C1 Issues when new

**Jack H.** · October 28, 2009, 08:14 PM

Re: C1 Issues when new

How reliable were our cars when they were new?

Compared to what we're used to today, they were pretty bad... But, you also have to consider they were 'kit' cars vs. hand-built European sports cars and priced to be within reach of the average American. Sooo, quite a few were driven hard, poorly maintained, and 'dumped' shortly after the initial warranty expired.

**Stewart A.** · October 28, 2009, 09:27 PM

Re: C1 Issues when new

The main problem with new cars when they get old is computer trouble ! All the cars I have owned I have had computer trouble. Warning lights that don't want to come off, air bag lights, crank angle sensors and little annoying things like that.
Stewy

**Dale S.** · October 28, 2009, 09:36 PM

Re: C1 Issues when new

And now Mercedes has a car with no steering wheel, just a joy stick. I heard it is so easy a 3 year old could drive it. Glad I wont be on that road. dale

**Robert I.** · October 29, 2009, 04:41 AM

Re: C1 Issues when new

<Compared to what we're used to today, they were pretty bad... But, you also have to consider they were 'kit' cars vs. hand-built European sports cars and priced to be within reach of the average American.

My dad bought the 62 new. It used a lot of oil. It was fixed under warranty. At some point the radiator developed a leak. but that was about it.

At the same time, another family member bought a new 62 E-Type Jaguar.

That was nothing but problems. Radiator overflow tank rusted through. One of the core plugs flew out. The gearshift lever broke. Thermostatically controlled electric fan failed. Rear end leaked onto inboard rear brakes. Covered headlights, tempered glass, would break for no reason. Lots of problems with generator. Electric fuel pump, in tank, failed. Convertible top leaked at top of windshield. Spark plugs fouled every 1500 miles. Car was sold at 55,000 miles.

**Bill M.** · October 29, 2009, 07:01 AM

Re: C1 Issues when new

Here's the list of complaints for the dealer re. my dad's new '59 283/290:

1. NO positraction unit is on this car.
2. Transmission makes buzzing sound in 2nd and 3rd gear.
3. Shifting is getting rough. Lever has catch in it.
4. Right door sticks, is difficult to close.
5. Exhaust system vibrates against frame.
6. Engine stalls after warm-up. Is difficult to re-start.
7. Burns 1 qt. of oil per 200 miles.
8. Upper seam on top is opening up.
9. Fuel spurts out of tank on sharp right turns.
10. Right hood latch doesn't hold.

My comments: (still have car)
1. The early ('57-'59) posi units were torque sensitive with very little pre-load. They would lock up in proportion to the torque applied. (A great design, I think.) The car definitely has posi, but I installed the later ('60-'62) design Belleville washers to get some pre-load.
2. The crappy stock shifter, which I broke off. Hurst fixed it.
3. see 2.
4. fixed at dealer.
5. fixed at dealer.
6. When I got the car, it had a carburetor. It will be fun to see if the 7017300 injector works right when I get it installed again.
7. The original engine didn't burn oil like this when I got the car (1963), so it must have needed more break-in. My father kept a log for the car, and I don't see any mention of engine work. I'll have to go back and see how often he added oil as the mileage piled up.
Edit: I checked the log. At 10,000 miles it was burning a quart about every 600 miles. I suppose that was normal for forged pistons? This car was used as a test car for a timed, high pressure, experimental fuel injection system, so it was run HARD.
8. Still a problem when I replaced the top.
9. Still a problem. I think I have a fix. We'll see.
10. Still a problem. Maybe I'll go to the '60 design.

**Paul H.** · October 29, 2009, 07:09 AM

Re: C1 Issues when new

My new C6 in the first 12,000 miles

1. Bad clutch from day 1
2. Replaced 3 batteries from battery rundown in as little as two days of sitting
3. Fuel sender crapped out at 11,000 miles.
4. fuel line kinked preventing me from putting gas in the car
5. Roof delamination

Over 15 trips to the dealer and 3 months of down time in the first 12,000 miles. Finally GM bought the car back. Oh, and by the way, not one of the many dealerships that looked at the car was able to fix any of the problems.

That's progresss???

**Dick W.** · October 29, 2009, 08:01 AM

Re: C1 Issues when new

The one thing that sticks in my mind is water leaks. The '61 I bought in '62 leaked like it did not have a top on it. I pulled the carpet up and drilled a series of holes in the floor pan to allow the water to run out. Prior to doing that, after a hard rain, it was not unusual to see 1/2" or more water standing in the floor

**Bill M.** · October 29, 2009, 08:55 AM

Re: C1 Issues when new

Originally posted by Dick Whittington (8804)

The one thing that sticks in my mind is water leaks. The '61 I bought in '62 leaked like it did not have a top on it. I pulled the carpet up and drilled a series of holes in the floor pan to allow the water to run out. Prior to doing that, after a hard rain, it was not unusual to see 1/2" or more water standing in the floor

Same for my '59. I never wore the seat belts because they were sitting on the floor, and were always wet.

