Seventy-five wasn’t exactly the best year for the Corvette. Power was at an all time low. The Stingray body still looked good though so perhaps this drivetrainless project is the perfect place to start if you’re wanting to build your dream Vette. You can stick any engine/transmission combo in there and still have the classic good looks without all the expense an earlier car demands. It’s located in Valparaiso, Indiana and James would like to get $1,900 for it. You can contact him using the form below if interested.
James mentions that the frame is like brand new as are the YJ8 aluminum rims. The front of the bird cage still needs replaced, but one is included in the sale. The body is in good shape, but obviously it needs prepped and painted. The fiberglass tub is a one piece job so the whole thing can be lifted right off while you work on things. The drivetrain is long gone, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s claimed to have only covered 31k miles since new though.
The interior does look pretty nice, so perhaps that’s true. It’s fun to dream about all the possibilities here! Personally, I’d be happy with a warmed-over 350 V8, 4-speed, and white paint. Would you hold out for a 454 big block though? Some sidepipes might look good? Maybe a crazy period metalflake paintjob? You are only limited by your wallet here, but this appears to be a decent place to start no matter what the budget. What do our Corvette guys think?
Thanks for listing this with us James! We hope the next owner keeps us updated on their progress. If any of you have an unfinished project or unrestored survivor that you are thinking about selling, please consider listing it with us first!
I think it’s a rather fair price. Still needs lots of work. I would go with a big block myself. It will bolt right it and away you go. Not my favorite year but seems like corvette prices are only going up, even on the terrible 1984 to 1987 years.
That first picture makes me think, what if you did a Harlequin VW treatment with it?
Heck why not? It would be one of a kind that’s for sure. My understanding is the colors were not standard colors either. The more I think about it the more fun it sounds.
Good price, it’s just a little too far for me to drive.
I don’t know I’d want to try replacing a birdcage myself. If not for that, add a LS with a built tranny, add paddle shifters to it (or convert to a 4 speed) and it would be a potent package to deal with. I wouldn’t go with a BB just because of the added weight on the front end. You can get more power with lighter weight from a set up LS IMO.
It will never return the money put into it but you could have a lot of fun in the mean time. Set it up right and drive it like you stole it.
It sure seems like a fair price and with a scrap yard 5.3L drivetrain and some time you could have a pretty fair driver for $5K +/-. Doesn’t get much better than that.
I have found out the hard way that interior parts for Corvettes can quickly derail finances. When considering one, try to make sure that the interior is complete and in decent condition, or discounted accordingly. And remember to check those frame kick-ups on C2 and C3’s in front of the rear tires for structural rot.
I had a ’75 Corvette Coupe like this one in my garage sitting next to my Apuculo Blue ’68 Mustang Coupe
Needs a stroker 347 Ford and a 5speed. Tired of all the Ford rods with sbc.
I think you’re commenting on the wrong post? This is a Chevrolet product and an SBC would be a very appropriate engine choice.
While I’m sure it’s been done before I can honestly say I’ve never seen a Ford motor in a Corvette, but for the sake of this discussion perhaps a nice flathead with 1950’s vintage Offenhauser speed parts would be cool? That would help get back at all those builders who put the SBC into Ford streetrods.
Here is a BOSS 429 in a C3
http://www.fordmuscleforums.com/garage/492279-boss-429-corvette.html
Parts car. That’s all.
Dumb question,but in the interior shot, the shift lever is in place. What is it connected to if there is no power train? Similarly, how do you get the body off but leave the steering column and pedals in place? Or is it possible that the interior shot was taken prior to disassembly, and if so, how long before? It would seem to me that the interior in the picture would bring way more than $2 grand, just for the parts alone. Something doesn’t seem quite right here.
Just my opinion, I’m sure there are proper answers.
Shifter is mounted to the transmission tunnel. Disconnect the linkage at the transmission and the automatic shifter remains in place. Had this been a manual transmission car the shift lever would likely have needed removal prior to the separation as the shifter is usually attached to the transmission and not the body structure, but being an A/T car this is not the case.
Steering column is mounted to the underside of the dashboard. Disconnect the rag joint and slide the lower sector up the tube and it all comes away. Similarly, the pedals are also mounted to the underside of the dashboard/firewall/body structure.
None of this needs to be removed in order to separate the body from the frame.
Prices for these C3’s are crazy, I’ve got a project that stalled and cant generate any interest (locally) for 2K. A ’80 L82, White (but a Crate 350) with a rusted frame that I was going to transplant into a Cherry Texas/Oklahoma ’82 rolling chassis Champagne Beige, The ’80 was a running driving car, the ’82 is a body, frame, wheels and tires and not much else, no wiring, no steering column, NO INTERIOR, no motor , no trans, any body want ’em, make me a decent offer, & yep I have titles for both of ’em and G.M. documentation for the ’82.
I would think a sb stroker is the better option, . to keep front end weight down and promote better handling while offering around 500 ponies. Beats most options at a reasonable cost.
I think with the cost of just a paint job added in, you cold buy this and enjoy it today. No, it is not mine. https://madison.craigslist.org/cto/6049856452.html
I have an AMC 401 waiting to go in something. This would be a good doner. LETS here you all freak out now……
There are only three Chevys I like: the 69 Camaro, 65 Impala fastback and any C3 or earlier Corvette (C3 is my fave). For a C3 this late I wouldn’t care about originality. I’d find a 454 and automatic out of a motorhome or wagon or pickup or another Vette or whatever (laugh if you want I really don’t care), paint it factory original gold, redo the interior in original gold and drive the holy hell out of it. Good looking cars.