When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
My first C3 was an abomination. It might be an interesting story to share though. I'll have to see if I can find some pics of it.
This particular Corvette was a white/red 1975 L82 4-speed coupe. When I first saw the car in the early 80s, it was sitting out in the weather next to a house near the ocean- the car was jacked up, and siting on concrete blocks with no wheels. The guy used to drape lights all over it every year and decorate it for Christmas. The poor thing was crying out to me for help. I tried to buy it, but he was “saving it for his son”. Well, his kid grew up, and wound up being involved with the Pamela Smart murder thing- and went to jail. One day, a buddy of mine who lived nearby mentioned the guy offered to sell the car to him for $1000. He said he thought about buying it just to pull the motor and put it in his truck- but couldn’t afford it. So I went back to see the guy to see if he’d sell it to me for $1000. He said he would, and did.
So, I happily handed over the money- and went to load it up on my car trailer. First thing I see is the whole rear suspension is missing- there’s nothing there to bolt the wheels to! No trailing arms- nothing! The frame is rotted to death. The windshield was broken. But the body was perfect, and it had a matching numbers complete original drivetrain. I came back, threw an old Z28 camaro solid rear axle under it, spaced it up with chunks of wood to clear the tires, ratchet strapped it all together- rolled it up on the trailer, and brought home the prize.
Started working on it immediately. It was a win-win when I decided to swap the fat custom wheels I had on my daily driver 79 455 Trans Am onto it. The TA, in turn, looked absolutely fabulous with the factory corvette aluminum slots and a new set of fat tires.
Before I pulled the body off the Corvette to start replacing the frame, I fired up the motor- and was happy to see that it actually ran pretty good. I yard drove it around the property and the 4-speed and rear differential had no issues.
Sitting near the ocean for so long, I can tell you that every single metal part on that car was horribly rusted- most parts beyond repair. I replaced most everything on that car. If you ever hear people say, “Oh a corvette is fiberglass- they don’t rust!” Well, I can disagree! The birdcage was toast, the windshield frame- everything. I mean everything. I spent a year on that car bringing it back. But it was a labor of love, and I enjoyed the hell out of every minute doing it.
When I was done, I was happy- it came out pretty nice. Nice set of fat tires & wheels, some black Hooker side pipes with glass pack inserts- the car looked and sounded pretty good. I proceeded to take it out for its first drive- warmed it up, backed it out in the street- started lighting the tires in first gear, then grabbed 2nd - and promptly spun it 180 degrees in the blink of an eye- right into a 6” curb. The car jumped the curb and landed right in the middle of the neighbor’s lawn. I was completely shocked, disbelieving, and utterly bummed- I managed to limp the car back across the street and back into the garage to fix it. Fortunately, the damage was limited to a couple broken aluminum wheels and some bent suspension components- which I quickly fixed.
Next time out, I took it easier- and we had much better luck. For the next several years the car was just a ball- looked great, and was fabulous to blast around in.
Eventually, in the late 90s, I pulled the original motor and dropped in a BB 454 with a 67 435/427 Tripower intake. The high rise 67 intake wouldn’t fit under the L82 Cowl hood- so I found a 68-72 Motion style stinger hood for it, added the necessary wiper grill. That worked out pretty good. Swapped over to BB hooker headers, reused the side tubes and changed over to STS Turbo Muffler inserts.
I enjoyed that car for a lot of years- but one day, it was involved in a terribly catastrophic accident- that actually occurred inside my shop. The poor car was horribly brutalized by a GTO that ended up parked on the hood. I was so upset, that I wound up selling it without fixing it. I covered it up and couldn’t even look at it, it broke my heart just to see it like that. A guy in NY bought it from me, and was very happy to get it. I’m sure it was a pretty easy fix for a good fiberglass body man, and I sold it pretty cheap. I really hope it’s still around and bringing someone some joy, as much as it did me.
Wife & I been married for 39 years. We`ve built cars together the whole time. Started with a VW dune buggy. Then several muscle cars. Always needed a back seat to haul our kids with us. As retirement got closer, a "two seater" made more sense. So we bought a bucket of bolts & built the "retirement toy". So we started with fiberglass.... and ended with fiberglass. Here`s a couple "Before & after" shots.... this is what we do.
I grew up with my Dad having a few C3's, but never owned a Vette myself. Until two weeks ago. I've had cars way more powerful, way more expensive than my Vette. But! My Corvette is the car I'm emotionally attached to. It's the exact replica of one my Dad had when I reached driving age.
My first was a 1979- 4 speed that my brother originally bought. He knew NOTHING about cars and just bought it because it was cool. Unfortunately, it was also a POS.The engine blew two days after he bought it. The dealer saw him coming a mile away. Threw a rod right through the pan. My dad didn't want it on his driveway, and my brother had no clue what to do so he gave up on it. I paid off the loan and had my first Corvette project. I put in a SBC 400 that I had planned for a different car and drove the Corvette for years. I thought it was the coolest car, even though it needed pretty much everything done on it. I didn't care, I had a Corvette.
