zeroday

I'm looking for an affordable weekend car, and this seems like a good deal to me.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3s-...tte-coupe.html

enjoijoe

Looks good, but you could probably get a c5 for that price. Again looks to be in great condition I say go for it if it is what you want.

enjoijoe

Also I think the 72 350 was the last c3 350 to produce 300+ HP

zeroday

Not a fan of the c4/c5. Looking for something unique that may increase in value over the years and also provide some weekend fun.

iTimmy

If you've never driven a vette of that era do it before you buy. I personally hate driving C3 and C4 vettes, they got it a little closer to right with the C5 and almost have a complete home run with the C6 - for a fun weekend toy, I'd rather have a similarly priced Miata or S2k. With S2k production almost done, they will become collectable cars if you find one that is unmolested.

enjoijoe

That c3 should be a fun weekend car I wish i had the money to own something classic. My brother has a 1970 chevelle with a 454 and it is awesome.

Will Y.

What exactly do you want to do with the car-- cruise, autocross, drags, meets? Will you mod it or leave it stock?
The chassis will probably flex a bit (without a cage), there will likely be lots of rattles and creaks.
The car has a 3-speed auto rather than a manual-- bulletproof, though. The 350 was the little motor, and came in a couple of varieties-- mild or warm.
Chances are that this is a cruising car/meets type of car in stock OEM trim. If you're interested in a big-block presence, drag times or autocross, this isn't the car without a bunch of work.

BTW, the current MX5 has about the same 0-60 as the best post-'72 350ci C3s; the prior MX-5s were just a tad slower.

TheMirror

Looks nicely cared for in the pics, you'd really have to go give it a good eyeballing. Drive it, make sure you get to start it from cold. If there's a local Corvette specialist near there, have them look at it too.

Keith Martin's SCM guide lists $18,500 as a low end price for a 1972 350/200hp driver quality car, so on the face of it that seems like a pretty good price if the car is in sound condition.

Love the early C3 Vettes, always wanted one.

subinf

Aside from not being a great looking car I found them to be rather uncomfortable.

teranfon

Nice car. Looks to be in pretty nice shape. I've owned two C3s, a '68 and a '76. The '72 was the last year to have both the front and rear chrome bumpers. Very elegant. I think the 350 was either offered in a 200 hp or a 255 hp version (not entirely sure). Wrong air cleaner and valve covers in the pics, but not a big deal. Try to find out which engine it has and if the powertrain is numbers matching.

The biggest appeal of a car like that is that you can repair it yourself with a timing light and a good set of Sears Craftsman. If you're not a purist, then parts are cheap and plentiful. The local Pep Boys will have parts for it. They are somewhat crude, but then again that's some of the appeal.

The ass end is a little high, most likely from someone over-tightening the outside leaf spring bolts, but this is easily corrected. The car would be very attractive it the tires were turned inside out to get rid of the raised white letters. Also make sure the fiberglass is in good shape, as it does get brittle. The bodies also have a tendency to pull away from the frame.

If it's a numbers matching car and in good shape, it could be a decent buy. And I LOVE the chrome bumpers.


Terry

TheMirror

Correcto. The 200hp was the base and the 255 was the LT1.

teranfon

Thanks Mirror, I couldn't recall if my ratings were correct or not.



Terry

Scrib

Neat looking vette. I've always told myself I'd make a similar move someday.

chill_dog

Very nice. A guy at my office has a C3...his wife got it for him for his 50th birthday. It's not in as good as shape this one, but it's a great little car.

SuperTrooper169

iTrader: (2)

So are the hp numbers realistic or are they lower due to the revised hp rating system they started in '72? I remember the 350 in my Skylark was rated at something ridiculous like 150hp, but after some reading online I found an article explaining the new hp rating system and it was realistically more like 220hp. Was this across the line for all GM cars?

teranfon

1972 was the first year for Corvette posting SAE net figures as opposed to gross. The net figures would have been more realistic. A few years later Corvette posted the torque figures on the console placard as opposed to the horsepower figures, no doubt because of the continually dropping hp ratings. I believe my '76 made a whopping 165 horsepower.


Terry

Bdog

If you want to collect an older car, it's a really good deal. If you want a fun weekend car, get a newer C5. The newer ones just ride nicer, have all the nice features and you'll have basically no issues with one. The '72 you'll always get your money out of it if you ever want to sell, unlike an '01 vette you'll lose a couple thousand over the years.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

charliemike

Get a Porsche 911 ... You can probably find an '83-85 in very good condition for $16,000.

zeroday

Thanks for the replies. I'm starting to think I need something with more motor. I like the 80's Porsche idea but they're kind of common and I wanted something more unique (which rules out c4/c5).

Subinf mentioned he didn't think this was a good looking car..I think this car is gorgeous?!

Loseit

iTrader: (1)

i think that would be a fun car if it had a manual tranny.

TheMirror

$1,500 will buy you a cam, new intake manifold, carb and headers which will give that boy considerably more thrust than it has now. Cheap speed, thy name is Chevy small-block.

subinf

I love Corvettes. Always have. Something about this body style just doesn't sit right with me. Not sure what it is.

Loseit

iTrader: (1)

i am actually the opposite. I love this body style!
I would definately love to own one. Classic looks, that actually looks good with chrome, t-tops....i would just want with a manual tranny. I also love the the early 80's the last couple years of this look...but i think these early seventies ones look classy.

GreenMonster

Yep... really nice... That would be on my list for a weekend car... only I'd want a LT-1 with a 4spd.

I love the hoods on the LT1's from that time period... I'd only get a pre-73 because of the chrome bumpers. I love the fact that it's a simple and unsophisticated car...

Other options are the porsche 911, or s2k, but there's something about an old chevy v8 exhaust note and torque...

GreenMonster

Yeah, the Lt-1 was rated at over 300hp until 72...