Why did GM develop vacuum actuated headlights?
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 185
Likes: 113
The Corvette brakes are far better than anything else GM offered from a performance stand point. Typically higher performance things require more work or maintenance.
That said, they aren't that difficult to bleed if you use the right procedure.
The same vacuum design used on numerous other cars GM put out
Yes, no other GM car had issues with water intrusion or rot. Must be why every single GM muscle car has perfect floor boards. Wait, no, that's one of the most common things to be rusted out...
GMs other offerings have positive camber under compression. To say nothing of how much the rear axle moves side-to-side on the A and F bodies. The Corvette's rear toe issues are incredibly minor in comparison.
No different than any other GM car.
Finally, one that doesn't apply to the other cars...
If you want access, buy a C10. Makes any muscle car look tight in comparison. In all honestly, this is drastically overblown. People like to bitch, but nothing about the C3 is that difficult, especially in comparison to modern cars.
Sounds like you need to work on your Corvettes. Mine is stupid reliable. Can sit for weeks, will start right up and drive anywhere I want it to. Works in triple digit temps, even if I don't care for it. Works long distances on freeways. Works in traffic to and from work. If yours doesn't, you need to work on it.
That said, they aren't that difficult to bleed if you use the right procedure.
vacuum design
water invasion, biircage rot
suspension design
wire harness routing
fiberglass flexing
access to repair simple parts
. Do you want me to continue.. I own a 70 and a 75 only because I enjoy working on cars but I would NEVER use them for realiable or a road trip .. I have my carmaro and chevelle for that
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 1,359
Likes: 822
From: Wisconsin
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
The Corvette brakes are far better than anything else GM offered from a performance stand point. Typically higher performance things require more work or maintenance.
That said, they aren't that difficult to bleed if you use the right procedure.
The same vacuum design used on numerous other cars GM put out
Yes, no other GM car had issues with water intrusion or rot. Must be why every single GM muscle car has perfect floor boards. Wait, no, that's one of the most common things to be rusted out...
GMs other offerings have positive camber under compression. To say nothing of how much the rear axle moves side-to-side on the A and F bodies. The Corvette's rear toe issues are incredibly minor in comparison.
No different than any other GM car.
Finally, one that doesn't apply to the other cars...
If you want access, buy a C10. Makes any muscle car look tight in comparison. In all honestly, this is drastically overblown. People like to bitch, but nothing about the C3 is that difficult, especially in comparison to modern cars.
Sounds like you need to work on your Corvettes. Mine is stupid reliable. Can sit for weeks, will start right up and drive anywhere I want it to. Works in triple digit temps, even if I don't care for it. Works long distances on freeways. Works in traffic to and from work. If yours doesn't, you need to work on it.
That said, they aren't that difficult to bleed if you use the right procedure.
The same vacuum design used on numerous other cars GM put out
Yes, no other GM car had issues with water intrusion or rot. Must be why every single GM muscle car has perfect floor boards. Wait, no, that's one of the most common things to be rusted out...
GMs other offerings have positive camber under compression. To say nothing of how much the rear axle moves side-to-side on the A and F bodies. The Corvette's rear toe issues are incredibly minor in comparison.
No different than any other GM car.
Finally, one that doesn't apply to the other cars...
If you want access, buy a C10. Makes any muscle car look tight in comparison. In all honestly, this is drastically overblown. People like to bitch, but nothing about the C3 is that difficult, especially in comparison to modern cars.
Sounds like you need to work on your Corvettes. Mine is stupid reliable. Can sit for weeks, will start right up and drive anywhere I want it to. Works in triple digit temps, even if I don't care for it. Works long distances on freeways. Works in traffic to and from work. If yours doesn't, you need to work on it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 805
Likes: 260
My $.02, adjusted for inflation is MONEY. C2's had electric opening lights with virtually no issues. At least I never had any with mine. SO someone decided that all those rubber hoses could be run off of FREE vacuum power. Rubber hoses were cheaper than an 2 electric motors. Funny how they went back to electric for C4's. I will never forget the first time I opened the hood on a C3 and saw all of those hoses. OMG, no wonder we needed diagrams of where they all went. 
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,697
Likes: 833
From: WI
I'm sure it had to do with cost. And maybe power. Seems like I read somewhere in some magazine or book long ago, where being able to break through frozen snow & ice was a reason. Pretty sure it also was for the wiper cover on early C3's. Vacuum motors can be really powerful. Lot of owners drove Corvettes year round back then. I've heard old-timers describe to me some of their Winter C3 stories.
Think of tubing like wires and it makes more sense. To me, they're no big deal. Most C3's went decades w/o much trouble. Mine still work. I'm sure if Zora had an unlimited budget he would have done several things different. It's easy to look back and play barstool quarterback.
Think of tubing like wires and it makes more sense. To me, they're no big deal. Most C3's went decades w/o much trouble. Mine still work. I'm sure if Zora had an unlimited budget he would have done several things different. It's easy to look back and play barstool quarterback.
