Need suggestions on buying C1 and C2

[Bill M.]

Re: Need suggestions on buying C1 and C2

Ron I have been into Corvettes for 45 years and Go-Cart racing for over 20 years. Some of the nicest and also some of the most dishonest people i have ever met are involved in both. So be very careful of who you trust.

[Ronald F.]

Re: Need suggestions on buying C1 and C2

Thank you for the great information

[Mark F.]

Re: Need suggestions on buying C1 and C2

Thank you for the great information

...Can't wait to hear what you end up buying!

[Joseph L.]

Re: Need suggestions on buying C1 and C2

Ron; I sent you a PM

Joe

[Tom S.]

Re: Need suggestions on buying C1 and C2

Ron,
Your right Eric, (post#26) a good read. Some good points for Ron to ponder but most of us that have a little bit of car dealer in us and he should consider which car to buy next or add to the first purchase as this could happen very easily. I remember many times I could have bought that one or the other one and around it goes. I just looked at Bring a Trailer and there are some nice pieces on there right now. Since the Hearst people took over this enterprise the offerings have been more plentiful and we notice how the NCRS Judging influence is evidenced in the descriptions and comments. Many folks on there we recognize. On the other hand Ron, if your circumstances only permit 1 purchase be aware of all the available help and resources here to keep you pointed toward your dream 1st Corvette. Remember the old Terry slogan "some day your going to have to sell it" so it's good to know an exit strategy too and not be underwater if and when time time comes. Due Diligence, Good Luck and I'm watching. //Tom

[Ronald F.]

Re: Need suggestions on buying C1 and C2

Thanks Tom and all of you that responded. How can I go wrong with all the good advice I have received from this post

Joining this club is the best thing I've done in a long time. I finally found a home.

Ron

[Bruce W.]

Re: Need suggestions on buying C1 and C2

Ron,
You have gotten a lot of good advice here. I will chime in on one particular point. Drivability. I own 4 vettes. 3 are c1's all are Duntov cars. starting with the 57, smaller inside than my 62 or 58. these cars are tough to get in and the ride is rough, I also have a 65. what a pleasure to drive. the independent suspension and disc brakes make a world of difference. So if this a car you plan to drive I would recommend a c2. If a show queen it doesn't matter.
Bruce

[Jaime G.]

Re: Need suggestions on buying C1 and C2

Ron,
You have gotten a lot of good advice here. I will chime in on one particular point. Drivability. I own 4 vettes. 3 are c1's all are Duntov cars. starting with the 57, smaller inside than my 62 or 58. these cars are tough to get in and the ride is rough, I also have a 65. what a pleasure to drive. the independent suspension and disc brakes make a world of difference. So if this a car you plan to drive I would recommend a c2. If a show queen it doesn't matter.
Bruce

Ron, I currently own 5 C-2s all Duntov a C-7 and a C-8 and have owned C-1's. I wont advise you what to do but you must drive the car you want to own and be objective about ingress and egress, feel of the road, performance, maintenance, etc. Good luck!

[Alexander D.]

Re: Need suggestions on buying C1 and C2

Hi Ron, and welcome to the group!

First as others have said go out and check some C1 and C2's. Sit in them. Get in and out. Sit in it again. Look around. Where are the controls? Do you feel cramped? Do you get a feeling of excitement just sitting there thinking of driving the car? Now take the car for a drive. The longer the better. Maybe come back another time to look at the car again, inside, outside, under, etc. Drive it again. A reasonable seller will see this as your sincere interest, for you're a mature guy and not some 'tire kicker'.

When I was loooking to buy a vintage Corvette six years ago, then in my late-50s, I set out to find a good chrome-bumper C3 driver. Why? Because they're basically the same car as the later C2's, but with swoopier styling, but more affordable. They handle roughly the same, stop well, and depending on engine will scare the heck out of you if you mash the pedal to the floor. I saw a few examples before I came across a really nice '71 coupe which I seriously thought of making an offer on.

In the interval I came across a very nice '67 coupe for sale, which was $20k more than the '71. But this car sure looked good in the ad! When I first saw it in the flesh it gave me goose bumps... It was even better than I expected. t's hard to quantify the feeling, but it was like love at first sight back in college... Oh heck, so I took a closer look... I sat in the car - roomy! The dash and double hump dash was like something out of science fiction... All gauges right there in front of you. This was like driving a personal flying saucer... So I took it out on the road (with the seller of course)... All good, lots of throttle response with its 300 hp engine. This was a real machine! I was smitten! I came back three times to inspect the car, the last time with my wife, who gave it her seal of approval after she drove it. We bought it, joined the NCRS and our local Corvette club, and have had great fun with the car and the great friends we've made!

The C3 has a much more raked seating position, so you're down low in the cockpit, looking at the deep twin-tunneled speedo and tach. Getting in and out is requires a bit more bending. Outward visibility is hampered somewhat by the low seating position, high waisted doors, and bulging front fenders. Rear visibility was what could be seen thru the tunnel back window. I'm sure one would get used to all that, but I found the C2 driving position to be much more comfortable, which has more headroom too. So, I decided to go with the C2 and IMO the extra $ it cost was entirely worth it.

I have a friend with a '58. Beautiful car. But you have to navigate that that windshield dog-leg post, and then slide in behind that big steering wheel that sits in your lap. The ergonomics didn't inspire confidence and the driving experience wasn't as satifying (to me) compared to the C2. The latter car is more modern, with independent suspention, 4-wheel disc brakes, power steering and power brakes, making it easier to drive and so much fun when I get on the go-pedal.

So, I suggest you try on some C1, C2, and C3's for size, so you can compare them and decide which is the right one for you.

Good luck with your search. Your criteria may be different. You'll know the right car when you find it! Go for it!

[Ronald F.]

Re: Need suggestions on buying C1 and C2

Alexander,

Thank you for the advise. I'm glad I joined NCRS before buying my Corvette because I've gained so much knowledge. I found a home

[Mark P.]

[Ronald F.]

Re: Need suggestions on buying C1 and C2

Thanks for the advice Mark.

[Kenneth F.]

Re: Need suggestions on buying C1 and C2

Frank, Would you know how the extreme dip in the original 1961-62 seats was accomplished?
Thanks,
Ken

[Frank D.]

Re: Need suggestions on buying C1 and C2

Frank, Would you know how the extreme dip in the original 1961-62 seats was accomplished?
Thanks,
Ken

I'm prettu sure the technique starts with the right set of bottom seat springs - the burlap covered springs of various sizes and not the cheapo, low budget "all the same size" springs that some vendors sell. You can read more about the original setup here:

https://www.corvettepacifica.com/products/38336/spring-unit-seat-bottom-correct-reproduction-each-61-62/

Al Knoch's top guy did my 61 seats and you can see the dip is very pronounced in this picture:
Originally my seats were the over-stuffed, typical hot rod shop restoration....after they were done correctly by Al Knoch it was pretty noticeable how much better the seats felt on your backside and that you "addressed" the steering wheel and gauges much better. It also got you another 2"-3" of driop for taller guys. The downside is that you have to explain to the uninitiated that this dip is correct and not a case of a "broken down" seat structure from too much use by "plus-sized" occupants.

[Thomas S.]