I'm very fortunate to have owned and enjoyed a Corvette most of my adult life, An all original, numbers matching 1965 Sting Ray Coupe for over 36 years that we sold a little over 12 years ago and purchased the then current C6 Coupe that is my daily driver. Although approaching my 78th birthday, I've never had any trouble getting in or out of my Vettes until now. I workout daily, stretches, crunches, etc. and I walk on average at least 3 miles a day. The problem, we recently downsized from our home with a very spacious 3-car garage to a small 2-car garage. To get into our C6, I open the drivers door as far as possible then I slide behind the door and pretty much gracefully fall into the drivers seat. I then very gingerly crunch up my right leg and swing it into the car and then do the same with my left leg. That's not the problem. I have no problem driving the 6-speed manual, I quite enjoy it. My problem as I'm sure you have guessed is getting out of the car. The combination of the door not opening very wide, sitting very low in the car and having to brace myself as best as possible to do a full thrust out of the car. I have pulled a muscle doing this which is not very pleasant. Other than suspending a pulley or some such device from the ceiling, I have no idea what to do.
I will greatly appreciate any constructive suggestions as the only alternative is to our C6 and to me that is a last resort.
Thank you in advance. Terry

 

you are welcome
Suggestion one... Explain the question.

 

Stretch!!! Stretch every day you’ll be amazed with the difference it makes! You can even go to one of the places that stretch you to get started.

 

Back your car into the left space in the garage. You will then have plenty of space to open the door.

 

I know exactly what you're talking about! I have the window valet device and open the windows all the way down helps a lot. Then the window valet device you roll the windows back up after you close the doors.

 

^^ This. Also, it helps to keep the targa top off. Good luck.

 

 

^ those are cute.

 

You could always ask your wife NICELY to come over and help you out. But I prefer doing what PCMIII suggested. Back it in. It works well for me but I am only 74!

 

Gotta read. He said "Other than suspending a pulley or some such device from the ceiling, I have no idea what to do."

My suggestion is if you belong to a gym or fitness center, explain the situation to them and ask for exercises, stretches that are tailored to your situation. Also, I've seen these handles that fit/rest into a car's door latch on the body that acts as a grab bar of sorts that you might use to help you exit. Kudos to you for still being active and able to drive a Vette. It's not easy for my 60 year old self.

 

Agreed, would this work? You kinda need to be able the get the door fully open to get in and out properly.

 

Lee,
That sounds like the answer. I have the upper body strength, the problem is being able to equally distribute my upforce at the same time. I have the 3-LT package that includes the memory package for the drivers seat. Does that include the window valet device? If so, please instruct how to use it.
Terry








terr

 

The Window Valet is an additional device that you must purchase. It plugs into your OBD2 port under the steering wheel.

https://www.southerncarparts.com/cor...9G_ApV5kDHE39G

 

I really think that is an awesome thing to have! My garage is limited on space. When I open the door the door hits the side wall (I have bumpers on the wall so the door doesn't get damaged) when I get out of my vettte, I don't want to leave the window down. But it's a pain in the *** getting out with the window up. I'm 58. So no issues getting in or out. Well maybe out lol. No one can get out of corvette gracefully! lol. I hope it helps. Good luck and let us know how you're doing with it.

 

Are you using the grab handle on the door to pull yourself out? Seems like if you can get in, reversing that process should get you out? I use the grab handle and seat back to sort of push-pull myself out of the car, though admittedly it is more difficult when the door is not open all the way.

 

Gravity is a bitch.

 

Agreed! I was just speaking to the process is all.

 

Not for a C6, no hoop to go into.

 

Someone on the forums installed vertical doors for your very issue. I don't recall who it was. But the idea is the doors open slightly out and then up. Making it even easier to get out over them being fully open.

 

Unfortunately, time waits for no one but don't give up without a fight