39 Chevrolet Corvette C3

Sometimes nothing scratches the itch quite like a double cheeseburger – and if you have a taste for Americana, you’ll probably feel the same draw to Yankee classics as ‘The King’ did for a greasy slab of beef in a bun. But what’s on the menu in today’s market?

A first-generation Ford Mustang would appear near the top of most shopping lists – certainly James Mann’s (p127) – but for those wanting a slightly more modern, and more sporting, alternative we’d like to make a case for the Chevrolet Corvette. The first iteration, unveiled at the New York Auto Show in 1953, is far too valuable to feature on our countdown – as is the second-generation (and highly desirable) Sting Ray. The fourth-generation version, launched in 1984 (and very much the ’80s kid), has its fans, but for for a dose of 1970s-style V8 fun, the C3 is an affordable treat. Built between 1968 and 1982, this model also introduced removable ‘T-top’ roof panels to the range.

Broadly speaking, the younger the ’Vette, the more affordable it will be, with the earliest ’60s cars commanding a serious premium. A redesign with flared arches arrived in 1970, and the chrome bumpers were dropped in 1973. Two years later the base C3 became rather anaemic, with power from the ZQ3 engine rated at just 165bhp. Go for a later car and £15,000 should be enough for a good one – and they’re all left-hookers, so it’s worth casting your net wide to include Germany and the Benelux countries.