Compare Chevrolet Corvette complaints, problems, & worst model years. Chevrolet Corvette C3 history. 1970 LT-1 small-block (370bhp) and 454cu in (7.4) big-block (to ’74), 4-speed manual replaces 3-speed, egg-crate grilles, custom interior option Radio – In the 1970’s and 1980’s, the radios that came standard in corvettes were top-of-the-line. In this video I talk about the ten things you need to know when buying your first C3 Corvette. Depending on the climate and driving conditions to which the C3 Corvette was exposed, these factors usually dictate the condition and corrosion level of the steel components. Check that the fan clutch works properly, and make certain the radiator is clean inside the vanes. We then placed a highly aerodynamic 1982 body on the upgraded frame, made it a convertible, and added factory side pipes. 1969 350cu in (5.7) small-block replaces 327, Stingray name added, 8in wide wheels. Gather Information. 1953-1982 Corvette Speedometer And Tachometer Cable Lubrication Instructions. Jump to Latest Follow 1 - 20 of 20 Posts ... like gel-coat, uses MEK as a catalyst. Click here to read our full blog on corvette leaks. Correcting or Repairing the Problem. 1. There are also plenty of owners who somehow lost the door keys over the years. If you own a 1997-2004 Corvette and like to drive it a lot, chances are you are going to run into some common C5 Corvette problems. Despite the setback, 1984 was the second-largest production run in Corvette history, with over 51,000 cars produced. Since its introduction in 1953, the Chevy Corvette has been synonymous with the Rear Window Defogger – In the early C3’s, GM used a blower motor and hose to blow air on the back window. C3 Corvette and Classic Corvette Frame Damage Guide. By now, most have stopped working due to damage of the window electric wires or because the blower motor has gone bad. It is important that Corvette owners pay attention to the health of their car’s frames as they are crucial in providing adequate handling and safety on the roads. After that, the spare tire and possibly the spare tire carrier were done away with to reduce weight and noise. WELCOME TO CORVETTEC3.COM WHICH STARTED IN 2002 WHICH MAKES IT ONE OF THE OLDEST CORVETTE FORUMS ON THE INTERNET. Whether that was true or not, there’s no disputing that C3 Corvettes haven’t had the greatest reputation—for a lot of reasons. Ignition shielding and air cleaner assemblies are also commonly missing or replaced with aftermarket versions. Among modern Corvettes, only the C4 was a truly revolutionary design; a clean-sheet redesign of a car (the C3 Corvette) that had been getting laughably outdated as the 1970s progressed. Since there are plenty of Corvette replacement parts out there, it’s a reasonable endeavor for the mechanically inclined. The C3 Corvette was amidst its death throes during the 1982 model year. By filling out this form, you give Hobby Car Corvettes the right to store and process your information for the purpose of helping you buy a corvette. “We have often been able to sell well-maintained/restored examples above retail, and we’ve even sold a couple to other dealers at retail, and they’ve sold them at a profit.” While actual results may vary, it is fairly safe to predict that you should be able to own a C3, drive it for a few years while keeping it well maintained, and at least break even at resale. Chevrolet Corvette Problems and Complaints - … So you can turn your C3 into a tasteful but unique resto-mod—sort of a “best of” or “what if” model. Most of the corrosion free C3 cars can be found in the southern and western areas of the U.S. C3 Corvette Repair Videos. Our cars have arguably the stiffest chassis ever built for a C3 Corvette. Classic corvettes are no different in this instance. Share. 6. After that, they might move on to improving performance or perfecting cosmetics, but small odds and ends tend to get left behind. Beginning in 1981, the clock was included as part of the radio, fairing much better than their predecessors. The Chevrolet small-block V-8 is a consistent performer that is inexpensive to maintain, and while the C3 is perhaps a little nose heavy, it still handles reasonably well. Since the battery is just right behind the driver’s seat, I personally use one of these in all of my corvettes. Aside from the corrosion of the bar metal contacts, the horns themselves would often go bad due to moisture and debris, thanks to their position right behind the headlights. Understand Malfunction. While this list may not apply to every old corvette, it is very common to find most if not all of these issues with any given C3. I keep plastic under all of my cars and Pig Mat on top of that. Learn how to repair your Corvette C3 power-steering problems the right way. Not only does this kill the cruise control, but usually led to corvettes being driven without turning miles for years before anyone would either bypass the box with a longer single speedometer cable or go through the hassle to replace the transducer. Many times all these items are okay, but the C3 Corvette changes the way you need to think about cooling. 1968 Corvette print advertisements were proud of the dual function convertible / coupe advantages of the C3. “Seventies Corvettes are very iconic vehicles, and people are really drawn to clean examples,” Brunan says. 37%. Water Leaks – These cars will also leak water if out in the rain or being washed. The Hagerty Price Guide supports the affordability argument, at least for later examples of the C3, as a 1975–78 in #3 condition carries a value of $10,500–$11,500. The chart shows the number of problems reported across all service years for each given model year of the Chevrolet Corvette. Keep the resto-modification tasteful and you have a subtly modified car that, while unique, is easily desirable to others when it comes time to resell. 