I am thinking of switching over from Buicks to a C2 or C3 Corvette (get out your checkbook!) in my old age now, and found this on the Corvette forum. Just goes to show that we are all in this together. This was a discussion of a possible block re-stamp situation, and someone posted this picture of the actual stamper they used at GM to stamp the blocks to support the number-alignment point they were making in the thread. I thought it was Pretty Cool!
Life's too short. Have fun while you're here. If you think a corvette will bring that fun, then by all means do it.
Thanks, guys. As someone who bought 4 Buicks new back in the day ('68, '70, '71, '72), I have really enjoyed them over the past 40 years or so. I wouldn't have bought them new if I did not love them! (I did stray for a while in '71 and bought a new Corvette). I guess I am at the point where I just can't lie under a car for hours at a time any more--bad back--and I want something a bit smaller to drive around for fun, and I remember that my '71 Corvette was definitely fun (let's leave it at that...). They live in a parallel universe, however. As I was remarking on the Corvette Forum the other day, thousands and thousands of 6-figure Corvettes are for sale daily. One wonders who has all that cash lying around for a hobby, but I guess the answer is "not me!" I will probably find one eventually and hope to enjoy it as much as I did my Buicks. I am so old now that driving the car around and going to a show or two will be just fine; I am not motivated to tear another car apart even though it is a lot of fun. @Keith, Regarding the person who has parts for sale, I suggest the Corvette Forum. They are as dedicated as we are and always looking for parts...he will probably sell them all quickly if they are good ones as, like Buicks, Corvette parts are pretty scarce from certain eras. Cheers, Richard
I had a C3 Corvette red 4-speed and loved it. I sold it to a guy who made me an offer that I couldn't refuse. (Thinking about it, I wish that I had). A really great car after I got it straightened out.
Thanks, John, for the good words. I have found 3 I like; 1 is perfect but WAY out of my wallet range (80K!) and considered CHEAP for what it is...), one is closer but not a good color for me personally (65K), and the last is almost affordable (50K) but needs a modern tranny, which runs about 3K all in, I think, so still looking! Cheers, Richard
If it doesn't have to be a chrome bumper C3, the prices are way lower... and they are just as much fun to drive
Lee, So correct, and I am looking at them. HOWEVER, my new 1971 had a huge issue that I thought was only on my car, but evidently it was on all C3 cars. I don't actually know about C2 cars, but will find out. The issue is that the heater CAN NOT BE TURNED OFF. Thus, your feet run at about 200 degrees F unless you have the A/C on all the time. The vent that pours air onto your foot at the gas pedal is permanently on. There are a significant number of threads on the Corvette Forum dealing with this issue. Basically, you have to dismantle the dash and re-engineer the entire ventilation system to stop that from happening. I complained back then about it, but was told that "they ALL do that." Like I wrote above, not sure about the C2's with that issue, but will find out. I am going this week to the local Corvette shop to see if I can even fit into a C2. Sounds funny, but I am not 19 any more, and have a few issues with my back, etc. Nothing major, but why buy a car you can't drive comfortably? Never an issue with Buicks, right?? Anyway, interesting threads you might like to scan: https://www.sounddeadenershowdown.com/products/ https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c3-general/3331843-interior-heat.html Cheers, Richard
why not install a cable actuated shutoff valve in one of the heater hose lines? a simple push pull cable under the dash would barely be noticeable and would be a lot easier than pulling the entire hvac system apart to reconfigure.
Boy if you have a bad back I'd make sure you can sit in a C3 and get in and out of it comfortably. It's an odd rig to enter and even harder to egress.
Have had 8 Vettes. All C-2/C-3s. Would love to have a 66 small block convertible, (less expensive than the 65 & 67, and will do the same.) Problem is that if I drove it any distance, I would have to have an appointment scheduled with a Physical therapist at the end of the trip. Anyone else notice of the number of C6 & 7 cars showing up being driven by the former owners of Street Rods & Muscle Cars? Much better "Touring cars" with Good performance. Like the Buicks, it's an addiction. JR
I solved that problem with a FORD heater control valve that shuts off both the hot water feed and return lines. I have pics of it somewhere.
Interesting! You may want to post that on the Corvette thread that I listed above. Funny thing to "engineer" into a car!
I actually changed the angle of the seat back, but it wasn't an entry/exit problem. My heater didn't do what has been described; possibly a previous owner did something about the issue, but I never found any non-stock wiring or controls.
FUNNY! Going down today to see if I fit...it will be interesting. FYI, I am looking at a super '66 that has what I want--convertible with factory A/C. This one is a small block with PG, but I was told that the PG was replaced with a 4-speed at some point and then the PG was re-installed in new condition. Car is the "bright" blue with white interior--very cool to me as it reminds me of the new (48 miles!) Diplomat Blue/White/White '71 Stage 1 convertible that I drove for a day while my '70 was in for service back in the day. LOVED that car, but it was already sold...I would have bought it on the spot...every possible option for '71 and some car, let me tell you! Anyway, the price of the '66 is more in line with normal prices...asking $55,000, which is $25,000 less than most factory A/C C2's that I have found so far that are not basket cases. Anyway, I will find out and "re-adjust" my thinking based on my "sit-in"!! Stay tuned...
Good plan. I posted after my first joining the Corvette board a question about putting power seats in a C2. Someone posted that he THOUGHT a guy found that a Volvo seat track fit and put it in. THEN, there were the guys who basically said I was Satan for wanting to do such a thing. Corvette guys are purists in a very dedicated way! I even said I would try to do it so it did not "show" and kept the stock look, but some are not cool with that. The issue I would like to solve is to separate the back from the seat cushion like today's power seats and engineer a fix that looked totally stock but adjusted in 6 ways. May not be possible given the room available, but an interesting project to me, anyway, to see if it solved any "old guy" back issues. Cheers!
I was going to suggest a 'trial fit' before you spend a lot of time searching. If I were to buy a C2 or C3 Vette, I'd try to find one minus the 'leg burners'. Or, I'd remove them immediately.
Bob, That seems like a good possibility. Not sure how the system is originally engineered, but as you can see from the Corvette Forum link I posted, guys are using all kinds of ways to solve this and many have not been very successful from what I have read. I am kind of hoping I fit in a C2 and can avoid the issue altogether, but we will find out later today with a little luck a the local Corvette shop (Gold Coast Corvettes in Ft. Lauderdale). Cheers!
