For esthetics I dont think anything looks as good as a 63 coupe. The C8 is amazing and i beat myself up daily for selling my modded C6 Z06. Its all a matter of what you want.
The 1963 corvette with split rear window is classic and what I always think of when it comes to classic corvettes. It’s probably (I don’t know) expensive. The 1970 corvette, I loved it when it came out as well. Those are my top two picks.
“but don’t really need 650HP”
Do. You really need a vette?
58 Vette is my favorite.
Corvettes are supposed to have pop up headlights. I’m partial to the lines of the C5.
The C8 is the way to go.
Best sports car in class
Overheating is not a problem unless you are tracking the car and pushing it to the limits at a track like Willow Springs in the summer
This is the same with most any very high powered street car and the C8 is actually better than must
The C7 Gran Sport is a real nice car
‘65 327 L84 with the 2 4 barrel option, 375 hp. A screamer. I was buying one but the seller crashed it. But I had a 70 Olds 442. Had the heads ported, bigger valves, Holley 750 double pumper, headers, 410 rear end gears. One of the biggest mistakes I ever made was selling it to a lady who bought it for her son’s graduation. The car was in pristine condition. The kid got drunk on graduation night and rolled it a half dozen times. Amazingly the kid was ok, but the car was totaled. Nothing really salvageable.
I’m happy with my 650HP Cadillac CTS-V
Any.
I currently have a 68 Corvette with the L36 427 390 hp. It’s a great car and lots of fun to drive. I find the C7 Grand Sport to be a very nice car and I like the looks of it more than the C8’s. Maybe they’ll grow on me and I’ll end up liking them too. My favorite car that I owned was a 65 Impala SS convertible with a 327. One of many I’d wish I’d never sold.
I’m old and old school!
My favorites would be:
‘57 most interesting of first generation.
‘63 timeless classic of second generation.
‘67 end of the line of what I’d consider classic.
Head says go with the C8. A mid-engine Corvette has been the enthusiast’s dream for decades, and it’s flat-out a world class supercar. Heart says get a Corvette with a clutch pedal. Wife says SUV.
The C8 is spectacular. I own one. The key to making it look its best is to omit the splitter/spoiler that comes with the Z51 package (or don’t get the package), and get body colored trim pieces (no black boomerang on side). Performance is off the charts, and I will never get it close to its limits. If not a C8, a C2, pref. 65, 66, 67 with disc brakes, 4-speed, and a/c. My car makes me happy. It’s just a ‘thing’, I realize, but wow, what a thing it is... Have fun looking around!
Yes, you need all the horsepower you can get! Merging can be dangerous if you are “underpowered”.
**The 75 was considered the worst Vette ever because of HP and EPA crap but the style is killer.**
I had a 74 (last year before catalytics were installed) from late 76 to early 82. Yes it was underpowered, but with mostly some carb work I was able to get a little more power. Handling was more important to me, so I installed the optional suspension.
Living rural, 30 miles from the big city, I enjoyed driving it on evening commutes to meet and date city chicks. If I timed it right I would roll through the local village when 2 State, and one Sheriff deputy would meet at the local cafe for supper. If so, the next 15+ miles went by in a blurr. It would become the chariot that brought my bride to the farm in August 78. The car was fun, but with her along, it became really special
Sold the car in 82 to make a farm tractor payment (because Carter had really wrecked the farm economy by 1980). Still have the living doll though!
First car for me. Was an auto shop project in high school. Crashed it several weeks after it was completed. I did however race a 71 corvette. I did not win. The guy I raced ended up restoring corvettes for his career, I know that because he became my step brother in law. He had a sweet souped up ride.
Get another ‘69 GTO and rest mod it with a modernized Ram Air V (600 - 800 hp on pump gas). Screw the Vettes, they’re far from unique. Noe that I had a ‘69, and my father had an ‘86 Vette that I drove a lot.
I had to sell my 69 427 Mulsanne blue roadster to buy my first house. 😢
I currently have a 67 HO black GTO that I have owned since 1990. I currently have it pretty much apart in my shop restoring it. I am hoping to have it done in time for erf day next year for a quick bout of criminal behavior.
I felt that The C1 had limited headroom for tall drivers. The C3 always felt like you were sitting in a hole.