Is an old Corvette right for you?
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- Опубліковано 18 січ 2024
- Is buying an older Corvette a good idea for you?
Lyle at C&S Corvettes talks about it.
Video Jumps:
00:01 Introduction
00:10 Giveaway contest
02:00 Start - is buing an older Corvette a good idea?
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Lyle, this should be a mandatory watch, for anybody with that itch to get that dream car. Or if we could go back in time. Your very first UA-cam. You lay it out there in a no-nonsense manner. Finding an up front and honest shop before you take that plunge is a good way to keep your smiles per mile going. Like most of us, we can fix most things, but not everything for whatever reason. Enjoying your words of wisdom Lyle. You're sharing about what happens at shop was insightful. Thanks for sharing, see on the next one!.
I bought a 1974 C3 convertable as a toy to play with. It was fun for awhile but, I wanted it faster ,stop better, and handle better! So now I have a 74 C3 with an LS 3 crate motor with 6speed trans,Willwood brakes,vintage air, Dacota guages,Vansteel suspension, etc! It's my daily now!
I had a 74 350 engine,automatic, if I did what you did to your 74 to mine I would still have it, but it worked out I got a 71 454 4spd convertible LS6 clone that was a driver.I almost went the project route.like you just make what you want!
Was it a nightmare project, or did it go ok?
It was 2yrs.and $50,000. That's a body off complete with all new parts and new ls3 with a new 6speed. I paid $10,000 for the car,itwas nice, so 60,000 and approximately approximately 1000 hrs labor. It was a fun project and could have been done cheaper,but it's what I wanted. A great fun car that I really wanted. I absolutely love it and would never sell it! That is also no paint because the car was that perfect to start with.
I'm 62 years old I always dreamed of buying a 1969 big block 4 speed corvette coupe I ended up buying a 2016 C7 I still believe the C3s are the best looking generation
I’m with you.. I’m 55 and bought a C5. But I really wanted a C3 only because it’s probably one of the sexiest cars ever made in my eyes.
Although might buy an 7 or 8 before I retire.
My father bought a 66 convertible with both tops and a new engine back in the early 70's. Awesome car. My brother ended up getting it because he was the oldest. He's a surgeon and has enough money to keep it running. It's had an off frame restoration and a new motor. He says he ends up bringing it home on a flatbed nearly every time he takes it out.
If it were me I'd just keep dreamin' and drive a new Toyota.
Love the C3.
Had a C5 and then moved on to some Maseratis. I never cared for the C6 and the C7 looked very jap. Even the C8, just doesn’t speak to me over a C5. I don’t hate the C8 but have no desire to pay for one.
I have a 2003 Chevrolet Corvette 50 anniversary😊 I am 73 years old I drive my Corvette I never had a problem with it after I purchase the Corvette I went over it and about $10,000 on it but after that I have no problems with it I have some cosmetic work but that gets up goes every time the AC is not what I expect sometimes cold. Out. Sometimes it's. Not. So cold sometimes you take your car to the shop
And they're going to keep it for good and I'll give. And. Gave. It. Back to. Me. I am. Not. A mechanic. So. I. To. Take. It. To. A. Shop
I've tinkered with cars for about 60 of my 78 years. But most of the mechanics today don't understand anything about cars pre-OBD 2 (1996). My son manages an independent general service shop and his young mechanics are all but clueless about carburetors, pre-electronic ignitions, etc. You are absolutely correct that to own an old car you need to find a mechanic who knows how to fix them and you must be willing to pay them what they deserve.
I like looking at classic cars at shows and Mecum. That’s y I own a 13 GS. Still a Corvette but the LS engine is always reliable with just oil changes for a 100k miles. Has all the creature comforts I want, the power I need & the looks that still command attention to this day.
If it's a pre-urethane C3 like the beauty in the thumbnail, or older, then the answer is yes. :)
The car I found that has a foot in both worlds is the C5. It is one of the more reliable Corvettes of the modern cars but it is more basic like older cars. It is good if you like your do your own work but like you have reliability.
