Nice find, bit too much for me plus import costs 🫣On the subject of C3's this just popped up on Barn Finds. It looks like an absolute beauty and it less than $20,000.....okay its in Kansas but I'd certainly be interested in buying it if I was in the market for a C3.
Bargain Buy? 1970 Chevrolet Corvette
"Buy a Corvette and you buy a piece of tomorrow" read the 1970 Chevrolet Corvette brochure. Although not literal, that philosophical waxing from 53 years ago almost feels prophetic -- in this case, anyway -- as this example has well withstood the test of time remaining largely original. I found...barnfinds.com
P.S. there is a link to the Craigslist advert in the article
Is this C3 for me?
- Thread starter L303
- Start date
This is very helpful thank you. Definitely having second thoughts
as that job would be too much for me, it’d have to go to a specialist. It’s a gamble. I wish GM made their frames better 
This PDF is great, thank you!
theseoldcars
Well-known user
When it comes to cars such as this, which can be looked at to some extent but have some fairly significant question marks – and I may be preaching to the converted here, so apologies in advance – my general rule of thumb is to assume it will cost me 100 per cent of the purchase price to return the car to the road.
For example, a £7,500 classic that's been parked for 20 years, and is potentially hiding some issues, I'll budget a worst-case scenario of £7,500 to get it legal and working properly. If it ends up being less than that, and it may well do, fantastic. But, in my experience of such things, it's easy to end up getting spiked by unforeseen costs, especially if it's something less supported locally, or a car that's more complicated. And, unlike some, I account for every single penny I spend on a revival or restoration, including shipping, transport, fuel, etc., so I have a pretty harsh but realistic account of whatever the car in front of me is costing.
Bearing that in mind, you have to start asking the question: 'Does that kind of money simply allow me to buy a nice turn-key car?'
In a lot of cases, the answer is probably yes. And you can get something that'll be in far better shape, and ready to use immediately. Just look at some of the cars from EMC Performance, for example.
And this is a doubly important question if you've little in the way of time, spare funds, space, inclination, and so on. Two weeks off the road can very quickly become two months, then four, then we're into winter... and instead of digging around under some grotty long-parked car, you could instead be blatting about in something infinitely smarter, more enjoyable and easier to sell if the need ever arose.
The last time I went through a similar classic project, as a case in point, it was mechanically viable – although I budgeted several grand to sort out things such as the exhaust, brakes, cooling pack, fuel lines, brake lines, some bushes, hoses, and tyres – but the metalwork appeared just about sound enough. However, once I finally got it out and up on lifts, it was clear that the boot floor had seen better days. It ultimately transpired to not be patchable; new sheet metal was the thick end of £800, then some £1,200 for fitting and related paintwork, so that was £2,000 out of thin air and a few weeks on the schedule. But, because I'd budgeted 100 per cent of the purchase price, I could soak up that hit. Including the ~£400 of transport costs, from having to shunt it back and forth at various points.
Just my two cents. I've lost track of the number of people I've seen buy project cars, only to end up spending countless thousands more than simply buying a smart, usable example that would have been infinitely more enjoyable for them to own.
Different strokes for different folks, mind, of course; if you have the space, time and desire to do so, and the ability to do significant portions of the work yourself, you can get a lot of pleasure out of bringing something back to life. But, in any case, you just need to think about the realities of the work, who's going to do it, the financial aspects of it, and the associated pitfalls. If you're all good with that, go for it!
For example, a £7,500 classic that's been parked for 20 years, and is potentially hiding some issues, I'll budget a worst-case scenario of £7,500 to get it legal and working properly. If it ends up being less than that, and it may well do, fantastic. But, in my experience of such things, it's easy to end up getting spiked by unforeseen costs, especially if it's something less supported locally, or a car that's more complicated. And, unlike some, I account for every single penny I spend on a revival or restoration, including shipping, transport, fuel, etc., so I have a pretty harsh but realistic account of whatever the car in front of me is costing.
Bearing that in mind, you have to start asking the question: 'Does that kind of money simply allow me to buy a nice turn-key car?'
In a lot of cases, the answer is probably yes. And you can get something that'll be in far better shape, and ready to use immediately. Just look at some of the cars from EMC Performance, for example.
And this is a doubly important question if you've little in the way of time, spare funds, space, inclination, and so on. Two weeks off the road can very quickly become two months, then four, then we're into winter... and instead of digging around under some grotty long-parked car, you could instead be blatting about in something infinitely smarter, more enjoyable and easier to sell if the need ever arose.
The last time I went through a similar classic project, as a case in point, it was mechanically viable – although I budgeted several grand to sort out things such as the exhaust, brakes, cooling pack, fuel lines, brake lines, some bushes, hoses, and tyres – but the metalwork appeared just about sound enough. However, once I finally got it out and up on lifts, it was clear that the boot floor had seen better days. It ultimately transpired to not be patchable; new sheet metal was the thick end of £800, then some £1,200 for fitting and related paintwork, so that was £2,000 out of thin air and a few weeks on the schedule. But, because I'd budgeted 100 per cent of the purchase price, I could soak up that hit. Including the ~£400 of transport costs, from having to shunt it back and forth at various points.
Just my two cents. I've lost track of the number of people I've seen buy project cars, only to end up spending countless thousands more than simply buying a smart, usable example that would have been infinitely more enjoyable for them to own.
Different strokes for different folks, mind, of course; if you have the space, time and desire to do so, and the ability to do significant portions of the work yourself, you can get a lot of pleasure out of bringing something back to life. But, in any case, you just need to think about the realities of the work, who's going to do it, the financial aspects of it, and the associated pitfalls. If you're all good with that, go for it!
