C3 long drives
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 247
Likes: 43
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
i have a 77 corvette and heard they are not made for long freeway drives, I have also heard they are fine for the freeway. My 77 has a 4 speed transmission, brand new engine, along with new water pump, and new alternator. Are these 77’s with 4 speeds not cut out for 10 hour drives at 75mph? Are they made to cruise at 55mph?
Take your beast out of the garage and show her the back country roads!
Racer
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 414
Likes: 407
From: Meadville Pennsylvania
I have little interest in interstate driving. First of all, it extremely boring. If I went to California from Pennsylvania, it would be on back roads. Its same on my Harley....no interest in interstate....that's not where the fun is. If you have to go somewhere fast, you should fly the airlines. So, I am lucky, my style of driving fits perfectly with a classic C3 Corvette.
You people do realize the carnage going on everywhere on interstate highways.....try this next time you are driving, start watching for skid marks crossing the roads, paint marks on barriers, and burn marks from fires. When you start looking for them, you will see them everywhere. We have come to the place in America that driving cars 80-100 mph on highways is commonplace,.....that by no means says that it is safe to do so, and the horrific accidents occurring all the time are a result of it. Until you experience it yourself, or witness, you all can remain naïve.
Our C3 Corvettes are way behind when it comes to safety, and I for one am avoiding interstates and turnpikes, and minivans with moms......because none of them have any clue of the carnage right awaiting them.....until there precious little child is crushed because they thing they are Jeff Gordon.
You people do realize the carnage going on everywhere on interstate highways.....try this next time you are driving, start watching for skid marks crossing the roads, paint marks on barriers, and burn marks from fires. When you start looking for them, you will see them everywhere. We have come to the place in America that driving cars 80-100 mph on highways is commonplace,.....that by no means says that it is safe to do so, and the horrific accidents occurring all the time are a result of it. Until you experience it yourself, or witness, you all can remain naïve.
Our C3 Corvettes are way behind when it comes to safety, and I for one am avoiding interstates and turnpikes, and minivans with moms......because none of them have any clue of the carnage right awaiting them.....until there precious little child is crushed because they thing they are Jeff Gordon.
When I have the Vette out back roads or at the most 2 lane 55 mph state roads are on the agenda. I live 2 miles from I79 and it is the quick way to Erie or the Shenango Valley but no thank you, I'll take the long way.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,063
Likes: 2,736
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I will make one comment about this idea that if you drive the speed limit on interstates you will get run over....well, I typically will do 5 mph over the speed limit in my DD, and as far as I am concerned anyone who doesn't like it can pass me, and I really don't care. Nobody has ever, and I doubt will ever, run me over. So, I call B.S. When in the Corvette, I will drive the speed limit....and again...pass me if you don't like it. I really don't care.
BUT,.....the real joy is driving the back roads of America, and that is where I put on most of my miles, in the Vette and the Harley.
BUT,.....the real joy is driving the back roads of America, and that is where I put on most of my miles, in the Vette and the Harley.
Last edited by Shovels and Vettes; Jan 24, 2018 at 07:30 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 105
Likes: 1
From: Ventura
I have a c3 75 with 355 rear end and a r4 trans. 18 mpg easy at 2k rpm avg 600 miles easy if you had to. whats the fekkin problem. its a fiberglass body tank at 3800 lbs <with the spare.> MAN! drive it! it is a chevy!
Racer
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 257
Likes: 122
From: Mineola Texas
Salesmen didn't caution us about long trips when we bought them new back in the 70's. My parents drove mid 50's cars to the beach when I was a kid. My great grand pappy drove a horse and buggy 100 miles. Geez. If your DD can't get you to work, you'd repair it. If your week-ender can't get you 100 miles, you should repair it.
My car has the original spare so "if" I took a long trip I might replace it with a newer one. I say "if" because there are reasons other than reliability for not taking it on a road trip. It's rough riding, noisy, consumes large quantities of gas (preferably ethanol free), the AC does not offer much benefit at temps above 85° and there is very limited room for luggage. It has a luggage rack but I've never seen anyone carry anything on one since Todd and Buzz traveled route 66.
Having said all that, my wife and I are taking our C5 on a road trip from east Texas to Bowling Green, St. Luis, Eureka Springs and back home. The only item not bettering the C3 for travelling is lack of a spare tire. That's where Hagerty's road side assistance and a cell phone come in.
Would the '70 make the trip okay? Sure! But when you're in your 60s a little extra comfort is much appreciated.
Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 1,213
From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
Incase all of the other testimonies are not enough for you.. take this for what it is worth. Every year I do an event called The Great Race. It is a cross-country race over the course of 9 days (Last year we went from Jacksonville, FL up to Traverse City, MI).. I think we had 4 Vettes last year (one doesnt count, it was basically a brand new Vette on a old 50s frame)... Every single one of them crossed the finish line. In fact, that was one of the few vehicles I did not see getting wrenched on every night (we did at least something to the '68 Mustang or the '28 Model A Speedster every night so we got to know the other cars)
Take your beast out of the garage and show her the back country roads!
Take your beast out of the garage and show her the back country roads!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Participate in life dont spectate
Its just a car guys not some rare diamond
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Pro
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 523
Likes: 249
From: SC
2018 C3 of Year Finalist
I will make one comment about this idea that if you drive the speed limit on interstates you will get run over....well, I typically will do 5 mph over the speed limit in my DD, and as far as I am concerned anyone who doesn't like it can pass me, and I really don't care. Nobody has ever, and I doubt will ever, run me over. So, I call B.S. When in the Corvette, I will drive the speed limit....and again...pass me if you don't like it. I really don't care.
BUT,.....the real joy is driving the back roads of America, and that is where I put on most of my miles, in the Vette and the Harley.
BUT,.....the real joy is driving the back roads of America, and that is where I put on most of my miles, in the Vette and the Harley.
I just completed the entire Route 66 journey last summer in our C3. On the freeways I stuck to 70-75 mph and let the well wishers pass me. Most realize you are driving a vintage well kept car. I don't recall anyone flicking me off for not driving the limit plus 20!
Regards,
Tom69
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 247
Likes: 43
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
Yeah I am going again this year - we will have a few different rides. Ill be in the '68 Mustang, partner car of a '28 Model A Speedster, and a rescue vehicle of a '46 Jeep. You should definitely come out to the finish! Its always a HUGE show and a great time! Im actually going to stay a couple of extra nights in Nova Scotia because I have never been.