Novice C1 Purchase Question

[jimmydj]

Hello
I am considering purchase of a "61 or "62. I am interested in a car which can be driven on weekends and occasionally during the week, in nice weather. Frankly, I am not mechanically inclined and have never worked on cars, although I would be willing to learn. I understand that a car of this vintage is going to need maintenance and repair. My question is-- is it unrealistic for someone who doesn't work on cars to spend in the range of 40k for a non-show car, and expect it to start up and run reasonably reliable with occasional use? How often would I have to have a mechanic perform routine maintenance-- I assume it would be more often than every 6 months. I have no problem with that. I guess what I'm really wondering is, do you have to worry about a breakdown everytime you take a car such as this out for a weekend cruise. I realize it is difficult to generalize because each car is different. I guess what I am asking-- do you have to spend 60k or greater for a completely restored "61 or "62 to get any degree of reliability- or does "restored" relate more to cosmetics, and not necessarily mean any greater reliability. Thank you for any information or opinions.

 

[60fuelie]

The C1 (1953-1962) corvettes are not all that difficult to work on. Most the work is not rocket science, just alittle research and some common sense. Alot of the maintainance is fairly simple to do and you will learn as you go. Find a knowledgable corvette enthusist in your area to help you pick out the corvette that is right for you and once you pick up on your dream, purchase the manuals for your particular year and start learning! You can leave the major repairs to the professionals, but you will have a ball fixing the "little things" and fell good about "bonding" with your corvette too. Go for it!

I bought my first "classic", a 1955 nomad, in 1977. Four months later I drove it across the nation to a national convention. This summer I will attend my 28th national nomad convention and will add #32 + #33 states to my list that I have driven it in. It has never been off the frame, just gets the required maintainance and keeps on ticking! After I get my 1960 corvette done, maybe it will finally get it's turn. Until then, I will keep driving and enjoying it!

Good luck with your purchase and we will see you on the road!!!!

Greg
60fuelie

 

[RodsnRides]

Agreed

I agree with Greg. The C1 platform is easier to understand, diagnose and repair for most problems. No computers, or other gee-whiz gimmicks to hassle with. Pretty basic ignition, fuel and wiring systems.

My suggestion is to go for it. Team up with someone fairly knowledgeable (from work, church, or other organization) when you decide to go have a look at some cars.

I would also suggest you enroll in a Vo-Tech type "Intro to Mechanics" or some type of fundamentals course, perhaps offered by a University in your area, attend one or two nights a week type of thing. This will allow you to at least understand the basics (fuel, spark, cooling, etc.) so that you may perform some of your own work, or at least know the fundamentals so that you won't get taken advantage of. You will have a grasp of what is involved with, say, a water pump change-even if you don't do it.

Welcome aboard, come on in and enjoy this Corvette thing. It's great.

Rick

 

[ThomC]

Your post pretty much sums up the apprehensions I had before I bought my '65 this summer. If I could offer any advice it would be...
- Take your time and enjoy the search. You'll be surprised how much you learn once you start seriously looking at the cars that are out there.
- By all means use this forum as a sounding board if you think you've found a car with potential. There is more accumulated knowledge in the CAC than you can imagine - and folks here enjoy the hunt too!
- Hire a knowledgable Corvette inspector - this is money well spent. The cars will probably be mucho miles away - the CAC is also a good way to find someone local who could check the car out for you.

As far as maintenance goes, whoever looks at the car for you should be able to give you a good assessment of its overall health. Thats by no means a guarantee - things could still go wrong, but the good news is there are lots of places that can fix it for you.

Is it worth it? From my perspective - absolutely. For a real long time, my cars have been pure utility - haul people or stuff from point A to B. The '65 is something completely different - you just enjoy the ride. Life is short... buy the Vette.

Thom

 

[richscorvettes]

You have already received great advise particularly with respect to getting educated on these cars, taking your time with the search and finding someone with experience to help you find the right car for you as well as inspect the car.

A couple of other suggestions would be to buy the best car you can afford and drive one to make sure it is the car you think it is.

On the first suggestion, especially since you may not be familar with the maintenance, getting one that has had a recent and complete restoration could be less expensive in the long run. Be sure to look at the receipts and records of work performed on the car and find out who did the work. The definition of "complete restoration" can be rather broad and you want to look for one which has been mechanically restored as well as cosmetically. Have someone well versed in C1's inspect it and get it on a lift to check the underside. It's definitely money well spent if you can find the right person to evaluate the car. You might find someone from a local club. I also usually suggest not buying the first car you find but to look at several to get a better perspective of how one can differ from another.

