Has anyone checked out the February 2005 issue of Hot Rod Magazine? First off, I'll say that I'm more of a hot rodder than I am a Corvette guy(don't get me wrong, I love Vettes). Throughout the years, hot rodding goes through phases, and while the Pro Touring phase seems to be fizzling out a bit, I've always wondered why '68-'82 Vettes never got much attention in the Pro Touring scene. Face it, muscle cars are getting too expensive and if you do have one, you don't want to drive it much anymore. Mid to late model C3's have always been a perfect platform for cheap hot rod material. Four wheel disk brakes, great suspension, V8's, etc. When I first got my '79 in 1999, I read all of the Corvette publications, but quickly realized that none of them are geared towards my first love-hot rod performance. As a background, I traded a '69 Camaro for my Vette. I've also had other Camaros, a "69 Chevelle, an El Camino, '71 and '72 Montes, etc. I still miss the Chevelle the most, but I've owned this Vette longer than any other car I've ever had and don't forsee parting with it any time soon.


Anyway, back to my original point. In Hot Rod Magazine, on page 48 in a section called "What's Hot For 2005", "Matt Held at Holley Performance Products, a C3 owner who swears that the '68-'82 Corvettes-and especially the smog-year versions-will be the next hot rod body style." He also says that Vette headers are already the third-best selling part number in the Hooker Headers lineup.

On page 100, there is a very nice write up about Tom's Differentials and making a bulletproof IRS by converting it over to a 12 bolt. When is the last time Corvette stuff got this much attention in a hot rod type magazine? Personally, I'm thrilled. By the way, I have Tom's axles in my car and they are a very high quality piece.

I think it is our duty to foster good will and attitude towards each other and promote maturity in the realm of Corvette ownership. I like seeing custom Vettes and alot of you guys have really sweet rides. I say it's up to us to welcome new members and help Corvette ownership blossom into something great and accessible by a whole new generation of car people that have never realized the potential of these great cars.

 

Well spoken..... I have often wondered why "cheaper" muscle cars had more collectable value than more refined and better looking C3's. I think automotive snobs have had alot to to with this, because my vette seems to attract more attention at the gas station or parking lot than 99% of old camaros and chevelles. Hopefully Mr. Held is right.......It would be nice to have my $15000 car (paid $6500 + $9000 invested) be worth $15000

 

Thanks for the post Mike.

 

I don't know how Pro Touring can be fizzeling, you aught to see the machinary doing the Power Tour.

 

Maybe "fizzeling" isn't such a good choice of words as much as reaching maturity.

 

I too enjoyed your predictions, but I think there is a difference between Pro-Street and Pro-Touring that hasn't really been settled with a true distinction between them. Some cars are definitely Pro Street and some are definitely Pro-Touring and some are in between.

But I want a Hi performance car that I can drive, handle well and run with the new Corvette.I see this as Pro-Touring and when I get older, just plain Touring maybe my next route. lol Jim

 

A pro street car and a pro touring car are like night and day.Pro street is more pro stock drag car than anything else.A little too wild for me although I do appreciate the work involved, just not my cup of tea.I'll take pro trouring anyday.As a matter of fact I had a 70Z/28 that I did that to way before the term pro touring was ever used.I just called it my Trans-Am look.Guess I was way head of the curve.I hate that when I'm trying to be different and then before you know it I'm just like everyone else.

 

I certainly didn't mean to contend that Pro Touring is dead. I suppose I worded that incorrectly. What I was getting at is, why have C-3's not gotten much attention in this genre of the hobby? I talk to guys all the time and most of them don't realize how affordable a mid to late C-3 is. I was just trying to gen up some positive conversation.

 

I've noticed the trend in that C3s are becoming more and more popular to modify and build. I also read the same article in the magazine and instantly thought of the same. I sold my 70 Chevelle SS396 numbers matching to get my 69..

 

Matt Held has a vette that he is working on. Gonna be a nice ride as he has installed the Killer Lights on it and several other nice mods. If you remember a few months ago someone posted about the article in one of the vette mags. Well that was him. He works at Holley if I remember correctly. Here is a pic of his vette. I hope he doesn't mind me adding his pic.

 

That is one sweet ride. Nice color and great wheels. Needs more rubber in the back though.

 

I saw that in the magazine...maybe we will actually get more acceptance and the vendors will step up with more stuff for our cars.

 

 

Thank you for all the positive comments about my quote in Hot Rod. I think Hot Rod somewhat agreed although they belive c4's offer better performance with less aftermarket parts investment. However c3's have all the styling.

Rubber in the rear are 18's. They are plenty big, but I was in such a rush to get the wheels and tires on that I have not had the time to lower the rear suspension. The suspension is new and I wanted to give it some time to settle in before setting the final ride height. I also have not set the rear height at this time because of all the other modifications taking place up front. With the addition of aluminum heads, aluminum accessories I'm waiting for the new engine to go in first. Once I have the correct weight on the front I will set the front ride height followed by the rear. I have all vette brakes mono leaf suspension, with the tubular a Arms.

Wait till its done, Hopefully late spring I will have some updated photos.

I think there are some good insights in this thread. If you have ever been on power tour or watching all of the magazines closely, 100% correct restos are taking a back seat. Its becoming a market of I'm going to build it to drive it and if that means modifing it with modern technology so be it. The timing is right for c3's to be a hot platform.

I was totally shocked when I saw that quote in Hot Rod. I've owned lots of classic cars over the years, and never considered myself a die hard Corvette guy. I also thought Corvette owners were a snoppish group, boy was I wrong believing all Corvettes had to be built to bloomington gold status. Everyone is very supportive and respects each others view of what their corvette should be. Putting out this type of welcome mat does nothing, but grow the Corvette hobby.

But as someone put so well, I get more attention with this car then any of the others I have owned in the past. With that said its our resposibility to make sure Corvettes are viewed not only as a timeless classic, but americas first Muscle Car and the Hot Rod of the future.

Happy motoring and talk to everyone soon.

 

Purrty car bro..grats!

 

Arg, now I have to buy them up, let them appreciate for a few years then sell them.

 

This thread is an interesting read.

 

C3's are where it's at.. great to mod and a great body style

Just my .02

 

Any chance of keeping some positive interesting opinions going in this thread?









I'm am already waiting for the first answer to be NO!

 

I have actually found C3 owners to be one of the least snobish groups of car collector. On at least two different occasions I have been dissed by of "classic car" owners on the street when making a comment like "nice C2". Once was from a guy in nice C2, once from a guy in a built chevelle??? After making a comment on their cars from the seat of my 76 C3, they just stared at me, and walked off???? On the other hand I have had other C3 owners wave me down and pulled to the side of the road to check out each others cars.....So I hope that C3's get their chance in the spotlight once again. Websites like this will help to further the chances of that. G'Day