Using a '76 during winter
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: NOTL On
Using a '76 during winter
Ok, please no lectures on this one.
I've wanted a Corvette ever since I was 12, I have an opportunity to get a near-mint 1976 Silver on Silver for $10000 (Canadian dollars). However, to pay for it I'd have to sell my 1990 Pontiac Tempest (Corsica for you Americans). This means I'd have to winter drive the Corvette.
Firstly, is this safe? Secondly, do I need any mods? Any other suggestions for a safe winter trip? This car would be my daily driver. I do take -very- good care of all my posessions, so other than the winter driving the car is in very good hands. I am 20 years of age.
Best,
Trevor
I've wanted a Corvette ever since I was 12, I have an opportunity to get a near-mint 1976 Silver on Silver for $10000 (Canadian dollars). However, to pay for it I'd have to sell my 1990 Pontiac Tempest (Corsica for you Americans). This means I'd have to winter drive the Corvette.
Firstly, is this safe? Secondly, do I need any mods? Any other suggestions for a safe winter trip? This car would be my daily driver. I do take -very- good care of all my posessions, so other than the winter driving the car is in very good hands. I am 20 years of age.
Best,
Trevor
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 787
Likes: 1
From: Toronto Ontario
Re: Using a '76 during winter (networkguy)
Back in the good old days when the C3 were new That is what most of us did drive the suckers all year round. Just treat it just like any other car. slap on a set of snows in the back and you are done. One other thing Auto vettes are easyier to drive in the snow. Big question is will a 30 year old Car/Vette start in the winter.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,603
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
Re: Using a '76 during winter (networkguy)
Personally, I think you are asking for trouble. It is a 30- yr. old car regardlles of the model and Vettes are better enjoyed in good weather. Just my 2cents, but if you can't afford to keep the Corsica, you probably will have trouble maintaining that vette year-round and be sorry. :cheers:
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Re: Using a '76 during winter (networkguy)
I'd suggest you wait a little while longer. Keep your winter beater.
Even if you learn how to control the vette perfectly in the snow, there's always someone else out there who doesn't know how to drive.
Plus, you can't put chains on 'vettes. Also, there are lots of areas on C3s prone to rust and I really wouldn't want to see road salt or even lots of mush get pocketed in the rear wheel wells. I actually screwed up my A.I.R. pump driving through hard rain two years ago.
Just wait, you'll thank yourself for it. Well, no, you probably won't. But if you don't wait, you'll curse yourself for it.
-Steve
Even if you learn how to control the vette perfectly in the snow, there's always someone else out there who doesn't know how to drive.
Plus, you can't put chains on 'vettes. Also, there are lots of areas on C3s prone to rust and I really wouldn't want to see road salt or even lots of mush get pocketed in the rear wheel wells. I actually screwed up my A.I.R. pump driving through hard rain two years ago.
Just wait, you'll thank yourself for it. Well, no, you probably won't. But if you don't wait, you'll curse yourself for it.
-Steve
Racer
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: Gananoque Ontario
Re: Using a '76 during winter (Pacin'California)
When I bought my '76 it was in early December and luck would have it, it also turned out to be the first big snow fall of the year. It started out nice and sunny but I had a 2 hour drive to go pick it up. By the time I got to the sellers house it was getting quite miserable. I found out real quick that the thing was a real handful on beefy summer tires. Actually down right scary!
Long story short; if you really have to have this car now factor into your budget a good set of winter tires and steel rims.
Long story short; if you really have to have this car now factor into your budget a good set of winter tires and steel rims.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada
Re: Using a '76 during winter (networkguy)
I had a 76 L-48 that drove fine in the winter as long as you didn't have the wide tires on it. Having said that, it was strictly a driver. It had great traction and was reliable for 2 winters before it started to pay the price. I wouldn't even consider that with my current Vette. My only concern is that if you are spending $10,000 Can. for a mint car you are only going to diminish its value very quickly. The frame will take a beating with all the salt. Secondly it better be an L-82 with 4 speed for that price. Keep it out of the weather and it will be one of the few cars you ever buy that you will always be able to sell for at least what you paid for it. The mid years are finally starting to get some respect and $$$ if mint.
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Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: NOTL On
Re: Using a '76 during winter
That's quite a downer. It's not that I do not make enough money to afford to keep both cars... There has been alot of interest in this car, and to have the money quick enough I'd have to sell my Corsica + very high-end car audio system. I could easily have enough money to buy a beater by the end of summer. Then I could winter store the corvette in our heated garage.
Better idea?
Better idea?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,635
Likes: 0
From: Union Ontario
Re: Using a '76 during winter (Ryan77)
How much is you Tempest worth, a grand... 2 tops....( I'm not trying to be rude) If you can't come up with an extra grand or two to keep this"mint " car 'Mint" I wouldn't bother...... Plus how are you going to pay when your 30 year old car breaks down. Corvettes tend to be more expensive to fix than a Tempest.
I say find another couple of grand and buy the car but don't drive it during the winter if its in good condition.
I say find another couple of grand and buy the car but don't drive it during the winter if its in good condition.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,629
Likes: 7
From: Lawrenceville PA
Re: Using a '76 during winter (networkguy)
I'm not going to lecture on winter driving a Vette. What I would suggest is that if you decide to go that route make sure you get a set of Bridgestone Blizzak tires on all four wheels, not just the rear. They make a world of difference on my '01 Firebird Formula over the "old" style winter tires. Should be about $75/tire.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Using a '76 during winter (networkguy)
My brand new 1976 Vette showed up in May 1976. I drove it the following winter with steel rims and winter tires. Don't forget, the tires in that day had a lot less tread on the ground. It actually drove pretty well. But because of the low ground clearance, it would hang up on snow drifts if I wasn't careful.
The next spring, I was very shocked by the amount of corrosion that I found on the chassis after only one winter in Michigan! That was the last time that any of my Vettes ever saw a Michigan roadway in winter.
The next spring, I was very shocked by the amount of corrosion that I found on the chassis after only one winter in Michigan! That was the last time that any of my Vettes ever saw a Michigan roadway in winter.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Lake Hopatcong NJ
Re: Using a '76 during winter (networkguy)
Wow- I wish I were 20 again, I would buy the Vette and call in sick when it snows. Keep the frame cleaned off in the winter as best you can and underwash the car to get rid of any salt you run into. I would assume that the car is local to you, ask the owner how he or she drives it in the winter. Buy the car!