The Steel Corvette
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,944
Likes: 4,506
From: Virginia
They always make a big deal about having T-Tops, too.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 728
Likes: 346
From: Smyrna, TN
1. What do you dislike the most about your Corvette?
Getting out of the seat.
2. What do you like the most about your Corvette?
How it pins me to my seat.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 219
Likes: 240
From: Toledo, Ohio
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Recognizing that I may be opening myself to significant derision for lack of knowledge….
Is there any reason that the body panels could not be made from steel? I often read laments about how expensive and difficult body work and repaints are on the fiberglas bodies. Have replacement panels ever been stamped from steel?
Is there any reason that the body panels could not be made from steel? I often read laments about how expensive and difficult body work and repaints are on the fiberglas bodies. Have replacement panels ever been stamped from steel?
Coronette also raises a good point about whether the deep curves on a C3 body could even be stamped from steel in the late 1960s. I recall that when the fifth generation Camaros came out in 2010 (by the way, stellar car - I had a six-speed SS/RS), GM said that the bulging rear quarter panels were the deepest stamp of any body panel they had ever done.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,694
Likes: 833
From: WI
The steel they've been using since the late 80's/90's is a higher carbon and thinner steel than they used to use in the 50's and 60's. There's probably different stamping technology that goes into it. But still, there's probably a lot of 'lost' knowledge how they used to effortlessly stamp amazing panels back then. When you look at some of those older 40-60's cars, the stampings were incredible. And in some cases a panel might consist of multiple panels welded together as one.
I'm thinking they would have needed to put a couple weld seams in the front and rear of a C3 for sure if they tried to make them out of metal.
I'm thinking they would have needed to put a couple weld seams in the front and rear of a C3 for sure if they tried to make them out of metal.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,357
Likes: 1,592
From: Western NY
Thanks to PBF777 and leadfoot4 for their insightful responses. I didn’t know the origin of the fiberglass bodies.
Coronette also raises a good point about whether the deep curves on a C3 body could even be stamped from steel in the late 1960s. I recall that when the fifth generation Camaros came out in 2010 (by the way, stellar car - I had a six-speed SS/RS), GM said that the bulging rear quarter panels were the deepest stamp of any body panel they had ever done.
Coronette also raises a good point about whether the deep curves on a C3 body could even be stamped from steel in the late 1960s. I recall that when the fifth generation Camaros came out in 2010 (by the way, stellar car - I had a six-speed SS/RS), GM said that the bulging rear quarter panels were the deepest stamp of any body panel they had ever done.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,403
Likes: 791
From: Redondo Beach, California
Read about people restoring cars that are over 50 years old. THE big problem is replacing rusted out body panels. I just spent hours per day over the last week cleaning up the body of my 70. Absolutely no rust on the extensive fiberglass body!
I think the Chrysler cars from late 60s and early 70s were particularly prone to rust problems. The value of their muscle cars from this era has really shot up lately. I think it's because so few of them are left.
I think the Chrysler cars from late 60s and early 70s were particularly prone to rust problems. The value of their muscle cars from this era has really shot up lately. I think it's because so few of them are left.
