do c3s handle well?
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Waxhaw NC
Re: do c3s handle well? (garagedweller2)
Vettes definitely handle well. The only problem I have had is that the rear end is so light that it will lose traction if i pull to fast of a u-turn. My 79 does have a lot of suspension work done, but it'll still corner like a dream. The previous owner did slalom type street racing (in between the cones). They are a rough ride, you'll feel every bump in the road but they'll pull whatever maneuver you want. :D
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: North Carolina
Re: do c3s handle well? (Colin70)
from what I understand, the corvettes of yesteryear, where the standard as are the corvettes of today. I guess the only way to truely answer that question is to talk to someone who owned one when they where brand new, and can remember what it was like compared to other cars on the road in that day(like today the corvette is top dog among new cars under $60K :jester ).
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From: My own state of mind
Re: do c3s handle well? (daniel77350)
I think it may have been my imagination or my loyalty to Corvettes but to me, my 1980 Corvette feels a lot stiffer on the street than my dads 2002 Mustang.
Matt
Matt
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From: Westfield Indiana
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Re: do c3s handle well? (garagedweller2)
That depends on the suspension option of the year. Base suspension, they handle ok, but I can attest to the need for 17" wheels and good tires, not to mention an anti-sway bar. But it sure is fun, and as long as you are expecting the body roll, and know where it will let loose, you can drive it almost as well as a new vette. If it had "gymkhana" suspension as an option, then yes, it handled well.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Carmichael CA
Re: do c3s handle well? (garagedweller2)
The C3's have the same suspension design as todays models. Fully independent suspension with a transverse rear leaf spring. My vette handles so well that my carb gets flooded from fuel splashing over the sides. It handles great at around 50mph on those 25mph freeway onramps!
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Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Orlando Floriduh
Re: do c3s handle well? (Rockn-Roll)
C3"s can be made to handle well with a few mods AND modern wheel and tire sizes, however... we(C3 owners and especially early C3) have taken a serious set back in the last couple of years. There are virtually NO stock size performance tires made today. This means that if you want to retain a stock look (wheels and tires) the only tires available are "S" rared passenger car tires or SUV tires. So now if you have a good performing C3 with a set of Z rated tires, you will be very disappointed when you need to get new "rubber". :mad :cry :cuss
[Modified by silvervetteman, 4:31 AM 4/17/2002]
[Modified by silvervetteman, 4:31 AM 4/17/2002]
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Joined: Apr 1999
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From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Re: do c3s handle well? (garagedweller2)
Yes! Wt. dist. is near or can easily be made 50/50 w/ SB. Early SB like the LT-1 handled well compared to exotic cars of the time.
Last Stingray 77 w/ FE-7 was really good. See my website 77 Facts & was later matched by a Ferrari 512BB.
:cool:
Last Stingray 77 w/ FE-7 was really good. See my website 77 Facts & was later matched by a Ferrari 512BB.
:cool:
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Medford, OR
Re: do c3s handle well?
I was actually quite impressed with the way my car handled the first time I drove it. I expected okay handling at best given it's age but I've taken it through twisties pushing it about as hard as I have in newer Camaros and Mustangs w/ less body roll to boot.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,360
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From: Plano TX
Re: do c3s handle well? (Twinnie)
Without some (a lot) work on them all American cars handle and brake like crap compared to European standards... IMO.
Marck
Marck
I've driven countless american as well as european and japanese vehicles from the 60's all the way to present. I have never noticed any specific handling deficiency based on origin.
I used to have a '75 Camaro that I upgraded with Z28 and Trans am suspension parts (not aftermarket). I outcornered most cars I played with, most of them european and 20 years newer.
Race Director
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Re: do c3s handle well? (zwede)
I've driven C3, C4 Corvette, Chevy 1500 silverado, 87 Camaro.
All those had areally boat like ride.. have you ever driven a good beemer or a merc?
You may think it's crap, I said it's my opinion...
Marck
All those had areally boat like ride.. have you ever driven a good beemer or a merc?
You may think it's crap, I said it's my opinion...
Marck
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Re: do c3s handle well? (garagedweller2)
Handle well - h*ll yes ! - just try to find another 60's car that can take my vette ! (ok, Ferrari's are excluded)...
