How would you modify an original car that will be driven?

[Mark E.]

Are some of these too radical for an original car? Other suggested mods?

[Michael J.]

Re: How would you modify an original car that will be driven?

That's a good list, I would add power rack and pinion steering as well and maybe coil-over suspension parts too. I converted some of my '60s Shelbys to that and they drive, ride, handle, and steer like a new car.

[Patrick H.]

Re: How would you modify an original car that will be driven?

Tires/wheels, ignition, better plug wires.
Halogen headlamps.
I might swap the steering wheel too.

I don't think you'll get much other than a big $ bill for swapping the spring. Shocks may make a difference depending what it has on.
Disc brakes help more in your head than in reality.
You're better off insulating under the carpet than insulating the exhaust.
Zero sum gain for a coolant recovery system; net loss in money.
If I want AC I'll drive a different car.

[Michael J.]

Re: How would you modify an original car that will be driven?

Tires/wheels, ignition, better plug wires.

If I want AC I'll drive a different car.

I think my '81 has good A/C, but I agree the C1s, C2s, and most early C3s are terrible.

[Keith B.]

Re: How would you modify an original car that will be driven?

It sounds like you would be better if just buying a C5+. Instead of a old car. All I would do is put radials on the car and swap out the headlights. Other then that your to spoiled from your new cars

[Terry D.]

Re: How would you modify an original car that will be driven?

Mark
I have a 62 that I put 6000+ miles a year on here in northern Ohio. Only real mods are a Tremec five speed, (at 70 I'm taching 1900rpm) radial tires and dynamat on the floor and doors. We take it to Bowling Green, Charlotte and Indy on road trips. Drive it every day the sun is out, this year that has been a challenge. If you want the feel of a modern luxury sports car buy a newer one!. Just my old two cents!
Terry

[Mark E.]

Re: How would you modify an original car that will be driven?

Mark
I have a 62 that I put 6000+ miles a year on here in northern Ohio. Only real mods are a Tremec five speed, (at 70 I'm taching 1900rpm) radial tires and dynamat on the floor and doors. We take it to Bowling Green, Charlotte and Indy on road trips. Drive it every day the sun is out, this year that has been a challenge. If you want the feel of a modern luxury sports car buy a newer one!. Just my old two cents!
Terry

Terry- Your car is an example of what I'm talking about... a nice old car with a few mods for drivability (is that a word?) and safety. Keep it simple and not butchering the car. I tentatively included aftermarket AC because I like C1s and live in Texas. In fact, where I live another mod might be to disconnect/remove the heater hoses to keep the cockpit cooler.

[Jim L.]

Re: How would you modify an original car that will be driven?

If you want the feel of a modern luxury sports car buy a newer one!.

This sentiment makes sense to me. My old cars exist so I can experience the personality they had "back in the day". If I want safety (anyone who thinks they can make an old car as safe as a modern one is fooling themselves), I'll get in my Honda.

All my old cars have radial tires. That's it. No other changes.

Disc brakes? Don't see the need. Yesterday, while out in my '63, I had to do a hard stop to avoid an accident. I stood on the brakes and, actually initiated lock up. As long as I can lock up the brakes with drums, discs won't stop me one bit quicker. And if I can't lock up the drum brakes, then something is wrong and in need of repair.

I just don't see the need to modify these old cars so we can pretend they are something they can never be.

Jim

[Joe R.]

Re: How would you modify an original car that will be driven?

Lets just take a 63 Roadster like the one the pic below and see what we can do to make it ride and drive on a Sunday afternoon at the autocross or go to the NCRS National in Denver.

1. Order a tube frame from SRIII Motorsports
2. Dana 44 rear in 3.45
3. C5 Front Suspension
4. Tremec 600
5. LS3 525HP
6. C5 Seats with Headrests
7. Aftermarket AC from Hot Rod Air
8. C4 ZO6 Brakes in Red
9. Later 5 Spoke Wheels with Radial Tires
10.Dewitt Radiator shroud and dual cooling fans
11.Rack and Pinion Power Steering
12.Coilover Suspension with QA1
13.Custom Leather Door Panels
14.Custom Cut Carpet with Dynamat
15.Leather Steering Wheel with Duntov Signature
16.Custom Sound with CD
17.Stock 63 Instrument Cluster with Electronic Tach and Voltmeter Conversion

JR

63-1.JPG

PS. Just make sure you start with a pristine body like this one pictured and you won't have to destroy a Barrett/Jackson feature Corvette!

