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I was out enjoying the amazing weather in my C3 today and at a stop light a guy and his young kid pull up and start asking if my car is fast. He wanted to see if his fat Lincoln Navigator was faster. Sure, why not? My C3 has a tired old mid 70s stock long block. With the side pipes, it sounds nasty. But it turned out to be a bit of a wimp. The Lincoln Navigator immediately took the lead and I doubt I would have ever caught up if I kept at it. I didn't want to go too far beyond the speed limit. I was thinking of upgrading to a 383 and after today, I think the sooner the better.
I’m sorry, but I do not share Corvette man’s’ lame attitude. There’s nothing special about a car that looks fast but is actually slow as hell. And there’s certainly nothing special about driving a car that groans, creaks, is hot, gets hot, leaks water into the car when it rains , and on top of all of that….
Is slower than a 2015 Nissan Altima.
Which in my book ,…is far from fun..
You guys need to pull your heads out of the sand, the other half of the car guy world knows these cars for what they actually are.
My head is not in the sand nor do I have a "lame" attititude...that is your condescending "opinion". Seems like you are not much of a Corvette fan...yet here you are on a Corvette forum.
Driving fast is just ONE reason that some people own classic / muscle / sports cars. This whole subject is not worth discussing, because its simply a matter of personal taste / personal choice. But since you commented.....and this is a forum / discussion.....
You apparently dislike the design of a C3, as previously posted, because you think it is difficult to work on. Now....your definition of a Corvette includes a requirement that it goes fast. It goes fast enough. How fast does it need to go? Not everyone still has pimples, just had their first beer, and still a virgin.....all of which is typically associated with the need to "race" someone on the street at every opportunity. I have ZERO interest in "racing" anyone, no matter what car I am in. I have guys pull up to me in whatever, and start gunning the engine and roar off in a cloud of smoke and noise.....and I don't even acknowledge their existence.....except to laugh at them. Its silliness, nonsense, and just one narrow part of driving cars that "some" people feel the need to partake in. Some people make reference to the size of their ***** as a reason.
The C3 Corvette is an iconic machine, made in the USA by one of the iconic American manufacturers, with the body styling like few other. Most people who own the car appreciate that, and is one of the best things about the car. Secondly, its a two seat sports car, that allows me to go out, relax, and truly enjoy the road. In Western PA,....there are fantastic back road two lane roads where I can enjoy the curves, enjoy the farmland and hills, and forget about everything else. I do it alot, typically 5000-6000 miles a year in my 77. Cannot enjoy the same roads as much in a Ford F150. There is a difference.
One reason is, and the other reason I love the car, is that I completely disassembled, rebuilt and restored the car, body off, to better than GM did. Every part of the car was in my hand at one point. Its a matter of pride that I did it, and did it well. I guess I could have restored a Ford and felt the same way.....but I prefer the Corvette. By the way....my rebuilt 77 is not HOT inside, it does not overheat, it does not creak and groan. If you need help on these particular problems on your car,....maybe get somebody to help you work on it who is capable of making these repairs.
Another big reason people own C3 Corvettes, is the NCRS angle.....which is not my thing, but many people enjoy restoring cars to their original build....its a hobby, that many people are involved in. They really have no interest in "fast". I love driving the car too much to go this way.
If you want to be a junior race boy on the streets, go ahead....but try to not to kill anyone. They won't appreciate it, nor will their family. I am a more responsible person than that, and don't think I have a right to that sort of nonsense. So....no.....fast is not important to me, however, my 406 SBC powered 77 Corvette is quite fast enough. It goes from zero to 60 mph fast enough to push me right back in the seat as I wind through the 4 speed gears I love so well......again...quite fast enough. I love it. The 69 will have a VortecPro 468 big block.....which will also accelerate well. Top speed and ET times are irrelevant to me.
And here are two examples of why we love Corvettes.....the pictures say it all. Enough said. I can just look at them and be happy. The orange 77 is the car I restored....and the picture of the black 69 convertible is what my 69 will look like when I finish restoring it.
One last thing......comes from the Harley world....and applies here......"If I have to explain it...you would not understand".
All cars, trucks, SUV's etc today are fast.....and people push the pedal down and make them go fast. Corvettes are nothing special anymore when it comes to speed,.....maybe they never were. My love of Corvettes has nothing to do with the speed it may or not make......its WAY more than that.
Modern cars for the most part, economy cars excepted will usually smoke these old cars bad!
