Duration 10:32

Tips For Buying A C3 Corvette

by Josh Gierke

164 161 watched

2.7 K

Published 7 Apr 2020

While the C8 is the talk of the new Corvette world, the C3 Corvette is by far the most popular classic Corvette. These cars have a diverse following, in this video we'll show you what to look for to find a C3 with good bones, no matter what your intentions may be for it. Enjoy!

Tags

Corvette

Chevy

How-to

Buy

Buying

Classic

Stingray

Comments - 190

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@jbotnick53612 years ago I had a 72 bigblock for eighteen years!
3 spd th400
torque monster;
fun car. 8
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@marcdevone12043 years ago I have an 1980 corvette that i had for 39 years. I' m almost completed my restore. I really appreciate some of the tips and information on this particular model. 33
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@JBTrades_Inc.4 years ago Ive been wanting a c3 ever since i could talk. 61
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@barryhill10443 years ago Here is something ( not mentioned ) that you might wish to do. Its a good indicator of how badly the bird cage might have rotted, take both t- tops o id="hidden2"ff, and push very hard with the palm of your hand on the top corner of each a pillar whilst looking down the section that houses the door hinges. Look for any movement near the bottom section. If the birdcage is rotten. The bottom of the section holding the door hinges will move slightly,
this indicates a birdcage rot. Best that this is done with two people. One pushing at the top of the pillar and the other one keeping a critical eye on the bottom of the pillar holding the door hinges. Just trying to help. ...Expand 34
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@hanscramon90403 years ago Corvette c3 - a masterpiece of art on 4 wheels! 14
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@KoaBosk4 years ago I subscribed just because you were very informative and straight to the point. 61
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@fidellaboy-negron58162 years ago I had a 1980 vette, mid night blue metallic. What a beautiful car and color. I missed my vette. 3
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@keithbenson26274 years ago I love these cars! I know they werent fast but they were the best looking vettes! 80-82. 77
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@SuperTruck14 years ago 5 stars! I just bought a rough shape 76 yesterday for $200 bucks. This is a ton of great info. Thank you! 7
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@robertclymer69483 years ago Awesome info here josh! I am in the market for a c-3 1973 coupe or a 80 pre computer c-3, and now i know what to look out for! Thanks a million for sharing this valuable information with us. Cheers from motown. 9
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@jefflynch95592 years ago Thanks for the information, i am going to look at and hopefully pickup a 1981 c3 this weekend. 1
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@thepokerrobot13682 years ago Possibly the best video for c3 rust checking. Ty.
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@restlessmind57702 years ago Great video. I had an 81 about 30 years ago. It stayed in shop. Driving in manhattan i would drop my y pipe all the time. Lol. 1
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@bycracky224 years ago Have one i restored. The best style ever made. 7
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@lutzhabermann63223 years ago Thanx and greetz from germany!
i own a 1979 corvette and im still proud of it.
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@HectorGarcia-eo1lqlast year Perfect explanation. Today i bought one 81 to restore and i hope i don' t find bad things lol because i didn' t watch your video before. Thanks for sharing.
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@GetsumJ5 months ago Great information! Going to pick up a 1982 24/26 two tone and was not aware of the frame holes. A-pillars look awesome, but now i know to look below as well.
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@CrazyPetez4 years ago The real problem is birdcage and frame rot. Not explored very deeply on this nice late c3. 18
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@jeremyroberts76604 years ago Thank you for pointing this out. Really good info. 4
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@davidgappmayer15264 years ago I have the silver blue color on my 82. It turns heads everywhere i go. 11
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@garymathews40423 years ago Check the frame where the rear frame (dog leg ) meets the rear main frame. Also check any leaks from the transmission and the rear end. The 80-82 got a . ...Expand 2
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@yutehube4468last year If only every used car video for all makes and models was as straight to the point and understandable as this video is. 1
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@nonsequitur8074 years ago Sweet car. That color is mint! Pun intended) 14
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@tsporp2 years ago Great video! Excellent tips! Thx for the info. 1
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@razbishara649111 months ago Appreciate sharing your knowledge mateawesome!
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@user-fs5ir1or5p10 months ago Looking into buying a 1978 up here in canada. Thanks for your tips.
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@KidTonyGaming2 years ago I' ve been wanting a c3 since chris tucker picked up detective lee from the airport in rush hour. 1
