3rd gen vs mid year

[Bill M.]

All of my corvette projects have been mid year cars and I have worked on them for 40 years. I am now looking at a 69 BB side pipe coupe that has been sitting since 97. Can any one who has worked on both generations tell me if the 3rd gen is as easy a car to work on as the mid years ? Car needs interior, under hood repairs as well as a load of exterior hardware. It was last run in February 2017.
thanks
Bill

[Russ S.]

Re: 3rd gen vs mid year

Dash and under dash are harder to work on. console is harder.Other than that I would say for the most part they are similar to work on.

[Richard T.]

Re: 3rd gen vs mid year

I agree with Russ, the interiors are very tight and the vacuum headlight and wiper door systems can be a pain but nothing too difficult. Great cars. Rich

[Bill M.]

Re: 3rd gen vs mid year

Thanks guys lets see if my offer will be accepted.

[Dan B.]

Re: 3rd gen vs mid year

I've owned and worked on both and as mentioned, under the dash is tight, but doable. The fiberoptics and some of the vacuum operated items like headlights, and wiper door ect.. are a little twist from what you are used to, but nothing too bad. Interior work I thought was easier than C-2. I had a 70 coupe that was a great driver (did frame on resto) and it did not leak a drop even in heavy rain. That's the real plus on the C-3 T tops IMO.

[Gene M.]

Re: 3rd gen vs mid year

Having done both, not much difference other than windshield and under the dash. C3 are more involved. Everything except chassis and engine looks different but working on it is no harder or easier.

The “T” tops and weather strips can be troublesome to not leak. Where as convertible is just different, same effort required.

Mid year coupe body is still the easiest to setup on the frame.