First Vette

[Dacosta114]

Hi guys; I'm a bit new to this and have been looking for a forum for a while that's active and can offer advice. I'm in a position where I can afford to buy my first Vette, and I'm looking at an early 1980 example recently imported from Florida.

I have a couple of questions. Firstly, what problems should I be looking out for in a vette of that age?

It's up for 9k but I'm hoping to talk the guy down. What do you think of the price? Looks clean but I haven't seen it yet. I'm in Cornwall and it's a long drive away! 50,000 miles on the clock.

How can you tell if an import is legitimate? Is there some sort of US DVLA where I can check it's credentials?

Also, anyone know the owner of a blue vette in Treburley garage, just outside launceston?

Thanks guys, I'd really appreciate your help.

[Dacosta114]

Sorry about title of the topic - obviously not thinking this morning! meant to read 'first vette'

[franv8]

Price sounds high but mileage is low (assuming genuine)

Suspect the blue Vette (is it a C4 - 1980's Corvette) is Dan_t - he's a young chap who sometimes posts on here but you're more likely to find him on www.corvetteclub.org.uk It's a well tuned up one.

By the way - what is a 'Fist car?'

[Dacosta114]

hi thanks for the quick reply! What price would you think I should be paying? I've asked for more pics - apparently it's awaiting its MOT and UK registration. It thought the mileage was a bit too low... hence asking where I might be able to find any US sort of HPI check?

Sorry, the title was meant to read First Vette

The blue Vette has been standing for over 6 months and I was wondering if I could rescue it ;p I drive by it every day...

[ZR1cliff]

Have you looked through the corvette classifieds in PH ? If not here's the link, there are a few bargains to be had.

http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/list.asp?s=40

[Dacosta114]

thanks i'll take a look right now...

[Dacosta114]

Maybe I should be asking 'If you had 7k to 9k what vette would you buy?' I have to admit I like the style of the early 80's examples, with the kick up spoiler on the tail but there's a stunning early pearlescent one there!

[ZR1cliff]

I think this is a clean one with a lot of work from an owner that showed he cared for the car,plus low miles.

It's a 90 that should have ironed out any possible gremlins from the earlier models.

http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/757970.htm

[ZR1cliff]

Here's a later one with a revised rear end and added hard top for winter motoring, again a very clean and pretty car but no mention of the mileage ?

http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/659723.htm

[ZR1cliff]

Another clean example, this time a hard top with two roofs and new exhaust.
The cars done 111,000 but these cars, C4's, are very robust and can handle the miles. They just have niggly little cosmetics that can normally be handled with a little TLC.

http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/743166.htm

[Dacosta114]

I was thinking more along the lines of the older style, to be honest, although these are great examples.

[irish boy]

an american hpi is called a carfax....google it and there are various websites will run it for you with your vin number!!
i dont know a lot about c3 vets but they are automotive art....i test drove a silver 1980 example in a corvette specialist in kent once a few years sgo when i was on holiday in the area....it had a split roof which leaked and the door locks didnt work they were the only problems i noticed on that car anyway. and from experience of owning a 1980 camero z28 you will have no engine or box problems as long as its been well enough looked after!

good luck in your search!

[ZR1cliff]

Dacosta114 said:

I was thinking more along the lines of the older style, to be honest, although these are great examples.

Gotcha, the C3 shape. Here's a clean C3 that's been subject of a restoration a few years back and still looking clean.

http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/675167.htm

[Dacosta114]

hi guys, this is great info and just what i was looking for. Not sure if it's the C3, as the rear is slightly different. I think the first time appeared was literally 1980.

i shall be looking up that carfax info asap. i can go above 9k for a good example, but i'd rather haggle!

there was a nice red one in there, looked pretty clean... http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/757384.htm

what's the insurance like for these? I'm a 29 y/o female, over 10 years no claims.

now you're asking why i want a vette, huh?! lifelong dream

[irish boy]

nice that red one....id prob get an independant inspection done if you dont know a lot about them!

i was 29 when i bought my new vet last year...cost me £916 for it and a micra daily hacker on the one policy, sown to £765 since i turned 30 there....tho id say it wont cost you as much if you go down the classic route with limited miles!

[ZR1cliff]

C3's came with different rear ends. Up to the early 70's they came with chrome bumpers like the one in the photo. Then they went to impact bumpers at a later date.



Try Stevenage Insurance for Classic car cover.

[Dacosta114]

i'll have the one please! Thanks guys, this is brill.

[ZR1cliff]

Here is the last year of the C3 vette, 1982. Again a different rear bumper.

[Dacosta114]

this is definitely the mark i'm interested in.

[ZR1cliff]

Here is a 78 Pace car, one of my favourites. From 75 on I think I'm right in saying they basically stayed with the 350 small block.



69 C3 with L88 hood and side pipes



69 427ci



Tastey