Sharks and Snow
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 7,032
Likes: 2
From: Newburgh NY
Sharks and Snow
Was curious how many in the north actually drive their cars all winter, snow and all. I'm looking for a new daily driver and winter is coming. I was toying with the idea of a C4 but there is also a couple of 69-72 Big Blocks for sale around here.
On bad days the wife can drop me off at the train station in the Explorer. So, snow and go?
On bad days the wife can drop me off at the train station in the Explorer. So, snow and go?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,958
Likes: 0
From: Middletown Connecticut
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Re: Sharks and Snow (78Vette-SA)
I've heard a couple stories of some people driving a ZR1 snow storms, i wouldnt recommend doing it only because the "what if" factor. i will say that i have a hard time hooking in the rain with an auto and just cruising around.. but then again i got a little more power then stock ....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 1
Re: Sharks and Snow (78Vette-SA)
The little bit of snow I've driven through down here in the Sunny South hasn't really been any worse than wet roads (which can be difficult), but then again, I've never driven in any deep snow.
You need to remember to lock your headlights up so they don't get frozen in the down position. The few ice storms we've had; I've been lucky enough to remember that.
You need to remember to lock your headlights up so they don't get frozen in the down position. The few ice storms we've had; I've been lucky enough to remember that.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 9,341
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Re: Sharks and Snow (jerryp58)
I drove my 81' as a daily driver last winter in Utah. thankfully I only lived 2 miles from work but there were many days where I idled to work because, literally, if I touched the gas the back end would swing out on me. It was kind of a pain in the butt at times but it isn't to bad as long as your careful. I also had a few days where i was driving on the highway in a snowstorm and actually snowplowed the road with the lower valence... something else to watch out for...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 9
From: B'Ville NY
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: Sharks and Snow (78Vette-SA)
This is the only snow my Corvette has seen It was only backed out of the garage to take the pic then put back away after a complete rub down before going back to hibernation.
I would say being your in NY, buy a different car for winter and save your vette for the nicer weather. A sad fact of life living in NY :( .
[Modified by mikeo, 5:56 AM 10/3/2001]
I would say being your in NY, buy a different car for winter and save your vette for the nicer weather. A sad fact of life living in NY :( .
[Modified by mikeo, 5:56 AM 10/3/2001]
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 235
Likes: 2
From: York pa
Re: Sharks and Snow (78Vette-SA)
I live in south central PA. 72 Convertible 350/200hp 4sp. I used to drive mine year round. SNOW MACHINE!! Drove throught 6- 8 inches of snow already. Of course I did this before I bought my Blazer now I treat the Vette with a bit more respect and drive it in weather it was intended for, but if the Blazer ever dies...
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Sharks and Snow (78Vette-SA)
Mine is even allergic to rain. The last time was 1980 that it got rained on and it sure didn't like that. Tried to get it to go out in the snow but it refused.
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 17,102
Likes: 7
From: Fair Oaks, OK
Re: Sharks and Snow (78Vette-SA)
Maybe its because we Okies stink when it comes to driving in snow, but I tried it once last year. My shark is absolutely afwul in the stuff. It fishtails real bad even under extremely light accelleration.
Leave it in the garage and take the explorer.
Leave it in the garage and take the explorer.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Re: Sharks and Snow (78Vette-SA)
I'd drive mine more often if I could find chains for 315/35/17 tires. I have been forced to drive in snow. I was 1500 miles from home a freak May blizard that shut down most of the upper mid west. It's not a pleasant experience and I did several out of control 360's and you had to watch out for the others who have already lost it. Vettes break they don't bend.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Boise, ID
Re: Sharks and Snow
Leave it in the garage and take the explorer.
I do a *lot* of driving in the mountains (avid skier/snowboarder) and have seen a plenty of wrecks stemming from this insane 'SUV Invincibility Syndrome', a chronic overestimation of the virtues these excessively tall, high-inertia vehicles normally driven with only the rear wheels provide when used as winter transport. :nono:
The key here is physics.
I've yet to drive the Vette in the snow, but I'd imagine it's *possible* if you drive responsibly and always use a light touch on throttle, brakes and steering. Remember but do not overestimate its strengths...low gravitational center, 4-wheel disc brakes, and be wary of but do not underestimate its weaknesses, such as high power, RWD, power steering (if you have it), and no ABS.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 17,102
Likes: 7
From: Fair Oaks, OK
Re: Sharks and Snow (UltimateAlternativeWaver)
Best cars in the snow IMO are Subarus, all-time AWD rig
As for the sport-ute invincibility syndrome... I've seen that firsthand. A large amount of SUV drivers think they can bust through anything at any speed. I used to drive a compact pickup... which was extremely light in the back end... read: PITA in the snow & ice. I would max out at about 15mph on the ice (we get a lot more ice than snow here), and the ol'boy or the soccer mom next to me in her Exploder or Explosion would be truckin along at the normal 10 - 15mph over the posted limit. I've had them spin out in front of me... and its pretty scary when they spin out, slam into the curb, and then slide across the road and hit the other curb.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,841
Likes: 3
From: Halifax, NS, Canada
Re: Sharks and Snow (CWUin82)
I bought a new Vette in 77 and I drove it three Nova Scotia winters. That was when I was commuting 50 miles each way to work (made beer for Moosehead Breweries...Do you remember the slogan? "The Moose is Loose"). It was an awesome car in snow. I always put studded snow tires on it all the way around. With the posi and the weight distribution I could follow most 4 wheel drives. I am sure the salt killed the car eventually and it is now in Corvette heaven although I have no proof of that.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
From: Denville NJ
Re: Sharks and Snow (CWUin82)
I use my Eagle Talon (Mitsubishi Eclipse) for daily driving/winter, its AWD and i've never had any problems, and we get some bad snow storms in north jersey. Also, Japanese ricer cars take a lot of abuse, so they make reliable daily drivers (if properly taken care of).
Racer
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: West Newton PA
Re: Sharks and Snow (78Vette-SA)
If you are going to drive it in the snow, get some narrower snow tires for it. Wide tires suck on rain and snow. You're better off leaving it in the garage if at all possible.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 779
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis MN
Re: Sharks and Snow (cgebert)
I live in Minnesota and drive a '92 S-10 every day in the winter. I for one would bet my left nut that I could drive a 600HP Blown Big Block in the Winter and keep it on the road. The S-10 is a piece of s-4-|-t in the winter, I have a great time sliding around corners in a 4-wheel drift, but it does get annoying.
Give that car the respect it deserves.
Park it.
Give that car the respect it deserves.
Park it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,242
Likes: 0
From: Lexington, North Carolina
Re: Sharks and Snow (mikeo)
This is the only snow my Corvette has seen It was only backed out of the garage to take the pic then put back away after a complete rub down before going back to hibernation.
mikeo- I love that photo of your car! Could you post a bigger one so I could use it as my desktop wall paper? :D