My first corvette. Yup. still have it. Been a few come and go.
Divorce sucks.
But my first one. still have it. Bought it long before I ever heard of the internet much less this forum.
learned a lot along the way. Found many sins on the low mileage used car I bought. some took many years before I discovered them.
One day I was taking a motorcycle for a test ride. and just 2 miles from my shop was a red Corvette on the side of the road with a for sale sign on it.
I had ALWAYS wanted a red Corvette, black interior, 4 on the floor.
So, I stopped, took a look. Yup. black interior, 4 on the floor.
ended up taking it for a test drive. Short test drive as it wanted to pull into the ditch HARD. I thought, I can fix that.
A deal was made, I fought it home. put it up on jackstands, adjusted the steering control valve. set it down and I was off.
Man I beat the holy Hell out of this poor car when I was younger. broke more than a few half shaft U joints. Slid it off the road a couple times. Hit a deer HARD in 98. body shop for a year.
Im a little easier on her nowadays. I moved accross the planet, took her with me. parts cost a fortune over here. And I'm getting older.
She's a 77. Same year I graduated High school. The car I always wanted.
One day my boys will fight over her. meanwhile She is probably not worth much on the market. But she's my baby.
And She's still the car I always wanted.
And always will.
Hope we can still get gasoline in 20 years time!
Thought I'd add this photo, Main photo 2001, I had the car a few years by this time. and the inset taken around last Christmas. Same couple, just a bit older.
Wife & I been married for 39 years. We`ve built cars together the whole time. Started with a VW dune buggy. Then several muscle cars. Always needed a back seat to haul our kids with us. As retirement got closer, a "two seater" made more sense. So we bought a bucket of bolts & built the "retirement toy". So we started with fiberglass.... and ended with fiberglass. Here`s a couple "Before & after" shots.... this is what we do.
I married my first Corvette as it was my wife's daily driver when we first met in 1978. It was a '70, Bridgehampton Blue base coupe. I did a "body-on" restoration of it right after we got hitched in 1981.
When you buy your first & only Vette new and you go on to own it for over 45 years it's easier keeping it nice...
It's still an original paint car with 77k on the clock...
When you buy your first & only Vette new and you go on to own it for over 45 years it's easier keeping it nice...
It's still an original paint car with 77k on the clock...
Same story here, original paint as well, 51 years & 119K miles.
The following 6 users liked this post by Barry's70LT1:
67:72 (10-30-2021),Heus (10-31-2021),Mike H. (10-31-2021),oldgto (10-31-2021),SEVNT6 (10-30-2021),sonnystingray (01-08-2022) and 1 others liked this post. (Show less...)
My first was a new 1974 L-48 auto trans C3. I sold it within the year and bought an International Blue 1968, one-owner which I had for several years. I loved the '68....
My first is still in my garage. Bought it 16 years ago exactly today. Ive put about 35000 miles on it in those years, and countless hours in the garage working on it. It waa a divorce present to myself, and fortunately my current wife likes the car and even asks to drive it from time to time, though now she has her own old car. Mine's a numbers matching, correct color and interior 79 L-82 4 speed with slight engine mods. Pic from yesterdays cars and coffee.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
I had been ito cars for most of my youth all the way through my Navy years. When I got out I moved to jeeps for a short time as I was moving every 6 months chasing snow and the ocean. Then I got into things that went bang so as you can tell, my money didnt go far but 25 plus years later I was driving to visit my brother and saw 74 on the sode of the road. I hadnt seen a corvette in years, maybe decades. Actually had forgot the old cars existed, but seeing a maroon vette with a for sale sign for $6400 bucks made me stop. I still remembered how to check a used car out as thats all I ever bought and noticed the car had a list to one side, had rust at the body mounts and had grass still stuck to the underside. I called the number and set up a time for a test drive and fell in love, not with that poor heap but with corvettes in general. I remember falling into that seat, how the car seemed to wrap around you and how even the lamest amount of HP still felt fun. It was a short drive but it was enough. I started to look on craigslist and then found this forum doiing a search along with the 10 things to know. There was so much wrong with that 74 from that list Im glad I didnt take it. I would still be working on it 6 years later and never been able to enjoy it. I found a nice 69 white on red fully origianl but by the time the bank had finally told me they okayed the loan app the car had sold....just a few hours before, but my number 2 choice was still available 5 hours away.
She had good bones with a solid frame, good body mounts and great paint but was seriously lacking in the mechanical dept. The vacuum system was hurting, wiper system electronics where hacked and the seats held togethher with wood LAG screws. You know the ones. The big ones with a hex head to screw 2x4s togetther. Ya those things holding the seat backs together and being used as the hinge bolts. She would leap over ppot holes and jump to the left as the rear was so out of alignment that I had worn the rear tires that looked like they had good tread to bald in one month of test driving before winter had set in.
