How 'rough riding' is/are the C1's?
#1
Team Owner
Thread Starter
How 'rough riding' is/are the C1's?
I have not ridden in a C1 for long distances, so, like the question states, are they?
I can ride in my car for hours upon hours and not get a sore butt...
And has anyone put a C2 suspension in the back end of a C1?
I can ride in my car for hours upon hours and not get a sore butt...
And has anyone put a C2 suspension in the back end of a C1?
#2
Team Owner
A properly set up C1 (I'm talking the later '58-'62 cars) rides just fine. I've driven with my picky wife for up to 3 hours at a time in my stock C1 with no ill effects and minimal passenger complaints. I think some like the myth that they are uncomfortable and hard to drive so their machismo gets due consideration. Having said that; they are hot, noisy and handle like a pig at speed. Having driven mine around Sebring at triple digit speeds will have your life passing before your eyes - but a jaunt down a well-paved highway is perfectly fine.
Radial tires, good shocks and well maintained suspension/steering makes the difference.
Radial tires, good shocks and well maintained suspension/steering makes the difference.
#3
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its all about the wheel base. wore out seats and suspension can make you think you are riding on a buck board
#4
Melting Slicks
Jack,
My C1 seems to be more solid in the straight away than my C2. Because of the straight axle, the C1 will not corner as well. Best thing to do is take a nice ride in a C1. The later years have more cockpit space if you are tall.
Sounds like you are shopping for a C1?
My C1 seems to be more solid in the straight away than my C2. Because of the straight axle, the C1 will not corner as well. Best thing to do is take a nice ride in a C1. The later years have more cockpit space if you are tall.
Sounds like you are shopping for a C1?
#5
Team Owner
Thread Starter
Jack,
My C1 seems to be more solid in the straight away than my C2. Because of the straight axle, the C1 will not corner as well. Best thing to do is take a nice ride in a C1. The later years have more cockpit space if you are tall.
Sounds like you are shopping for a C1?
My C1 seems to be more solid in the straight away than my C2. Because of the straight axle, the C1 will not corner as well. Best thing to do is take a nice ride in a C1. The later years have more cockpit space if you are tall.
Sounds like you are shopping for a C1?
#7
Safety Car
#8
Race Director
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A properly set up C1 (I'm talking the later '58-'62 cars) rides just fine. I've driven with my picky wife for up to 3 hours at a time in my stock C1 with no ill effects and minimal passenger complaints. I think some like the myth that they are uncomfortable and hard to drive so their machismo gets due consideration. Having said that; they are hot, noisy and handle like a pig at speed. Having driven mine around Sebring at triple digit speeds will have your life passing before your eyes - but a jaunt down a well-paved highway is perfectly fine.
Radial tires, good shocks and well maintained suspension/steering makes the difference.
Radial tires, good shocks and well maintained suspension/steering makes the difference.
Plasticman
Last edited by Plasticman; 07-07-2013 at 02:35 PM.
#9
Advanced
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I just got my 61 on the road 2 weeks ago. ( old owner stored it for near 30 years). this is my first straight axle. I was not happy how it road the first time out . it was 90 degrees out side and I had the black hard top on. the new exhaust gave off some smells etc.I got it home and took the top off. now I just love it. like night and day with no top. I do have radials on it.
#11
Drifting
And has anyone put a C2 suspension in the back end of a C1?
Russ
#12
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Like Jim says, radials are the answer to this question.
#13
I've only driven three c2's one small block coupe, two convertibles "one small block, one big block" I prefer the ride of my 57. It handles a little less well in hard curves, but for cruising I prefer the straight axel.
#16
Burning Brakes
I have taken 5 hr road trips in my 57, and I had less back (and butt) pain than in any c5 or c6 I have driven! As said above , good radials and good seats make the difference.
#17
drove my 62 from whidbey island Wa in 71 to WVa about 3000 miles have not driven the 63 since 75 but coming home it felt great ( i soon went to vietnam ) i am now doing body off resto cannot wait to get it back on the road even back then they still cooler than new cars then and and now
#19
Melting Slicks
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2016 C1 of Year Finalist
My 62 has taken my wife and I on a few 700 mile trips with no trouble or pains. It is a C1 and does not ride like a Cadillac, but it is a hell of a lot more fun then the Caddy.
I have driven mine to Carlisle, Bloomington and Bowling Green and lot of other places numerous times.
Now I must admit my 65 is more comfortable but I am also older now, but I still like traveling in my 62 or 57.
I have driven mine to Carlisle, Bloomington and Bowling Green and lot of other places numerous times.
Now I must admit my 65 is more comfortable but I am also older now, but I still like traveling in my 62 or 57.
#20
Burning Brakes
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My '61 does not ride quite as nice as my '72 did. But for an older car, it still rides nice enough to put a big grin on my face every time that I drive it - plus it draws a big crowd every time that I pull into the Dairy Queen parking lot