It's hard to think of any American sports car that's more iconic than the Chevrolet Corvette. It's one of the longest-running nameplates in automotive history, and it's stayed true to its vision the entire time it's been on sale. While some aspects of the car might have changed in more recent times (the switch from it being front-engined to mid-engined being the biggest change), it's still a sports car through-and-through.Classic Corvettes have always been popular, and the C3 generation is no exception. These have been great starter cars for anyone who's wanted to get into classic Americana for years. Due to that, you've likely thought about buying one. So, what do you need to know? Well, here's a guide on this iconic Corvette generation that'll tell you all the important stuff! The C3 Is The Chevrolet Corvette's Most Iconic Generation via Bring A TrailerOut of all the Chevrolet Corvette's generations, the C3 has to be the one that's got the most classic appeal. While it may not be as gorgeous as the C2, it's still got a fantastic shark-like design. It's probably one of the best of the classic Corvette iterations too, with a huge variety of engines and some absolutely fantastic special models (we'll get to those later). It's The Longest-Running Corvette Generation Ever Mecum AuctionsIt's not particularly unusual for Corvette generations to be in production for a long time. The C3, however, takes the cake with how long it was around. This version of the Corvette debuted in 1968, and it lasted all the way to 1980! That means that a huge number of the classic Corvettes that are still around are C3s. It's also definitely helped make the C3's shape one of the definitive ones people have in mind when it comes to America's most legendary sports car. It Was The Last Corvette To Be Available With Proper Big-Block Engines Mecum AuctionsAs well as being the longest-running Corvette generation, the C3 has another special distinction in this nameplate's history. It was the final Corvette that got proper big-block, muscle car-style engine options. These big-block engine options were 427 or 454 cubic inches in size, and often had power figures in excess of 400 horsepower. They also included Chevrolet engines that have since passed into legend, such as the race-spec L88 and ZL1 units. It Had Multiple Special Variants Via: Mecum AuctionAlmost every generation of the Corvette has had special or limited-production variants. The C3 is no exception to this. You can actually make a good point that the C3 had some of the best special Corvette variants ever! These included the monstrous L88, ZL1, ZR1 and ZR2. Many of these special C3s got the big-block engine options, and had those performance monster-level power figures as a result. The L88 C3 is estimated to have as much as 550 horsepower, far higher than the 430 horsepower that it was rated at from the factory!The special Corvette that's easily the rarest of them all is the ZL1. Only two factory-documented ZL1s were ever made, and they're considered to be a "holy grail" model for collectors. As the name suggests, they have the monstrous ZL1 engine that was also used in Fred Gibb's Camaro ZL1 COPO special. The C3 Corvette Evolved A Lot Over Time YouTube @ WD DetailingDue to how long the C3 Corvette was in production, it changed a lot over time. The earliest examples from the late '60s and early '70s are markedly different from the final examples that saw the Corvette into the '80s. Some of these changes were ones that Chevrolet actually wanted to do. Others, though, were forced as a result of changes in the automotive industry. It Was Re-Styled Multiple Times Over The Years Bring A TrailerThe C3 Corvette's overall shape stayed mostly the same over its entire production run. But, it did get a fair amount of re-styling to keep it looking fresh. Later C3s had more rounded styling, although it still had the striking "Mako Shark" look. It also never dropped the pop-up headlights. In fact, pop-up headlights became a major styling point of the wedgier C4 that came after. It Was Affected By Tightening Emissions Regulations Mecum AuctionsPerhaps the biggest changes that happened to the C3 Corvette over its production run were the ones related to ever-tightening emissions regulations in America. This was an unavoidable obstacle that affected models all across the American auto industry. The Corvette was one of the models that seems to have been affected by it the most. The big-block engine options were completely eliminated after 1974, and by that mid-'70s era most of the engine options were asthmatic compared to what they once were. By 1975, the base model's 350 cubic inch L48 engine only produced 165 horsepower. The optional L82 (also a 350 cubic inch V8) wasn't much better either, producing no more than 205 horsepower. Power did increase as the C3 moved towards the 1980s, but the damage was irreversible. What Are The Best Years Of The C3 Corvette, And What Common Problems Should You Be Looking For? Mecum AuctionsIf you're looking for a C3 Corvette, you're looking at a car that was produced over a huge amount of time. As a result, it can be a bit terrifying trying to work out what era of the C3 is the best to buy. Thankfully, there are plenty of people out there who have talked about what the best C3s out there are, in terms of when they were produced. A lot of enthusiasts think that the 1968-1971 models are the best, as that's when horsepower peaked before the big-block engines were removed and things had to be toned down to appease emissions regulations. If you're looking for one to modify or turn into a restomod, though, some have said that the later C3s from the late 1970s up to 1980 are the best choice. They may have much less power from the factory, but that doesn't matter so much if you're going to tune it up or do the full restomod treatment by fitting modern mechanical components.The C3 is a great Corvette, but it's definitely not perfect. Like all classic cars, it has its foibles. It also has some common problems that you're going to need to look out for. According to owners, overheating is a big problem on C3s. It's especially an issue on big-block cars with air conditioning. Excessive cabin heat is also a known problem, as are vacuum system problems, water leaks and rust in the frame and birdcage. Disc brake calipers failing has also been noted as a big problem that you'll definitely need to check. How Much Is A C3 Corvette Worth Now? Mecum AuctionsBecause of how long the C3 Corvette was around for, their used values can vary wildly. Across all of its variants and model years, the C3 has an average used value of $34,150. That seems very low, considering how rare and prized some versions of the C3 are. Those assumptions are right - it's not unusual for early C3s in great condition to sell for over $100,000. If it's one of those super-rare special models, you can expect to see them sell for half a million dollars or more. One Of The Most Expensive Corvettes To Ever Sell Was A C3 RM Sotheby'sIf you need an example of how mind-bogglingly high the prices the rarest C3s can sell for, you need look no further than the ZL1 we briefly mentioned earlier. RM Sotheby's sold one of the only C3 ZL1s in existence for $3,140,000 in 2023. That makes this late '60s performance monster as valuable as some of the world's most desirable hypercars!Sources: Chevrolet, Classic.com, Corvette Forum, Reddit (r/Corvette), RM Sotheby'sFAQQ: What years is the C3 Corvette?The C3 Chevrolet Corvette was produced from 1968-1980. This makes it the Corvette generation with the longest production run.Q: What is the most valuable C3 Corvette?The most valuable C3 Corvette is the 1969 Corvette ZL1. Only two of them are recorded to have ever been made, and the last one to sell at auction sold for over $3 million.Q: How much is a 1969 Corvette Stingray worth?Q: What engine options were available in the C3?The C3 Corvette had a huge range of engine options, ranging from a 305 cubic inch V8 to a 454 cubic inch V8. Many models used a 350 cubic inch "small-block" V8.Q: Is the C3 Corvette a good investment?Yes. Earlier and rarer models can be worth a lot of money, and the values of cheaper models are also starting to rise.