4. It is easy to see why C3s hold their value and are growing in popularity. The C4’s complete redesign yielded significant improvements to the chassis and suspension as well as a fresh, modern-looking body (at the time). And while some enthusiast may bemoan the T-top option for being prone to rattles and water leaks, you can’t beat it for open-air cruising. Appointments are required for showroom visits. In 1975, GM switched to an electronic tachometer, which worked off of a circuit board fixed to the back of the tachometer behind the dash. 1969 350cu in (5.7) small-block replaces 327, Stingray name added, 8in wide wheels. Reggie Horning. We dropped in a warmed-up 350 V-8 and topped it with factory aluminum valve covers and a functional cowl-induction dual-snorkel air cleaner and backed it with a Tremec five-speed manual. Corvette Troubleshooting Steps. While there are a variety of reasons your Chevrolet Corvette air conditioning won't work, the most common 3 are a refrigerant leak, an electrical climate control issue, or a problem with the air conditioning compressor. If you think about it, C3 Corvettes represent a great value for driving fun. The exception to this are the cars that were always garaged and never driven in … 1968 C3 arrives: T-top removable panels; 327cu in (5.4) V8 in two states of tune; 427 (7.0) in three. There haven’t been any common problems and most of the issues are minor , but this thread is already a great resource for C8 owners. C8 Corvette owners on the forum have discussed any issues with their new Chevy in individual threads, but “MauiC8” started to compile all of the problems with the new car. For a little more cash you can get yourself a four-speed to further enhance your driving experience. If you plan on using the seat belts, I strongly recommend replacing them with new ones. Identify the Source of the Problem. Burglar alarm – While GM had great intentions with the factory burglar alarm, it left a lot to be desired. That’s what this guy did, scooping up a 1980 ‘Vette that honestly looks pretty good for having sat out in the elements for about 10 years. Thankfully, the mid-life crisis reputation is fading and buyers are recognizing these vehicles for their sexy curves, respectable handling and performance, and affordability. 18 January 2018. So as to help newcomers to the classic car world to avoid being caught off-guard, we’ve compiled a list of things that commonly do not work on C3 corvettes, gathered from our own experience buying, selling, and working on these cars for the past decades. A popular one was for ice and drinks to be stored in its place. In fact, GM actually put drain holes in the floors of the C3’s so the water could run out and not get trapped on the floor. C5 Corvette Repair Videos. Overall, C4 Corvettes make up the second-largest group after the C3, of which about 350,000 cars were built in that generation's 12-year period. Not mentioned was the security and safety advantages of the T-Top design. They offer lots of different options depending on what look you are going for. Back in my high school days in the 1980s, my friends and I would sit outside the school after football practice, waiting for our parents to pick us up. If you are of a certain age, the thought of a C3 Corvette—the third generation of America’s sports car (1968–82)—includes images of middle-aged men in “Members Only” jackets, who purchased one to ease the pain of a mid-life crisis. The fuel tank position will allow idling and low speed performance even with a failed fuel pump. Usually the retractors are broken, but more importantly the material is 40+ years old and not worth taking a chance that they do not work when they are needed most. (The second worm drives the odometer assembly). It accelerates hard and handles like it’s on rails, but gone is that harsh C3 ride. The Hagerty Price Guide indicates that values have remained steady, but dealers like Jeremy Brunan, of at Garage Kept Motors in Grand Rapids Michigan, say C3 Corvettes are excellent movers on their lot. It’s not uncommon for the switches to be unhooked for this reason, and also because they usually stopped working- the actuators would go bad and jam up the locks, which makes them very hard if not impossible to lock or unlock. This causes the system to either stop working, or stay on and drain batteries until someone figured out how to unhook the system. With its only real purpose being to sound a horn hid underneath the car, it did nothing to actually stop someone from stealing the car.. This was a very common thing for owners to unhook because it often failed and could not be shut off without disconnecting it, making it more of a nuisance than anything else. Simply put, these cars are fun to drive, and they’re often greeted with cheers and thumbs-up as you cruise the local boulevard. While it was an interesting concept for the time, it worked off of vacuum and was controlled by a transducer box that was attached to the speedometer cables. Corvette Troubleshooting Recommended Repair Videos. Problematically, removing the dash on 1975-1977 corvettes can be tricky, so most people do not bother to replace the circuit board when it goes bad. Fortunately, you do have some options if you are set on having working A/C in your classic corvette. Identify which Parameters need to be Evaluated. 6. Power door locks became an option in the 1978 model year. Overall fit and finish improved. Co-owner Tom Smith explains: “We took a 1975 chassis and upgraded it with a fiberglass mono-leaf rear spring, bigger brakes, and performance gas shocks. So for the most part, the locks have not been used in years. The Corvette fuel tank is slightly higher than the carburetor to allow fuel to be gravity-fed to the carburetor. Cruise Control – Starting in 1977, GM offered cruise control. Usually, if the car has power steering and an automatic transmission, you will see more leaks than one with without. Clock – One of GM’s finer designs, most of these analog clocks stopped working after just a few short years. 5. They focus instead on problems that would keep the cars from being driven, like brakes, suspension, and other mechanical concerns that might leave them sitting alongside the road. After all, the C3 shared chassis and suspension design with the previous C2 generation. Stress Cracks! The fuel tank position will allow idling and low speed performance even with a failed fuel pump. 1970 LT-1 small-block (370bhp) and 454cu in (7.4) big-block (to ’74), 4-speed manual replaces 3-speed, egg-crate grilles, custom interior option They are high tech, with an interior that is aircraft inspired, and they are agile and fast. 4. (Image courtesy of classicandsportscar.com ) One of the “unseen” problems with a car that includes a fiberglass body is that they don’t rust – on the surface. Open up your favorite high-performance mail order catalog and you’ll find affordable suspension and brake upgrades, along with plenty of options for an aftermarket radio that bolts into the factory opening in the dash. Design with the horn contacts technology has usually failed by now panels were redesigned to recover interior. 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