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Emc
Supporting vendor
L303 in cases with questions like yours ,sound advice is priceless, as always with any club, members can offer a massive amount of advice due to their own experience ,also there are people who work on these cars every day who can fill in with deeper experience. In my opinion advice should cost nothing to enthusiasts and not be a dealer who says " bring it in we will sort it out" then presents you with an eye watering bill.I have based my buisness on helping people. Feel free to give me a call anytime.
Thank you. What you have mentioned is spot on. I think with this car it appeared to be on the edge of what we could handle and that’s what’s making it very difficult hence me coming on here to see what the experts who’ve been through it think and pointers on what can’t be seen.
Also, small world. I’ve spoken to you before via Twitter and we follow each other on Instagram
Your page caught me eye when you had your Charger (another dream of mine) and I know you went to a C4.I have definitely looked at EMC’s stock a few times and their FB to see them out there importing cars. In my mind with my freelance situation I’d find it hard to drop a bigger amount in one go vs feeding a project (that’s on the lighter side, I saw TimP’s project thread last night WOW). But who knows what the future holds!
Emc
Supporting vendor
Not me on twitter I'm afraid, I have never had a chargerThank you. What you have mentioned is spot on. I think with this car it appeared to be on the edge of what we could handle and that’s what’s making it very difficult hence me coming on here to see what the experts who’ve been through it think and pointers on what can’t be seen.
Also, small world. I’ve spoken to you before via Twitter and we follow each other on Instagram
I have definitely looked at EMC’s stock a few times and their FB to see them out there importing cars. In my mind with my freelance situation I’d find it hard to drop a bigger amount in one go vs feeding a project (that’s on the lighter side, I saw TimP’s project thread last night WOW). But who knows what the future holds!
theseoldcars
Well-known user
No, worry not, one and the same, haha!
Sold my fourth C4 a while ago, now fiddling around with a C5...
All the best with your potential purchase, in any case. Keep us posted as to how it goes!
Sold my fourth C4 a while ago, now fiddling around with a C5...
All the best with your potential purchase, in any case. Keep us posted as to how it goes!
Roscobbc
Moderator
One maxim I always used when puchasing old cars was if something couldn't be seen operating (i.e engine, transmission, brakes, air con and other ancillery items) in terms of what you are prepared to paid is - if it can't be seen running (like engine) or operating (transmission, air con) then price-wise you mentally need to consider a maximum cost scenario......so potential engine rebuild/replacement - auto box rebuild - total a/c overhaul and update. If the car isn't running - or you can't drive/test it you need to balance it up as a whole and pay accordingly.
Against that logic however is the fact that you could end up looking at multiple cars and not actually buying anything. Most people seen to take the middle route, take some things on face value - others only after inspection. Me?, the thought of a mid 70's Vette with factory optional suspension, manual transmission AND a/c just begs for the excuse to build-up/drop in a performance 383 cu in stroker engine and have some real fun out there in the road!
Against that logic however is the fact that you could end up looking at multiple cars and not actually buying anything. Most people seen to take the middle route, take some things on face value - others only after inspection. Me?, the thought of a mid 70's Vette with factory optional suspension, manual transmission AND a/c just begs for the excuse to build-up/drop in a performance 383 cu in stroker engine and have some real fun out there in the road!
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Roscobbc
Moderator
Amazing how those rear wheels/tyres look so totally inadequate in the rear fender openings.......just crying out for some big tyres!
A big thank you goes out to @Emc who took the time to speak with me about this on the phone.
who knows what I'd have bought! Learnt my lesson now.
And yes with you on that, does sound fun (and pricey). Coolest car in the city
I worry about being like that haha. Very cautious... hence why I'm here. Though in the past I have stuck a few bids into some C3 auctions through pure lust and impulse - glad I got outbid now
who knows what I'd have bought! Learnt my lesson now.And yes with you on that, does sound fun (and pricey). Coolest car in the city
Roscobbc
Moderator
'If', and only 'if' you are unlucky enough to buy a car that needs a major engine overhaul you'll have a few options ('pocket' related) 1. minimal build using existing engine - 2. 'new' crate engine - 3. re-build/upgrade existing engine. Option 3 is potentiallyvinteresting. If perhaps the crankshaft, con rods, pistons, cam shaft etc are each (or all) knackered and perhaps beyond machining the cost of going 'stroker' with new rotating assembly plus other performance parts like new cylinder heads is not always significantly more expensive. Its all money related.A big thank you goes out to @Emc who took the time to speak with me about this on the phone.
I worry about being like that haha. Very cautious... hence why I'm here. Though in the past I have stuck a few bids into some C3 auctions through pure lust and impulse - glad I got outbid now
And yes with you on that, does sound fun (and pricey). Coolest car in the city
As an update for now, I have said no to this C3 with possible hidden cage issues that could be well above my abilities. So I won't be joining your ranks I feel like I've wussed out a little, normally a risk taker. But we'll see what happens. Ultimately I don't want a car to become too much and end up off the road for years with my bf eventually ringing Car SOS for help I guess I'll stick to my bike for now.
A big thank you to everyone who took the time to reply to me and help me out. I appreciate it!
I feel like I've wussed out a little, normally a risk taker. But we'll see what happens. Ultimately I don't want a car to become too much and end up off the road for years with my bf eventually ringing Car SOS for help I guess I'll stick to my bike for now.A big thank you to everyone who took the time to reply to me and help me out. I appreciate it!
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Haha as this is public I will say I negotiated under £10k
Roscobbc
Moderator
My guess would have been about £7k.......