Buying a ''69 to '72 C3

Rob Williams

Rob Williams

Busy user
I definitely agree about not worrying too much about perfection. Working on these old ladies and driving them is the best part for me. Apologies to Miss Collins if she's a club member, I don't mean you! That's sort of the reason I don't mind getting a car that needs some work! I pretty much did everything to my E type from scratch and I still boot it on the rare occasions I take it out. You can always respray them and a bit of wear adds to authenticity, in my humble opinion.
 
Letank

Letank

CCCUK Member
Mad4slalom said:
Hi Rob , I was at a car show in fowey cornwall today. There was a very nice body off restored 73 L48 vette with a for sale sign. Very nice all round restoration. New interior with black leather seat covers with corvette motif in backs. Everything works inc clock. No a/c but pwr steering and brakes. Auto box . Polished torque thrust type alloys plus original rallye’s , caps and rings . Asking £28500 which is I guess approaching dealer price. I suspect gavin would be asking less . But a very nice sorted car all the same. It was white originally and painted a non corvette colour, ( porsche guards Red) Be interested what folks in the know on here think of the price. A couple of pics attached. 👍View attachment 18737View attachment 18738View attachment 18739
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This one was on eBay a few weeks back. Here’s the link:
73 Corvette
It looks almost identical to my old 73, which I sold last year for around £23k. (Perhaps too cheaply, considering it went in less than 24hrs of the advert going out!)
B7B3C492-9B97-4238-97FE-603B7C19A31F.jpeg
However, for me, £28.5k is very strong money for a 73 small block auto coupe, but it really depends on condition and how much you like the car. If you’re in it for the long haul then you shouldn’t lose any money.
If it was my money though, I think I’d be speaking to Gavin (EMC) about one of the three chrome bumper cars he is currently restoring 👍🏻
 
Rob Williams

Rob Williams

Busy user
Thanks "Letank", I have actually spoken to the owner of this vehicle and it is a real good looking vehicle. I might give Gavin a call when I gt back in phone range over the next couple of days!
The '73 cars are fantastic looking but I am sort of hung up on the full chrome bumper cars! Gavin '72 big bloke is the perfect car for me (not sure about the wheels) I don't know if I could afford it though! Still early days for me!
 
Mad4slalom

Mad4slalom

Well-known user
Rob Williams said:
Thanks "Letank", I have actually spoken to the owner of this vehicle and it is a real good looking vehicle. I might give Gavin a call when I gt back in phone range over the next couple of days!
The '73 cars are fantastic looking but I am sort of hung up on the full chrome bumper cars! Gavin '72 big bloke is the perfect car for me (not sure about the wheels) I don't know if I could afford it though! Still early days for me!
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best to go with your heart, some things will be a definite, some will be flexible and different for each buyer. I preferred a small block four speed over a BB. If I had known more or researched more I probably would have searched down an LT1. The PO in the states rebuilt the 4 bolt mains block around a plan to replicate an LT1 as closely as pos with 2.02 valve heads 650 dp carb . Performance cam and aluminuum perf inlet and 9.75-1 flat top pistons. But with hi perf hydraulic lifters over solid. The engine builder who spec’d the cam quoted revs to 6k and 355/360 BHP.. I have all the build details with the paperwork file. I figured better to have a car that I knew had had documented work and restoration than an original that then needed pulling apart. I didnt want a major resto project. This gave me the confidence to risk buying blind from the USA. Pesonally I prefer the uncluttered engine bay of a small block. I think the folk in the states think of the SBC as a lesser engine than the Bb But when most european cars average 2 litres then the small block at 5.7 litres seems more than adequate. Along with a bit better fuel milage this was my preference. .. so if you want a 70/72 over a 73 then I would hold out for that or you may always still hanker for a 72. I you see a 73 and think no maybe it is fine with just the rear chrome then a 73 will work for you. The 73 is highly thought of in its own right as a one year only car. I think value wise the early years vettes would probably go , 68/9 then 70 - 72, with the LT one in a league of its own . Rare BB motors command high prices and very sort after. then the 73. Pos 78 , then 74-77. The 79 I like as slightly on its own then the 80/81 later years have a following. Of their own. Everyone will have their own opinions within the different year models which are special to them. We havent even touched on convertibles over a T top, , a/c , special options, rare colours etc etc makes me want to do it all again 😵‍💫🤣😁👍
 
Letank

Letank

CCCUK Member
Rob Williams said:
The '73 cars are fantastic looking but I am sort of hung up on the full chrome bumper cars! Gavin '72 big bloke is the perfect car for me (not sure about the wheels) I don't know if I could afford it though! Still early days for me!
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If you are hung up on a full chrome bumper car then my advice would be to hold out for one.