The key also is know your limits. If you can’t build a rear fund or torque tube pay someone. But if you can do plugs do brush up on aluminum heads and other things like brakes. They may be similar to your old truck but there can be differences.
Never stop learning.
I looked at c3 and c4 vettes. Bought a c5 for all the right reasons.
Yes, the C5 is the Perfect Hybrid between both Worlds.
The Technic is not full of Computers, but still you can drive 280Kmh with that Car without the Fear of instant Death.
I have a C5 Z06 and compared to other cars I've worked on its more difficult due to the low ground clearance and how packed everything is under the hood. You really need a lift. A plus is the mechanical parts are usually pretty cheap and easy to get and the insurance rates are good relative to a new one.
I've owned 2 corvettes, 89 vert 6spd, 123,000 miles, and i worked on it all the time. the L98 engine is pretty straight forward, however replacing injectors was a pita. and i own a 96 LT4 car , these cars seem to be fairly dependable, and were well made.
so I think both were fun to own, and despite the narrative that its costly, it really isnt. these are weekend cars, and get driven mildly, so thats been my experience with them. the LT4 car has 22,000 miles on it
Most Corvettes r good cars
Great message. It took me over 2 years to purchase my 1978 silver anniversary corvette. I wanted the anniversary color package. I wanted a 4 speed manual transmission and I wanted the L-82 engine. Interior color was not important as long as it was in good shape. After over 2 years and several hundred miles of looking, I have the car I wanted. After several years of ownership I am still very happy with my corvette.
BEST CHANNEL ON YOU TUBE!!!!!!!!👍👍👍
Great video and advice. I looked at quite a few C6 Corvette’s before purchasing my first one. I may have paid a little more than most I looked at but the quality and condition made me feel comfortable with the price. I’ve had it 2 years with no issues. Just oil changes and no other issues. I love it!
Good advice Lyle...I agree that you are better off overpaying for the right car, buy one that has already been restored
Very good points, I have owned 5 Vets have a 66 coupe now. I worked as a Mancanic for 5 years in my 20s. The major downside of old cars is they become garage queens driving less then 500 miles per year. But if you love Old Vets / go for it.
Thank you for giving me patience. You are right. Need an everyday driver first. Then, hopefully, I'll visit your shop with a nice corvette that's not too old.lol hurts to wait but I'll live. Other shops should applaud you for your videos and knowledge. Thank you so much
So true about the c 3 air con. Had a 1969 back in 1976. Drove from Arizona to California in the summer.Almost died of heat stroke. Heat came from the fire wall into the cockpit. Had to buy bags of ice and keep them on the floor boards so my wife and I wouldn’t burn our feet. Then had to buy a spray bottle, fill it with ice water to spray ourselves constantly during the 10 hour trip from Tuscan to Los Angeles. Air Con worked fine in L.A. Not so well driving through the desert.
the problem is that woman + not the car ! I can live with it even without a f airconditioning , LA itself is a pretty mellow place anyway + not hot at all
I recently bought a 75 coupe that needs paint and mostly interior work, but has good undercarriage etc. I’m a decent mechanic and am finding parts cheap and plentiful (for example, motor mount 9$ at Oreillys. Boxster motor mount 90$ and have to order it). and also the car easy to work on. It’s just a Chevy 350 and an automatic transmission like all their older cars and trucks have had for the past 50 years. I had a 2002 Boxster S and it was worlds away in complexity and expense. So far, loving this old Vette.
I bought a 74 Coupe. It needs work. I got lucky to find a great caring honest mechanic. I’m buying some of the interior and found a neighbor to install for 25 an hour. He was a former corvette employee! Love my car.
You are doing very well at $25 an hour from a knowledgeable neighbor!! :)
Sold, solid advice. Thanks Lyle!
Thank You Lyle!
