Purchasing a '69 to '72 C3 (for the first time)

[Rob Williams]

Hello there
I was interested reading EK19's thread about purchasing a C3 for the first time! I'm in the same boat and want to reduce any mistakes or disappointments on my part by getting as much advice as possible.
I'm looking for a C3 between '69 and '72 which I think is a sought after model, with the chrome bumpers! Anyway that's what I'm after and as I said would appreciate any help or wisdom before shelling out cash.
I've done some research and aim to do a lot more about, amongst other things, those tricky chasis members and that "birdcage"! What a potential minefield!! I bet there's quite a few who have bought what they thought was a finished car only to find the chassis was rusted out!
I've been looking at cars around the 25 to 30 K range and although advertisers supply lots of pictures of the top bit, there's normally very few of the all important underside. To me that always raises alarm bells!
Fortunately there are lots of helpful restoration videos with the body being lifted off and the chassis and running gear being renovated. Having been down that road with another classic car I know it's a lot of time effort and money. Better I think to buy one that's already been done. That however seems to come with it's own set of problems, I think there are lots of cars out there that look restored but really actually need the lot done!
I've looked online at cars in the UK and Europe. I think there's a lot more choice from cars in Europe but you have to get them back and I think it's 5% tax to HMRC. The Dutch classic car dealers "Joop Stolze" seem to be all over this line of supply!
I thought about getting a car needing a bit of work but then I don't want to be launching into a full on restoration...again! The prices I'm seeing for cars seems to vary widely and I realise you only get what you pay. I don't however want to be suckered into buying something that'll put me in a world of pain.
My first C3 was back in the the late sixties early seventies when I was still a sprout and had some little Corgi metal cars! A C2 a C3 and an E type I think! Dunno where they are now but I still remember them!
Thanks Rob Williams

 

[johng]

As mentioned in EK19s thread, your best bet is to join the club and get along to some local meetings. Having a number of cars in front of you to look over and owners to chat with will give you a much better idea of what to look out for. Where are you based?

 

[Nassau65]

I think you need to actually view a few cars to see what your ££’s actually buy. Price really depends on who’s selling it.
As these cars (1969-72) are now 50+ years old, there’s probably going to be a few little things on any car that could possibly be improved upon.
Happy hunting.

 

[Nassau65]

Looks like Joop Stolze brings in most of his corvettes from the states, that tells you the place to look for one is possibly America. A much larger source base.
Not difficult to import from Holland, you can drive it over, over the years I’ve done it many times. If a car couldn’t be driven from Holland to the UK, I wouldn’t buy it.
The 5% reduced VAT amount applies to any import from anywhere, and is not that spiteful.

 

[Rob Williams]

Thanks for your replies and helpful advice and yes I need to join the club! I’m based in Launceston Cornwall so I’m right out on a limb!
I don’t mind a car that needs work but I don’t want a complete renovation! It’s the time and cost of parts that puts me off!
The search continues which I’m enjoying doing! I’m not in a hurry as well and I think that’s good! My car is out there somewhere!
Thanks Rob

 

[johng]

I was looking for a car that needed work (although like you I wasn't planning a complete renovation). However, that is what it turned into once I started! The problem is it's so difficult to see exactly what needs doing until you start taking it apart. If you can find one that has already been restored and the seller can provide photos/receipts for what's been done, then that takes away a lot of the gamble. In my experience assuming you can work on the car yourself, the most expensive bits are paint and interior trim, which at least you can see before you buy.

 

[Rob Williams]

Yes that’s sort of what worries me! Buying something that turns out to be a restoration job! I don’t mind that but I’d want to know from day one!
I was watching that American bloke Mike landwehr on you tube with his C3! I thought it was quite good but his restoration videos stretch to years, and it’s still not finished!
I suppose it’s a case of the right car and knowing what’s involved!
As I said in my earlier post you don’t seem to find many ads with photos of the chasis etc! Lots of ads with pictures of shiny paintwork!!
I’ve seen a couple of quite expensive cars that I would have said are too far gone for a viable restoration!
Oh well as you rightly say, these cars are fifty odd now so it sort of goes with the territory!

 

[Nassau65]

It’s sometimes quite hard for private sellers to get good shots of the underneath of the cars, most dealers will or should have access to a lift, so should be able to supply good/reasonably good underside shots
Professional appraisals are available to have done on any possible purchase. I’ve had a few done on cars buying and selling. it’s money well spent both here and the US. That can save a few surprises.

