When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Perhaps this is inevitable but there seems to be very few C1s at car shows these days. We have a "Weekend of Wheels" in Grand Rapids, MN
every July. There are two fairly large shows, one Saturday and one Sunday. Each has over 200 cars. That's pretty good for rural Minnesota. Last year I took a first place in the Corvette Class (1953 to 2000) with my '57. There were several C2s and C3s along with many C5s - C7s even though the newest ones were there for show only, no judging. I didn't enter this year due to health reasons.
This year there was only one C1, a 1959 that had belonged to a guy killed in the Vietnam war. His brother rescued it after it has been sold a few times and had restored it. There was a nice write up about it on display.
Where are all the C1s? Sitting in garages collecting dust?
At our annual "Vettes at the Beach" show in Sylvan Beach, NY (It's tomorrow, by the way), we typically draw about 400-500 Corvettes from the Northeast, and I have noticed as well that there aren't that many C1s anymore - maybe 30 or so. I always make it a point to get my 1962 out - the crowd really loves to see these cars, and I wish more C1 owners would do the same. I know there are quite a few local cars that don't show up, or their owners have multiple Corvettes and choose to bring their newest one rather than "risk" driving the C1. That's too bad, half the fun of owning these cars is talking to people about them. If you're anywhere near Syracuse tomorrow, never mind the possible rain in the forecast, come on out and enjoy a great show and many great Corvettes. It's all for fund raising for local charities the Syracuse Corvette Club supports.
It seems that people are not driving them as much as they used to and this is all over from what others tell me. Last spring, we were at an ALL CORVETTE show with over 200 cars and my 59 was the ONLY C-1, there was maybe 2 midyears and a couple of C-3's. All the rest were much newer and those people could have cared less about the older ones. I left after an hour, and took a ride instead. Personally, I enjoy just driving them and don't need /want any more trophies anyway, but I don't see near as many on the roads cruising as I used to either. I don't get it...............maybe it's people are worried about driving with all the texting loones or other careless drivers or else they are saving them for a museum.
Drive carefully YES by all means, but DO get out and drive them
Few C1s have air conditioning, most -- hell ALL leak prodigiously; so not many are driven that much this time of year unless you are a hard core enthusiast. However, before I sold mine I drove the snot out of it and maybe would see 1 or 2 others in the course of a month at car shows. I do think they are becoming rarely seen for lots of reasons.
You can drive as carefully as you like; some aggressive, uninsured @hole can wipe you out with a single thoughtless maneuver. Mentally steel yourself that that is a possibility...carry good insurance and be careful when and where you drive these cars. They aren't safe in a collision.
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; 07-30-2016 at 04:37 PM.
As the age of the owners increases, they are less likely to have the physical ability and motivation to drive them. And sit out in the weather at shows.
Young people, even family members, can't identify with them like we can, and have no interest in museum pieces.
We have a monthly (April-September) cars and coffee here in Colorado Springs with about 300-400 cars of all makes showing up. I would say we have 3-4 C1s, 5-7 C2s, 5-6 C3s and another 10-15 C4-7s.
As the age of the owners increases, they are less likely to have the physical ability and motivation to drive them. And sit out in the weather at shows.
Young people, even family members, can't identify with them like we can, and have no interest in museum pieces.
Barring high-end restomods, this is pretty much what I found to be the case in my 10 years of '61 ownership. The interest has waned.
My split window is a completely different beast it seems, everybody and their dog, and the dogs' fleas, seem to know what that car is -- and love it
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared))
2019 C1 of Year Finalist (track prepared)
Abdo, was the Grand Rapids show (about 70 miles from me) this weekend?
I've been meaning to bring my '57 for the last 4 summers, but it seems I always have a conflict.
Frankie, the AC excuse would be a little weak here. Mid 70s for highs. I like answering the same questions over and over... as long as they're from different people. I think it keeps the interest in the cars going. And the C1s I've owned have always outdrawn my C2s for appreciation at the shows and on the street, though this '57 doesn't play well at a small town show. I'm leaving it the way it was when it left the track, so some people walk away shaking their heads after seeing my beat up racer sitting next to all the pretty, perfect shiny street rods.