I started working on cars when I was 12 years old helping my dad with brake jobs and oil changes and when I was in high school I took auto shop. I was never too impressed with Corvettes until the C4 came out and got to sit in one down at the Corvette Museum in 1995. Unfortunately Career and family kept me from buying one until I retired and then it became my hobby. I loved learning how to work on C4's and the differences in the years. Just this past year I rebuilt the HVAC programmer in my 1991. That was fun but in order to get it in and out you have to remove the driver's seat and lay upside down just to get to it.
Man, those Videos are pure Gold. I enjoy them every Saturday Morning with my Coffee in the Hand 👍
Indeed. I really enjoy them as well.
lol - you're not lying about the AC of the C3's - it hardly worked when brand new!
22 yr old trying to get into vets fortunate enough to have a couple bands, the bank, looking at an older vet C3 or C4 can’t put into words how much your channel is helped me try to figure out what I can obtain. Looking forward to more content helping me make a decision.
Just finished a frame off restoration on a 1979, my 1st time doing this. It was an interesting project, thank you to C&S and those individuals out that share their knowledge, hat tipped. The 79 came with all the options for that year, all original except the transmission. There was already new trailing arms and a rear leaf spring, and it came with some new door hardware and door panels. Now everything mechanical is new or rebuilt except for the rear end and the 700r that the previous owner installed. Painted frame all new bushing, body mounts shocks etc., along with a fresh interior.
I am 53 and have experience from my youth working on cars from that time period, was a muscle car guy back in high school. And I have 35 years' experience in the manufacturing/machining industry, so I have all the inspection equipment used for the motor rebuild and mechanical work and what not. Had to buy some pullers, bearing installation tool and other tools you would need for a motor rebuild and a gantry crane to lift the body.
Any case I paid 18k for the car and put roughly 15k into it. Just for those out there if you don't have the tools, you will invest a lot. Rebuilding a car is a huge undertaking and from start to finish it took me a year. You need to follow the advice; from the frame to the bird cage, it's very important along with many other things when even choosing one of these cars. But now it's done, and I get to cruise.
Nobody beats Lyle, nobody.
Thank you sooo much, Sir!
I have a fully restored 1971 Red Convertible Corvette with a 383 Stroker LT1 Tremec 5 speed MSD Ignition and EFI. It's not for sale but it can be had. Not cheap !!!
Great. I'm just asking for trouble by living in the Caribbean and wanting a C4. Haha. Although I have seen 2 C4s down here and even more C5s. Great advice Lyle. Thanks a million.
Sure is for me I own a 1980 C3 👍🇺🇸🚗 love it
Preach it! -- My best advice to people who want to get a classic is to either spend the money to buy one that needs nothing or be sure they absolutely love the vehicle because old vehicles WILL test a person on all levels and at all times, typically being at the most inconvenient times… constantly. Craigslist and Marketplace are full of vehicles turned into "Basket Case" vehicles for sale that broke people after the rose-colored glasses came off.
Still, with all of that, I do enjoy working on my ’81 Corvette. It is not fancy nor overly complicated. It is, however, direct and to the point with a few knuckles getting rocked from time-to-time. That is just automotive life.
You nailed. I call those cars yard art. Like someone stated in the comments. Or like Clint E. A man's got to know his limitations. So true with any Hobbie. My 90 vett is always going to be a challenge no matter what. It's a 90. But I knew this from the get-go. Yup busted knuckles and all. Plus, money put aside to keep it moving. Thank goodness for Lyle and the good folks at C/S Corvettes. I'm west coast but if you're in need of answers to that Hey that's not the service manual. Lyle got back to me with some other sources. Couldn't be more thankful. May you have miles of smiles with your 81.
Lyle, this is a GREAT video. Wish I'd seen it before I bought my '81, 17yrs ago. Had an 82 Collectirs, 81 & now an '87. Yes they are money pits! When you're in the PIT you don't realize its a pit you wanna fix n ride in your baby. I keep records of my repairs but never total them for fear I'd burn the car😅. Your advuse is spot on especially about air conditioning. Was told cost would be approximately $1,200 & MIGHT blow out farely cool air. I hope many future vette owners see this video before buying. But in the end I don't regret owning my babys, just wish had more prior knowledge of expenses. Thanks Lyle.
