For such a small vehicle, the C3 vette's seem to have a heavy curb weight. Why do they weigh so much? Frame? Body?

 

Its probably several factors including those you've listed. I suspect though that since its design dates back to the mid-60's, engineering did not get into "weight saving" measures until the mid to late 70's when lowered horsepower due to fuel mileage, emission regulations caused the dimenishing hp output to make it a sluggish performer.

So add to the list the weight of emission control devices, safety devices and improved mileage standards added equipment with no measures taken to cut weight. It wasn't until the 80 models when alloys were introduced to begin to bring weight down.

Model year 1978 weighed the most. Dave McLellan's book Corvette from the Inside gets into this somewhat and talks about these measures and how engineering hours were spent not on performance, but meeting the growing list of regulations for emissions, safety and fuel mileage.

 

The C3 Vettes are heavier than you would think and most of that heft is in the frame that actually is more like a truck frame required because of the fiberglass body in those days. The good new is that the cars really are not that heavy compared to many cars today at around 3480 lbs for the 78/79's although the early C3's are not much lighter at around 3,200-3,300 lbs and even the later C3's. Better news is that lightening the C3's is realtive easy if you have the time, money, and inclination by replacing the 50 Lb rear steel spring with an 8 lb composite, aluminum wheels (if you have steel wheels), dumping the very heavy monolith cat for no cat at all, dumping the AIR pump and hardware, shorty headers instead of the heavy cast iron manifolds, aluminum water pump, aluminum intake (L-82's was aluminum from the factory on later years), aluminum tubular upper and lower control arms, aluminum radiator, eliminating the A/C compressor if you are so inclined, etc. You can shed lots of weight pretty fast and don't have an original engine and decide to put on a set of aluminum heads you can pretty quickly get under the weight of the current C6. I have done many of these weight saving measures and the difference is like driving alone versus a 200 lb passenger sitting next me. I am sure that there many forum members who can attest to even greater weight savings.

 

In looking through some information on the 78, one source listed some weight add ons:

Power windows = 8lbs
Floor Mats =4lbs
Rear Window defogger 1lb
Air Conditioning 67lbs
Tilt steering wheel 2lbs
Heavy duty battery 5lbs
Power antenna 4lbs
Push button radio 13lbs
Speed & cruise 6lbs

Get rid of these unnecessay items and you save 110 lbs.

 

That is excellent info! I always said whoever bought my 78 originally must have been really serious about performance since the only options were L-82, 4 speed, A/C, Gymkhana suspension, sport mirrors, Am/Fm/8 track. and aluminum wheels. No Tilt, no power door locks, no power windows, no rear defogger, no power antenna, no cruise!

 

What year is your car? I saved over 100lbs removing the front battering ram/vacuum reservoir and rear battering ram. The car will no longer survive 5 mph impacts damage free. Check my signature. I also saved 44 lbs by switching to lightweight Wilwood brake calipers. Defiinitely replace the heavy rear steel spring with a fiberglass version. Alluminum heads and intake manifold and headers will lose weight and add horsepower. I replaced my spare tire with a AAA card. My batwing mod saved about 35 lbs. An aftermarket aluminum gear drive starter saved quite a few pounds too, I forgot how much. I'd like to get my '79 down to 3000 lbs someday. I think an aftermarket hood is my next project. I wish someone would make a quality pexiglass rear window for the 78-82 cars. I hear that back window is heavy.
Bee Jay

 

My current stock configured '71 LS6 coupe weighs 3340 lbs certified on scales. This was with thee original 5 Goodyear tires also. Options on this car included N37, N40, J50, U69/79, PT7.
These cars are fairly light considering other musclecars, my '69 L78 SS Camaro convertible weighed 3640 lbs. My '70 Challenger RT/SE 440 weighed 3840 lbs.

 

can you tell me what those codes are? trying to figure out about what my car might weigh. 69 alum headed tripower big block auto no p/s p/b nothing.... alum rad

 

The 1978 seems to weigh the most at 3572, followed by the 79, at 3503, the 69 weighed 3245. Figures taken from the Corvette Black Book. There is a lot of steel in a Corvette. Even the doors have a metal frame in them. I was suprised to learn how much more my 77 weighed then my 1986.

