drove the 66 friday
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,726
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From: Paducah KY
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
I really enjoy driving my dad's 65' with side pipes every once in a while. We had a 54' a few years ago and I put a couple hundred miles on it. The huge steering wheel and the powerglide tranny made for a one-of-a-kind driving experience! They are all fun to drive!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 31,233
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From: Utah
I got the chance to test drive a '69 427 a few years ago when I was 20 and that was the most paranoid test drive I've ever had. I used to always test drive camaros, trans ams, cobras but that one was by far the cooliest!
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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They are all fun to drive. Very different. The old cars are toys. The new ones are great touring cars
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Southern Illinois
I have a red 52K original mile 65 327 4 speed coupe with side pipes and a 97 red 46K miles auto coupe. It's two different time warps. The harsh ride and sound quality of the 65 contrasts sharply with the smooth filtered quality of the 97. When I drive the 65, every Corvette driver I meet plus every other non-Corvette driver waves. When I drive the 97 no one waves, not even my wife. I have had a 58, 59, 63, the 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 81, and now the 97. Each progressive year rode better than the previous, however like someone inferred, it seemed a little less exciting and something was missing. It is nice to hear the radio though. And, my 97 gets mid-20 mpg while the 65 gets low teens. They're all fantastic!
Race Director
Joined: May 2007
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From: Out of Site...Out of Mind. Corvette: anything else is just transportation.
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,891
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From: North Port Fl
My very first Corvette was a 66 white vert 4 speed with side pipes, I bought it in 69, it originally came with a 427, the original owner (a friend of mine) blew it up and the dealer put a 327 CI, 365 HP. I was quicker with the 327. I've owned a few vettes in my life, right now I've got an 04 I bought new and a 78 4 speed with a 400 small block. I like the old vettes and they are cool for short cruises but I wouldn't care to go on a road trip in C2, I drove my C3 from Florida to Michigan when I purchased it and I was beat. An expression of my Dads comes to mine "to each his own". I put on probably 100 miles on my C5 for every mile I put on my C3. I get more waves and when I stop people always gather around the C3 but give me the C5. I know exactly what I'm misssing.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,469
Likes: 4
You don't need to drive a C2 to "get the vette feeling". Fact is, the thrill is different for everyone. It's not how the car compares to a 40 year old antique, it's how it compares to driving a Taurus, Camry or even contemporary Porsche, Camaro or Mustang... the Vette is always a little lower, a little sleeker, and a little more brutal than the "competition". It makes you feel younger, special, a little rebellious and a bit detached from the everyday world. And for some it serves as a time machine, taking people back to different times in their lives.
But saying that you can't get understand the Vette feeling without driving a classic is like saying saying that you can't understand love without having had a crush on Rita Hayworth when you were a kid.
But saying that you can't get understand the Vette feeling without driving a classic is like saying saying that you can't understand love without having had a crush on Rita Hayworth when you were a kid.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: 972 and 405
Administrator
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
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Would love to own a 66 (or any mid-year for that matter). I get that Vette feeling regardless of what generation car it is - and I do like the comfort and performance of the C5/C6 cars.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 14,440
Likes: 3
From: MD
St. Jude Donor '11
i drove our 66 coupe friday and realized that probably most c5 owners don't know what it feels like to drive a 60's vette . the difference between a c1/c2 and a c5 is REMARKABLE . if you get a chance drive one and maybe you'll see why i don't get the ''vette feeling'' driving the c5 . also maybe you won't view me so harshly for my lack of attachment to the c5 [we've had 4 c1/c2's over the years including a new 66 vert but only 1 c5]. . .peace to all ....by the way , for a road trip it would definitely be the c5 .
Ok, I'm not sure what this whole thread is about however, had I wanted a '66, I would have bought a '66. Everytime I drive my C5, I get that feeling of "I bought this magnificent vehicle with my own dollars".
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 366
Likes: 2
From: deptford New Jersey
two different animals
Two totally different worlds there my freind.......
I drive my 74 ( and my buddies 64 ) and enjoy the rawness of both the cars. Its great for the corvette cruise nights,and 1 -2 hour runs. The 2003 C-5 is the ultimate cruise car, Im thinking myrtle beach or hilton head next month for the first official trip. I wouldnt do that in the 74 or 64.
I think my shoes would melt off in my 74 !!!!!
I drive my 74 ( and my buddies 64 ) and enjoy the rawness of both the cars. Its great for the corvette cruise nights,and 1 -2 hour runs. The 2003 C-5 is the ultimate cruise car, Im thinking myrtle beach or hilton head next month for the first official trip. I wouldnt do that in the 74 or 64.
I think my shoes would melt off in my 74 !!!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,085
Likes: 0
From: Broken Arrow OK
I have owned a 57, two 65s, an 80, and a 94 before getting my present 1999. The 57 was nice, for its day, but rode like a truck rattled and got a maximum of 12 mpg on the highway. In addition it was necessary to clean or change spark plugs every 3,500 miles. In spite of that, it was a fun car for its time. While all or these cars were nice to look at, none compare to the C5 as actual transportation.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
I've been lucky enough to get to drive a C1, C2, C3, and a C4 through some of my friends. I own a C5 and I rented a C6 for the week. The early year Corvettes rode like tanks and were like a sauna bath on a hot day.
I've always like the C1 (58 -60) body style and would like to do a retro version one day, after I clean up some of my other projects.
IMHO, the C5 and C6's are the best driving and fun cars of the group, especially if you're traveling longer distances.
I've always like the C1 (58 -60) body style and would like to do a retro version one day, after I clean up some of my other projects.
IMHO, the C5 and C6's are the best driving and fun cars of the group, especially if you're traveling longer distances.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 552
Likes: 0
From: TEMECULA CALIFORNIA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
everytime i get into my '75 i marvel at the way times have changed.
Just think. Back in "the day", the classic vette's were the cutting edge. Makes you wonder what's in store for the corvette in the next 30-40 years. Think we'll view the c5 as rough riding, poor handling, etc.?
Just think. Back in "the day", the classic vette's were the cutting edge. Makes you wonder what's in store for the corvette in the next 30-40 years. Think we'll view the c5 as rough riding, poor handling, etc.?
just wait. In two years, after the government has taken over gm and booted the corvette design team, you can buy the new c7 with an electric engine and a range of 50 miles. Looking forward to the obama vette.
my thoughts exactly.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 270
Likes: 8
From: O'Fallon Illinois