One of my many dream cars, but 180 bhp from 5.7 V8.
Discussion
I just love the shape of these but good heavens, 180 bhp?? from a 5.7 V8. With an auto box it must be so slow, nice to cruise about in but you would want a bit of fun now and again.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chevrolet-Corvette-C3-St...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chevrolet-Corvette-C3-St...
Edited by randomeddy on Thursday 12th October 19:12
A bit of googling suggests max torque 270 Lb ft and 0-60 in 8.5 secs, so brisk for its time. I reckon it could be fun, but for less money you could have a much better C4.- here's a cheap example: Just a matter of taste!
http://claremont.corvette.co.uk/?p=5909
http://claremont.corvette.co.uk/?p=5909
MuscleSaloon said:
Just fast forward to a C5 or C6 .. not much more money and just so much better.
K50 DEL said:
As mentioned, skip a few generations and go for a C6 - ran one as my daily for a few years, a cracking car and very underrated.
The thread title is: One of my many dream cars, but 180 bhp from 5.7 V8, and randomeddy stated:randomeddy said:
I just love the shape of these ......
So why would they want a more modern C6? - That's not their dream car!It's like someone posting : "I love the looks of the '68 Mustang fastback", and replying: "Skip a few generations and buy a brand new Mustang Fastback for a lot less money. It's a much better car!" - It misses the entire point of what the OP likes!
A couple of things spring to mind with this thread:
People seem to be obsessed with the power outputs of American cars from the late 70's, and due to the emissions crap that the cars had to run, they are pretty p
ss poor (I used to own a 6.6 litre '77 Trans Am that only made @200bhp - Pretty dire for an engine that size), but, the thing is, the cars were quite low geared, so they shifted pretty well off the line, but lost out at top end (My Trans Am could only muster @ 110mph IIRC).Added to that, as mentioned, the tuning possibilities with these cars are pretty endless, especially if you're not worried about originality, swap the engine out for a more powerful one - There are plenty around! (You can even shoehorn in one of the more modern LS 1~7 engines if you want some serious amounts of power).
Mercky said:
I'd feel a right bellend driving round in that........
A lot of people think that of anyone driving an American car in the UK! - I used to get it quite often when I had My '77 Trans Am. You simply have to have the mindset to not give a st what other people think of you.justinio said:
Fibreglass body though isnt it, so probably wont weigh much.....
How do people still believe this?The fibreglass on the corvette is pretty damned thick and weighs as much, if not more, as a steel body would.
justinio said:
......It wont win against modern hot hatches, but the experience of the engine noise alone might be worth it.
With modern turbo engined hot-hatches, there are plenty of old supercars that would loose out in a head to head race, never mind a 1970's Corvette!The thing is, people don't buy standard spec 1970's Corvettes to go out and try to prove that they're the fastest on the block against the hot hatches, they buy them to enjoy the experience of the car itself - The roar and rumble of the V8 engine, and the feeling of driving something a bit different to the modern boxes on wheels.
The problem is, people in the modern hot hatches seem to get a serious complex when behind the wheel, whereby they have to demonstrate how much quicker their car is than yours, either off the line, or at speed on the open road, where they have to overtake you at all costs - It really is quite strange!
All you can do is let them have their little moment of "glory" so that they can brag to their mates how they smoked a [ insert car model here ] today, and let them go on their way, knowing that it's made no difference to you whatsoever.
randomeddy said:
: If you like the 1970's Corvettes but have concerns, find one for sale and take it for a test drive to see if it's a car for you.
Also, bear in mind that performance-wise, they can be made quicker!
Also, bear in mind that performance-wise, they can be made quicker!
I've been commuting for the last 14 years in an '87 C4 Corvette. The injection makes it reasonably economical at around 32mpg and 60 comes up in about 6 sec. It handles and brakes just fine, and although its only 240bhp, the fun part is 345torks that can light up the rear 295's at will... Soundwise its awesome on its open pipes, but not uncomfortably so.
Huge load space too for our touring holidays. Its a simple car to maintain and I can get bits quickly, cheaply and fast from Rockauto. Doesn't rust either with its galvanised frame. I'm 63 and insurance is £160 with KGM.
Huge load space too for our touring holidays. Its a simple car to maintain and I can get bits quickly, cheaply and fast from Rockauto. Doesn't rust either with its galvanised frame. I'm 63 and insurance is £160 with KGM.
Strange isn't it how people read comment, quote HP figures (like 180 hp) note that "its fibreglass, it won't weigh much so it will perform well". Make further comments to the effect it will be poor handling etc. As with any old car, take three seeming identical 40 year old cars and each of them will be different.
C3's were produced from '68 through to '82. Mid/late 70's cars were right in the middle of the emissions crisis where US manufacturers had to kill power with cr ratios cut by up to 3 points. That 180 hp and the associated torque of a large engine will be the quickest and most driveable 180 hp you'll experience in a 3500 lb car. An immaculate mid to late 70's C3 can be purchased for a similar price as a restorer grade early chrome bumper C3. Swap in a higher output crate engine - or rebuild existing and transform the performance. The Corvette chassis has 4 wheel disc braking and all around independent suspension and while the design dates back to the early 1960's it is more than capable of handling 450+ HP comfortably. Fit modern rubber and just remember its not a sports car in the European idiom - more of a GT tourer really. And, yes side pipes are for drivers that are deaf in one ear - you'll only ever hear the drivers side exhaust unless driving along a walled road.
The C3 is ideal for anyone who like doing their own work - its a simple car - 95% of all parts are available (albeit potentially expensive) - C4's, whilst streets ahead in technical, driveability and performance terms can have have their own issues in terms of electronics and trim/interior but will usually be less expensive to purchase.
C3's were produced from '68 through to '82. Mid/late 70's cars were right in the middle of the emissions crisis where US manufacturers had to kill power with cr ratios cut by up to 3 points. That 180 hp and the associated torque of a large engine will be the quickest and most driveable 180 hp you'll experience in a 3500 lb car. An immaculate mid to late 70's C3 can be purchased for a similar price as a restorer grade early chrome bumper C3. Swap in a higher output crate engine - or rebuild existing and transform the performance. The Corvette chassis has 4 wheel disc braking and all around independent suspension and while the design dates back to the early 1960's it is more than capable of handling 450+ HP comfortably. Fit modern rubber and just remember its not a sports car in the European idiom - more of a GT tourer really. And, yes side pipes are for drivers that are deaf in one ear - you'll only ever hear the drivers side exhaust unless driving along a walled road.
The C3 is ideal for anyone who like doing their own work - its a simple car - 95% of all parts are available (albeit potentially expensive) - C4's, whilst streets ahead in technical, driveability and performance terms can have have their own issues in terms of electronics and trim/interior but will usually be less expensive to purchase.
randomeddy said:
I just love the shape of these but good heavens, 180 bhp?? from a 5.7 V8. With an auto box it must be so slow, nice to cruise about in but you would want a bit of fun now and again.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chevrolet-Corvette-C3-St...
just imagine how slow Jags, BMW’s, Mercs and many others of the same era would have been. Considering most would have made less power and less torque and might have weighed more too. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chevrolet-Corvette-C3-St...
Edited by randomeddy on Thursday 12th October 19:12
Btw any 350 SBC can be made to perform. Low CR, restrictive heads and small carb normally the culprits.
Do a head and cam swap. Slap a descent carb on it and a full exhaust and it’ll make 350hp+ no probs. Lots of other ways to get even more power from them.
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