if it feels like a modern car I have no desire.

 

LOL. Sounds like you’ll never know!

 

regardless what "we" like the OP should drive it as is for few thousand miles with a clear mind to see how they can enjoy the car. in stock form rebuilt correctly these cars are great to drive

 

well, I’d comment that if you want faster than the standard ratio, the GM engineers thought of that, and provided you with the “race/quick ratio” (I don’t recall the correct term ), tie rod positions/option. No need for aftermarket gizmos.

These cars were never “better” than the day they came off the assembly line. (Ok, ok, or upgraded with available, correct-for-year, factory options )

 

Thats just not factually correct. IIRC the factory “fast ratio” setting is 16:1; the Borgeson box is 12:1 and much more responsive with better road feel and feedback.

Having owned my 67 for 50 years now I can unequivocally state that it is MUCH better now than when it rolled off the assembly line, what with its Borgeson and Tremec 5 spd.

If someone wants to keep theirs stock that’s fine . Just don’t denegrate improvements that you know nothing about. It’s really pretty funny how some folks who weren’t even born when I bought my car presume to tell me how it was and how it should be.

 

Well, we all just state our opinions and perspectives here, my opinion is, midyear Corvettes should be kept a midyear Corvettes, and changes from what is period correct are certainly not improvements. Facts?, it’s personal opinions that categorizes changes. I guess we can say, One man’s improvement, is another man’s….. well, I’ll just say “the opposite”, to be polite. But there is room for all of us here

PS: and I know “how it was”, I’m an old boy to. And when I drive my 66 Corvette, I want to experience exactly what I experienced in 66. If I want to experience a newer car/ configuration, I’ll drive one of my newer cars. I say that respectfully.

 

re your PS - my comment about age was not describing you.

That said, it’s good that you are so passionate and very specific about wanting to “experience exactly what I experienced in 1966”. Toward that end I trust that you ( and others) are enjoying driving around on the original spec 7.75 x 15 2 ply bias tires inflated to the factory spec of 24 psi. Otherwise, well let’s just say that would be inconsistent at best.....

 

I prefer 26 psi, but otherwise the original spec bias plys are just perfect for the car. That's what it was designed for and they work great, but that's another story.

If it's a big block, I'd say ps is a good idea; for a small block, not so much. Of course, that's true only if you're running those skinny bias plys 🙂 Power steering starts making sense when you increase the contact patch.

If the car is already modified and has a replacement engine, front discs will definitely make life easier once you have the proportioning issues sorted out.

BTW, the obsession with originality really only makes sense if the car has it's original engine and you plan to campaign it for NCRS awards. Otherwise, do whatever you like, but be aware that many so-called improvements, really aren't.

 

Nowhere Man you often drag these topics way away from the original question. Sure in the '60s these cars drove (drove?) great. We all understand that. But years later, some folks (it seems many folks) wanted to modify them. Just as was the case 45 years ago. Its ok. You may not like it, that's your deal. But the OP asked a couple questions and you are like "if you are spoiled"..."sell it an buy something new"...dopey and not to the point. I have appreciated this forum because there is, some what, room for both "purists" and folks who like to modify these cars...heck just a few hours ago "509 Rat" posted a 6-71 blown, fender flared hot rod that is pretty tough....many of us like them all....and....I have a standing offer out to all of you if you happen to motor way south west (more south-south west) come by my place, and lets take my stock bodied, LS3, TREMEC 5 Speed, SR3 framed junk down the road...you can drive it [really!]....its loud, but drives and handles better than any stock '67....I like it...many do...but there is much to be said also for original everything...just saying dopey stuff like "if you are spoiled", really don't do much for anyone...unless you are a millennial or genz and or somebody who don't have a real job or contribute to society....then, yes, a person can say...."blah, blah,...spoiled". My first "car" won't a car, it was mini-bike with 3 1/2 hp fiddling around, a Snapper lawn mower (always wide open), a McCormick Farm-All (always wide open) and then a '70 Firebird 4bbl, dual exhaust, 8-track Motorola tape player with speaker in the rear window, not bolted in so every time I stopped hard they came to the front...The point is- some people like junk modified....always have and always will. Somebody wanting to modify a 55 year old car, who has (maybe) always loved these cars but always wanted more recent technological stuff....ain't no dope, rather, they appreciate what they appreciate and like what they like....Sorry, it is 2025hrs on a Tuesday night in the Arizona south west high desert and I may or may have not had a few "natural" yet light NC redneck beers...so, "just sayin'"....I personally didn't tell the OP to put in an LS and a TREMEC, with power steering and electric brakes....but he would enjoy it....spoiled or not.

