What to look for.

[Hank]

I'm new here and just getting my feet wet so hope I'm in the right spot. Please bear with me. I'm just starting to look around for my first 'Vette. Going to finally make a lifelong dream come true. I couldn't afford a C2 during that era but I'm going to try for one now. I'm fairly comfortable around the mechanics of most cars and although not a pro, not a total novice either but I am when it comes to these Corvettes so I'm hoping somebody can give me some heads-up information to help me out. I'll be looking for a really nice 65-67 driver but not particularl as to coupe or roadster. Do these cars have any real weak spots mechanically, things that are well known engine, suspension or body problem areas? Are there any things I should really look for or more particularly look-out for when checking one out? If I can't find an individual seller can you recommend any dealers to run to or away from? I'm pretty much up in the sticks of south-western NC and wondering if anybody knows of some good shops in the Atlanta, Chatanooga, Knoxville areas that specialize in repair or restoration of these cars. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.. Thanks.

 

[IH2LOSE]

WELCOME
Well hank your starting off the smart way aquirring information first.I would suggest going to a book store there are some excellent books out there on purchasing a midyear,
Also join the NCRS they are an excellent source of information,Decide what you want in a car.I knew I wanter Power steering,Power breaks and a dual break circut for saftey,Also I wanted a convertable.Good luck and have fun

 

[yellow_2002_germany]

Also...

if you are looking for a driver, a car without the original motor might be a more economical choice.

A big thing in a car that old too is frame rust.

 

[Hank]

Thanks for the kind welcome. Your right about doing my homework, I've already started my library. I always try to start each new crusade with as much knowledge as I can cram into the old brain pan. That's one of the primary reason I'm looking to pick the brains of this forum. Who better then those that own them I figure. IAC, I plan on doing a lot of reading before I lay any money on the line.. it's a big investment any way you look at it. As for what kind of car I'll be looking for..I'm pretty much of a minimalist except where hp and torque figures into it so probably won't demand a lot of power bells and whistles. Even though a large disp. mill would be nice I could settle for something less if it was in the right car. Except for a '63 Split windows, I'd probably opt for a roadster given my druthers but actually if the car was right I wouldn't pass on a coupe. They've both got thier appeal to me. About the only thing I'm pretty firm on is the tranny. Up here you have the roads to really work a car so not really interested in an auto.

What you say about possibly picking up a NOM car has a lot of merit. As long as the body and interior is bone stock I could live with a replacement motor. I'm sure they can usually be had for something less then an equivilent matched car. Probably make less sense if I was buying strictly as an investment but I've always figured cars are for driving rather sitting and polishing (not that there's anything wrong with that if that's your thing). I already know enough not to expect to find many (or any) real steals in mid-years under any circumstances. Appreciate the heads-up on the frame btw. It's info like that is going to hopefully help me cherry pick.