Possible impulse buy, requesting guidance.
 

Saw this 74 L82 4spd driving home last night, called the guy this morning and he sounded like a really nice older guy and extremely motivated to sell plus he wants it to go to someone local and in to Corvettes. I love my C5 but this car is the one I've wanted ever since I can remember and a similar one slipped through my fingers many years ago. The guy says he has owned it for the last 20 years and has put 13k miles on it, currently has 33k. Says it was his Saturday night car, kept in an insulated garage, never driven in the rain etc.... The body seems pretty clean except that both the front and rear fascias have turned in to what seems like dried out old convertible top window plastic and are ripped where you could put your hand though them. I haven't checked yet but hoping these are something you can buy through ecklers or one of those places. I'm going to assume all the bushings, seals, shocks, hoses etc are going to need to be replaced because of the age but that doesn't bother me and I have plans for the drivetrain so as long as it drives I'm not too concerned.

I want the car for a project to work on and keep me busy. I don't plan for it to be a frame off resto nor do I care if the numbers match or if it's stock but I will get the body nice and repainted as well as engine, trans, diff, brakes and suspension upgrades so I can beat on it without worry. With all that being said, what are some things I should look for and where are the hot spots to look for rust or damage? Any horrors with the 74 that I should know about? The guy said he would come and unlock the doors / pop the hood whenever I wanted but I thought I would find out some stuff to look for first.

The guy said he is asking $15k obo. I was thinking $7k would be a really good deal and I'd be comfy going as high as $10k if there was no rust or unseen damage. With that limited info, what do you guys think??? Part of me feels that if I was serious I should maybe look for a 68 but then I fear I am getting in to the big $$ years.

:cert:

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...s2e64416c.jpeg

I think I'm jealous :seasix:

Check out the birdcage area(windshield frame area),easy way to spot is ti check the area around the vin tag look for rust thats an easy spot.Otherwise remove the lower front kick panels for rust.Also the frame itself should be looked at and the radiator encasing.These are known problems with all C3's.
Does it still have the split rear bumper,one year only and its a love/hate thing with some people.

It does have the split rear which is a bit ghastly but I figured if it drove me crazy I'm sure I could do something about it.

Thanks for the suggested spots to check for rust. Around the vin are we looking for holes or just the hint of rust indicates deeper problems??

A hint of rust from either poor fitting seal on the windshield or the t-tops pouring water in.Thats why after awhile even GM was blacking out the vin area on its cars.

Looks good. All the above good info. Got my '75 last year, it had some small issues, nothing I couldn't live with. C3's are my favorite, having fun with it.
Go for it. :seasix:

You could use a 75 bumper and use the same letters on the rear and not have the split.

Love my 71. :seasix:

All good points above regarding rust. It gets $$$ quick to fix.


Good Luck!

My Mom's was a 1975, and when she sold it (12?) years ago, she got 12k for it. The bumpers had gone to shit just the way you described, too. I personally think she got lucky, and agree that you should start your offer around 7k.

Best of luck!

Of note is the fact that the 74 was voted the worst of that generation of Corvette in spite of the anemic 165hp 75 car.

Really? It's a C3 I find all of them good,even the ones that now have factory spoilers.(Said it before somebody bags me on a past post of mine.:kimblair: )

I guess thus saying still holds true.:sadangel:
http://reclaimingrelaxation.com/wp-c...e-beholder.jpg

That was probably with the luggage rack :leaving:

My dream has always been an early C3 with a big ass blower sticking out of the hood like George Trosley used to draw in CarToons magazine and maybe incur the wrath of a few NCRS guys.

Something like this with the side-pipes and fat wheels but minus the chrome bumpers.:drool:

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...psa3fec75a.jpg

My '75, yeah it's a dog, but a pretty dog. :D



http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps5cd577e6.jpg