Summertime C3 Usage in Warmer Climates
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 465
From: Henderson, NV
St. Jude Donor '19-'20-'21-'22
Summertime C3 Usage in Warmer Climates
Las Vegas - Phoenix - Inland Empire - Florida: Hot as &%©$ this time of year!
Just wondering how much use my fellow "warm climate" C3 owners give their cars this time of year,
One of my local Corvette shop owners ( and a C3 owner himself), says he puts his car away for the summer, as they do not tolerate the heat well.
I don't have AC, so I don't see myself going very far in 100+ degree temps here in the Vegas area. I would however enjoy a night cruise once the sun goes down.
I just don't want to overburden the engine in the excessive heat.
How about you guys? Do you have a temperature cut-off? Do you disregard the thermometer and drive her all year?
Just wondering how much use my fellow "warm climate" C3 owners give their cars this time of year,
One of my local Corvette shop owners ( and a C3 owner himself), says he puts his car away for the summer, as they do not tolerate the heat well.
I don't have AC, so I don't see myself going very far in 100+ degree temps here in the Vegas area. I would however enjoy a night cruise once the sun goes down.
I just don't want to overburden the engine in the excessive heat.
How about you guys? Do you have a temperature cut-off? Do you disregard the thermometer and drive her all year?
Pro
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 615
Likes: 187
From: Orlando, Dundee, Val-des-Monts PQ
I’m in Orlando, most all evening or early morning for me in the heat of summer. Not so worried about motor just me when its 95 in the shade with %100 humidity. Plus the fact that it rains quite often.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,539
Likes: 1,971
From: Temple Terrace Florida
I live in Tampa so we get the summer rain almost every day in the afternoon. That said, I added factory air to my 68 and Vintage Air to my 66. I could not drive them without AC for much of the year. Once it starts to rain, the windows go up and it is unbearable to drive without a good working AC system.. When I lived in Brooklyn and drove the 68, it did not have AC and was not a problem. I was decades younger though. Jerry
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,395
Likes: 8,203
From: Napa Valley California
Two years ago I was in Rocklin CA for a Fathers Day car show.
It was 112 degrees when I left the show.
I sat in bumper to bumper traffic, without working AC for 2 1/2 hours before I got home.
When the traffic was moving it wasn't too bad, but when I sat still, the temp gauge climbed to the red.
My 73 never overheated and I survived.
I still drive throughout the summer without working AC and avoid the afternoon heat when the high is over 100.
Doesn't Henderson NV have that dry heat, where 100 feels like 80?
LOL...
It was 112 degrees when I left the show.
I sat in bumper to bumper traffic, without working AC for 2 1/2 hours before I got home.
When the traffic was moving it wasn't too bad, but when I sat still, the temp gauge climbed to the red.
My 73 never overheated and I survived.
I still drive throughout the summer without working AC and avoid the afternoon heat when the high is over 100.
Doesn't Henderson NV have that dry heat, where 100 feels like 80?
LOL...
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 1,232
From: PHX AZ
Generally I put a 'speed limit' on about 95°F. Because of two reasons....ME! I'm not sitting in the blazing sun! With the 82CE don't really care to sunburn the leather or the decals.
I get 9 months of great fun....they can sleep for 3 months.
1969= no AC
1982= AC so it's driven...EARLY in the morning because of IR/UV+T
Doing the car show tomorrow tho....sposed to be cool (ish!)
Unkahal
I get 9 months of great fun....they can sleep for 3 months.
1969= no AC
1982= AC so it's driven...EARLY in the morning because of IR/UV+T
Doing the car show tomorrow tho....sposed to be cool (ish!)
Unkahal
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,558
Likes: 548
From: Round Rock Texas
Good question, OP. This time of year I limit driving the old cars to early morning cruises or evenings in the early summer. Both our Camaro and our C3 are AC cars, but neither AC’s are working right now. So, if it’s above 90 degrees F, the C6 is the “go to” cruiser for daytime driving. It’s just not real fun cruising and burning up in the scorching Texas heat. 
Last edited by Jstan2014; Jun 21, 2019 at 07:20 PM.
Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
Likes: 3,865
From: Palm Springs, CA.
Palm Springs, triple digits pretty regular here so I use good cabin insulator and keep my A/C in top condition. Always use a windshield screen to keep the temp down when parked and to keep the sun from fading the interior like Unkahal pointed out. Drive mine year round. 
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
When I lived in Phoenix area, I used it every week in the summer.....but not usually in the heat of the day. Most of the car shows/cruise-ins are in late afternoon and/or evening or in the morning. And in that kind of heat and sun, coupes with A/C were more useful than convertibles. On the other hand, convertibles were nicer in the late afternoon and evening. But, a coupe could removed T-tops and rear window ('68-71). 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 213
From: The Buckle of the Bible Belt. Joplin Mo
Traffic is the issue in these parts. My bottom breather stays cool as long as its moving. We drive early morning or late evening to avoid problems. Nothing worse than sitting in traffic watching the temp climb. Believe it or not, it gets hot here.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 465
From: Henderson, NV
St. Jude Donor '19-'20-'21-'22
It's good to see most go for a drive anytime of year! I, like many here, think the heat would do damage to me than the car, lol!
I'll probably limit my "Dog Days of Summer" rides to early mornings or after sunset.
I'll probably limit my "Dog Days of Summer" rides to early mornings or after sunset.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 272
Likes: 23
From: McKinney TX
I live in Dallas and it's starting to get pretty hot. Hit about 100 today. I have a convertible that I added A/C to. I'm thinking putting the top up and driving with the A/C on might be doable. When the top is down and the sun is out that radiant heat just kills you and the A/C leaves too fast. It does help take the edge off at stoplights, but still. It will probably sit a lot this summer.
So's a blast furnace 
.