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>Also when comparing to my C2 or C3 how does a C1 feel? big change or similar ha<
Is this a joke? C1s ride, corner and brake like crap compared to C2 through just about anything. Seats are like some form of torture device. That's all part of the alure. They are time machines that take you back to before all this electronic BS in today's cars. A time when men were men and women wore stockings and garter belts. There are lots of things one can do to improve all these things but not much to make them worse.
You might want to check BaT for conditions and prices: https://bringatrailer.com/. That will give you a good feel of the market.
I have owned '63, '64. and '02. Last year I bought a restored (mechanical, interior, chrome, paint) '60. The C2s are superior in ride and handling to the '60, but I am just doing pleasure driving to shows, lunches/dinners, and the golf course, so not a big deal at all. C2s and C3s certainly still get a lot of attention at shows and on the road, as they should, but not to the same extent as the silver/white/red '60.
The best way I can compare the C1's to a C2/C3 is this. You ride on top of the frame in a C1 whereas you sit lower in the frame on a C2/C3. The engine on C3 sit way further back or seem too be that way because the nose is so long on C3 so the weight over the wheels feel different. C1s have 1949 passenger car front end technology if you plan on keeping it stock. Yeah, the brakes are so so on a C1 with its single master cylinder. Also, safety wise a C1 has the spear (no collapse steering shaft). Straight axle so different feel than C2/C3 when it comes to the rear. Now, there are things you can do to improve the ride in a straight axle corvette. You can do the whole rack and pinion swap. You can add disc brakes too. Now, mine has all of the OG stuff except for dual master cylinder with disc brakes up front. They do work fine for my driving since I freshened up the front end during the frame off restoration. I keep it lubed up by doing a service each each year before car show seasons. Any of these corvettes are head turners. My son would get lots of compliments with his 74 corvette. Probably more than what I get in my 62. C2/C3 can come with power brakes and power steering. You also have big block options in the C2/C3. C2/C3 have that funky dangerous ram system. Ditch it and go with borgeson setup. It will make the steering way more responsive.
My advice is to see if you can get a ride in one so you can get your own idea on what you would rather drive.
You might want to check BaT for conditions and prices: https://bringatrailer.com/. That will give you a good feel of the market.
I have owned '63, '64. and '02. Last year I bought a restored (mechanical, interior, chrome, paint) '60. The C2s are superior in ride and handling to the '60, but I am just doing pleasure driving to shows, lunches/dinners, and the golf course, so not a big deal at all. C2s and C3s certainly still get a lot of attention at shows and on the road, as they should, but not to the same extent as the silver/white/red '60.
Checking BAT is a great idea thank you.
I have never sat in a C1 so just was asking some feed back., I assume it worse then the others as they normally get better. That being said, the my C2 has more room then the C3 ha. But some improvements and some steps back
The best way I can compare the C1's to a C2/C3 is this. You ride on top of the frame in a C1 whereas you sit lower in the frame on a C2/C3. The engine on C3 sit way further back or seem too be that way because the nose is so long on C3 so the weight over the wheels feel different. C1s have 1949 passenger car front end technology if you plan on keeping it stock. Yeah, the brakes are so so on a C1 with its single master cylinder. Also, safety wise a C1 has the spear (no collapse steering shaft). Straight axle so different feel than C2/C3 when it comes to the rear. Now, there are things you can do to improve the ride in a straight axle corvette. You can do the whole rack and pinion swap. You can add disc brakes too. Now, mine has all of the OG stuff except for dual master cylinder with disc brakes up front. They do work fine for my driving since I freshened up the front end during the frame off restoration. I keep it lubed up by doing a service each each year before car show seasons. Any of these corvettes are head turners. My son would get lots of compliments with his 74 corvette. Probably more than what I get in my 62. C2/C3 can come with power brakes and power steering. You also have big block options in the C2/C3. C2/C3 have that funky dangerous ram system. Ditch it and go with borgeson setup. It will make the steering way more responsive.
