Discussion
I love the look of these things, especially with the mako paint job. What are they like to drive? maybe one day....
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=18301&item=4520405117&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=18301&item=4520405117&rd=1
Cliff..try this link it also has the specs etc as well....see you the weekend for the big fit...
www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame.php?file=car.php&carnum=889
www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame.php?file=car.php&carnum=889
lanciachris said:
I love the look of these things, especially with the mako paint job. What are they like to drive? maybe one day....
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=18301&item=4520405117&rd=1
you want to look in classifieds you do, some guy is flogging a red monster
ZR1cliff said:
Ime gonna start looking for a C3 pace car to restore soon ,ive always fancied the look of them,anyone got a picture?
Its the dark over silver colour one.
You'll probably find plenty of pics on the C3 section of corvetteforum. If you want to restore one then get the best you can afford. In fact get one with a wrecked motor/trans as that's the cheap part. The interior is expensive to restore & don't even mention paintwork to me!
My impressions of part prices is that, generally, anything still made by GM is very resonable (eg a vicous fan clutch is 3/4 the price of one for a Granada) but stuff made by aftermarket suppliers is a lot more as they can effectively charge what they want. Lot's of stuff available as used & a lot can be restored with some time & effort. As with any car it's the silly bits that add up eg weather strips. Oh yes, what are they like to drive? Assuming that the suspension, brakes & steering aren't worn out (as a lot seem to be), ****ing brilliant
It's addictive. My 1st impression after driving mine (which still stands) is that it's a cross between driving a large go-cart & boat. Really! I think the boat bit comes from the body not having any flex as a "normal" car does. On hitting large bumps it's the same noise a speedboat makes when hitting a wave, hence the feeling that you're driving a boat. Handling, contrary to what the media says, isn't bad at all & they're great fun on twisty A roads. The brakes, if working correctly & in good condition are adequate. Not good, not bad, just OK for the job IMHO. Trouble is, even after 4 years I'm still never sure where the front actually is when I'm parking it 
Just out of interest, did you see this...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4519263504&ssPageName=STRK:MEDW:IT
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4519263504&ssPageName=STRK:MEDW:IT
V7TTE said:
Just out of interest, did you see this...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4519263504&ssPageName=STRK:MEDW:IT
The photos do it no justice. The one of the engine bay shows more rust than shiney bits and the interior looks like someone emptied a Hoover bag into it. Shame really as I know Timon and the car is really nice - just goes to show how important presentation leading to first impressions can be.........
V7TTE said:
Just out of interest, did you see this...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4519263504&ssPageName=STRK:MEDW:IT
Interesting list of bidders !
http://chevroletcorvette.free.fr/images/1977a.jpg
They are big and they are bad . . .
www.algonet.se/~gberg/corvette/1977v.jpg
They are macho . . .
http://musclecar-logbook.net/GMC/1973_Corvette__0243b.jpg
Best open Vette I know . . .
www.allmusclecars.com/corvette/red_73_corvette.htm
Oei, nicer!
www.seriouswheels.com/1970-1979/1972-Chevrolet-Corvette-Green-Custom-RA.htm
Starsky and Hutch should have driven this one . . . look at those sidepipes . . .
www.genesisautosales.com/dc/Corvette/1969%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Stingray%20427%20Roadster%20(Plum)%20f3q.jpg
I want one with a 427 . . .
They are big and they are bad . . .
www.algonet.se/~gberg/corvette/1977v.jpg
They are macho . . .
http://musclecar-logbook.net/GMC/1973_Corvette__0243b.jpg
Best open Vette I know . . .
www.allmusclecars.com/corvette/red_73_corvette.htm
Oei, nicer!
www.seriouswheels.com/1970-1979/1972-Chevrolet-Corvette-Green-Custom-RA.htm
Starsky and Hutch should have driven this one . . . look at those sidepipes . . .
www.genesisautosales.com/dc/Corvette/1969%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Stingray%20427%20Roadster%20(Plum)%20f3q.jpg
%20f3q.jpg){kind=link}
I want one with a 427 . . .
lanciachris said:
So what are they actually like to drive? I understand they have hugely overboosted power steering, but what about everything else? Anybody own one?
