1st Corvette Purchase - Advice

[satchmo]

Hi All

Hope this is the right place to post this...…New Member and first post

I have been looking forever but now in a position to purchase my 1st C3 Corvette and wanted some advice and thoughts around a car that is currently on sale on various platforms.....does anyone know this vehicle.

Current Owner has been extremely helpful and sent loads of images / videos of the bodywork restoration and underside, to many to post here.

Totally get its not the most desirable of the C3's but hopefully a good place to start.

Corvette C3 1977 5.7 V8 Auto £20,950.00
It’s had a comprehensive restoration including high end body and paint, (loads of photos) fully re-trimmed one off interior in black leather and alcantara, new carpet, Original 8track stereo, California car so No rust anywhere. All smog restrictions removed, Ac removed but included, Patriot ceramic headers and nearly new Magna flow exhaust, Edelbrock covers and air cleaner, new battery,

One job that will need addressing Is play in the drivers side control arm which will need attention,

Link :

Pardon our interruption...

 

[Chevrolet]

Totally get its not the most desirable of the C3's but hopefully a good place to start.

I wouldn't say that. I think it looks great! Love the back end of a '77!. Fab colour and looks great in the photos, including the underside. CCCUK member the seller? I see CCCUK stickers in the windscreen. Where are you based/see that the car is in Reading? Would you get someone to inspect it before buying it? Ian Goss just off the A3 in Surbiton would be the man I'd get to look it over/do any repairs. Not too far away?

IGS American Ltd

IGS American Ltd, Surbiton , Surrey. 355 likes · 26 talking about this. Servicing , Tyres , MOT's , All your vehicle needs. Free advice and estimates . No job to small . All vehicles welcomed ....

www.facebook.com

 

[Roscobbc]

Whilst the later C3's perhaps in some peoples eyes (and in resale prices) don't create the same interest (and prices) as the earlier C3's they are perhaps a bit more civilised and better apointed.......ok, so engines are down on power being in the emission era but many will have some aftermarket parts like headers, perhaps a cam and carb/inlet manifold change........all the above works far better if aftermarket higher compression heads have been installed. This one is perhaps at the 'top end' of mide/late 70's prices but looks as though some time an money has been spent on it........is that paint job metallic?......paint for that (and skill spraying it) would be expensive........looks recent......inspect for microblisters and 'star' cracks. Looks a nice car.

 

[Vetman]

Hi All

Hope this is the right place to post this...…New Member and first post

I have been looking forever but now in a position to purchase my 1st C3 Corvette and wanted some advice and thoughts around a car that is currently on sale on various platforms.....does anyone know this vehicle.

Current Owner has been extremely helpful and sent loads of images / videos of the bodywork restoration and underside, to many to post here.

Totally get its not the most desirable of the C3's but hopefully a good place to start.

Corvette C3 1977 5.7 V8 Auto £20,950.00

All years of Corvettes and C3’s are beautiful cars and get lots of admiring attention at petrol stations, and elsewhere. If this car is as solid as it looks, then good value, as to restore a tatty car will cost a fortune parts and labour.
Needs to run well, without smoke, unusual noises, and strange driving behaviour.
Good luck with your search.

 

[teamzr1]

Can see this has headers, 1st I would do is get some heat socks onto the sparkplug wires near the sparkplug boots

If the A/C is the original, you would have to do what is needed to convert to use the newer allowed Freon

 

[satchmo]

Thanks for the responses so far really appreciate some of the feedback.

When I mentioned desirable it was the engines power, definitely not the looks

 

[Chevrolet]

Thanks for the responses so far really appreciate some of the feedback.

When I mentioned desirable it was the engines power, definitely not the looks.

Let us know what happens?

 

[Vetman]

Thanks for the responses so far really appreciate some of the feedback.

When I mentioned desirable it was the engines power, definitely not the looks

De-snogging the engine helps the power. Good inlet manifold, air cleaner and exhaust are fairly easy mods, if not already done to this car. Beyond that you need a better cam and cylinder heads with higher compression and better air flow. I have done this to my 75 and it is now more powerful than most of the earlier factory 350’s, and very driveable.

 

[Vetman]

Make that de-smogging!

 

[Chevrolet]

This one is perhaps at the 'top end' of mide/late 70's prices but looks as though some time an money has been spent on it.

See that in the ad, seller is accepting offers. From what you can see above, how much would you be looking to pay for it?

 

[Vetman]

Not mentioned yet, but, are you able to garage this car? I wouldn’t sell mine to someone who couldn’t pamper it. Leaving it outdoors will lead to some delapidation over time. Rain will find a way in through the t-tops usually, and damp carpets lead to mould, etc. Shame if this happened to a top quality car.

 

[Roscobbc]

Not mentioned yet, but, are you able to garage this car? I wouldn’t sell mine to someone who couldn’t pamper it. Leaving it outdoors will lead to some delapidation over time. Rain will find a way in through the t-tops usually, and damp carpets lead to mould, etc. Shame if this happened to a top quality car.

And with that lovely paintwork you can't be sure how far the finishers/painters went in regards to minimising moisture content during the re-finishing......you'll really want to avoid storing the car when wet or in cold damp garages......remember that a car cover used out in the open can be a 'kiss of death' for the paintwork for several reasons!

 

[johng]

If it is as good as it looks then I'd say it's not a bad price. I bought a cheap 78 project and have now spent over £20k in total getting it how I want it. As Ross has said paint is the most expensive item, so make sure there are no micro blisters. Bird cage rust is probably the worst issue on a C3, so check that out as best as you can. Interiors are expensive but that looks good. Engine and gearbox can also be expensive. Mine seemed to be okay, but I later found out that the gearbox would only work in reverse on the flat or down hill, that meant an expensive rebuild. Are you okay to carry out work on the car yourself, as a 47 year old car is going to need things doing from time to time.

 

[satchmo]

Not mentioned yet, but, are you able to garage this car? I wouldn’t sell mine to someone who couldn’t pamper it. Leaving it outdoors will lead to some delapidation over time. Rain will find a way in through the t-tops usually, and damp carpets lead to mould, etc. Shame if this happened to a top quality car.

Thankfully I have dry storage already prepped ready to go.

 

[James Vette]

Stunning car and colour. You should be very proud! Welcome to the club!

 

[tomkinsarchie]

Thank you for sharing information on the Corvette. It sounds like a well-kept and intelligently refurbished car. It's great that the current owner has been so open with information and images.

Regarding the control arm issue, it is always best to be open about prospective maintenance requirements. Depending on the extent of the play in the control arm, it could be anything from a modest adjustment to a more comprehensive repair. This information provides a clearer picture of the vehicle's condition, allowing you to make a more informed selection. When negotiating the acquisition, it may be worth considering the expense of resolving this issue. Overall, it appears that you are making the proper selection with your purchase!