Topic: secret society C3 door handles
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
Already a Member?
Click Here to Login
Not yet a Member?
Click Here to Register for Free!
My mechanic called me in a panic, wondering where I'd left the keys. He said he was locked out of the Vette and other customers were waiting for him to move the car. I said, "The keys are under the floor mat, like we always do. Just push down further on the door handle. It's open." He did and then chuckled sheepishly. "Oh, embarrassing," he said, as others probably snickered at him and maybe took their business elsewhere.
I find that many people are baffled by C3 door handles. They just stare at the door, wondering how to get inside and saving themselves some pride by not even attempting to try. Whenever I give friends their first ride, I entertain myself by not telling them in advance how to operate the door handle. *chuckling* Anyone else run into this phenomonon, or do I just run with a dim crowd?
Bill
SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)
Former Member
Send PM
Greer, SC - USA
Joined: 3/13/2012
Posts: 264
Vette(s): 1978 Black with Viking mural painted under hood AM/FM/CB radio, T-top and a 2013 Cyber Gray Grand Sport Coupe, 2LT for my daily driver
Bill,
Great story.....can you say duh-huh?
David
Warning: The surgeon general has declared that it is NOT unhealthy to smoke your competition AND I just discovered that my corvette is a hybred. It burns gas and rubber!
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20229
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Well..if the door handles on your Shark befuddled him, he'll REALLY be in a tizzy if he ever gets a C6 to werk on!!
Lots of folks don't know how the door handles work on the Shark cars...not everyone has been around them. I've seen guys in the shops look for a hood release for 30 minutes or more....at the front of the car....
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
I can't just blame lack of Corvette knowledge on the South, because when I lived in upstate NY and had my first C3 in the shop, I watched as a mechanic unlatched the hood's release, got out and tried in vain to to pick up the hood from the front of the car and get it to rise to face the windshield. LOL
Oh, you beat me to it, Joel. I've had just that happen too, as shown above.
Not only door handles, but how about the battery. I use a battery shut-off when parking for a longer time or in a public lot. I just close and lock the battery door and put the drivers seat back in position. 
So, if someone tried to steal it and didn't know C3's, they would never be able to get it started. To me, just another safety feature. 
|UPDATED|4/10/2012 11:10:06 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
So, if someone tried to steal it and didn't know C3's, they would never be able to get it started. To me, just another safety feature.
Larry
|UPDATED|4/10/2012 11:10:06 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
The difference between men and boys is the cost of their toys!!
Former Member
Send PM
Oak Creek, WI - USA
Joined: 5/21/2008
Posts: 1965
Vette(s): 1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190 hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vettes Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!! Now own a 1998 C-5!
I love it also, when people stare at my C-3 doors , wonder9ng how to open the door. I guess thats all part of the C-3 Mystek !!!
Dan
Lifetime MemberPhoenix, AZ - USA
Joined: 3/13/2004
Posts: 537
Vette(s): 1975 Stingray Nomad Wagon, with Daytona front, custom hood scoop, dual side vents; 420HP 350; Doug Nash 5 speed; 1980 rear end W/4:11 gears; Cherry Red metallic paint.
I had a good laugh at my neighbor when I offered him a ride: WoW, I thought the yellow Vette was stock, how did you ever get that one done? He couldnt believe they made them all like that (and hes a mechanic).
Lifetime Member #36 
click on any image for a larger view
2011111017209r.jpg)
Kewl post!
corvette440hp
I got door handles that are almost worn out..have to push in the front of the pocket and all the way down. I haven't had anyone walk up to it and just pop the door open...gotta give the tech guys a break....unless you've been around these they are different...but that's about any car out there...one point though..I would have a hard time letting someone work on my car if they didn't know how to open the door or the hood..there is something to be said for experience.
My first parade at Carlisle 2010
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)