On the second suggestion, especially if you have never driven a C1, try one out to make sure it handles and rides to your satisfaction. You'll be making a major investment and want to be sure this is what you are looking for.

The C1 and C2 Corvettes are great cars for the use you mentioned and you'll find many folks who will be more than willing to help you out if you do run into questions along the way. The bottom line is that a purchase, especially the first one, can often be more of an emotional than rational choice and you should lean on those experienced with these cars to keep the decision more objective. Enjoy the search and best of luck.

Rich Lagasse

 

[jerrybramlett]

My question is-- is it unrealistic for someone who doesn't work on cars to spend in the range of 40k for a non-show car, and expect it to start up and run reasonably reliable with occasional use?

Yes, if you budget about $5,000 for initial repairs and preventative maintenance work after you get the car.

Most old Corvettes are only driven a few miles each year by owners who don't really even test their reliability. Almost all Corvettes for sale need some work to become fully trustworthy.

 

[61 Silver]

Buying C-1

Hi!



I would become a member of the NCRS and try and secure the help of a member that lives in your area. The reason for the NCRS as a source is that they are one of the largest resources of Corvette knowledge nation wide and their members are usually very helpful. You will find that many of us on the CAC forum are members of other Corvette organizations or clubs and would be willing to help if we lived in your area. Do your homework and find the right person to advise you. You may have to pay a fee, but it would be well worth the investment to secure a quality car. If you are looking for a good driver, not an investment car, you should be able to find a very reliable C-1 for forty thousand. A good friend of mine owns four Corvettes, two early ones, and has a quality mechanic preform his major matianance.

Hope I haved helped!


Ray

 

[I'mAVettehead]

If your not preforming any of the maintanence on your current vehicle(s) or never have, don't expect to become proficient overnight. Plan on using an owner operated shop preferably specializing in corvettes or older cars in general. Go for it. It's a great hobby.

 

[67HEAVEN]

jimmydj,

Good luck in your quest. A great way for you to learn would be to hook up with a local Corvette owner who is in the middle of a major project. If your offer of assistance is accepted, it's a great way to learn.

 

[Vette66AirCoupe]

The older a car is the simpler it is to work on. Fear not my friend! If you buy a good car from a reputable person or dealer you should have a good start and keep rolling without too much trouble. I have a '60 that I bought last spring and I've taken it on a few jaunts over the summer without incident. Most of what I have spent on it has been "elective surgery" such as a new top, new Cragar SS wheels and some rechroming. I did have to put new brake shoes and wheel cyliniders on it which was the only necessity. Get yourself a Service manual for your year and you'll be surprised how simple things are. Look at the trouble I got into just today using my book. See attached.

 

[Old Bull]

These cars are basic and simple when compared to more modern machinery making them relatively easy to maintain. You do need a fundamental knowledge of mechanics and most of all the ability and willingness to read and learn. There is a vast vast vast amount of literature readily available to answer most any question you might have on basic maintenance and repair procedures for these cars. These forums are a great source of information too but you owe it to yourself to study the proper books and manuals as a first resort. You'll find that many repairs are relatively intuitive once you have the basic understanding of the various mechanical systems. As for reliability, I've owned mine for well over 30 years and it is the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned and has never let me down on the road. A few years ago I took a 6200 mile trip around the US and experienced 0 breakdowns. Sitting unused is the hardest thing on a car. So drive it frequently and take care of the small things as they come up and I think you'll find you won't be spending that much time doing major repairs.

One caveat, many of these cars were not maintained well and therefore heed the advice of previous posters to take your time and find the best car you can that fits your budget.
Good Luck.

 

[jimmydj]

Many thanks for the information, advice and encouragement.

 

[SRReality]

I bought a "fully" restored 62 C1 last summer for less than $40K, drove it off the showroom floor and 550 miles home. It doesn't have original engine, but a "modern" crate 350, so it runs on unleaded gas. Nearly all the work done to it was very good; it only needs a few things (like a working clock) to be a virtually perfect driver. I traded in a pretty ordinary C3 that I had worked over cosmetically/electrically, etc. I decided buying one "complete" was cheaper than restoring one myself. Plus I have another frame off project I'm in the middle of, so the spirits overcame me and I put in a dent in my savings account. I've driven it "regularly" with no problems at all. Maintenance is really straightforward. Do your homework first; make sure you want an "oldie" and not a sophisticated modern rocket with superior handling and acoutrements, like a C5 or C6. Take someone knowledgeable with you (like an NCRS judge) who can tell you what things are supposed to look like/sound like/run like when they are well done. I was about "half knowledgeable" and probably lucky as well!

