C3: An American Icon -- Like it or not
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04-25-2016, 09:02 AM
#2
Racer
He begrudgingly gives the C3 its due. I quite frankly, don't see the phallic imagery he does in the shape of the body - the C3 has always had some very sensual feminine curves, if you ask me. 
04-25-2016, 09:21 AM
#3
The author is evidently sexually disoriented.
Boerne, TX ? Spent some time at the Top of the Hill RV Park when visiting San Antonio in 2012. Nice part of the country.
04-25-2016, 12:29 PM
#5
Le Mans Master
October 30, 2015, Peter Cheney picks his #1 car of all time......
wait for it.....
The Toyota Corolla!
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe...ticle27045646/
wait for it.....
The Toyota Corolla!
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe...ticle27045646/
04-25-2016, 12:41 PM
#6
Melting Slicks
October 30, 2015, Peter Cheney picks his #1 car of all time......
wait for it.....
The Toyota Corolla!
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe...ticle27045646/
wait for it.....
The Toyota Corolla!
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe...ticle27045646/
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jr73 (04-28-2016)
04-25-2016, 12:58 PM
#7
Drifting
I look at my car in my garage on a regular basis. I notice that the rising points in the front fenders are absolutely unnecessary as the suspension cannot possibly allow the front tire that deep into the car. Similar for the rear fenders.
BUT...
Imagine the C3 without those flamboyant fenders? If that immense styling error was combined with the laughable power ratings in the late 70's, the Corvette brand would probably have died on the vine right then.
On the contrary...the styling ALONE allowed the Corvette to persist, and do it with amazing production numbers (over 40,000 produced each year from 1976 through 1981) DESPITE the wheezy engines of the time.
BUT...
Imagine the C3 without those flamboyant fenders? If that immense styling error was combined with the laughable power ratings in the late 70's, the Corvette brand would probably have died on the vine right then.
On the contrary...the styling ALONE allowed the Corvette to persist, and do it with amazing production numbers (over 40,000 produced each year from 1976 through 1981) DESPITE the wheezy engines of the time.
04-25-2016, 01:05 PM
#8
Instructor
I look at my car in my garage on a regular basis. I notice that the rising points in the front fenders are absolutely unnecessary as the suspension cannot possibly allow the front tire that deep into the car. Similar for the rear fenders.
BUT...
Imagine the C3 without those flamboyant fenders? If that immense styling error was combined with the laughable power ratings in the late 70's, the Corvette brand would probably have died on the vine right then.
On the contrary...the styling ALONE allowed the Corvette to persist, and do it with amazing production numbers (over 40,000 produced each year from 1976 through 1981) DESPITE the wheezy engines of the time.
BUT...
Imagine the C3 without those flamboyant fenders? If that immense styling error was combined with the laughable power ratings in the late 70's, the Corvette brand would probably have died on the vine right then.
On the contrary...the styling ALONE allowed the Corvette to persist, and do it with amazing production numbers (over 40,000 produced each year from 1976 through 1981) DESPITE the wheezy engines of the time.
04-25-2016, 01:16 PM
#9
Seems to me the casual car fan lumps all C3s together, but in reality you have to look at '68-'72 differently than '73-'82, both in terms of appearance and performance. '68 was supposed to be the beginning of a new era of power and flamboyance and those early chrome bumpers cars were a promising start. Then the 5 MPH bumper laws and emissions hit and the Corvette lived in its own shadow for many years. However brutally fast and sensual they might have been, those early bruisers became guilty by association.
Agree with the poster above who attributes the survival of the car partly on its looks, even with the poly bumpers. The loyal fan base accrued over 20+ years didn't hurt either.
I always wonder how the '73 to '82 models would have evolved unfettered by those restrictions.
Agree with the poster above who attributes the survival of the car partly on its looks, even with the poly bumpers. The loyal fan base accrued over 20+ years didn't hurt either.
I always wonder how the '73 to '82 models would have evolved unfettered by those restrictions.
04-25-2016, 01:36 PM
#10
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04-25-2016, 02:31 PM
#11
Burning Brakes
I look at my car in my garage on a regular basis. I notice that the rising points in the front fenders are absolutely unnecessary as the suspension cannot possibly allow the front tire that deep into the car. Similar for the rear fenders.
BUT...
Imagine the C3 without those flamboyant fenders? If that immense styling error was combined with the laughable power ratings in the late 70's, the Corvette brand would probably have died on the vine right then.
On the contrary...the styling ALONE allowed the Corvette to persist, and do it with amazing production numbers (over 40,000 produced each year from 1976 through 1981) DESPITE the wheezy engines of the time.
BUT...
Imagine the C3 without those flamboyant fenders? If that immense styling error was combined with the laughable power ratings in the late 70's, the Corvette brand would probably have died on the vine right then.
On the contrary...the styling ALONE allowed the Corvette to persist, and do it with amazing production numbers (over 40,000 produced each year from 1976 through 1981) DESPITE the wheezy engines of the time.
A C3 without the curves is a C4.
Jack.
