The Jalopnik thread created some spirited discussion so I thought I'd create a poll

How capable is your C4 in the snow?

 

TA, respectfully, your poll may need to differentiate between models. I drove C1's, C2's and C3's in snow for many years with no problems. But... they were a lot higher and had much skinnier tires than C4's and following. Additionally, because the price of "Corvette" tires were so much more reasonable back then, I probably ran snow tires in the winter and even studded snows through the mid 70's.

I would be a lot more reluctant to drive a C4 and later Corvette through the snow and, at the very least, would want to remove my C4's chin spoiler.

 

Good point. I'll try to modify it.

 

Lol I backed my 92 out of the garage for pics and couldnt get enough traction to get her back in the garage. ON A FLAT DRIVEWAY with hard packed snow covering it. I had to have the girlie push lol. Here is a video I always found amusing.

 

I grew up in Michigan driving rear wheel drive cars. You just need to drive carefully.
The real problem is with the other drivers who can easily slide into you and crunch your pride and joy.
I had a guy do just that on a snowy day back in the mid sixties while driving my 65 black convertible. I was not happy. Insurance fixed the left front fender but it was no longer "new" again.

 

I bought my 1991 in Sacramento and drove it home to the Seattle area one December. I-5 in northern California and Oregon had temps approaching 0 so I went up the coast route. 30 miles south of Tillamook, Or. the roads became covered with snow and ice. I made it to Raymond, Wa. when conditions got too bad. I pulled into an open motel which had a restaurant and stayed 2 days for the roads to clear. 1 mile from home I again encountered snow and ice. 2 blocks from home I had to give up and call a tow truck to get the car home. I live on a 2 block long dead end street which goes uphill. To get up the hill you have to maintain some speed on the corner from the main road. If you keep your speed up you will slide off the road. The first tow truck could not make it up my road, even with chains on. The second finally got my car home and into the garage.
I drove about 200 miles on snow and ice. I was passed by an 18 wheeler as I could not go as fast as he could, on level ground. For many years I used to ski and I know how to drive on snow pretty well.
My experience tells me a Corvette, driven by somebody who knows how to drive on snow, with the proper tires, is barely OK.
The picture shows the Corvette waiting for the tow truck, at the end of the road to our house. The bill was only $ 200.00 for 2 blocks.

 

One big issue is snow getting caught at the center air dam as is visible in the picture. That area is where air comes in for both engine air intake and for cooling. Block that area off and there will be overheating and possibly even an engine shutdown.

The air dam could be removed, but the car will still be only be 5-6" off the road surface. Any accumulation of snowfall above that amount could still block the intake area.

The tires play a big part when it comes to traction. Typical Corvette tires don't have an effective "M&S" tread pattern and the larger contact patch can result in less weight over that area. That can result in a complete loss of traction.

 

I live in upstate NY and I won't even try to back the my c-4 out of the garage when there snow in the driveway. They have no snow capabilities.

 

Below average? More like zero.

Mine have been a death trap even in rain, so to hell with snow.

 

I have to agree with Vader...I pulled my 89 out into my level driveway last week with 2 inchs of snow on the ground and had to have my buddy push me back into the garage.. I am running summer tires which makes a difference but "DAMN"........WW

 

I have driven mine in snow and on snow covered roads and didn't think it was that bad. I have wide racing slicks on for tires which also need driver skill in heavy rain. I've spent a lot of time and money learning to drive though. I still voted below average capabilities, these cars are light with wide tires and have a lot of power. I suppose you could change the suspension, tires, tune, body, etc etc so they were better in snow.

 

I got caught twice in snow, never again, it is totally helpless. Both times I got caught the car was not lowered and it was stock with no mods. I wouldn't even have a chance now.

 

A C4 works about as well in the snow as you would pushing a wheelbarrow while wearing swim fins on your feet!

 

I concur.

There's no way I'm driving my ZR-1 with 12" wide tires on snow or ice ...

 

My local club does ice racing, I'll have to take it out one these days for you guys lol

 

Terrible idea. Too low, too wide of tires, summer compounds, bad weight distribution (ie not the same weight on drive tires as fwd or 4x4 trucks), etc.

 

Same here. I keep DR's on mine. My vette doesn't see rain, snow or freezing temps.

 

Too damn twitchy even in the wet, especially when you hit white lines etc.. so its a case of No Go in the Snow for me..

 

what a complete dumb azzz....

 

I took my ZR1 out last year in 1/2" of snow and almost lost it.
Never again.