Wrecked82

Got rid of it. Tire was 33 years old, so worthless. Never used the spare anyway in 200K miles. So, do I get rid of the carrier cover? Does it improve the looks or the air flow?

U17

Some owners use it has storage space etc. Tools wrapped in the rags you might need.

AkrHack

I would think that it would rattle like crazy if you were to drive around while the spare tire carrier was empty.

The13Bats

I am 50 owned vettes since 16 daily drivers and it's weird to even type but I never once needed to change a tire out somewhere, I love to see the 1/2 axles spin while driving behind another c3 so I ditch that butt fugly tire carrier that gm had to hang there, tools, I keep them in one of the rear storage boxes,
If I get a flat or blowout now I will call the roadside and the car gets towed so....

But if you are a purist needing the car to be just like gm built it then yeah, you have to leave that ugly thing there....

Raphiki

I have nothing in my spare carrier and it doesn't rattle at all. I think the spare carrier fills the hole and makes it look like a real car instead of a plastic toy. Just my opinion.

gjohnson

Mines been off for 20+ yrs.Its been off for so long when I see one w/ it it looks goofy. Never had a flat, but if I do roadside assistance is a call away,so is towing service. I do have the top plastic cover in place for extra gas tank protection.Although if yours is a rust bucket on the underside you should keep it on to cover the mess.

ralphspears

I think the spare tire would absorb crush impact in a rear end collision.Rather than the gas tank taking all the force.

The13Bats

I am trying hard but I just can't get a "plastic toy on a fake car" from this view...

Not happening for me....



But this doesn't look fake or like a toy car to me either it just looks like some afterthought tacked on detritrus perhaps more refined but not to my liking.

CVO2FIXUP

I does not look right with out the tire carrier in place. I have the original spare rim and tire ( in brand new condition ) tucked away in a closet at home. I replaced the spare tire with a 15 inch take off with no rim. So just the tire in the carrier so things tighten up well with no rattles. Cheers.

U17

If you are hoping for some crash protection from a molded piece you might want to cinch up your helmet strap.. Plus looking at the angle it would probably shoot out below the frame. There's also a thread in here about drag on the rear bumper plastic that was kinda faired in. I took mine out and still not sure I care for it that way ..

The13Bats

I cant find a good pic but the 3rd option is a rear belly pan to hide things and look better than a silly round thing hanging under there, it was a popular thing in the heyday of c4 ground effects kits....but I am betting some road race c3's run them....

spinadog

I have all components and my original spare - but it is too nice to obscure - agree? (she's now a MI machine - see you at the Woodward Cruise 2015).


I did enhance shadow, to give some brighter perspective to the IRS/LSD bits.

vettebuyer6369

The topic is always a big split based on personal opinion. I do not like the looks of the car at all with the carrier missing, it just looks like a big huge part is missing, regardess how much the pieces underneath are painted.

Maybe its because Ive been around the cars so long. Very obvious stock visual cues that are wrong jump off the page to me.

ajrothm

I normally run without it, recently I installed it for a trip to use as tool storage...Honestly, I think it looks goofy.. I'd much rather see a cool looking diff and working suspension.


This:






Or this:

Raphiki

To me it's like running around with your fly open - I just don't need to see all the nuts and bolts!

The13Bats

Call it sentimental for me it goes back over 35 years,
I was out cruising and there was a mild custom c3 ahead of us and of course the tire carrier was gone I didn't know it was suppose to have one and the rear was all detailed chromed the 1/2 shafts were turning they were painted checker board and as I watched the rear end of the car the one thing I can assure you is a mans open fly didn't at all cross my mind never does, no, the thing I kept thinking was how very cool seeing all the IRS moving and working was,
That was actually what started my love and passion for corvettes.
Truth is first time I saw a tire carrier on a vette I thought it was some tacky aftermarket part and I felt what a shame it hides all the unique coolness

VB summed it up well and then ajrothm 's pictures and reply put in perfect perspective,
To each their own if you dig the thing run it but when you are behind my car you will have to watch my axles spin....

LT1M21Vette

I think it looks much better that way.

Off to throw mine in the dumpster.

Bloodzone

I removed tire and all the carrier. Took some time but I like the look now. Plus it shaved off 53lbs.

wyocat

LOL... that's funny..

vettebuyer6369

Dont throw it in the dumpster. Sell it to all those guys buying them to make their cars look like they came from the factory again.

I love this debate... I like "or this" much better.