 

[IH2LOSE]

You know I dont know how I missed this question earlyer, I would say that Barry should answer this question or Pedro,allthough they both purchased midyears,both of these fellows purchased collectable cars with out prior experance in doing what is considered minor maintnence.

Now I am not trying to scare you off,but Barry had purchased a car that a restoration was just completed on and it seems that the bugs were never shooken out of the car. So I hope barry will tell his story,but Barry had some frustrating problems that he could not have a shop correct with one visit.

So just go into this understanding your eather going to learn how to repair your car,or your going to have to pay to have your car repaired,hopefully if you have to pay,you find a good shop who actually still have mecanics who know how to work on them not just read computer codes and change parts.But just as the sun will come up tomorow the cars will need simple repairs to keep them going.

I give you an example,I have been pulling my 66 in and out of my garage lately.Last week it was just running terrible not hitting on all cylenders, Pulled my plugs and cleaned them, they were soaking wet and I found a bad plug wire, to someone this may have been a trip to the shop,to me it was just a disapointment that I lost another plug wire, My cadillac last year the night before a parade the car was not charging 20 minutes later I found a rotten connection to the voltage regulator,So again it was a minor inconveance but to someone who is not able to diagnoise a problem it would be a missed parade,a tow to a repair shop,and a repair bill also hoping they could find the problem with out having to pay for a new battery,alternator,voltage regulator.

Again not trying to scare you out of a car but just be prepaired,Even a freshly restored car can and will have problems,

When you finally get your car make sure you have a saftey check done on the car,Come spring I double check every thing on my collector cars prior to getting out on the roads,I put them away in driving condtion but when I bring them out in spring I do an oil change and a full service and check.

Good luck with your purchase and sorry I did not see your post prior to tonight

 

[firstgear]

Don't buy one......first my gal bought a C5 convertible....then we went to Corvette Driving School out at Spring Mountain (was Bragg Smith at the time)then I bought a C5 coupe on Ebay out of Dallas, didn't like it because it was an automatic and after two weeks, took it to work one day and drove home a new C5 Z06...then we were in New Mexico for the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta and we went to a classic car auction and ended up buying a 1964 Sting Ray, had it shipped home.....and of course I still wanted that C1...and ended up buying one on Ebay out of Maryland and driving down and trailering it back home....my point is....once you are bitten.....by the Corvette Bug.....it has a long lasting effect.....when I drive them I never loose the smile...always give and receive the wave....so if you don't want to subject yourself to endless hours of enjoyment and pleasure.....then don't buy one......don't say I didn't warn you...

 

[61 Silver]

Don't buy one......first my gal bought a C5 convertible....then we went to Corvette Driving School out at Spring Mountain (was Bragg Smith at the time)then I bought a C5 coupe on Ebay out of Dallas, didn't like it because it was an automatic and after two weeks, took it to work one day and drove home a new C5 Z06...then we were in New Mexico for the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta and we went to a classic car auction and ended up buying a 1964 Sting Ray, had it shipped home.....and of course I still wanted that C1...and ended up buying one on Ebay out of Maryland and driving down and trailering it back home....my point is....once you are bitten.....by the Corvette Bug.....it has a long lasting effect.....when I drive them I never loose the smile...always give and receive the wave....so if you don't want to subject yourself to endless hours of enjoyment and pleasure.....then don't buy one......don't say I didn't warn you...

Firstgear

You had tears of laughter rolling down my cheeks! I call it the Corvette disease and have had it for over 42 years. The cure for me is a: 1961 270hp, 1963 SWC 340HP and a 1965 250HP and I still find my self looking to buy another.



Thanks for the post!



Ray

 

[firstgear]

Firstgear

I call it the Corvette disease and have had it for over 42 years. The cure for me is a: 1961 270hp, 1963 SWC 340HP and a 1965 250HP and I still find my self looking to buy another.


