Lets see your Yank tanks!

Lets see your Yank tanks!

Author
Discussion

vpr

3,711 posts

239 months

Friday 26th August 2022
quotequote all
sidewinder500 said:
Finally, during lunch my friend showed me a few cars online, one of them a 65 C2 Corvette, a manual convertible with a nice colour combination.
Quite close to where we were at the moment, almost local.
Called for inspection, we drove up, nice chap, nice chat, nice car.
Being a medium 327, after all that torque from my other yanks almost tame, but drove pretty okay with small issues, nothing major, even without power steering nice and easy to handle, nice burble (not that almost obnoxious sound from my Camaro, which drains you out after half an hour), all tops good. Inspection underneath showed good maintenance, no issues whatsoever, the usual drops of oil, but all ok.

A very good deal done, now I'm the proud owner of a lady's spec C2, and it feels wonderful.

What a beautiful car, and the best part, it's an honest driver's car, a few blemishes, a few cracks in the paint here and there, a little grubby inside, but great from a few feet away. Nothing to worry when parking outside, and everything is working.

Never thought I will get a nice C2 in this price range again, as I hesitated last year for so long that 'my' car was sold when I was ready. Never had a deal done in two hours from seeing the ad and making a deal eye to eye, though.

Oh well...

Yes, pics:










Absolutely stunning and congratulations.

I’m on my second C2, I absolutely love them and anyone I’ve introduced to them is instantly then searching

Mine is a 66 427 Coupe. Was white but I hate white on a coupe but love it on a Convertible


sidewinder500

1,150 posts

95 months

Friday 26th August 2022
quotequote all
vpr said:
Absolutely stunning and congratulations.

I’m on my second C2, I absolutely love them and anyone I’ve introduced to them is instantly then searching

Mine is a 66 427 Coupe
Thank you!
Very niiiice coupe as well, and for the 427...., and the sidepipes...mmmmmmmmh!

Is it a manual?

Agree on the immediate addiction, they are just right in everything.
Never driven one before, but felt a togetherness right away, even with the small issues it has.

RATATTAK

11,133 posts

190 months

Monday 29th August 2022
quotequote all
Not mine but belongs to a friend of a friend:


Darren390

481 posts

208 months

Monday 29th August 2022
quotequote all
RATATTAK said:
Not mine but belongs to a friend of a friend:

Thorseby Park today? Had a look round it, stunning car. I was in the burgundy 67 Mustang a few cars down the same row!

RATATTAK

11,133 posts

190 months

Monday 29th August 2022
quotequote all
Darren390 said:
Thorseby Park today? Had a look round it, stunning car. I was in the burgundy 67 Mustang a few cars down the same row!
Yep ... saw your Mustang - very nice and loved the colour ... I was in this

(sorry, not a Yank)


aeropilot

34,671 posts

228 months

Monday 29th August 2022
quotequote all
sidewinder500 said:
vpr said:
Absolutely stunning and congratulations.

I’m on my second C2, I absolutely love them and anyone I’ve introduced to them is instantly then searching

Mine is a 66 427 Coupe
Thank you!
Very niiiice coupe as well, and for the 427...., and the sidepipes...mmmmmmmmh!

Is it a manual?
They all are.
2 speed Powerglide (M35) was only available as an option when coupled to the base 300hp 327 engine.

PTE993

126 posts

216 months

Wednesday 31st August 2022
quotequote all
Working and living in Dubai for a while...despite the lure of ubiquitous G63's decided that a Challenger was the way to go :-) A 2017 392 Hemi which feels like the sweet spot to me (Hellcat underpinnings...daily driveable 6.4L engine). My hope is I can bring it back to the UK when I return.



