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Like so many other working stiffs, we had always placed practicality
over joy in our choice of daily transportation. As I neared retirement,
we decided to look for a "toy" that we could both enjoy. There was no
doubt that it would be a 'Vette, but it had to be one that was both
affordable and in good condition. A local 'Vette dealer gave me a
thorough education on the pitfalls that can befall a first-time 'Vette
buyer, and that effort certainly paid off. We settled on a C3 for our
first 'Vette, as they are certainly the most affordable.... and we love
the body style (I really wanted a solid 1967 427/435hp 4-speed
convertible..... but then again, who doesn't?).
I searched more than two frustrating years but in the summer of 2003 we
finally got lucky. I found this 1979 L48 4-Speed in environmentally
controlled storage in New Hampshire. It was a one-owner that had been
virtually untouched for 15 years and had only 9,000 certified original
miles on it. After changing all the fluids and taking care to examine
everything carefully, it cranked on the first try. It looks, runs and
drives as if it was new.....quiet, tight and smooth; all gauges and
options work, and it is as clean as a pin throughout. The original
tires were hardly worn and looked great, but were dry-rotted so they had
to be replaced. According to my research, it is the rarest color and
equipment combination built in 1979. The tank sticker and all other
tags and assembly markings are intact, and we are considering whether or
not we should take it to a Certification Event such as NCRS or
Bloomington.
Shortly after we got it back home in Georgia we took it to a local
'Vettes-Only car show where it won a "Driver's Choice Top 20" trophy,
and there were over 200 really sharp 'Vettes in the competition. Only
'Vette owners (with cars in the show) could vote awards, so this was a
very pleasant surprise. We love this C3 but don't want to ruin it's
originality or run the miles up, so we just take it out on really nice
weekends. It always turns heads, gets "thumbs-up" signs and broad grins
from other drivers and pedestrians. We hope to eventually obtain an
affordable C5 convertible that we can drive more often and for greater
distances, as "fun" driving is now our top transportation priority. The
C3 certainly is fun, but we're almost afraid to hurt it!
Bill & Linda Meyer
Snellville, GA
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