bdvdvh7

i have 95 c4 and won't part with.. but let me ask a question to my c4 partners... i want to spend a good search over the next year looking for a c3 too... in all of your opinions, (the c4 corvette guys), if you know about c3's, what year would you look for??? i like '71. just wondering what us c4's owners like so i can get your opinions. i was going to put this in c3, but i want an unbiased opinon. THANKS!!

86C4EVER

If $ was no object, I would look for a number matching vert, 4 sp, big block car
I also like the chrome bumpers.
That is what I would go for!!!

smack123

117% with that statement.

MYCoupe

You wanted opinions so here it goes...My two choices would be 70-72 or an 80-82. I know that they are very different cars even though they are C3s. The 70-72 have clean styling and still had the chrome bumpers. The 80-82 had a more modern style, but still had the classic curves. I like the way the front and rear spoilers were integrated during those years. I don't care for the 75-77 cars at all.

cv67

Big block cars, LT1 (1970 had the solid lifter version) are good, 'verts, steel bumper cars in general are good. Noone really wants the 73-up. I was lucky to get out of my 73 for what I had in it. Nobody liked the plastic front bumper .Some claim the 68's bring less as the ride was less than desirable. Get what you want and enjoy the heck out of it..
74's withthe 454 seem to hold some value-

Perfusion

I've also heard to stay away from the 68s, as they were almost a sub-generation themselves. Many parts were redesigned for 69, and due to the lack of availability of 68 stuff, you may find yourself hung out to dry if trying to do a good resto. I'd say stick with the 70-72 BB verts.

Strike3

I have gone down this road myself and I guess it boils down to how you enjoy (or expect to enjoy) your car. That is, do you want to dabbel in performance, or stay close to original like the NCRS guys? Or just have it to occasionally cruse on the weekend.

I love the looks of the Egg-crate luvers on the 70 thru 72's. To me they are classy. Also, pre 74 models don't have to comply with Catolitic converters, so real duels and that old mustel car sound is sometimes a consideration. If you want big cubes, your restricted to 74 and earlier also.

Like with most things (including wine), the C3 improved each year,,,,technically anyway. The 80 model added improved the rear end and subsequent models added the fiberglass springs and the 82, the 700R4 trans.

I think my next one will be somewhere in the 70, 71 era with a 454 and to hell with NCRS restrictions.

c4cruiser

My first Vette was a 70 coupe with an LS5 390HP 454, 4-speed and 3.07 gears and NO power stering I added a factory 69 side exhaust to it as the first mod. It cost me about $300 to do with all new GM parts including having to use a new 69 left side exhaust mainfold that cost all of $30.00! It sure was loud but really looked sharp.

I bought it in 1972 for $3300 (traded my 69 Road Runner and $1500 cash) and sold it two years later for $3100. Sure wish I had that car back now!

To me, the 70 and 71 cars were probably the best in terms of available horsepower ad style. There were some pretty strong 350 motors available including the 370 HP LT-1 motor. In 1972, the HP ratings began to plummet even though you could still get a big-block motor. I liked the chrome bumper in front and the egg crate grill and side gills.

I would probably go for another shark like that, but it would be a buildup car and not an NCRS-type restoration. I think I would keep it stock looking in terms of the body and paint, but do some engine mods, suspension mods and a brake upgrade.

NightFlight

I personnally liked the '82. We had one and, with very little work, restored to show room condition. What I liked about about it was it was the last year for the C3, as such it was the most modern. I also liked the fact that with the cross-fire injection system it had, it was a 'one of a kind' Vette year (the '84 had a completely different set up, which also made it a one of kind). Some people even consider them a pretty collectable car -- I paid under $6K for mine and turned around and sold it 3 years later for over $19k.

redwing76

Well, if your going to buy 71 or 72 roadster is the way to go.
I don't like big blocks never did a built small block was almost as fast without all of gas.

I owned 2 1968's a coupe and a roadster, the coupe was a auto and the roadster was a 4spd. Good cars never any problems.

