C3 vs C6
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 57,804
Likes: 1
From: Portrichey FL
St. Jude Donor '13
Yesterday I had a chance to drive a 1970 Stingray 454 for awhile. Now mind you, this is the car I fell in love with when I was thirteen many years ago. What a P.O.S.! Windows don't roll up all the way, two inches of play in the steering wheel, mushy brakes, rattles and creaks like crazy! 
When I got my C6 back I just wanted to hug it. I have to say, I've waited thirty eight years to finally get my dream but it was worth the wait!
When I got my C6 back I just wanted to hug it. I have to say, I've waited thirty eight years to finally get my dream but it was worth the wait!
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,446
Likes: 314
From: Tarpon Springs FL
FL Events Coordinator
I liked my new 1972 LT-1 convertible so much that I still have it. Just after I took delivery of my new 2007 3LT M6 convertible, I spent quite a few hours comparing the two. The '72 is a low-mileage, one-owner original in excellent shape, not a clapped-out "daily driver". Some thoughts:
Yes we've come a long, long way. The performance envelope of the C6 is superior in every way to the C3 by a factor of at least 5. After a thorough break-in, I've had my C6 showing 174 mph on the HUD at a superspeedway track day with no effort whatsoever, and still some left under the right foot. My C3 couldn't do that even when new, and the handling (while excellent in comparison to other 1972 automobiles) is not exactly confidence-inspiring at speeds over 130 mph. There ain't much left beyond that, anyway. The C6 is quieter at cruise, louder at WOT (Corsa Sports), rides better, handles better, and has many, many more creature comforts than the C3.
But I wouldn't trade the C3 for anything (and so far, I haven't!). It represents a snapshot in time, and shouldnt be judged too harshly against a car 35 years it's junior other that as a benchmark for progress. The C6 has the advantages of all those years of development behind it. What is even more amazing is just how similar these cars can be. Cruising with the top down on a nice summer evening they could be twins. Same sounds, same "feel", same looks from everyone else. Same type of view out the windshield of those twin fender bulges and slightly domed hood, same great exhaust note, same sensations of endless acceleration and effortless speed (may none of that ever change!). You know in an instant that both cars are Corvettes, and couldn't be anything else.
I wish my C6 had been available in the same Elkhart Green / Dark Saddle interior as my C3. That would have made it perfect. Both are great cars and should be appreciated for what they are, and what they represent. If the Corvettes we are buying 35 years from now reflect the quantum leap forward that my C6 does from my C3, I hope I'm still here to drive one!
Yes we've come a long, long way. The performance envelope of the C6 is superior in every way to the C3 by a factor of at least 5. After a thorough break-in, I've had my C6 showing 174 mph on the HUD at a superspeedway track day with no effort whatsoever, and still some left under the right foot. My C3 couldn't do that even when new, and the handling (while excellent in comparison to other 1972 automobiles) is not exactly confidence-inspiring at speeds over 130 mph. There ain't much left beyond that, anyway. The C6 is quieter at cruise, louder at WOT (Corsa Sports), rides better, handles better, and has many, many more creature comforts than the C3.
But I wouldn't trade the C3 for anything (and so far, I haven't!). It represents a snapshot in time, and shouldnt be judged too harshly against a car 35 years it's junior other that as a benchmark for progress. The C6 has the advantages of all those years of development behind it. What is even more amazing is just how similar these cars can be. Cruising with the top down on a nice summer evening they could be twins. Same sounds, same "feel", same looks from everyone else. Same type of view out the windshield of those twin fender bulges and slightly domed hood, same great exhaust note, same sensations of endless acceleration and effortless speed (may none of that ever change!). You know in an instant that both cars are Corvettes, and couldn't be anything else.
I wish my C6 had been available in the same Elkhart Green / Dark Saddle interior as my C3. That would have made it perfect. Both are great cars and should be appreciated for what they are, and what they represent. If the Corvettes we are buying 35 years from now reflect the quantum leap forward that my C6 does from my C3, I hope I'm still here to drive one!
I couldn't have said it better myself....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 5
From: Brea CA
Wow!.....
Always being a car guy... I fell in love with the Last Year Chrome Bumpers C3 Vettes 1972. It is a TRUE Sports Car... Lots of Power, 4 speed stick, 4 wheel disk brakes, Power Rack and Pinion Steering, T tops, removable rear window... You sit shoulder to shoulder, in a narrow cockpit. It is such a joy to drive.
I am sorry that your driving of a new C6 set the bench mark of what you expected. No... they are not the same.. I love both of them.. for different reasons... If you ever drove a old sports car, like MG, Fiat, TR6, and others you would just love the C3.
The C6 is a Sporty Luxury car now... truth be told. No true sports car has cruise control, heated seats, power seats, NAV, HUD, and all the rest of the options I have and enjoy. Yes the C6 is a better daily driver. But... there is something about a carburator, with a snap of the RPM's, it is a blast to drive... Mine is a flip the key and go classic, no hard to start problems, no overheating, no leaks, no disappointments...... Yes... one will not replace the other, and that is a good thing.
I am sorry that your driving of a new C6 set the bench mark of what you expected. No... they are not the same.. I love both of them.. for different reasons... If you ever drove a old sports car, like MG, Fiat, TR6, and others you would just love the C3.