Have a 1975 VERT the person that had it before me took very good care of it. It’s show quality. So true you need to have money set aside for work to be done on these older cars. You were so right PATIENCE needed. I’m learning how to do things on my own but also have some good shops that look forward to work on it. Older cars so fun to drive it’s like a time capsule. I get a lot of thumbs up. Thank you Lyle!
Great video Lyle! '81 C3 Saying to myself: "Yea, Yup, that too."
I've owned my favorite car, hot wheelcar for almost 16 yrs 3rd owner 1972 corvette stingray convertible. You must like tinkering. I did check the whole car for rust and brought a jack with me. In high school I had a tr6 and my dad and I bored and put a 3 Weber carb system on it. but my did has pulled a number of engines. he was a tinker. the skill set from my dad has saved me 1,000.00's. It is satisfying to tinker on the weekend when your finally done getting your home right so she can't complain ,you spend more time in the garage. Tell her it's still cheaper then an affair. This will shut her up every time
Great advice Lyle, patience, set a budget and do jobs you can do in the car are key points as old Corvette owner, even for newer cars, you should be at top of regular maintenance points such as oil, fluid changes and visual inspections.
Hi Lyle, it was nice meeting you today at the NCRS event. Ron with the C5 FRC.
Thanks for the great videos.
A guy I knew who had owned many Corvettes told me to buy the newest Vette I could afford and I did. Still very happy with my C5 !
Your so right 👍👍👍great advice
Hi Lyle I am working on my 1977 Corvette and I do it every time something brakes on it and I love doing it and I love my Corvette but they need to know that owning a Corvette is not easy because when they do brake down sometimes the parts are hard to get back on the car like emergency brakes witch I am putting on my Corvette they are a real pain to do
I bought a 1996 Corvette in November of 2023 to use as a Sunday fun drive car, but it's so much fun to drive that I'm giving serious thought to making it my daily. I mean, it pretty much has been since November. But I agree with your advice, old cars are not great choices for daily drivers. And as much as I love driving my car, it's not well suited for snowy, icy, really rainy days. Sometimes you have to drive on those days.
Exactly! Plus, it is really nice to have a second option whenever you may need more space or more modern conveniences. Lyle :)
Well you really got me thinking. I believe I meet the criteria to go forward with a classic car. I worked 4 years for Napa as a retirement job, I have time, money, skills, confidence and the passion but just can’t pull the trigger on a couple of C4s I’ve been researching. Maybe I’ll start with an old BMW boxer motorcycle to get my feet wet.
You remind me of a couple of mechanic entrepreneurs I worked with and had a lot of respect for while at Napa. Thank you for your common sense advise.
You can daily an old car if you have deep pockets and have it done up right. I rebuilt my 66 completely, i sent the teans out, i dont mess with those, but i completely rebuilt the motor with upgraded parts and added a holley sniper, brake lines and most brake parts are new, , Vintage air, basically everything. But it cost me parts and time only and i daily it. Cars are meant to be driven, not sitting in a garage so you can look at it and watch ut collect dust.
But if you want to daily an old one, either have a lot of money or a lot of skill.
I feel the 2 hour job turning into a 3 day job. As an industrial mechanic and electrician it’s happened way more than I would like
Love to have a Corvette, but I’m happy with my ‘91 Mustang LX Convertible!
But the rules are the same:
Not a daily driver, learn to fix it yourself, etc.
Great show Lyle.....and good common sense advice. Catch you next time. Good day sir.
thanks for the video Lyle! I think a lot of people get too excited over these cars without understanding fully what goes into owning an older vehicle. I got into purchasing my '94 with the knowledge of all these, as I've owned a '98 Explorer for the past 8 years. the Vette is just more complicated to work on than the Explorer lol.
When I bought my '86 Corvette back in 2015, I had no mechanical skill whatsoever. I wanted to learn working on my car though, and although I never particularly enjoyed working on it, I was extremely satisfied when the repair/upgrade was done and it worked flawlessly. I did have to do the intake manifold gaskets twice because I made mistakes the 1st time.
