Vet76te

I've been a long time C3 owner / driver and I'm considering adding a 1967 convertible to my garage. My question is.....how does a C2 compare to driving a C3? I am assuming they would ride and drive very similar. Is this correct?

5thvet

Probably depends on the year of the C3. In the early C3 years they are very similar.

Don

Vet76te

I currently have a stock 1971 convertible 270hp / 350 and a 1975 L82 4spd coupe.

big block ken

I've owned several of both, and even though I prefer the C2 for shows and collectability, I think the C3 is a more comfortable ride. There's a big difference between leaning back in a C3 seat and sitting up straight and close to the steering wheel in a C2. But then I'm 6'4", so don't ask me!

toddalin

The seats in my '64 are much more comfortable than the back breakers on my '70 were.

Mike67nv

Coincidentally, I had a ’67 300HP 4-speed that I drove for 3+ years before trading it in on a new ’71 270HP 4-speed. Both were coupes, but respective year coupe to convertible weights were very close with the ’71’s gaining 200+ pounds.

Due to the lower compression and horsepower of the base engine, the ’71 was noticeably slower. This was somewhat of a surprise to me at the time. I was thinking with the extra cubic inches and the same torque, that performance would be about equal, but it was not. So, no matter what engine you get in a ’67, I think you will notice better (faster) performance over a ’71 270HP.

The ’67 also felt more nimble in the handling category. Intuitively, you would think the ‘71’s wider track and wider tires would make it corner better, but the extra 200 pounds takes it toll.

In terms of creature comforts, the ’71 was much improved – ventilation, radio, fiber optics, etc. Like big block ken said, the seating and steering wheel positions made the ’71 more comfortable to drive.

Bottom line, I think you will like the “feel” of a C2, it will definitely give you a more “seat of the pants” experience.

SonnyAK

Good point about the 'feel' of a C2. I much prefer the drive/ride of my '66, but my '78 is definitely a more comfortable car since they refined the creature comforts by then. I previously had a '72 years ago and it was much more in line with the '66, with just a slight edge on the comfort. When it comes to 'feel' and overall drive satisfaction, I'll take a C2 any day!!

MasterDave

C3 bodies pinch in at the top door area making it a bit tight, C2's are wider there. Driveability? Hard to say.......

Vet76te

Thanks for all the responses guys!! One last question....I can jump in my 71 and drive it anywhere. It can cruise at 70 - 75mph all day long with traffic.

I drove my 75 up to Kentucky, (from B'ham, Al), to the Corvette Homecoming running with everyone else in our car club.

I then drove my 71 up to the mountains and did the Tail of the Dragon.

Will a good condition mid-year be able to do the same?

65GGvert

If you want to cruise at 70-75 all day long, you may want a 3.08 rear. That will put you around 2600 rpm's.

Tampa Jerry

I have a 68 and a 66. As others have said, the C3 offers a more comfortable ride because of the seat placement. I am 6'1" and the 68 has more leg room than my 66. The C3 also has wider tires, so in their stock form, the C3 has the advantage. As far as drawing attention, the C2 has it all over the C3. Just my opinion. Jerry

ifitgoesfast

Aren't the frames and suspension the same C2 to early C3?

Tampa Jerry

Yes the frames are mostly the same. The C3 bodies at the wheel wells are larger allowing wider tires. The 68 had 7" wide wheels and the 69 and up had 8" wheels. Jerry

Daren67

I agree with all comments above. Lastly the nose on a C3 is longer than you can see. The C2 is easier to park.

sub006

You don't recline as much in a C2, the cockpit is roomier and the coupe luggage space is huge. Three across CAN sit or ride in an early C2.

Nobody retrofits skinny tires on a C3 but wider tires make a nice handling improvement on a C2. In retrospect I've always felt they should have flared the '67 and put 7" wheels and 70-series tires on the final C2. They'd be even MORE valuable than the earlier Sting Rays today.

63Corvette

The C2 coupe has a realtively good field of view, while the C3 Coupe has a view (relatively) like a pill box.

Craftsman51

I still own my 67 Coupe and sold my 77 C2 many years ago but I did own both at the same time. As others have said, the C2 was easier to see out of and park, the C3 is hard to judge where the front end is both parking and making tight, slow turns. The C3 had the C2 beat in comfort with AC, power windows, PS, PB and etc. but the C2 is much more responsive (the C3 was an L48 and the C2 is a 327/300) both in acceleration and handling. I liked the C3 but when it came time to downsize it was an easy decision to keep the C2.