. I was in Salado a few weeks ago and saw a '70 Chevelle SS 454 red w/ black stripes with the factory wheels still on it in somebody's front yard w/ a for sale sign on it. It was all I could do to keep going. I really don't need another project right now, but am still tempted to go back to see if it is still there. What I am saying, is sometimes you just stumble across little gold mines in small towns if you keep your eyes open. BTW, if you hear of a potential buy in the Houston area, I will be glad to go check it out for you.

Bill

 

[Mike Carter]

Try the internet if you haven't. Search for the car you want. You'll get the high end dealers and a lot of private folks. I know a lot of folks don't like dealers but sometimes reputable dealers fix all the major stuff just to sell the car, so it becomes a project rather than a full time job. For the money you're talking about you should get a real nice car, I'd look at about 18K for a daily driver in the Southwest, try AZ and we got several good dealers in TX, best of luck. Oh by the way Ebay.

 

[pax]

Welcome Skip,
Look under the thread "( For Sale ) Selling the 71".
Could be a chance to take a road trip. I travelled 900 miles for mine. You never know?
Good luck,
john

 

[tonyk72]

where to look?

www.corvettetraderonline.com
www.corvettetrader.com
www.collectorcartraderonline.com
www.abracat.com
www.hemmings.com/hemmings/searches/singlesearch_manual.cfm
www.usedcorvettesforsale.com
www.vettefinders.com
www.rowleycorvette.com
www.corvetteclassifieds.com
www.1001cars.com
not Corvette specific, but OK
www.corvettemike.com
above is a dealer, pricy, but don't sell junk from what I hear...

Where did I find my car listed?
www.cars.com

www.firsttraderegistry.com/forsale/corvette/catalog.htm
These guys find cars for sale and re-list them on their website at a higher price. They offer a service to inspect it for you, etc etc to justify the price...I once found a '72 listed on thier site for a few thousand more than another listing posted by the owner on the Internet.

 

[RedRagTop]

Local dealer here has a 66 rag for $34 canadian, maybe $25,000US. Should be able to find one in that range, just be prepared to wrench!

 

[Daryllawman]

Welcome Skip to the Corvette Action Center.........

 

[Doneboy]

No disrespect for this forum, it is the best, check out these sites for other info:
http://www.corvetteforum.net/
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/
http://www.usaforum.us/
http://www.c5forum.com/
http://www.c5-corvette.com/

Some of these sites have links that might help you.
Good luck!

 

[matchframe]

72 Coupe for sale

Hi Skip,

I was surfing through a local C3 site and came across this. I thought you might be interested.

Bill



I didn't know that this site existed. But Iam glad that I found it. I am currently the owner of a 72 coupe that has been my project and weekly driver for about 3 yrs. I am sad to say that I need to sell the car. It is a solid running, # matching 200hp auto red/black that will need some paint and body in the future to make her sweet. Anybody insterested or if you know anybody that is interested please email me at:

jedgmon@houstoniangolf.com

 

[Skip - Dallas]

Thank you

Thanks all for the welcome and all the great info & leads.

Guess there's no magic place where all the good cars are kept! At least it's good to know I'm not missing any sources.

I'll keep on keeping on, and hopefully before long, I'll be able to share my new ride with you all.

Thanks again!!!

 

[Mike Carter]

Skip,

Noticed there is a pretty original coupe for sale on Ebay at 12, 995, good write up, I went coupe this time for personal reasons, had verts, thought you might be interested.

mike