Calling the vette guys C3

[v6toy4x]

I am a 69 mustang guy at heart however the 68-73 C3s are the sexiest vette in my opinion.

But they dont seem to bring the bigger money what gives.

This 68 427 car went for 35

 

[monkeyswrench]

Was that a 4spd or an auto? That can make a big difference I think as well?

 

[PDQH2O]

The 68 had a lot of issues. 69 corrected most of them and is probably the most popular of the C3 series, followed by the 72 which is the last year to have steel bumpers both front and back. 73 kept the rear steel bumper but went with a polyurethane front. After that everything was plastic.

As for the particular 68 photo, would need much more info to understand the pricing. Mine is a 72 convertible with a base 350/auto, 70k original and documented miles. It’s somewhere between $35-$40k. Even so, it’s only worth what someone will pay for it. And given the times, toys aren’t moving quite like they would in a good economy.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

The 68 had a lot of issues. 69 corrected most of them and is probably the most popular of the C3 series, followed by the 72 which is the last year to have steel bumpers both front and back. 73 kept the rear steel bumper but went with a polyurethane front. After that everything was plastic.

As for the particular 68 photo, would need much more info to understand the pricing. Mine is a 72 convertible with a base 350/auto, 70k original and documented miles. It’s somewhere between $35-$40k. Even so, it’s only worth what someone will pay for it. And given the times, toys aren’t moving quite like they would in a good economy.

Agreed. 68 also has many single year pieces.

 

[v6toy4x]

Was that a 4spd or an auto? That can make a big difference I think as well?

4 speed

 

[v6toy4x]

The 68 had a lot of issues. 69 corrected most of them and is probably the most popular of the C3 series, followed by the 72 which is the last year to have steel bumpers both front and back. 73 kept the rear steel bumper but went with a polyurethane front. After that everything was plastic.

As for the particular 68 photo, would need much more info to understand the pricing. Mine is a 72 convertible with a base 350/auto, 70k original and documented miles. It’s somewhere between $35-$40k. Even so, it’s only worth what someone will pay for it. And given the times, toys aren’t moving quite like they would in a good economy.

Agreed. 68 also has many single year pieces.

So avoiding a 68 is significant or just preferred?

 

[v6toy4x]

This 69 L71 427/435 tri power 4 speed is next on the radar just for price comparison.

1969 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible L71 427/435 4-Speed

Bid for the chance to own a 1969 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible L71 427/435 4-Speed at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #125,128.

bringatrailer.com

I would think this would bring 80-90 based on the engine trans package??
If this was a 427 in 66 impala we'd be over 100??

What do we think it will bid to or sell at?

 

[PDQH2O]

This 69 L71 427/435 tri power 4 speed is next on the radar just for price comparison.

1969 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible L71 427/435 4-Speed

Bid for the chance to own a 1969 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible L71 427/435 4-Speed at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #125,128.

bringatrailer.com

View attachment 1290358

I would think this would bring 80-90 based on the engine trans package??
If this was a 427 in 66 impala we'd be over 100??

What do we think it will bid to or sell at?

“Current bid: $28,000”. Good looking car, but my first question… what’s wrong with it? Converted to big block/4speed? Second thing would be to carefully examine the A pillar for rust.

 

[Backlash]

When I was a young brat, my step father had a blue and pearl white 1970 Corvette Convertible with an LS-5 big block. It was a numbers matching show-quality car that also spent some time at Sebring. He sold it years ago to a collector in Orlando for a large sum of money. They used the sale of that car and bought their place on the beach in Central Florida.

It was a badass car and our entire family has fond memories of it.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

So avoiding a 68 is significant or just preferred?

Preferred.

 

[Skinny Tire AH]

Agreed. 68 also has many single year pieces.

LS full Resto mod 68 I did myself

 

[v6toy4x]

View attachment 1290363

View attachment 1290364
LS full Resto mod 68 I did myself

I take it you agree the C3s are one of the sexiest looking vette platforms?

There is a really nice 69 camaro convertible that is a 307 car, I wouldnt hesitate to put an LS7 in that, otherwise I like to stay "original" if the car itself has some significance.

So you have this and the chevelle? Oh and of course the float isn't half bad either

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

View attachment 1290363

View attachment 1290364
LS full Resto mod 68 I did myself

I think going that route it may not matter at all what year C3. Excellent!!

My dad had a 68 convertible he bought after selling a 67 L88 vette.

He said he hated the 68. He sold the L88 67 because it was too temperamental to keep running right .

