Vettes In The Winter??????????
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
I have driven my 02 Z06 every day to work that I have been since I got the car. When I picked it up in November of 07 it had 12k on it. It now has just a tick over 55k on it. I drove it home on Friday and it had about 2 inches of snow piled on the car when I got out it to in Friday afternoon. Quite unusual for me to risk going to work on such a day but nevertheless, the car went well and is a pleasure to drive.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 531
Likes: 0
From: Frisco TX
You guys are confusing classic cars with modern automobiles
I imagine most new C6 owners could care less what state their car will be in after 10 yrs of ownership as they will no longer own it.
Hell most new vettes are probably leased as well - drive it hard and give it back in 3 yrs. A large portion of the $35+K car market in Dallas are leased vehicles.
Now drivin a classic, regardless of make, in the snow is another matter
I imagine most new C6 owners could care less what state their car will be in after 10 yrs of ownership as they will no longer own it.
Hell most new vettes are probably leased as well - drive it hard and give it back in 3 yrs. A large portion of the $35+K car market in Dallas are leased vehicles.
Now drivin a classic, regardless of make, in the snow is another matter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Wide tires are really not good in snow and ice...and todays Vettes have wide tires...but if they still allowed studded snow tires the vettes would be great in the winter... .the only reason I stopped using the Vettes in the winter is because no studded tires anymore...So I use the Sahara instead..
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
Wide tires are really not good in snow and ice...and todays Vettes have wide tires...but if they still allowed studded snow tires the vettes would be great in the winter... .the only reason I stopped using the Vettes in the winter is because no studded tires anymore...So I use the Sahara instead..
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver Wa
My 81 is a daily all weather driver, I bought it to drive and at 245k miles that is what I do. I am the painter and the mechanic. Put Hankook Winter Pikes on last Winter with 70lbs of sand in the back I was able to plow through 4 inches of snow here in Washington at 40 Mph like it was nothing, it is fun to drive in the snow as the traction is that good (with the right tires). I look out for the other people and if worse comes to worse well I am the painter. All that and I have one of the nicest c3's that I have seen on the road as I am very particular. 
Looks like no snow this here this year.
Looks like no snow this here this year.
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 7
From: Toronto Ontario
i was always taught to throttle-up, over RR tracks...
ripped-up roads, means , grab the wheel with both hands...
& whatever ya drive in the winter, if ya stay outa the ditch - ya know how to drive.
i'm a country-boy, that started my day , feeding a shed full of chickens & 14 horses, before heading to school 10 + miles away, on backroads...but you say i'm 1 of those folks thats got no learning ? because i drive my Corvette in the winter ?
1 thing i have learned is this bud :
only asswipes, think they have been chosen , to decide , what is acceptable.
ripped-up roads, means , grab the wheel with both hands...
& whatever ya drive in the winter, if ya stay outa the ditch - ya know how to drive.
i'm a country-boy, that started my day , feeding a shed full of chickens & 14 horses, before heading to school 10 + miles away, on backroads...but you say i'm 1 of those folks thats got no learning ? because i drive my Corvette in the winter ?
1 thing i have learned is this bud :
only asswipes, think they have been chosen , to decide , what is acceptable.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,450
Likes: 40
From: Panama City Beach, Florida
I had my '77 at the Bonneville Salt Flats in September 09, the salt on the streets around Chicago ain't got nothing on the amount it saw there.
That's OK, I'd do it again (actually I will be there again in Sept.) in a heartbeat.
But, it's safely sitting in the garage right now getting a little work done to get it ready.
Frank
That's OK, I'd do it again (actually I will be there again in Sept.) in a heartbeat.
But, it's safely sitting in the garage right now getting a little work done to get it ready.
Frank
Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 44
Likes: 11
From: Lodi WI
Back in the early 1970s, I drove my 69 427 4 speed in the winter while in college in Platteville, Wisconsin. It was the only car I owned and didn't give it a second thought.
It was a real challenge getting around (like a pig on ice) and I can remember having to make a run at some hills several times in order to get to the top.
In 1973, I bought a 72 350 automatic and drove it the first winter I owned it. After getting married, we bought a second car and have garaged the Vette every winter since then. That is the C-3 I still own today. It has surface rust on the frame, but is in reasonalbly good condition. Still orginal paint. Who'd-a-thunk that these cars would have survived and be worth what they are today.
It was a real challenge getting around (like a pig on ice) and I can remember having to make a run at some hills several times in order to get to the top.
In 1973, I bought a 72 350 automatic and drove it the first winter I owned it. After getting married, we bought a second car and have garaged the Vette every winter since then. That is the C-3 I still own today. It has surface rust on the frame, but is in reasonalbly good condition. Still orginal paint. Who'd-a-thunk that these cars would have survived and be worth what they are today.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,506
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa
Back in '86, I went to school in Oklahoma City for a semester from October through December. I took my '69, the one I still have. I didn't know it at the time, but it snows in OK City. When I left there to come home it had just snowed 4". Had no problem at all.
In the early 90's, I had just gotten divorced and my '69 was my only car. I drove it through an entire Pittsburgh winter. There was only one time that the roads were so bad that I couldn't make it to work. These cars actually do very well in the snow, with the right tires.
