Topic: What it's like to drive a C3!!
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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Well hope I am not breaking any rules here but I enjoyed reading a thread on another forum site (OK, I know there is no other real one except our great C3VR 
) and thought ya'll might enjoy a couple of cuts from it. It started with a C6 owner posting that he wanted to buy a C3 but he didn't like the "feel" of the ride in one. Obviously the C3 folks ragged on him a bit and thru it all a couple of folks eloquently stated what it's like to drive a C3. I like the first one best
.
) and thought ya'll might enjoy a couple of cuts from it. It started with a C6 owner posting that he wanted to buy a C3 but he didn't like the "feel" of the ride in one. Obviously the C3 folks ragged on him a bit and thru it all a couple of folks eloquently stated what it's like to drive a C3. I like the first one best.
#1
Driving a C3 is about pushing it to its potential but understanding its limitations......it's about feeling the raw power and knowing it's drawn from a basic simplicity.....it's a heightening of the senses: a constant monitoring of the sights, sounds, smells and feel of the car......it's the confident edginess of knowing that at any moment a 35 year old part may snap and leave you stranded.......and it's about the people you meet who love the shape of the car as much as you do.....
#2
It's the howel of an unrestrained 350, through dual exhausts going only through mufflers. It's no traction controll (except your right foot), It's looking over at the people waiting on the corner at a light, and dropping it at 4k rpms. It's driving down a road and having a 70 judge merge in from the side, unexpectedly It's the rev at the stop lights. It's the stereo blasting and a smile onyour face. It's no such thing as a computer, or an oxygen sensor--- it's an unexplainable feeling.
I'm not very "poetic" but maybe someone else will feel "inspired" to come up with another????
Roger
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it is like no feeling any C6 owner could ever understand. It is the smile on your face from ear to ear that just magically appears every time you drive it, it is knowing that without the simply beginnings of the yearly years, with all of their rough edges, there would never be a C5 or a C6. It is like that first really good piece of *** whenever you think about the feeling and the moment you just grin.
L
it is like no feeling any C6 owner could ever understand. It is the smile on your face from ear to ear that just magically appears every time you drive it, it is knowing that without the simply beginnings of the yearly years, with all of their rough edges, there would never be a C5 or a C6. It is like that first really good piece of *** whenever you think about the feeling and the moment you just grin.
L
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Easthampton, MA - USA
Joined: 5/27/2007
Posts: 114
Vette(s): 1970 corvette conv, 350 auto.
INVESTMENT!!AND YES THE BIG GRIN YOU GET when you pull away from the stoplight IS ALSO GREAT.But, I do REALY like the fact that as the price of a much newer 'vett is gonna be slipping down year after year, the C3's are gonna climb up. I paid a little high for mine (70 vert) and am resolved that over the next couple years...even if the economy sucks my old toy is gonna hold its value. AND I can insure it Year after year as a classic, $300 a year with a $300 deductable, PLUS as a added incouragment, with the help of members of this board most repairs are fairly easy to tackle..even for a novice. And as if this NEEDED to be said...the look is like No OTHER!!
Lifetime MemberHOWELL, NJ - USA
Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812
Vette(s): 1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.
I'm no writier but here's what it's like for me.
A typical trip to the bagel store
I got up early on Saturday morning, went downstairs and walked into the garage and flip on the lights and see my girl sitting there. Fenders bulging and her powerplant ready to unleash punishment on the blacktop at my command.
I slipped into the drivers seat and take in the smells of iron, oil, leather and fresh paint. The garage door rolls up as a couple of teenagers jog by and stop dead in their tracks as I turn the key and the old girl takes a deep breath and growls to life. We slowly ease out of the garage as Bruce competes with the rumble for the dual exhaust.
As we pull away on our way for a morning drive to the bagel store, heads turn on command, many give a thumbs up as they wait in anticipation, knowing that that low rumble means theres a lot more where that came from. Puling up to the bagel store, everyone inside turns and stares, some smiling, some annoyed, as I goose the gas while she's out of gear before I shut her down. I AM SMILING!!
