Vettes in the snow
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Joined: Oct 2001
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From: boothbay maine
Vettes in the snow
this is probably the first ever post of its kind, but please dont laugh. I live in southern maine, i am in collge. Over Xmas break i was planning on driving my 1980 vette to quebec, through the mountains of maine. i was wondering if anyone has driven their vette in snow, or ice, i was thinking about throwing on some studded snows in the back but am unsure if they make them that big. any help would be useful. my other vehicle is a motorcycle, so i think the vette is the better choice for winter driving.
oh i am going up there to see my girlfriend, foolish what we do for love...
oh i am going up there to see my girlfriend, foolish what we do for love...
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 0
From: Elyria Ohio
Re: Vettes in the snow (scorciae)
I have never seen it snow where I live but if it does I will drive in it. I think there is a few people that drive their cars in the snow. Just be careful light car X lots of power = donuts.
Bob
Bob
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 885
Likes: 18
From: McFarland WI
Re: Vettes in the snow (76 Red)
Many years ago I had a 69 BB, about March I got the itch for a drive after working on the car all winter. It had snowed only about 2 inches that day so I thought why not. Backed her out of the garage into the street and let out the clutch in 1st, low rpm, real slow did a 360 quicker than sheit and put her right back in the garage. :lol:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,714
Likes: 6
From: Silver City NM
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Re: Vettes in the snow (scorciae)
Hot rods and snow are a pretty bad mix. What helps on dry roads is a handicap on snow/ice. I am talking about poistraction. Posi will have you fishtailing around quicker than you can say Jack Frost. With a stick shift it's even worse because the tires tend to break free even easier.
PLEASE drive carefully and take your time. And pray to the Lord that it doesn't snow or the roads aren't icey.
Dep
[Modified by Dep, 11:12 PM 11/14/2002]
PLEASE drive carefully and take your time. And pray to the Lord that it doesn't snow or the roads aren't icey.
Dep
[Modified by Dep, 11:12 PM 11/14/2002]
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Re: Vettes in the snow (scorciae)
It will work, but only if you run STUDDED SNOW tires. I use to take my 68 on all kinds of sking trips in Northern Michigan. With stock tires, stay home or use a different car. The studded tire was banned in Michigan as tearing up the roads. :bs Michigan has the worst roads in the country and the studded tires were outlawed manny moons ago. I guess they don`t have any more excuses now.
this is probably the first ever post of its kind, but please dont laugh. I live in southern maine, i am in collge. Over Xmas break i was planning on driving my 1980 vette to quebec, through the mountains of maine. i was wondering if anyone has driven their vette in snow, or ice, i was thinking about throwing on some studded snows in the back but am unsure if they make them that big. any help would be useful. my other vehicle is a motorcycle, so i think the vette is the better choice for winter driving.
oh i am going up there to see my girlfriend, foolish what we do for love...
oh i am going up there to see my girlfriend, foolish what we do for love...
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Re: Vettes in the snow (scorciae)
The second owner of my '73 drove the car year round in Quebec- he was too cheap and too stupid to store it and get a second car for the winter,
The salt and road grime will do tremendous damage to your car. Leave it at home and beg, borrow or rent another car to drive.
The salt and road grime will do tremendous damage to your car. Leave it at home and beg, borrow or rent another car to drive.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA
Re: Vettes in the snow (Mike Ward)
im with everybody else. Avoid driving it at all costs. fly if you can. it may be cheeper than gas :D
i drove my vette the winter before last and it did ok. i never drove it if it snowed more than 5 in. and i was always extremely light on the gas. it actually did better than all my other vehicle besides my blazer. it was better than my FWD K-car too. i personally think the posi helped me. my 85 TA was open diff and i did so many doughnuts in that car it was shocking i never wrecked it. i even did one going on the highway. it very spooky going 45mph backwards looking at 50 sets of headlights! i know the weight ratio is a big diffrence between a vette and a TA, but the TA had less than 150 hp, and the vette has more than twice that.
if you do go, do skinny (225 or less) studded snow tires and throw a bunch of weight in the storage compartment. the sell sand weenies, but id get cinder blocks. you dont want a bunch of sand in your vette. the skinnier the tire the better it is for ice/snow. its because it puts the weight of the car on a smaller contact patch and there for more pressure on the area your touching. its essentialy like having a heavier car. wider tires tend to slip alot faster too.
i drove my vette the winter before last and it did ok. i never drove it if it snowed more than 5 in. and i was always extremely light on the gas. it actually did better than all my other vehicle besides my blazer. it was better than my FWD K-car too. i personally think the posi helped me. my 85 TA was open diff and i did so many doughnuts in that car it was shocking i never wrecked it. i even did one going on the highway. it very spooky going 45mph backwards looking at 50 sets of headlights! i know the weight ratio is a big diffrence between a vette and a TA, but the TA had less than 150 hp, and the vette has more than twice that.
if you do go, do skinny (225 or less) studded snow tires and throw a bunch of weight in the storage compartment. the sell sand weenies, but id get cinder blocks. you dont want a bunch of sand in your vette. the skinnier the tire the better it is for ice/snow. its because it puts the weight of the car on a smaller contact patch and there for more pressure on the area your touching. its essentialy like having a heavier car. wider tires tend to slip alot faster too.
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
Re: Vettes in the snow (scorciae)
I used to live in northern Maine (Caribou). I am not sure a vette would have the ground clearance for the amount of snow that is typical to that area. Once the roads are clear you should be ok but if you get caught in heavy snow on the interstate you could get shut down fairly quick. I would suggest a good weather report prior to leaving and monitor the weather along the way. Be prepared to turn around or stop over in a town. Also plan for a problem (blankets, water, food, etc).
