C3 vs C8 Corvette. I drive a 1970 and 2022 to compare performance, features and overall value of America's favorite sports car. Side note: Break in is 500 miles, not 1k
I have a 1970 Corvette with a new 6.0 LQ4 with a 4L60 e trans! Also I have installed, Steeroids Rack and Pinion, Wilwood brakes on all four corners, 6 inch Lokar shifter, Ecklers Max performance suspension, just installed new Dakota digital gauges, and now it is time to ride! Love the new Corvette but just can’t give up on the OLD Vettes!
I bought my first C3 (1976) last September as a barn find and have spent the last 7 months getting her ready for the road. So far, I've got more time under it then in it, but when I do take her out I get non-stop compliments. Sure, its a rougher ride when compared to a new car, but I love it for what it is. Pretty sure there won't be too many 2022 cars still on the road in 50 years.
How is the '76 since you left this comment? How long was she off the road for, when you found it? I recently got a 1976 back on the road.... first time since 2001, baby!! Great cars!!
My dad had a 1960, fuel injected Corvette. I got to drive it quite a few times before he sold it when I was 17 back in the 80’s. It was a handful to drive with the heavy clutch but man she was beautiful and dang it I miss her everyday-
Th old vette really wasn't much of a sportscar BUT MAN WHAT A LOOKER!! my friend had a '76 and it was SOFAKING awesome to sit low behind those fender bulges! and now with the new looks they have finally reclaimed a car that looks like it deserves the name Corvette again!
id still take the hard top sting ray from the C3 generation over the C8. all the bullshit you talked about with the infotainment center and stuff isnt important to me. i daily drove my 73 el camino for a year before having to park it over needing new universal joins on the drive shaft. and now for the past 2 years iv daily my C5 that doesnt really have anything other than a radio and heat/AC thats all i need :)
A nice example of an early C3 can be had for $25-$30k. If I had a $100K to pay for a C8 I would buy the C3. I would spend the $30K and still have $70K left over to fix anything that goes wrong and upgrade it to todays standards with power brakes, power steering, etc. the C3 is so much better looking and so much cooler.
I had a 1969 Corvette for 30 years I do not remember ever needing a towel to put gas in it, I would wait until the gas topped and rotate the filler spout to the up position 180 degrees while above the fill hole and that was that no muss no fuss!
That 70 brings back memories. I had a 72 454 coupe back in the day. It was fun to drive and totally reliable plus I was able to do all the maintenance myself. The new ones are so much faster and so much more technologically advanced but they just don't appeal to me the way the older ones do. My all time favorite is the 67 427 coupe. Maybe in my next life.
If you can drive a C3 you can easily drive a C8. Both have the blind spots. 40 years of driving my C3, 65,000 miles and no accidents. It had 89,000 when I bought.
Funny thing, there is little difference between the C2 and the C3. They used the same basic chassis (with minor differences) and suspension from 1963 to 1982, and the same brakes from 1964 to 1982. Only the body was truly different. The even used the same ram-type power steering originally designed back in the late forties....
I just take my 69 C3 convertible to shows and short trips. Lots of fun. If I wanted performance in a daily driver, I'd get a Tesla model S. Not many (more expensive) sports cars and exotics can beat it. Little bit sad I guess, but the future is electric. Thanks for the video.
I bought my wife her birth year Corvette, a 1970 454 T-Top. We just like the old classic lines. I drive the Vette and my 2013 Shelby GT500. Our daily driver/family car is a 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4XE Trailhawk, we had to do something for the environment.
I'm 60 my plans were to buy a 1969 427 but I didn't live up to it I wanted one since I could remember I bought a 2016 Z06 it's yellow it's fast but it's not a C3 people come up to me and ask me what kind of a car it is it looks like a import sports the C3s look like a Corvette people don't have to ask what it is
I've owned my 1972 40 years. My first sighing was 1969 in the 9th grade. I bought mine one month AFTER my daughter way born. Since I've owner 88 C4, Two C5, currently 2012 C6 Gran Sport. I have On ordered a C8. It max out 2lt. Great video. I've been through my 72 once and starting again. It still my first love in a car. Yep, still have first wife, daughter, and Gran son. Oh ya one son in law. Thanks. There a great u tube guy on C3.
