Need suggestions on buying C1 and C2

[Jim L.]

Re: Need suggestions on buying C1 and C2

Having never gotten into or out of a C1, how do C1s compare to C2s in terms of entry and exit? Are C1s easier on aging hips and knees in terms of climbing out? Less low to the ground?

Gary

Gary, I've got a C1 and a C2.

I get in the C2.

I put on the C1.

[Gary B.]

[Jim L.]

Re: Need suggestions on buying C1 and C2

Once you put on a C1, there is plenty of interior room. C1 doors are shorter than C2 doors so putting on and taking off a C1 requires some "flexibility" on the part of the wearer.

Some will say that a C1 rides like a buckboard. Yes and no. On the marginally improved roads around my area, my C1 has a more harsh ride than my C2. Out on the freeway, though, both are comfortable cars.

Jim

[Frank D.]

Re: Need suggestions on buying C1 and C2

I had an original 61 for 10 years and drove it 5,000+ miles per year, had an original 63 coupe for 8 years and drovie it 5,000+ miles per year. Did basically all of my own maintenance. The "X" frame on a C1 has the passengers sitting up higher whereas the ladder frame in a C2 is more "enveloping" . There are lots of myths about both cars.... My wife preferred riding in the 61 as a cruiser but for performance driving however it
couldn't match the 63. There is no "buckboard" feel in a properly outfitted and maintained later C1; I've driven 5 hours straight in the 61 as well as making spiritied runs around the Sebring track. Many C1s have improperly, over-stuffed seats done by low-end restoration shops. Later C1s should have a pronounced "diip" in the seat that gives up to 3 more inches of headroom for taller drivers. The right spring and burlap are required, not the cheapo seat bottoms with all same-sizes springs vendors sell.

As far as buying either generation for a newbie, if you do NOT get competent help in the purchase you deserve anything bad that happens. Period! I've had to talk too many folks with "Corvette fever" off the edge when a cheaply priced car seemed like a bargain but was rife with issues.

Now, the hard to deal with part, at 71 the OP may not be up to doing his own maintenance and finding competent mechanics anymore has become a challenge. Right now there are only about 3 around central Florida I would recommend to do competent work and they stay slammed. It may be different elsewhere, I can't say.

[Paul J.]

Re: Need suggestions on buying C1 and C2

I like '61 and '62 the best. '62 more because of 327. I would get the least expensive of the C2 I believe which seems to me to be '64. Otherwise I would pick 67.

[Robert L.]

Re: Need suggestions on buying C1 and C2

I am 81. I have a C1 (57) and a C8 (2020). Both look good in the garage. The C1 gets out very seldom. Once this year, none last year.

The C8 every chance I get. Get a C8.

MCMLVII









8

[Robert L.]

Re: Need suggestions on buying C1 and C2

If I were to get a C2 it would be a '65. More room, more up to date mechanics.

[Ronald L.]

Re: Need suggestions on buying C1 and C2

You can always up grade the C2 with an LS7 Tremec C6 C7 suspension and about any other modern goodies the mind can imagine, and still keep it stock no-hit body "looking".

[Ed H.]

Re: Need suggestions on buying C1 and C2

Ron, wise move looking for a Corvette. I have owned 6 of the beauties. I loved all of them. My first was a 1956 base car, second was a 1960 full, drag race vette, that would pull the front end off of the ground. My third was a 1957 basket case that I spent over two years restoring. That was the most fun, other than driving the 60 to 130+ MPH in 10.20 Sec. That got my shorts tight. After selling the 57 for more than twice I had invested, I took a giant leap over the C-2's and C-3"s and went to the C-4. The car had an OMG factor higher that the value of Bitcoin. It was a 93 40th Anny. ZR-1. For only 358 Cubic Inches it took my breath away the first time I turned the little key from Street to OMG. Instant 405 HP, backed up with a 6 Speed trans and driving it to 180 MPH on a runway in Nevada, that portion will remain quiet until we might meet at future NCRS Judging meet. Sold that one to put myself in a convertible, to be specific a 1990 Base 6 Spd daily driver. Sold that one and now I drive the last Corvette I will ever own, unless the good lord turns my end of watch clock backwards. My next birthday I will have fooled the big guy out of 85 years of life. I hope that helps you. To me age is only a number, if you like pretty girls and Corvettes the Vette will be a lot cheaper, last longer and won't break your heart. Finally the best advise I can give you is, stay away from used car salesmen and rug peddlers. This organization will give you the best advise regarding which Corvette spins your prop or fires your rocket. And, buy the way, I never lost a dime on the resale of any of my Corvettes, I came out way ahead on the 57 and the 93. The 60 wound up being sold for parts, as I crashed it attempting to go 140 MPH and in the 9 second bracket, that was an (Oscar Sierra) moment, and my crusty old supervisor advised I stop racing or look for other employment that wasn't as dangerous, so I took his advise, I stopped racing and led a safer life and career.