However, the car is getting worn and I guess it's time to sell it. And although I am now married with 1 daughter (and my wife is pregnant), I already bought an '87 with the Z52 option. And it has a blown head gasket. So now I have no time, no money and a Corvette that doesn't drive. Talking about bad choices! But I'm confident that I will repair it someday and it will drive much better than my current one.
Sage advice, Lyle!
Thank you for this video. My knees are bad and can't ride motorcycle anymore, so my wife and I have been looking for a C3 or C4.
I bought a 1995 C4 as my first car a long time ago but didn't know nothing about it so I forced myself to learn on it, it wasn't a cheap C4 but wasn't like top dollar low mileage perfect show room car but man I just youtubed everything and kinda fumbled around til I just kinda got the hang of it and I had so much pride in that car I drove it to my Walmart job at the time and it was the coolest car in the lot
Nice work Lyle, thank you. Great advice especially about being patient.
B2K was the Callaway twin turbo option in 1987, if I recall it was a $20k option.
B2K was in 1988 2:46 , the Callaway option, twin turbo. Cost, $25,800 and some change. Not many were produced
Old Corvettes cooperate with me because after all they're just old Chevys. Mine are full of old truck parts! Run strong enough if you ain't easy does it, they will get away from you.🏁🏁
Hehehe. I've always heard that thing about the two best days in a boat owner's life. This week, I sold my '96 Corvette. And I can confirm that it is also true of Corvettes. Two best days of old Corvette ownership are the day you buy it and the day you sell it. That part in the middle with the Optispark was wretched.
Yep, BOAT, "Bust Out Another Thousand"
As always, GREAT advice.
I love how this video was direct to the point and laid out how these “dream cars” may not really be the dream people thought they may be.
In all aspects, this video was dead on!!!
If it has a good bird cage! If it's 73 or older and you have the extra money? Go for it there price is rising at a pretty good clip. You'll brake even or make money
Thank you soo much, I always wanted to buy a C3 because it’s cheap and beautiful to see, but now I don’t because I’m not very likable to work on my cars and I hate paying to get it fix and even to get it to the mechanic, I owned a C6 which I just gave to my son because I got a new C8, i really don’t like old cars because everything breaks and performs very bad, but the C3 is something else, I love to see them and I dream of owning one
As always very good explanations on this subject
I own a stock '56 and a restomod '60. I absolutely agree with your assessment of classic ownership. Buying the absolute best car you can possibly afford is the best advice on the list. Finding a cheap one that "needs a little work" is asinine and you will deeply regret it. I don't drive either every day but when I put the top down and head out something magical happens to me. My stress disappears, my attitude improves and I'm better looking. Ok maybe 2 out of 3. Love my C1s but know what your getting into. Great job Lisle.
I daily drove a 68 camaro. Super reliable . Got a 2010 RS and timing chains stretched and cost 3500 to fix.. Seems like there are way more things to break on newer vehicles since 1996 computer controller ecms were used. Also had a 68 half ton Chevy truck that was a daily. I agree if you buy something brand new or used with low miles its more reliable but I replace more broken parts on newer cars than when I drove 60s cars.
The B2K began in 1987. It was for the Callaway Twin Turbo option and I believe it was $20,000.
Nice!!! Well done!!
I educated myself viewed the market and was one and done with my 1980 that I own and it’s worked out great …
Outstanding! Enjoy!!! Lyle :)
Maybe a C4 someday. I'm too poor for anything older, or newer! 🤣
It was (and still is) for me, and my 2001 "Pewter Bullet" is and remains the apple of my eye.
It hasn't been perfect -- heck, it was twenty years old when I bought it, and a twenty-year-old "Anycar" is likely to have its share of old-and-developing problems. I've been able, with thanks to the best Corvette-specialist shop in my region (Tony's Corvette Shop in Gaithersburg, MD), to handle the 'incipient problems' before they really screwed up my day.