Have a 1970 LS5 390 hp. 454, (original engine) the largest engine you could get that year, and NO you couldn't get a LS7 454 corvette, that was a crate engine. I've had people BS me about their 70 LS7 vette... really? (Largest engine in 1971 was the 454 LS6.) purchased mine in early 1971, it's got over 175.000 miles on it. Fastest I had it up to was 150 plus mph (not fun) and that's with a TH400 trans (best trans ever) with a 308 rear end. The front end was hit so I replaced the hood with a factory L88 hood with the air box, hands down the best looking hood of any year corvette. Other than that It's box stock right down to the knobs on the radio. Has power windows, air, deluxe leather interior. The biggest problem with the gen 3 was/is the brake calipers cylinders would corrode and overheating and frame corrosion. My 2017 2SS Camaro would eat it's lunch 0 to 60, 1/4 mile and top end but I enjoyed every minute driving it. Nothing sounds better than a big block start up and idle. The gen 3s are just sexy.
@@keith2438 Wow, I've seen the LS6 on Mecum sale for over $120,000 easily and the prices are rising with the LS6 and the 68 to 72 chrome bumpers. They are one of the most beautiful cars that that have been produced by GM. Hands down 🇺🇸👍
I love my '69 427 convertible for it's looks and nostalgia, but it can't compare to my 2021 Z51 HTC in any other area. That's just the way it is. You really appreciate what Chevrolet accomplished with the C8 when you drive one wide open on a track because any sane street driving only demonstrates a small percentage of it's full capabilities.
In the early '70s I had a '65 AND a '63 convertible @ the same time. Yesterday, in Ohio, just south of Kinsman, I saw a car hauler parked with 10 (ea) C8s wrapped in plastic on it. After I drove by I had to turn around and take a picture of that truck.
I've had my '69 427/435 for 52 years and in that time have owned many other cars, some costing quite a bit of money. They've come and gone...all of them but my '69 is still with me and I'm now 75 years old. Yes, I looked at many other Corvettes including the C-8. There's no question the newer cars have more performance and a better fit and finish but the problem is they really aren't any fun to drive once you get past the tromp on the gas pedal a few times. Then, when you get out of the car and really look at the C-8, you feel like a bit of a dufus for even driving it because it doesn't look like anything you'd ever want to drive on public roads. There are way too many foofy gizmos and the lines of the car are neurotic at best. I can't argue the value of the car because if you're looking for a race car to drive on the street, the C-8 is underpriced by a factor of at least three times. The problem is, for me at least, I just don't like the looks of the car and when I see people driving them ... they look a bit foolish as would any driver of any race car driving in bumper to bumper traffic or going to McDonalds. My old '69 still looks brand new and it's still one of the best looking cars ever produced IMHO. My car doesn't drive me, I drive it, love to shift gears and it's still more fun than ANYTHING I've ever driven or owned including Ferrari, Lamborgini, Aston-Martin and (ugh) even a few Porsches which are the worst of the worst. Everybody gets to choose what they like. That is the way it should be. The last thing I'll say is something that is 100%. Anytime I gas up, go to the hardware store, go to a restaurant or anywhere...somebody ALWAYS comes up and says "What a beautiful car" and then they want to talk about it which I don't mind. The last time I filled up a guy in a C-8 was a few pumps over and a very pretty young girl came over to my car and said the words I've heard so many times..."What a beautiful car". We talked a bit and she checked out the interior of my car and loved it. I thanked her and she got back in her car and drove off. The guy in the C-8 stood there and watched the whole time and then he just shook his head and then he got in his car and drove off. This sort of thing has been happening for the past 52 years and trust me...it isn't me the people want to see...it's the old 1969 big block Corvette.
Exactly. I would still have my 69 if the Semi hadn't decided I got off at the exit when he changed lanes. Me, I am happy it was not my time. So my 08-z51 has more go and still has the round tail lights for you to see like most people only get to see. Be safe and have fun.
I always have a special place in my heart for an early 70's C3 with a big block 454, but in all reality the C8 has the unfair advantage of 50yrs of research and development. Sure it will easily blow the doors off a limited edition 454 LS6 or what ever and get much better gas mileage and everyday reliability and room and comfort! But if it wasn't for the C3 the C8 wouldn't be so great ‼️
My favorite part of all the corvette is the water fall on the convertibles and the front wheel arches that make you feel like you're really low to the ground
I have a red 69 convertible Corvette that I am doing a body off restoration. When that 2022 becomes 50 years old, it's going to be much, much harder to work on, especially with all the electronics. You would then wished you had the 70 back!