Maybe next year, Abdo!
PS Will I see you at the Bemidji Dairy Queen tonight?
I know what you mean, I've got a 59 driver and am always surprised at the lack of reaction it gets. The exception to that is mostly guys over 60 who want to look and talk about it.
Hmmm...I plan to drive my '60 and take it out as often as possible. I've officially owned it for about a month.
I'm 41 and have known the car my whole life - Dad bought it in '62. So it was in around well before me!
My wife and I had it out on a Sunday for a nice 40 mile cruise and stopped at a local coffee shop. It drew a ton of attention and I had to smile as I sat there on the patio and watched folks stop and take pictures. Answered some questions as well.
However, it has been oppressively hot and humid here the last week or so and I really don't feel like riding around when it's 95 plus 100% humidity. Even in the early AM it's been almost 80. So, once the weather breaks a bit, I'll be back at it.
For the local cruise night here, there's usually at least a couple of solid axles...so, there are around, but not in large numbers.
At our local car club events, we usually have 3 C1's show up on a regular basis, a 59, a 60 and my 57. My car is closest of the 3 for being all-original, and I get a lot of folks who appreciate the fact that I actually DRIVE it. I can relate to the age concern, for the older I get, the less fun it is to maintain these old cars, and the more cautiously I try to drive. Too many idiots on road, and the number seems to be rapidly increasing!
I am leaving my '60 at home and bringing my C7 Z06 to Carlisle. I hate to say it....but a much more comfortable ride. I do take the car to local shows and mine is usually one of about 4 that might be there.
Abdo, was the Grand Rapids show (about 70 miles from me) this weekend?
I've been meaning to bring my '57 for the last 4 summers, but it seems I always have a conflict.
Frankie, the AC excuse would be a little weak here. Mid 70s for highs. I like answering the same questions over and over... as long as they're from different people. I think it keeps the interest in the cars going. And the C1s I've owned have always outdrawn my C2s for appreciation at the shows and on the street, though this '57 doesn't play well at a small town show. I'm leaving it the way it was when it left the track, so some people walk away shaking their heads after seeing my beat up racer sitting next to all the pretty, perfect shiny street rods.
Maybe next year, Abdo!
PS Will I see you at the Bemidji Dairy Queen tonight?
Todd: The show I described in my post was today and hosted by the Northern Cruisers. The show tomorrow is put on by the Chamber of Commerce and is at the fairgrounds. You can still make it. I plan to get over there for a few hours.
I am leaving my '60 at home and bringing my C7 Z06 to Carlisle. I hate to say it....but a much more comfortable ride. I do take the car to local shows and mine is usually one of about 4 that might be there.
It is what it is!
I do the same every year when going to Carlisle - we take the C6 convertible, it's just a nicer, more comfortable car for long trips. I do take the '62 out about 6 or 7 times per year to the local shows.
Had a C7 only Corvette show a while back not fare from me took the 55 to look and not one question like "nice Corvette" but two questions asking me what it was I get more interest stopping to get gas then at most any Corvette or Car show!
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C1 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by Brian VH McHale
If I had to sit at a car show and answer the same questions a bazillion times I'd shoot myself. I'd rather spend the morning driving my car. JMHO
^^^ ......Most of us are older guys who have been there done that many times before. Myself.....I'm sick of all the idiotic same old questions and rather than risk being rude to people I'd rather just be a spectator and leave mine at home. And THEN, there are the idiots who like to steal *****, gas caps....blah blah....
I still don't mind all the questions - at least not yet. I am always entertained by the young guys trying to impress their girlfriends with their encyclopedic automotive knowledge - NOT.
07-30-2016, 03:02 PM
Lack of C1s at car shows
I get more interest stopping to get gas then at most any Corvette or Car show! 
......Most of us are older guys who have been there done that many times before. Myself.....I'm sick of all the idiotic same old questions and rather than risk being rude to people I'd rather just be a spectator and leave mine at home. And THEN, there are the idiots who like to steal *****, gas caps....blah blah....
