CORVETTE Style over performance ?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
CORVETTE Style over performance ?
I guess since I'm going to turn 60 in about a week, I consider myself entering the over the hill gang so maybe thats why I have the opinion that the beautiful styling of the C3 Corvette is more important to me than the performance. Even though that powerful feel of a Corvette feels great every time I drive it, I still love the looks of it more. In fact I like to just park the car , sit in a chair and admire the styling thats way ahead of it's time. Just curious, which is more important to you. By the way, state if you are over or under 40. ( Don't have to give specific age )
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
I'm 23. Love the look of my car. I wouldn't own it if I didn't. Even with a crappy replacment 350, it is a tone of fun. When you think about it the C3 is a very aerodynamically inefficient car when compared to the C4, C5, and C6, so you have to love the look if your willing to sacrifice the aerodynamics. Basically, if my car has power to cruise and the odd fishtail, I prefer the looks.
T
T
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
45 and love the styling of the early C3 Vettes. I also love the horse power and elected to not keep mine stock at all. The body still looks original except the wheels but the drive train does not have a single stock piece left on it. 
8th Gear
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Great topic sir! Performance and power was never the attractor for me. I have always been drawn by the styling. And the interior is just as attractive as the exterior! However, I feel the exterior went downhill after 71 and the interior lost it after 80. I'm over 50!
Respect,
Theo
Respect,
Theo
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I'm 30 going on 25, and I love the styling more than anything. However, I like performance, so I'm like many others and am injecting some performance into my beautiful Corvette so I'm expecting...BOTH. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
51, styling first, and performance first, the two go hand & hand. Granted some of new cars with turbo 4's, 6's & 8's are quicker, it's still way above average performance to me and eventually I'd like to get more power from my engine, which I think all of us would want.
I agree that I also just love to look at from every angle, and the view looking over the hood is amazing. Very few new cars have this effect on me.
Glenn
I agree that I also just love to look at from every angle, and the view looking over the hood is amazing. Very few new cars have this effect on me.
Glenn
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Advanced
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 82
Likes: 1
From: Portsmouth Virginia
I look at it like this......
The last C3 is now going on 27 year old and is still one of the best looking cars ever made.
Based on the performance of newer cars it really doesn't stack up lets face it. Modified maybe.
You can get a new F-ing Hyundai with 375hp that does 60 in less than 5!!!
But will anyone want a 2008 Hyundai in 27 years? "NO". I know plenty of people that want a 68-82 vette.
Just a great looking classic car that still runs well in modern traffic even in stock form.
The last C3 is now going on 27 year old and is still one of the best looking cars ever made.
Based on the performance of newer cars it really doesn't stack up lets face it. Modified maybe.
You can get a new F-ing Hyundai with 375hp that does 60 in less than 5!!!
But will anyone want a 2008 Hyundai in 27 years? "NO". I know plenty of people that want a 68-82 vette.
Just a great looking classic car that still runs well in modern traffic even in stock form.
.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
Great topic sir! Performance and power was never the attractor for me. I have always been drawn by the styling. And the interior is just as attractive as the exterior! However, I feel the exterior went downhill after 71 and the interior lost it after 80. I'm over 50!
Respect,
Theo
Respect,
Theo
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Norwich Connecticut
When it comes to style vs. performance,I bought a Corvette to satisfy each need.I have an '81 that we call "All show and no go".It looks good,handles well,and is fun to drive. I also have a '96 that is "All go and no show".It is not as classic as the '81,but it goes like a raped ape,and it handles like a go-cart.So,I have the best of both worlds.(over 50)
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 617
Likes: 8
From: Morgan City LA
I'm 45, and to me it's the style then performance. but i surley would love some more HP under the hood and hopefully buy summer i'll have a crate motor in there!! Even with a rattle here and there and that small drop of oil that i don't know where the H311 it's comming from i LOVE my Vette!!
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Warwick Rhode Island
I'm of the same train of thought as JDemp. There are certainly much quicker / better handling cars, hell, there are faster SUV's! With that said, I seriously doubt the style on any of them will make my heart quicken with desire to own one 30 years down the road...
BTW - I'm 43
BTW - I'm 43
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 23,419
Likes: 22
From: In limbo
St. Jude Donor '13-'15, '17 thru '22
Well, considering I bought a C3 with about 300 net Hp, and paid almost as much for it as I would for a new 2009 coupe with, what is it now for the non-Z06? 500 Hp? I'm gonna take a guess......
Style obviously is more important to me. That, and it was always the "dream car" when I was a kid. Call it the mid-life crisis car if you want (I am 44), but I always wanted one and now I have one.
Maybe the next one will be more of a performer, but right now, I just like to drive this one around.
Style obviously is more important to me. That, and it was always the "dream car" when I was a kid. Call it the mid-life crisis car if you want (I am 44), but I always wanted one and now I have one.
Maybe the next one will be more of a performer, but right now, I just like to drive this one around.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 716
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
I'm under 40 (barely) and have to say that I bought mine more for body style than performance. I may get around to making it a performer some day but have other muscle cars that give me my adrenaline rush when I have the cravin. In the meantime the vette sure looks real good and I can relate to sittin in a chair w/a beer and enjoying the view - especially from the front.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 403
From: Nashville TN
St. Jude Donor '09
I definitely did not buy my '76 because of the performance. I could look at it for hours. The performance I'm going to change, the looks . . . well, nothing to change there. I want a C3 that looks great, sounds great and runs great!!!
Oh yeah, I'm 50.
Oh yeah, I'm 50.