Case histories
Year of manufacture 1974 Recorded mileage 55,310 Asking price £18,995 Vendor Motodrome, Nuffield, Oxfordshire; tel: 0118 907 1495/07719 069353; www.motodrome.co.uk WHEN IT WAS NEW Price $13,140 Max power 195bhp Max torque 270lb ft 0-60mph 8.6 secs Top speed 126mph Mpg 14
From late in the first year of the ‘rubber’ bumpers (and the most emissionsstrangled, but that matters less these days), this T-top in 56L Bright Yellow is lasting well. Fitted with optional power brakes and steering, it’s been painted, with a few microblisters on the bonnet, but cracks to the front are minimal, and the wheelarches aren’t scraped. The T-tops lift on and off easily, with good seals; the doors fit and shut nicely. The tyres are well treaded but old BF Goodrichs.
The car went to Australia in 2009, returning with its owner in 2013, and since then it’s only covered about 5000 miles with two further keepers. Recent work has included a new steering pump and ram, suspension rubbers, front dampers and a water pump. The chassis looks solid, with some light corrosion on its top surfaces and front wishbones, and the exhausts appear fairly fresh.
Inside, the saddle (code 416) vinyl is better than most, with good seats and just a few small cracks in the centre console. The dash is mostly fine, with a little damage to the speaker grille on the driver’s side and both A-pillar trims.
The motor is stock, except for a new distributor with electronic ignition. There’s a slight weep from one rocker-cover gasket. The oil is dark and near the bottom of the stick, the coolant full and pink, as is the transmission fluid.
There’s no ignition light but it starts instantly from cold with no smoke, makes a pleasing but not too strident noise, and drives well. The chassis is quite taut, with no shakes or rattles. It tracks straight, with only slightly vague steering, the Corvette’s weakest point: 11/2in of play at the rim, static, is normal, though the C3 has shrunk with age and it’s easy to hustle. The brakes pull up straight and, aside from slightly clunky initial engagement, the gearbox works well, with responsive kickdown – though it’s quite low-geared. Oil pressure is a healthy 60-65psi and temperature 120° F with battery in the ‘+’ range, but the tachometer doesn’t work because there’s nowhere on the new distributor to connect its drive cable. The headlights lift perfectly. It will be sold with an MOT to the end of July (with no advisories) and a six-month warranty.