I borrowed my aunts garage to work in as she had moved to NC for the winter which was a free garage for me. about $2500 and lots of forum and internet searches got me to a solid driving vette with zero issues. Everything worked. But now was the beginning of never ending upgrades to make her mine. Since then she has seen some sort of engine upgrade to replacement every winter giving her more power and better everything....
Heres the kicker
I was born the first week of Oct 1965, this car was born the first week of Oct 67. Serendipity in my eyes. I'll never get rid of her.
notice the tops wrinkled, its still on there, crooked and sideways. maybe this winter will get here a new roof. THis is the first day I had her rolled off the trailer. Check out the alignment on the windows
THis is the first day that I got here out of the garage mid march I believe
this is that spring. I out 5000 miles on her that summer and still average about that much when the covid bull allows
the test drive that got my blood flowing
added TT IIs and 69 pipe covers
added a red stripe to the rims
This is one of many motor upgrades, all 327s culminating with a roller 450 HP babe that lost a roller and a head gasket....shed under the bench while I play with big blocks
My original block is the one I toasted so it needs a bore and she will live again
Inspiration for the kids in us
found these on ebay, since she didnt come with a stingray badge I improvised
met Todd who added the LT1 free hand pin stripes to my L88 hood at a car show, on the street
2 years later we ran into each other again and he started adding teh big graphics
My first step to see how I liked it. just the sides
the rest were added last summer mid covid.
When I could find these toys cheap and was giving them away at car shows. Over 200 went through my hands, guessingat close to 300. I drove the prices up on ebay with the sales follower app they use now. I was lucky to find 20 more this summer to give away but the prices are still above $7 bucks each with shipping.
the current 396 tri power. soon to be 427
Last edited by Rescue Rogers; 10-31-2021 at 09:47 AM.
Back in 1985 our paint supplier was at my place of employment and told me was selling his Corvette (that he has only owned for a year). He said it was fast and a looker but needed paint. So I drove up to his home (35 miles) to look at it, it was a number match '74 coupe, 82,000 miles but... it had a custom velour interior (yuck), appliance slotted aluminum wheels, and a hevi duty leaf springs so it was jacked up high in the rear and hooker header side pipes. Motor was stock except Holley dual plane intake manifold and holly double pumper 650 carb.
I made the comond Corvette first time buyer, I became target fixated and just had to have this one, and never looked at another one. Made him an offer of $6,000.00 and puchased it the next day. Sold my 30,000 mile 1978 z28 to afford it (some times I wished I kept the Z)
long story short, I still own the '74 coupe and it has been a 32 year work in progress. I have painted it twice since and did a complete frame off resto back in 2001 and hopped up the number matching motor to 425hp. I do not seeing me ever parting with it (unless I gift it to my son)
Last edited by walleyfisher; 10-31-2021 at 09:44 AM.
It could go 220MPH!!!! I wanted one!!! So I started cutting a lot of grass- and talked my mom into letting me get a Triumph TR4- I was going to fix it up and sell at at profit-
I was 12 and in the 7th grade. So my younger brother and I scraped up $400 and bought a 1964 British Racing green one- needed some work.
A few years later and at 15 years old- sold the car for a whooping $1500!!!
I wanted a Vette- the cheapest one at the time (1978) was a 68- so my brother and I with the proceeds from the Triumph sale and a whole lot of grass cutting money was on the hunt.
Bought a 68 small block 4 speed convertible for $2750- and unfortunately wrecked it a few months later... I had done a bunch of work on it - the insurance company ended up giving $4000 for the totaled car!
In the mean time- purchased a 72 Cutlass convertible for $1400. Fixed it up and sold it for $3250. Now - senior in High School- I wanted a 454 vette!!! The biggest engine possible!!! I found a resale red 71 vert with a 4 speed.
Showed up at the car dealers lot with my buddy in a primered 71 Camaro. The sales guy wouldn't even give us the time of day- till I pulled out the cashiers check of $3250 from just selling my Cutlass.
They wanted over $5000 for it!!! I was able to get an $1800 loan and bought the car I still have today!!! When I picked the Vette up from the dealership- I was so broke I borrowed $5 from my girlfriend's sister for gas money!!
Two weeks later the starter went out- till I could afford one- when I parked -would back it up into a space so I could roll start it!
So after parking it in the late 80s- as life got in the way ( and an ex wife!)- about 11 years ago started to restore it- not to it's former glory but what I wanted- as the engine was long gone when I bought it in 1981 already had the rollbar and rear flares.
It had spent a time or two going a 1/4 mile at the time!!! Now for it's 50th birthday- last April- made a couple laps around the neighborhood- and hope to be fully finished in the next few months.
I've had a couple C2's and a C4- but the C3 is far and away my favorite!!!
10-28-2021, 01:57 PM
Your first Corvette