 

Dodges are always heavy. I've seen quite a few over 4,000 lbs.

 

I have two 73's and I agree, these cars are heavy,..heavier than my first gen Camaros. You'd think a fiberglass two-seater would come in lighter, but,..

On one of the cars I'm trying to take out 350 lbs (10%). Here's what I've done so far:

Auto to manual tranny: 50 lbs
70 doors: 28 lbs (documented with scales vs. 73 doors)
Alum heads: 40 lbs
Alum L-36 intake: 15 lbs
Headers: 15 lbs
Mini-starter: 5 lbs
Evap removal: 5 lbs
A.I.R and EGR removal: 20 lbs
Aluminun wheels: 30 lbs
Spare tire removal: 50 (yes, I know a spare helps if I'm rear-ended)
Jack removal: 10 lbs
Fiberglass rear leaf spring: 35 lbs
Aluminum radiator: 5 lbs
Removal of undercoating and sound deadening material in the interior: 15 lbs (at least; Chevy must have used 5 gallons of this stuff per car)

All that, and I still maintain power windows, AC, power brakes & steer, factory AM/FM Stereo, and full "deluxe" interior.

I wish somebody would make and sell an aluminum battering ram,..I'd be first in line.

Good luck!

 

Just an FYI that a full optioned 78/79 indeed weigh the most but you need to know what options the cars had to really know the weight or get the car weighted as some above have done. For example, a 78 with an L-82 4 spd aluminum wheels, no A/C, aluminum intake from the factory, no power any thing versus an L-48 with Steel wheels, loaded with every option, and an automatic can weigh as much as 150 pounds less than the L-48 of the sames year. Add a few other reductions that many people have done like the rear spring, cat removal, AIR pump removal, etc and there goes another 100 pounds. Pretty quickly the car is at the weight of a C4/C5 vette (3,200-3,300lbs). I am actually more surprised that the C4/C5's are not lighter (I know why) and should have been. The C6's finally were on more of a diet.

 

For all it's mods my car weighs a even 3300 lbs....surprisingly heavy I was 200 lbs disappointed.....

the muncie went for a 200 4r, the SBC now has aluminum heads/headers, plastic rear spring, but for all the changes, the weight is about the same, maybe 100 lbs lighter...if that....

crazy,.....course I did ADD power windows...but that'a 10 lbs motor per side....woopie doo....

I put that much weight on my lard *** over the last 15 years too.....

 

I heard that. I was 21 and weighed 165lbs soaking wet when I bought my car new in 1979, now I'm 51 and pushing 240lbs. I resolve to lose 29 lbs in 2009. 29 in 2009, that's my motto. I gotta go, my cinamin roll and coffee should be ready.
Bee Jay

 

I have alum heads, a man tran, a fiber spring, non stock cats ETC on my 76, I totally missed the 50lb spare tire. I'll have to pull it and see if I can tell a difference. Its not like I drive it to work!

Have to go with steel on the battering ram though! A little more weight is a good thing as long as you don't have to run to far with it.

 

My '77 is at 2.750lbs at moment and i didn't finish yet...

My target is get to 2.600lbs, the only problem is that the more you go down in weight the more costly becomes each lb you shave from the car...

 

Better make sure then Panic that you visit the small room before taking the car out - must save a pound or two

 

...A pound or two?????!!!

 

My Race '68 Vert has 2750 lbs dry weight and that's with a full cage and interior (except for the passenger seat)..

There's lots of weight saving potential on C3's.. As others posted, early C3's were a lot lighter due to less safety requirements.. They added steel beams to the doors, the reinforced front and rear 5 mph bumpers were heavy too. All the accessories (i.e. A/C etc) added some additional weight..
A lot of the weight is also in the wheels.. Even the factory aluminum wheels were fairly heavy.. I took over 100 lbs off the car just by changing wheels & tires. Factory seats are very heavy too except for the '80 - '82 style fiberglass shell seats.

 

Pay attention to Panic's/GSC3' posts, they have worked hard to get cars down there....and have anything close to a stockish car...

but not to feel so badly, as any other car of similar vintage and power has nearly the same weights....stock....