Don't take on a Tesla! Those electric cars fly low! Unless of course it's a 500 mile race.
I have said forever that these cars are by no means fast... Actually very slow... Mama in her soccer van full of 6 kids will blow my '70 LS5 off the streets everytime. Fact is, not sure the last time mine saw above 50 mph... I drive it to enjoy it and know full well it is not a racer....
Build for as many cubes as you can...dont skimp on Cyl heads.
Rented a Sonata 2 ys ago..lousy 4 banger. Was surprised how quick it was and cornering..wow lol
Yes I live with old stuff.
I was almost pizzed at how slow my 73 was after buying it. I thought vettes had some *****?
Let us know what you put in there.
Most any new car can leave a light pretty well with stability controls, EFI etc.
But they are boring as hell, all look the same to me. Plastic garbage.
If its any consolation Ive had similar experiences with a solid roller stroker..entered the onramp in too high a gear and gave it throttle.
Tacome walked ahead of me had to pretend I wasnt trying
Beep-beep.
Beep-beep.
The car went beep-beep-beep.
A Cadillac Corvette is not a car to be scorned.
And now we're doing a 110.
Navigator driver said: hey buddy how do you get this out of second gear?
This is a funny thread.
“I expect to get my *** beat at any red light challenge, by just about anything, up to and including a japanese econo box or a 6000 lb SUV”
and let’s not forget,
“ Thats not what these cars are about”.
Beep-beep.
Beep-beep.
The car went beep-beep-beep.
A Cadillac Corvette is not a car to be scorned.
And now we're doing a 110.
Navigator driver said: hey buddy how do you get this out of second gear?
I'm sorry, but as a little Nash owner, I take offense that have you have plagiarized that classic song by the Playmates.
It would be better to quote that line spoken by James Taylor from the classic film Two Lane Blacktop when challenged to a race, in which he said " Well normally, I'd jump at the opportunity, but I have no desire to put my Chevrolet up against a two bit piece of Sh*t" . ( I may be paraphrasing slightly, I haven't watch it in years)
I’m sorry, but I do not share Corvette man’s’ lame attitude. There’s nothing special about a car that looks fast but is actually slow as hell. And there’s certainly nothing special about driving a car that groans, creaks, is hot, gets hot, leaks water into the car when it rains , and on top of all of that….
Is slower than a 2015 Nissan Altima.
Which in my book ,…is far from fun..
You guys need to pull your heads out of the sand, the other half of the car guy world knows these cars for what they actually are.
I’m sorry, but I do not share Corvette man’s’ lame attitude. There’s nothing special about a car that looks fast but is actually slow as hell. And there’s certainly nothing special about driving a car that groans, creaks, is hot, gets hot, leaks water into the car when it rains , and on top of all of that….
Is slower than a 2015 Nissan Altima.
Which in my book ,…is far from fun..
You guys need to pull your heads out of the sand, the other half of the car guy world knows these cars for what they actually are.
C3 Corvette's are amazing looking cars with impressive suspension and brakes for their time. I've made some suspension and brake modifications and my car handles like a dream. It runs pretty good, but the engine is definitely worn out and was never built for power. I think this whole situation was the kick in the butt that I needed to make some engine upgrades. Assuming I get a decent tax return, I plan to use it for a new engine in the spring.
I don't know about "Chick magnet"
about 24 years ago I met my Ex Wife. Cute little blond. blue eyes, about 100Ibs soaking wet. A real hottie. All was going well that evening until I offered her a lift home. When she seen the red Corvette, She later told me, She knew I had to be a creep.
Somehow I ended up winning her over. But the car didn't help.
I’m sorry, but I do not share Corvette man’s’ lame attitude. There’s nothing special about a car that looks fast but is actually slow as hell. And there’s certainly nothing special about driving a car that groans, creaks, is hot, gets hot, leaks water into the car when it rains , and on top of all of that….
Is slower than a 2015 Nissan Altima.
Which in my book ,…is far from fun..
You guys need to pull your heads out of the sand, the other half of the car guy world knows these cars for what they actually are.
Seriously however. When I bought my 77 little Ford Pintos would smoke me off the line. It was totally embarrassing.
Now adays I surprise the guys with the new stuff.
But not much of my engine is stock.
I also completely rebuilt the roof and windshield frame so it no longer leaks like a sive.
That's part of the fun. Getting these old girls to handle their best, Stop their best and go like they should.
10-22-2022, 07:44 PM
Got smoked by a Lincoln Navigator
