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-   -   C3 Corvettes - anyone building them? (https://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php?t=40961)

Roadster Shop 04-09-2013 11:52 AM

C3 Corvettes - anyone building them?
 
Who's building them? What are you building? It seems like there are a lot of nice 68-72 donor cars that are going relatively cheap (Compared to earlier Vettes and 1st gen Camaro's). Just testing the waters to see what everyone's thoughts are. I hear a lot of people talking about them, but don't see to many build threads.

WSSix 04-09-2013 01:44 PM

Thought about picking up a 75 that is a basket case and in need of major body work because I've got a lot of ideas in my head for these cars. The later vettes, even with the vertical rear window, get less love than the 68-72 cars but hold all the same potential performance wise. Back when I was working with these cars I couldn't quite get a pulse on people's desires with these cars. I think by and large, most people want them stock or close to it for whatever reason. It can't be from lack of aftermarket support to modify them that's for sure. One thing I have noticed and find strange is most vettes that get modded, only get modded with later generation vette components. It doesn't matter what generation you're referring to. People with C5s look to put C6 components on them and don't even consider aftermarket or custom parts. Same thing with the older generations and even paint choices. Vette people only look within the vette community for ideas and parts. I find it strange. Not only that but they love simple tack on stuff. I can't tell you how many people would be in love with a "custom" vette at a local show that simply had chromed or painted covers on everything. No engine, body, or suspension mods. So strange.

I do think some of the issues facing people when they are thinking of building these cars and what causes them to reconsider are so many of the parts on the cars are Corvette specific, they are small on the inside and not easily/comfortably driven long distances, and they are fiberglass. There is no easy panel replacement even thought proper panel replacement on a steel car isn't necessarily easy either. If the birdcage is rusted/rotted, it will not be easy or cheap to fix and is often hard to spot if you don't know how to look for the damage.

I'd love to see more built as these are plenty out there and so many great ways to make them look even better.

Here's something else to think about in regards to vettes. What has happened to all the 84 cars? Look up the build numbers on those cars. Then ask yourself when was the last time you saw or even heard of someone having one? It's like they simply disappeared.

65_LS1_T56 04-09-2013 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadster Shop (Post 474472)
Who's building them? What are you building? It seems like there are a lot of nice 68-72 donor cars that are going relatively cheap (Compared to earlier Vettes and 1st gen Camaro's). Just testing the waters to see what everyone's thoughts are. I hear a lot of people talking about them, but don't see to many build threads.

I think this is an untapped market. I image the reason you don't see many builds is there isn't much of a support market to do so. I've been approached by a guy that does body kits for these cars to do some suspension design work, there's not much to start with though. A full chassis would be the way to go IMO.
I think the cars have high potential style wise. I'd assume the weight balance front to rear should be favorable too..? Buggy springs have to go :lmao:

wellis77 04-09-2013 04:53 PM

I'd love to do a C3, as soon as I get through the Dart.

frankenstang 04-09-2013 05:53 PM

1972 Vette
 
I am helping my wife's uncle rebuild an LT1 engine for his car. He actually went to Nickey chevy back in 1973 and bought an LT1 engine over the counter. Some time around 1974 he went to a different dealer and bought a set of angle plug heads and slapped those on the car.

He also installed a Baldwin-Motion Hone-O-Drive and a couple years later installed a bunch of Ecklers (?) parts including a molded in rear spoiler. It was painted a dark green color from a Ford car after the body mods were done.

Well, the LT1 in the car spun a bearing and he yanked it out, and stuck the engine on a dolly in the corner of the garage. Traded a motorcycle for another complete LT1 and still has the car.

The 1st LT1 sat for 30 years until a month ago. I am so excited to be able to build this engine. The LT1 was such a cool motor for back then.

We will be installing a dual-disk clutch to make it easier for him to shift. The car has a ton of spider cracks in the lacquer paint that it 30+ years old, but still draws a crowd at shows due to the 'survivor' look. Sidepipes and vintage Cragars and all that.
http://www.fquick.com/images/vehicle...1498101353.jpg
http://www.fquick.com/images/vehicle...1498101356.jpg

Ron in SoCal 04-09-2013 05:59 PM

There's two or three being built on PT, iirc. Schwartz did one and Danny Popp has one too. I also saw a killer version at CAR in Norcal. They're out there, just a bit more rare.

sevillaz28 04-09-2013 06:20 PM

I will be starting on one this summer. Its a clean 68 with a 327 and 4 speed. Going to do a C5 set up on it with a stock LS1 and T-56. You can do anything to the body you want so it will be diescretely widened by about 2 1/2 inches. I may be sending it down to Newman if the money is right to help out with the C5 stuff but I need to get out of a few cars I have right now.

southsidehacker 04-09-2013 07:57 PM

Alloway's is building one in true Alloway style.

http://www.allowaysrodshop.com/News/

XLexusTech 04-09-2013 08:03 PM

building a 69 for myself is on my bucket list... i restored a few dozen for customers when i was in my 20's.

