It all depends on whether you are buying the car to look at or drive. I haven't owned a C2 but I did own a 69 BB Roadster that I used for my daily driver for 4 years. The two are very similar since the C2 and C3 shared frames. The C3 frame was reinforced for the 69 model year due to frame cracks that occurred near the front spring mounts in earlier years.

The problem with the C2/C3 roadsters was the lack of a top. The body would twist like mad going over bumps or when the driver made some hard shifts. One time I was coming home from work on a back road with the top down and decided to run through the gears all the way to red line in each gear. When I shifted to third from second the hood popped open due to the body twist. Luckily, the top was down and I was able to raise up enough to see over the hood. There also was a series of rolling bumps over a culvert that drove the car mad. First thing I did when I test drove my 71 BB coupe 4 years later was take the car over those bumps and it handled them so much better that I bought the car.

Your C6 is so much better of a car it is impossible to compare the two. Comparing it to a C2 is like comparing a C2 to a 1915 Chevrolet. Time and technology have moved on and both of those antiques are nice to look at but from a driving standpoint are pieces of junk.

Bill

 

new is always better. Its like the difference between banging a drum to send a message or sending an e-mail. They are worlds apart. Styling is another story. C2's are always nice to look at . The C6 is sleek . An older car will cost you an arm and a leg to keep on the road. much more than a C6. Good luck with your choice

Clif

 

I have both and of course they are completely different.

The 66 has manual brakes and steering and no A/C. But it is a blast to drive and gets lots of attention. It doesn't really cost that much to keep it on the road either.

The 07 has all the creature comforts of a modern car plus it's supercharged.

 

I own both a C2 and a C6. We all know the feel of a C6, but a C2 has many nice features. The bad: leaking calipers, non AC and power steering, hydroplanes overs 65 mph in the rain. The good: '65 on had disc brakes, independent suspension, four speed and a choice of rear end ratios for better gas mileage (I used to get 21 mpg on mine), plenty of room in the driver seat (I am 6' and weigh 230 #), I put 250,000 miles on mine and loved every minute of it (bullet proof 327, 300 hp). they came with A/C but no one bought it. You can purchase an A/C kit and rack and pinion kit for the car, if you want and put stainless steel lined epoxy filled calipers to solve the leak problem. I dislike the the C3, and my wife owned two C4's and I didn't care for those either - bought a C5 and liked it, traded it in on a 2005 C6 conv. and love it. I still own my '65 MM roadster with white top and hardtop and am planning to being buried in it (just kidding), I got it in '67.
You cannot go wrong with a '65 or later C2, but they have gotten pretty pricy.

 

If I had the money I'd get a C2 Resto-Mod, with the C6 engine and modern suspension. There are companies which specialize in this sort of conversion. Unfortunately, they cost as much as sending a child to Harvard.

 

I have owned a 1972 C-3 for over 30 years now. Don't forget real Corvettes have chrome bumpers. lol Great for going to car shows, it does draw a lot of attention. But is awful to drive on long runs, hot days (no a/c) and I'm getting about 9 miles to a gallon. It rides like a truck and steers like a tractor.

So with that being said, I just purchased a 2005 coupe with 16k miles, kept the C-3 and am going to use it for parades and shows. We belong to a Corvette club which we do plenty of road trips, and overnight events. It's nice to have the a/c on and the comforts and conveniences of the C-6. It' two different worlds.

 

I sold my 1966 convertible last fall and bought my 2005 convertible. (Photos of both are in my profile area.)

I made the change because I was always worried about someone stealing the C2. They stand out like a flashing light (which is also why we love them), they are easy to steal, and they are expensive, all of which makes them a target. As a result, I ended up not driving the car as often, depending on the parking situation at the destination.

Others have mentioned the vast improvements in technology in the C6, but that's sort of beside the point. It was cool to drive the C2 because it was so simple. Yeah, I love the creature comforts of my C6, and that is probably another reason I made the change, but here's a big difference: I got tons of thumbs-up with the C2. It seemed like everybody, of every age and walk of life, loved that car. It just made everyone smile. The C6 is mostly ignored, which is both good and bad (see above).

So it really just depends on you and your preferences. I recommend that you go to a Corvette club meeting and ask someone to trade test drives with you and your C6. That way you can get a feel for what it would be like to own and drive the C2.

 

Sorry, but a 50 year old car (assuming it is mostly original or restored) is, well....a 50 year old car. It drives, handles, and rides like a 50 year old car. It is NOTHING like your current car. As a rule, if you drive it, you need to tinker with it.
I have a fully restored '64 365hp, and it's a blast to drive. It is a manual shift, manual steering, no power brakes, so I usually keep trips to less than 150 miles round trip.