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@200hit3 years ago Great info and i love zip corvette too. 2
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@stevesepulveda73983 years ago That' s a ton of good info, a woman in our neighborhood has a red 1982 corvette that she touts as very valuable because it' sinjection" id="hidden7" which i hear
is or can be troublesome. She hasn' t given a value number but i would like to get it because that era looks so cool even if they' re not great vehicles. ...Expand 2
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@ERprepper4 years ago Love the videos man.
any tips on getting the t tops to fit properly? On the 78 i bought they don' t fit perfectly. 2
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@OldielocksNmo504 months ago My 82 has never been drove in the rain. She' s all chromed, polished, still a cross fire but i did away with the box and ran two chrome dimes with did you know that the 82 is the onlyc3 since 1972 to have the 1972 lt-1 engine?
detuned to pass ca emissions. ...Expand
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@rea87552 years ago Great video! Thank you so much. Where is the 1977 number on the engine. I have looked and looked. 1
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@leethadmitchell19962 years ago Thank you for posting a vehicle that allows for transparency. Buying a used vehicle is always a gamble and buying avehicle is even more so.
but here is theclassic cars will always sell regardless of blown engine or missing tranny. Buyers just need to know exactly what is wrong with the car.
the problem always in dealing with cars in theinstead of hiding defects to make a sell. Try being honest and make a sell. Some people are in a position to
replace the entire drive train and some are not. Point is for anyone selling a car private or dealer just be upfront about everything that you know about the vehicle you are
selling and leave it there. Someone will buy it and then you' ll also have made a friend because they know exactly what they are getting in to. From there you won' t be receiving
nasty phone calls or emails you' ll get friendly updates on how they are rebuilding the vehicle. Blessings to all. Honesty just work best guys.
thanks again for your detailed video. ...Expand 1
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@HappyDude13 years ago Very good review
can you tell me a bit more about the engine and the gearbox?
wich one is to avoid en wich one are the most reliable? 4
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@inell62 years ago Noticed you have a cowl cover. How do you like it, and did you install it with screws? Thanks.
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@joniholthofer69485 months ago I am looking for the same year model and same color. What you think of that cross fire injection motor, is it as bad as they say? Or can something be done with it, minor replacement ofetc computer?
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@roberto56652 years ago Hi josh i heard a lot of stories about the crossfire injection, is it bad as i heard? Thank you.
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@keithfoster16554 years ago Great information on the c3 and where to find rust i was hoping to find a 73 convertible that is nice and sound and getting it shipped down here to australia. . ...Expand 1
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@nickmastrandrea2233 years ago Is the tag that is rivet in the driver door panel painted or bare metal? I have an 1980 that has white paint on it.
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@timleimbach58173 years ago How easy is it to pull the carpet back and get those kick panels off?
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@tbear68-4 years ago Thanku!
best body style.
well done. 1
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@JeffTomlinson-Consultant4 years ago Sounds like you know your stuff. I had a 08 vette great car but i love the 80 to 82 vettes and i want to build a autocross car to drive and race. Can a c6 frame fit on a c3? Do you have any. 3
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@robyspidertv977911 months ago Is it better to buy an auto or stick c3?
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@stevejewell9263last year I like your recommendations concerning where to look for rust problems and as always paint and body are a big deal because a proper paint job on fiberglass will run you bigger dollars than traditional all metal cars and trucks. Where we'll disagree and part ways for the later model C3s is in drivetrain originality. No doubt if you're looking at 1970 LT-1 or one of the many really desirable BBC options from the chrome bumper years original matching is worth more than replacement engines. I wouldn't say the say the same of the emissions cars from the mid-70s to the end of the run. I can't speak for everyone but I'd have ZERO interest in any Corvette with performance weaker than a modern Honda Civic so the first thing to go is the drivetrain. If someone has done this for you already and done it well I'd argue that car should fetch more money that all original matching, all else equal. Ultimately all C3s through the 1970s at least are the same basic car and all will accept the same drivetrain up-grading and honestly in a world where you can very simply order a crate SBC motors with 450-500+ HP from a bunch of different sellers, completely with warranties. Then there are the many LS swaps that leave me unable to imagine why anyone would even want the original emissions era SBC weaking if it's still there anyway. It's a Corvette it should "go" with the performance the name alone implies. .. ...Expand
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@manontheroad32974 years ago How do you run a vin number check on these c3 since they don' t have 17 digits? 2
