Help me buy my first C3

[ek19]

Hi all, this is my first post here so apologies if it's a bit long.

My story with C3 Stingrays began when I was a kid and my Father gifted me a Burago C3 Stingray, it was love at first sight and I've always wanted one. I am quite savvy when it comes to cars, I currently race Formula Vees and have also been racing RC cars on a very competitive level for over 20 years. I am now in my late twenties, will graduate from my postgrad in a few months, and recently decided that I want to make my dream true and get myself a C3 Stingray. With this in mind, I started researching and I realised that for somebody who's claimed that he's an avid C3 fan, I know very little about the car, its history, and its respective models.

I know roughly what I want. I certainly want a pre-1976 one that has the Stingray badges preferably blue. Moreover, I would prefer the car to have history (when it was bought, who owned it, service history, etc) and last but not least, I would like to make sure that, given the proper care, the car would appreciate in value (I would hate to sell it but I appreciate that with costs of living rising I could end up falling on hard times and would hate for this effort to have been a net financial loss). I don't have a preference about the condition as long as it's in a state that could realistically be fully restored. Lastly, my intention is to keep it as close as possible to the original, I don't plan to install any modern tech/parts on it.

So I am making this post as a call for help. Since I've started looking into this I've found too much information (and some of which is conflicting). What resources would you recommend looking into first?

Also, if you want to go the extra mile, here are some bonus questions:

1. Were Stingrays even produced with right-hand steering wheel?
2. What's the rarest C3 model (excl the Astrovettes)?
3. Based on the information provided, what budget should I prepare?

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[teamzr1]

Welcome to the Corvette family !

I have owned like 12 Corvettes since 1975 that I wrenched on, did mods and raced
Once owning one, it kinda gets in your blood and cannot live without one

Have you looked at the Corvette Black book, it is like the bible of information on all Corvette models
Just $25 US you can get at

Corvette Black Book
176 pages of information

Why is it that you want pre-1976 C3s ?

 

[Nassau65]

I think your asking a bit much to know the original history of cars approaching 50 years old.
C3 Corvettes we’re never produced in RHD by the Chevrolet Motor Division.

probably the rarest C3 is the ZL1

budget as much as you can.

 

[Nassau65]

1968- 1972 cars are the most expensive regardless of motors.
1973 is a bit of a oddity as it has a mixture of bumpers, but prices are similar to the 1968-72 cars.
Big block cars are a massive premium over the small blocks, The small block LT1 is on par with a big block motors

1974-to 1982 can be all over the place depending on condition and who’s selling
1974 big block 454 is priced accordingly.
Convertibles can now be double the price of a T-Top coupe.

 

[ek19]

Welcome to the Corvette family !

Thanks for the warm welcome!

I have owned like 12 Corvettes since 1975 that I wrenched on, did mods and raced
Once owning one, it kinda gets in your blood and cannot live without one

Well, I definitely won't be sharing that bit of info with my SO

Have you looked at the Corvette Black book, it is like the bible of information on all Corvette models
Just $25 US you can get at

Corvette Black Book
176 pages of information

Why is it that you want pre-1976 C3s ?

Great idea, thanks! I'll order the book now. Re pre-1976, from my limited research, the Stingray badges were discontinued for subsequent models. I know it's a tiny detail but I pay a lot of attention to tiny stuff like that.

 

[ek19]

1968- 1972 cars are the most expensive regardless of motors.
1973 is a bit of a oddity as it has a mixture of bumpers, but prices are similar to the 1968-72 cars.
Big block cars are a massive premium over the small blocks, The small block LT1 is on par with a big block motors

1974-to 1982 can be all over the place depending on condition and who’s selling
1974 big block 454 is priced accordingly.
Convertibles can now be double the price of a T-Top coupe.

Thanks so much for that! I'll try and find some pricing data online. If not I'll just start gathering it myself to figure out price ranges.

 

[Roscobbc]

Welcome ek19 - might be a good idea initially to visit your local CCCUK meeting, get to know some of the members with C3's familiarise yourself with the cars - I'm sure members will be only too pleased to show their cars to you - where in UK are you based?

 

[James Vette]

Trust me when I say you should check how much the insurance will cost before buying the stingray you find.

