Corvettes

[the_Journeyman]

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

[Speedbag]

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.

[the_Journeyman]

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

[derby]

[Grampa]

Corvette Summer - trailer

damn it derby

[derby]

damn it derby

[Duck-Stew]

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! 

(life's short...enjoy yourself!)

[Popeye the Sailor]

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 

[the_Journeyman]

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

[DesmoDiva]

B says up to '72 is good.

Anything later is junk. 

[the_Journeyman]

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

[Monsterlover]

And now some of them are 500+

[cyrus buelton]

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?

[DesmoDiva]

 

[avizpls]

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