 

People have already given yo the correct advise. Both cars are fantastic! The C6 is a great car all around...great speed, handling, comfort, somewhat economical, the list goes on...

The C2 is also fantastic, but in a different way. You will always be one of the centers of attention at car shows, and I always enjoyed cleaning and detailing the car. If you are a "hands on, mechanically inclined" sort of person, you should be fine...There is ALWAYS something to do with the car, ALWAYS, unless it is a perfect example, Duntov Mark of Excellence Award winner, etc, but then you can't drive it for fear of a scratch. As you can see, I made many changes to both of mine over the years, but hat's half the fun.

Unfortunately, I had to sell one of the cars because of medical issues. I got a heck of a lot more money for the C2, and if you can call a Corvette practical, the C6 was more practical. I am never afraid of hopping into the C6 and going down to the corner store, or across country to visit family...that's a blast...especially going through the mountains somewhere. I could/would never do that in the C2.

I miss the hell out of the Mid-Year (mine was a '65), but I stand by my decision to keep the C6. My only hope is that some day, I will be able to buy another C2, and a C3, etc... Whatever decision you make, you will have second thoughts, but don't dwell on it...enjoy whatever you decide!

 

solid axle only with c1, c2 independent rears.
65+ all wheel disc brakes.

some good info, ss brake calipers etc, no biggy.

amen to that!!

some have ac and adding an aftermarket vintage ac is not too bad.

if I would find a good answer to exactly this i'd search for a c2 dd, maybe at some point....

 

I'm sure you have already made up your mind by now with all the comments before but I'll throw my two cents in anyway. I've owned five Corvettes in my life to this point. The first was a fuelie '58, then over the years three '65's and now my 427 convertable. I parted with my last '65 to get my 427. It was a red 327-375 HP fuel injected convertable with every option available except the transistor ignition. I did have the pleasure of power brakes with it, but of course no power steering. I loved the knock-off wheels and side pipes and yes, it got plenty of thumbs up and always drew a respectable crowd at the cruise ins because fuelie engines are really cool to look at. I just really got tired of constantly needing to fix something to make the next drive. It wasn't every time but you reach a point where every time you fire up and head out, you wonder what might let loose on this trip. To this point, I have not regretted one bit parting with the old to get the new. I get just as many thumbs up now and perhaps even more than I did before and my 427 always draws a reasonable crowd also. As some have said before me, the idea of a resto-mod is appealing and in fact a few show up at our local cruise in. One in particular really appeals to me as it is a retro '58 fuelie in appearance but is all C5 underneath. The reliability of the later technology has to be a big bonus. I still love the C2's and if I had the space and plenty of discretionary income to play with, I can see having both a restored C2 and my 427. If it has to be one or the other, there is no question the newer Vette is so much more car in every way. Whatever you do, you'll still be in a Corvette, so you won't go wrong with either choice.

 

Do you have the names of any of the shops that might do the body conversion.. The C2's show up from time to time on Mecham Muscle cars and more with either C4 or C5 motor, trans and diff.

Think they always sell for close to six figures; out of my price range.

 

Sorry man, don't know who does conversions, would take some time investigating. Seen 'em on Mekum as well as B/J also, so know they're out there/available.

I attended the 50th birthday bash in Nashville, '03. Saw two '53s w/ C5 chassis in Opryland's parking lot. Not my cup of tea, but, beautiful conversion & workmanship appeared excellent. Great way for C1-2 lovers to have the style & latest technology. Best of both worlds.

The money you might be thinking probably includes the donor car?
IF so providing a donor w/could reduce the conversion price quite a bit since at [that] point all being added are body panels.
Question is: who does this work?

 

Hmmmm, drum brakes, manual steering & possibly brakes as well. Can't see why a C2 wouldn't make a great C6 replacement!

 

I was looking at C3's. It's my favorite style Vette but decided I wanted modern/current equipment so bought the C6 instead. I had a friend with a C3 and he spent a lot of time tinkering with it. More than I would want to. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

I just sold my 65 coupe... I absolutely LOVED that car and drove it every chance I got up here in the Northeast. I also had a C6 for the last 6 yrs so the C2 got relegated to mostly Friday nights and car shows. I like that the C2 was stick and my 13GS was auto. Best of both worlds... I would've kept it but just lost my job so it was time for it to go as I drive my C6 a lot... if the times comes where when I can get another one then I will... I don't think you'll be disappointed as long as you know they TOTALLY different cars in every aspect. Your call but enjoy whichever you choose

 

Hey Guys, I was just kidding.
Still wish I had my 1970 454 with no power brakes or steering.
Thought someone would have taken me to task by now - & defended the older Vettes!
But - I still appreciate the reliability & comfort of the newer ones.
Maybe one day - when I only need an occasional driver....