Who abuses their C3?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 303
Likes: 33
From: Anarchist Mt. BC
Who abuses their C3?
I feel bad. I'm actually driving my classic 81 Corvette like a real car. Does anyone else do this nowadays? Or should they be given the special treatment reserved for family heirlooms?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,211
Likes: 64
From: Bocabec, New Brunswick
Mine suffered more than its share of abuse when I first got it but now that it is much older and approaching 500,000 kilometers I tend to take it out only in good weather (more because it leaks than any other reason). I do still floor it when entering the highway or when passing or when the mood strike me.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,028
Now doing a few chores on it before summer, when I am driving it to Bowling Green, KY., and back route 66.
It's a Chevy. Drive it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
My '72 spent it's early years as a show car, but was driven a bit....about 120k on it when I bought it in '95 today it's 159k....not so awful evil for a car that is 45 y/o, ya THINK??? every once in a while it gets on the freeway, but mostly it's used around the burb here to and from various errands, as I am retarred age 73 now.... I guess that makes my car older than me, it's a '72 and I"m 73......
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,684
Likes: 696
From: Danville Illinois
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
2021 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
No abuse, but it gets driven. I agree its been a few years since its seen snow tho. Was fun delivering pizzas in it.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,230
Likes: 984
From: Wauconda IL
IMHO, these cars were meant to be driven. I put about 3500 miles a year on mine. I don't go out drive it abusively but, when I take her out, I DO feel the need to get on it 2 or 3 times, AT LEAST!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
Mine has never seen snow, and I have no intention of letting it. That being said, I realized today that my Corvette has gotten more miles on it in the last month than my daily driver, only because I've driven it to a show 2 states away and out to the mountains this past weekend. I typically put about 2-3000 miles a year on mine.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,905
Likes: 962
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
That's my philosophy too. I've found out though that I don't make many new friends when I remind the C2 guys that their cars are just Chevrolets too, not rare old Bugattis.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,171
From: Hermosa
I don't like to drive mine in the snow.
It's not the snow itself that concerns me as much as controllability and all the salt that will eat up EVERYTHING on the car that is metal.
DD's in the midwest last 10 yrs at best, then become rust buckets from all the salt.
It's not the snow itself that concerns me as much as controllability and all the salt that will eat up EVERYTHING on the car that is metal.
DD's in the midwest last 10 yrs at best, then become rust buckets from all the salt.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 1,185
From: Arizona - If you don’t know CFI, STOP proliferating the myths around it...
I would think the only "abuse" you speak of is driving in the snow and salt which will eventually cause issues just like any other car. I only abuse mine at the track once in a while or on a dyno for more testing. It's your car... HIT IT!
It's your car... HIT IT!
Last edited by Buccaneer; Apr 13, 2017 at 12:52 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 303
Likes: 33
From: Anarchist Mt. BC
That's the first time the cars been driven in the snow. The surprise snow fall was late in the season so all the gravel and crap they put down was already swept away.
Hope to gently abuse the car on the track soon....
Hope to gently abuse the car on the track soon....
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 139
From: Syracuse NY
Every time I take mine out:
Tires breaking loose from dumping the clutch
Tires chirping from aggressive gear grabbing
Sideways around corners
I usually hit the rev limiter at least once a day
THAT is abusing a car. Driving a Corvette in snow and salt....why? Unless its your only means of transportation....why?
Ill never understand you Canadians.
( I was going to comment on how UNSAFE it is to drive an old RWD car in the snow, but given the above description of my summer driving habits.....mmmm....maybe Ill keep my mouth shut. 8*)
Tires breaking loose from dumping the clutch
Tires chirping from aggressive gear grabbing
Sideways around corners
I usually hit the rev limiter at least once a day
THAT is abusing a car. Driving a Corvette in snow and salt....why? Unless its your only means of transportation....why?
Ill never understand you Canadians.
( I was going to comment on how UNSAFE it is to drive an old RWD car in the snow, but given the above description of my summer driving habits.....mmmm....maybe Ill keep my mouth shut. 8*)
Last edited by Scottd; Apr 13, 2017 at 06:30 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 195
Likes: 22
From: Ellenton, Florida
I use my 78 Pace Car as a daily driver down here in Florida. No snow to worry about! I usually put 5000 miles a year on it running errands and taking it to several car shows a month. I'm retired so if it is a rainy day, it stays in the garage. Not too many of those though. It's a car and was meant to be driven. JMO.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Own 69 is close to back on the road and as any car we own its a driver,
I plan to hit the beaches for a day of cruising and dirt pirating, and will rinse it off good afterwards, abuse would be not to drive a car and just let it sit....
I plan to hit the beaches for a day of cruising and dirt pirating, and will rinse it off good afterwards, abuse would be not to drive a car and just let it sit....
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I do.... I abuse my 72 and I also abuse my 80k mile 62.. but my baby the 70 conv LT-1 is abused because it sits on a lift out of arms reach so I don't drive it.. That's abuse..
So it depends on what you term as abuse.. lol thought you guys might enjoy this.. (oh.. I've got a backup lamp out).
I abuse my 72 and I also abuse my 80k mile 62.. but my baby the 70 conv LT-1 is abused because it sits on a lift out of arms reach so I don't drive it.. That's abuse..So it depends on what you term as abuse.. lol thought you guys might enjoy this.. (oh.. I've got a backup lamp out).
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Apr 13, 2017 at 05:47 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,230
Likes: 984
From: Wauconda IL
i do.... :d i abuse my 72 and i also abuse my 80k mile 62.. But my baby the 70 conv lt-1 is abused because it sits on a lift out of arms reach so i don't drive it.. That's abuse..
So it depends on what you term as abuse.. Lol thought you guys might enjoy this.. (oh.. I've got a backup lamp out). :d
So it depends on what you term as abuse.. Lol thought you guys might enjoy this.. (oh.. I've got a backup lamp out). :d
nice!