I wince at the price of a new Corvette; I'd be uncomfortable, putting up the price of a nice C7 Stingray. If I'd known how much fun my Corvette would be, I'd have dug deeper into my pocket and bought a later-model C6. But I have "too much history" with my C5, after driving it through every one of the contiguous "Lower 48" States.
Keep it. I’m Keepin mine. Might dump some money in her but not getting ride of her. To much potential in a C5. But I wouldn’t turn my nose up at a brand new C8 to make my new baby.
Same applies to body shops. One thing I'd like to add.. in the scenario that the tech isn't comfortable working on your car. More often than not, they can point you in the right direction. Usually, if you've been cool with them, they are still willing to help you out.
Good video with good advice..
Great video very good advise Lyle👍
Great content. Keep content coming.Great job.Thank you
Great video. I had a 1986 Pontiac Fiero Gt . in the summer...i would check weather forcast....i would pull it out of storage and drive it for a week if it was Sunny. I am thinking about buying a 76 C3 Vette. I will check for Birdcage rust
Apparently not in my area.
I bought a 1976 Bright Blue L48 C3 in 1980. My fiancé of 7 years broke up with me and I had to do something to make me feel better.
So, I bought the C3. It had 5,000 miles on it and was in great shape. It was sitting in the Showroom of the local Chevy Dealer and was for sale at $9,200 less than the money for the 1981 Z28 I had ordered.
I had the Vette from 1980 until 2019.
For approximately 10 years, I tried to find someone in my area of Blair County PA to repaint it, but no one was willing to do it or they wanted $20,000 to repaint it.
Additionally, although it had 30,000 original miles on it, it needed the TLC a car that was 40 years old required.
In 2019 I ran into a guy I knew that had an outdoor power equipment business and I made a deal that served us both quite well.
I got a $10,000 Toro Zero Turn Mower and he got the 1976 Corvette in an “Even Up Trade”. Ok, of course he got the Mower at wholesale price, so maybe he made out better than I did, but I really needed the mower and I had a 2009 C6 and was planning to buy a C8 at some point. (The wife said we’re not going to have 3 Corvettes and one has to go!
Ok, the 76, the C6 or not buy the C8! Wow, not much of a decision!
The C3 had to go!!!
C8s were hard to get at MSRP and I had to wait my turn. It took from July 2021 until February 2022 to get my C8. Not really that bad once I decided to do the sale and to get an allocation in November 2021……
Ordered late November and came in on Valentines Day 2022. “GREAT NEWS”
LOVE THE C8!!! I did not make a mistake.
In fact, I’m currently waiting for a ZO6 allocation!!! I’m #1 now at the dealership for the next allocation!
That is a great story! Thank you for sharing it! Lyle :)
Excellent advice.
Great Advice, Lyle. My 1965 Corvette has been sitting for 15 years because I think I can fix it. The problem is that I do not have the enthusiasm to work on it.
Ship it to C&S Corvettes for repair and get driving sir. Good luck!🤞
I love other people's older corvette, but for me, I prefer my new c8.
Great video Lyle. Well said. 100% agree with everything you said. Thank you for putting that out there.
I promise when we move to fla nobody is gonna touch my vette except you shop .
I actually want a 1990 zr1 one day. I hear they have little electrical issues but motors are solid.
RPO B2K was first offered in 1987, it was the Callaway Twin Turbo option, it cost $19,995, 188 were built-123 coupes, 65 convertibles.
The best thing about old cars is they have no computers and can be easily repaired by the owner without dealer software.
Nice to have. Will help if you are a mechanic,or at least,know one that is knowledgeable about vintage Vett's. I have 6 from a '67 to a '73. None are real valuable but all are either restored or original survivor. I am not an automotive mechanic,so yes,I have spent quite a bit of $ on maintence etc.
Love my C3
It is for me, I like old cars
Great video, very true video
If you're looking for a c3 stay away from 68 and 77 they had the most problems and a lot of 1 year only stuff
I used to own a 73 it was really great felt good to drive that boat always turned heads but I kinda felt that it kept consuming me and here in my country Kuwait labor is very expensive, parts are also hard to find plus not every mechanic is a trust worthy
In my opinion, the corvette didn't get good until the C4, C5 is the absolute best generation.