But really they were rated at 0.84g on the skidpad, not bad for a 1968 vette with 8-inch bias tires ! -Wow.
And now with all the updated aftermarket stuff, a modified C3 can probably get up to 0.95g on the skidpad. (for comparison, C5's handle 1.01g on the skidpad !)
.....just don't be fooled by an older vette that needs suspension work, they weren't mushy from the factory ! :D
But really they were rated at 0.84g on the skidpad, not bad for a 1968 vette with 8-inch bias tires ! -Wow.
And now with all the updated aftermarket stuff, a modified C3 can probably get up to 0.95g on the skidpad. (for comparison, C5's handle 1.01g on the skidpad !)
.....just don't be fooled by an older vette that needs suspension work, they weren't mushy from the factory ! :D
C6 the C5 of tomorrow
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Twin Cities Minnesota
Re: do c3s handle well? (verskel)
Who was it HotRod? Back whe the Vette came out they did a comparo between a Porshe and a '68(?) Vette and while they expected the Vette to be faster on the strip they were very surprised to find it faster in the Slalom too:D:D
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
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From: San Diego CA
Re: do c3s handle well? (Twinnie)
I've driven C3, C4 Corvette, Chevy 1500 silverado, 87 Camaro.
All those had areally boat like ride.. have you ever driven a good beemer or a merc?
You may think it's crap, I said it's my opinion...
Marck
All those had areally boat like ride.. have you ever driven a good beemer or a merc?
You may think it's crap, I said it's my opinion...
Marck
Even C4's had several different suspension options - none of them I think classify as boat like, I have owned BMW's and driven Mercs (actually thinking about getting a new one) and if you want to talk about boats I think the larger Mercs qualify.
Personally I think a C3 is way to harsh a ride to be called boat like too. They can be MADE to handle certainly, I think out of the box they are a bit outclassed by the lighter more technologicly advanced cars of today.
I think saying that all American cars Handle like crap compared to European cars is a Broad generalization. I'd sign up with replacing 'all'' with 'some' or possibly even 'many'. And I'm not talking about comparing a Geo metro to a V-12 BMW.
BTW - is that motor of yours installed and running - I would love to see pictures of that - It looks way too :cool:
[Modified by fauxrs, 12:56 PM 4/17/2002]
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Re: do c3s handle well? (fauxrs)
I didn't say the truck was a comparison, I just answerred wich ami's I had driven...sheesj!
Also, you wouldn't believe what a 1500 costs here, you could buy a REAL nice beemer for that!
I think the C3 corvette brakes and handles like crap.. MY opinion! Driving at the autobahn gets scary, even w/ good poly bushings and other suspension upgrades...
My engine isn't finished... still collecting parts. Still need a crank.
Marck
Also, you wouldn't believe what a 1500 costs here, you could buy a REAL nice beemer for that!
I think the C3 corvette brakes and handles like crap.. MY opinion! Driving at the autobahn gets scary, even w/ good poly bushings and other suspension upgrades...
My engine isn't finished... still collecting parts. Still need a crank.
Marck
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
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From: Orange Park Florida
Re: do c3s handle well? (Twinnie)
Twinnie, I hate to tell you but in all honesty the seats in a BMW and/or Mercedes are like a park bench, hard or uncomfortable, sat in many of them at auto shows...and rode in a friend's Merc for a day shopping with him for some specific appliances for his house, in and out of that passenger's seat many times....
Merc interiors suck big time...seats hard as a brick, not forgiving, only saving grace they DID have was the electric adjustable head rest...that actully went HIGH enough to do ME any good in a rear ender....No I have to say in all honesty that Merc/BMW interiors reek of cheap plastic, bad as a vette even..and that's saying something, unfortunately for all concerned....
GENE
Merc interiors suck big time...seats hard as a brick, not forgiving, only saving grace they DID have was the electric adjustable head rest...that actully went HIGH enough to do ME any good in a rear ender....No I have to say in all honesty that Merc/BMW interiors reek of cheap plastic, bad as a vette even..and that's saying something, unfortunately for all concerned....
GENE