01:26 You could not have picked a better backdrop for this video & image. I could take screenshots of this particular image, & SELL them, it looks so awesome! (wicked kook Vette too)
The paint on that 70 is called Hugger Orange. It's the same shade of orange as the GTO Judge and it's the same shade that Chevy's engine blocks were painted.
I’ve got a matching numbers 71 454 LS5 4 speed Coupe. The old cars have character and a classic design that is timeless. I also have a 1988 35th Anniversary C4. The new C8 carries the traditional Corvette history of the best performance sports car for the dollar. I love the C8 including it’s appearance. They should’ve gone mid-engine many years ago. The only problem I see with the C8 is it’s looks has the appearance of all the other mid-engine cars. Not much one can do about it. Amazing what Chevrolet has done with this car. I’m looking forward to the new Z06. Would consider getting one of those but would have to sell my others…not sure if I want to do that yet.
yo dude great video quality and everything I was shocked to see you only have 42 followers. Earned a sub from me and Im looking forward to seeing you grow godspeed buddy.
When I got out of college in 71 I wanted a Vette. There was a used 67 silver blue coup on the corner of a dealership. I bought it for $2800. Had a 427. Couldn't keep it running. Would over heat in traffic. So the engine blew up. Sold it for $1600. Turned out to be an L88 which they only made 20. Only 3 left. One sold.at auction for 4 million. My bad. Lol
The 73 is my favorite of the C-3s. I like the front bumper and the metal bumpers in the rear. I know I am in the minority. That one is the first I got a chance to drive. In college in 1984. The 73 was also the base car for Corvette Summer. Again I know most find that car ugly as well. I was 13 when that movie came out and I was a big Star Wars fan. I saw the paperback book and bought it. I read it in one night. After the last page there was a page advertising the movie. I Begged mom to take me to see it. So that is why I love the 73.
That car color may be fiesta red. One of the most popular colors that Fender used on their guitars. Leo Fender, always cost conscious, utilized automobile paint to finish his instruments!
Ive got a 1979 c3 for my daily was my dream car as a kid and id pick it over a c8 anyday and i bet i can push almost twice the hosepower/torq for less than half the c8s price
My c5 has a lot of things the c3 did. Same fender situation as the c3. But it also has the double hump dash board like the c2. Big round gauges like the early years. I've had mine for ten years and have 110,000 miles on it. I would love to have a c8.
I have a 1971 Convertible Corvette fully restored with hard & soft tops. MSD Ignition and EFI on a 383 stroker with a 5 speed Tremec transmission and updated suspension system. It's not for sale, but it can be bought ! N.C. / U.S.A.
I liked the vettes until the mid 70’s. Boy, they lost all of their HP and the build quality went down in those interim years. Panel fit and such. Didn’t like them until the C7 again. The new one is remarkable. But the design of those old ones was wonderful.
Nice lookin new Vette and a lot of positive features. I still like the c2 and c3 Corvettes more as they look like a Vette should look. They are going to keep screwing around and lose everthing about a Corvette. I can't wait to see how the EVette is received. I think that will be the final nail in the coffin for the cars image and history besides the ridiculous price they want for a new one!
I own a C7 Z06 and a C3 convertable. I drive the C3 more because it's more entertaining when I want to just drive and unwind. To enjoy the Z06 l'm at least twice the speed limit!
Corvette base price: 1970 $5200 1980 $13100 1990 $32000 2000 $ 39300 2010 $ 50000 2020 $58900 2022 $60900 Allegedly, inflation from 1970 to today increases price only 7.51 times [I thought inflation was MUCH WORSE on the 70s], so a 70 model would be $39000 in today's money. You'll notice that the 80 model cost over 2.5 times the 70. 90 model was 2.4 times the 80. Increases have been MUCH lower since then! I'm very impressed with the 70 model, but I'm even more impressed with the doubling of real power in the 2022. along with vast improvement in handling, braking , top speed, and a multitude of other features. Mind you, a set of modern wheels and tires, maybe even the fronts from the 2022, will bolt right on to the 70 model, and you'll gain most of the braking and cornering difference. Corvette, you've come a long way, baby! And that's been the intent the whole time. The 70 was cutting- edge, and honestly the only dead spot in advancements to the Corvette in its entire was in leaving it the same for the next 12 years, while seriously downgrading power.
