kentvette
CCCUK Member
There's and expression I haven't heard in a few years!
First time future C3 buyer, looking for information about model year changes, what to look out for etc.
- Thread starter Gibbo205
- Start date
Nick B
CCCUK Member
Ha, I raced my 1600 GT Mk2 Cortina up Muswell Hill against a MK1 Lotus and lost (but only just), great days.
Chuffer
CCCUK regional rep
Yep ! but unfortunately they are still aboutThere's and expression I haven't heard in a few years!
Chuffer
CCCUK regional rep
Are y`all the Muswell Hill Billies ???
Just seen this on eBay:
Anyone here know this car? Seems a poorly written add for what potentially looks a great car though checking MOT history it looks like it went for a few years with advisories which then either got fixed or no longer spotted.
Chevrolet Corvette c3 1981 46000 miles | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Chevrolet Corvette c3 1981 46000 miles at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!
www.ebay.co.uk
Anyone here know this car? Seems a poorly written add for what potentially looks a great car though checking MOT history it looks like it went for a few years with advisories which then either got fixed or no longer spotted.
Roscobbc
Moderator
An Essex vehicle seemingly - has some older Damn Yankees car club stickers in rear windows which seem about right - not a million miles from me - have never seen the car before - don't know of the sellers - rather pricy perhaps inless it comes with a good history......? 2 or 3 £K spent on the other one for sale as a cheaper alternative?
Do you mean the one they have at 8k? I think both cars they have are maybe hiding something and the 20k car I’m not convinced it’s a 1981 as it’s still got the analogue clock and regular none powered drivers seat and bonnet badge has chrome outer and I’m led to believe 81’s have black surround bonnet badges and majority had powered drivers seat and no analogue clock, also note DVLA state December 1980 which would confirm it’s a 1980 maybe.
20k is top money and the advert seems poorly written.
Are there any other places people can recommend I look to try and find a nice C3 other than usual like EBay and Pistonheads please?
Roscobbc
Moderator
Problem you have is that historically everyone in he UK and their brother thinks that they can earn a quick buck or two importing or picking-up cheap POS Vettes and selling at a premium (much like what's reported to be happening with Ford Escorts and Cortina's). These re-sellers mostly seem oblivious to the fact that virtually every years production of Vettes means perhaps only slightly different features but often a different type of buyer. All too many re-sellers work on the basis "well. Its a Corvette Stingray innit? - what more do you want"? - reality is that late model C3's are the least expensive and early C3's are the most expensive in the USA. With a late C3 appealing to a different type of buyer and being 15 years newer than the first C3's cars there is going to be a very good chance of finding a low mileage, well maintained example. Back in the day over in the 'States they were as 'cheap as chips' (pro-rata for American buyers anyway) and many were bought as third or fourth cars and barely used (representing good buys today) But, just take a look at some of the USA ad's to see what prices they all realise over there before paying too much over here...............
Chuffer
CCCUK regional rep
I agree , £20K is too pricey even if mileage is genuine . I think power seat adjust was an option on 1981 cars but I believe bright red was not a colour option , maroon and claret metallic were so probably a respray and interior trim looks very new to me so possibly a refurbed 1980 as that would tie in with the DVLA as Gibbo said and why it`s on a V plate not a W plate . Also having blown up the photo with the headlights it looks like damage to the paint on the driver side headlight nacelle . It could just be a reflection from the main beam light but to me it suggests the unit scraps on the front body bracing tube as the lights retract . There is not much clearance at that point and might indicate a front shunt in the past .
Do you have a link to a good website in the US I can look at cars for sale please?
Nosheruk
Well-known user
Chuffer
CCCUK regional rep
Very nice
I bet it will be a wrench to part with it . Is the photo taken on Clee Hill ? it looks very familiar to me .
Nosheruk
Well-known user
Very nice
North Yorkshire moors
Norm
kentvette
CCCUK Member
Based
Based on that photo alone, I'd say you are doing yourself, and the car down at a price lower than £19,995.
kentvette
CCCUK Member
Just seen this on eBay:
Chevrolet Corvette c3 1981 46000 miles | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Chevrolet Corvette c3 1981 46000 miles at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!www.ebay.co.uk
Anyone here know this car? Seems a poorly written add for what potentially looks a great car though checking MOT history it looks like it went for a few years with advisories which then either got fixed or no longer spotted.
I'm not sure I'd be rushing to buy either of the Corvettes they have. The cheap one is cheap for a reason, a whole load of things that look like trouble there! And the £19,995 one looks only partly tempting - its had a "blow over" which seems to need "finishing", no trim down the door shut for example. The seats are a bit shabby, it needs a new, correct colour armrest etc etc... And it has headers - Ugh!
I think I'd be waiting to see the car that Gavin has, from what I've seen of his cars, its almost certain to be nicer!
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Chuffer
CCCUK regional rep
Of course , there are not enough sheep about to be Clee Hill looking over the Shropshire / Wales border . They roam all over the road up there and try to nick your sarnies !North Yorkshire moors
Norm
Nassau65
CCCUK Member
I think prices nowadays are all over the place, both here and the states. Sellers always hope for the best possible price, buyers want the cheapest. How do you put a value on a 40, 50 or 60 year old car ? I’ve seen fully restored 1980 models in the US for $35k. That’s about £26000 before Shipping and taxes, so £30000 landed. You would never get you money for that in the UK.
I saw that advertised car at Damm yankees about 6 years ago, and spoke to the elderly owner, as I thought it was one I imported in 1990 as it had a FMU tag, and I had a number of cars given the FMU lettering. It wasn’t one of mine when I checked. It looked a nice car then, not perfect, but a nice example. The owner I could tell took pride in it. As to what condition it’s in now ????? But it is 40 years old now. When that car was new, it would be like looking at a car from 1940.
I saw that advertised car at Damm yankees about 6 years ago, and spoke to the elderly owner, as I thought it was one I imported in 1990 as it had a FMU tag, and I had a number of cars given the FMU lettering. It wasn’t one of mine when I checked. It looked a nice car then, not perfect, but a nice example. The owner I could tell took pride in it. As to what condition it’s in now ????? But it is 40 years old now. When that car was new, it would be like looking at a car from 1940.
Nassau65
CCCUK Member
In 1990, the 1980 cars I bought were $7000 on average. at a exchange rate of £1 to $1.83. Shipping was $400 from Miami. In those days the import tax was different, you had a additional 10% special car tax at what HMRC valued the car at. 10% import duty and 15% VAT. But of course the cars were only 10 years old.