Market Watch: Chevrolet Corvette C3
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1968 brought the third all-new shape in Corvette production history. Based on a Mako Shark show car, the C3 was distinguished by an exaggerated ‘Coke bottle’ profile and slim, chrome-plated bumpers. Pre-1974 cars came as either full convertible Roadsters or a fixed-roof coupe with optional ‘targa’ panels.
These had been available since 1968, but after 1974, when threats from legislators to ban full convertibles seemed about to manifest, a ‘T-roof’ became the only way to let sun into your C3.
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5.7-litre, 350 cubic inch engines were standard, with the 7.0-litre big block a potent but expensive option. Advertised output from 350 cubic inch engines with 11:1 compression was 350bhp (260kW). However, by 1975, with emission controls, lower octane fuels and lower compression all taking a bite and ‘truthful’ power figures a legal requirement, it had crumbled to just 123kW. Hardly surprising that the transition from chrome to plastic bumpers also marks the point at which C3 values sharply decline.
Corvettes had been arriving in Australia since the 1950s, but the 1970s saw floodgates open and hundreds of new C3s arrive. They were followed during the 1980s by boatloads of used imports; virtually all of them destined to be RHD converted; sometimes with perilous results.
| Buyer's Guide: Chev Corvette C3
Owning an entry-level C3 should cost less than $40,000. That money will currently buy a late 1970s, plastic bumper 5.7-litre automatic in good condition and with plenty of life left mechanically. Low-cost chrome bumper cars will likely be unrestored, still LHD and with a good chance of body and frame deterioration.
Jump to $70,000 and a chrome bumper Roadster becomes viable. Below these sit 1978 Pace Car replicas, the 1978 Silver Anniversary edition or a 1982 Collector Edition.
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An outlay above $100,000 will rarely be needed and only when your car of choice is a big-block, four-speed manual and probably a Roadster.
Corvettes with engines of seven litres and larger were built from 1968-74 and most in our market will be 454 cubic inch units. These in 1970s tune were rated at 270bhp (200kW) and although larger in capacity, the 454 lacked the high-end urge of a 427 and should be significantly cheaper.
How the prices moved:
| 2010 | ||||
| MODEL | YEARS | CONDITION 3 $ |
CONDITION 2 $ |
CONDITION 1 $ |
| Convertible | 1968-1973 | 22,000 | 35,000 | 57,000 |
| Big-block' Conv. | 1968-1973 | 30,000 | 55,000 | 75,000 |
| Coupe | 1968-1972 | 19,000 | 37,500 | 48,000 |
| Big-block' Coupe | 1968-1972 | 25,000 | 47,500 | 68,000 |
| Coupe | 1973-1978 | 10,000 | 23,500 | 31,500 |
| Coupe | 1979-1982 | 11,500 | 24,500 | 33,000 |
| 2015 | ||||
| MODEL | YEARS | CONDITION 3 $ |
CONDITION 2 $ |
CONDITION 1 $ |
| Convertible | 1968-1973 | 22,000 | 35,000 | 57,000 |
| Big-block' Conv. | 1968-1973 | 30,000 | 55,000 | 80,000 |
| Coupe | 1968-1973 | 21,000 | 34,500 | 48,000 |
| Big-block' Coupe | 1968-1973 | 25,000 | 48,500 | 65,000 |
| Coupe | 1974-1978 | 8000 | 15,500 | 27,500 |
| Coupe | 1979-1982 | 9500 | 16,500 | 29,000 |
| 2021 | ||||
| MODEL | YEARS | CONDITION 3 $ |
CONDITION 2 $ |
CONDITION 1 $ |
| Roadster | 1968-1973 | 27,000 | 50,000 | 78,000 |
| Big-block' Roadster | 1968-1973 | I/D | 70,000 | 115,000 |
| Coupe | 1968-1973 | 20,000 | 47,000 | 66,000 |
| Big-block' Coupe | 1968-1974 | 35,000 | 65,000 | 100,000 |
| Coupe | 1974-1982 | 18,500 | 32,500 | 44,500 |
| Pace Car/Anniversary | 1978-1982 | 24,000 | 44,000 | 65,000 |
| 2023 | ||||
| MODEL | YEARS | CONDITION 3 $ |
CONDITION 2 $ |
CONDITION 1 $ |
| Roadster | 1968-1973 | 27,000 | 55,000 | 82,000 |
| Big-block' Roadster | 1968-1973 | I/D | 85,500 | 130,000 |
| Coupe | 1968-1973 | 20,000 | 52,000 | 75,000 |
| Big-block' Coupe | 1968-1974 | I/D | 77,000 | 112,000 |
| Coupe | 1974-1982 | 19,000 | 34,500 | 48,000 |
| Pace Car/Anniversary | 1978-1982 | 25,000 | 40,000 | 60,000 |
From Unique Cars #478, May 2023
Unique Cars magazine Value Guides
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