Ray

poor Ray.....he has the dreaded disease as well.....run quickly as fast as you can....format your hard drive so that you loose this internet address.....it is not too late.....but run now and what ever you do....don't look back.....the curves of the C1 or C2 will be too great for you to withstand and you will be turned into a heaping, wimpering, crying basket case because you don't have the Corvette that haunts you in your dreams at night....you know the one that makes you wake up in a cold sweat as you thought you were reaching for that shifter knob at 6,000 rpm to go from first to second and feel that press of the seat against your back.....only to find that you were dreaming and that was your gal nudging you to get over on your side of the bed or that you were snoring and that was not your side pipe exhaust!

 

[61 Silver]

Firstgear

You are good!

Ray

 

[BarryK]

Now I am not trying to scare you off,but Barry had purchased a car that a restoration was just completed on and it seems that the bugs were never shooken out of the car. So I hope barry will tell his story,but Barry had some frustrating problems that he could not have a shop correct with one visit.

gee, thanks Larry, I really appreciate you reminding me of some of my frustrations from last year - things I would have been just as happy to forget!


Seriously Jimmydj, I did purchase a fully restored '65 last spring and did have some issues to deal with but if given a choice I would still do it all over again. Having the car was a life-long dream and having these old cars means that you WILL have some maintainace issures to deal with at times but my advice is to don't let it stop you! The issues I had with mine were simply that although it had just been completely restored not all of the work that had been done on her had been done very well and I had to pay to get some of the work redone after it failed. Of course, this is typical of my luck in anything I get myself into. Rich L's advice to get as much of the records or documentation on prior work or restoration work on the car as possible is one of the best things to follow. Also, As Larry mentioned, I don't have any experience myself on working on cars but it's something that I do want and need to learn to do, at least on the more basic operations on the workings of the car. If you need to depend 100% on a shop to make any and all repairs that may pop up it can start to get a bit costly but by learning a little bit at a time it does make the ownership of the car much more rewarding. I remember one point last summer when my temp. gauge sender unit went out on me and I needed to get it replaced. After posting the problem here on the forum I was told that even an idiot like myself could do the replacement of that part. Although I never even changed the oil in a car myself before, I went and got the new part, worked up the nerve for about a full day before attempting the repair, than dug right in. Gee, it took me all of 3 minutes to do the repair once I was under the hood. Now, others on here that do all of their own work may laugh that I was scared at first to even attempt such a easy and simple repair, but afterwards having done it myself gave me a GREAT feeling of accomplishment and even a closer bonding to the car. I plan on slowly learning more and more so I can do at least BASIC maintainace and repairs as needed on the car. This will save me having to always pay a shop to make every litttle repair plus make the ownership of the car much more satisfying knowing i'm doing it myself.

As you go through the learning process, make sure you find and have a shop that really knows these old cars. Forget a "modern" shop where most of the mechanics are "kids" straight out of automotive trade school. Find a mechanic that is older and has the experience of working on old cars and motors. These will be the guys that grew up with these older cars and know how to work on them as opposed to just "reprogramming" the motor with all the computers as in the new cars. Your best bet is finding someone who is an old ex-dragracer in his day. These guys usually know how to work on these old motors pretty well.

What I have learned since buying my '65 last March is pretty simple to sum up:

1. Don'y buy the first car you find. Look around at a lot of them first. It took me 6 months of extreme searching to find mine.
2. If needed, spend a little extra on a restored car rather than on a car that will need some work figuring you will slowly fix her up as time goes by. It's more expensive to have it done yourself than buying it already done.
3. Even if you are looking at a completely restored car, budget at least $5,000 (or more) for repairs or items you will need after the purchase.
4. Find a good, reliable mechanic to help keep the car running but take the time to begin to learn how to do at least basic maintainace work and repairs yourself.
5. join a local Vette club and also NCRS. Using organizations like this can be invalueable by having the experience and knowelage of the members to help you.
6. LEARN HOW TO DO SIMPLE THINGS ON THE CAR YOURSELF. Not only will this save you a lot of money on a mechanics labor, but the satisfaction of working on the car yourself is very rewarding.
7. Last, BUY THE VETTE. Don't let any of the "negative" aspects of buying and owning an older car stop you. Yes, a brand new car will be overall more reliable but nothing beats the happiness and satisfaction of owning, driving, and enjoying one of these old classics.
8. Practice exercising your smiles for hours at a time now so that your "smile muscles" get use to being used a lot. Once you buy the car, you won't be able to get that smile off your face each time you take her out because of the joy and fun of driving it and the looks, stares, smiles, nods, and attention you are going to get from the other people on the road as you are driving her.


Barry