Which year c-3 looks best
 

Just a fun topic for us C-3 owners .. I prefer the 1980-1982 because it really looks to me as if it all finally came together and matured. The molded front end just makes the car look like it could go 200mph

i agree!! But i do really like a 68-72 vert...

1975.... all the rest are just "other people cars" :D

'68-'72 and '80-'82

all the others look like ant eaters to me. LOL

:iagree: I never had a problem drooling over other peoples things. I like the ones that are mine!

Clearly 68 and 69,:thumbs:

The '68-'72 cars are awesome looking, but they really look like a car from the '60s.....because they are. The '73-'79 cars look like an attempt to spruce up a car that was starting to get old, they still look great, but with the '80-'82 cars, I think they finally got it right. My vote goes for the '80-'82 'vette. It's more modern styling looks very integrated to the overall design of the car. Ever notice that when a car model is nearing the end of it's life, the car maker will often tack a bunch of crap onto the car to make it a little different from last year's model, just to squeeze a couple more years out of it? It can be done well, or it can be done poorly. On the '80-'82 'vettes, it was done well.


Scott

I'll go against the grain and say the rubber bumper notchbacks ('74-'77). I always thought the chrome bumpers kinda messed up the lines of the C3 body. And when they went with the bubble backs in '78, it looks like an odd mix of old and new to my eyes.

78-79.... love the bubble butts... love the rubber bumpers.... and to me the 80+ look to tamed, like a cruiser...

1968 and 1969...Love the gill slits

I love '80--'82.

:iagree:

I would like to own a 78 or 79. Those are my favorite C3s

I'll cheat and say '70-'72 ( flared arches), with the front grills/lights and side gills of the '68-'69:thumbs:

Chrome bumpers on a Corvette are like training wheels for designers.... we can't trust that newfangled stuff (fiberglass and rubber) so we'll stick with steel

1976 because i say so. na na na na na.(but who cares what i think).

anyone i could be fortunate enough to get in my driveway...i do like the 69s tho.

Almost, 70-72 with 68-69 front grills , 73 hood, and 73 side vents also with 69 door panels and dash with 79-up seats :thumbs: just like mine ! LS 1 powered ofcourse. 73 looks good too the rest are just parts doners :leaving:

For me it is the 78-79. Just like the look of the Indy Spoilers. Have my 3rd 79 right now. But lets face it, there are no bad C3's.

For me probably the 1969, followed an inch behind by the 1970 - 1972, then the 1968, 1973, 1974 - 1977. Not a big fan of the rest, but still nice cars.

A stingray has gills.

68 & 69 provide the best visual interpretation of the namesake.

I like mine:yesnod:

I think 80 to 82 wins so far !!! It seams by 80 the designers where looking to the future :)

My car still makes me smile when i see it. Sooooo, it is my fav!! Down side is, i see every flaw and scuff. Still wish it was a convertable....

I have the same car same color .. All this body style needs is the original crager louvers on the back window

Of course I'm biased, but I'm partial to the '70-'72's. Slightly more ornate than the original '68-'69 car but the same basic idea. When our beloved government started getting involved in how cars should look one of the key elements of the design-the chrome bumpers- disappeared, which IMHO took something away from the car's basic character.

GM improved on the measures used to make the car attractive over time after 1973, and to me the last years of the C3 were the most attractive rubber-bumpered cars of the 'federalized' era.

Brock Yates in a Car and Driver editorial once asked in response to the Federal government's onerous bumper regulations (ostensibly put in place to make cars less expensive to repair and therefore lowering insurance rates-yeah, right.) "What is worse? A car that's ugly BEFORE it gets hit or AFTER it gets hit?" Not that later C3's were at all ugly cars-they weren't. They just lost a little of their personality...

