24th Mar 2009, 00:03

I just bought a 77 Black, 4 speed, with 43,000 miles.

Will taken care of, and still looks and drives as if it was new.

Corvette runs great for an L 48. Only regret, is that I did not buy one sooner. I like the C2 and C3 generations best. Not really excited about the later generation Corvettes.

Parts availability is great. I purchased it as a long range investment that I can drive a little to keep it up. Overall, I'm really pleased with everything about it.

4th May 2009, 14:13

I've been a Corvette fan all my life. It's true there is no junk Corvettes. I'm currently driving a 1977 and think it's awesome.

Rick from Vancouver.

Thanks.

23rd Jul 2009, 10:05

I have a 77 Vette. Bought it when I was 16 and have owned it for 20 years now. All the numbers match, but like a lot of C3 owners wanted more power. Engine stands are cheap. I pulled the stock L-48 and everything with it while is still was in good shape with 70k miles and put a ZZ4 crate motor in it. I am now strapped to a rocket. The sharks are great looking cars.

29th Sep 2009, 14:18

Have owned a C 2 since 1971, not a daily driver, but is fun when it is driven... Looking at a 77 for my wife... what's a decent price... all new interior... 98k miles... seems all original, l 48 engine, motor sounds tight... for 98k. Paint is good, should last 4-6 years. He's asking 12000... think I'll offer 11000... but average prices look around 10000, it's probably an above average car... anybody out there?

30th Sep 2009, 09:00

I had a 75 and now have a 98 C5.

I waited til I had 17700 saved. It is well well worth waiting for one.

170 HP to 365 HP, great handling suspension and bulletproof.

I know it's tempting to buy a cheaper older Vette, but repairs and low HP is still there. I have a friend with a 383 stroker. I still would rather have the C5 than his 77 that is now same invested in it as mine. I have 400 hp now, subtle upgrades.

Nice car, worth waiting for, save and grab this great car. You will be very happy I am sure. Mine can be daily driven and I drive far too. Shows no worries.

20th Dec 2010, 11:40

Hello all.

I finally bought my life long dream car at 54 years old, a 70' Corvette Stingray. I'm in heaven. I like hotrods and collectability wasn't an issue. It has a new ZZ4 385hp/350, turbo 400 trans and 3:73 gears. This baby is a rocket. I was shocked at the attention it gets, wow! I picked it up for $16K.

The paint is a 5 footer, new motor, rebuilt trans, rebuilt rear end, new tires, new brake system, new radiator, new heater core and valve. Leather interior is beat. I figure another $5K and it'll be really nice.

I'm looking into a GearVendors overdrive unit. Seems like the most logical but the 700R trans is popular. Any thoughts on my high RPM cruising? This running gear set up is bullet proof.

13th Mar 2011, 20:33

Hello,

I've reading with interest the comments on the C-3 Corvettes, and can tell you I have owned two of them, and that one must (just like any car) be careful of what you buy.

Because Corvettes are known to be a sports car and a racing car, some people really put them through their paces on a regular basis, and things can happen to them. It is all how one takes care of them, and if the previous owner(s) did not, then you are up for a lot of expenses.

I owned a wonderful 1981 Corvette with only 38,000 miles, and probably spent $3,000 on it to make it perfect. It was mint when I traded it for a C-5.

Presently, in addition to my C-5, I purchased a 1976 Stringray with T-Tops. It is another beautiful C-3 in wonderful condition with "NC-RS" Top Flite Award and a Bloomington Gold Certificate. I purchased it for $10,000, and have put about $2,000. in it, which includes new brakes and new exhausts system. It has only 49,000 miles on it and runs like new. It may not have 400 - 740 h.p., however it takes most cars with ease on take off, and for some reason this L-48 would run over my 1981 vette.

I would never call any Corvette junk (unless someone of course abused the car and made it that way). They are all engineered very well, and it is all about how you take care of them. I have a C-5 with 740 h.p., which I take extremely good care of, as I do all my cars. It is fun to have this power, but one for the most part cannot go 220 mph anyways, so I still get great enjoyment driving my 76 Stringray with it's beautiful classic lines. To me, the most beautiful body style is the l980 - l981 Corvettes. Someone back there mentioned all the electrical problems of an l981. It sounded more like a C-4 when they first came out with all their electronics.

My opinion is have fun, and run them fast if the road is good and clear. Avoid gravel and poor roads at all costs, or you will be paying big bucks for repairs. Inspect your cars and keep them clean, looking sharp and in fine mechanical condition. If you do, you will always have the greatest pride in them, and you will never lose value of your investments.

Happy motoring from a Wisconsin Corvette Club Member!

4th Nov 2011, 03:19

Well I bought a low powered 75 Corvette L48, from ebay U.K. It was a total disaster for me.

ALL I CAN SAY IS THE ONLY GOOD THINGS on this car were the front brakes. EVERYTHING ELSE NEEDED REPLACING/REPAIRING

This car cost me 5400 GBP, and I have spent 14000 GBP and done everything myself. I hate this car and love it too.

4th Nov 2011, 14:14

I sold my 1974 Corvette Convertible 4 speed 406-400 HP last year, and thoroughly enjoyed having 2 convertibles. My C5 is an automatic with a few light mods. The C3s can be brought up to better handling and tighter suspension. It cost me $3400 to do so.

I wanted a car that was safe first. The C3 is a bit tight room wise in the interior. I love convertibles to avoid the claustrophobia. I rarely have the tops up, except when I store for the winter. My favorite styling is the chrome bumper C3s, but the '74 was quite unique. Most opted for T Tops and automatics. Only 3400 out of 37000 or so were like mine. Last year, no cats, rear bumper change. The styling is either like it or hate it after the chrome bumper cars ended.

I also had a '75 Coupe long ago sold in 1988. The performance of these was sad; only about 190 HP, and I had no great sadness getting the hotter motor. After owning a C5, it was nice to have some decent power in the '74. I had about 8k in the motor, and went to the short throw 4 speed. If you can buy only one, my suggestion is save and buy a used C5. It has to be the greatest bargain Vette wise. They have no issues, and run and ride great.

I would stay away from ones over 100,000 miles. Like any Vette, inspect it closely and see if it's been maintained. It's good to take an experienced Vette owner with you buying used. Especially early models. Cheap Vettes are usually not a bargain. If they need paint, it's very expensive. Once you get them fixed up and fixed up right, they are great cars.

If you see one that has sat and the brake pedal sinks to the floor, it's best to make them safe. I did all new lines, brakes, suspension and many unseen areas before cosmetics. I have learned to buy the best I can afford - it's cheaper in the long run. A low mileage unused car is not always a good car. They need driven regularly and maintained. Good luck!