The guy I worked for had a 1969 big block 4spd. When you nailed it the front end came up so high it was hard to see over the hood.

I always like the last of the chrome bumpers the best.
The only C-3 I didn't like is the 73 it was a bit confused. I owned a 74 and it was a great car I owned a 75 it was a nice too.

The 1980 is my favorite for the late model C-3's.

Having owned several C-3's and a few C-4's all things being equal I'd never go back. The real performance is just not there in the C-3's.

Ive owned C-2's and when it was raining it was a white knuckle ride.
The Corvettes have gotten really better with age.

jvette44

I had a friend with a 71 454 Vert. that was just beautiful. He let my wife and I drive it for a day in the Umatilla Oregon desert area.Just a beautiful car!! The sound from it at highway speeds Mmmmmm! Then we
topped up the tank with premium Gulp!! Cha Ching!!

wrlwynd

I would look for a 1970 LT 1coupe.

Darth Vader

Vader would get either a 1969-70 or a 1979...Thats it

Z51JEFF

This is such a open question.My question to you would be first off,how much do you want too spend?The early 70 cars are getting to where you cant touch one.The cars that are still affordable are the 74-75 verts,these will only go up in value and the 80-82 seem to be on the rise.One of my favorites is 80 L-82 with the T-Top carrier option,yellow with tan interior.My first Vette was an 80 L-82.Traded it once I found out it had been thrashed.So,once again,how much do you want too spend.Without knowing that who can really say.As far as early 70 cars go,a ZR1-ZR2 would work for me.

jsup

My first vette was a 74. They are still cheap, they have no cats, airl pumps, etc. ...that makes them highly modifiable. They are really fun cars. 68-72 are nice years. 68s have more problems and no "stingray" designation, if that matters. The 73 is a strange car, 72 in back, 74 in front. I don't really like them.

I also like the 80-82s, they're pretty cool looking.

I think 75-79 are awful cars. Just don't like em as much as the other years mentioned. 77 is the last year of the flat back window if you like that style.

It is a very open question. Personally, I'd look for a 70-72. Vert is nice but the T-tops are very nice also, especially with the removable rear window. I'd take a coupe in better shape than a vert.

Sun King

It's been said above; it all depends on what you want to do with it. Building it for the drags, garage queen or back-roadster?
Funny thing is, when people (non-Vette fanatics) come to the house and see the C3, C4 and C5 together 90% of the time they point out the '79! It's an original, unmolested L-82 4-spd with cloth interior, mirrored T-tops and '79 factory option front and rear spoiler (available in the wake of the '78 Indy pace car). The car isn't fast, and handles like something you'd build from a kit but the a/c blows cold, parts are cheap and it's still a Vette.
If I was buying one right now it'd be a red '71 BB, 4-spd, vert.

jlsru

Well I have the C3 that I have always wanted.A 75 vert.I would love to have more power but it is a 40,000 mile all original car and I hate to mod it.I have owned a 69,82 CE,and two 79's.I would like to have the 69 back.

teebee

My preference would be like yours, 71-72. BB or SB. LT1 would be nice. I like the egg crate gills.

corvetteronw

I had a 1981 that had been made into a convertible using 1975 vert parts. It really got a lot of looks as it had the 1980-82 styling and interior. I liked it much better after I did the 355 rebuild using Edelbrock go-fast parts. It really hauled some azz!
I have always liked the 1982 Collector Edition. I would love to see someone make a vert out of one and put in a ZZ4 crate motor!

mseven

Since your asking, I personally like the years of chrome bumpers (verts or coupes). When they added the 5mi. per hr. rubber it detracted from the macco look. I do also like the last (I think 2? yrs.) coupes were they had integrated the diaplane/spoiler(g.effects) in the styling.
My all time fav. of all of these was the original Macco Sharks (spel?)that I had seen as a kid in the shows, and that is what really made me always want one! On another note, I always wanted a chysler turbine car as well, I dont have J.Lenos money so I guess that wont happen , but in the years to come I will add to the c-4 I currently own. M7