Schumacher

Hi everyone, I'm new here (like you couldn't tell).
Anyway I've been thinking about getting a 75 vette sometime in the next couple years.
Why 1975 you ask, well for the sole reason that it's my birth year, and it's pretty much the only cool car made that year:)
So I've been lurking around here for a while, and checking classifieds and the such, and it seems to me that there's just a lack of 75's around. Was it a bad year? Minimal amout produced? Or what?
Any info you could provide a soon to be Corvette nut like yourselves would be much appreciated.

Until I get the vette, I'll just keep playing with my 1992 Firebird Formula (aka the Blown 305 TBI) strange but true. Click on the link if you want to see some pics of it. http://pages.prodigy.net/phoenix138/

Thanks,
Mike

73-454

Short answer NO and NO there is nothing rare abought C3's GM made over 500,000 The big blocks upto 74 are a bit rare I have a 73 454 with most options including air etc. Small block vettes are a dime a dozen never pay more then $7500 to $8500 for a perfect vette.

mountainmotor

If it is a Vert it would be but other than that Iwould not say rare .I would rather use the word"Desirable".They are the first year for cats but if you can handle that they can be had at somewhat a bargain and can be modified to run with the best of them!Go to classifieds 2000 .That is how I found my 74.

1LE

75 was the first year for the catalytic converter, the first year for the HEI and the last year for the convertible on the C3's.

Alwyn678

I would get a vert if you want to get a 75..It will be more expensive...But it will also hold it's value better.....You will pay around 12 to 15k for a good car...However coupes are much cheaper...Just depends on what you want

yogi78

Remember, when the top goes down the price goes up....and stays there! :chevy

Easy Mike

33,836 coupes; 4,629 convertibles. Total 1975 Corvette production: 38,465 I recommend a 1975 convertible with both tops. '75 was the last year for Shark convertibles.
:)

SteveG75

Depends on the options as well.

I have one of the 279 convertibles with the C08 Vinyl Covered Hardtop. That said, I plan on driving the beast, not showing it. :cheers:

03whitecoupe

"Small block vettes are a dime a dozen never pay more then $7500 to $8500 for a perfect vette."
Please explain this statement, I'm sure alot of us would love to know how to find a "perfect" Corvette for that amount.

tom75

I loved my 75 before it took it apart. Heres some info i scanned.
If you see a car you want to buy you can check the facts here with the numbers on the drivers side of the windshield frame. Also I think the last 9 numbers on the windshield frame should match the last 9 numbers and letters stamped on the front left side of the engine that way you can tell if the seller put a different engine in. Tom. Oh and welcome to the forum.




[Modified by tom75, 6:34 PM 12/18/2001]


[Modified by tom75, 7:03 PM 12/18/2001]

Rubyred

For what it is worth, if I were in your shoes I would go for it. Although the 1975 has a low horsepower rating, it is more than adequate for most people. Having a car for your birth year is, IMHO, pretty :cool: .

As noted in my signature I have a 1963 split window and a 1993 40th vert. and still drive my 1975 frequently. The 1975 is reasonably priced and easy to maintain.

HawkIVette

I may be bias here (I own one of the 500,000 C3's, but mine is a 75), but I would consider my 75to be rare. It is a L-82 (only 2,372 made for that year, least amount of L-82's every offered, but, yes, it is only a 350 c.i.), and mine is also a convertible (4,629 made that year, least of any C3 convertible).

Put both of those options together ( I've been told only 388 L-82 Convertibles made that year), and I would say that it is rare.

I know, I am biased.

SharkAttack

This is a rather general blanket statement that could easily be taken out of context. My '72 is a C3, but it's one of only one made. Does that make it rare? My strong guess would be a definitive "hell yes". I also paid quite a bit more than $8,500 for this small-block Corvette and assure you I paid less than a fair price (i.e. great deal on my part). Rarity is a relative term with respect to both the body style (i.e. C3) as well as the year. The best '75 would be an L-82 4-speed convertible with most options, with one or more of these items in combination being secondary. I hope this helps you. Good luck.

HawkIVette

Ditto.


How I wish mine was a Manual Tranny ( Only 1057 of those made that year).

Allan71

Only 1,057 Close Ratio M-21s, but another 8,935 cars had the Wide Ratio M-20.

1975 is really a neat year with some options that were not availalbe for 76 and beyond. The RPO Z07 Off Road Supension and Brake package made it the last Corvette equipped with the J-56 racing brake setup used on the L-88s and ZR-1s. The 1975 Corvette is also the last Corvette that could be ordered with a factory 4.11 axle (L82, M21 and Z07 required). It was also the first year that a rear sway bar was used on a small block, and it was 7/16th inch along with a huge 1 1/8 inch front bar. And also the last year for the cowl induction hood and of course the C3 convertible. It's too bad about the 454 as Chevy really tried to make it happen. The car just couldn't pass the 50,000 mile durability emissions retest with the 454 and it was killed. Maybe if a better cat converter was availalble, it could have made it.

Cajun99

Sorry but I have to disagree with that statement. He wasn't asking about C3s in general, he asked about '75s. I can assure you that you won't find my '75 Vert on every street corner and you won't get a dozen of them for a dime either.

It's the last Stingray Vert, lowest C3 vert production run (4,629), relatively uncommon original color in a Vert, has every option with a hardtop except the L82 and rear window defroster. It's all original except for the wheels and bubble tail lamps, has under 40K original miles and you can be sure you can't touch it for $8,500!!

You won't find any "perfect" C3 for $8,500.:lol: :lol:

je68

I am a buyer for all the $7500.00 perfect C-3 any year you can send me I will even pay finders fee.

Schumacher

WOW! Thanks for all the replies, and great information you have supplied me.
I've never been too enthusiastic about owning a convertable before (more of a t-top guy), but hey if I find one I'll be very interested. This car will be driven probably as much as my Formula (about 5,000 miles a year), and I'm not the least bit worried about the lack horse power (I'll take care of that little problem myself ;)) I would like a manual trans, so that is probably one of the main things I'll be looking for when I'm actually ready to buy one. But until then I'll be reading everything I can here, asking many questions, and learning as much as possible.

Mike