It all depends on what you're after. They're not up to much by today's standards as far as handling is concerned, though they aren't near as bad as people would have you believe. I've only ever driven mine so I can't comment generally, but it was better than I was expecting. Bare in mind though, before driving mine I replaced all the bushes and put new shocks on, so it will probably be a bit better than the average car. But saying that, the bushes and shocks weren't upgrades, just stock replacements.
I remember when I first got it, one time I got a bit carried away and went barrelling into a corner way too quickly, I was sure I was going to bin it. I was amazed that the car gripped, held the road and took the corner. That was probably the most impressed I've ever been in a car. I mean, sure I've driven cars that I could have taken that corner in at much higher speed, but I was new to the car (and American cars) after however many years of "yanks drive like boats", "won't go round corners" and the like and it put such a grin on my face (though that could have been relief at not dying
). For all people's moaning about handling (dare I mention leaf springs 
), I'd be suprised if there were many British cars of that size from the late 60's and 70's that would handle as well... I think that what you need to remember when you're driving them and assessing the handling is that they (generally) are sitting on very high profile tyres. Mine are 255/60/15. So regardless of the setup of the car you're going to have some issues caused by that alone. The let down for me is the way the back end comes out. It's unpredictable and sudden and when it does come out it will come out rather sharpish. Then when I correct it for a second nothing seems to happen and just as I feel panic rising it will slam back into line just as quickly as it got out of shape. How much of this is tyres, my specific car or my poor driving, I cannot say
The steering is vague and it's not helped by the huge wheel or the fact that to fit my fat legs I have it tilted right up so it's more angled (picture a bus driver
). But then as far as I can tell my steering system is original and untouched so I can forgive it a little play after 28 years of use. A rebuild may improve things and I hear positive things about the Steeroids rack and pinion conversion kit. I hear that the brakes with the original lip seal calliper design are a real weak point. When I got mine all 4 were shafted so I chose Vette Brakes Products improved 'O' ring design callipers, some stainless steel hoses and new pads. They are superb. They're better than the brakes on my TVR (maybe not saying a lot) and they're better than the brakes on the brand new Corsa I currently have as a courtesy car.
It's also great around town suprisingly and if wasn't for petrol prices I'd probably use mine as a daily driver (I've used it as such in the past). The clutch is light and the big lazy v8 will happily pull you along at tickover. Though I may get sick of the people winding their windows down in traffic to ask me how bad the gas mileage is
I think I'd better cut this off before you're all sent to sleep...I think your thoughts and enjoyment from driving a C3 will be determined by what you want to do with it. If you're looking for a sports car to use on tight, twisty, country roads, get a Caterham. Or a C5/C6. If you want something a little (or lot) different, with lots of style and charisma that you can use more for cruising than hooning then there can't be many things to beat a C3.
I'll go along with that. Power steering is a little vague although not as light as other yanks. Handling is reasonable considering age and certainly better than other pony cars from same period.Yes the back can come out without provocation, not too sure whether it will go back in quick enough though. Mine has 'gymkana' suspension. This is great for 'A' road use if a little unforgiving on poor surface roads a lower speeds. Interestingly with sensible sized tyres 'tramlining' on motorway ruts is vever really an issue.
It all depends on what you're after. They're not up to much by today's standards as far as handling is concerned, though they aren't near as bad as people would have you believe. I've only ever driven mine so I can't comment generally, but it was better than I was expecting. Bare in mind though, before driving mine I replaced all the bushes and put new shocks on, so it will probably be a bit better than the average car. But saying that, the bushes and shocks weren't upgrades, just stock replacements.