Be safe and have fun. :cheers:
Be safe and have fun. :cheers:
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 52
Likes: 1
From: MA
Re: Vettes in the snow (scorciae)
You would be better of to take a plane or a bus. When I was in collage I had a 90 mustang GT 5spd posi. I had to put 100 pounds of weight in the back when it snowed, it was a little bit better with the extro weight but not much and there was usually only an inch or two of snow on the roads.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
Re: Vettes in the snow (scorciae)
When I bought my 68, the first three years the vette was my daily driver, all year round....all I can tell you, it was an adventure everytime I drove in the snow, one time I almost kissed the side of the house trying to get into the driveway. Not fun. If you plan on driving up north, i would suggest getting snow tires, will save you a a lot of grief.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,921
Likes: 2
From: York PA
Re: Vettes in the snow (scorciae)
The first winter I had my vette I drove it in the winter because I had wrecked my beater. It went thru snow and ice better than my current FWD beater. Vettes have great balance and this helps if you are careful on the gas/brakes. As long as I have another car the vette stays in the garage if there are salt/cinders on the road however. :cheers:
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Re: Vettes in the snow (scorciae)
Your going to need studded tires, and for that price, you can fly. If you insist, don't buy big wide tires! Normal, agressive tread with studs will work great, and hit the self-serve car washes every night to get rid of any salt residue. I understand about the girlfriend thing :D I drove my GTO to "visit" mine(as fast as it would go, 40 miles every night) for longer than I care to think...
Good luck,
Hans
[Modified by Wrencher, 9:24 AM 11/15/2002]
Good luck,
Hans
[Modified by Wrencher, 9:24 AM 11/15/2002]
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Re: Vettes in the snow (scorciae)
You will not need any weight, just studded snow tires. Actually so equiped they are a lot of fun in the snow. Another user is correct, do not get fat tires, taller yes. Put your skies diaginal inside and press on the gas. With the correct tires you can go almost everywhere in several inches of snow. I presume you do have a posi rear that really helps. I could not think of a better way to go, you got your Vette when the sissies and proud of it while the others are driving those SUV`s [small utility vehicle] :lol: :lol: :cheers:
this is probably the first ever post of its kind, but please dont laugh. I live in southern maine, i am in collge. Over Xmas break i was planning on driving my 1980 vette to quebec, through the mountains of maine. i was wondering if anyone has driven their vette in snow, or ice, i was thinking about throwing on some studded snows in the back but am unsure if they make them that big. any help would be useful. my other vehicle is a motorcycle, so i think the vette is the better choice for winter driving.
oh i am going up there to see my girlfriend, foolish what we do for love...
oh i am going up there to see my girlfriend, foolish what we do for love...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,007
Likes: 0
From: many sticks land of mountains
Re: Vettes in the snow (Ironcross)
I have driven my '76 in the snow lots of times. You need to observe a few rules:
1. Start out slowly (never step into the accelerator too quickly)
2. Feather the brake pedal when stopping (don't step on the brake pedal too quickly)
3. Don't oversteer (small corrections)
4. Brake before a curve, not in the middle of it.
Be careful and be smart. Studded snows all the way around are standard equip. up here in NE Montana. :cheers:
1. Start out slowly (never step into the accelerator too quickly)
2. Feather the brake pedal when stopping (don't step on the brake pedal too quickly)
3. Don't oversteer (small corrections)
4. Brake before a curve, not in the middle of it.
Be careful and be smart. Studded snows all the way around are standard equip. up here in NE Montana. :cheers:
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Re: Vettes in the snow (TJRed76)
Now I know where to get some studded snows and have fun again with the yellow L88. One fantistic snowmobile with the right tires. Horrible gas milage however. 7 miles to the gallon. The only car I have ever actually seen the gas gauge move while driving.
:D :D
I have driven my '76 in the snow lots of times. You need to observe a few rules:
1. Start out slowly (never step into the accelerator too quickly)
2. Feather the brake pedal when stopping (don't step on the brake pedal too quickly)
3. Don't oversteer (small corrections)
4. Brake before a curve, not in the middle of it.
Be careful and be smart. Studded snows all the way around are standard equip. up here in NE Montana. :cheers:
1. Start out slowly (never step into the accelerator too quickly)
2. Feather the brake pedal when stopping (don't step on the brake pedal too quickly)
3. Don't oversteer (small corrections)
4. Brake before a curve, not in the middle of it.
Be careful and be smart. Studded snows all the way around are standard equip. up here in NE Montana. :cheers:
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: AUSTIN TEXAS
Re: Vettes in the snow (scorciae)
I used to drive my 69 to work all the time. Not here, but back home. I drove it and wife drove the truck and the Camaro stayed in the garage. It did great in the snow and ice. Positrack and weight distribution are great. One year it got so cold that all four tires went flat one night. I was just sure someone had cut them. After a few days of thaw and the car was visible again I was able to inspect more closely and found out the O-ring at valve stems shrunk. I tightened and aired them back up. Quite a few people that week got dirty looks when they stared at car with four flats as they drove by. I assumed that the culprit would admire his work.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,198
Likes: 35
From: wylie texas
Re: Vettes in the snow (BERLINBRIGADE)
by a beater vette (chevette) that is and drive it into the ground. i would take a bus or hitchhike before i drove my vette in the ice and snow, of course when we get ice and snow in texas its not the road you have to watch out for its the other dumbbutt drivers who will put your vette in the body shop!! :nono: