I *might* be able to replace my aging commuter with something more fun. I'm looking around at older Corvettes, basically just the 3rd generation with the nice, curvy "Mako Shark" body. The 1st & 2nd get, unless it's a complete project are way out of my price range. The 5th and 6th are too. I do occasionally find an early 4th gen for a nice price. I'm expecting nicks, scratches, some cracks, a small amount of rust, interior wear etc. in looking.
I know there's plenty of modern cars faster than these older 'Vettes, but they're classy and I'll certain they're fun do drive.
Any FHE with Corvettes on here? I'm curious about things like maintenance and mods, cost to do engine work and stuff like that. Most of them are Chevy 350's, with the occasional 427 and 454 tossed in there. Either way, those motors, especially the 350 have tons of parts available and seem relatively easy to work on. Does this hold true for Corvette 350's or were they quite different from the 350 found it trucks and the other muscle cars of the era?
Tell me all about older 'Vettes
Thanks
JM
No FHE, but I'd love to have a '69 or '70 with the big, bulgy ZL1 hood and a nasty big block in it.
And I'm a Ford guy.
Quote from: Speedbag on June 10, 2010, 12:41:09 PM
No FHE, but I'd love to have a '69 or '70 with the big, bulgy ZL1 hood and a nasty big block in it.
And I'm a Ford guy.
1970 w/ the factory 454. 390HP, 500ft/lbs. That would be awesome.
JM
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n182/themustangkid/Bill%20OGormans%20Virtual%20Museum/CorvetteSummerVette1.jpg)
Corvette Summer - trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CM3nwC0xcU&NR=1#lq-hq-vhq)
damn it derby
Corvettes..... (in my mind) stopped being desirable in 1967. All 'Vettes 1968 & later are 'meh'... in my opinion.
But, to the OP: The Chevy 350 engines did have some parts changed between 'Vettes, Camaros, Impalas, trucks, industrial engines, marine engines, etc... BUT, the basic dimensions stayed the same for just about forever (1955 with the 265cid up till 1980's sometime...). SBC's (small block Chevy's) came as small as 262cid (mid 70's smog motor which ain't worth shit) up to the 400cid small block with the most common displacement being 350cid. The 350 itself was introduced in 1968 and has been EXTREMELY popular in the aftermarket from the late 50's till.....well.....now.
ANYTHING you can think of to do with a V8...has been done to an SBC. It's cheap power.
If you love the car, do some research as to what to look for w/the chassis's you're looking at and bring a friend w/you to look at the car. Often times (when emotions are involved), poor decisions can be made 'in the heat of the moment'.
Good luck JM! [thumbsup]
(life's short...enjoy yourself!)
IIRC, the rear suspension mounts tended to suffer pretty good, and it's not a cheap fix. Check out how well that there rear end is attached.
Nothing else comes to mind as a deal breaker, other than it being a chevy :P
Good to know on the suspension mounts, gives me something to look for if I even find one I can remotely afford. It would be a semi-project that I could hopefully drive some and do a little work at a time.
Stew - The 1st & 2nd gen Corvettes are beautiful, but out of my range. I really like the 3rd gen body too. I would prefer an early 3rd gen, but those too are likely out of my range ~
JM
B says up to '72 is good.
Anything later is junk.
Quote from: DesmoDiva on June 10, 2010, 02:57:35 PM
B says up to '72 is good.
Anything later is junk.
Kinda what I was thinking because the smog rules killed performance. In '71 they were well over 300HP, and by '81 they were only 190HP.
JM
And now some of them are 500+ :o
If you want a fun commuter two seater, I'd look at a 1991 GMC Syclone.
There is a dealership by my house that was one on the lot for $10,500
not to mention, you could smoke most any car off the line with it.
Want me to go test drive it for you?
[popcorn]
1974 was so so and 1975 is when the vettes took a BIG hit on power with the EPAregulations. I think 165HP for the small block?
so do 1973 or earlier if you want the C3
My uncle has a gold 69 Stingray with a big block and side pipes. I am not a Vette fan by any means but that car just gets my blood flowing when I drive it.
Similar to this except in gold...
(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/170/426434604_2190574900.jpg)
And even though I am no Vette fan...this would be on my lottery winning list...
2010 Corvette Grand Sport in Graphite Grey
(http://automodified.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/2010-Chevy-Corvette-Grand-Sport-automodified.jpg)
(http://www.dieselstation.com/pics/Accessorized-Chevrolet-Corvette-Grand-Sport-Heritage-Package-car-walls.jpg)
I personally think corvettes are one step above camaros and old firebirds.
Oh yeah...69 RS/SS or a 69 WS6 Firebird. Sign me up.
Quote from: ZLTFUL on June 11, 2010, 11:30:59 AM
Oh yeah...69 RS/SS or a 69 WS6 Firebird. Sign me up.
a guy I work with has a '69 Ram Air 4
Quote from: lethe on June 11, 2010, 12:05:56 PM
a guy I work with has a '69 Ram Air 4
big $$$ right there
C3 Corvettes are pretty but unless it's something with sidepipes I personally prefer 1st or 2nd gen Firebirds.
As with what has already been said.. stick to '73 and earlier. I went '78 but then made sure it had a "proper" engine in it.
Either way, you're gonna have a blast
http://jalopnik.com/5556888/crikey-its-a-stingray-for-4900 (http://jalopnik.com/5556888/crikey-its-a-stingray-for-4900)
Quote from: alfisti on June 11, 2010, 12:08:33 PM
big $$$ right there
he's had it since back when it was worth nothing too.