Not my only American car, got this lovely 69 C20 that has cost a small fortune to mechanically overhaul, will get onto the bodywork eventually but don't want to change too much how it looks

[url]

And although the Mustang is long gone we've still got the Wrangler...sadly a diesel (although mildly remapped)...but still a lot of fun for high days and holidays

|https://thumbsnap.com/KLETtY9M[/url]

daveenty

2,358 posts

211 months

Wednesday 14th September 2022
quotequote all
I don't venture in this section often but, as I have now become the owner (not too proud as yet) of a 1970 Ranchero, thought I'd introduce the car here. It's been in the UK for quite some time now apparently, though also a couple of other places, Ireland and Germany being a couple which I have a bit of documentation for.

Anyway, it was originally a 1970 Ford Ranchero Squire, with a 351 small block but one (or possibly more) of the previous owners seems to have decided that it should be a GT, or at least to that specification.

It now has a 429ci with a 750cfm 4bbl Holley, mated to a C6 transmission going to what appears to be a 9" rear end. The interior is fitted with what seem to be period Recaro seats which are relatively comfortable though shabby, a 14" MOMO steering wheel, which is just wrong, and a B & M Star Shifter which is sticky as hell, hopefully just due to poor cable routing. It did have racing harnesses fitted which are now confined to a box, having been temporarily replaced by lap straps until I decide on the new seating arrangements.

The bodywork is a mess though mainly solid. Structurally it seems sound, having had a new driver's floor section fitted so hopefully no more welding will be required. The bonnet has had a scoop added but it's not exactly been blended in and what filler has been used is now cracking so that's another job on the list. The tailgate had over 1" of filler in parts, a lot of it split and not adhering though it was held in place by the cosmetic stripes which seemed to be black insulation tape.

When I initially viewed the car, I was told by the vendor that it needed front pads and top ball joints which he kindly supplied. I wasn't aware at the time that it wanted a bit more than this, though I had actually budgeted for a few other things. The brakes are now finished, the only original parts being the actual discs themselves and the rear drums. New callipers, pads (supplied) rubber hoses back and front, master cylinder, rear shoes, cylinders and even the return and hold down springs. As for the suspension, new track control arms and top wishbones have now been fitted so hopefully a bit more of it is now sorted out.

There was an oil leak from the back of the sump so that's been removed to fit a new gasket. Unfortunately, someone has previously decided to paint the inside of the sump pan with what looks like a red lead type substance. No idea why but the last thing I need is a load of paint flaking off and getting sucked up into the pump. I'm just hoping I've caught it in time though it does appear to be stable and is proving a nightmare to remove so it's sticking well. After this is finished, I'll get the new diff pinion seal fitted and all being well I'll have a leak free car. smile

I'm hoping to get it temporarily out this weekend as I need to get the alignment sorted and a leaky tyre fixed. It'll be one of the few times I've driven it since I bought it at the end of July, so will hopefully have a nice little run around in it before I start getting bits of bodywork sorted out. I have an awful amount of this to do but it will be done in stages as I don't think it wants or needs a full respray.

I know that these are not to everyone's taste, with many preferring the El Camino or a proper pick-up like a C10 or F100, but I really fell in love with the looks of the 1970 model and had to have it. A lot prefer the '69 but this one is my favourite and the better looking one.

Very limited on pictures at the moment due to the car spending most of its time in my tenure up in the air on a lift, though I think that this is my favourite one: -




I'll hopefully post more as work progresses though, as I'm an old git, this could take some time...

DodgyGeezer

40,541 posts

191 months

Wednesday 14th September 2022
quotequote all
PTE993 said:
Working and living in Dubai for a while...despite the lure of ubiquitous G63's decided that a Challenger was the way to go :-) A 2017 392 Hemi which feels like the sweet spot to me (Hellcat underpinnings...daily driveable 6.4L engine). My hope is I can bring it back to the UK when I return.

