by "Khalbali" (khalbali2)
Published 10/02/2017 at 00:27
by "Khalbali" (khalbali2)
Published 10/02/2017 at 00:27
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STARS: 3
What’s your favorite year(s) and why? What would you look for/want? Options/condition/issues to avoid etc. I may begin looking for a c3 in the next year or two as the next in the everlasting chain of cars. I badly want a car that I can bond with and keep for a long time, but I tens to get bored quickly. I haven’t really wanted an American car for quite some time but the c3 is the closest I’ve ever come to an attainable dream car, it was literally the car that got me into cars despite never having been in one. So lately I’ve been thinking that it might be the closest I could get to a long term project but have such a hard time keeping the year to year changes straight so what do you like and why? Max budget will most likely be under 10k so definitely a project but hopefully one that can break my current 6-12 month shelf life for cars that’s been killing me financially.
Pic of “I can’t decide if I like it or hate it (or love it)“ for your time.
"lone_liberal" (token-liberal)
10/02/2017 at 00:42, STARS: 2
‘69-’72 for me. I’d love a ‘71 to make a matched pair with my Camaro.
"Khalbali" (khalbali2)
10/02/2017 at 00:51, STARS: 0
What do you like about those years? I see different bumpers and rear glass and stuff but have never been able to see a clear design progression.
"AdverseMartyr" (ewilliamson)
10/02/2017 at 00:51, STARS: 1
Well, your picturing what I consider to be the correct year. A 1969 is a great place to start. I like the round markers up-front vs the rectangular of 70 on up.
"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
10/02/2017 at 00:54, STARS: 2
I’m probably in the minority here, but I really prefer the ‘80-’82 bodystyle.
The car just looks more cohesive with the late-year bumpers. You can also get them for a LOT cheaper than earlier-year C3s.
You still get the extreme dash-to-axle ratio of the other cars, but also with the rear bubble glass (and improved visibility.) The downside of these last model years is that they’re pretty slow in stock form. Not that they have to stay that way...
"Khalbali" (khalbali2)
10/02/2017 at 01:01, STARS: 1
This is exactly what I’m looking for, thanks. I go back and forth between the bubble glass and the buttresses but considering my price range this is probably what I’m looking at. And I do really like the overall styling of these, especially the rear lip spoiler and the front bumper. And side pipes never hurt either. Performance can be addressed over time, initially I’m just looking for a nice cruiser with that v8 rumble.
"Khalbali" (khalbali2)
10/02/2017 at 01:02, STARS: 0
Anything else about the ‘69 in particular?
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
10/02/2017 at 01:04, STARS: 1
I... Love it? I think it’s the paint.
Here’s one that I hope to buy someday. For now it just sits at my Grandmother’s house, collecting dust.
Anyways, carry on. I know zero about older vettes so pardon the interruption!
"Khalbali" (khalbali2)
10/02/2017 at 01:15, STARS: 0
That is also a beauty, hope you get the opportunity to bring it back to life someday (under non-tragic circumstances of course).
"AdverseMartyr" (ewilliamson)
10/02/2017 at 04:01, STARS: 0
Well, there are the side vents for the engine that make a bit of difference as well (how many do you want, 4, 1, a crosshatch pattern? - but from the look standpoint I care most about those lights. Obviously, engine can matter as well. I mean you start getting into the Malaise Era at some point in the 70s.
"lone_liberal" (token-liberal)
10/02/2017 at 09:06, STARS: 0
If you see them side by side you’d see what a big difference the bumpers make. The front overhang increased greatly with the rubber noses. Also, the older ones had minimal emission controls
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
10/02/2017 at 10:43, STARS: 3
1968-72 has the chrome bumpers and powerful motors.
1970 switched from the little round front turn signals to these ones that filled up more of the grille.
1973 switched to a plastic bumper in front (but kept the same rear as the 68-72) and 1974 changed up the rear bumper as well.
1975 added extra chunks to the bumpers to make them 5 mph impact compliant.
1978 introduced the fastback rear glass.
1980 added the chunkier more ground-effect looking bumpers.
Looks-wise, I prefer the original 1968-72, but my second favorite is actually the 1980-82 with the fastback glass and the chunky bumpers. I really don’t like the droopy rear bumper on the 74-79 and the kicked-up spoiler on the 80-82 looks way better to me. But the 80-82 is slow unless you put some other motor in it.
"crowmolly" (crowmolly)
10/02/2017 at 10:55, STARS: 1
Exact same here.
Early cars or late cars, but not the ones in the middle. Sometimes I look for 80-82 C3s in black, probably because I’ve seen too many cheesy 80's action movies.
"Khalbali" (khalbali2)
10/02/2017 at 11:10, STARS: 0
Gotcha. Do you know if it’s easy to swap bumpers and etc to get the best look? Or did headlights or taillights or anything change the dimensions?
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
10/02/2017 at 11:12, STARS: 1
There was a black 80-82 parked at a house near my high school. We were allowed to leave campus for lunch and we’d always walk past that house on the way to the fast food places within walking distance. I always thought it was super cool looking. Also the arts & crafts lady at my summer camp drove a white one. She had this little dachshund that rode around in it with her.
"Khalbali" (khalbali2)
10/02/2017 at 11:12, STARS: 0
Gotcha, I’m less worries about mechanicals as it’ll be a project anyways, and I’m not looking for numbers matching or anything so I can address performance at some point.
"crowmolly" (crowmolly)
10/02/2017 at 11:15, STARS: 0
Yeah, and it’s so easy to “fix” the lack of power issue.
"Khalbali" (khalbali2)
10/02/2017 at 11:16, STARS: 0
This is some good OPPO thanks! Exactly the kind of stuff I was looking for. I agree about the originals but in my budget I’d probably go with the ‘80-82 also, less worried about the motor since it’ll be a Frankenstein project anyways but I do like that styling also.
"lone_liberal" (token-liberal)
10/02/2017 at 11:49, STARS: 0
I would say that I wouldn’t kick later ones out of the garage either. They’re still good looking and fun cars in my opinion. I just have a slight preference for the earlier ones.