In the early 90's, I had just gotten divorced and my '69 was my only car. I drove it through an entire Pittsburgh winter. There was only one time that the roads were so bad that I couldn't make it to work. These cars actually do very well in the snow, with the right tires.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 561
Likes: 1
From: No longer in Heaven
I put my '06 Z06 and my '69 L71 roadster away for the winter--HOWEVER--I'm having some paint work done on the '69 this winter, and last Saturday, in sub-20 degree Chicago weather, I charged up the battery, dropped it in the car, turned the key to hear that beautiful music, and drove her about 5 miles (on very dry pavement) to the shop.
The heater worked, and with hardtop on, it was actually quite pleasant.
It created quite a stir, as every motorist I came by gawked at the Monaco Orange flame shooting by in the dead of winter.
I was tempted to take it out on my normal drive through the forest preserve, I was having so much fun. Alas, my conscience got the best of me and I went straight to the shop.
The heater worked, and with hardtop on, it was actually quite pleasant.
It created quite a stir, as every motorist I came by gawked at the Monaco Orange flame shooting by in the dead of winter.
I was tempted to take it out on my normal drive through the forest preserve, I was having so much fun. Alas, my conscience got the best of me and I went straight to the shop.
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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If the roads are clear and dry I have always driven Corvettes in the winter. Been doing that for 38 years with my 65 and the frame is perfect. We get an occasional rain storm in the winter and if it dries before it freezes, why not drive them?
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 242
Likes: 4
From: deland fl
Can anyone in the world tell me why we see soooo many Vettes on the road during the winter months in the colder climate areas? 
I grew up in the midwest in a Vette family. I was always taught to slow to a crawl over RR tracks, avoid ripped up roads and never EVER drive a Vette in the winter. I can see getting stuck during the first snowfall before you put it away for the season but I see Vettes cruisin through the nasty salt ridden roadways all throughout the Winter here in Michigan. Aint these folks got no learnin? Mostly C5's and 6's and on occasion a 4 here and there. Have things changed over the years where it's acceptable to drive our beloved machines in the cccccccold Winter months?
I grew up in the midwest in a Vette family. I was always taught to slow to a crawl over RR tracks, avoid ripped up roads and never EVER drive a Vette in the winter. I can see getting stuck during the first snowfall before you put it away for the season but I see Vettes cruisin through the nasty salt ridden roadways all throughout the Winter here in Michigan. Aint these folks got no learnin? Mostly C5's and 6's and on occasion a 4 here and there. Have things changed over the years where it's acceptable to drive our beloved machines in the cccccccold Winter months?convertible. It had the 350 horse 327, side pipes, 4-speed, and bias ply tires. We lived in Saginaw, Michigan and drove that car thru 4 Michigan winters, only car we had. We traded the '67 in on a '69 BB coupe with 4-speed, side pipes, and bias ply tires. My wife drove that car back and forth from Saginaw to Flint to work every day, winters included. Point is, ya gotta drive what ya got. By the way HOOAH, that '69 looked just like your avatar, same car?
Enjoy!!
Larry
Thread Starter
1969/1971/2021 Coupes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,212
Likes: 80
From: Port Huron MI
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
i was always taught to throttle-up, over RR tracks...
ripped-up roads, means , grab the wheel with both hands...
& whatever ya drive in the winter, if ya stay outa the ditch - ya know how to drive.
i'm a country-boy, that started my day , feeding a shed full of chickens & 14 horses, before heading to school 10 + miles away, on backroads...but you say i'm 1 of those folks thats got no learning ? because i drive my Corvette in the winter ?
1 thing i have learned is this bud :
only asswipes, think they have been chosen , to decide , what is acceptable.
ripped-up roads, means , grab the wheel with both hands...
& whatever ya drive in the winter, if ya stay outa the ditch - ya know how to drive.
i'm a country-boy, that started my day , feeding a shed full of chickens & 14 horses, before heading to school 10 + miles away, on backroads...but you say i'm 1 of those folks thats got no learning ? because i drive my Corvette in the winter ?
1 thing i have learned is this bud :
only asswipes, think they have been chosen , to decide , what is acceptable.
Chill Out ......BUD
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
We got a foot of snow (very rare here) over the weekend and I cringed when I saw a guy sweeping off his c5 with a broom. Mine won't come back out again until the roads are clean and dry!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
Thread Starter
1969/1971/2021 Coupes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,212
Likes: 80
From: Port Huron MI
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
When I got home from Vietnam in 1968 my wife and I bought a 1967
convertible. It had the 350 horse 327, side pipes, 4-speed, and bias ply tires. We lived in Saginaw, Michigan and drove that car thru 4 Michigan winters, only car we had. We traded the '67 in on a '69 BB coupe with 4-speed, side pipes, and bias ply tires. My wife drove that car back and forth from Saginaw to Flint to work every day, winters included. Point is, ya gotta drive what ya got. By the way HOOAH, that '69 looked just like your avatar, same car?
Enjoy!!
Larry
convertible. It had the 350 horse 327, side pipes, 4-speed, and bias ply tires. We lived in Saginaw, Michigan and drove that car thru 4 Michigan winters, only car we had. We traded the '67 in on a '69 BB coupe with 4-speed, side pipes, and bias ply tires. My wife drove that car back and forth from Saginaw to Flint to work every day, winters included. Point is, ya gotta drive what ya got. By the way HOOAH, that '69 looked just like your avatar, same car?
Enjoy!!
Larry
No, my avitar shows the 71. The 69 is in as many pieces as the AIM shows.
By the way, thank you for your service in Vietnam.Terry