Obviously he wishes he never sold the 67…

 

[Skinny Tire AH]

I take it you agree the C3s are one of the sexiest looking vette platforms?

There is a really nice 69 camaro convertible that is a 307 car, I wouldnt hesitate to put an LS7 in that, otherwise I like to stay "original" if the car itself has some significance.

So you have this and the chevelle? Oh and of course the float isn't half bad either

The car has some sentimental importance to my wife. Her Uncle who lived in Tucson bought it new. Put over 300k miles on it. Gave it to us. It was thrashed.

He did the smoky and the bandit flares on it. We decided to leave them alone. I built it, had Hot Rods by Dean, paint & wire it.

 

[PlanB]

My dad had a 69 427 / 4spd Vette in the mid 70's. It was my favorite of all the cars he owned over the years. I remember my mom trying to drive it and having a hell of a time with the manual trans. I would have thought their values would be higher these days.

 

[v6toy4x]

My dad had a 69 427 / 4spd Vette in the mid 70's. It was my favorite of all the cars he owned over the years. I remember my mom trying to drive it and having a hell of a time with the manual trans. I would have thought their values would be higher these days.

Exactly, I figured the 427 cars would bring 69 Z28 money, even 69 SS396 chevelle money.
Maybe just because of the sheer number of BB vettes in the era?????

In watching BAT for the past few months these sure look like the biggest bang for the buck if you want a 68-70ish big block hot rod?

 

[PlanB]

Exactly, I figured the 427 cars would bring 69 Z28 money, even 69 SS396 chevelle money.
Maybe just because of the sheer number of BB vettes in the era?????

In watching BAT for the past few months these sure look like the biggest bang for the buck if you want a 68-70ish big block hot rod?

Would definitely be a fun car to own. Before my dad passed in 2006, he liquidated his collection. He had an original 69 SS 396 El Camino with 40K miles on it. He asked me if I wanted to buy it for 15K. I passed because it was an El Camino and not a Chevelle and it was also that ugly GM gold. I should have bought it and just sat on it. I would still rather have a BB C3 Vette though.

 

[HubbaHubbaLife]

The car has some sentimental importance to my wife. Her Uncle who lived in Tucson bought it new. Put over 300k miles on it. Gave it to us. It was thrashed.

He did the smoky and the bandit flares on it. We decided to leave them alone. I built it, had Hot Rods by Dean, paint & wire it.

Hell with the Vette... I want the trees

 

[v6toy4x]

Would definitely be a fun car to own. Before my dad passed in 2006, he liquidated his collection. He had an original 69 SS 396 El Camino with 40K miles on it. He asked me if I wanted to buy it for 15K. I passed because it was an El Camino and not a Chevelle and it was also that ugly GM gold. I should have bought it and just sat on it. I would still rather have a BB C3 Vette though.

I had a white 1970 SS454 T400 elcamino for a couple years around 2000, like you I should have kept it but sold it to get our first boat so I guess I wont stew over that.

I have been on the hunt for my highschool car which was an R code 69 mustang but I need to stay under 70 and that is proving not possible, but one of these is looking realistic, I may have to cross to the dark side (chevy)

 

[CarolynandBob]

Second car I ever drove was a 73 Vette. Love those.

 

[coolchange]

The car has some sentimental importance to my wife. Her Uncle who lived in Tucson bought it new. Put over 300k miles on it. Gave it to us. It was thrashed.

He did the smoky and the bandit flares on it. We decided to leave them alone. I built it, had Hot Rods by Dean, paint & wire it.

300,000 in a 68 vette? He must ‘ave been a tough m’ fugger. 300 is enough to rattle my cage.

 

[ChiliPepperGarage]

300,000 in a 68 vette? He must ‘ave been a tough m’ fugger. 300 is enough to rattle my cage.

There's a guy on the Corvette Forum that has over 600K miles on his '63 that he bought new!

I have a couple C3's, '73 4 speed and '79 auto. While I do prefer the looks of a C2, the C3's are much more affordable. Metal bumper cars ('68 to '72/'73) pull more money but for some reason aren't as desirable as a Camaro or Chevelle of the same years. I've been a Corvette guy since I was a kid and always thought they were way cooler than any muscle car when they were new.

I think the smog era low power rubber bumper cars gave the C3 a bad rap and many people think of them as a slow old man's car. A lot of these cars have had their engines replaced with hipo crate motors now and are quite fast. I like that they haven't sky rocketed in price because I think they are a bargain.

I'm building my '73 into an early '70s road / street racer with big flares and side pipes. If the car was worth big money as a resto I probably wouldn't go that route.

