ExRedRacer

Were you ever one of those guys who would 'challenge' a Corvette in your younger years? I was. Over in C6 General, there's a thread about guys trying to challenge Corvettes and how irritating it is. That made me think about my own experience doing the same thing many years ago...

Back in the day, among other cars I've owned, I had a Triumph TR7. It was the worst car I ever owned, but it cornered like it was on rails. Back in 1976 during Spring Break, I drove it from California to Victoria B.C. along coast routes, as far as possible. While driving along one particularly curvy road in Oregon, I came upon a blue C3 Vert with a white top. It wasn't going too fast as there were plenty of curves forcing it to hold the speed down.

So...I decided to 'show off' and let that Vette know that I could keep up with it. So I did. And within the confines of that very curvy narrow road, I was able to keep up pretty nicely.

After a couple of miles of this, the road opened up to four lanes and began to ascend a long, straight hill. The next thing I knew, that Vette lit it up and was gone, leaving me far behind and disabusing me of the notion that I could keep up with a Corvette in my little TR7.

Nowadays in my C7, I just look at these young guys in their little racers and either laugh or just ignore them...but I never forget that I did the same thing over 40 years ago.

What's your story? Ever try to 'play' with a Vette in some other car you drove years ago?

Ratboy

Guilty as charged. Ate a C3 for breakfast on my way home from 'da club one night. I was driving a '77 Honda Accord. Passed him in the twisties, lost him, hid out on a side road until he went by, then passed him and lost him again! Its a miracle i ever got into 'vettes after that.

Pineapple

Quite the opposite actually, I'd stay away from vettes. Those things are damn fast.

Billy346

I did in my Camaro back in 2001. My Camaro was a 1998 SS, and I was on the highway coming back from college for the weekend. I saw a nice red C5 and hit the gas passing it. The other driver hit the gas and we flew! My Camaro was just barely edging him out.

We both got off on the same exit. He asked if my Camaro was modified. To which I answered (truthfully) "Nope! It's stock!" I'm really glad there weren't any police out that day, because I'm pretty sure we were doing well over the legal limit.

B-Vette

No, my Firebirds from the 80's and 90's were just as poor performance-wise as the corvettes back then.

ImpliedConsent

{Raises Hand} Yep, that's me. Only on my Suzuki GSX-R 1100. The Vettes alway pulled hard, but couldn't take on a 400#/150HP crotchrocket. I've sold it since and I'm convinced that the stock C7 Z06 would beat it (not the stock C6 Z06). This is just based on my experience with both the bike and my stock 460HP C7 Stingray.

PobreWey

I would always snicker passing a Vette in my Mustang on the highway. The Corvette really humbled me as far as bad driving habits go. I don't feel the need to speed or race etc. I really just enjoy the experience now. It really made me a more mature driver.

ElGreco53

Ah, couldn't happen. When I was younger I was so broke I couldn't even pay attention...drove beaters for decades. At 65, I'm making up for that now!

mschuyler

I know what you mean. A 36HP VW bug is not meant for challenging vettes. At the time I thought it got good mileage. Ironically, my vette gets better highway mileage than that thing did.

FormerBiker

Had a Challenger do a blow-by yesterday on a busy city street. Idiot!

markc7

I used to have a SS 396 Chevelle and I would regularly challenge Vettes to race me. I never lost.

Avanti

Some of us have NEVER raced on public roads... and, it doesn't bother me to admit it.

glava2876

Actually, my 75 Trans Am would handle as good or better than a 75 Corvette

Corgidog1

I never owned a fast car when I was young-I just was happy they started and ran. Back then (late 60s early 70s) the vette was at the top of the food chain status wise and speed wise with the right engine-above the GTO guys.

ExRedRacer

You had one of those too, huh?

Shortly after that trip I described in the TR7, I traded it in for a ‘76 Trans Am...red with the big fire-breathing chicken decal all over the hood along with that sealed-up shaker scoop sticking up in the middle. But as well as the T/A handled, I still think the TR7 handled better but of course with nowhere near the power the Pontiac had.

Strangely enough, I don’t think I ever tried to challenge any Corvettes in it.

Danengraham

Um, would do a 10+ boost launch in my syclone and just rape them from a dig... Dont think I had one ever try to go for seconds after that. c4/c5/c6 were all turds from a dig for the most part. No one was rocking big and littles on there street/DD cars like they do now days.

Was just starting to be a few C6Z on the road at that time and lets just say I never pulled up next to one on the highway.

J.Moore

I think you are serious and I agree with you, why risk it? You have everything to lose and nothing to gain just like picking up a hitch hiker.

I saw too many guys lose their license for awhile and get 6 pts quick. No thanks not even when I was young and stupid.

I legally bracket raced 1/4 mile for 12 years on real sanctioned drag strips and had all the fun I needed.

KnightDriveTV

I always had a love for Corvettes, so I tended to not want to embarrass them. In addition, it was usually old boys driving, so they didn't really have much to offer anyway, in terms of a street race. I did eat a quite a few though...in my Honda's....lol. Yeah...I was that guy...I had a myriad of 400-750whp Honda's that made guys feel real bad about life for a minute. Haters can hate, but if you haven't ridden in a 600hp Honda, you don't know what you're missing. My supercharged Z06 felt like a kitten by comparison to a few of my Honda's.

glava2876

I had a 71 Camaro SS 350 before the Trans Am and was blown away by how much better the TA handled. The only problem is that the TA was an automatic

Mike Campbell

Many years ago I went to night school and was on my way home in my 68 Roadrunner. I stopped for a light and a guy pulled up to me in a sweet sounding 427 C3 Corvette. Well he revved his engine and I figured, why not, because my Roadrunner could pull hole shots on just about anything. It was a TourqueFlight with a 3:55 Dana rear so when the light changed I started off light. I heard the Vette hit it so I stabbed the pedal and took off like a shot easily a car & half ahead of him. Then I heard him shift to 2nd & he came up to my door, then hit third and he was gone like an exocet missile! No sense staying on it because it was a waste to even try. I learned my lesson well and never again messed with a Vette, except when I was in my own Vette!