I've seen quite a few people on FB have brought their cars back from ME so it can be done (in fact there's a guy in the Midlands who specialises in bringing ME car to the UK for sale, worth contacting him>)



daveenty said:
I
Very limited on pictures at the moment due to the car spending most of its time in my tenure up in the air on a lift, though I think that this is my favourite one: -




I'll hopefully post more as work progresses though, as I'm an old git, this could take some time...
more pics is always good - nice looking toy tbh

66Grey

16 posts

76 months

Wednesday 14th September 2022
quotequote all
Not American I know, but know a lot of you like your trucks, I see this every week in Central London, Brabus G Wagon with added flatbed, not something you see everyday, no wonder at the price!

https://www.gearpatrol.com/cars/a693367/brabus-mer...




Edited by 66Grey on Wednesday 14th September 19:58

roscobbc

3,375 posts

243 months

Wednesday 14th September 2022
quotequote all
daveenty said:
I don't venture in this section often but, as I have now become the owner (not too proud as yet) of a 1970 Ranchero, thought I'd introduce the car here. It's been in the UK for quite some time now apparently, though also a couple of other places, Ireland and Germany being a couple which I have a bit of documentation for.

Anyway, it was originally a 1970 Ford Ranchero Squire, with a 351 small block but one (or possibly more) of the previous owners seems to have decided that it should be a GT, or at least to that specification.

It now has a 429ci with a 750cfm 4bbl Holley, mated to a C6 transmission going to what appears to be a 9" rear end. The interior is fitted with what seem to be period Recaro seats which are relatively comfortable though shabby, a 14" MOMO steering wheel, which is just wrong, and a B & M Star Shifter which is sticky as hell, hopefully just due to poor cable routing. It did have racing harnesses fitted which are now confined to a box, having been temporarily replaced by lap straps until I decide on the new seating arrangements.

The bodywork is a mess though mainly solid. Structurally it seems sound, having had a new driver's floor section fitted so hopefully no more welding will be required. The bonnet has had a scoop added but it's not exactly been blended in and what filler has been used is now cracking so that's another job on the list. The tailgate had over 1" of filler in parts, a lot of it split and not adhering though it was held in place by the cosmetic stripes which seemed to be black insulation tape.

When I initially viewed the car, I was told by the vendor that it needed front pads and top ball joints which he kindly supplied. I wasn't aware at the time that it wanted a bit more than this, though I had actually budgeted for a few other things. The brakes are now finished, the only original parts being the actual discs themselves and the rear drums. New callipers, pads (supplied) rubber hoses back and front, master cylinder, rear shoes, cylinders and even the return and hold down springs. As for the suspension, new track control arms and top wishbones have now been fitted so hopefully a bit more of it is now sorted out.

There was an oil leak from the back of the sump so that's been removed to fit a new gasket. Unfortunately, someone has previously decided to paint the inside of the sump pan with what looks like a red lead type substance. No idea why but the last thing I need is a load of paint flaking off and getting sucked up into the pump. I'm just hoping I've caught it in time though it does appear to be stable and is proving a nightmare to remove so it's sticking well. After this is finished, I'll get the new diff pinion seal fitted and all being well I'll have a leak free car. smile

I'm hoping to get it temporarily out this weekend as I need to get the alignment sorted and a leaky tyre fixed. It'll be one of the few times I've driven it since I bought it at the end of July, so will hopefully have a nice little run around in it before I start getting bits of bodywork sorted out. I have an awful amount of this to do but it will be done in stages as I don't think it wants or needs a full respray.

I know that these are not to everyone's taste, with many preferring the El Camino or a proper pick-up like a C10 or F100, but I really fell in love with the looks of the 1970 model and had to have it. A lot prefer the '69 but this one is my favourite and the better looking one.

Very limited on pictures at the moment due to the car spending most of its time in my tenure up in the air on a lift, though I think that this is my favourite one: -




I'll hopefully post more as work progresses though, as I'm an old git, this could take some time...
Way, way better looking than Chevy's eqivalent - like!

