How cold is to cold
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Indianapolis Indiana
How cold is to cold
This is my first winter with a vette, and have always heard that if you drive them in the cold, the fiberglass will crack. Is this true or just a myth. I live in Indianapolis, In and it can get pretty cold here, Christmas day will be 5 degrees. I don't plan on driving on ice or snow, but would like to take it out on clear days, but not at the expence of the fiberglass
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
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I have been told some early vette's experience stress cracks if you drive around alot with the top off.... but that's in any temp.
other then that, i have heard of the targa tops getting hairline cracks in them... that was supposed to occur in extreme cold.
but this is just what I have been told, and have not experience any of it personally...
It was about 8 degrees here the other day. My vette still runs (for the most part), and no cracks anywhere
other then that, i have heard of the targa tops getting hairline cracks in them... that was supposed to occur in extreme cold.
but this is just what I have been told, and have not experience any of it personally...
It was about 8 degrees here the other day. My vette still runs (for the most part), and no cracks anywhere
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,923
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From: Las Vegas NV
Originally Posted by ses86vette
This is my first winter with a vette, and have always heard that if you drive them in the cold, the fiberglass will crack. Is this true or just a myth. I live in Indianapolis, In and it can get pretty cold here, Christmas day will be 5 degrees. I don't plan on driving on ice or snow, but would like to take it out on clear days, but not at the expence of the fiberglass
. I think heat does more damage to the car than cold temp. I used to live in northeast of Philadephia, 5 miles from Trenton, NJ. My 88 was park outside all year round.
Last edited by VQT88Vette; Dec 24, 2004 at 03:06 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 177
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From: Palmyra Virginia
I believe this myth started with the c2's and c3's. alot of them developed cracks around the headlights which was attributed to the lights closing hard during cold weather. I don't think I've heard too many many stories of fiberglass boats in Alaska cracking without hitting or being hit by something. Just my .02
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
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From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
Originally Posted by VQT88Vette
No, and it didn't melt the last two summer in Las Vegas with a few weeks of 118-120 degrees either. I think heat does more damage to the car than cold temp. I used to live in northeast of Philadephia, 5 miles from Trenton, NJ. My 88 was park outside all year round.
. I think heat does more damage to the car than cold temp. I used to live in northeast of Philadephia, 5 miles from Trenton, NJ. My 88 was park outside all year round.The early cars did crack but not from the cold it was the heat and old age. The early fiberglass never quit curing, that is the the resin would break down with the heat and ultra-violet and cause cracks.
The interior is another problem in the cold.
I was working on my 74 coupe in Portland Ore. in Dec, and the door froze shut so I hit it hard with shoulder to get of the car and the interior door panel cracked.
Oh' yeah if your winshield wipres are frozen don't throw warm water on them it could crack the windscreen?
Exscape the cold, run away.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,150
Likes: 138
From: Raymore Missouri
Well since we can't seem to buy a snowflake these days in Kansas City... I drove mine yesterday in 7 degrees 
It loves the cold weather (first time I've driven it in weather this cold) - also gets pretty squirrely on the cold streets 
hehe 
It didn't freeze and it gave me a nice bright spot in having to work. I don't think there is anything to the fiberglass cracking... cold shouldn't crack it by itself.
Happy Holidays
Mike
It loves the cold weather (first time I've driven it in weather this cold) - also gets pretty squirrely on the cold streets hehe It didn't freeze and it gave me a nice bright spot in having to work. I don't think there is anything to the fiberglass cracking... cold shouldn't crack it by itself.
Happy Holidays
Mike
Pro
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 741
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From: Etowah, Tennessee
Don't worry about the cold weather. My '91 vert is my daily driver with over 157,000 miles, and has been driven to and from work in sub-zero temps, snow, ice, etc. with no problems whatsoever. You just have to be easy on the gas in that weather. I believe as the others do, the hot temps in the summer will do much more damage, so I try to cover mine when it is at work in the summertime.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 503
Likes: 1
From: Belchertown Massachusetts
I owned a brand new '69 stingray. It was my only car at the time. I drove with snow tires throughout several winters in New England and never had any fiberglass problems. That was a long time ago. I would guess that the new models would hold up at least as well....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,470
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From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
Thats a myth, like when you were a kid, & they told you that you would grow hair on your palm if ----- well you know the rest 
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 380
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From: Farmington Hills MI
I'm in the same camp as 91DRM--my baby is tucked away under a blanket for the winter. It hurts me to think about driving it in a Michigan winter with the pock-marked roads we have in metro Detroit. Can't wait for Spring!!