C3 - Import or buy from a specialist?

[Jimkounter]

Hello! I've lusted after a C3 Corvette since first seeing (and feeling the rumble) of one about 20 years ago which uses to be parked in a flat below my apartment in Leeds.

I see so many C3s listed for around £15k. First question, can I reasonably expect to get a decent condition C3 for this much or am I in shed territory? I know the usual checks and due diligence is required but wanted to know if it's possible to get a relatively tidy example for this price?

Also, am I better importing directly from the US or purchasing from someone like EMC performance?

Any guidance and opinions are greatly appreciated.

I expect to have to do some restoration work along with routine maintenance but I'm trying to avoid (perhaps in vain) a total money pit.

Thanks

John.

 

[curious bystander]

Yes you will get a decent late (76-82) for £15K but imho your best bet would be to buy one from a CCCUK member who has owned and cherished it for a few years.
Oh - it will help you if you join the Club

 

[Mr. Cricket]

Hi John.
You say you’re aware of the usual checks to look at and that is a must when shopping for a C3. The birdcage, body mounts and kick ups all need careful checking as problems with these areas are very costly & time consuming to fix. All can be checked to a certain degree which will provide a decent idea of the overall condition even on areas that can’t be seen by the removal of trim or access panels.

The C3 era ran from 1968 to 1982 and it’s the earlier cars that generally demand the higher purchase prices – commonly referred to as the bumper cars which have the chrome bumpers front and back. 1973 brought the one year only chrome bumper on the rear and urethane bumpers on the front. Urethane front and back for all later years. As the years went by, power gradually dropped due to emission regulations.

I can’t see you getting into a decent bumper car within your budget unless you get very lucky or shop overseas but then factor in export fees, import duty ect. You should though be able to find a later model within budget.

One of my 71’s is a restored top flight judged car with low miles and in great condition but they always need upkeep and repairs no matter what. My transistor ignition crapped out unexpectedly and it’s an expensive fix. Most work can be done by someone that is prepared to get their hands dirty and everything you need to know is out there on the interwebs!

Good luck with your search and don’t let emotion rush you into a bad purchase. There are lots of very knowledgeable folks that will try to help you make the right choice.

Stuart

 

[Jimkounter]

Thanks for the responses and I'm glad to hear my budget is likely to be sufficient for a late model C3 which is what I'm after.

I tend to do a lot of research before jumping into anything I'm unfamiliar with and while I know of the required die diligence checks, I'm not familiar with exactly how to perform them. The information is out there so I'll read and watch every resource before make the plunge.

I'll definitely join the club and the idea of purchasing from a member sounds like the best option. I'm in no rush so I can take my time on this. Are prices flat or rising like the rest of the classic car market?

 

[Mr. Cricket]

Thanks for the responses and I'm glad to hear my budget is likely to be sufficient for a late model C3 which is what I'm after.

I tend to do a lot of research before jumping into anything I'm unfamiliar with and while I know of the required die diligence checks, I'm not familiar with exactly how to perform them. The information is out there so I'll read and watch every resource before make the plunge.

I'll definitely join the club and the idea of purchasing from a member sounds like the best option. I'm in no rush so I can take my time on this. Are prices flat or rising like the rest of the classic car market?

The rear body mounts can be viewed via a removable panel in the rear wheel arches. The original factory rust proofing is a light green colour. Expect to see superficial rust. The front body mounts are behind the speakers in the front footwells. A good test with these along with a visual check is to put a white towel in the body mount pocket and slam the doors a few times and see what rust / debris lands on the towel. The upper windshield can be accessed by removing the chrome trims under the t tops. All at the sellers agreement of course! Frame rails & cross members are easy to access / see. The radiator support bracket can be problematic and rust out as they retain water the way they are pressed. If the windscreen frame is rotten you can often see bulges on the uprights where the VIN number is. You'll find rust, just check it's not severe rust..

 

[antijam]

Like you John, a C3 has long been on my 'bucket list' and I finally satisfied my lust earlier this year with this '71 convertible....



It was a private purchase over here from a guy who had imported it from the USA about a year earlier. Having viewed a few cars in this country the attraction of this one was that it appeared to be a genuine low mileage (44 k) car and almost entirely un-restored. This didn't mean that it didn't need some work - what 50 year old car wouldn't - but at least I would be working with a 'stock' car and not having to unravel any previous attempts at restoration by owners of unknown competence.

It cost me £25k but it was a matching numbers car, the frame and birdcage appeared sound, everything worked (bar the clock and the handbrake) and the body and interior were in very good condition. Items that needed attention were the power steering - very imprecise, the carburation as car was running very lean, the exhaust that was blowing from every joint and a new hood (soft top) would improve the appearance considerably. I've addressed these points over the last few months - except for the hood - and the car is now a very enjoyable drive. I've still to sort the clock and handbrake.

