CORVETTE Style over performance ?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,948
Likes: 3,351
From: NYC NY
I'm 55. I've been a real die hard Corvette fan since I was 10 when the '63 "split window coupe" was introduced. My Mom took me to the New York Auto Show to see it. After that I would look foward to the new model introduction every year. I always liked the race car versions (sorry I was never an "all stock" guy). When the early C3s started to be modified to road race with the big tires, big flares, monster motors, and header side pipes that was it for me. I've been intrigued by those cars ever since. So for me it's both styling and performance with that all business attitude 
.
.
Last edited by 3JsVette; Dec 6, 2008 at 10:52 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
How The Corvette Got The BB
http://ganeys.home.sprynet.com/77facts.htm
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,712
Likes: 299
From: Concord VA, U.S.A.
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
I'll soon be 43 and the style is the number one thing I like about C3s. If speed were all that mattered, there are many faster cars in the world other than Corvette. Besides, speed can be added to anything with wheels. 
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
65 next week. Have seen the introduction of every Corvette generation. Each one got redundant just before the next generation was introduced. Styling was always first in my view with performance right behind. Things did get pretty interesting though in the performance arena when Chevy introduced the 283 in 1957 and the 348 in 1958. Don't know if they ever put a 348 in a Corvette though. The early sixties Chevy did some really great changes in body styling and incorporating the high H.P. 327's, 409's and 427's.
I have a redundant '75 coupe I was attracted to because I love the styling and the low price I bought it for in 1995. Lottsa mechanical upgrades, non-Corvette color and redone interior. Otherwise stock in general appearance. To me anything beyond the C3 is boring in appearance; that just my opinion. C3's are good looking and there are a lot on the road. Anything before 1968 is too valuable to drive around on a regular basis. I'm sure someone here will say he drives his '65 coupe to work every day, but most of those cars sitting somewhere to look at. Guess I kind of ran off with this; sorry.
Mike
I have a redundant '75 coupe I was attracted to because I love the styling and the low price I bought it for in 1995. Lottsa mechanical upgrades, non-Corvette color and redone interior. Otherwise stock in general appearance. To me anything beyond the C3 is boring in appearance; that just my opinion. C3's are good looking and there are a lot on the road. Anything before 1968 is too valuable to drive around on a regular basis. I'm sure someone here will say he drives his '65 coupe to work every day, but most of those cars sitting somewhere to look at. Guess I kind of ran off with this; sorry.
Mike
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 11
From: Hinckley OH
One day a VW Bug with a modified engine came weaving through traffic to speed past me in my Vette. I was hoping I'd be next to him at the next light so I could roll down the window and tell him he could make that bug the fastest thing on wheels but he'd still only have a bug. Definitely style - you can always add performance.
Just applied for Social Security. 61
Just applied for Social Security. 61
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
I am 56. Style comes first. I like the fastback glass and the front and rear spoilers of '80-'82 best, so I bought an '80 (last of non-computerized engines). I repainted it from ho-hum-yet-another-red-Corvette to its original Code 28 Dark Blue Metallic color and completely restored the Oyster interior with leather seats. I glassed in new bumpers in the process. I like the stock slotted wheels but would like shinier wheels. Chrome plated or new-but-similar wheels may be a future mod.
THEN I wanted performance. A GM Performance 350 HO Deluxe crate, full length ceramic headers, true dual exhaust, composite springs front and back, and Steeroids. Holley TBI is next.
THEN I wanted performance. A GM Performance 350 HO Deluxe crate, full length ceramic headers, true dual exhaust, composite springs front and back, and Steeroids. Holley TBI is next.
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
I am 18, and my c3 is relitavely slow compared to other vehicles, and I still love the looks. I think they are asthetically one of the greatest vehicles ever dreamed up. Just throw down 2k and bore her out, thats what I am doing after I get back from the sandbox.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,239
Likes: 74
From: Palatine, Peoples Republic of Illinois
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I'm 61. Bought a '69 brand new in '69. Sold it in '70 and actually made money on it! Bought my '70 3 years ago. I was looking for a driver so mine has the ZZ4 engine, 5 speed Keisler trans, R&P steering and is great fun! The styling is what gets me and, I think, most men. If you look at the car from the side it looks like a naked woman lying on her side! Second best ride you can get! Gotta love that! 
Last edited by Raphiki; Dec 6, 2008 at 02:41 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Landskrona, SWEDEN, EUROPE
I´m 48 and the unique styling of an early C3 convertible got me hooked close to 30 years ago.
Years went by with family, house and all of the other interests that held me back from getting the car I once found so delicate.
When I finally got to buy a Vette, the first priority was to find a vert in great shape, performance was second priority that could be cured once the car was in my garage.
I still love the style but now I´ve had that car and may even sell it to get another car that I once found so nice...
Years went by with family, house and all of the other interests that held me back from getting the car I once found so delicate.
When I finally got to buy a Vette, the first priority was to find a vert in great shape, performance was second priority that could be cured once the car was in my garage.
I still love the style but now I´ve had that car and may even sell it to get another car that I once found so nice...
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
I'm 43 and have loved the style since I was a teen. It is a combination of style and power that I want. A sporty looking car that didn't have the power that should go with the looks wouldn't make me happy.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,712
Likes: 299
From: Concord VA, U.S.A.
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
Style first definitely for me. I'm 37 and will never forget my first ride in a Vette. It was a 68 and I was about 13. I loved looking out over the hood and how the front fenders angled up to the outside and also the recessed tach and speedo. My 79 obviously doesn't have that same dash, so that's why eventually I would really like to have a chrome bumper C3. I too sometimes just sit on my rolling seat in the garage and just look at the car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,388
Likes: 2
From: Eagle River Alaska
Style first definitely for me. I'm 37 and will never forget my first ride in a Vette. It was a 68 and I was about 13. I loved looking out over the hood and how the front fenders angled up to the outside and also the recessed tach and speedo. My 79 obviously doesn't have that same dash, so that's why eventually I would really like to have a chrome bumper C3. I too sometimes just sit on my rolling seat in the garage and just look at the car.
In the winter, (which is most of the year up here
) I still get in the car and just sit there admiring it like a little kid (don't tell anyone!)
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Winnipeg
Well I fell in love with an 80' over ten years ago....
This summer I got that very same 80' as a gift from my wife.
The style is what got me. and still does and I'm 37.
Nothing is like a C3, NOTHING beats looking thru the windshield and seeing the beautiful shape of the fenders.
This summer I got that very same 80' as a gift from my wife.
The style is what got me. and still does and I'm 37.
Nothing is like a C3, NOTHING beats looking thru the windshield and seeing the beautiful shape of the fenders.
Last edited by sixxgunn13; Dec 7, 2008 at 05:02 AM.