C3 As a Daily Driver?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Greensboro NC
C3 As a Daily Driver?
Any thoughts? Not for winter, but for the rest of the year (I'm in North Carolina). I had a '66 Mustang 289 Fastback for a couple of years that I used as a daily driver, so I know about the disadvantages of driving an older car, but walking up to that car after work never failed to improve my day. I would have a second car as a backup, but I love the thought of driving a C3 every day. Thanks for your input.
Last edited by MagMan44; Aug 3, 2008 at 12:05 AM.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 50
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I drive mine daily year round here in Oregon. As long as there isn't snow at least. The main issues I have to deal with is water leaks (I finally have all mine sealed up but driving in the rain with them is no fun) and lack of space. If you are like me and don't have to deal with groceries and kids and all that stuff, space isn't a problem.
BTW my car is a 77 with a 10' paint job, so I don't have all that much to lose if I get rock chips, etc. Granted they **** me off but I guess thats part of driving a car you love. But you're right, walking out of work to a great car, especially if it's not a Mustang, is well worth it.
BTW my car is a 77 with a 10' paint job, so I don't have all that much to lose if I get rock chips, etc. Granted they **** me off but I guess thats part of driving a car you love. But you're right, walking out of work to a great car, especially if it's not a Mustang, is well worth it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,000
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis, Mn USA
I drive mine as much as possible, but not in the rain if I can help it. So pseudo daily driver in the spring-summer-fall, weather permitting.
Most C3s are 350 w/ TH350 combo, possilby one of the highest qty drivetrain combos ever produced. Very reliable if you keep up on the maintenance.
You only go around once, so carpe diem.
B...
Most C3s are 350 w/ TH350 combo, possilby one of the highest qty drivetrain combos ever produced. Very reliable if you keep up on the maintenance.
You only go around once, so carpe diem.
B...
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
While I was in North Carolina I used my '74 as a daily driver and only car from late February 2007 to February 21, 2008. Had a few hiccups, because it was my only car, but there was always a friend with a ride near by. And yes I drove it in the rain and snow and blistering heat. It didn't melt or shrivel up me either.
Last edited by 74Blackfoot; Aug 3, 2008 at 03:46 AM.
CF JASOC Member
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Downtown Annapolis, MD. The Future is where we all have to live. Let's not screw it up.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
My advise would be to look for a nice '78-80 (no computer or CFI) with as many creature comforts as you can find.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: North Bellmore Ny
St. Jude Donor '09
Race Director
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From: Dayton, Ohio
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,491
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From: North Royaton Ohio
I drive mine every day minus in the winter. If it's raining and I don't have to go anywhere I try not to take it out. It's not that I fear water with it or anything, it's just black and rain makes it look like crap.
a 350/TH350 is a very reliable drivetrain when maintained. Try to find something with some smaller gears, as well. I've got 2:73, and while they kill 1/4 mile times, they help a lot with gas mileage and highway cruising.
a 350/TH350 is a very reliable drivetrain when maintained. Try to find something with some smaller gears, as well. I've got 2:73, and while they kill 1/4 mile times, they help a lot with gas mileage and highway cruising.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
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From: Dayton, Ohio
Talking about black and rain.I used to have a lady with a black 82 that she bought new.You wont believe how she maintained her black vette.She worked in a jewelry store and she said to clean and polish all the diamonds and crystal they would put a couple of drops of Joy dishwashing liquid in a container and make it sudsy.They dipped it in and then without rinsing they would dry them off and it left them gleaming.She said thats one of the jewelers little secrets.Thats how she maintained her car and its was unbelievably beautiful.No wax on the car and when it rained it looked great and didnt spot.I'm sure she would dry it off after it got wet but she claimed it was very easy to maintain.Until the car was T-boned and totaled it was one of the best looking black cars I had seen.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 4
From: Flower Mound TX.
This is a pic of my friend's green 71 and my 72 war bonnet yellow just behind his. He bought his car back in 71 when he was in high school. It has been his daily driver since the day he bought it in 71. I asked him why not get another car with better gas mileage for you daily driver. He then asked me how much have you spent on all the cars you have bought since high school? I could not even guess. I used to buy a car every one to two years. Sometimes I would have up to 5 cars at a time. ANYWAY, He said, " Think of all the money I have saved from not ever buying another car ( I thought, "WOW" in my case that would be alot of money." ). I think I can afford the gas." His car still rides GREAT !
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,211
Likes: 64
From: Bocabec, New Brunswick
My '78 was my daily driver for the first 5/6 years after I bought it new. It saw rain, snow, freezing rain, you name it. Never let me down. Only reason I stopped using it was I married into a 2 child family and the Vette wasn't a practical family car. With just about 290,000 kms on it I'm back to driving it more often now that the kids are grown but not as my daily driver yet, giving it a break!