Back in 2004 after liking the C4 and C5 model Corvettes, I looked at the more affordable C3 models. Not many for sale on Auto Trader, so every few days I checked its web site and occasionally purchased their weekly printed publication. Finally a 1980 C3 in bright yellow was for sale with a MOT and approximately 50 miles away. After a couple of phone calls, a Saturday afternoon was set and a neighbour drove me down to Cheshunt in Hertfordshire to view with an intention to purchase if I liked it and the price was right.
It was garaged by the owner. He drove it out. I had seen the photographs but was taken aback by the bright yellow colour, its bulbous wings and wheel arches and the slot mag type wheels. The removable glass T-tops were a must for the summer. This car has presence! I was kind of sold on it before even driving it. I kept a straight face and we went for a test drive. From memory, he drove due to the uncertainty of my insurance covering the car. It was a short test drive. He advised me on the faults and quirks. I cannot remember what they were now and there’s a little bit of well I want the car regardless.
The drive was quite brief probably due to the fuel light being illuminated – the owner was obviously not giving any fuel away with a potential sale. Back outside the rows of garages where his garage was located, I inspected her all over, using my torch I took with me to inspect for rust and rot underneath. Only surface rust was visible. I didn’t detect anything untoward. The paintwork had some age related blemishes. I scanned through the “history file” – some paperwork, old receipts, MOT’s and the V5. All looked in order. I cannot remember what I offered the owner, but think he wanted almost the asking price. I had enough cash on me. I paid him, keys in hand, drove off north into the sunset, well, the M1. My neighbour followed me home.
I did assume at the time that my insurance would cover me on a third-party basis as there was insurance on it – the now previous owner’s policy. Looking back now, maybe I wasn’t insured ? I drove approximately 50 miles on the M1. I felt cool, a new toy. The 5.7 V8 engine purred. It was quite noisy in the cockpit. Being a car enthusiast and owner mechanic, I was listening for unusual noises, squeaks, knocks and the like. Nothing obvious was heard so I enjoyed the journey.
Once home, I did the usual reconnaissance and fuller inspection. There were tatty places in the interior due to age. The battery was behind the drivers seat and had a full cut-out switch by way of a plastic key. The steeply angled dash was quite retro. I do not think the steering wheel lined-up central, but there were older cars on the roads at the time with offset steering wheels. The carpets and mats were a bit tired. This yellow beast was 14 years old so this was to be expected. The pop-up lights, of the era, worked fine in perfect synch when activated.
I took her for a drive – a mixture of country lanes to check the handling and a dual carriageway to test the acceleration. The 4 speed auto gearbox changed gear smoothly. The speedo only read a maximum of 85mph – a new US law. If UK law allowed a higher maximum, I still could not ascertain what her top speed would be. The on-board power from its 5.7 litre V8 was only 190 horses but the chariot did seemed to shift quickly due to its light fibreglass and aluminium components. Items such as the intake manifolds and alternator bracket replaced previous cast iron ones were factory fitted to lessen the weight.
I was a happy Corvette owner. I always liked a car that’s a bit different from the norm. It wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, an old yank, gas guzzler, bright yellow banana, but for me it was my hot chocolate with the cream and marshmallows.