ProTouring442 04-09-2013 08:23 PM

I've had this idea in my head for a while...

An 82 SE (rear hatch opens) with the front and rear caps from a '68-'72 grafted on (chrome bumpers). I think it would make for a cool look.

uxojerry 04-09-2013 08:58 PM

3 Attachment(s)
Attachment 39003

Attachment 39004

Attachment 39005

I am finishing up my 65 Coupe and am planning the build of my 68 Coupe. The second photo is a typical example of how custom Corvettes are built. A complete chassis and drive train are built and the body is lowered onto the car. Beneath the skin, there is little to no difference between a C2 or C3. The third photo is how I want my C3 to look when complete.

My 68 build will be for the Tx mile, 1/2 mile, and 1/4 mile stuff. I am going to ditch the irs and go axle, Jakes Level4 4L80e, and at least 900rwhp, motor tbd. The Roadstershop chassis is the most likely candidate as it is cost effective if I stay with an axle.

What is interesting about Corvettes is some of the tech available in the after market. There are a lot of C5s and C6s running around with 1000hp. They now have a rear mounted Power Glide for the guys wanting to push 2000hp, lol. I just love it!!!

fleetus macmullitz 04-09-2013 09:50 PM

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k1...frsidedrfr.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k1...s113006ffr.jpg
http://i18.tinypic.com/7xe1hlz.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k1...-110806gfr.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k1...t/fshdonfr.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k1...fs-be-18fr.jpg

elitecustombody 04-09-2013 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uxojerry (Post 474578)
Attachment 39003

Attachment 39004

Attachment 39005

I am finishing up my 65 Coupe and am planning the build of my 68 Coupe. The second photo is a typical example of how custom Corvettes are built. A complete chassis and drive train are built and the body is lowered onto the car. Beneath the skin, there is little to no difference between a C2 or C3. The third photo is how I want my C3 to look when complete.

My 68 build will be for the Tx mile, 1/2 mile, and 1/4 mile stuff. I am going to ditch the irs and go axle, Jakes Level4 4L80e, and at least 900rwhp, motor tbd. The Roadstershop chassis is the most likely candidate as it is cost effective if I stay with an axle.

What is interesting about Corvettes is some of the tech available in the after market. There are a lot of C5s and C6s running around with 1000hp. They now have a rear mounted Power Glide for the guys wanting to push 2000hp, lol. I just love it!!!

You must be new here.Did you even notice who the OP is?

WSSix 04-09-2013 10:30 PM

Skip, that car is or was also known as Frankenvette. Great car but the wheels kill it for me.

Bill, the owner of Custom Image Corvettes, Josh, has or had a similar car. He had an 80 I believe and put a 69 front and rear on the car. It looked good I thought. I'm not sure what's happened with the car as it's been a few years. Painted it black and had ZL1 flares on the car too. 413 stroker etc.

fleetus macmullitz 04-09-2013 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WSSix (Post 474589)
Skip, that car is or was also known as Frankenvette. Great car but the wheels kill it for me.

Bill, the owner of Custom Image Corvettes, Josh, has or had a similar car. He had an 80 I believe and put a 69 front and rear on the car. It looked good I thought. I'm not sure what's happened with the car as it's been a few years. Painted it black and had ZL1 flares on the car too. 413 stroker etc.

Trey,

Agreed on the wheels.

I knew it as 'FrankenSport'. :)

WSSix 04-10-2013 01:29 PM

I believe you're correct. It's been a few years since that car was built. I knew at one time he had it for sale. Not sure where it ended up.

headcase 04-10-2013 05:47 PM

Well Once upon a time i was going to buy a C3, but due to finances I ended up with a Pontiac trans am and then muscle cars after that.

Stingrays will always be nice though. Would be nice to see more.

What is the offset on the wheels on that red one? That looks really good.

snappytravis 04-10-2013 06:05 PM

I have a 69 300hp 4spd in the shed, I bought it in 1993, typical tore it down,
had chrome redone, most of the bodywork is done, I am building 69 (cookicutter) camaro at the moment. When it is done I would like to drag the corvette out and put back to stock it's a factory silver with black soft top and I also have a hard top for it. It's gonna be a nice driver.

Tuske427 04-11-2013 12:15 AM

A coworker of mine is redoing a '78. Not even an anniversary or pace car. What's more impressive is this car was a salvage car, had been rolled at one point, and hacked together before he even bought it (at police auction). I think it's the sentiment to it that has driven him to stick with it as he's had it for many years. I commend him for his determination to build this car. He's only going with a mild build, but he has torn it down to the frame, replaced the frame, and is building it back up from the near dead. He actually blames me for "Guilting" him into starting to work on his car, ha ha.

We have something similar to a "show n tell" at work (yes, we are toy designers, so this is a norm in our industry) and we both will from time to time show off the work we've done to our cars (in addition to new trends, products, etc).


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