Chevy Corvettes

[ishmael]

GM is a bit on the ropes, but I saw a Corvette yesterday that looked pretty nice, as super cars go. Silver, alloy wheels, the bodywork was first rate.

How does it stack up against the competition? What's a car like that cost, maybe seventy bills? What's a Ferrari cost?

Just asking.

[cs]

A Ferrair will run you between $168,000 & $263,000.

A Corvette between $44,000 and $70,000.

Performance wise the Vette hangs with the best.

Chad

[Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )]

I agree they have come a long way on the design slump of the 70's & 80's & 90's

[cs]

BTW I love the Vette, any year, but my favorite is the 63 split window.





Chad

[Paul Pless]

How's it stack up? Its now considered a world class sports car in both models, the C6 and the higher performance Z06. They can both compete with just about any car out there. The Z06 is the basis for the LeMan's championship efforts from Chevy, for the last 6 years. I bought my C6 for under 50, the Z06 models sell for about $65,000.00.

Mechanically the cars are bulletproof, and Chevy long ago perfected the manufacturing of the composite chassis to a high degree.

All that said, its a rather boring car to drive, its just to damn capable. I think I'll try to do what John B did, and find an English sports car from the mid sixties, or perhaps an early seventies Porsche RS to replace it.

[Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )]

BTW I love the Vette, any year, but my favorite is the 63 split window.

Chad

Any Vette ?



Persoanly I've always loved this Vette



1958 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster

[cs]

Paul I know you may call it boreing to drive just because it sticks to the road better than anything else out there, but it makes up for in the power it puts on the ground.

Chad

[Katherine]

because it sticks to the road better than anything else out there

In the immortal words of Joe, Bwaaaahhh!!!!

[cs]

Well Joe that yellow thing may be ugly, but it is a Vette and I would take it.

Now Katherine is that a slam on Joe not sticking to the road or do you know a car that stays glued to the road better?

Chad

BTW to get it to stick good you need to have the suspension set right, isn't that right Paul.

[Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )]

If money was no object and I had to buy an american sports car.

this would be it, and this is the color I would get it. HOMER DROOOOOL

On display at Concorso Italiano, amidst a sea of red-painted competitors, a blue and orange-striped Ford GT rises above the rest, just as it did in 1968 and 1969 capturing victory at Le Mans. New for 2006, the limited-edition Ford GT ‘Heritage’ paint livery harkens back to the JW Automotive/American Gulf Oil-sponsored Le Mans-winning Ford GT racer. This unique paint scheme, one of the most memorable looks in Ford racing history, features a Heritage Blue with Epic Orange-striped exterior and four white ‘roundels’ allowing customers to apply the number of their choice.

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[Katherine]

Now Katherine is that a slam on Joe not sticking to the road or do you know a car that stays glued to the road better?

Nothing against Joe, I just happen to know of a car that doesn't stick to the road too well (and I don't mean Joe's car).

[Paul Pless]

Katherine is hinting around to the fact that I slid my Corvette off the road in the rain last year.

[Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )]

Katherine is hinting around to the fact that I slid my Corvette off the road in the rain last year.

Pfffffft Amateur

[Katherine]

Please realize, I only tease Paul about his little off road trip because nobody got hurt. The only thing bruised, was his ego. I've done more then my share of stupid driving tricks.

[Paul Pless]

Pfffffft Amateur

it was rather undramatic...
all four wheels stayed on the ground

[geeman]

Wife and I test drove a Vette back in the early 70's.Never having driven a plastic car with no weight in the back,when I pulled out of the lot into the road I gave it too much gas and fish tailed, ,corrected, overcorrected ,over corrected the over correction, until I just got off the gas and let it settle down.Then I drove to the next turn around and parked the damn Vette in the parking lot, Thanked the salesguy ,who was standing there with his mouth hanging open, got in my car and went home.I was so glad my old car had weight in the back,,,,Some people dont need to be in such a car, I must be one of them.

[uncas]

I don't like the new ones. They look as though someone ran into their transoms before they got off the assembly lines.
Now the ones from the fifties and early sixties...another story.

[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

...
All that said, its a rather boring car to drive, its just to damn capable. I think I'll try to do what John B did, and find an English sports car from the mid sixties, or perhaps an early seventies Porsche RS to replace it.

There are interesting English cars from the sixties but very few that would be counted quick in todays terms - perhaps a DB5 or 6, a Jensen - or possibly a Morgan.

I know not what the roads you drive are like - but in England and Wales - fast vehicles are just really really irritating - it just gets you to the back of the next queue that much faster.