The 73 was my first venture into Corvette ownership and I bought it because it was the closest thing I could find to a ‘nice’ full chrome car, within my budget. As much as I loved everything about it from the front side markers back, I always hankered for a chrome bumper on the front!

Not long after buying it I found myself looking at full chrome bumper cars for sale. Two years later (after looking at a lot of cars) I finally bought my 69. Of all the full chrome bumper cars, 69 is my favourite year. The side gills of the 68-69 are the only ones on a C3 that relate to the shark identity, and the metal trims and Stingray badging on a 69 take it to another level. I also think the smaller side markers and lack of fender flares makes the car look classier. Although it cost me more than double what I paid for the 73, I haven’t looked back. It’s a car I can now imagine keeping indefinitely!

With regards to Gavin’s big block, don’t let the P02 wheel trims put you off. They pop off and you have a rally wheel underneath, which you can then add the derby hat centre cap and trim rings onto. 👍🏻
 
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Rob Williams

Rob Williams

Busy user
Well that is cheap! I suspect that will sky rocket to a full restoration as there's no point taking the body off and not doing everything! The closing gap between the door and the front wing looks the hinges in the birdcage have dropped or the whole chassis is flexing! The bonnet doesn't look like it's closing properly and the interior (I'd have to change the for black I think)!! So maybe a bit of work, but I like the wheels!! I suppose fitting the reconditioned chassis (assuming it's OK) plus everything else means you'd eventually end up with a nice car. I've got the space and the time so it's a possibility for me! I've messaged the seller and will post any developments on my progress! Thanks for the "Heads up" Rosscobc (y)(y)(y)
 
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BigVet

Supporting vendor
We have a 1970 2-top convertible, in Mulsanne Blue with blue interior, white soft-top. The car is a completely number matching 350/300 with manual box. Huge history folder with the car. 100% stock throughout. Superb paint, interior, chrome & underside - but the number matching engine is currently out for a rebuild. There's an absolute fortune in new parts with the car including most new parts from Summit to fully rebuild the motor. Any interest? Tom, Dromey Corvettes.
 
Mad4slalom

Mad4slalom

Well-known user
BigVet said:
We have a 1970 2-top convertible, in Mulsanne Blue with blue interior, white soft-top. The car is a completely number matching 350/300 with manual box. Huge history folder with the car. 100% stock throughout. Superb paint, interior, chrome & underside - but the number matching engine is currently out for a rebuild. There's an absolute fortune in new parts with the car including most new parts from Summit to fully rebuild the motor. Any interest? Tom, Dromey Corvettes.
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pics please 👍we would all like to see this 👍
 
CaptainK

CaptainK

CCCUK Member
Mad4slalom said:
I would be interested in the power brake kit if you think it will fit the 72 , it is a job I looked at and it seems doable without major hassle, compressing the collapsible column seems a tad daunting as hammering and bashing is required I read. Let me know how much you want. I will see if any difference in a 72 conversion kit. 👍
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The 68 kit I have is from ZIP Corvette. If you have a look at the the kits they sell there, everything looks very similar - basically a booster, master cylinder, and some brake lines. The instructions that came with my kit are "generic" and don't mention the 68, other than a bit (from memory) that says some thing like "use this small bit for a 68, but for 69 onwards don't use it". I think the brake pipes are probably the only custom parts - and the American car specialist I had the kit fitted at said they needed to adjust the pipes a bit anyway. :ROFLMAO:

If you want, I can send the kit down to you to see if you think it'll work. If it doesn't, no harm no foul and I can pick it up when I'm next down in Cornwall. Message me if you want.
 
Mad4slalom

Mad4slalom

Well-known user
HJG said:
Here's one I have just seen this morning.
Time warp to my mind is original , not rebuilt ,restored, repainted in a different colour blah blah blah, whoever wrote that ad does’nt seem to have much idea.🤔 probs still a very nice vette tho and pos the right price with that amount of work done ?

www.fastlaneclassics.co.uk

1972 Corvette T Top Coupe For Sale - Fast Lane Classics

1972 Corvette coupe for sale is an exceptional example in the UK now ready to use
www.fastlaneclassics.co.uk

Advert says built at Bowling Green ...which I didn't think opened until '81
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antijam

antijam

CCCUK Member
HJG said:
Advert says built at Bowling Green ...which I didn't think opened until '81
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You're right. Bowling Green has become so synonymous with Corvette production that many people - including some respected motoring journalists who should know better - assume that Corvettes were always built there. The very first Corvettes were built in Flint, Missouri before a year later production moved to St. Louis, Michigan. Only the last model year C3's were built at Bowling Green.
 
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