 

I just completed the conversion on my 64 convert to front discs and electric PS and really like it. My car has a 63 327 in it from another Corvette and now has a Muncie instead of the BW T10 that was in it when I bought it. For the crowd that wants "Drives like it did in 66" I can dial all assist off and be in 1966. Do I ever do that? Once in a while on the open road without too much turning. For some reason, I like the midpoint best which is not too easy but not too difficult either. Another thing is that it doesn't feel like power steering even on full assist. On my new disc brakes, I also have a new dual MC to make me feel safer than the single MC. I do have a proportioning valve for the rear drums and a panic stop seems to prove they work but are not grabby. It's my car and I have made changes to every car I have ever owned. To me, a car is a personal thing and I make changes that reflect my love for it. I understand show cars and the love of OEM perfection, but it isn't for me. Just look at the racing teams of GM and other racers to see how many changes they make to a brand new car. Sure it's for racing but they have no issue making the changes. My advice for the author of this question is to make the car a pleasure for him to drive and enjoy the beauty of the design. Keep it safe and reliable and he will be a happy owner.

 

Vjjack04, no one “needs” a car with all these modern “up grades” they simply want every thing. My thoughts is enjoying these cars in pure stock form should give you a huge grin on your face from enjoyment. If not then you bought the wrong car. Simply try these cars in pure stock form once. Everyone including me had been spoiled by new cars. But no one needs all the gizmos I said it before there is room for everyone in sand box to enjoy this hobby

 

Yeah, we’re all spoiled for sure. We ought to all be driving Model T Fords available only in black with hand crank
starters so we can all enjoy the authentic experience of how it was “back in the day” before we were even born.
My definition of “spoiled” would be somebody who gets to drive their daddy’s cars and then tell other people how things should be.
/sarcasm off/

Funny, I didn’t know Luddites still existed!

 

Well, if the position is open, I'd like to apply.

Some of my qualifications: I use radios with vacuum tubes and I don't own a smart phone.

 

Sorry, but in this context you are DQ’d because you have modified your Corvette!

edit - and you are obviously using a computer with transistors (integrated circuits) to access the internet!

 

Your black coupe is very tastefully done, I Say!
Unfortunately, it's what I would like to do but not what my bro'-in-law is wanting.
I feel very fortunate to be trusted with HIS diamond-in-the rough, not mine.
Again, he wants improved brakes, cooling and steering. I'm just trying to sort out all the junk out there on line to make the best decisions, and all of you have been great and helped immensely.
And yes, he does have health issues and loves to drive and share his car with friends and family, young AND old.

 

Improving something is a very subjective the stock cooling system brakes and steering is very good if it’s up to spec and rebuilt correctly But most it’s always wore out and done by bubba who had no clue how to work on it. So people get the wrong impression on them. Unless your going to be a competitive track car stock OEM will handle all your daily driving duties.

 

this is funny but highly accurate.

 

it’s an old Chevy with components shared with other old chevys housed in a beautiful body, it’s about as simple to work on as a mini bike. Bubba who ever the hell he is could screw up a wet dream, these cars were state of the art when new, they are no longer new and benefit greatly from tasteful upgrades. I understand and can appreciate both sides , I will not however berate those who choose to either upgrade or go the NCRS route. To each their own.

 

The good news is that they are an enjoyable car to drive no matter what you do. I drove mine with no power steering and no power brakes for 5 years daily and it still made me smile. Over the past 5 years I have made lots of upgrades but I suspect like many people here I enjoy the process every bit as much as the outcome ! I recently did the Borgeson box, I was very afraid of it feeling over assisted and lifeless and it doesn't at all, its a great setup.

 

Keith. No one "needs" a classic Corvette or any other classic car for that matter. Even a Chevelle. We own them because we "want" them. We drive them in stock form or upgraded because we "want" to. That's it. Pretty simple.


Tom