A lot of Corvette lovers are only interested in numbers-matching original cars. This C3 is not for them! But if you like to drive one, this might be your car! Barn Finds reader Ikey H. spotted this car listed for sale here on eBay and thought enough to send it in to us. And he’s not the only one that likes it; so far the car has 29 bids, has met any reserve that was set and has been bid up to $8,225. I was actually in Littleton, Colorado yesterday where the car is located but I hadn’t seen the listing yet.
An early C3 convertible is a striking car from any point of view (even with a luggage rack — standing joke for those of us long time Barn Finds readers). The chrome appears pretty nice and the paint is good.
I can’t imagine spending a whole lot of time in this beauty with the top up, but at least it’s functional if you get caught in a rainstorm.
No, it’s not original in here. But note the steering wheel among other things–more about that later. We probably lost a few more of you since it’s an automatic. But bear with us, here’s the list of new or rebuilt parts that have already been added to this Corvette: master cylinder, brake lines, calipers, rotors, pads, auto transmission service with complete flush and filter/new oil, heater core, hoses, rebuilt carburetor, tune up, spark plugs, distributor with tach and cable, rear main seal, pinion seal, valve covers and gaskets, rear end, oil and filter and wiper blades. Whew!
As we implied above, this isn’t the original engine, but it has been mildly built with a cam and headers. I’ll bet it’s fun to drive!
Look at this! You have Duntov’s approval to make this car your own. Are you interested?
Personally, I’d rather have a NOM than a “numbers matching” C3. That way, I wouldn’t feel guilty putting on the miles! Parts are so available, you could build an entire car from aftermarket parts, so one like this is a great daily driver.
Other than I love manual transmission to run the ponies as shifting this is not a bad starter vette with the brakes and mechanicals ran through…
The usual check the dog legs and birdcage , rad support area as well as the pop ups that always stick needing the vacuum and hoses rebuilt.
The engine swapped may have more ponies if the block is south of 72.
The later engines just pretend you have a six cylinder…
I agree. The IRS can cost big time. I had a 1967. It was a solid as a rock…. bouncing you ass don’t the road so much, I needed 3D glasses to see! Lots of headlight corner cracks first. Then as time went by the appeared daily. So I made it my daily driver. Being the sucker I am, I bought a 1976. These are not sports cars. They are not race cars. They are not long traveler cars.
I would need a lot of digital photos to zoom in before I would buy this, but under $10K is a deal!
Although the automatic dims my enthusiasm a bit, it still would be a fun driver and most likely could be had at a reasonable price due to the “upgrades”. I had a 327/300hp 4 speed red car with black interior with the factor side pipes and it was a great driving car and much better balanced than the big block cars or the later emissions-muted versions. It was one of the few cars I wish I still had.
The big forme is no manual transmission.
This is a good starter vette .
FYI remember the paint jobs are 12-15 grand …..
Check the frame and bird cages as well as headlights vacuum.
Depends where you are unless prices went way up lately, I paid 3g for some minor body work and paint 8 yrs ago. Every car show they think I spent 15g on paint. And no I didn’t go to Maaco. Just a local body shop with a great reputation.
Yeah, 15g for a showcar paintjob. Much much less than that out here will get you a factory quality job that is perfect for a non trailer queen car. And Maaco isn’t completely worthless for a dd car if you aren’t afraid to do the prep and color sanding yourself. Just stick to lighter shades, and make sure and remove anything you don’t want painted.
Looks like the nose is a different red than the rest of the car/doors.
My first Vette was a ’74 with a mildly built older 350, and an automatic with a shift kit. It was loud, fast and fun.
Lots of people don’t care about matching numbers or a stick; they just want something to cruise around in and look cool. Buy this car right and it could be the one for you.
Wow brings back memories of my 1968 Corvette I had between 1993 to 1999. Before I moved to Florida. I had a heck of a time selling it because it wasn’t the collectible years Corvette (1953-1967) at that time. Mine was Corvette Bronze with Black interior 4 spd. 327 L79. I loved that car.
Is it only me that thinks the front clip is a different shade than the doors? Usual check outs: accident damage, frame, birdcage, floors and mechanicals first. could be fun, could me a money pit.
One more thing, notice that the ‘water heater’ was replaced (in the ad)? Love some flippers terminology.
Figure around $1K for a good top installed, $10K+ for a good paint job if they do everything, add tires, mechanicals etc and you will have some change in this one. Go in with your eyes open, it could cost you a bit to get this one done.
They say this car pulls to the right, we’ll maybe it could use a alignment, but it sounds like to me this car was hit,and or wreaked at some point,are they hiding this,maybe so,but why is the complete front clip a different color.Numbers don’t match l think I would recommend to stay away from this one.