References for buying 63-67's??

[rwd]

I'm thinking about buying a mid-year and would like to learn some more about common pitfalls and things to look out for.

Can anyone suggest any good books, tapes, sites or other references that will help to avoid unpleasant surprises?

Thanks for your help.

[WayneC]

Check your local Border's book store for a soft-cover 8.5x11 book by Motorbooks International titled "Chevrolet Corvette Restoration Guide" by Lindsay Porter. It's basically a picture book about restoring a 69, but has a nice 12-page section in the front about what to look for and checklists to use when inspecting a Corvette. C3's aren't a whole lot different than C2's, especially the chassis.

Basically you are looking for frame or birdcage rust and damage evidence, and fiberglass damage, plus originality and condition.

You first need to decide what you are looking for, a basic project car, a daily driver, a streetrod, a weekend shine & show, or a pristine original museum-quality original car with a pedigree of NCRS certifications.

Price fluctuates wildly with condition, originality, options, the naivety of the buyer, and the honesty of the seller. The general rule is that you can buy a better car than you can build for the same money, so if you want a project car, you'd best want it for the experience of doing a restoration or building a streetrod, not for saving money. If you aren't looking for a project, decide what level of quality will make you happy and don't settle for anything less.

Get familiar with the price ranges... it's a lot like real estate: the more you know about the neighborhood, the better you understand the values, and the less likely you are to get fleeced.

Look at a LOT of Corvettes very closely to educate yourself before you even think of buying (many make the mistake of falling in love with the first car they look at), try to get first-hand help from someone knowledgeable about C2's when you get serious.

BTW, sellers generally know much more about Corvettes (even if they play dumb) than first-time buyers, so don't expect to find any super bargains out there. And, verify anything a seller tells you about the car; you can't go back and complain that the seller said it was a "matching numbers original car with only 37,000 miles" when you discover that ain't so, 6 months later. Used car sales are as-is, where-is, buyer beware.

Have a look at this website for books and tapes about buying a Corvette (including the book I mentioned):

http://www.ncrs.org/store/shop.cgi/page=index.html

[rwd]

Thanks for the thoughtful and informative reply.

I'm really just looking for a driver. Unfortunately, and as with all collectibles, passing time and human hands have clouded the issues. More often than not, those cars have already gotten 'improved' or 'restored' somewhere along the line.

I'm going to a classic car dealer that has a bookshop, and I'll see if they have the Porter book. Ideally, the best way really is to see a lot of unmolested originals, but they are few and far between at this point. When you've got a contaminated sample like that, it's difficult to know whether what you're seeing is real or reconstruction.

Realistically, I just want to avoid making a mistake and paying more than the car's worth or without identifying future problem areas...

[Jack44]

rwd....Something I would do is to find out who repairs Corvettes in your area...And I mean the best guy around...Use him as a sounding board as he will probably be taking a lot of your money in the near future...

And the advice of sitting in your Borders Bookstore and just readinf all of the books on the C2's is a very good one...

[rwd]

Agreed. I've been reading up on the subject, and a lot of the car is like my old '70. I'm not sure I want to go back to doing all my own work, though! At some point, I'll probably start a thread asking about local techs. There used to be several Corvette shops in the area, but they've gone out of business. Thanks.

[nick67vette]

There are a lot of ways to educate yourself about about Corvettes. I learned the most (and continue to learn) by getting involved in the NCRS judging recognition program. It is time consuming and expensive. The knowledge and contacts you come away with will be priceless.

Also Bloomington Gold, usually the last weekend in June provides many learning opportunities through their workshop programs. The have a website listing their schedule.

In the publication area, there are tons of great books. several I found helpful at an entry level come to mind...
"An Investment in Excitement" by Rick Miller
"The Complete Corvette Restoration and Technical Guide- Vol 2"
by Noland Adams
"Vette Vues Fact Book of the 1963-1967 Sting Ray" by M.F. Dobbins

Good luck and post your progress... You've got some of the best willing to help you find the car that is right for you.

[rwd]

Thanks, nick67vette. I've got one of the books, and I'll look for the other two. I've got some catching up to do, no question about it. I agree about the NCRS and Bloomington Gold, and I'll keep that in mind for next year.

I'm sure I'll have lots of questions, but right now the hard part is getting familiar with the cars again so that I recognize what's right and what's not...

[JP1522]

rwd, I'm in Springfield,Mo and have a unmolested, unrestored 59,000 mile 64 coupe (not for sale). You're welcome to look over my car to get an idea on what to look for when buying a mid-year.
Joe
JoeP1522@inter-linc.net