Corvette Generations:
C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8
Corvette: Year by Year
1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 19631964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974
1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985
1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
The Search Begins
So which one to buy? I had a war chest of around $25,000. The basic requirement is that it had to be a convertible with a stick shift. This meant that I could have any number of C5 (1997 - 2005) choices, and, with some maneuvering, maybe a C6. Advantages for the C5/C6 included the wonderful handling from the modern suspensions, reliability, good fuel economy and the fact that they would transport you long distances without Spanish Inquisition style torture.
But the C5 / C6 solution had a downside: although used, they still had a lot of depreciation left in them. This meant that the earlier classics deserved serious consideration.
A 1959 / 1960 would have been ideal. They can legitimately claim to be the best looking Corvette, as well as one of the best looking cars ever available. But the price made them out of reach. Despite the high prices, the 1959 / 1960 model years are an excellent investment.
Below: The C2 (in convertible form, of course!) was also very tempting. They offered a classic look that has proved itself to be timeless. The independent rear suspension was a clear advantage.
The C1 generation (1953 thru 1962) would be out of my price range. C2 (1963 - 1967) was a prime candidate, specifically 1965 - 1967 models as they included disc brakes. But the rub here is that the minimum for a driver quality four speed convertible was $35,000, and there was no way I could budget that even with a high level juggling of the books.
It looked like my best bet would be a C3 (1968 thru 1982). The most desirable (both in my opinion and that of the collector car marketplace) would be models with front and rear chrome bumpers, specifically 1968 thru 1972.
So the search began. As I wrote in Classic Corvette Purchasing Tips, "It's not the destination, it's the journey!", the "search for a Corvette as it is almost as much fun as owning one".
My search consisted of the usual and obvious sources: eBay (the saved searches feature works great), Hemmings, Auto Trader Classics and, of course, our own Corvettes For Sale site. I also put up wanted postings at corvetteforum.com and corvetteactioncenter.com. I was looking for a four speed convertible, hoping for a good quality driver. All candidates had to be local; there were too many bad stories of buying cars long distance, so I just could not consider them. Fortunately there are enough Corvettes in the Southern California area to choose from.
There were two inspection items that, to me, were critical. As a way of looking for possible frame damage, I'd pop the fuel filler door and check (below left) that the gas cap was centered in the body opening, a tip passed along by an experienced Corvette dealer. Keep in mind however that a savvy repair job could include positioning of the fuel tank so that the defect does not appear.
My selection was narrowed down to 1968 to '72 four speed convertibles. Other items in the category of nice to have, but not necessary or likely considering my budget:
- Good documentation, as far back as possible, maybe even to the original owner
- LT-1 engine (1970 - 1972 only)
- Numbers matching
- Very correct
- NCRS or Bloomington Gold awards
- Survivor status
Next: Some That
Got Away
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Comments (3)
Just wanted to add to my comments. I never thought of the C3 body style as "coke bottle" rather I referred to it as "Mako Shark" type.
Great information thank you for all your work putting this together. I had a 1968 convertible 327/350 hp, LeMans Blue/ white top, 4spd.I bought it in 1970 and it still had the firestone redline tires on it. Two weeks later the right rear axle bearing basicly melted, what a learning experience that was. 10 years later I was the Corvette,heavy duty truck,and motorhome mechanic at lyman Slack Chevrolet in Portland Oregon.A couple of things I noticed as per differences between early and late 68's was the late's had a brace between the fender and the wheel well at the hood hinge area to help keep the Fiberglas from cracking in that area.Also the trim piece that runs under the front fender back to the rear wheel well was black on the early's but silver on the later models (as I remember it ) so I painted mine silver. My steering wheel looked to be wood and I never had a left hand clearance problem with it.
I Love Corvette Stingrays. Always have‼ i used to work at a Corvette shop in Westport plaza in Maryland Heights Mo. from 1977 to 1982. I've owned a 67 a 73 and a 79. Always something to learn. Great hobby❗