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JKHolman (05-02-2016)
04-25-2016, 02:44 PM
#12
Racer
Seems to me the casual car fan lumps all C3s together, but in reality you have to look at '68-'72 differently than '73-'82, both in terms of appearance and performance. '68 was supposed to be the beginning of a new era of power and flamboyance and those early chrome bumpers cars were a promising start. Then the 5 MPH bumper laws and emissions hit and the Corvette lived in its own shadow for many years. However brutally fast and sensual they might have been, those early bruisers became guilty by association.
Agree with the poster above who attributes the survival of the car partly on its looks, even with the poly bumpers. The loyal fan base accrued over 20+ years didn't hurt either.
I always wonder how the '73 to '82 models would have evolved unfettered by those restrictions.
Agree with the poster above who attributes the survival of the car partly on its looks, even with the poly bumpers. The loyal fan base accrued over 20+ years didn't hurt either.
I always wonder how the '73 to '82 models would have evolved unfettered by those restrictions.
That said, I also believe the C3 is the sexiest version of all. Tastes vary but that's my view even when I look at both my cars.
Last edited by SLBelt; 04-25-2016 at 02:47 PM.
04-25-2016, 03:12 PM
#13
Race Director
Member Since: Mar 2003
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hum...seems the writer likes to write mistakenly believing like some morning radio dj that every bit of tripe out of his mouth is witty and clever, 
while I finds it just another bunch of dribble from a non car non corvette person...getting past the corvette parts I do admit I now know way too much about what this guy has on his mind, starting what what he thinks a corvette looks like....
while I finds it just another bunch of dribble from a non car non corvette person...getting past the corvette parts I do admit I now know way too much about what this guy has on his mind, starting what what he thinks a corvette looks like....
04-25-2016, 06:23 PM
#14
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/authors/peter-cheney?service=mobile
Somebody else read this drivel because I find it VERY hard to believe. I think I threw up in my mouth.
Somebody else read this drivel because I find it VERY hard to believe. I think I threw up in my mouth.
04-26-2016, 07:13 AM
#15
Burning Brakes
not even close. C4's have plenty of curves, If you compare it to a C3 it is definitely more understated, but they are there. compare it to a new vette and they are clearly more noticeable. and I won't even get into the differences in suspension and ride. and comfort. and everything else. I love my C3's but love my C4 as well, and get just as many compliments on the swoopy curves on the C4 as I do on the C3...now a C7 is barely distinguishable from a Camaro. that is what is going to kill the brand.
04-26-2016, 08:45 AM
#16
Burning Brakes
If anything I believe the C7 is reviving the brand. I've never been a straight line kinda guy.
Always went for the curves. I can respect all corvettes but the C4
To me resembles that block of wood the teachers used to use to keep the classroom doors open if the C3 design wasn't so good then why did it get a 15 year run with such high number of sales into the later years? Like a fine woman, the C3 has sexy curves, who cares what bumpers you have.
Always went for the curves. I can respect all corvettes but the C4
To me resembles that block of wood the teachers used to use to keep the classroom doors open
if the C3 design wasn't so good then why did it get a 15 year run with such high number of sales into the later years? Like a fine woman, the C3 has sexy curves, who cares what bumpers you have.
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Torqued Off (04-30-2016)
04-26-2016, 08:59 AM
#17
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St. Jude Donor '05
If only the c3 had the C4 suspension and a little more power it would have been so much more the winner but just wasnt gonna happen during the 70s.
in the 80s hitting 200hp was a big deal!
I remember sitting in lines a block long when they were rationing gas, thats when the import thing really started to get popular
They all got their good and bad points...you can still pick a C4 out of acrowd, C3 definitely. C7 is a heck of a machine but coming down the st from C5 on up can be confused for a number of different vehicles...so many look like knockoffs of eachother its hard to tell whats what anymore. Lotsa plastic
Miss real emblems, trim and real chrome bumpers, grills etc
in the 80s hitting 200hp was a big deal!
I remember sitting in lines a block long when they were rationing gas, thats when the import thing really started to get popular
They all got their good and bad points...you can still pick a C4 out of acrowd, C3 definitely. C7 is a heck of a machine but coming down the st from C5 on up can be confused for a number of different vehicles...so many look like knockoffs of eachother its hard to tell whats what anymore. Lotsa plastic
Miss real emblems, trim and real chrome bumpers, grills etc
Last edited by cv67; 04-26-2016 at 09:00 AM.
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jr73 (04-28-2016)
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04-26-2016, 11:30 AM
#20
Burning Brakes
wow you guys are obtuse. can you not see the curves on the front fenders? seriously? drive one once. you'll get a better view. they may be straightened out some from the C3's but they are there.
I don't get the hate between corvette models...a vette is a vette. we may have our favorites, but I wouldn't turn down any year vette, even a C7.
and btw, C4's went 13 years at almost 360,000... C5's with more curves only went 9...
I don't get the hate between corvette models...a vette is a vette. we may have our favorites, but I wouldn't turn down any year vette, even a C7.
and btw, C4's went 13 years at almost 360,000... C5's with more curves only went 9...
