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C3 Side Vents

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Old Sep 21, 2001 | 09:48 AM
  #1  
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From: winston salem nc
Default C3 Side Vents

Ok, I like my side vents, but I wish someone mae an insert or something for the c3's with no louvers. The vent area is just so big and plain looking.

Does anyone know of any co's that make aftermarket accessories such as this? I have been looking and checking around for a cpl weeks now with no luck.

I would like something chrome and with slots running horizontal, rather than the vertical slotted louvers on older c3's.
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Old Sep 21, 2001 | 10:09 AM
  #2  
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Default Re: C3 Side Vents (1976C3)

Just one simple idea:
go to a junkyard and check out some old cars.
The Fifties and Sixties classic cars had very nice side trim and for instance the Cadillacs of 59 and 60 have some very nice and sleak trim at the lower front fender.
Just pick up some of these and add them to the gill area by turning them 180°!!!
Is this an idea or not?

I post a pic of my 59 Caddy below, so you can better imagine what I´m thinking of!

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Old Sep 21, 2001 | 10:25 AM
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Default Re: C3 Side Vents (454Big)

Good Idea, thanx!

I guess its time to hit the jyard saturday just to troll for items that might catch my eye.
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Old Sep 21, 2001 | 03:19 PM
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Default Re: C3 Side Vents (1976C3)

I agree with you that it is very boring looking. I have considered adding the 68-69 "gills" to my 73. I need to play around with photoshop or something to see how it would look. I think it would be interesting to dress it up a little.
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Old Sep 21, 2001 | 04:34 PM
  #5  
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Default Re: C3 Side Vents (Maurice)

Maurice, I have a complete front clip of a 69 T-Top here.

Only problem is - its in Germany! :D

I put a whole body in stock, just to have it in spare in case of an accident or whatever.....
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Old Sep 21, 2001 | 06:06 PM
  #6  
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Default Re: C3 Side Vents (Maurice)



Its crude looking but that ias something close to what I am looking for in chrome. This is a simple drawing done in paintshop, notice the grey fins on the vents?

You can see the difference between it and my sig file, i think.


[Modified by 1976C3, 5:07 PM 9/21/2001]
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Old Sep 21, 2001 | 06:42 PM
  #7  
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Default Re: C3 Side Vents (1976C3)

Here are my two attempts at adding "gills". It is all I can do with MS Paint









[Modified by Maurice, 9:52 AM 9/24/2001]
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Old Sep 21, 2001 | 11:14 PM
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From: winston salem nc
Default Re: C3 Side Vents (Maurice)

Yeah the gills would be nice, but I am not up for doing any fiberglass work, that was why I was thinking os something chrome and attaches to the existing vent to add a lil life to the void there.
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Old Sep 22, 2001 | 01:16 AM
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Default Re: C3 Side Vents (1976C3)

If you look at an ecklers catalog they have these little fins that clip on the louvers of the early C4s. you could order a set of those i think you get like nine of them or something (you prob wouldn't use that many) You could paint them to look like chrome or something, then they are easily removed too. just a suggestion
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Old Sep 22, 2001 | 04:23 AM
  #10  
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Default Re: C3 Side Vents (Aeroshark)

@ Aeroshark:

Yep, this is what I thought of first, but those fins are way to small to cover the longer C3 sides. I guess this looks puny then?!?!
Therefore I came up with the junkyard solution for the sides.
Those Cadillac (or whatever) sidetrim is longer and it can be shortened by cutting. Vice versa is more difficult (I guess :D )
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Old Sep 22, 2001 | 11:37 AM
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Default Re: C3 Side Vents (454Big)

Post Pics if you get the caddy thing going.

Now don't kill me here, BUT.... In the c5 threads, someone had pics of a c5 with neon in the c5 gills.... and it looked pretty neat at night. I wasn't sure if that was too ricey for a c3, it works well on the c5. ;)
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Old Sep 22, 2001 | 09:24 PM
  #12  
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Default Re: C3 Side Vents (Bifkin)

Are the gills actually designed to do something, like extract heat from the engine compartment @ speed due to a low (or high) pressure area above the gills?
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Old Sep 22, 2001 | 10:04 PM
  #13  
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Default Re: C3 Side Vents (glen242)

Yep, in 68 / 69 and in 73 - 82 they were designed to pass the heat from the engine compartment to the outside.
70 - 72 was closed. So this years heat had to find other ways to get out of the engine bay..... :jester
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Old Sep 24, 2001 | 12:13 AM
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Default Re: C3 Side Vents (454Big)

The side vents on my '70 are open, and they do let the hot engine compartment air escape. I believe all '70-'72 Vettes were this way.
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