Towing Question with an Automatic????
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 27
From: Auburndale Florida
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'09
Towing Question with an Automatic????
Can an early C3 (68-72) Vette be towed, wheels on the ground, with a Turbo 350 or 400 and not do any damage to the transmission? I know in early years of powerglides there was a rear pump to move the fluid and you could actually drift start the car. Most new cars from like 1980 on would be damaged if towed. thanks
Mark
Mark
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 20
From: The only Corvettes in Highett Victoria
Towing
G'day,
Quote from 1974 Corvette Owner's Manual, page 40:-
Towing
"Your Corvette may be towed on all four wheels, at speeds of less than 35 mph, for distances up to 50 miles, provided the drive-line, axle, transmission, and steering system are otherwise normally operable."
There you have it, straight from Chevrolet.
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
Quote from 1974 Corvette Owner's Manual, page 40:-
Towing
"Your Corvette may be towed on all four wheels, at speeds of less than 35 mph, for distances up to 50 miles, provided the drive-line, axle, transmission, and steering system are otherwise normally operable."
There you have it, straight from Chevrolet.
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,581
Likes: 28
From: Spring, Texas
Originally Posted by aussiejohn
G'day,
Quote from 1974 Corvette Owner's Manual, page 40:-
Towing
"Your Corvette may be towed on all four wheels, at speeds of less than 35 mph, for distances up to 50 miles, provided the drive-line, axle, transmission, and steering system are otherwise normally operable."
There you have it, straight from Chevrolet.
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
Quote from 1974 Corvette Owner's Manual, page 40:-
Towing
"Your Corvette may be towed on all four wheels, at speeds of less than 35 mph, for distances up to 50 miles, provided the drive-line, axle, transmission, and steering system are otherwise normally operable."
There you have it, straight from Chevrolet.
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,366
Likes: 6,348
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
I used to work as an instructor at the GM Training Center teaching TH350 and 400. The 35/50 figure given by aussiejohn is correct. I used to tell students that a safer number (and easier to remember) is 35/35. This absolutely assures that you will not do any damage from lack of pressure lubrication in the tranny. 
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Lars
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 27
From: Auburndale Florida
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'09
Thanks to all who replied!!! As you all know by now I sold my 72 and I am now looking for my next project. Seems there is not much for sale in my area so hence the towing question....someway to get it home....if and when I find it... 
Mark
Mark
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Ashland Virginia
When I purchased my '80 I rented a U-Haul Auto Carrier. There is a specific carrier code for vehicles that are low to the ground. The entire car is up on the carrier and strapped down. It worked great, for a 300 mile trip home. No sweat, no damage and no hassle. And the carrier, with Vette, towed easily behind my Ram.
Old Black Chevy
Old Black Chevy
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 27
From: Auburndale Florida
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'09
Originally Posted by Old Black Chevy
When I purchased my '80 I rented a U-Haul Auto Carrier. There is a specific carrier code for vehicles that are low to the ground. The entire car is up on the carrier and strapped down. It worked great, for a 300 mile trip home. No sweat, no damage and no hassle. And the carrier, with Vette, towed easily behind my Ram.
Old Black Chevy
Old Black Chevy
Mark
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Aubrey Texas
All of my cars get towed with a flatbed. I always make sure to let the tow company know that I only want a flatbed to come out. They always oblige. If a company does not have a flatbed (very rare these days) then I call a different company.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
Originally Posted by Old Black Chevy
When I purchased my '80 I rented a U-Haul Auto Carrier. There is a specific carrier code for vehicles that are low to the ground. The entire car is up on the carrier and strapped down. It worked great, for a 300 mile trip home. No sweat, no damage and no hassle. And the carrier, with Vette, towed easily behind my Ram.
Old Black Chevy
Old Black Chevy
Best $600 I ever spent on a car trailer ($300 x 2)... two (2) 1,100 mile trips... the 17' truck was another $800...
Last edited by TedH; Oct 12, 2005 at 09:08 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
Originally Posted by Chopper Larry
I like the U-Haul car carrier/trailer; no problems and simple to use.