theblackvette

Getting a c3 corvette with no power steering or power brakes.....

something to avoid at all costs?

JimmyS5600

Not to me,not a fan of power strg. It would lead to a limited market when trying to sell

TWINRAY

My '67 has no (power robbing) options but to be honest with you, I would like my '69 less without the Power Steering and probably more without the Power brakes.

theblackvette

I guess I will have to find a local chrome bumper corvette with no power steering and try it myself and see what it is like.

Let me ask you this.....

If I am at a traffic light, left turn lane at full stop. Left arrow shows and I need to make a U turn, am I going to have to use two hands to turn the wheel to make the turn?

TWINRAY

Yes, unless you are Arnold Schwartznager

theblackvette

Well hot damn....that answers my question then.....

Thank you for the response. I must have power steering. I will have no fun driving the car without it then.

Back to the drawing board!!!!!!

NEXT!!!!!!!!

vettebuyer6369

I believe early C3s (actually, all C3s) have enhanced values with the more options you can find (air, ps, pb, tilt, pw). Auto trans is an exception.

I think this is most particularly true of coupes in today's market.

I've heard the old "power robbing" comments but never really understood them much in the C3 world.

PS/PB = better. Air? Way better.

MSUGTO

When I was looking for my C3 I thought I would try and find a car with power steering and brakes then I ame across my car which doesn't have either power steering or brakes and it's really not bad at all, does take getting used to. Heck I drive it to work everyday it's not raining.

The biggest thing with power steering is that if you're at least creeping along, the steering effort isn't nearly as hard as just sitting still and cranking the wheel one way or the other.

flyeri

When I was 16 I started driving an old 1956 Chevrolet school bus with no PS. It did take an effort to maneuver when parking or in tight situations but if a 135 lb 16 year old can do it I think most others can. We had a lot of female drivers driving the same no PS buses with no difficulty. If you have the stock width tires it will not be much of an issue. If you put wider tires on then it will begin to get more difficult. I would not walk away from a non PS car just for that reason alone especially if you like the car. You can add it in the OEM or several different versions.

Shark Racer

But AC adds 50 lbs to a 3500 lb (at a minimum) car! That's weight you can feel.

ddawson

PS is a must for me. I find not having PB isn't a big deal.

exposingtime

My 63 has manual steering and brakes. Its a pain to parallel park, but for making a turn, etc as soon as you start to roll the turn is no problem.

I would not suggest 427/454 without PS. Its alot of extra weight on the front axle.

gary

Alan 71

Hi,
A 71 sb Corvette with no power options is a pleasure to own, restore, drive, and work on.
A few would say it's the way God intended them to be.
Regards,
Alan

MSUGTO

I'd have to agree, the only options my car has is the L46, fender louver trim and redline tires! Big goofy grin is standard!

TWINRAY

Back in the mid-70's when I was a kid, I had a '68 GTO with manual steering and manual brakes and never knew the difference

ps. it also had 60 series tires. I guess we're all getting too old

gbvette62

The lack of power steering is only really noticeable, when a car is stopped, or turning at a very low speed.

The power steering used in these old Corvettes, is nothing like what modern cars have. I actually like an early Corvette, without power steering. The Corvette's old system, tended to be vague and offered very little feedback.

I wouldn't pass on a car, just because it didn't have power steering. If you had a car without power steering, and felt you really needed it, it's easy to add to an old Corvette. All of the Corvette vendors, sell a power steering conversion kit for around $800. It has all you need to do the conversion, and it uses all stock parts, so it doesn't effect the car's value. It can all be installed by any mechanic, in a few hours.

LS4 PILOT

my 66 BB had no power steering or brakes, I was also mid twenties and strong as an ox

I wouldn't buy a car without them today.

E12n

Definitely need the A/C in the humid Kansas City summers!

hwcoop

My 73 L82/4spd only has Am/Fm mono radio for an option (aside from L82)
and i totally enjoy drivinig it...also keeps the wife out of it

68/BB

Before I bought my current Vette I checked out and test drove a '68 coupe with no power options at all. A bit tough to steer for parking but you would get used to it. I passed on that car because of rust issues, not the fact that it had no P.S., brakes or air. As Alan says, they are a dream to work on.