My advice is to see if you can get a ride in one so you can get your own idea on what you would rather drive.
Thank you. To clarify I own a 66 C2 Coupe and a 69 C3 coupe. so very familiar with how they feel, ride, and handle. Just never been in a C1.
A drive quality one popped up for like 42K and was curious the market, and how they are vs the other old ones. Would be neat to add to the collection ha I had no idea if it was good or bad money. I think its high after looking some.
Thank you. To clarify I own a 66 C2 Coupe and a 69 C3 coupe. so very familiar with how they feel, ride, and handle. Just never been in a C1.
A drive quality one popped up for like 42K and was curious the market, and how they are vs the other old ones. Would be neat to add to the collection ha I had no idea if it was good or bad money. I think its high after looking some.
I think riding in them can be fun. 42k is a good price depending who the body and frame is. Yeah, they are fun to drive. Mine drives great. I live in the norcal so lots of mountain roads. Pretty simple to work on. Also, I did my Army training at Redstone back in 1991.
here it is driving around the foothills. I had to adjust the clutch because it was overthrowing the fingers too much. The inside mirror is a little loose so the go pro was moving. Plus, I had to follow a mustang. I can tell you I was really concerned about that mustang whenever we passed a telephone pole. You know how those mustangs get skittish around light and telephone poles.
There is plenty of room on the passenger's side. For the driver, with the 17" steering wheel, it can be tight for those bigger than I am (5' 10" 165). Many have installed a 15" steering wheel, but I am fine with mine.
From a show last week -- MGs, Jags, Porsches, Mustangs, a gorgeous 442, many others. She is a college student visiting from Europe, and had never seen such a collection of cars. She said she loves America and doesn't want to leave.
42 for a driver quality C-1 is a fair deal depending on condition of frame.
Few pics, but truck is a little off, not sure whats right or wrong so feel free to comment. It just sold now ha but comments welcome I am learning even if I never add one to the shop
Not too bad, I was about that size when I first driving my old ride. Also, 60-62 have a little longer doors than the earlier ones. 60-62 seat frames are thinner. 62 has an indent around the gas pedal so the gas pedal sits further from the driver than the rest.
My biggest gripe about the C-1's is the seat. OP mentioned a C-3. The seat for those is somewhat cupped, like the palm of your hand. The C-1's can feel like the "cup" is facing the wrong way - there is support at your lower back, but up by your shoulders, the seat curves BACK to tuck under the deck lid. Not necessarily a reason to avoid buying one, there's a lot to like. Just as a point of info to check out.
Thank you. To clarify I own a 66 C2 Coupe and a 69 C3 coupe. so very familiar with how they feel, ride, and handle. Just never been in a C1.
A drive quality one popped up for like 42K and was curious the market, and how they are vs the other old ones. Would be neat to add to the collection ha I had no idea if it was good or bad money. I think its high after looking some.
I own a '67 and a '72, and my mom had a '58 that I drove occasionally. Getting in and out of each body style requires a different technique. The C2 is the easiest to both get into and out of – especially with a coupe and its cutaway roof. The C3 feels as though it sits much lower, so you're kind of falling in and climbing out. (I think this is the reason a lot of C3 seat bottom frames are broken.) The C1 ('58 at least) requires some contortion of your right knee and hips to get your leg under the large steering wheel while you slide across the seat. The way the end of the dash extends toward the seat doesn't help matters.
I have owned many Corvettes of every generation over the last 45 years, and a properly set up and maintained C1 Corvette drives and handles just fine. No, it doesn't compare to a C6,C7 or C8 but no other car from that era does either. Remember that the C1's competed successfully at Sebring and LeMans when they were new. If you drive one that's sloppy or all over the road, there's something wrong with either the car or the driver (or both). I currently have a nice 1962 (among others) that I drive quite a bit, and it is neither punishing nor tiresome. If you are interested in one, first make sure you can fit comfortably, then drive it. These are great cars and draw ALL the attention at the shows.
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