Hallo it's me again...QUESTION for all of you C3 owners.
02-10-2013, 01:36 AM
#23
Melting Slicks
I would say that is simply your opinion, unless you are an engineer who designed the C3 vette. Everyone can have an opinion, but I hardly think you are correct on this one. Secondly, if it was not located there, where else would you put a spare tire on a C3 Corvette.
Simply put, the back of a C3 is as much or more of a bomb as an early Ford Pinto could ever have hoped to be, and locating the spare right below the tank and directly behind the differential happened to be a pretty covenient way of a) finding a place to put it and b) giving that over-exposed fuel tank SOME protection.
Is it my opinion? OF COURSE. Some opinions have more basis in the obvious than others though. Do this little bit of research...look at virtually EVERY other American production car of the same period and see where the gas tank was placed...way down low, in back, suspended UNDER the frame. You could do that with a reasonable degree of safety in THOSE cars (Impalas, Chevelles, Galaxies, big Cadillacs, and the like) because there was a ton of space between the rear bumper and where the occupants sat, and the bumpers and frames were substantial enough to provide some protection for the tank. Not so in a C3. It's a sports car, and that presents certain packaging challenges.
So I'll stand by my humble opinion (and no Mike, I'm not gonna spend the next three weeks arguing about it with you) and leave it at that.
Peace, love, and good night all...
02-10-2013, 02:24 AM
#24
Racer
I don't care for the tire I have rode side assistance..nor for the perfect look but I'd like to make the vehicle as safe as possible.
If safer ...what's going to take to install/add a spare tire?
Can I install the tire with only the Y bracket without the actual upper/lower carriers?..those things are expensive!
Thank you guys
Cheers
If safer ...what's going to take to install/add a spare tire?
Can I install the tire with only the Y bracket without the actual upper/lower carriers?..those things are expensive!
Thank you guys
Cheers
02-10-2013, 09:41 AM
#25
Melting Slicks
These cars were never meant to be hit from any angle or taken apart and reassembled. GM wanted people to buy them, drive them for a couple years then throw them away and buy another.
02-10-2013, 12:05 PM
#28
Racer
Member Since: Aug 2006
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I would think, that the metal carrier with out the tub would work out O.K. for you...And if your 'Vette is only driven on city streets, then one could do with out a spare tire assembly. However, being safety is one of your hot-buttons...out on the open road, a spare tire and tools would be required...And you will most likely have better control of the car at speed, due to the fact that the wind has to go around the tire tub assembly... instead of flowing into a hole ...that lifts up the rear of the car...For myself, I consider it a functional component of the car...
02-10-2013, 07:31 PM
#29
Melting Slicks
Cattiva73, I would use a spare tire carrier. First for the convenience, and second for the protection. Plus it keeps everything in back, wiring and gas tank, from getting dirty and wet while driving. I agree with birdsmith. Obviously you guys (and gals) have never seen the C-4 rear frame extension. My company made them. They are about 37 pounds of aluminum. The die makers told me that they were originally only about 18 pounds until they smacked them for the goverment rear end test. Then they had to make additional dies for all of the new reinforcement brackets. Anyway, there are two 12" long steel carriage bolts in the back, isolated by plastic from the bare aluminum. I was told that they are there to keep the pieces together long enough to pass the rear impact test.