Want to see open road?
Drive something slow - and be at the front of the queue

[brad9798]

Geeman ... that had to be the early 70s ... like you said.

By 1976, they were down to only 165hp in there base configuaration ... those were some embarassing years for the Vette in the 1970s. They couldn't really fish tail ... unless it was wet!

63 Split window? My dad had one. 327/250 4spd. Blue.

I think the new Vettes where they should be with regard to competing with world-class cars: They are top-notch in almost all ways.

[Wild Dingo]

ooooh now I dont know... Ive spent many an idle hour or ten looking at the Corvette imports here in Perth and I do think if ever I have a mid life crisis I wouldnt mind getting one

Although they do seem to be somewhat of a penis envy thing all that bonet and thrustin power sorta reminds me of them plastic speed machines theyre floggin as boats nowadays... Just yells "penis envy"

But I think id probably go more for the old XY Falcon two door job... or a stang of course if I must go yank then definanty a stang two door convertable from the late 60s would be fine

[geeman]

I've not kept up with the horsepower over the years for the Vettes.It may have been 68 or 69 even.But I do remember turning onto the main road, giveing her too much gas,and the back end trying very hard to come around and meet the front end,, several times LOL.I vowed to never drive another vette,that has a motor in it lol

[uncas]

A guy in England decided to see what his new Jag XKE could do. So, after a quick stop at the local pub, he carwled into his new jag and headed out into the country. He found himself on several back roads with hedges on either side. Big hedges, tall ones but that did not stop him. His rpms mounted towards 7000. He changed gears, he was moving. No one in sight, the road was clear. He hit 90 and then 100. The hedges were flying by as if they had no roots.
Down the road, there was a gap in those hedges and a farmer, along with his slave laborer was coming out dragging a wagon full of hay. The guy in the jag, stepped on the brakes, he pounded on those brakes, he swerved left and right, to slow the car down. Nothing worked. Not even a prayer. The tires screeched, the car shuddered and still that wagon and that tractor were beginning to fill the entire windscreen. With nothing else to do, other than pray, the driver spun the wheel and entered the gap in the hedge and into the newly mowed field. He rolled, he tumbled, he sent up clouds of dust, he left tracks in the turf that would remain forever, but he landed on all four wheels.
The farmer on the tractor, stepped on his brakes while looking at his slave labor and said, " Damn, we got out of that field just in time."

[brad9798]

No, no I wasn't questioning you, Geeman! I was just agreeing with you that yes it had to have been the early 70s.



Brad

[brad9798]

I know a guy in the marina (right next to me actually) that drives a new yellow Vette ... and has a penis boat in the slip ...

Wonder what his problem is!!

[geeman]

LOL I didnt take it as questioning Brad,But it did make me try to think back to make sure I had the appr. year close.

[Wild Dingo]

I know a guy in the marina (right next to me actually) that drives a new yellow Vette ... and has a penis boat in the slip ...

Wonder what his problem is!!

well they dont call him wee willy for nuthin!

[Katherine]

Truthfully, I've never been a big fan of Corvettes. They're very good at going fast and that's sbout it. I guess I could be voted girl least likely to be impressed by a car.

[geeman]

So much for penis-envy,,,,,,

[ishmael]

I'm more one of those new Pontiac roadster types. Though I hear they are still too heavy.

Ignore me. I like Mazda's roadster. We all know that makes me a girly man. GM has a way to go.

[geeman]

I'm NOT GONNA TOUCH the "girly man" comment HAAAAAAAA!

[uncas]

Don't worry Ish
To some, you look good in an escort.

[geeman]

Next Jack will announce a run for governor of ,,what state?

[uncas]

the " state of mind " perhaps.

Hell, Ish...you take the flack well me boy.. Good on you.

[ishmael]

Seriously, though. GM comes out with a roadster to compete with the Miata. It's very nice looking to my eye, but it doesn't compete on the road.

What is wrong with this picture? I don't understand why GM and Ford and Chrysler don't take apart their competition's cars and make a copy, with judicious improvements. Are the engineers stupid? Is the management stuck in mud? I simply don't get it.

[geeman]

I'm not so sure I could be as calm as Jack if I was taking the flak.Gotta hand it to him.

[uncas]

geeman
What are ya handing to him?
Nah, don't answer that.
Nah, Ish takes it well.

[Katherine]

One of the biggest problems with high horsepower sports cars is that any idiot can buy one. Before I go any further, this is not a Kitty's mad at Pooh coment. Paul's not an idiot and is actually a pretty good driver. Most of these cars can be driven right off the dealer lot with no special instruction given. You can often sign up for classes, but it's not a requirement. Driver's will take them out and "see what they can do." Well, what you can make it do real easily is break it into a thousand little pieces that get scattered down the highway. Handling such a vehicle takes special skills that are best learned at a track.