 

[ek19]

Welcome ek19 - might be a good idea initially to visit your local CCCUK meeting, get to know some of the members with C3's familiarise yourself with the cars - I'm sure members will be only too pleased to show their cars to you - where in UK are you based?

That's a wonderful idea! I currently live in Oxford although I'm planning to move to London after I graduate in Sept. Are there any meetings in the area soon?

 

[ek19]

Trust me when I say you should check how much the insurance will cost before buying the stingray you find.

Yes, I'll definitely do that for any car but thanks for the tip. I do expect this to be obscenely high

 

[Roscobbc]

I think you'll come under this region - I'm sure someone from th region will be along to tell you where they meet.

Thames Valley Reps​

Alan Lewis - thamesvalleyregion@corvetteclub.org.uk
Mike Buchanan - thamesvalleyregion@corvetteclub.org.uk

 

[Roscobbc]

Yes, I'll definitely do that for any car but thanks for the tip. I do expect this to be obscenely high

If you are (how shall I say.....a little older) insurance can be surprisingly reasonable - try Peter S Taylor at Worthing. I pay less than £150, with a 3000 mile limit, car has to be garaged and not your primary vehicle with breadown cover (and modifications are declared).

 

[CaptainK]

Hello and welcome to the club. Good choice of car to buy

As others have said above, earlier chrome bumper models cost more, so budget more for them. If you have a daily drive car then insurance can be got on classic car policy, which as said above can be cheap. Mine is around £175, 3000 mile limit, garaged, agreed valuation etc etc (I'm in my 40s though).

Highly recommend you visit some club events and look over the cars to get a feel of what you want. I wish I had done the same to get that bit more info. I bought mine on a whim, had a few issues, but its ok now mostly and keeps me entertained. Oh and a heads up - 1968 was the first year of C3s, and thus have lots of "one year only" parts on them. This means extra dollar to buy them..... as I found out as mine is a 1968

 

[Chuffer]

That's a wonderful idea! I currently live in Oxford although I'm planning to move to London after I graduate in Sept. Are there any meetings in the area soon?

There will be a big gathering of CCCUK guys at British Motor Museum at Gaydon on 18th September . That is just a quick zip up the M40 from Oxford .
Also recommend joining the club and get the benefits of membership and technical advice . You can also get a Corvette Buyers Guide .
If you are into motorsport are you going to Classic Silverstone over August Bank Holiday weekend ? CCCUK will have a display area there with up to 15 Corvettes on show and members are happy to chat .

 

[Chuffer]

Yes, I'll definitely do that for any car but thanks for the tip. I do expect this to be obscenely high

Should not be too bad if you are say over 25 . Classic car insurances on limited annual mileage can be very reasonable . I have been with Classic Line for 6 years and very happy . Now got free unlimited mileage having made no claims . They also include breakdown cover and you can get guarenteed valuations at a small additional cost .

 

[GCorvette]

My story with C3 Stingrays began when I was a kid and my Father gifted me a Burago C3 Stingray, it was love at first sight and I've always wanted one.

Welcome to the world of Corvettes!

While I am the first to put my hand up and say, when it comes to the mechanics of a car, I am the totally wrong person to ask!

I know nothing about that side, but I truly love my Corvettes (I have 2) and having just spent 2 years looking at thousands of C3s (yes, seriously!) before buying a fabulous 1973 to have alongside my C6 Z51, I can probably help in some areas.

To help others, I started THIS THREAD that contains lots of great advice and information.

My top tips:
1) Do not buy the first you see... even if it looks like it will do 150mph just standing still!
2) Be warned, there are a lot of appallingly bad C3s out there, so research, research, research!
3) Visit the CCCUK regional meetings and talk to real owners - not just sellers!
4) Talk to Gavin Roe at EMC EMC Performance - Corvette Restoration and Sales - What Gavin doesn't know about the C3, is almost impossible to find & if you are not in a rush, BUY one from Gavin or at least one of his restorations from its current owner.
5) Check the insurance quotes carefully, all are not what they seem!
6) The once great option to buy and import from America, is not so viable now due to the Sterling rate.
7) Find a trusted local Corvette specialist( which might mean 1-2 hours away!) who can help when things happen.
8) Know your budget and that the different years require very different amounts of money for the right car.
9) If it appears to be a bargain, it's not - it means you will become the owner of a whole world of pain!
10) Join the CCCUK - Lots of benefits (insurance discount, knowledge, Club events and new friends await!)