The C6 is a Sporty Luxury car now... truth be told. No true sports car has cruise control, heated seats, power seats, NAV, HUD, and all the rest of the options I have and enjoy. Yes the C6 is a better daily driver. But... there is something about a carburator, with a snap of the RPM's, it is a blast to drive... Mine is a flip the key and go classic, no hard to start problems, no overheating, no leaks, no disappointments...... Yes... one will not replace the other, and that is a good thing.
Last edited by AtHomeSoda; Aug 25, 2008 at 01:47 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 752
Likes: 0
From: Palm Harbor Florida
Hey, wait a minute..........
Back in the 70's I owned a couple of 3rd gen 'vettes. Funny, I didn't learn my lesson after the first one... and generally speaking, my experiences back then, ALMOST prevented me from buying my first C5. Let's face it, from the time they introduced the IRS, Chevrolet didn't make too many changes to the Corvette technologically until the C4 came along.. I had the opportunity to drive several C4's and wasn't even the sliightest bit impressed. But, back on 2001 when I was looking for a sports car, a good friend strongly insisted that I drive his C5. I pretty much argued that there wan't much Chevy could do to a Corvette that would get my attention. He finally wore me down and I accepted his offer to drive his '99 coupe. Less than one week later I was driving my own C5 'vert! Since then I have owned an 04 Z, and now my C6 vert! To think that I let the memories of those rattle trap, ill handling C3's almost keep me from experiencing the latest gens of Corvette! In all honesty... I can't think of a "60's or 70's muscle car" that isn't a handfull to drive. I had a '69 Nova SS that I restored just prior to buying the 1st C5.. It was a beast! It's really unfair to compare the "Classics" with a modern high performance vehicle. You know what they say... "You can never go back!"
Peace! XmP
Peace! XmP
Uhhh, Not quite sure what you're talking about here regarding "rattle trap, ill handling C3's", but my '74 I bought from day 1 was never a ill-handling, rattle trap then nor is it today, 34 years and 2 months later!!!
It has 39,900 miles now but its about as quiet and as a tight (frame on restoration completed in 1993) as it was back then! People who have riden in this car have commented on soft and quiet the ride is (it has standard suspension too).
What else can I say?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 0
From: Boca Raton Inlet, Atlantic Ocean (Floridas east coast)
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 16
From: "Once you have flown, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward; for there you have been
Uhhh, Not quite sure what you're talking about here regarding "rattle trap, ill handling C3's", but my '74 I bought from day 1 was never a ill-handling, rattle trap then nor is it today, 34 years and 2 months later!!! It has 39,900 miles now but its about as quiet and as a tight (frame on restoration completed in 1993) as it was back then!
People who have riden in this car have commented on soft and quiet the ride is (it has standard suspension too).
What else can I say?
It has 39,900 miles now but its about as quiet and as a tight (frame on restoration completed in 1993) as it was back then! People who have riden in this car have commented on soft and quiet the ride is (it has standard suspension too).
What else can I say?
.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,474
Likes: 0
From: Birmingham, AL NCM Lifetime Member
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,964
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville AL
CI 2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
Yes a C6 is light years ahead of the C3 in every technological aspect and objective benchmark I can think of but subjectively the C3 is what first comes to mind when I think of a Corvette. Other than a fully restored BB bumper car I own the C3, and have since it was new, of my dreams and a C6...the best of both worlds.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 137
Likes: 3
From: Sarasota FL
Back in the 70's I owned a couple of 3rd gen 'vettes. Funny, I didn't learn my lesson after the first one... and generally speaking, my experiences back then, ALMOST prevented me from buying my first C5. Let's face it, from the time they introduced the IRS, Chevrolet didn't make too many changes to the Corvette technologically until the C4 came along.. I had the opportunity to drive several C4's and wasn't even the sliightest bit impressed. But, back on 2001 when I was looking for a sports car, a good friend strongly insisted that I drive his C5. I pretty much argued that there wan't much Chevy could do to a Corvette that would get my attention. He finally wore me down and I accepted his offer to drive his '99 coupe. Less than one week later I was driving my own C5 'vert! Since then I have owned an 04 Z, and now my C6 vert! To think that I let the memories of those rattle trap, ill handling C3's almost keep me from experiencing the latest gens of Corvette! In all honesty... I can't think of a "60's or 70's muscle car" that isn't a handfull to drive. I had a '69 Nova SS that I restored just prior to buying the 1st C5.. It was a beast! It's really unfair to compare the "Classics" with a modern high performance vehicle. You know what they say... "You can never go back!"
Peace! XmP
Peace! XmP
-Ed
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,791
Likes: 44
From: Loudon/Lake Mary Tennessee/Florida
That is the general idea, each generation should improved on the last.
I love them all.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,500
Likes: 312
From: Scottsdale AZ
I've had four C3's . . both back in the day as well as recently and I'll confess I LOVE those cars . .mostly because I can open the hood or get underneath the dash and things make sense to me . . .
They're great nostalgia and an enjoyable compliment to my C6, but absolutely positively not a replacement . . .there's clearly no comparison in the technology.
If I could, I'd have at least one of each of the generations . . .but I'd probably drive the C6.
They're great nostalgia and an enjoyable compliment to my C6, but absolutely positively not a replacement . . .there's clearly no comparison in the technology.
If I could, I'd have at least one of each of the generations . . .but I'd probably drive the C6.