I remember when I first got it, one time I got a bit carried away and went barrelling into a corner way too quickly, I was sure I was going to bin it. I was amazed that the car gripped, held the road and took the corner. That was probably the most impressed I've ever been in a car. I mean, sure I've driven cars that I could have taken that corner in at much higher speed, but I was new to the car (and American cars) after however many years of "yanks drive like boats", "won't go round corners" and the like and it put such a grin on my face (though that could have been relief at not dying). For all people's moaning about handling (dare I mention leaf springs ), I'd be suprised if there were many British cars of that size from the late 60's and 70's that would handle as well...
I think that what you need to remember when you're driving them and assessing the handling is that they (generally) are sitting on very high profile tyres. Mine are 255/60/15. So regardless of the setup of the car you're going to have some issues caused by that alone. The let down for me is the way the back end comes out. It's unpredictable and sudden and when it does come out it will come out rather sharpish. Then when I correct it for a second nothing seems to happen and just as I feel panic rising it will slam back into line just as quickly as it got out of shape. How much of this is tyres, my specific car or my poor driving, I cannot say
The steering is vague and it's not helped by the huge wheel or the fact that to fit my fat legs I have it tilted right up so it's more angled (picture a bus driver). But then as far as I can tell my steering system is original and untouched so I can forgive it a little play after 28 years of use. A rebuild may improve things and I hear positive things about the Steeroids rack and pinion conversion kit.
I hear that the brakes with the original lip seal calliper design are a real weak point. When I got mine all 4 were shafted so I chose Vette Brakes Products improved 'O' ring design callipers, some stainless steel hoses and new pads. They are superb. They're better than the brakes on my TVR (maybe not saying a lot) and they're better than the brakes on the brand new Corsa I currently have as a courtesy car.
It's also great around town suprisingly and if wasn't for petrol prices I'd probably use mine as a daily driver (I've used it as such in the past). The clutch is light and the big lazy v8 will happily pull you along at tickover. Though I may get sick of the people winding their windows down in traffic to ask me how bad the gas mileage is
I think I'd better cut this off before you're all sent to sleep...I think your thoughts and enjoyment from driving a C3 will be determined by what you want to do with it. If you're looking for a sports car to use on tight, twisty, country roads, get a Caterham. Or a C5/C6. If you want something a little (or lot) different, with lots of style and charisma that you can use more for cruising than hooning then there can't be many things to beat a C3.[/quote]
It all depends on what you're after. They're not up to much by today's standards as far as handling is concerned, though they aren't near as bad as people would have you believe. I've only ever driven mine so I can't comment generally, but it was better than I was expecting. Bare in mind though, before driving mine I replaced all the bushes and put new shocks on, so it will probably be a bit better than the average car. But saying that, the bushes and shocks weren't upgrades, just stock replacements.
I remember when I first got it, one time I got a bit carried away and went barrelling into a corner way too quickly, I was sure I was going to bin it. I was amazed that the car gripped, held the road and took the corner. That was probably the most impressed I've ever been in a car. I mean, sure I've driven cars that I could have taken that corner in at much higher speed, but I was new to the car (and American cars) after however many years of "yanks drive like boats", "won't go round corners" and the like and it put such a grin on my face (though that could have been relief at not dying
). For all people's moaning about handling (dare I mention leaf springs ), I'd be suprised if there were many British cars of that size from the late 60's and 70's that would handle as well... I think that what you need to remember when you're driving them and assessing the handling is that they (generally) are sitting on very high profile tyres. Mine are 255/60/15. So regardless of the setup of the car you're going to have some issues caused by that alone. The let down for me is the way the back end comes out. It's unpredictable and sudden and when it does come out it will come out rather sharpish. Then when I correct it for a second nothing seems to happen and just as I feel panic rising it will slam back into line just as quickly as it got out of shape. How much of this is tyres, my specific car or my poor driving, I cannot say
The steering is vague and it's not helped by the huge wheel or the fact that to fit my fat legs I have it tilted right up so it's more angled (picture a bus driver
). But then as far as I can tell my steering system is original and untouched so I can forgive it a little play after 28 years of use. A rebuild may improve things and I hear positive things about the Steeroids rack and pinion conversion kit. I hear that the brakes with the original lip seal calliper design are a real weak point. When I got mine all 4 were shafted so I chose Vette Brakes Products improved 'O' ring design callipers, some stainless steel hoses and new pads. They are superb. They're better than the brakes on my TVR (maybe not saying a lot) and they're better than the brakes on the brand new Corsa I currently have as a courtesy car.