[Frank D.]

Re: How would you modify an original car that will be driven?

Some of those mods are undetectable so IMO - no issue...
Some of them are EASILY reversible so again - no issue...
Some of them are major upgrades and, although people keep original parts and claim they can go back to factory, it almost NEVER happens...

My '63 has invisible electronic points conversion, Detroit Speed headlight conversion, Vintage Air A/C (I'm in Florida), radial tires and a repro Wonderbar radio/speaker...and a quartz clock and Hurst shifter. EVERYthing else is original including all drum brakes. So, that's where I kinda drew the line...

Everything is pretty easily reversed on a weekend except the A/C...

[Mark E.]

Re: How would you modify an original car that will be driven?

Frank,

How much and on what occasions do you drive your '63? Do you keep the chassis pristine or drive it in weather?

[Frank D.]

Re: How would you modify an original car that will be driven?

I drive both of my cars 2-3 times a week each. Nearly every Saturday one or the other also make the 25 mile (one way) jaunt to my favorite car cruise with my pals. Its unavoidable to hit misty or rain-drenched roads in the Florida monsoons although I try to minimize it.

I do have a four post lift so I can clean the bottom side fairly easily. Both cars have also been treated with oceans of Eastwood's Internal Chassis Treatment so I don't obsess over it too much. I worry more about idiot tail-gaters 3 feet off my bumper taking a cell phone picture of the '63 ass end than I do weather !

I do avoid rush hour traffic and take enjoyable back roads vs the turnpike/Interstate when possible....

I'm keenly aware that the original SWC is approaching the, "....worth too much money to drive" category and that bugs me...

[Gary R.]

Re: How would you modify an original car that will be driven?

My opinion with an older vette is use quality tires, 15's still work for me. Address the areas that need attention, I would blueprint the steering box over installing something else as I can make them better then new. OT trans are nice but you have to drive a lot to pay it off in gas savings or engine wear. If the car is in pretty good shape, fill it up and go.

My 72 sat rarely driven for years until went over the car and drive it now when ever I can. Yes it get chips and nicks but that is the price you pay when you drive them. My 69 I drove everywhere, everyday when I was 23 and it was great. Don't get sucked up in some of the things done on these forums. I saw a lot of stock older vettes on the road last week in Carlisle. Enjoy it for what it is. The C5-7's are real nice but just don't have that same feel the old vettes have but would be great cross country cars.

[Stuart F.]

Re: How would you modify an original car that will be driven?

Frank;

As we live fairly close to each other, it interests me in how you use your cars and when. My 63 is a convertible on which I put the top down early in the spring, and back up only in the coolest months. Otherwise, it is just along for emergency cover should I get caught too far from my garage. As such, my driving during the summer rainy season is limited to Sunday mornings when it is still sunny and not too many fools on the road. What worries me most is the evidence I have seen about how poorly the chances for survival are on C-2's with the gas tank being vertically positioned right behind me. Now I'm 76 years old and you say "so what! We all got to go some time some how". Well, being a crispy critter is not my first choice, nor due I want to go out with my car. I'd rather go in my sleep with my car surviving me by many years. (Morbid, I know).

Will you be at October Vettes on the 3rd? That will probably be my only cruise in show this year. Even with new eyes I still can't see well enough to drive to Old Town at night (so my family tells me). My son is particularly concerned because when we convoy together he can't keep up, even in his 08 or L-89 69. He says I drive too fast, and I say my speedo reads too slow and I can't help myself. I was taught to trust your Gage's. My favorite return from Old Town on Saturday nights was on the 417 following a Sheriff car at about 90 MPH. You know how well they follow the speed limits.

Well, hope to see you there on the 3rd.

Stu Fox

[Michael W.]

Re: How would you modify an original car that will be driven?



Waste of time money and energy changing any of these.