Truth be told, our government has been waging a "war on chrome" for years now, and the bumper regulations of 1973-1975 were just the beginning of it. 1950's and 1960's American cars were the personification of the swaggering, John Wayne, in-your-face generation when Americans had cars that made a brash statement and the individual was something to be reckoned with in this country. That's pretty much gone now, and new(er) cars all look like faceless insects with no soul, 8 years and 200,000 miles and they're headed for the crusher...:flaghalfmast:

I like the look of the 1968's

Love the nice clean look without the Stingray insignia on the sides - with gills - and all four taillights are illuminated at night

Here is what my 1968 Chevy dealer order form would look like if I could go back in time:

1968, Black, 427 - 400HP Tricarb, Convertible, AC, 4-speed, Rallys, Redlines, Red interior

:yesnod:

Although I have owned two 82's, the 69 convertible is my all time favourite C3. One day.

:iagree:
Yep, they're all purty! Any of the C3's sitting in today's traffic is going to be a total standout from the 'blah' beige hordes and countless minivans and SUV's. That's because there's a promise in the lines of the Corvette. Adventure beckons, fun times await and just rolling in one is an experience that will put a smile on our mugs!

73. No other. All you have to do is listen to the experts...

"Larry Shinoda, the famous Corvette designer, once commented in an interview that the 1973 was his favorite of the post-1967 era because the front and rear styling were closest to what the stylists originally had in mind when this series was first designed."

(Illustrated Corvette Buyer's Guide by Michael Antonick).

80-82, I think that's when the rear spoiler went on as one piece with rear

I feel the same way. I love my '81.....22 years with me so far. But I miss the top off experience of my old '70 conv.
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f8...rtle/2012a.jpg

You do have a point, after all, they were so slow that people would be looking at them for a long time - so they did lots of work to make them purdy :D

I am partial to the 82 myself.

'68 or '69 Convertible with the hard top.

You like venetian blinds on your car, huh? In my opinion, those things were butt ugly, and screwed up the looks of every car they were put on.

Since I have a '69 convertible, I'm kind of partial to that style, but the '80 - '82 do look good. Heavy in profile, but good.:thumbs:

:cheers:
Pete

:thumbs: :rock:

I will go with the one that started the C3 generation - 1968. :yesnod: BK3

Love my '71, but the dash ignition and side vents on a 68/69 are as cool as it gets.......

No question 68-72 coupes thats why I got one. But prefer the 68-69 gills

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/pict...ctureid=116241

the 69 with the side grill trim, then the 80-82

I like my 73 and I like the 68 - 72 my favorite would have to be the 69

78-82 like the bubble glass

I love my 73 , anything with chrome bumpers does it for me.

80-82, and the one 83.
The front end really grabs my attention. I think it is the best looking. Even though I really like the chrome BACK bumpers on the earlier models, I would give them up for the awesome front end of the early 80s. Its not to say I don't like the 80-82 back end, but chrome just has its appeal.

I Like all C3's. I prefer the chrome bumper cars and the molded front/rear spoilers of the 80-82's. I prefer the side grills if the 68-69's. I own the best of both worlds, a 69 BB vert and an 82 CE.
pigag2

Biased....but '68 has the cleanest lines, 4 real tail lights and only one with a key in the dash.

Which they came back to in the C5. I always liked the key in the dash on my C5ZO6:thumbs:

:cheers:
Pete

I was trying to post and got sidetracked by your avatar....what was the question? Something about LSU?

How about the one parked in my driveway. 79 by the way.... But I think chrome bumper corvettes are the best looking.....

Fell in love the first time a saw a '70

Here's mine...

http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/y...BMS_Vette4.jpg

I've had several and I love them all, but I bought my '69 convertible because I like that overall look the best. The 68-69 roadsters really do look like a big fish swimming by.

Next for me is the 80-82. Very refined. I remember when the 78s came out, I loved that big back window.

68-82? I'll take one of each, please.

68-69 conv very clean lines .
Mark
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/...red69SR069.jpg

I would also agree with the 80-82' s. I had owned a 94 black on black vert when I finally made the decision to go with my 1st love- the C3. I sold it and purchased my 80 4speed. I knew that I loved the look of thE car but realized that the hp was rather low. Not a problem. Had my engine rebuilt to 375hp. Now I have the BEST of both worlds!!

That comment deserves a round of applause !!!!