PTE993

126 posts

216 months

Saturday 17th September 2022
quotequote all
DodgyGeezer said:
PTE993 said:
Working and living in Dubai for a while...despite the lure of ubiquitous G63's decided that a Challenger was the way to go :-) A 2017 392 Hemi which feels like the sweet spot to me (Hellcat underpinnings...daily driveable 6.4L engine). My hope is I can bring it back to the UK when I return.

I've seen quite a few people on FB have brought their cars back from ME so it can be done (in fact there's a guy in the Midlands who specialises in bringing ME car to the UK for sale, worth contacting him>)



daveenty said:
I
Very limited on pictures at the moment due to the car spending most of its time in my tenure up in the air on a lift, though I think that this is my favourite one: -




I'll hopefully post more as work progresses though, as I'm an old git, this could take some time...
more pics is always good - nice looking toy tbh
Thank you for the heads up on the guy in the Midlands. Good to know. I'll look him up

sidewinder500

1,150 posts

95 months

Wednesday 21st September 2022
quotequote all
Picked the C2 up yesterday, ride home was in traffic, so a good test. No overheating or issues whatsoever, great!
Garage too small and too steep, and a chore to manœuvre, but not the car's fault.
With the hardtop on a lot of rattling and wind noise, test drive was with top down of course, but planning to go either topless or softtop up, so no issue either.
Engine is the hi-po one with mild cams, with 350 hp, but you have to dig deep to find them all, but above 3.500 rpm it goes quite well, surprised meself and a few others as well!
Other than parking the missing P/S is not really missed, everything works except for the radio (who needs that anyway), and it is a surprisingly comfy cruiser.
And isn't it a looker?



Drove almost 100 miles today, and I am smitten.
Wonderful car...

aeropilot

34,671 posts

228 months

Wednesday 21st September 2022
quotequote all
sidewinder500 said:
Picked the C2 up yesterday, ride home was in traffic, so a good test. No overheating or issues whatsoever, great!
Garage too small and too steep, and a chore to manœuvre, but not the car's fault.
With the hardtop on a lot of rattling and wind noise, test drive was with top down of course, but planning to go either topless or softtop up, so no issue either.
Engine is the hi-po one with mild cams, with 350 hp, but you have to dig deep to find them all, but above 3.500 rpm it goes quite well, surprised meself and a few others as well!
Other than parking the missing P/S is not really missed, everything works except for the radio (who needs that anyway), and it is a surprisingly comfy cruiser.
And isn't it a looker?



Drove almost 100 miles today, and I am smitten.
Wonderful car...
Fantastic.........I really regret not buying a C2 when I had the chance back in 2007/8, when £>$ rate was 2:1 and they were very affordable, even for a 65 or 66 big block frown


sidewinder500

1,150 posts

95 months

Wednesday 21st September 2022
quotequote all
aeropilot said:
sidewinder500 said:
Picked the C2 up yesterday, ride home was in traffic, so a good test. No overheating or issues whatsoever, great!
Garage too small and too steep, and a chore to manœuvre, but not the car's fault.
With the hardtop on a lot of rattling and wind noise, test drive was with top down of course, but planning to go either topless or softtop up, so no issue either.
Engine is the hi-po one with mild cams, with 350 hp, but you have to dig deep to find them all, but above 3.500 rpm it goes quite well, surprised meself and a few others as well!
Other than parking the missing P/S is not really missed, everything works except for the radio (who needs that anyway), and it is a surprisingly comfy cruiser.
And isn't it a looker?



Drove almost 100 miles today, and I am smitten.
Wonderful car...
Fantastic.........I really regret not buying a C2 when I had the chance back in 2007/8, when £>$ rate was 2:1 and they were very affordable, even for a 65 or 66 big block frown
As quoted earlier, I almost missed that boat at the end of '21/beginning of '22 as well, when I was not committed enough to place a deposit on a really nice '66.
Had that several times, being hesitant made a lot of nice cars slip through, cheap ones as well!
Not this time then, and the agreed price was very reasonable.

