Quick Introduction

[John M.]

New member here and if this is the wrong portion of the forum for this, my sincere apologies. I just received my first set of NCRS publications and spent a pleasant evening with the packet. As I looked through the website I found the tone and content to be what I was hoping to find in a forum (even disagreements are conducted in a civil manner). What really sold me was the advice about joining the club, doing research, and then buying. Oddly enough this is what I am doing.

I am searching for either a C3 or C4 model, the only stipulation is that my first purchase will be a convertible. I know this limits me to '68-'75 for the C3 and '86 and later for the C4. I have ordered the NCRS Technical Guides for both series as well as The Complete Book of Corvette, Collectors Orginality Guide C4, and The Corvette Blackbook. Is there a buyers guide or information source for convertible models, just assuming they have some unique points and want to be aware. I would rather take my time and do this correctly.

I blame my dad for this he bought a red 1970 big block when I was eleven and I was hooked. He still has the car and will not part with it!

John

[Keith B.]

Re: Quick Introduction

Those are two completely different style of cars in terms of how it rides, handles, performs, and how comfortable it is. So I would ask you if you ever ridden in each of the car. Or what do you want out if it

[John M.]

Re: Quick Introduction

Good questions, much more experience with the C3 riding, driving and basic upkeep as dad owned one. With the C4 several friends have had them and I have driven them and helped with mechanical repair. I do love the handling on the C4. Regardless I will drive whatever I end up with on weekends, holidays, and occasional weekend trips. In an ideal world I would own one of each but will start with one.

[George W.]

Re: Quick Introduction

John,
Welcome to NCRS; you are off to a good start. I suggest you join a local Chapter of the NCRS and take dad with you to a Chapter Judge Meet and have the '70 judged.
Have fun.

[Rob M.]

Re: Quick Introduction

Hi John,

Welcome to the club, you already got some excellent advice in this thread. Let me add one more: follow your heart! If it is not going to be your daily driver then the handling is of lesser importance Both will be ok for cruising...

Think carefully of your ultimate goal for the car: do you want to restorer your car and if so to what level? If you want to go the NCRS route you want to be sure to buy a car with an original driveline (engine, transmission, dif) and as many other original parts. Condition is then of a lesser priority (since you will work on every part anyway) although the original parts should be salvageable. The more original parts already on the car, the more money you safe in the long run... When you decide to buy a car have a NCRS member joining you to check out the car. You will find many enthausiastic members here on the forum or at your local NCRS chapter (see for contact details www.ncrs.org/contact.php).

On the other hand if you want to have a weekend cruiser and you don't care about originality you should buy a decent looking car in good driving condition.

Obviously there is a big gray area between these two scenario's...

[Jack C.]

Re: Quick Introduction

Welcome to the Organization. There is no lack of opinions here. Go with the C3 68 to 72 years.

[Michael G.]

Re: Quick Introduction

Welcome John. I would agree with Jack and I completely understand your father. They will be prying the keys to my '71 from my cold, dead hands.

[Paul J.]

Re: Quick Introduction

John, I agree with Keith. The only thing that is similar about C3's and C4's is that they were made by Chevrolet and they say Corvette. They were'nt even made in the same factory. You should drive each one, either by finding a friend, dealer, or by joining your local chapter or Corvette club. You really can't move forward until you decide which direction you want to go.

One more thing, you might want to hit all of the local car shows. The more you look at the designs, the easier it will be to decide which one you want.

[Rob V.]

Re: Quick Introduction

Hi John--

Welcome to the NCRS, and the joys of owning Corvettes! I would urge you to consider the availability of parts for the cars that you are considering. One very well known restorer/shop owner in the Denver area informed me that he will not work on C4s due to the relative unavailability of parts for the C4s. He will work on C1s, C2s, C3s and C5s, C6s. My personal experience is that there are sufficient parts available for relatively complete C2s and C3s. Best of luck with your decision.


Rob

[John M.]

Re: Quick Introduction

Thanks gentleman, I appreciate the insights. The C3 is where my gut tells me to go based on my experience with dad and his C3. That being said I do like the look of the C4 and have driven them a limited amount. Paul, I think your advice is sound, it falls to me to do more research while I continue looking for my first vette.

John

[Michael J.]

Re: Quick Introduction

Welcome to the club and the best of luck in your search, in some ways that is the best part. Lots of good advice to consider here, the C3 and C4 are very different. The C4 is a incredible bargain these days, IMO, but some C3s are too, especially the later years of the run. The C4 is much more of a "modern" car of course, after judging C3s and C4s, there is a world of difference to see between those generations, more than between the C1 and C2, or C2 and C3. Good luck.

[William C.]

Re: Quick Introduction

No truly "bad" answer here, I've owned C1- C-2, C-3 and C-4 models, had a '72 Driver when the C-4 came out (also owned a '74 New) and couldn't wait to buy one, bought an '84 new, and an '85 new, currently have an '89 I'm about 6-1 and 200lb, and I found the C-4 to be a much more comfortable car to travel in. Just my $0.02 worth...

[Randy C.]

Re: Quick Introduction

Welcome to this great site. I get on every once in awhile because I run into a problem and there are many, many people here who are a lot smarter than me! I have a '71 Coupe and a '94 Coupe - the '94 is currently for sale and should appear in the next Driveline. Like you, I'm hooked on these Corvettes. And this a a great place to read and learn about them!
Randy C.

[John M.]

Re: Quick Introduction

I am curious about Rob's comment concerning C4 parts. I restored a Volvo 1800 eight years ago and was able to find parts readily. Why would parts for the C4, which is domestic and probably sold more units be difficult to get? I assume GM policies have something to do with this?

[Michael J.]

Re: Quick Introduction

I am curious about Rob's comment concerning C4 parts. I restored a Volvo 1800 eight years ago and was able to find parts readily. Why would parts for the C4, which is domestic and probably sold more units be difficult to get? I assume GM policies have something to do with this?

I think this has more to do with exact type original parts being available, there are no problems with service replacement parts, but the NCRS judging system tends to punish non-original type replacement parts. I have judged a C4 and things like injectors and even batteries of the original type are usually missing.