[Ronald F.]

Re: Need suggestions on buying C1 and C2

Thanks Ed maybe we can talk some more by email

[Eric P.]

Re: Need suggestions on buying C1 and C2

Ron,
Your post has yielded some very good advice, and been great to watch. The most important bit I want to to echo is what Ed Hoffman says above about where and who you buy a Corvette from. If at all possible buy a car from an NCRS member and seller. There are some good Corvette dealers, and most are affiliated with the NCRS. The best Corvettes will most likely change hands between members of this organization, those who read the NCRS Driveline, and follow the NCRS Classifieds.

Best of luck to you!
Eric Patty
Member# 8355

[Ronald F.]

Re: Need suggestions on buying C1 and C2

Thanks for your response

[Tom M.]

Re: Need suggestions on buying C1 and C2

Ron,
Plenty of great info here. I have a little different take to consider what years not to buy. Almost 30 years ago I started looking for a C2 or chrome bumper C3. The year I bought was never used as a snow plow, crashed into a tree, burned, used as a submarine, used to haul clams or fish, used to haul surfboards, used to haul fire wood, used to haul a boat, used as a daily driver in New England, especially during the winter, used by a 16 year old as a shop class restoration, restored as a first project, restored (lucky 25 years ago unrestored cars were more common), used to cruise on the sand at Daytona, updated with lots of chrome goodies, had a custom interior installed, been rewired with a home brew wiring harness, had a ford 9" rear installed, had an "updated" front clip installed, been lifted, been lowered. During the 5 years of looking I saw all of the above. The clam hauler was actually a '69 Camaro Indy Pace car that I wish I had bought. But other than that one the others would have been endless project material and never quite right given my rebuild time and abilities. What I did buy was an unrestored, never apart, low option car that's a pleasure to work on because stuff isn't rusty like most cars on the coast, it is complete and it was/is taken care of. This was pre-internet so all looking was in person and I still would never buy a car without looking at it in person. Have fun with the search - its one of the fun parts of owning.

[Daniel T.]

Re: Need suggestions on buying C1 and C2

On the room/comfort, as long as the top is not up my 62 is the easiest to get in/out and my favorite of my old vettes to drive. (and I'm 6'4") The only modification is a slightly smaller steering wheel (but still the correct style wheel). Now saying that you should really find what fits you, and pros/cons of the various years. C1's in stock form do not have power brakes or power steering. C2's you have more options that way, and by 65 disc brakes. Find some C1/C2 vette people in your area and look/ask questions for sure and see if you can sit in their car, I've never said 'no' to anyone that asks.

[Frank D.]

Re: Need suggestions on buying C1 and C2

Folks plopping down in the driver's seat of a C1 without some foreknowledge and prep are in for an education about early steering technology. First off, that large "school bus" steering wheel is there for a reason - leverage, Second the later C1s have 24 grease points on the chassis and steering which originally supposed to be serviced every 1,000 miles (that number includes U joints) - these early systems were designed to float in an ocean of fresh grease, Thirdly, technique is critical, when backing up or parking/maneuvering in tight spaces you must keep the car rolling a bit so that motion assists in steering. There is no power steering that lets you manhandle a car from a dead stop.

My 110 lb 5'5" daughter could drive my stock 61 without any issues.