A corvette with NO power options...
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,274
Likes: 6
From: Corvetteville USA
I guess I will have to find a local chrome bumper corvette with no power steering and try it myself and see what it is like.
Let me ask you this.....
If I am at a traffic light, left turn lane at full stop. Left arrow shows and I need to make a U turn, am I going to have to use two hands to turn the wheel to make the turn?
Let me ask you this.....
If I am at a traffic light, left turn lane at full stop. Left arrow shows and I need to make a U turn, am I going to have to use two hands to turn the wheel to make the turn?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 34
From: Working on the car NY
I guess I will have to find a local chrome bumper corvette with no power steering and try it myself and see what it is like.
Let me ask you this.....
If I am at a traffic light, left turn lane at full stop. Left arrow shows and I need to make a U turn, am I going to have to use two hands to turn the wheel to make the turn?
Let me ask you this.....
If I am at a traffic light, left turn lane at full stop. Left arrow shows and I need to make a U turn, am I going to have to use two hands to turn the wheel to make the turn?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,274
Likes: 6
From: Corvetteville USA
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,988
Likes: 6,212
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
I believe early C3s (actually, all C3s) have enhanced values with the more options you can find (air, ps, pb, tilt, pw). Auto trans is an exception.
I think this is most particularly true of coupes in today's market.
I've heard the old "power robbing" comments but never really understood them much in the C3 world.
PS/PB = better. Air? Way better.
I think this is most particularly true of coupes in today's market.
I've heard the old "power robbing" comments but never really understood them much in the C3 world.
PS/PB = better. Air? Way better.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 620
Likes: 18
From: Travelers Rest, SC
When I was looking for my C3 I thought I would try and find a car with power steering and brakes then I ame across my car which doesn't have either power steering or brakes and it's really not bad at all, does take getting used to. Heck I drive it to work everyday it's not raining.
The biggest thing with power steering is that if you're at least creeping along, the steering effort isn't nearly as hard as just sitting still and cranking the wheel one way or the other.
The biggest thing with power steering is that if you're at least creeping along, the steering effort isn't nearly as hard as just sitting still and cranking the wheel one way or the other.
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 121
From: Kernersville NC
When I was 16 I started driving an old 1956 Chevrolet school bus with no PS. It did take an effort to maneuver when parking or in tight situations but if a 135 lb 16 year old can do it I think most others can. We had a lot of female drivers driving the same no PS buses with no difficulty. If you have the stock width tires it will not be much of an issue. If you put wider tires on then it will begin to get more difficult. I would not walk away from a non PS car just for that reason alone especially if you like the car. You can add it in the OEM or several different versions.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,186
Likes: 41
From: Pinecrest FL
2015 C3 of the Year Finalist
My 63 has manual steering and brakes. Its a pain to parallel park, but for making a turn, etc as soon as you start to roll the turn is no problem.
I would not suggest 427/454 without PS. Its alot of extra weight on the front axle.
gary
I would not suggest 427/454 without PS. Its alot of extra weight on the front axle.
gary
Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 620
Likes: 18
From: Travelers Rest, SC
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 34
From: Working on the car NY
Back in the mid-70's when I was a kid
, I had a '68 GTO with manual steering and manual brakes and never knew the difference
ps. it also had 60 series tires. I guess we're all getting too old
, I had a '68 GTO with manual steering and manual brakes and never knew the differenceps. it also had 60 series tires. I guess we're all getting too old
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,683
Likes: 3,137
From: Shamong, NJ
The lack of power steering is only really noticeable, when a car is stopped, or turning at a very low speed. The power steering used in these old Corvettes, is nothing like what modern cars have. I actually like an early Corvette, without power steering. The Corvette's old system, tended to be vague and offered very little feedback.
I wouldn't pass on a car, just because it didn't have power steering. If you had a car without power steering, and felt you really needed it, it's easy to add to an old Corvette. All of the Corvette vendors, sell a power steering conversion kit for around $800. It has all you need to do the conversion, and it uses all stock parts, so it doesn't effect the car's value. It can all be installed by any mechanic, in a few hours.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Prairie Village Kansas
I believe early C3s (actually, all C3s) have enhanced values with the more options you can find (air, ps, pb, tilt, pw). Auto trans is an exception.
I think this is most particularly true of coupes in today's market.
I've heard the old "power robbing" comments but never really understood them much in the C3 world.
PS/PB = better. Air? Way better.
I think this is most particularly true of coupes in today's market.
I've heard the old "power robbing" comments but never really understood them much in the C3 world.
PS/PB = better. Air? Way better.
Definitely need the A/C in the humid Kansas City summers!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 14
From: Airdrie Alberta
A 71 sb Corvette with no power options is a pleasure to own, restore, drive, and work on.
A few would say it's the way God intended them to be.
Regards,
Alan
A few would say it's the way God intended them to be.
Regards,
Alan
My 73 L82/4spd only has Am/Fm mono radio for an option (aside from L82)
and i totally enjoy drivinig it...also keeps the wife out of it
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 769
Likes: 36
From: Goose Creek SC
Before I bought my current Vette I checked out and test drove a '68 coupe with no power options at all. A bit tough to steer for parking but you would get used to it. I passed on that car because of rust issues, not the fact that it had no P.S., brakes or air. As Alan says, they are a dream to work on.