Randy_in_MD

Hi guys. I am a very new member. I am mid forties and just recently bought my fourth corvette...a 2000 coupe in BGM. I bought my first vette...a 92 green coupe with a M6 in 2004. It was a jalopy. Electrical issues, no second gear...I did get really good at 1st to 3rd shifting...etc.

I had that car about a year and then replaced it with a 96 green auto coupe. That car was amazing. Everything I always thought a corvette could and should be. I kept that one for about two years.

Fast forward to 2011. I bought another 96 coupe in red with AT to use as a second fun car. It had some issues and I had it for less than a year.

Two weeks ago, I bought my first C5. It's a great car so far. I have been reading up on the various corvette fora. What I can't seem to get past is my lifelong obsession with the C1. I love the looks of this car...the essence of it...sooooo much. I want one very badly.

I guess my question is: if I am not concerned about numbers matching/show car quality, is it possible to get a good cosmetic and mechanically sound 1961 or 1962 that could be used as a daily driver? When I say daily driver, I mean it. If I spend $40-$50k on a car it will be my only car...you have my wife's word on that.

I realize they are a little rough around the edges. I'm prepared for that. I'm an adult COA...we know how to adapt. Any input, help or dissuasion is welcomed and appreciated.

As my user name suggests, I am in the greater Baltimore, Washington, D.C. , Annapolis area of Maryland. Any nearby member who would like to meet up, chat, let me drool over your car, point me in the direction of a local corvette club, etc. would be fantastic. Thanks and I am looking forward to your replies.

Tampa Jerry

A few thoughts. Before you buy a C-1 or C-2, drive one. You may like the looks, but not the way they drive. Join a local Corvette club that has C-1 members. Ask a lot of questions. If you do decide to purchase one, have it inspected by someone who really knows the generation of Corvette you are looking to buy. Your upper price range should be able to get you a non-matching numbers car. Be prepared to spend a few dollars to fix it up to your wishes, like A/C, stereo etc. Buy the best car you can for the price. Good luck. Jerry

66jack

I've heard that the C1's also leak around the hardtop... same as my 66...

SDVette

Your pricing is realistic.. but your end goal is not, in my opinion.
Especially because you live in a place that actually has weather!

Besides the weather issues (rain, snow), you should think about safety.
It was not really a factor when these cars were designed.
No ABS.. No air bags.. No crumple zones... drum brakes.. Small tires.. Solid steering column aimed right at your chest...

I drive my 61 2-3K miles per year.. but I would not want to commute in daily traffic with it. If we had weather (I live in So Cal!) I would not want to drive in it.

Railroadman

My '59 made a great daily driver. Top down in summer, hardtop and snow tires in the winter, decent on gas with a 283/230. Of course, that was 49 years ago........

Randy_in_MD

You are probably right. We do have actual...bad...weather here. I would realistically be driving 10-12k miles per year.

I guess I thought it really wouldn't/couldn't be any worse than the 1988 Nissan Sentra I drive for years with roll up windows, manual transmission, no stereo and virtually no safety precautions except for the seat belts.

vettepoor

I drove my 65 as a daily driver in Colorado weather back in the 70's and never thought much about it. Don't think I would do it today in my 57, what with all the distracted drivers out there and safety concerns as mentioned above. Another issue is the maintenance of these old C1's - gotta keep those front ends greased up every 1000 miles or so, and yes, they all leak in the rain!

Frankie the Fink

Best advice so far....

Randy_in_MD

Would it be more realistic if I bought a beater Honda Civic for $1000 and only used the C1 from March to October?

Randy_in_MD

All of these honest and realistic responses are really getting in the way of my pipe dream.

dcamick

Randy.....

I have the same problem....Hope I did the correct thing! I am a long time Corvette owner. Just "sprung" for this 61.

Appears to be rust free, Non Matching 283/350, 4 speed T10 tranny, Posi......Picking it up tomorrow am .

Body is very good...I think!

More to come as I "hoist er up"..

Best of luck to you....A couple of great guys from this forum helped me jump into this "hole of bliss".

ChattanoogaJSB

Ok Randy- I'm 36 and my 64 would be my daily driver if I didn't have kids. At least in all but the middle of TN summer unless I had AC. Spend whatever it cost to be sure of your brakes. Modern highways speeds demand it. Otherwise, go for it. A roll of painters tape will make life in the rain much better, provided your eventual car has a mediocum of weather tightness.

If your commute is truly terrible- like our nearby Atlanta daily gridlock, I would say you might want to ditch the idea. Otherwise, do it.

Randy_in_MD

Dcamick...I wish you the best of luck. That is a gorgeous car. I am very excited for you. Keep me in the loop.

dcamick

Just don't tell your wife!

Best to you also...will report back...good or bad!!

Oh! By the way.....Jump in the hole of Bliss!!! Just do it!

LOL!

Randy_in_MD

Chattanooga, thank you for the encouraging words.

BTW, my heart is in TN. My grandfather was born and raised in Sneadsville. I visited there several times in my youth.

Randy_in_MD

So, I don't know if this is considered blasphemous or not, but currently for sale is a 1953 or 54 that has a corvette body underpinned by more modern drivetrain and bells and whistles...and no, I'm not talking about that hideous kit car that is built on a C5. That thing is soooo not what I am interested in. It's actually this...

https://classics.autotrader.com/clas...ette/100727967

Thoughts?

capevettes

Randy, I think once you drive a solid axle Corvette you may like it very much but may reassess the notion of using it as a daily driver. Not that comfortable and they get so much attention you really can't leave it parked anywhere. I drove my 65 in the early 70's as my daily driver but can't imagine doing it now. Still have the 65 and it is alot more comfortable than my 61.

Your idea of a beater to drive in addition to the solid axle may work. I think you should get one and enjoy it. It's quite an experience driving one.

Randy_in_MD

I would love to sit in/drive a C1 but their relative rarity makes it a little difficult. They don't show up at your local carmax too often. I don't want to drive one for sale by a private seller if I'm not ready to buy. I hate tire kickers.

Nowhere Man

That is a kit car. It's not a real GM body It may have real GM 53-55 parts on it but that's as fair as it goes.

I said this many of times. Have you ever sat or driven one. C1 are not for big people. So you better be under six foot You might be bigger and still fit but I couldn't see how you can be comfy for a DD these cars dive like a 70 year old car. If your pampered by today's cars forget about it. Carisle is at the end of the month. Make arrangements to go thurs through sat

67's

Go to Carlisle in a couple weeks and sit in a couple in the for sale corral.