Corsa Exhaust Installed on Corvette C6 Z06 @ Serious Autosport (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oo2MzyPiZ08#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)
I like the compact lines of the 73. Big block + side pipes.
My fav car is a 70-74 Cuda.
My buddy just picked up a blue 2008 Z06. That is one sweet ride.
Don't know much about the C3 or C4, but so far I like my C6. It's got some noise issues, but I fixed those by opening the exhaust up and listening to the motor [laugh]
Quote from: ZLTFUL on June 11, 2010, 07:40:49 AM
And even though I am no Vette fan...this would be on my lottery winning list...
2010 Corvette Grand Sport in Graphite Grey
(http://automodified.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/2010-Chevy-Corvette-Grand-Sport-automodified.jpg)
those grand sport "stripes" don't belong on the right fender.
So... if you're after a C3 Vette, why not get a smogged out '75-'80?!? The lower power output has likely been more friendly to the drive-line throughout the years and it's going to cost less. Spend the difference on some 'fun' parts for the SBC motor and just put smiles on your face...
Thinkin' out loud...
Quote from: Duck-Stew on June 11, 2010, 01:56:43 PM
So... if you're after a C3 Vette, why not get a smogged out '75-'80?!? The lower power output has likely been more friendly to the drive-line throughout the years and it's going to cost less. Spend the difference on some 'fun' parts for the SBC motor and just put smiles on your face...
Thinkin' out loud...
such a simple thing to wake those engines up, my preference would be one of the early ones (pre 76?) with the trunk rather than the hatchback looks-wise.
My wife's ex-husband has a half dozen C3s, I got to beat up on one that he said didn't seem to be running right. Reminded me of driving my little pickup truck. [laugh]
Quote from: Duck-Stew on June 11, 2010, 01:56:43 PM
So... if you're after a C3 Vette, why not get a smogged out '75-'80?!? The lower power output has likely been more friendly to the drive-line throughout the years and it's going to cost less. Spend the difference on some 'fun' parts for the SBC motor and just put smiles on your face...
Thinkin' out loud...
Get outta my head Stew... In the back of my mind I was thinkin' '81, since I really like the looks of them. They can be had reasonably cheap, and down the road, I'm sure another $1000 in the motor could get me a few more HP.
JM
Quote from: ZLTFUL on June 11, 2010, 07:40:49 AM
(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/170/426434604_2190574900.jpg)
Hell yes. Exactly what I meant.
Quote from: Duck-Stew on June 11, 2010, 01:56:43 PM
So... if you're after a C3 Vette, why not get a smogged out '75-'80?!? The lower power output has likely been more friendly to the drive-line throughout the years and it's going to cost less. Spend the difference on some 'fun' parts for the SBC motor and just put smiles on your face...
Thinkin' out loud...
+1
Or buy the nastiest crate small block that GM Performance sells, spend a weekend swilling beer with a couple buddies and performing the swap, and
presto.....
IIRC, the differences between the non smog and early smog motors was mainly smog pumps, carbs, exhaust, and cams. It wasn't until the late '70s that they started dropping compression. It would seem to me that it would be fairly easy to get some HP out of an early smog motor by dumping the smog pump, and putting a 4bbl carb/ intake on it, no?
The big drop in HP in 1972 was the change in HP rating. In 1971 we rated engines in gross HP. 1972 was the switch to net HP.
Quote from: Buick-Boy on June 12, 2010, 05:07:25 AM
IIRC, the differences between the non smog and early smog motors was mainly smog pumps, carbs, exhaust, and cams. It wasn't until the late '70s that they started dropping compression. It would seem to me that it would be fairly easy to get some HP out of an early smog motor by dumping the smog pump, and putting a 4bbl carb/ intake on it, no?
In the mid 70's, cylinder head technology sucked. Providing the pistons in the short-block are worth any-damned-thing... Cheapest alternative for power is a set of heads, cam (& lifters), intake, headers and a carb. Yes, complete cylinder heads as bolt-ons.
Modifying existing heads is an effort in futility....
Black on Black C6. [evil]
Cammed 415whp C6 idling, revving and launch! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SdKoWbtcyU#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)
Quote from: Duck-Stew on June 12, 2010, 07:41:37 PM
In the mid 70's, cylinder head technology sucked. Providing the pistons in the short-block are worth any-damned-thing... Cheapest alternative for power is a set of heads, cam (& lifters), intake, headers and a carb. Yes, complete cylinder heads as bolt-ons.
Modifying existing heads is an effort in futility....
If that's the case, I have a set of heads off a '94 Chevy 350 sitting in my garage. If the OP gets his 'vette, I'll happily donate them to the cause.
They need a good cleanup, and new valves and springs, but it's still a bargain.
To me the earliest C3 vettes are the best. As long as they had chrome bumpers they looked pretty good.
Quote from: Travman on June 15, 2010, 06:34:22 AM
To me the earliest C3 vettes are the best. As long as they had chrome bumpers they looked pretty good.
oh yeah... Forgot about those. If possible, buy the chrome bumpered 'Vette, if not convert a later one...
Oh yeah, and try to get a 4-speed car. Automatics belong in grocery getters!
Quote from: Duck-Stew on June 15, 2010, 06:46:59 AM
Oh yeah, and try to get a 4-speed car. Automatics belong in grocery getters!
No kidding. I makes me sad when I see a high performance car with an auto ~
JM
Quote from: ZLTFUL on June 11, 2010, 07:40:49 AM
My uncle has a gold 69 Stingray with a big block and side pipes. I am not a Vette fan by any means but that car just gets my blood flowing when I drive it.
Similar to this except in gold...
(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/170/426434604_2190574900.jpg)
That is the most badest ass vette I've ever seen :o