Reg the BB, seriously I think a sorted 327 is enough for a C2, my 427 Camaro is someway more mature as a car to accept the bigger engine, the Corvette is a little bit more finesse and less brute.
Like both, but for different reasons.

Price wise, what was the asking price for a nice one in '08?
Had the feeling they always had been around the 50k mark...

Edited by sidewinder500 on Wednesday 21st September 20:40

aeropilot

34,671 posts

228 months

Wednesday 21st September 2022
quotequote all
sidewinder500 said:
Price wise, what was the asking price for a nice one in '08?
Had the feeling they always had been around the 50k mark...
Nice 327 Coupe's were around US$50-55k mark, which with the exchange rate was GB£25-27k mark at the time, so around £30k shipped to UK with taxes paid.

When I was in California in June '08, I saw a nice driver quality '65 396 Coupe for sale, at $69k, and I heard from my mate that lived there, it could likely be had for $60k......Rally Red with red factory leather interior, factory side exhaust, tinted glass and teakwood wheel......I could have afforded it.....just......but, talked myself out of it.
C'est la vie.....



sidewinder500

1,150 posts

95 months

Wednesday 21st September 2022
quotequote all
aeropilot said:
sidewinder500 said:
Price wise, what was the asking price for a nice one in '08?
Had the feeling they always had been around the 50k mark...
Nice 327 Coupe's were around US$50-55k mark, which with the exchange rate was GB£25-27k mark at the time, so around £30k shipped to UK with taxes paid.

When I was in California in June '08, I saw a nice driver quality '65 396 Coupe for sale, at $69k, and I heard from my mate that lived there, it could likely be had for $60k......Rally Red with red factory leather interior, factory side exhaust, tinted glass and teakwood wheel......I could have afforded it.....just......but, talked myself out of it.
C'est la vie.....
That's really cheap then, can feel that pain...
That's why I stopped being hesitant and go all in, if the itch has to be scratched and the means are available.
Missed way too many nice ones because I thought it will get cheaper or better or whatever.
Nice Foxbody convertible for 3k..., can you imagine?
And I thought, well have to invest a further 2 - 3 k to make it perfect, nah, too much.

Stupid me...

Not anymore!

rat rod

4,997 posts

66 months

Wednesday 21st September 2022
quotequote all
sidewinder500 said:
Picked the C2 up yesterday, ride home was in traffic, so a good test. No overheating or issues whatsoever, great!
Garage too small and too steep, and a chore to manœuvre, but not the car's fault.
With the hardtop on a lot of rattling and wind noise, test drive was with top down of course, but planning to go either topless or softtop up, so no issue either.
Engine is the hi-po one with mild cams, with 350 hp, but you have to dig deep to find them all, but above 3.500 rpm it goes quite well, surprised meself and a few others as well!
Other than parking the missing P/S is not really missed, everything works except for the radio (who needs that anyway), and it is a surprisingly comfy cruiser.
And isn't it a looker?



Drove almost 100 miles today, and I am smitten.
Wonderful car...
Wow,that's stunning, this is one of those cars that really suit white ,

Regret selling my C2 white roadster, didn't have a hard top but looked great with the roof down,

Paid £12K,sold it for £14,500 after 18 months of fun,thought i swam the channel then, rolleyes

Overtook a white C2 with hard top on the way back from Goodwood on Friday ,turned out to be

Dave Wright and his wife Sue.



aeropilot

34,671 posts

228 months

Wednesday 21st September 2022
quotequote all
rat rod said:
Overtook a white C2 with hard top on the way back from Goodwood on Friday ,turned out to be

Dave Wright and his wife Sue.
The C2 is Sue's car IIRC.


some bloke

1,057 posts

68 months

Thursday 22nd September 2022
quotequote all
Great looking car, Sidewinder