I did consider importing a car from the States as an option, since there is obviously a much wider choice over there at much more attractive prices. The downside of buying abroad is that unless you go to view the car yourself or can get it checked by someone whose judgement you respect, you're relying on the vendors description that, lets be honest, is only going to emphasise the good points of the car and leave you to discover the bad. Never rely solely on photographs to determine a cars condition. Also that attractive price will seem a lot less attractive when the costs of importation are added. If you do import a car that turns out to be 'not as described' you may find it harder to get redress than if bought from a dealer over here.

The earlier chrome bumper cars do command a premium over the later ones as has been pointed out - so to do convertibles. Power output of the cars diminished steadily from 1970 on as they struggled to comply with low octane unleaded fuel and emissions regulations. My car has a stock base 350 cu in rated at 270 hp and has 4-speed manual transmission; by 1975 power was down to 165 hp. Big block cars are more powerful but perhaps not as well balanced as the small blocks.

Despite any problems, the cars are still a rewarding drive and a great attention grabber - good luck with your search.

 

[Martinshort]

Yes you will get a decent late (76-82) for £15K but imho your best bet would be to buy one from a CCCUK member who has owned and cherished it for a few years.
Oh - it will help you if you join the Club

Hi there, good point can you say where you purchased your Corvette from

 

[curious bystander]

Mine's a 79. Had it six years and got it from Gavin at EMC. His cars will never be rusty dogs but as he imports from Florida he will never really know the full history. That said he is a C3 expert and he presents them well, although there might well be mechanical issues to sort out.
That's why I say try and buy from someone who's an enthusiast and has owned the car for a while.
To add to Stuart's advice about rust, to check rust in the area at the bottom of the windscreen, open the door fully, get your hands under the end of the door and lift. The whole side of the car should raise up. If only the door moves then there might be problems with rust above the top hinge.
Avoid rusty cars. There are plenty of good late C3's if you are patient.

 

[Mr. Cricket]

Nice '71 Vert and Eagle GT's. I changed mine out recently very reluctantly and with browning issues on new RWL tyres went redlines instead

 

[Adriana1]

Hello! I've lusted after a C3 Corvette since first seeing (and feeling the rumble) of one about 20 years ago which uses to be parked in a flat below my apartment in Leeds.

I see so many C3s listed for around £15k. First question, can I reasonably expect to get a decent condition C3 for this much or am I in shed territory? I know the usual checks and due diligence is required but wanted to know if it's possible to get a relatively tidy example for this price?

Also, am I better importing directly from the US or purchasing from someone like EMC performance?

Any guidance and opinions are greatly appreciated.

I expect to have to do some restoration work along with routine maintenance but I'm trying to avoid (perhaps in vain) a total money pit.

Thanks

John.

John
I had the same lust for a C3 this year
After looking at a lot of overpriced. Rubbish I decided to look over the pond
There are a lot of C3 for sale at all sorts of prices, my budget was 20k as I wanted a car I could use straight away
Found my car in New York- spoke at length with the seller, got to know him, what he did for work, why he was selling and what he was selling
Had a lot of info from him- he had had the car for 15 years and had done a lot of work to the car, made may Whatsap video call to speak and look at the car in detail
I agreed to buy, arranged the shipping, registered the car all without any problems
I now have the car I wanted and all is good
The only thing I would do differently is to get the car independently appraised, cost around £300 but it will report the car worts and all
Mine came with a number of issues I didn’t think of- nothing out of that ordinary for a 50 year old car, but if I knew these issues I probably could have got a discount
Still very happy with my purchase and would do it again

Good luck
Happy to help if you go this way

 

[Adriana1]

John
I had the same lust for a C3 this year
After looking at a lot of overpriced. Rubbish I decided to look over the pond
There are a lot of C3 for sale at all sorts of prices, my budget was 20k as I wanted a car I could use straight away
Found my car in New York- spoke at length with the seller, got to know him, what he did for work, why he was selling and what he was selling
Had a lot of info from him- he had had the car for 15 years and had done a lot of work to the car, made may Whatsap video call to speak and look at the car in detail
I agreed to buy, arranged the shipping, registered the car all without any problems
I now have the car I wanted and all is good
The only thing I would do differently is to get the car independently appraised, cost around £300 but it will report the car worts and all
Mine came with a number of issues I didn’t think of- nothing out of that ordinary for a 50 year old car, but if I knew these issues I probably could have got a discount
Still very happy with my purchase and would do it again

Good luck
Happy to help if you go this way