11) There always has to be an 11... Be prepared for more smiles than you know what to do with!
My C3 has an almost Rock Star like status wherever I go!
I thought the C6 was a cool Corvette and turned heads, but my 1973 is off the charts fun and I'm immensely proud and privileged to own it.

I hope that helps and good luck!

 

[ek19]

Thanks, everyone for the suggestions about insurance!

If you are into motorsport are you going to Classic Silverstone over August Bank Holiday weekend ? CCCUK will have a display area there with up to 15 Corvettes on show and members are happy to chat .

I'll be racing at Silverstone the previous weekend. I might still drive down there for the meet though now that you recommended it.

Welcome to the world of Corvettes!

While I am the first to put my hand up and say, when it comes to the mechanics of a car, I am the totally wrong person to ask!

I know nothing about that side, but I truly love my Corvettes (I have 2) and having just spent 2 years looking at thousands of C3s (yes, seriously!) before buying a fabulous 1973 to have alongside my C6 Z51, I can probably help in some areas.

To help others, I started THIS THREAD that contains lots of great advice and information.

Thanks for sharing, this is very helpful info.

 

[antijam]

I don't know if you've had previous experience with classic cars but keep in the forefront of your mind that an early C3 Corvette is at least 50 years old and even the last cars are 40 - a lot can happen in that time! The classic pitfalls such as birdcage and frame rust are well documented on the web but bear in mind that even if the car has had regular maintenance over its lifetime, unless it's had a comprehensive restoration a lot of components will inevitably be reaching end of life and will require replacement during your ownership.

You state "I don't have a preference about the condition as long as it's in a state that could realistically be fully restored." Depends what you mean by realistic. Check out this thread on the forum. A guy has had his car 'fully restored' at a cost that is most unlikely to be recouped. Professional restoration is expensive and even for the diy-er almost all parts have to come from the States which makes them expensive compared to home-grown equivalents.

You say "I would like to make sure that, given the proper care, the car would appreciate in value." Most C3's are gradually appreciating, particularly the earlier Chrome bumper cars but if you want a short-term safeguarded investment you need to buy a car that doesn't need significant further expenditure. A fully (and properly) restored early car should be a very sound acquisition but it won't come cheap. Best short term potential is probably a chrome bumper, manual transmission convertible with power steering and brakes, but it will be priced at the upper end of the market. ( I know 'cause that's what I bought!)

The driving experience of a properly sorted C3 is sublime but do remember it is nothing like a modern car. Getting behind the wheel is travelling back in time and our concepts of comfort and driving convenience have come a long way in 50 years. It's already been pointed out that the big block cars command a premium over the small blocks and if brute power is your thing they may be worth the money, but bear in mind for general road use the small blocks are better balanced and nicer handling. after the early 70's power dropped off significantly as US emissions regulations started to bite and later cars are more 'touring' than 'performance'. To many eyes the later 'plastic bumper' car are less attractive than the 'chrome bumpers' - but as always, beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

None of the above is intended as a deterrent to buying a C3 - the aesthetics attract plenty of attention and performance is exceptional for it's age. Get your ownership priorities clear, inspect a prospective purchase thoroughly regardless of what a seller may say about it and be prepared to wait until you find the right car - it's out there!

 

[Nassau65]

What’s in a name?
Is a 1977 Corvette a “corvette” or a “corvette Stingray”
I suppose it’s just a “corvette” as it doesn’t carry the Stingray emblem, bit like the 1968 debut year for the new model which also had no stingray emblem. but to the majority of people it’s still a corvette Stingray. Same as the 1978-82 models. It’s what now referred to a a C3. One size fits all.

 

[Nassau65]

Also, corvette specific parts are some of the most expensive bits for American cars. So this makes restoration a very expensive way to go. My advice is always buy the best you can, if a restored car is your thing, buy one that’s already been done as that owner will never recoup his outlay. His loss will be your gain. I know from experience.