68 and 69 big blocks. I like the gills and the 427 hoods. The lines look great, especially in the coupes :thumbs:

69 Coupe would be first, because I owned one for 8 years, with the 1980 coming in second, strictly for its looks.

73 convrt.

Very tough question. Love the back of the '68 - '73 - classic. Any of the fronts from '68 - '82. Prefer the flat back window and deep set gauges of the '68 - '77. Like the old school seats in the '68 - '77. Big block any day over a small block, so '68 - '74... Hard top over vert so '68 - '82....

This is even harder then I thought :D

Any Chrome bumper convertible wins this one for sure. The 68-73 convertibles have a real shot at the title of "prettiest car ever".

Not sure where all the love of 80-82 is coming from though.

They are at best "OK"........but changes to the front end and hood were horrible mistakes to my eye. Just made the car look bigger and heavier. Not exactly what I want to see in a "sports car". :willy:

68 to 73 first with the 80 to 82 next. I never liked the looks of the 74 to 79 front and rear bumpers. The 78 Pace Car helped the unfinished look of the front and back with the spoilers. I like them.

I always wanted a convertible so my 80 went to Brazil and I got a 75 Convertible. I have an 80-82 rear bumper on it, an L88 hood and Pace Car front spoiler going on and sometime in the future would love a 73 or 80-82 style front bumper. I hate the fake bumperettes on the front. I also like the sport mirrors. They may find their way on the 75 Vert sometime too.

I really like them all, Im not a fan of the bubble rear window without the 80-82 style front bumper. Honestly I dont really like the 68-69 models either, I dont know why.

Miles

1970 convertible!

1973 coupe. A mix of the chrome and rubber bumper has the looks for me.

It's funny, so many of us would blend the years. I'd do a frankenvette:68 gills, 68-72 removed flat rear window, 68-73 back bumper... Even steal a C2 piece and slap a 67 stinger hood on the 75, along with an LT1 under it of course.

But that is what makes the car hobby so cool :thumbs: If everyone had the same taste in old cars it would get very boring and fast. :cheers:

Adam

79 gets my vote, comfort and style :cheers:
I'm surprised by all the bubble window support. Always felt 2nd rate to the chrome bumpers. Now I know the truth, deep down you all luv rubber bumper years:woohoo:

The one in the middle. :D

http://i1144.photobucket.com/albums/...lb69/photo.jpg

I like the yellow one :rofl:

70-72 convertible,top down. better with a big block hood and no sidepipes and no aftermarket rims.

73-79s look unfinished.someting is missing but what?

80-82 they found what was missing and finished the car.

as pretty as the last ones are they are still 2nd place ......its hard to beat that raw agressive look of the early verts

I'm also a little surprised by all the love for the 80-82s. I can agree with the rear bumper with the molded wing, but don't like the fronts at all. I did not like the drop off rear bumper from the early mid 70s. I also hate the 77+ interiors. They started to get that cheap 80s look to them. I much prefer the 76 and earlier, has a more nostalgic era correct look.

I guess that's why I have a bubble window car, with 82 rear bumper, Indy spoiler front end, and 76 interior :rofl:

If I had to choose which "looks the best" I'd pick 68 & 69.

Any C3 gets a second look. The lines on the car are as perfect as can be. That is why I sold my C5 to get back into one. I have had a 73 convertible and a 77, but my favorite style is the 80 to 82, the one I have now.

People pay a whole heckuva lot for training wheels.

Since there was chrome before there was rubber, I am assuming you are being facetious. Henry Haga says he put rubber on the Corvette as soon as the technology made it practical.

:thumbs:

'72 , because it's the only year you could get "pewter silver"

http://i50.tinypic.com/2v1swft.jpg

http://i50.tinypic.com/1pc5t0.jpg

AeroVette??

Agreed!...... the other 2 don't even come close.:flag:

My opinion
 

The first one!...clean uncluttered lines before they decided to add bling and reduce the engines horsepower year after year into a slug and automatic transmissions women's grocery getter....There supposed to be a sports car and the 68`s fulfilled that by offering them the way you wanted by just checking the performance squares to make your own as powerful as you desired.... they just bulge with muscles and they can back it up..... no wonder the forums posts are full of those entry level slugs trying to make them into what to the 68, comes naturally......and its not a fish.....:rofl:

Ok, here's the requested pictures.... and by the way, I was going to state that they should have broken the mold

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...tte/DS1244.jpg.