My dad bought his c3 corvette when I was 17 yrs old and I fell in love with corvettes. I started my own business in 2019 and just bought my brand new 2022 c8 for 91k before taxes and license fees. Totally worth every penny.
I love people in the comments who take the time to tell everyone how the new one is superior to the 50 year old one. No shit Sherlock. The only problem is my '72 looks like you draped a sheet over a naked supermodel's body. The new ones look like someone dropped the modeling clay. I know everyone else fancies themselves as Mario Andretti because they can make the payments but I'm not taking mine to Daytona or Lemans any time soon. The coolest thing about the C8 is it's the car Zora wanted to build 50 years ago, and to those of us who have been around Vettes all our lives, it's pretty damn cool to see it finally happen. The car is obviously being moved "upscale" though, as adjusted for inflation it's twice as expensive (probably closer to three times in real world asking prices) as the '70.
Thing is if you want to keep your license, then the best part of the c8 cannot be really enjoyed, the 70 Vette is so nice to look at, who cares if the c8 is a better car, I respect new Vettes, I love old ones!
At 600 plus horsepower it is the slowest, ugliest member of the Mid-engine car Universe. And the regular buyer in that Category doesn't care how much it costs and laughs at the V-8. The other ones have 10s, 12s or a 16. I am not dissing the car itself, I am dissing the Company. This car could have been so much better, but to that is just a sorry joke. And as what it is hyped at is also part of the Companies mistake. Three versions of the Car should be possible now: The C-7 as the still available Front-engined version but by order only. A Mid-engine smaller car with a six at the most from the dealer and an optional order only V-8 version. And the no-holds-barred monster with as many horses as you can afford and find a legal place to drive.
@@beauxr.benoit1374 very many mid engine sports cars have V8s, V6, 4 cylinders, including Lotus, Ferrari, Koenigsegg. What none of them can match is the value of a C8.
@@jamesengland7461 Your right and they are all good cars, but a person buying a new car from this category today would never buy anything with an engine that small. It is one of the reasons why no one bought the Alfa C-4
I had a '72 convertible and currently drive a '14 C7. The '72 was a gorgeous care but I can get in the '14 and drive 800 miles in comfort (cruising at very nice speeds...). I loved the '72 but the '14 is a much better car all around and it's still a beautiful car. When they drop the outrageous dealer mark ups, we'll get a C8.
Have a big block 1970 convertible and a2005 xlr the vetted is brutal compared to the caddy but I enjoy driving both had the vett for 44 years had 5 engines 4 tranies now has a 496 and a 5 speed
The C3 generation is NOT the third generation of corvette. the REAL 1st generation was a roadster that had a 6 cylinder engine with an automatic. They were only able to sell a few of these while ford's thunderbird outsold it. GM wishes we would all forget about these. The real 2nd generation came out in late 1955. With a V8 with 2 4 barrel carbs. This was America's sports car! the 3rd generation was the Sting Ray from 1963. The next generation came out in 1968. it is called the C3 ,but its the 4th generation.
Quick story. I took a 65 396 3 speed on the floor out for a test drive when we got back the sales man said well what do you think? I looked at him and said helI I don't even have a license
The C8 is perfect for the new generation. They think touching a girl in the passenger seat is ickie, so they left a huge transmission tunnel with nothing underneath and built a wall to keep girls at bay. The new gen thinks claims they see on the internet = reality, so GM lied and said the car is fast when it’s almost laughably slow for $90k, the all time fastest C8 on the Dragy 0-60 leaderboard is 4.12 secs. After almost 3 years no one has uploaded a valid quarter mile run, most cars have dozens. The C3 has a much higher power and torque to weight ratio. They pipe fake engine sound in through the speakers. The “convertible” converts to a targa. Quality is crap at the price point, with a plastic body with ripples and orange peel and panel gap inconsistency and off center wheel wells and kindergartner interior stitching and composite leather and “real plastic” everywhere. The ancient pushrod has no punch above 85 mph, like you are whipping a glue horse. The old 50/50 balance is gone with the engine and DCT in the trunk, now it’s 63/37 and Ron Fellows himself calls the C8 “undrivable on the track.” Weight is a huge miss resulting in infuriating plowing understeer. The C8 is 100% about selfies and 0% about performance. It’s perfect.
When your Dad bought his '73 in ;82, old cars were better, faster, more reliable, well built...all that...the phrase, "they don't build 'em like they used to" still applies, but it means the opposite now.....but I still say 1970 models are better looking...