They're not all cheap though. This ZL1 recently sold for over $3M!

1969 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray ZL-1 Convertible | Arizona 2023 | RM Sotheby's

1969 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray ZL-1 Convertible for sale at RM Sotheby's Arizona

rmsothebys.com

 

[Chili Palmer]

This 69 L71 427/435 tri power 4 speed is next on the radar just for price comparison.

1969 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible L71 427/435 4-Speed

Bid for the chance to own a 1969 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible L71 427/435 4-Speed at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #125,128.

bringatrailer.com

View attachment 1290358

I would think this would bring 80-90 based on the engine trans package??
If this was a 427 in 66 impala we'd be over 100??

What do we think it will bid to or sell at?

No A/C - I'm out. The older I get the more important that one option becomes.

 

[bonesfab]

I had a 68 way back when and I have 2 69's now. One is supposedly a l89 car and the other appears to be a big block car by the parts that are on it. The l89 needs a full resto and the other is a real nice driver. And yes 68's have a lot of one off shit for them.

 

[v6toy4x]

I had a 68 way back when and I have 2 69's now. One is supposedly a l89 car and the other appears to be a big block car by the parts that are on it. The l89 needs a full resto and the other is a real nice driver. And yes 68's have a lot of one off shit for them.

L89-427 w/3-2s and the aluminum heads???
That is apparently good stuff?? an L89 did just go for 105,000

 

[v6toy4x]

The C3's are much more affordable. Metal bumper cars ('68 to '72/'73) pull more money but for some reason aren't as desirable as a Camaro or Chevelle of the same years.

I think they are a bargain.

If the car was worth big money as a resto I probably wouldn't go that route.

This exactly what I was thinking, I can see the small block cars being more of a bargain but you would think any muscle car era 427 car would brake the bank.

The other problem is I am pretty sure I can get in but not sure if I could get my fat ass back out!! Maybe air ride so I can raise it on exit

 

[PDQH2O]

This exactly what I was thinking, I can see the small block cars being more of a bargain but you would think any muscle car era 427 car would brake the bank.

The other problem is I am pretty sure I can get in but not sure if I could get my fat ass back out!! Maybe air ride so I can raise it on exit

There's a guy on the Corvette Forum that has over 600K miles on his '63 that he bought new!

I have a couple C3's, '73 4 speed and '79 auto. While I do prefer the looks of a C2, the C3's are much more affordable. Metal bumper cars ('68 to '72/'73) pull more money but for some reason aren't as desirable as a Camaro or Chevelle of the same years. I've been a Corvette guy since I was a kid and always thought they were way cooler than any muscle car when they were new.

I think the smog era low power rubber bumper cars gave the C3 a bad rap and many people think of them as a slow old man's car. A lot of these cars have had their engines replaced with hipo crate motors now and are quite fast. I like that they haven't sky rocketed in price because I think they are a bargain.

I'm building my '73 into an early '70s road / street racer with big flares and side pipes. If the car was worth big money as a resto I probably wouldn't go that route.

They're not all cheap though. This ZL1 recently sold for over $3M!

1969 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray ZL-1 Convertible | Arizona 2023 | RM Sotheby's

1969 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray ZL-1 Convertible for sale at RM Sotheby's Arizona

rmsothebys.com

There's a guy on the Corvette Forum that has over 600K miles on his '63 that he bought new!

I have a couple C3's, '73 4 speed and '79 auto. While I do prefer the looks of a C2, the C3's are much more affordable. Metal bumper cars ('68 to '72/'73) pull more money but for some reason aren't as desirable as a Camaro or Chevelle of the same years. I've been a Corvette guy since I was a kid and always thought they were way cooler than any muscle car when they were new.

I think the smog era low power rubber bumper cars gave the C3 a bad rap and many people think of them as a slow old man's car. A lot of these cars have had their engines replaced with hipo crate motors now and are quite fast. I like that they haven't sky rocketed in price because I think they are a bargain.

I'm building my '73 into an early '70s road / street racer with big flares and side pipes. If the car was worth big money as a resto I probably wouldn't go that route.

They're not all cheap though. This ZL1 recently sold for over $3M!

1969 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray ZL-1 Convertible | Arizona 2023 | RM Sotheby's

1969 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray ZL-1 Convertible for sale at RM Sotheby's Arizona

rmsothebys.com

68-72 steel bumper Vettes may not always be as sought after as Camaros or Chevelles but it’ll ALWAYS be a Vette. Seriously though, I can appreciate all muscle cars of the era. Every car has it’s place.