We took the long way back through farm country, powering up hills and testing the suspension some long winding curves in the road. When we got home, the distinct tinging of the headers cooling off tell me that our ride was good and she'll be cooled off for yet another trip to the bagel store next week or maybe the cruise in tonight.
It doesn't get any better than this.
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Yeah you have to be an owner to get it.
ebo 2008-06-28 07:12:29
For me getting out of my daily driver, a 1/2 ton ram 4x4 on 20inch rims. Then sliding into that soft leather, with a feeling my butt is on the ground. I can't see the front of the car at all. I have these awesum buldging fenders closing in from each side. The thought of the tires are at the height of my nose. The feeling of every road ripple through the steering wheel, and my butt. Knowing how tough it looks with those deep yellow parking lites on during the day as you slowly cruise like your stalking some prey. The crowd watches like your in this slow motion trance, yeah you get this nice grin....she's mine and take it all in. It's putting the soft flannel cover on her with a pat on the top saying Good nite baby, nice ride.
Whew if I don't stop I'm guna soil myself.............
Any how "Yeah you have to be an owner to get it"
eboHey! A C3 will never ride or handle like a C6. After all, the last C3 was built 26 years ago. Think about how cars have evolved since then.
For me, it is about what if feels like to look out through the windshield....the cowl induction bulge....the fenders rising up to cover the wheels....the nose sloping away......it don't get much better. I also agree, the sound of a 350 at full song...all four barrels wide open.... through a true dueal exhaust.....and one priceless moment. My son, Eric, was about to get his first ride in my Corvette. He got in, buckled up and I turned the key and lit up the motor. The car rumbled into life. Eric about jumped out of the seat . I looked at my son and his eyes were as big as saucers! All he said was DAD! Never been in a muscle are before.
There is no substitute for low end torque! 
Completely different cars, each has is great points. I'll have a C6 (or C7) someday, but I'll never get rid of my 71. There's just something about the feel of the way the old cars drive - you either love it or hate it.
Lifetime MemberGreensburg, IN - USA
Joined: 9/24/2003
Posts: 5189
Vette(s): Previous: 1984 Coupe, 1988 Maroon Coupe, 1989 Coupe, 2001 Roadster Present: 1967 Stingray Roadster, 1976 Stingray Coupe, 1989 Roadster..
In my garage it is the best of both worlds. I think a friend of mine described it best. at that point in time...
Take the new Vettes and place them in a lot..... Then place the old Vettes in the same lot but segregated to the side.....
Turn loose folks to look and feel.
Most folks will migrate towards the old Vettes because the remember a time gone by that ain't commin back.
Good Times, Fun Times. Times from their youth.
He was rite!
Newer cars can be seen at the stoplight, at the restaurant's, in the car lot.
Older Vettes only by chance or special viewing.
Newer Vettes are smooth fast and are future classics. They hold a modern day reverence of their own.
Older Vettes are raw power, muscle machines with the ride and feel of that power.
I am so blessed to have owned and driven both in my time. I continue to be blessed with both worlds yet today!
Take the new Vettes and place them in a lot..... Then place the old Vettes in the same lot but segregated to the side.....
Turn loose folks to look and feel.
Most folks will migrate towards the old Vettes because the remember a time gone by that ain't commin back.
Good Times, Fun Times. Times from their youth.
He was rite!
Newer cars can be seen at the stoplight, at the restaurant's, in the car lot.
Older Vettes only by chance or special viewing.
Newer Vettes are smooth fast and are future classics. They hold a modern day reverence of their own.
Older Vettes are raw power, muscle machines with the ride and feel of that power.
I am so blessed to have owned and driven both in my time. I continue to be blessed with both worlds yet today!
I don't drive my Vette.
kstyer 2008-06-28 14:45:03
I open the door, slide in, and put it on. I become part of it, and it of me. Then we both smile, and have fun. Fast, slow, does not matter. I see bulges instead of just the rims of my glasses. I feel pulses besides my heartbeat. I hear more than just my own ears. All of these things match. Unlike anything else I wear, I put it on, merge with it, become part of it.
And enjoy.
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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