In the summer of '68, GM showed a film of the interior of a car during a roll-over; 3 segments: 1) no belts, 2) just lap belts, 3) lap belts and the new shoulder belts that were just introduced.

I went out that day, dried out the belts, and never drove without them again! (I made sure they didn't sit on the wet floor.)

**Dale S.** · October 29, 2009, 09:02 AM

Re: C1 Issues when new

My 67 removable hard top Corvette leaked so bad that after an all night rain in Wisconsin the water filled the floor boards. It also had a leak where the windshield wiper shaft on the drivers side went throught the cowl. When you held the clutch in, it dripped on your sock. Both items were fixed by the dealer. On the Jag, he forgot the lake of oil under them. Dale

**Terry M.** · October 29, 2009, 09:36 AM

Re: C1 Issues when new

My 1970 went back to the dealer once – oil pan gasket changed under warrantee.
When in the rain it leaked, and still does – I think, on my left foot from day one. I wasn’t about to let the dealer try to find that, because if it is where I think it is, I don’t want them to try to fix it.
Had to adjust the valves on the LT1 every 3K miles (long before the Duke-Hinkley method. Duke was still in school, and John was building Camaros.) and I can’t tell you how many times I tried to put my finger, and other parts of my body, in the Holley to stop that POS from leaking fuel. Oh yea, and change spark plugs every 5K miles. And ask me about changing spark plugs with ALL that shielding on a 1970

I have the Masters Hat for that job.

Paul,
I have had my 2008 since October 2007. It now has almost 20K miles on it.

1) Windshield cracked -- I found it at 2300 miles. I can't say for sure when it happened, but I am pretty sure it was in storage when it happened. If I didn't tell you it was cracked you would never find it. I tried to get a correctly dated windshield from Bowling Green and the manufacturer. No dice, so the windshield will stay that way. If I live long enough, the judges can try to find it.

2) Wore out the rear tires

No NO burn-outs. The cords were showing on the inside inch or so of both rear tires at 17K miles on the tires, and there was plenty of tread on the center/outside. Had alignment done, but the “as found” settings were within factory specs. Overloading the car for the Road Tour may have been a contributing factor, and I can’t blame the car for that. It was never designed to be the family truckster.

Other than those two items -- I am pleased with the car, and neither of those are a big deal in my mind. Average for the 2009 NCRS Road Tour (5500 miles round trip to San Jose) was 28.6 mpg, with a BSEG for every mile. No complaint from me, but maybe it is my attitude. It’s never been to a dealer, and if I can avoid it, never will be.

Sure the 6-speed is hard to shift 1-2 when it is cold. Tires (Original type GY run-flats) are like greased goose do-do when it is below 50* out. Tire noise is awful on some roads, and radio fidelity is bad – but who listens to the radio? And the seats leave a lot to be desired in terms of comfort, yet I can crank out 1K mile days, day after day, with relative ease. Oh and the NAV system is a POS, too. And I have to filter the drained oil looking for needles from the rocker arms – haven’t found any yet. I just figure all these things come with the territory and are part of the character of the car. If I didn’t have this one, I would buy another C6 in a heartbeat. The best bang for the buck around, and the most fun you can have with your clothes on.

**Clem Z.** · October 29, 2009, 09:48 AM

Re: C1 Issues when new

Originally posted by Dick Whittington (8804)

The one thing that sticks in my mind is water leaks. The '61 I bought in '62 leaked like it did not have a top on it. I pulled the carpet up and drilled a series of holes in the floor pan to allow the water to run out. Prior to doing that, after a hard rain, it was not unusual to see 1/2" or more water standing in the floor

i will second that !!! mrs clem drove our new 59 to work and it rained hard that day and she opened the door to a floor full of water. the problem was that wrap around windshield area was not sealed. i just checked with her and she drove home without her shoes on because she did not want to ruin them.

**Rob M.** · November 3, 2009, 04:47 AM

Re: C1 Issues when new

Have a read in this document written by the UK MIRA department about a brand new 1961 they ordered in 1962 and test drived and then completely dismantled to be documented.

Interresting findings on status it was delivered indeed!!!

http://www.c1registry.com/index.php?...1&supersized=2

regards,
Rob.

**Robert I.** · November 3, 2009, 04:54 AM

Re: C1 Issues when new

<Have a read in this document written by the UK MIRA department about a brand new 1961 they ordered in 1962 and test drived and then completely dismantled to be documented.

They found that water came in over the top of the windshield.

Boy, you'd never find that happening on an English car!

**Stewart A.** · November 3, 2009, 05:43 AM

Re: C1 Issues when new

I actually were surprised it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Besides a heap of loose and falling out screws and bolts it wasn't to bad. Most of the problems would of been fixed by the service dept when the services were due I would hope.
I noticed the HP was a little off the pace at around 190 hp. Around 25% lower than claimed.
Lucky I bought a 1960 Corvette they don't have any problems LOL. Stewy

C1 Issues when new

C1 Issues when new

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment