The Quirks of a C1

[Stewart A.]

Things that annoy me with a C1 (1960). You can't see the left blinker arrow flashing when stopped at an intersection. The speedo needle covers the arrow when stopped ? What drongo designed that.
When getting out of the drivers side of the car my cuff on my pants always gets caught on the seat adjuster slider mechanism. I hope I don't bend it over time getting in and out of the car can be very annoying.
My left elbow funny bone hits the armrest of the door when driving over bumps ? I live in a bumpy area not good.
Tacho bounce. Is that 7000 rpm or hang on 1500 rpm, no it's 7000, no it's 1500.
So when the new model comes out I'll see if GM fixes the problem ? (1963) C2.
Did they fix it !! Or do they have there own quirky annoying things.
Stewy

[Terry D.]

Re: The Quirks of a C1

Stewart
Here's a few suggestions to fix the quirks on your car.
First, if you just implement California stops the speedo never goes down to zero.
Second, wear pants with no cuffs, didn't know they still made pants with cuffs!
Third, If you keep both hands on the wheel at ten and two, elbow won't hit anything.
Forth, replace that 49 year old tach cable. LOL

Just kidding, but lets be honest there are a lot of things the General could have done to make the old C1's more enjoyable, ie modern suspension would have been nice.
Terry

[Dennis A.]

Re: The Quirks of a C1

I got to say that I love all the "Quirks" of the C1's...." Even the large steering wheel that makes a person do the slide-in and double-up. But when you fire-up, the sound of the high lift cam and duel four's make it all worth while.

[Roy B.]

Re: The Quirks of a C1

Steward

Quirks ! Are you kidding your driving one of those newer vetts then my 55 your lucky !!

1 you cant drive it through a car wash unless you like baling the water out of the cockpit
2 you have to remove the headlight bucket to clean the bulbs
3 you hit your head getting in or out with the soft top up
4 gas pours out the filler tube on hard right turns
5 the clock never works right
6 the PG never stops dripping
7 my sit on law moor from a stop can burn rubber better the 55
8 if it starts raining you have to stop and get wet to open the trunk and to install the side windows
9 in cold weather using the Cig. Lighter to warm your hands is better then the vett heater
10 the trunk can only hold my tooth brush

But would I trade my 55 for your newer 60 ? NOOOOOOOOO way , I fell in love at first sight and after more then 31 years of driving her I'm now to old to change and to poor to a ford a newer vett. I would take a beating trading it in at a dealer for your newer 60 Corvette.

[Stewart A.]

Re: The Quirks of a C1

So after 50 plus years the new cars still have quirks.

I actually drive my C1 every day around 10 miles to work and back. Most people with a C1 wouldn't know what I'm talking about with there trailer queens. I guess I'm lucky I bought a rough one so it doesn't matter if it gathers a scratch or to.

When the body comes off then I wont be driving the old girl to much. So it's been fun hearing people say :
1. Can you actually drive it. Are you allowed.
2. Hey I saw you smoking the tires the other day that car goes like stink.
3. I'm not in to cars at all but that's got to be the coolest thing I've ever seen what the hell is it and is it expensive. (nah there really cheap)
Stewy

[Richard T.]

Re: The Quirks of a C1

Stewy,
The things you mention are part of the cars charm. After you drive these things long enough they become second nature and part of the experiance. One thing for sure, you'll never fall asleep driving a C-1.
If your tach needle bounces that much I would get it rebuilt or find and install an NOS head unit. They haven't been available for a while but turn up every so often. Rich

[Stewart A.]

Re: The Quirks of a C1

Yeah my 12 year old daughter always says that she can't remember these roads being so bad !!! Don't get me wrong I love the car and would never part with it. I just don't understand how the goose who designed it didn't put the blinker flasher arrow up a few thou so you know it's flashing and it hasn't turned off. Stewy

[Tom P.]

Re: The Quirks of a C1

My 56 compared to an 06.

Hot in the summer
Cold in the winter
Leaks when it rains
Drives like a truck
No power anything (almost)
No tunes
No AC
Marginal brakes
BUT---------------it flies like an Apache arrow!!!!!!!! (although, I cheated, my 56 has a healthy SB400!)

An 06 has ALLLLLLLLLL of he above and more. BUT, it DOES NOT HAVE the magic or character of these early cars!!!! They're just a monochromatic, cookie cutter aerocoupe.
Park my 56 and an 06 side by side, raise the hoods, and see which one draws the crowd.

It's like parking a P51 and F15 side by side on the ramp. Which one draws the crowd. The roar of a Merlin under full power is soooooooooooo much sweeter than the noise of a blow torch. Like an old Vette, it's got magic.

[Stewart A.]

Re: The Quirks of a C1

Well put Tom.
Your 56 must go like the clappers with a 400 in it. Mine has a 350 with about 350 plus hp and it's on the verge of scary. Those drum brakes are pulling up, pulling up, pulling up, Oh no I overshot the corner again. Stewy

[Richard M.]

Re: The Quirks of a C1

Don't forget about hitting your knee on the body piece sticking out under the windshield post(A-pillar?).......or hitting your head on the trunk latch cuz the trunk springs sag when you're not watching. Ouch that really hurts!
Rich

[Tom P.]

Re: The Quirks of a C1

Don't forget about hitting your knee on the body piece sticking out under the windshield post(A-pillar?).......or hitting your head on the trunk latch cuz the trunk springs sag when you're not watching. Ouch that really hurts!
Rich

But at least we GOTTA trunk!

[Stuart F.]

Re: The Quirks of a C1

I kinda like accessing my C-2's trunk through the passenger compartment. The other day I pulled up my storage compartment cover to check some detail on my jack, got stuck, and had to have the wife help me out. I sweat a bunch and my leg was stiff for the rest of the day. Nearly passed out. I'm sure glad I got a good set of radial tires on, cause I haven't seen my never used spare in about 35 years, and don't plan to go lookin for it any time soon - but I love it.

Stu Fox

[Richard M.]

Re: The Quirks of a C1

Stu......any air in that spare?

[Stewart A.]

Re: The Quirks of a C1

Stu C2's have a large rear, I'm not sure why they never made a trunk out it.
I use mine all the time in the 60.
I guess you kind of answered my question if the C2 had any Quirks. I suppose the trunk would be an obvious one. Bad design work on GM s part the C2 could of easily had one. Stewy

[Tom P.]

Re: The Quirks of a C1

Stu C2's have a large rear, I'm not sure why they never made a trunk out it.
I use mine all the time in the 60.
I guess you kind of answered my question if the C2 had any Quirks. I suppose the trunk would be an obvious one. Bad design work on GM s part the C2 could of easily had one. Stewy

Actually, the 63-67 cars WERE going to have a trunk------------so to speak. There is a color picture of a prototype 63 hatchback coupe (which never made production) in the very back pages of Karl Ludvigsen's book.
I, along with others, will never understand why that hatchback didn't make production. BUT, since the early 70s there are MANY things that I don't understand about GM. And, of course, look where GM is today because of their----------------------ummmmmmmmmm---------maybe I better stop here!