C3 Makeover: Modernizing a Classic Corvette

In this video I walk through how I modernized my 1977 C3 Corvette through a number of modifications with a primary goal of improving the overall driving experience.

To help judge the final product, I then score it against a modern sports car, my 2023 C8 Corvette in (4) key categories: Comfort, Road trip-ability, performance and maintenance.

Check it out and let me know what you think!

[JJJCHEVY]

Can't argue with your scores man!

Old cars have a totally different appeal and it's nice to see you appreciate all of what's great about these two very different sports cars.

I think a lot of people struggle to understand how someone could rate a nearly 50 year old car so highly, but gearheads get it.

Great video!

[oadka]

I will never get tired of the side profile of the C3. So beautiful.

[geoffrey]

I've never seen a car youtuber go in this direction with a build. Some may find it less exciting than MORE HORSEPOWER BABYYY, but this is the real car stuff I appreciate. Completely agree with your scoring, awesome to see someone modernize an old car and make it comfortable to drive.

[dos]

The C3 was imho the best looking Corvette made.

[Blafard]

A bit out of topic but I just like your style dude : you don't try to be a comedian, you don't try to sell me anything in the middle of the video, you don't scream you talk, this is all so refreshing !

[bitemedude]

Really glad you used a post-smog C3 for your build. The iconic style is there, but the performance and driving experience suffered critically from shoehorning all the necessary emissions equipment into the late 70s models. While it might bother some enthusiasts that it's not stock, personally I don't see any value whatsoever in preserving the lesser driving experience of a gas-guzzling, less comfortable, lower performing car when bolt-on upgrades are so readily available and make such a huge difference.

[AaronHendu]

C3 is one of the most beautiful car designs ever.

[wautvroman]

I rarely comment on videos. What you did here is amazing. So down to earth while talking about these incredibly thought out upgrades. Good job dude. Looking at you drive that C3 in the sunlight put a smile on my face. Respect

[relaxgaming]

C3 all day. Those curves wins over everything. Back in the days it was all about design. Something we lack today because of safety rules and regulations.

[genzdriven]

No joke... this video made me fall in love with my '81 all over again. It was my first car I bought at 17, and i've seriously been considering selling it in the spring because it's "hard to live with", and i'm heading to college in the fall. But now, i'm understanding it just needs more love. Going to look at fuel injection kits right now! Lol

[kilio]

I dont think anyone now-a-days are buying c3s for their performance. For a long time i think its just purely because of their unique style. So seeing someome upgrade one to modern comfort standards is so satisfying! I get to live vicariously through your amazing beauty shots of the car 😂

[fericyde]

Not a corvette guy at all here, just a gear head. I love the practical approach to your video and the way you broke down each of your mods, not just how you did it but WHY you did it and what the benefits were. I have a 2000 Mustang GT that I've updated over the years and I was nowhere near as coherent when I did my videos -- plus I can tell I'm not as rounded of a mechanic -- your work speaks for itself. Very clean and concise work here and I can tell you clearly have a passion for your cars. I have a bone stock 2011 GT500 and love driving it but have to say with some of my upgrades to the 2000 I enjoy the car so much more. There is no doubt though, it's nowhere near as safe as the newer car. I augmented my fuse boxes in almost identical fashion BTW -- the fuse box for a stock 2000 mustang is under the drivers dash -- you have to be a monkey to change the fuses and I curse when I have to get down there and change a fuse. So I added an augmented circuit setup very similar to yours. Made a world of difference. Plus it helps that the new fuse boxes have leds to show you what fuse is out.

Loved your video and approach.

[skaughtmc]

I have a 72 and an 02 Z06. The one small change I did that made a huge difference was swapping out the steering wheel. The stock wheel in 72 at least (maybe not by 77) was pencil thin and so large that you only have a couple inches between it and the door panel. At 6’2”, it also sat on my thighs. Ecklers makes a reproduction that looks identical, but is a few inches smaller in diameter and leather wrapped, so it’s thicker and more comfortable to grip. It made a world of difference in leg room.

[xymfzzty]

when i was 22 i bought corvette of the same model with the same color and leather combo, used to daily it for a couple of years, i swear one day i will buy anoter and rebuild it from scratch, this video makes me so happy

[edgarsdzerins]

C3 is one of the most beautiful car designs ever!

[VTOLKits]

Both dream cars, the C3 looks better is more for cruising, the C8 is modern and a beast 👍👍

[lewisclinton]

Hey man, you are awesome at explaining everything, simply. I am not car savvy so it was a great experience listening to you narrate your video. Cheers!

[rolltidehero]

I've got a 1975 C3 just sitting in the yard rotting.... The problem is that I'm no mechanic... I'm a computer programmer. But seeing you modernize your C3 has given me some motivation! The only problem is that it's the only car that I own that IS NOT sentimental. So even though it's MY favorite, it's still gonna be the last one I restore because I want to honor my dad and my grandpa. I have my dad's 1973 Mach 1 Mustang. The good thing about it is that he has already basically fully restored it, so there isn't much I have to do with it unless I wanna modernize it. My dad was all about keeping it original. Then I have my grandpas 1991 Chevy Caprice (Bubble). My grandmother gifted it to me after he passed away because they knew how much I loved the body style... mainly because of how much it resembled the Impala SS which is one of my dream cars. I'm currently customizing my Yukon which is a truck full of subwoofers. People think I'm crazy when I say my Yukon only sits 2 people, because the rest of it is amps and subwoofers. But since I am mute and unable to speak, its kinda like my way of being heard anyways 😂Thank you so much for this video because I really didn't even think stuff like this was possible, but now I know that it is and that has totally revamped my motivation to make my dreams possible. Of course, the main road block is the amount of money that it will cost to reach these goals, but just like how my dad restored his Mach 1 over a decade.... I just gotta do a little bit at a time as I can afford it and then it will eventually all come together.

[KC-pftj]

I upgraded my 74 C3 similar but automatic.
Coil over front shocks, fiberglass mono leaf rear.
Punched out the engine to 355 cid, aluminum heads, mild cam 460 lift 272 duration, compression 10.75 to 1.
Running a Holley sniper fuel injection system.
I modified a standard GM HEI distributor so I could control the timing with the holley sniper system. The last thing I’m planning on doing is to install a rack and pinion system for the steering. I’ll be doing that sometime next summer.
I’ve had this car since 1985 and loved driving it back then and even more so now with the mods.
Enjoy your C3 and drive it, it was made to be driven and not sit inside a garage!

[TraydonDunkheel]

I love the stance and those chunky BFG's! Perfect.