 

[Mad4slalom]

Yes that’s sort of what worries me! Buying something that turns out to be a restoration job! I don’t mind that but I’d want to know from day one!
I was watching that American bloke Mike landwehr on you tube with his C3! I thought it was quite good but his restoration videos stretch to years, and it’s still not finished!
I suppose it’s a case of the right car and knowing what’s involved!
As I said in my earlier post you don’t seem to find many ads with photos of the chasis etc! Lots of ads with pictures of shiny paintwork!!
I’ve seen a couple of quite expensive cars that I would have said are too far gone for a viable restoration!
Oh well as you rightly say, these cars are fifty odd now si it sort of goes with the territory!

I was lucky to have been able to see a pic of my chassis prior to doing the deal. Still looks as good now

 

[Mad4slalom]

Hello there
I was interested reading EK19's thread about purchasing a C3 for the first time! I'm in the same boat and want to reduce any mistakes or disappointments on my part by getting as much advice as possible.
I'm looking for a C3 between '69 and '72 which I think is a sought after model, with the chrome bumpers! Anyway that's what I'm after and as I said would appreciate any help or wisdom before shelling out cash.
I've done some research and aim to do a lot more about, amongst other things, those tricky chasis members and that "birdcage"! What a potential minefield!! I bet there's quite a few who have bought what they thought was a finished car only to find the chassis was rusted out!
I've been looking at cars around the 25 to 30 K range and although advertisers supply lots of pictures of the top bit, there's normally very few of the all important underside. To me that always raises alarm bells!
Fortunately there are lots of helpful restoration videos with the body being lifted off and the chassis and running gear being renovated. Having been down that road with another classic car I know it's a lot of time effort and money. Better I think to buy one that's already been done. That however seems to come with it's own set of problems, I think there are lots of cars out there that look restored but really actually need the lot done!
I've looked online at cars in the UK and Europe. I think there's a lot more choice from cars in Europe but you have to get them back and I think it's 5% tax to HMRC. The Dutch classic car dealers "Joop Stolze" seem to be all over this line of supply!
I thought about getting a car needing a bit of work but then I don't want to be launching into a full on restoration...again! The prices I'm seeing for cars seems to vary widely and I realise you only get what you pay. I don't however want to be suckered into buying something that'll put me in a world of pain.
My first C3 was back in the the late sixties early seventies when I was still a sprout and had some little Corgi metal cars! A C2 a C3 and an E type I think! Dunno where they are now but I still remember them!
Thanks Rob Williams

Yes that’s sort of what worries me! Buying something that turns out to be a restoration job! I don’t mind that but I’d want to know from day one!
I was watching that American bloke Mike landwehr on you tube with his C3! I thought it was quite good but his restoration videos stretch to years, and it’s still not finished!
I suppose it’s a case of the right car and knowing what’s involved!
As I said in my earlier post you don’t seem to find many ads with photos of the chasis etc! Lots of ads with pictures of shiny paintwork!!
I’ve seen a couple of quite expensive cars that I would have said are too far gone for a viable restoration!
Oh well as you rightly say, these cars are fifty odd now si it sort of goes with the territory!

Worth a call to Gavin Roe, who restores , maintains and sells C3’s. I think he had a 72 up there a while back but dont know if a sales or a customers car.
Gavin seems to price his cars fairly and realistically, unlike some of the classic dealers you see in publications such as Motorsport magazine and similar. plus you get the benefit of his specialist knowledge and experience of the c3 ,unlike the generic dealers that sell one now and again and maybe actually know very little of what lies beneath.

 

[Rob Williams]

That’s true, it’s not always easy if you haven’t got access to a lift! A really good idea to get any potential car checked over! Better still I think I’ll join the club and follow that route! Thanks for all the comments and help

 

[Rob Williams]

Oh thanks I will give him a call. I have to say seeing those pictures from "mad4slalom" I was thinking how much I'd like to do a project like that....after saying I didn't want to do a restoration!
So satisfying to see a body off chasis all clean and painted with the new running gear going on! I want a ('69-72') C3 more than ever now! These cars are very easy to get under your skin!!

 

[Mad4slalom]

Oh thanks I will give him a call. I have to say seeing those pictures from "mad4slalom" I was thinking how much I'd like to do a project like that....after saying I didn't want to do a restoration!
So satisfying to see a body off chasis all clean and painted with the new running gear going on! I want a ('69-72') C3 more than ever now! These cars are very easy to get under your skin!!