Great discussion IRT old cars! The tricky part is finding a shop that is willing to work on your older car and then finding one that is reputable and willing to give frequent updates. I'm fortunate to have just such a shop within a very short distance, he (the owner) is an awesome guy and a real classic car enthusiast. I feel bad for him though- too many people bring their older cars to him for work and then lose their minds when he gives them the estimate. I've had AC work done by him- it ain't cheap, but damned if it wasn't done right with quality parts- I'm super happy. Oh- and yes, I nailed all 3 parts of the trivia question- a B2K has been a bucket-list car of mine ever since I laid in my bunk on my submarine back in '87 and drooled over the new Callaway Twin-Turbo 'Vette! I'd still love to have one, even though many cheaper Vettes can run circles around it nowadays.
For many years I wanted a Rolls Royce. It didn't need to be new but it had to be in superb condition. Then I came to the realization and realized I couldn't service myself and I would have to flatbed it to Las Vegas for service each time from Idaho. I settled on a late C7. At least the Corvette can be serviced by almost any Chevy mechanic here in Idaho. I pays to look at all of the facts before plunging into that dream purchase.
Trivia hint…Jet vs Vette. Still have that mag, in a box, somewhere. Oh if I had watched this 6 frustrating years ago. Don’t buy the 1st 90k mile, way below market $, C5 from a guy on eBay. Don’t meet 2hrs away and had him an envelope of cash. Before you drop the top and get on the highway, to head home….Surprise….reduced engine power…service traction management system…6 years. Every part, that’s thrown a code, has been swapped, except steering position sensor- that’s were my BY mechanic skills end. “A man’s got to know his limitations”…problem has only gotten worse. Had the budget for a garage queen….but…didn’t really know all that I didn’t know. These cars really weren’t made to be taken apart- that’s for sure. 🍻
I bought my 98 corvette at the end of march in 2021 with 50,000 mi. And yes it was the first one I looked at and test drove. I was extremely lucky. Now it has 65,000mi. The only thing I have done to it is oil changes and new tires. Also ac service. AC would work great during the summer than would start blowing warm air in the fall. Finally found leak in front main seal. Having new compressor installed this spring.
Really good advice.
If I purchase a C3 do you think I'd run into problems locating
carburetor belts or muffler bearings at my local parts store? or no? Ive installed my fair share of canooter valves, I don't now about you guys but I'd stick with made in the USA canooters over the Chinese ones.
I love my C3...works fine but I do not use the AC haha
Well said. And why I decided on a C6…. Still have issues with a parts for a 2011
Just bought a 1980 C3 corvette as my first car, now I'm watching this video lol.
Let us know when you have questions!
There are really 3 different categories of "old" corvettes that you can buy today. First is the late 70's-82 C3, which is a great choice if you're a good mechanic and want to either rebuild the engine or drop a crate engine in it. The second group is the C4's, the last of the old school hot rod type corvettes. Great choice if you don't really want to replace the engine but want to add a few go fast parts. Lastly would be a cheap C5/C6, which would be the ticket if you just want to drive it and not really work on it too much.
I had a 75 l-82 and a 69 w/sidepipes for 10 years. Loved them both. Pretty - but interiors melt over time into bits of plastic that no longer fits. Doors rattle when closed.
The doors rattling is fairly easy to fix…50 year old plastic/ vinyl interiors, not so much!😊
That was actually a funny video to watch :-) Very good points !
Another corollary that I found is that no matter how many things you see that need repair before you buy, there will be twice as many when you get it home.
Steve Volk of the Shelby American Collection Museum in Boulder Colorado developed tapkat which administers this and many other raffles. He is a great guy and all car guys/gals should put the museum in Boulder on their bucket list. The American Shelby Collection raffles off a Shelby Mustang each year. It’s legit. I won a GT350R in 2017 and still own it today.