[uncas]

that any idiot can buy one..
Heck Katherine, that is why some of us buy wooden boats.

[geeman]

Yep,any idiot can buy one.Thats why I was at the Chevy dealer that day years ago .I would have bought that car too if my idiot meter hadnt been running on low.Common sense got in the way and I passed.Probably a good thing I did as I'm sure I would have plastered me and quite posssibly my wife or an innocent bystander somewhere because of ,,,,,, My store bought ,,"penile-extension",,,,,

[pipefitter]

I liked the middle 60's vettes with the L88 big block and the 4 spd. The L88 was one of my favorite engines in anything. One of my favorite was the 69 LT1 and once they took the louvers off the sides and put the smooth dams in there,I didnt like them anymore. I don't care much for the newer ones. Too done already and would rather have the Ford AC with the 427,even in kit form. I had one drive by me while I was walking in Boulder CO and it shook the ground while sitting at the light. The guy just feathered the gas pedal a bit on take off and it just broke loose a little but the motor sounded awesome breathing out of the side pipe headers.

[ishmael]

Why are the GM roadsters not competitive, not up to the standards, in your estimation, Kat? I'd buy a Miata way before I'd buy a Pontiac or Saturn whats'it. Not because of falsh impressions, because they're better cars.

Is the management too top heavy? That's what I tend to think.

[Katherine]

Ish, it's not the cars, it's the drivers.

[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

The English were never really top class sports car makers after 1930 - if we are thinking Sixties and Browns Lane then this is English.

[Milo Christensen]

Most of these cars can be driven right off the dealer lot with no special instruction given.

Old friend of mine bought a Dodge Viper shortly after they first came out. Hadn't ever driven a car with a stick shift. Salesman took him out in some little Dodge whatever with a stick and taught him the basics.

Gave him the keys to the Viper. Two weeks later, he went to downshift, got confused, stuck it in reverse. The Viper obeyed and delivered enough torque to break both rear wheels. Never saw a guy quite so shook up. Last time I saw the guy he was driving some big Jaguar.

The Viper design/production engineering team wasn't that far away and came and got the car and analysed everything and realised that they needed a more idiot proof shift pattern.

[Paul Pless]

GM comes out with a roadster to compete with the Miata. It's very nice looking to my eye, but it doesn't compete on the road.

who says they can't compete with the Miata, alas I think they (both the Saturn Sky and the Slostice) outperform it...

[John B]

oo goody, this weeks car thread.

I've always loved Vettes, particularly the first stingrays like Chad depicts although I personally wouldn't be getting worried about the 63/65 split or not split rear window. The thing is Corvettes can't be bought new here and the LHD is an expensive problem with late model imports. I used to drive LHD cars on the road here no problem but nowdays with traffic as it is and the generally higher speeds / less room a LHD car would be a liability as far as I'm concerned.
The other niggling feature is the total lack of storage space in those early cars.No boot/trunk. I don't think I could live with that.I mean to say , where would I lie the oil dripping, petrol fuming, grease emitting seagull if I had one.

Anyway, ( Cue radar love: Golden earring.. NOW)I got mah family mans corvette 4 doors an all Holtang fer fanging on down the highway an pickin up the shoppin and kids. It doesn't look so good but its got some kick with that there LS1 alloy Corvette motor an 6 speed Tremec with a short shifter....and no driver assistance except ABS and excellent tyres( Joe) .

[John B]

Thinking further on Pauls comment. Early cars, whether its 50's or60's or 70's are constrained by their handling ability and are more involving to drive. At the end of the day you're looking for fun out of a 'second' car or interest car regardless of wheter the neighbours suv will beat it in a quarter mile or top speed or even around a track. The grin factor I've had out of my old Jag in the last 6 months has been enormous.

Back to the corvettes.....Don't get a big block though Paul, too heavy in the front. A nice little 327 and 4 speed is what you want ooo yeah.

[Katherine]

In the realm of idiot shifting:
The first time I drove our 350Z, I stopped at the McDonald's to pick up dinner. When I went to back out of the parking spot, I thought I had the car in reverse. Nope, 6th gear, Oops.

[John B]

My cars have 2 different reverse shift patterns and the fuel caps are on different sides of the cars. I had to stop on the forecourt the other day and get out to find the fuel cap in a car I've been driving for 4 years.

[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

You ever get of a One Down - Five Up, left side shift bike and onto a One Up - Four Down, righ side shift one?

And then downshift with the brake?