It's also great around town suprisingly and if wasn't for petrol prices I'd probably use mine as a daily driver (I've used it as such in the past). The clutch is light and the big lazy v8 will happily pull you along at tickover. Though I may get sick of the people winding their windows down in traffic to ask me how bad the gas mileage is
I think I'd better cut this off before you're all sent to sleep...I think your thoughts and enjoyment from driving a C3 will be determined by what you want to do with it. If you're looking for a sports car to use on tight, twisty, country roads, get a Caterham. Or a C5/C6. If you want something a little (or lot) different, with lots of style and charisma that you can use more for cruising than hooning then there can't be many things to beat a C3.[/quote]
lanciachris said:
So what are they actually like to drive? I understand they have hugely overboosted power steering, but what about everything else? Anybody own one?
Only if they have power steering at all!
Mine doesn't.... (or power brakes for that matter)
And it's great...
Pauly
>> Edited by popkid on Wednesday 2nd February 16:54
I'll make it quick!
Well, I've got a C4 and often used to think that the C3 would be, by comparison, a nightmare on the handling front. I rode in a friend's 1980 C3 and on him giving it a bootful out of a tee junction found it to have surprisingly similar capabilities. I think to summarise how Vette's should handle (let's face it, there are lots of adjustments/parts that could be worn on Vette suspension that may make your car not corner/brake as Chevrolet intended...)
i) Suspension is generally quite hard, and so broken up rode surfaces will always make a Vette feel 'nervous'
ii) Chassis rigidity not the best, adds a bit to i) above
iii) Vettes of C3 and 4 generations are generally well endowed with rubber, on smooth road surfaces this generally makes a huge difference.
iv) Feedback from a Vette is often a little weird compared to more modern machines. My old Corrado (now gone...) and my MX5 communicate much better, but ultimately didn't feature such high limits. However, touch wood, apart from a track based spin off (totally over confident on my part), I have never had a serious 'moment' in my Vette, and remember this being a car that in the wet will happily spin its wheels at speeds over 50mph. Mostly just lifting off slightly will have the car sort itself out.
Mine is a C4, so if any C3 owners disagree with this than I'd be glad to know, it's jsut I was surprised by just how similar a late C3 was,
Francis.
Well, I've got a C4 and often used to think that the C3 would be, by comparison, a nightmare on the handling front. I rode in a friend's 1980 C3 and on him giving it a bootful out of a tee junction found it to have surprisingly similar capabilities. I think to summarise how Vette's should handle (let's face it, there are lots of adjustments/parts that could be worn on Vette suspension that may make your car not corner/brake as Chevrolet intended...)
i) Suspension is generally quite hard, and so broken up rode surfaces will always make a Vette feel 'nervous'
ii) Chassis rigidity not the best, adds a bit to i) above
iii) Vettes of C3 and 4 generations are generally well endowed with rubber, on smooth road surfaces this generally makes a huge difference.
iv) Feedback from a Vette is often a little weird compared to more modern machines. My old Corrado (now gone...) and my MX5 communicate much better, but ultimately didn't feature such high limits. However, touch wood, apart from a track based spin off (totally over confident on my part), I have never had a serious 'moment' in my Vette, and remember this being a car that in the wet will happily spin its wheels at speeds over 50mph. Mostly just lifting off slightly will have the car sort itself out.
Mine is a C4, so if any C3 owners disagree with this than I'd be glad to know, it's jsut I was surprised by just how similar a late C3 was,
Francis.
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