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@nick0111824 years ago I have an 81 with sidepipes and chrome rims and it still turns heads every time i drive it. 6
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@pescadoygamba3 years ago Well there you go, 76- on had steel floors, im blown away.
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@frankpavan30444 years ago On a 1982 collectors edition i am looking to purchase it has 3 issues.
gas gage doesn' t work.
oil pan at time leaks.
antenna are these expensive repairs?
it' s my first vette.
was in love with them since a child.
i am 55 years old now. Haha.
it' s never to late they say.
thanks for your insights. ...Expand 1
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@Gibbo2053 years ago What gas mileage do you get on your l82 crossfire c3 please? 2
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@jonmeredith4400last year Excellent video. This helped me understand what to look for. First vette i looked at the drivers t top was crooked. Because of this video i knew what was happening and walked away.
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@michaelmontana08044 years ago I had a 1980 i restored. Loved it but it had zero power. Only thing to do is replace with a crate 350.
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@bodieb.12393 years ago Oh it' s a 1982 and a dark gray color. It sits very nicely.
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@bodieb12334 years ago Thank you. Very helpful. I am creating a plan to buy a 1980. I will be in touch. 2
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@joracer14 years ago Bird cage rust, main thing. Frame 2nd, interior 3rdly, everything else is gravy. 4
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@AlexTheGrumpyOne3 years ago Well done buddy! Good video.
i have started my series on my channel on 1975 stingray restoration. Just on how to fix it and etc:
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@digitalbrand293010 months ago Just bought a white and red c388, 0 milesmy father designed it while he was alive. 1
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@manontheroad32974 years ago @josh hi josh, i' m trying to buy one and was wondering if you could give me some tips on running a history report on it? 3
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@straighttimestirrups2 years ago What is the color code for the corvette in the opening photo?
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@perrymurdock75053 years ago Josh you have a link to sid corvette that you mentioned you pick up your parts? 1
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@lappydog90203 years ago I have 79 with a 383stroker in her. Thing is badass. Shame i have to sell it. 1
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@ericxblah192 years ago Sp true with that rot, seen one sheer right in half right there,
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@bodieb.12393 years ago I' ve got a few questions. How can i get ahold of you. I' m looking at a c3 for sale on the west coast but i' m in boston. He has told me it needs thanks. ...Expand 1
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@steveadams55024 years ago Do u ever give out estimates of what a c3 world be worth, if ur provided pics? 1
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@frankpavan30444 years ago Hi, is a stock very clean 1982 collectors edition worth purchasing? 1
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@kevinsweetwater72934 years ago What is the name of the online parts supplier you mentioned? I couldnt find it. Thanks. 1
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@peterjacobsen27244 years ago The 76' c3 i am looking at has a 3 speed trans. Thoughts? 1
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@revanthm17853 years ago If my car has rot how do i get rid of it. 3
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@peterjacobsen27244 years ago R143a air conditioning? Your thoughts! Thanks. 1
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@paolovanastya42894 years ago Not saying. But drivers headlight door. Is wider than passenger side. 2
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@paulreyes58103 years ago 79 for sale 110. 00new engine brakes tires white. 1
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@Cooladj4 years ago I just wanna buy one and ls swap it but the damm tran tunnel is too small. 1
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@davidwright8733 years ago You take a metal cutting blade, cut that shit out, reweld in new frame pieces. Done and done. 1
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@coop4274last year They actually made 723 silver green cars in 82 not 713.
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@thomaswetzel40683 years ago Sure we loved the styling, but i had a 69 for a while. Sorry to say it was the worst car i ever owned. Good looking junk) 1
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@mjphoto454 years ago Dont buy 1980 or 81. Aluminum rear housing bolts pull out. C5 much better than c3.
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@robvoyles2 years ago All old cars rust, they are all made of metal. Dodge has it' s rust area' as well. They all do.

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Tips For Buying A C3 Corvette

While the C8 is the talk of the new Corvette world, the C3 Corvette is by far the most popular classic Corvette. These cars have a diverse following, in this video we'll show you what to look for to find a C3 with good bones, no matter what your intentions may be for it. Enjoy!

Category

Tags

Corvette

Chevy

How-to

Buy

Buying

Classic

Stingray