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To answer a few questions;
I am 6' 3", I am mechanically inclined and I don't do road trips in the Vette. We have a truck or suv for roads trips. I don't daily drive my Vette either. I drive it about 4 to 6 times a month. So an older classic would still be suitable for that.
I have owned a 69 convertible 350 and a 69 coupe 427 in the past. I spent many hours working on them and doing not just maintenance, but restoration as well. So I am very familiar with the early C3 cars and how to work on them, as I have done it all in the past. I have never owned a C2, but I like the 65 pictured. It is a requirement that it has an AC down here in the Texas heat! It is hard to find a big block with an AC, but not impossible.
So yes I would have to tinker more with a classic, but I kind of miss that, and I don't need all of the creature comforts. I rarely listen to my radio because I like to hear the motor.
I guess everyone has their favorite years and cars. Mine has always been a 69 Stingray big block 427 car.
Everything sounds good except for the 6'3" part. I'm 6'2" and have owned a 67 roadster, 66 coupe and a few C3's. If your not taking drives longer than a hour or so, a C2 would probably be ok. A C3 has a lot more leg room. If you can find someone selling a C2 that would let you drive it for a hour, do it. I am longer in the legs and maybe your not, but a hour was about it before I was looking to stretch. If you want to scratch that itch for an older Corvette, I like you have always had a thing for the 69 427. Bad *** car.
db, I'm with you in that I too would desire to go back to my 'roots' (C2). I'd prefer a 5,6 or 7 with the L79 motor, M21. For me, my first choice would be a '66, Mossport Green.
As for the C3's. I too like 1969 as well as '73 (yes I owned one of each back in the day)
My 2012 GS only has 4 thousand miles on it, never seen rain or snow, so my thinking is like yours........might as well look towards something of 'investment grade' ......
These old Vette's are beauties, but they can be the gift that keeps on taking. My last was a '72 Vert., while it was restored there was always a wonder if the brakes would work, the headlight and wiper doors would open, etc. They are mainly weekend warriors (mine got 8 mpg), used on a sunny Sunday for a ride close to home or going to a car show. If you're ready for that I say go for it, but if you're still looking for a carefree road trip or taking the Vette on vacation I would say stay with the newer ones, C5 - up. Good luck on your decision.
BTW, I test drove a '69 427 back in the 90's, no power nothing. That thing was an all day job to drive. It was damn fast, but I passed on it.
Me, I'm sticking with the newer ones. Nothing like a road trip in a Vette.
Last edited by Rebel Yell; Nov 25, 2015 at 04:03 PM.
Looks like a '64 due to the front fender coves and it would have a (stock) 327 motor.
To the original question: I would not trade my C6 for a classic but I would like to have my C6 and a '67 427, side-pipe vert.
Agreed, both would be nice!
I would not go older than the 65 because that is the first year for disc brakes, also the 65 is the first year for a big block, 425 hp 396 cu in.
Last edited by db2012gs; Nov 25, 2015 at 04:02 PM.
These old Vette's are beauties, but they can be the gift that keeps on taking. My last was a '72 Vert., while it was restored there was always a wonder if the brakes would work, the headlight and wiper doors would open, etc. They are mainly weekend warriors (mine got 8 mpg), used on a sunny Sunday for a ride close to home or going to a car show. If you're ready for that I say go for it, but if you're still looking for a carefree road trip or taking the Vette on vacation I would say stay with the newer ones, C5 - up. Good luck on your decision.
BTW, I test drove a '69 427 back in the 90's, no power nothing. That thing was an all day job to drive. It was damn fast, but I passed on it.
Me, I'm sticking with the newer ones. Nothing like a road trip in a Vette.
I used to have the best of both worlds, I had a 69 Stingray 427 with side pipes for weekend cruising, and a 2004 Z06 for daily driving.
Then I went through a divorce in 2006, lost almost everything including my good credit due to my ex. It wasn't until Mar 2014 that I got another Vette, my 2012 GS. I went 8 years without a sports car and I was so happy to be in one again! But now I am starting to miss the classic for weekend cruising. So I am trying to be practical since I don't drive the C6 much, however I could daily drive the C6 and sell my daily driver that is paid for...hmmm...being practical sucks...lol
db, I'm with you in that I too would desire to go back to my 'roots' (C2). I'd prefer a 5,6 or 7 with the L79 motor, M21. For me, my first choice would be a '66, Mossport Green.
As for the C3's. I too like 1969 as well as '73 (yes I owned one of each back in the day)
My 2012 GS only has 4 thousand miles on it, never seen rain or snow, so my thinking is like yours........might as well look towards something of 'investment grade' ......
The 73 was an interesting year, still had the metal rear bumpers, but the front bumper was converted. In addition, the hood was extended and got rid of the problematic wiper door. But the HP was already down by then...sigh!
They are beautiful Vettes......the heart and soul of what it has always been about.....but age and comfort are big factors today and that leaves me at my C6 GS....performance plus I do a bit of the "shine & show"
I love old Vettes but am not interested in driving myself or my loved ones around in anything without air bags. People drive like poop. Too large of a risk for me.
I'm a young guy compared to you old farts (lol jk) so i probably won't ever drive a classic stingray. It would be more of a garage ornament to show off to neighbors or others who are into cars that wanna see it. I would have no use for it on the road.
I like going fast at times and i need reliability. My days of wrenching on cars are over. I'll do maintenance but i'm not spending my free time tinkering with cars anymore. Working 60 hours a week forbid me to do that now.
So no i wouldn't trade my GS for an older stingray. Wouldn't even trade it for a cheaper "tuner" car.
First, a little wordy background story before my opinion:
I owned a '69--bought it brand new the morning after I flunked my physical so I knew I wasn't getting drafted and going to Viet Nam--and then sold it in '71 and used the cash for the tuition for my Master's Degree.
When I finished up with school and moved on to a new career, I bought a '67 coupe that had been in a minor accident and had also had a few things done to it that brought it away from stock. I had the body repaired and repainted professionally and did the interior and "undid" the non-stock stuff myself. I kept the '67 for a couple of years and then had to sell it as life got in the way--marriage, family, mortgages, kids' college tuitions, etc.
I always wanted another Corvette so when I retired I started thinking about getting another one. After a couple of years of retirement I began the hunt in earnest and in January 2013 found a 2012 C6 at an estate sale with only 1,023 miles on it. Obviously, I grabbed it. So having owned a C2, C3 and now a C6, I can offer my opinion.
I would NOT trade my C6 for either a C2 or C3, as the prior generations are just downright crude compared to the C6. That being said, I'd LOVE to have a C2--'65, '66, or ESPECIALLY a '67--as a second Corvette.
