Classic/Antique Car Repair: C3 Corvette, antique chevy, corvette owners

Question
Hello,

I have a few questions about '68 and '69 C3 generation Corvettes. I have loved this generation of the car for awile and now have the financial resources to make a purchase. I have previous experience maintaining and restoring a '73 Fiat, but I have a feeling an antique chevy is a completely different animal. My question is, what are some of the key mechanical and cosmetic characteristics I should pay particular attention to when inspecting a vehicle. I am not afraid of doing some restoration work, but a frame-off job is out of the question. What are some typical signs of wear and what should I consider when making this purchase decision? Thanks for your help!

Answer
These cars use mostly standard Chevrolet running gear, so they are not particularly tricky with regard to mechanical items.   Of course the super high performance 427s are somewhat more difficult to find, maintain, (or drive, for that matter) but even the mildest Corvette from that era is plenty powerful enough to get you into trouble very quickly.

These cars have fibreglass bodies, of course, so you must inspect the bodywork for cracks and stress marks.  The undercarriage is steel, so you can be sure of the health of a car only after a careful inspection on a lift for any rust problems, particularly where the body mounts to the frame, and where the suspension components are fastened.

There is a very active club for Corvette owners (NCRS) and they will be a wealth of information for you, and also a good source of knowledge about what is for sale in your area - I recommend you join the club before you purchase a car.

Good luck, and be careful - these cars are dangerous, and generally they have been driven VERY hard!

Dick (who bought a 435HP 1967 new - and risked killing himself in it!)