Is there a general consensus what C-3 model years were the most comfortable ride? Searching here some say 1980-1984 were a more comfortable suspension.
Or is there an after market suspension know for a comfortable ride?
My wife and I both have health issues that preclude having a sports suspension. I would prefer a 1977 or earlier model but am more than willing to sacrifice that for ride quality. Thank you for not rolling your eyes!
Heated seats are also a requirement. The forum has been helpful in that regard.

 

All C3s have stiff suspensions (they're sports cars) and none will ride like full-size cars. None had heated seats. The 84s were notoriously stiff riding, resulting in spring rates being softened for the 1985 model year.

 

really?
No eyes rolled, but heated seats were never in c3's which ended in 82, while I feel pretty c3 savvy I have to admit I do not know if any corvettes after that had seat warmers,
On the suspension ride depends on if you are strict on how it came from the factory or you do not mind mods,
I have owned c3 across the years and while the 81's rode a bit better than the 72/69/76 they all have the basic same frame and suspension and in turn any can be made somewhat more comfortable but these are sports cars and do have sport cars suspension only so much can happen, if you are stuck on c3 get a 78-82 or just get a c4 which are way nicer ride and handling but are c4's

 

The 1984 Vette's suspension was so stiff it would rattle your teeth.

I think my 69 rides good. Of course my 2008 with F55 suspension rode better.

If you're in it for the smoothest ride, a vintage Vette is probably not for you. go with a C6 or C7 with F55 suspension.

 

It's really easy to add seat heaters to any car.

 

A lot of the vendors sell 'touring' type springs. Add 15" low pressure tires and that's about all you can do. Fiberglass rear spring are more comfortable than steel.

 

The 81 was the first car with modern fiberglass springs. A big revelation at the time. The suspension setup was tweaked in 82. The 1982's is touted as the smoothest, most comfortable of the C3's in The Collector's Originality Guide by Corvette historian, Thomas Falconer. And, the C3 chief engineer (Dave Mclellan) said that the sports car buying customer segment of the time was moving away from harsh riding suspensions as many women did not appreciate it, and as the buying age and income levels rose, men wanted more comfort and features, too.
I have one - it is a mechanical member of the family - and my wife is always asking to go out for a ride. I installed the OE style Delco shocks to keep the intended ride the engineers spent hundreds of hours refining. We love it. But, it is a sports car and you will be both thrilled and disappointed if you think it's a buttercup on rough roads (as ours in Michigan). And, no C3 ever came with heated seats. They sell accessories for that in the aftermarket. Hope this helps.

 

I drove Andy Hoepfner's 82 back when he still felt it - it did ride like a creampuff compared to my 78 Gymkhana car. You definitely want a base spring suspension package car if you want a better ride. I'm not sure who makes replacement springs - the stock springs were around 300lb front, 200lb rear(maybe less) for the later small block cars.

 

After riding in my 72 for the first time I set my priorities to handling and suspension along with performance. The 1st thing I did was replace the sloppy steering with the Steroids rack/pinion kit and then the Vansteel 2" offset Ta's with coilovers in the rear and tubular A-arms with coilovers in the front. Wow! What a difference. My wife likes riding in the vette now.

 

Prior to gas shocks and the ability to use computer simulations to analyze vehicle suspension systems, it was believed that you could only get a good handling car by using very stiff springs and very stiff shocks. But, in the mid-80's very different suspension designs were found to ride well AND still perform decently.

The C2 Corvettes (1963-67) were very harsh riding vehicles, IMO. C3's were less harsh, but didn't handle any better (unless special suspension packages were optioned). Both series had the same basic frame and suspension designs, but somewhat different springing/shocks.

Late C3's were focused more on being a "luxury sports car" than a car with good handling performance; so they were more 'tame' than earlier C3 years. But, things changed in the mid-80's. Cars were sprung lighter and had gas shocks that were more responsive but not as harsh feeling as earlier hydraulic units. From that period on, it was much easier to get a vehicle that handled well and rode well, too.

Those same suspension changes will go into the earlier vehicles and improve ride AND handling from what the factory suspensions could ever do. Bilstein shocks [and some others] have greatly helped handling and ride, even without major spring changes. Basically, you can get about whatever ride/handling you want with C2's/C3's with some well thought out applications of presently available suspension components.

 

For most comfort in a stock package 81-82 hands down. The Fiberglass rear spring was the best of both worlds. GM won an engineering award for this improvement alone. Now if you just fall in love with any other C3 yr, you can add it thanks to our numerous aftermarket vendors. Happy hunting

 

My experience with the C4's is that the 84 will ride way rougher than most any C3. I know my 78 rides smoother than the 84 I rode in (both stock suspension). I think you have to go to early 90's in the C4 to get a smoother ride. That 84 would turn circles around my 78 though...as long as the road was good and smooth (upsets pretty easy on rough surfaces).

Have you driven any C3's yet?

 

Heated seats are a must I have them in my C6 Z06 and haven't used them once. MY a$$ doesn't mind the chill 78-82 if you want a "cushy" C3.

 

... unless it has the Gymkahana suspension option!

 

You're right. They are sports cars after all. None of them are really cushy. You think that rides rough, you should feel my go-kart with a big block.

 

I got my 1978 in 2014, and it had it's original multi-layered metal leaf spring. I replaced it with a single fiberglass leaf spring and the ride dramatically improved. I also have seats from a 78 pace car, which are much better than the stock seats.

C3s are not known as long distance riding car. C5s are supposed to be the easiest to get in and out of. Newer cars have the advantage of newer suspension technology, so one would surmise the ride improves with newer cars.

 

Thank you for all the helpful answers my wife and I really appreciate it!
I've learned leather Corvette seats accept aftermarket heaters safely. Or if it's possible later model seats could perhaps be added to a C-3.
What most helped me is to know I can go with a 75-77 style that I want then upgrade the suspension to a much more comfortable ride. We can go on longer cruises and enjoy it.

 

Old55, I had a 92 that I installed a sport suspension with poly bushings. It handled excellent. But yes a bit stiff. So when I put my 72 together I used the vb&p grand touring suspension kit in it. I also used rubber cushions in the arms etc. I wanted a more comfortable cruise. I'm pretty happy with the ride. Actually a lot smoother than I thought it would be.

 

The 81-82 with an automatic and base suspension, are by far the most civilized and comfortable of the third generation Corvettes.

The fiberglass rear spring, the steel floors, and the availability of most modern convenience items (such as power seat, mirrors and locks), all contribute to the comfort level of the 81-82's.

Heated seats are a relatively new phenomenon though, and really only started showing up in cars 15-20 years ago.

I have to admit that I do love heated seats, and wouldn't buy a new vehicle without them. Both my wife's 2013 SRX and my 2016 GMC Sierra, have heated steering wheels too. It sounds ridiculous, but it really is nice to have on a cold morning!