Atomic UK

As a three times Corvette owner of 15 years, a C5 and two C6 Z51s, I'm looking to go more retro and scratch the 40 year old itch to own a C3 but so many people are saying to me;

"Don't buy a C3, you'll hate it"

"Don't buy a C3, they always breakdown or fall apart"

"Don't buy a C3, it's not a C6!"

Of course I know it's not a C6, I've driven C3s, I know it's a whole different experience and I'm very very excited by that.... BUT...

I'm looking at buying a ground up rebuilt mid 70's C3 from a very reputable person that will also be modified to my requests, so it should in theory be as good as they get for a 45+ year old car.

I'm not into fixing cars (I don't have the time / knowledge) so I am happy to pay for that service, but what are the expectations of living with a stripped and rebuilt C3?
Will it continue to have constant issues, failing components and be off the road more than on it?

How much do you drive them, just locally, to shows or can they still be a long distance ride and cover many miles a year without issue?

So tell me, are they right?
You folks are hands on owners, what am I in for with a fully rebuilt C3?

Thanks.

CAMS69

Took me 8 years to restore my 69.
Finished about 3 months ago and have put 1600 miles on it.
Mind you everything is new and so far so good. I am a mechanic and can fix anything that goes wrong.
If you cant fix things that ge wrong you' ll probably hate it...
But ask yourself this question... Is this not the sexiest corvette ever made? lol imho

ImBatman

I think they are as reliable as you make them. I over built my 71. It had a built BB with a big cam and carb. It ran great but got 7 miles to the gallon! The temp would spike in heavy traffic. But it was a blast to drive!! My next c3 will be a lot taimer.
I think you will love it but i also think you do need to have some knowledge of working on them.

Good luck with your decision!

69_Shark

This.

I too wanted a reliable fast C3. Kind of a mix of C6 and C3. Clean C3 lines and body with a crate LS7 and 4L75E tranny.
All the power I need and can get in the low 20's on the freeway. Driven regularly however not as a daily driver.

Scott

ballen06

Wow! Your Vette is awesome!! Congratulations on a great restoration!

1860army

I keep a spreadsheet on everything I've done to mine, most of it was needed repairs or something I knew was not right and would come back to bite me. I am real glad I didn't have to pay for all these things and would not be happy about it...LOL... I could reasonably make mine a daily driver or take a trip but the added miles would eventually translate into many more spread sheet entries and I would get a C5 or 6 or even a 7 for that.
So it comes down to three things, How much driving do you want to do with it, how deep are your pockets and the final one is a two parter: 1) How do you feel when you look out over the hood of your car while driving, and as said here before-2) When you get out and walk away, do you turn and glance back at it one last time...both of these always get me....

60

Atomic UK

It goes without saying that I grin when driving them and look back at them.

I would like to think I could do 3000 or so miles a year... if I wanted to. I may only do half that, who knows.

As for the deep pockets, again that is my question to you the owners.
Once mechanically sorted (as this will be a ground up rebuilt car) how often are you still spending to repair yours or fixing things yourself (not tinkering or gaining more power) but actually fixing things?

jgilevettes

I would think you should easily be able to drive a mechanically sorted C3 (rebuilt) 1500-3000 miles as you state. Without much mechanical expense. I would not hesitate if that is the mileage arena you are looking at. Just so it is correctly mechanically sorted

Atomic UK

Thank you for that.
The rebuild is by top person and the engine will be done by another specialist.
They will also service it annually, so I was hoping those factors should be enough to not make it a continual 'BIG money pit' and something I can drive every few weeks without ongoing problems.

vettebuyer6369

They are old cars. Shockingly, they need to be repaired. Don’t listen to idiots.

If someone said to me, “don’t buy aC3, it’s not a C6,” I’d know better than to listen to that person.

Atomic UK

This is what bothers me, they include Corvette owners or reputedly knowledgeable Corvette sales experts and they are saying just stick with the C6.

ddawson

Once sorted it can be very reliable. I've had zero issues with mine once I went though everything.

Atomic UK

Yours looks fabulous and glad to hear it's running trouble free now.

Mark G

If your mechanic goes through and eliminates or greatly reduces steering/suspension/driveline issues, and engine/trans issues. And replaces the headlight vacuum hoses and gets those reliable, then you've reduced most of what guys run into. If it's a car that's been restored then presumably the interior, windows and other subsystems have been 'gone-through' (hopefully they have).

Early cars are pretty simple and once you cross off the main common 'fail' issues, there aren't a whole lot of subsystems that will leave you on the side of the road. And the type of things which can go wrong can usually be dealt with on a scheduled basis down the road. C5's have their own issues many of them electrical which can be hard to track down, be expensive ...and really frustrate some owners. Not all owners experience these. A squeaky door or seatback can be annoying, but you can address those sort of things later, or next year. They're not likely to leave you stranded.

So, if you like how the C3 looks/drives, and with your plan, I say, definitely 'go for it'!!

.

Atomic UK

Thank you for that.
The car is a body off, full component check, replace or update plus systems check and with a full respray at the end, so it should be!
Naturally there will of course be a break in period after completion, but i'm hoping the once any small teething problems are sorted, it will not leave me on the side of the road!

jgilevettes

Do it... If that thing is done half way correct you are going to be a very happy man.

platinummaker

My 72 is a daily driver and is as reliable as our garage full of late model Jaguars. Parts are dirt cheap in comparison, systems are extremely simple once sorted out, and unlike our Jags, I go back to being 25 years old again everytime I drive. I will admit as I attempt to get in and out of said Vette, I get reminded I’m not. The car makes getting wherever I’m going the best part. Obviously a seasoned bias, but.....

vettebuyer6369

Yeah, I’ll have to add that I bought my ‘69 in 2007 and once I got it fully sorted, the car served as a mostly trouble-free, dependable fun driver up to when I sold it this year. I drove the car a lot.

They are great cars to drive and enjoy.

Corey_68

As said above I would not value that person's opinion as it shows ignorance. These cars are not difficult to maintain and are as reliable as you want them to be..

I would have ZERO qualms getting in my '68 tomorrow and driving across country.

Fast81

I would say your satisfaction would depend on your expectations !!!
Will a stock C3 (of any vintage) be as smooth, powerful, or comfortable as your C6 = NO.
Your C6 will probably never garner the attention any C3 will get - regardless of vintage or resto-momds.
Can you "resto-mod" some systems to be more like your C6 = YES.
With good, routine maintenance, either vintage or resto-mod can be just as reliable as your C6

your call
Fast