Needing little to no introduction, this iconic product of America's automotive industry remains an attractive machine despite its reputation for not being as fast as it looks. Larry Shinoda and Bill Mitchell created a timeless design. You could be the proud owner of such a gem. Here's what you should know about this unit.
Why would you want to spend money on a new Miata or a coupe that doesn't have the presence of the C3 Chevrolet Corvette? If we're thinking alike, you will be thrilled about this opportunity. We found one that's available with not so many miles on the odo, no rust, and the original 350 cu-in (5.7-liter) powerplant hooked to the infamous three-speed automatic gearbox.
The C3 had a long production run, but the 46,558 copies made in 1976 are popularly known for looking great. Chevy removed the hood cowl flap, introduced a new emblem, brought back the iconic aluminum wheels (as an option), redesigned the steering wheel by giving it a four-spoke look, made leather seats standard, added a new underbody steel heat shield, and made power steering and power brakes standard.
Sadly, all those updates didn't help much with making the sports car feel faster. The two engine options had an output of 178 and 207 hp, respectively.
Corvettes equipped with the four-speed manual gearbox from the same production year as the vehicle that's up for grabs now are more attractive to collectors and command a higher price. However, this one has the advantage of being completely restored, per the seller's own words. It's also available at a lower price. You could own a piece of American automotive history without spending too much.
There's even more good news. The seller is asking for $24,946 (€22,900), which is around $6,000 less than what owners from North America would want for their 1976 Corvette Stingray. What's truly impressive is that the price is negotiable, too!
Photo: Kopacz Attila on Pietei.ro
On top of that, this unit is finished in red. Less than 10% of that year's Corvettes came out of the factory in that striking paint. Need more? Well, the odometer shows just 44,500 km (27,651 mi). Since production numbers were rather strong, people drove these cars extensively. Most that are for sale at the time of writing have between 40,000 and 60,000 miles on the clock.
It's unclear if this car was damaged or abandoned prior to the restoration process. However, the seller, located in Romania, says there's no sign of rust on the car. They will also provide prospective buyers with whatever details they ask for via popular messaging apps like WhatsApp. That's good news for people looking for such a Corvette and those unwilling to leave anything to chance. Don't forget to ask for all the relevant documents and enquire about everything you might want to know about the unit.
You could buy this car in apparent mint condition, bring it back home, drop a 6.2-liter V8 LS powerplant in it, and enjoy a classic that packs a mean punch. If you're the type of person who likes to keep things stock, then the engine already in it will likely serve you well.
Whatever people might say, the C3 Chevrolet Corvette provides a great balance of striking angles and supple curves (plus pop-up headlights!). The weight distribution is also close to ideal.
Finally, things are looking good for this car. Its bad rap might fade soon. Seeing its value increase in a few years is not totally out of the question. It could easily become an appreciating asset.
Car shows on TV and his father's Fiat Tempra may have been Florin's early influences, but nowadays he favors different things, like the power of an F-150 Raptor. He'll never be able to ignore the shape of a Ferrari though, especially a yellow one. Full profile
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