C2-Normal all-weather driving characteristics

**Wayne W.** · November 18, 2002, 08:04 PM

Re: C2-Normal all-weather driving characteristics

It is fine under most conditions except if it has positraction it can be a little touchy in rain and snow, especially on acceleration.

**Tom H.** · November 18, 2002, 08:43 PM

Re: C2-Normal all-weather driving characteristics

I drove mine in all kinds of weather and on all types of "road" surfaces. With the proper tires and driving technique a posi car will handle 6 to 9 inches of snow- just be careful not to sled the car up on high levels of compacted snow or you'll lift the drive wheels off the the tractive surface. On ice the cars can be sketchy- especially with the posi rear. With good wet tires rain is not a problem except at higher speeds where the dreadful aerodynamics exacerbate hydroplaning tendencies and under power the posi will walk the car sideways forcing a countersteer. The car handles packed gravel roads just fine and "fire trails" if not wet. The one serious caution is wet, reverse cambered curves under braking which will bring the rear around with sometimes fatal consequences. Good luck!

**Ed Jennings** · November 18, 2002, 09:21 PM

Re: C2-Normal all-weather driving characteristics

I used to drive a 65 convertible as my daily driver. I kept the hardtop on most of the time, since it was really pretty watertight. The ragtop wasn't nearly as tight. I was stationed at NAS Oceania (Virginia Beach), so ice and snow were not an issue. It did snow once while I was there, and I got in the Vette and drove to work as usual.I now own a 67 coupe, and find that with new repo weatherstripping all around, the doors still leak a little. The doors appear to fit the car real well, so I don't think it's an adjustment issue. The aux w/s on the inner tops of the doors is probably the culprit. What I'm point out there is that you're looking at a nearly 40 myear old car. There are going to be some issues more than likely, that may make you think twice about an everyday driver. No intermittant wipers, no rear window defrost, no A/C on most cars, unless it has been added. Ditto for PS/PB. I COULD drive the 67 every day if I needed to. I don't usually drive it in bad weather because it does leak a little, it is a pain to clean it up, etc. Road manners are fine in the rain. Michlein radials with an all weather tread design help in this department. I'd think about what sort of environment I was planning to drive in. Heavy city traffic? Long hwy commute? I dunno if I'd want to tackle either of those on a daily, all weather basis in any 38 year old car.

**Peter J.** · November 18, 2002, 09:58 PM

Radial Tires *NM*

**Richard Hayes** · November 18, 2002, 11:09 PM

Re: C2-Normal all-weather driving characteristics

Tony,

The only real issue that you should think about is "disc brakes." The problem w/ drums is the guy in front of you (even though it might be only a Ford Focus)has discs. And front end parts are expensive. I'd go for a '65 or later- but if you have to have the '64, do a disc conversion for $600 or so. A couple of towels at Walmart = 10 bucks!!!
Driving everyday = Priceless!!!

**Don H.** · November 19, 2002, 12:09 AM

Re: C2-Normal all-weather driving characteristics

Tony, I have put well over 100k miles on mid-years and can not add much to what has been said except you should expect to do alot of maintenance to keep it in top condition. As stated before, it is over 35 years old. Also be aware of the frame rust problem. Be sure to check it in front of driver's side rear wheel. Don H.

**Duke W.** · November 19, 2002, 12:13 AM

Re: C2-Normal all-weather driving characteristics

The primary variable in the braking equation is available tire grip, NOT the type of brake hardware (assuming everything is in proper working order), so
the bottom line is to shod it with the best tires you can buy, not some
non-speed rated, rock hard compound tire, and I'm not just talking
about bias-plys.

Duke

**Grant M.** · November 19, 2002, 08:13 AM

Re: C2-Normal all-weather driving characteristics

Tony,

Although spring rates and some settings are different, the chassis on a C3 is not a significant departure from the C2s (disc brakes, of course if you're talking a pre-65 C2). I drove our 78 to and from Montreal (a distance of 200 miles, one-way) each weekend through January-March of 1999, encountering snow, slush, rain and some ice with no problem. In fact, in 8 inch snow I drove past several modern minivans that were stuck. Heed the advice re: tire selection (I replaced the 255-60s with Goodyear Eagle GT IIs of 225-70 size). Comments re: lack of rear defroster etc are also valid points to consider. Other than exposing the car to salt/sand etc and the resultant rust, it should be driveable. Good luck!

**Mike McKown** · November 19, 2002, 08:39 AM

Re: C2-Normal all-weather driving characteristics

I would not consider one of these for a daily driver if you are going to drive it in temperatures above 80 degrees if it doesn't have air conditioning.

Mike

**Bill Stephenson** · November 19, 2002, 11:34 AM

Re: C2-Normal all-weather driving characteristics

------Years ago(app 1984)a friend bought a 65 roadster from the original owner in Chicago.Nice car,but the only thing he couldnt understand was that the edges of the rear wheel wells were all chewed up.He asked me to take a look and I quickly explained to him that the owner had been using chains during the winter.Theres always someone that carrys things to the extreme!..............Bill S

**Roy Braatz** · November 19, 2002, 10:14 PM

Re: C2-Normal all-weather driving characteristics

Every post had good advise , but remember Corvettes were made to be driven. I drive my 67 every chance I get, weather or no weather.I'v driven our 55 Corvette to N.Y and Canada many times.I get more injoyment driveing our Corvettes then I ever got showing them.

**Michael W.** · November 20, 2002, 12:28 PM

On the other hand-

older Corvettes do not have the levels of corrosion protection we now take for granted on modern cars. My ten year old daily beater still has no visible signs of rust despite having being ridden hard and put away wet in harsh Montreal winters. The previous owner of my Corvette used the car for only three winters, the result being the need for a very expensive frame off once I took possesion.

If you look at the dollar value your car will suffer by being 'beaten' in harsh winters, you might be better buying a cheap winter car and saving the Corvette for better days.

**tony reilly** · December 6, 2002, 11:10 PM

Re: C2-Normal all-weather driving characteristics

Thanks for the responses guys-I haven't heard anything that scares me yet.
I plan to "modernize" the 'vette I get-strictly bolt-on, removeable. I think the body leakage could be cured with modern design/softer weatherstripping after careful door alignment and repair of any age related structural flex that might exist in the door assembly. The one item I haven't envisioned a fix for is the vettes' "cosmetic" bumper system. With the original "bolt thru the fglass" mounting, any hit on a bumper is partially transferred to the fglass. The only plausible fix I've envisioned so far is to open up the holes where the bumpers bolt thru fglass and fabricate beefy "feed-thru" hardware. Obviously, this is not a desireable method. Any comments on devising a strictly "bolt-on" solution will be appreciated.

**Ed Jennings** · December 6, 2002, 11:44 PM

Re: C2-Normal all-weather driving characteristics

The least of my concerns would be bumpers, unless you intend to engage in demolition derby type events. Seriously, if your driving/parking lot conditions are so bad that this is a concern, I would seriously consider a Hummer style vehicle or a very old 1 ton PU instead of a Vette!