It took me 28 months to finsh a beach buggy part resto , part build , which is simple compared to a vette.
So I went for an older body off restored vette from the US, now I only have general repairs , maintenance and fettling to cope with. Still plenty of that tho as its still a 50 YO car. Happy hunting

 

[Mad4slalom]

It took me 28 months to finsh a beach buggy part resto , part build , which is simple compared to a vette.
So I went for an older body off restored vette from the US, now I only have general repairs , maintenance and fettling to cope with. Still plenty of that tho as its still a 50 YO car. Happy hunting

I meant 18 months

 

[Rob Williams]

Thank you and thanks to everyone

 

[Roscobbc]

I'm gonna be realistic and say that any 50 year old car is going to be a 'work in process' job. Unless you are buying an ultra low mileage, low ownership, fully documented and certified vehicle or fully restored car with a photographic library explaining the work carried out it can't be anything else, irrespective of whether its a Corvette or a Porche.
The bottom line is that unless you are very lucky you'll have to pay dearly for that car. Just look at the price of C1 and C2 Vettes. Perhaps you may be lucky in sourcing a C that has been well looked after......and with C3 prices having been at a relatively low figure for a number of years it is almosty feasible. The problem we have with C3's is that there are C3's and there are C3's. Let me explain further. The C3, introduced in 1968 chrome bumper format ran through to 1973. It was available initially with a range of small block and big block high compression non-smog compliant engines. These years were the 'high' spot for any people who wanted a high performance Corvette. Make no mistake a 'base' 327 or 350 cu in engine is no match for a 350 hp or 370 hp 350 cu in small block. Base 427 engine were a different matter with an additional 1300 cc and bundles of torque they were (are) great performers and, surprisingly cruisers.
1971 (due to oncoming emissions controls) was the last year of high compression engines and subsequent years saw performances drop to a rated 160 or so HP in the mid 70's.
GM's Corvette buyers changed. Whilst the Vette was still a sporty drive (by American standards) it was really a low performance cruiser now and recieved annual improvements by GM to reduce interior noise, improve comfort, and finally in the early 80's hike the economy. A great success for GM really and there were/are plenty of mid 70's Vettes around that hve been well looked after and not thrashed, raced, dragged or pranged.
There are far, far more of these still around than early C3's at affordable prices........its perhaps these later cars that have help to 'hold down' the prices of early C3's. Why would someone spend perhaps £25k, £30k or more on a half decent early C3 when for less than £15K, perhaps £18K they can source a (supposedly) immaculate mid yeaes/late C3? (unless of course you demand that visceral performance that an early C3 gives).....or......spend a few £K's on performance parts. I notice that you ommitted '68 Vettes from your list. Many of the early publications slagged the introductory year C3, slateing poor QC controls etc. Its true that 68's had a number of updates during the model years, and yes the interior quality was perhaps 'iffy', but no worse than any any other car of the period. I doubt it any C3 Corvette for sale today isn't on at leat its 2nd or 3 rd set of upholstery. Mopars of the day barely lasted 3 or 4 years before the interiuors disintegrated.
Be patient your car is out there somewhere............

 

[Rob Williams]

Roscoobc, thanks for your comments and that's an eye opener for me about the engines. It's my ignorance and knowledge of the cars but I thought there was just a big engine or really big engine! sounds like its a bit more complicated. I will say that for me I'm never going to racing around like a teenager so performance wise even the smallest least powerful variant would be OK! That said I'm looking for a "chrome bumper model" which I think you mean would be the pre emission version...which is good! I thought the chrome bumper models ran from '69 to '72....sounds like I'm wrong and the '68 model was a chrome bumper C3 too. The C1's and C2's are just too expensive for me unless as you mentioned, I happened to be very very lucky. Never happened so far so I'll stick to the C3 plan!
Mad4slalom's got me thinking about restoration. Getting a sound completed car that lends itself to restoration could be viable. At least that way as strip and restore
you know what you've got! It's a lot to think about and I need to get out there and have a look at some cars!

 

[Roscobbc]

Rob - you really need to go in C3's of various years before deciding. Many later owners have modified their vehicles to improve performance -:irrespective of whether a high performance car or not a 'nice' Vette, even a lower HP one is still a treat to drive.

 

[Rob Williams]

I am keeping all options open but the chrome bumper (whether '68 or '72) is my preferred choice. I'm not bothered about a high performance car, it'd be wasted on me I'm after as you described a "nice Vette"! I'm sort of stuck on the '72 era as I used to own a '72 Reliant Scimitar for years(Maybe I shouldn't mention that on this site)! It has the bonus of being tax exempt and I've now given that to me 28 year old son as he's always wanted it. So for illogical reasons the '72 cars (68-72) are the chosen ones for me plus I just prefer that model and styling!
I believe the tax exempt status has now been raised to I think '82 cars and before! I'm trawling the internet for cars and info' as I write this

 

[Nassau65]

Tax free status is for 40 year old cars, so the 1972 model year is indeed tax free, it’s also MOT free.
Get the corvette black book, it covers all the specs for all the years, depending on issue purchased. As your after a chrome bumper variant a very late edition is not needed. Plenty on eBay.
This will list all the engine options for the years along with all other options. It’s a handy piece of info to have.