spoliers on C3's
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,873
Likes: 1
From: Savannah Ga
spoliers on C3's
Some of you know I'm in the market for a nice C3 coupe.Been looking all over and have looked at many.I don't think I like spoliers on C3 Vettes.Muscle cars yes.I could live with a read one but the front NO NO.What do you all think?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,194
Likes: 0
From: Tempe AZ
Re: spoliers on C3's (copter)
Some of you know I'm in the market for a nice C3 coupe.Been looking all over and have looked at many.I don't think I like spoliers on C3 Vettes.Muscle cars yes.I could live with a read one but the front NO NO.What do you all think?
The '78 Pace Car replica had a functional factory bolt on spoiler kit. In '79 that same spoiler kit was a factory option. I love the look, and those spoilers actually reduce drag, so they are engineered to work, not just "look". '80 - '82 had functional factory spoilers integrated into the front and rear bumpers. These were even more effective at reducing drag than the '78/'79 bolt on spoilers. These look very good to me as well. Still, I think it looks odd when C3 owners place these factory spoilers on any '68 - '77 C3 where they were not intended.
The ONLY other case I can accept spoilers where they didn't originally belong is when they are placed on Vettes truly used for racing, and the spoilers are there to actually improve the car's performance on the track, otherwise they just look silly on the street version. Like the C5R. The spoiler looks correct when actually appropriately used on the race cars, but if you put that big wing on your average street C5 it looks like you're trying to look like a "ricer" wannabe.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,177
Likes: 90
From: State of Confusion
Re: spoliers on C3's (Corvette_fetish)
I think a Vette, "being-a-Vette", shouldn't be tinkered with (body-wise), especially the C3s, unless the mods are for purposeful-racing (flares for tires, spoilers/wings for down-force, etc.).
A buddy had an '82 monte Carlo that ran 10-flat @ 131, and it looked really neat, until he put a Pro-Stock-style spoiler (really, just a 14" long piece of aluminum off the trunk-lid, at an angle of 3* {WTF???}) on it.
The car ran no quicker or more-stable, but he 'thought' it looked cool...
:rolleyes:
If your '78-up C3 came with a spoiler (or was 'offered' with same), nobody will think any-less of your Shark
:thumbs:
A buddy had an '82 monte Carlo that ran 10-flat @ 131, and it looked really neat, until he put a Pro-Stock-style spoiler (really, just a 14" long piece of aluminum off the trunk-lid, at an angle of 3* {WTF???}) on it.
The car ran no quicker or more-stable, but he 'thought' it looked cool...
:rolleyes:
If your '78-up C3 came with a spoiler (or was 'offered' with same), nobody will think any-less of your Shark
:thumbs:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,446
Likes: 2
From: Not Correctly Restored Stingray Fla.
Re: spoliers on C3's (Glensgages)
I think a Vette, "being-a-Vette", shouldn't be tinkered with (body-wise), especially the C3s, unless the mods are for purposeful-racing (flares for tires, spoilers/wings for down-force, etc.).
A buddy had an '82 monte Carlo that ran 10-flat @ 131, and it looked really neat, until he put a Pro-Stock-style spoiler (really, just a 14" long piece of aluminum off the trunk-lid, at an angle of 3* {WTF???}) on it.
The car ran no quicker or more-stable, but he 'thought' it looked cool...
:rolleyes:
If your '78-up C3 came with a spoiler (or was 'offered' with same), nobody will think any-less of your Shark
:thumbs:
A buddy had an '82 monte Carlo that ran 10-flat @ 131, and it looked really neat, until he put a Pro-Stock-style spoiler (really, just a 14" long piece of aluminum off the trunk-lid, at an angle of 3* {WTF???}) on it.
The car ran no quicker or more-stable, but he 'thought' it looked cool...
:rolleyes:
If your '78-up C3 came with a spoiler (or was 'offered' with same), nobody will think any-less of your Shark
:thumbs:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 1
From: "Too Low, Too Fast, Too Loud" TX
Re: spoliers on C3's (lotahp)
'80 - '82 had functional factory spoilers integrated into the front and rear bumpers. These were even more effective at reducing drag than the '78/'79 bolt on spoilers.
I have seen and heard of guys losing the middle portion of the air dams to parking pylons..the thing just crushes em up in the middle..the look like this..
.........../\.........when it happens. Guys said just took it off and car starts to overheat. If you take the time when your driving around, you will see most early 80-82 vettes with the middle air dam damaged.
The previous owner put in a set of micro switches directly under the licsense plat brackets and fine micro thin plyable wires( cant even tell they are there) so when the contact either a parking pylon or you get close to a low dip in the road..the wire apply pressure to the micro switches and give an audible warning inside that you are < 1ft. away from banging up your air damn! Nice touch. :chevy :cool:
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,194
Likes: 0
From: Tempe AZ
Re: spoliers on C3's (81' Corvette Guy)
I have seen and heard of guys losing the middle portion of the air dams to parking pylons..the thing just crushes em up in the middle..the look like this..
.........../\.........when it happens. Guys said just took it off and car starts to overheat. If you take the time when your driving around, you will see most early 80-82 vettes with the middle air dam damaged.
The previous owner put in a set of micro switches directly under the licsense plat brackets and fine micro thin plyable wires( cant even tell they are there) so when the contact either a parking pylon or you get close to a low dip in the road..the wire apply pressure to the micro switches and give an audible warning inside that you are < 1ft. away from banging up your air damn! Nice touch. :chevy :cool:
.........../\.........when it happens. Guys said just took it off and car starts to overheat. If you take the time when your driving around, you will see most early 80-82 vettes with the middle air dam damaged.
The previous owner put in a set of micro switches directly under the licsense plat brackets and fine micro thin plyable wires( cant even tell they are there) so when the contact either a parking pylon or you get close to a low dip in the road..the wire apply pressure to the micro switches and give an audible warning inside that you are < 1ft. away from banging up your air damn! Nice touch. :chevy :cool:
My '79 does not have the optional spoiler kit (yet), but my air dam piece is cracked right down the center from scraping. It's not really visible, so I can't see the point in replacing it only to have it break again.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Re: spoliers on C3's (copter)
I agree to a point. My car has a 3" front spoiler in the style of the original (just longer) made from smooth black conveyor belt material. It's relatively unobtrusive (and can take hit), but made a HUGE difference in my cooling effectiveness! Here in NorCal it hits 100 degrees plus often, and I want to be able to run the A/C any time I want. That one mod was a big help on my BB, which are notorious heaters anyway.
I should mention it is bolted on and can be restored to original when I turn it into a trailer queen (not!). See my sig for a look at it.
Hans
I should mention it is bolted on and can be restored to original when I turn it into a trailer queen (not!). See my sig for a look at it.
Hans
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Re: spoliers on C3's (Wrencher)
The Indy front spoiler is about function. Indy ft. spoiler scoops up air for cooling & sweeps the airflow around the front tires & cleans up airflow underneath. Would add immediately to any 68-77. Added the Indy front spoiler so early that the paint matches. Rec.!
:cool:
:cool:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,194
Likes: 0
From: Tempe AZ
Re: spoliers on C3's (GrandSportC3)
:leaving: