C3 are effing sexy!
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 14,057
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
Great post!
There is no doubt that the most desirable Corvette designs range from 1953 to 1982. The C4s, C5s, and C6s are great cars (my daily driver is a C5), but they just don't have that award-winning design that makes your jaw drop.
The midyears were a tough act to follow but Chevy did a great job with the C3. My favorite aspects of the design are as follows:
- The swooping fenders front and rear. It is just so dramatic and more pronounced than the C2 which was striking as well
- The small vertical rear window and the "roof sails"
- The nose clip which comes to a point from the side and from above
- I like the side gill treatment on all the C3s. My favorite is the "waffle iron" look of the early 1970s
- I like the rounded rear bumper ('74 to '77 I think) without the rear spoiler. I remember seeing these Corvettes on the highway a lot when I was growing up.
- One aspect of the design which is not discussed much is the "pinched in" area where the doors are. Basically the C3 is a coke bottle shape from the side and from above as well. This part of the design is not real practical since it limits the interior shoulder room to a degree, but the fact C3s are an impractical aggressive sports car is why they are among my favorites (the C3s built before 1978 probably have less storage area than any other Corvette before or since)
- The coupes and convertibles are both equally appealing. In my opinion C2s look a lot better as coupes (not that I wouldn't love to own a midyear convertible)
- The standard smallblock hood of the early C3s just looks great nestled between those arching fenders. Best smallblock hood ever produced for a Corvette in my opinion.
- There is something about the stance of the C3 which sets it apart from other years. Even though the frame and chassis is basically a carryover from the C2 the wheels and tires just look right on most C3s. On the late C3s there is nothing better looking than white letter tires.
I think this post needs a few pics!
There is no doubt that the most desirable Corvette designs range from 1953 to 1982. The C4s, C5s, and C6s are great cars (my daily driver is a C5), but they just don't have that award-winning design that makes your jaw drop.
The midyears were a tough act to follow but Chevy did a great job with the C3. My favorite aspects of the design are as follows:
- The swooping fenders front and rear. It is just so dramatic and more pronounced than the C2 which was striking as well
- The small vertical rear window and the "roof sails"
- The nose clip which comes to a point from the side and from above
- I like the side gill treatment on all the C3s. My favorite is the "waffle iron" look of the early 1970s
- I like the rounded rear bumper ('74 to '77 I think) without the rear spoiler. I remember seeing these Corvettes on the highway a lot when I was growing up.
- One aspect of the design which is not discussed much is the "pinched in" area where the doors are. Basically the C3 is a coke bottle shape from the side and from above as well. This part of the design is not real practical since it limits the interior shoulder room to a degree, but the fact C3s are an impractical aggressive sports car is why they are among my favorites (the C3s built before 1978 probably have less storage area than any other Corvette before or since)
- The coupes and convertibles are both equally appealing. In my opinion C2s look a lot better as coupes (not that I wouldn't love to own a midyear convertible)
- The standard smallblock hood of the early C3s just looks great nestled between those arching fenders. Best smallblock hood ever produced for a Corvette in my opinion.
- There is something about the stance of the C3 which sets it apart from other years. Even though the frame and chassis is basically a carryover from the C2 the wheels and tires just look right on most C3s. On the late C3s there is nothing better looking than white letter tires.
I think this post needs a few pics!
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Originally Posted by Joe0121
lol, sidepipes are pretty SAAAWEEET. But require much cauting on entry and exit after a long period of spirited driving, those bad boys get warm.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
The C3 body style is just timeless. For me this is what I think of when I think of corvette.
BTW, that is one nice looking vette you are looking at. I love it. Looks like a very clean car. My first was a 79 L-48, black on black. Loved that car. It is one I would like to have back if I could.
BTW, that is one nice looking vette you are looking at. I love it. Looks like a very clean car. My first was a 79 L-48, black on black. Loved that car. It is one I would like to have back if I could.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 7
From: Fort Pierce Florida
Originally Posted by Takeupthystethoscope
Seems like a lot of people notice the door handles (in fact my friends noticed that quickly). They are pretty nifty.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 9
From: Science Bitch! Mississauga, Ontario
Canadian Events Coordinator
Originally Posted by Takeupthystethoscope
I made that my new background. I'm tired of looking at that red ZR1 I've had for the past few weeks.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 10,336
Likes: 14
From: Bellville OH
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by Takeupthystethoscope
I made that my new background. I'm tired of looking at that red ZR1 I've had for the past few weeks.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by Joe0121
IMO the sexiest cars around. I am a younge buck so I'm into all the high speed gadgetry and perfomance of the new Zo6's. But stingrey corvettes stole my hear at 15, I got my eye on one in Ky. I usually hang out in off topic, or C6 ZO6 but I thought I would stop by and let you guys know even us younge kids enjoy a pretty older lady now and again. 
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 54,001
Likes: 6,214
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Originally Posted by jdwhealton
Extreeeeemely SEXY !! The 81's have the most beautiful lines I think.
jd
jd