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...Vette/DSrr.jpg

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...Vette/D4cc.jpg

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...tte/DS1238.jpg

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...te/DSfff-1.jpg



,

Maybe they should have just stopped making them after '68. :crazy:

"time to go to the grocery store fellow rubber bumper guy's".http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/...12345/slug.jpg

I agree with ironcross, the way it was first designed in 68 and has four real taillights! Have any of you ever really looked at how the dash pad lines flow into the top of the door panels on the 68? I'm a little biased, having had mine for over 40 years now. Lou.

VetteBuyer's 1969 black convertible. Or George Daina's 1968 with the 8" knock-offs. My favourites. C'mon you two; post pics!

i like every year.they all offer something cool.if i hit the lotto i do not know what year i would have to have .but if my 82 had a 4speed and was a vert i would be happy .

I thought 68 and 69 were the best looking and that's what I tried to find at first when looking for my Corvette. After a while I decided I really disliked the interior on the pre-78 Corvettes and few of the early ones were loaded with options so I stopped considering 68/69's and focussed strictly on 78/79's because the interior is just as nice looking as the exterior. Since I bought my 79 I feel like I even prefer the 78/79 body over the 68/69, particularly the bubble rear window which makes the whole car look like a spaceship.

Didn't like the '78. Love the '79. :rock:

Yes, that bare aluminum trim around the rear window on the 78 just made it look hideous.:lol:

:iagree:......LOL

68-72, 80-82 [/thread] :smash:

Best looking year ?????
I really LOVE the '68 - '82......:D

You know what??? Now that I think about it - you are absolutely right. Every C3 on the road always stops me in my tracks & turns my head - most of the time I do a 180 and try to get a better look. Love them all. :yesnod: :cheers: BK3

Yep. You've done your Corvette homework.
:thumbs:

The one sitting in my garage. :rock:

Another vote for the '68 - 72

I like the 78. Or the 79 without the spoilers. The 78 and 79 look clean without all the spoilers. The 80-82s look like they just piled a bunch of stuff on there to change them for a new year. I never was impressed.

I like the '70 to '72 due to the fender flares, larger front turn signals and rectangular exhaust tips. Then the '81 and '82 is a good look too.

:thumbs:

Partial to 70
 

Love the 70-72 hence I now own one:) Like the flares versus the 68-69.

Did I mention all corvettes should be convertibles too!

Only thing mine is missing is the LT-1 hood.

Next would be 80-82 but with a heart transplant.

I could be convinced to look at a 69 Black/with Red interior and 427/400 4 speed with A/C.

Yeah but a bronze 68 with tobacco interior might be nice too.

Hmmm - This is harder than I thought.


Bill:cheers:

i like the 80-82 c3s but i must say my absolute favorite would be a 1975 convertible. it just looks soo right with the top down.

:thumbs::thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:

I think the 76's look the best, not just because that's whats in my garage, but the color, "orange" is known to be the fastest color.

1983!!!


Oh .... wait.... :leaving:

No need to hide. There is still one left. And it looks great!

1977 ish

http://www.ezlinks.org/corvette/newcarblack.jpg
http://www.ezlinks.org/corvette/cool%20car%20piccb.jpg
http://www.ezlinks.org/corvette/halfspinnerc.jpg

We have a 2012 Jeep Unlimited, a 2008 F-150 and a 2011 Harley Ultra and a 1982 Corvette. Last night my wife and I had a date night and we took the Corvette. As we were coming home I said we don't pass too many of these when we are out riding... You know the jeeps, f-150s and HDs are a dime a dozen, but a C3 no matter what year they are all awesome in there own way. Each year has something about it that makes it a car that turns heads as you drive by. It doesn't matter what age I have had kids in there teen, 20's, 30's 40's 50's 60's and beyond give me the thumbs up or make a postive comment or conversation. Point is all C3's are just Badass!!! and I am 44