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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C1 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by Randy G.
Get a C1 and keep the C7.
This! Either figure way to have both at once before you decide if you're C1 material or go to a local Vette club and see if any of the C1 guys will take you for a spin, or let you drive one. They are NOT for everyone, more like comparing a Contesoga wagon to a deluxe stagecoach with suspension!
These cars go down the road in a straight line with a very acceptable ride on coil springs, leaf springs and shocks just like modern cars...but they ARE time machines...when you turn that school bus steering wheel to make a turn you are transported to 1950's where king pin/center link steering and solid axles ruled the day and piggish handling was the norm. You get used to it.
Frankie's right, on a smooth road my car tracks straight and gives a smooth ride. You get used to the steering and there's nothing like the sound and excitement of going thru the gears. I'm 6' and 200# and I love it!
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
Solid axles are fun to drive and you will be an instant celebrity wherever you go. Hard to get out of gas stations without at least a couple of people asking questions. But they are primitive and not for everyone. They can be tough to fit in for larger people. Drive that 59 before you buy it. Pretty basic car and easy to maintain. I've had mine for 35 years and still love it. Ideally, you have both new and old.
Nothing beats a C1 corvette on looks & ride , enjoy one of the luxury`s life offers, I have owned mine for 9 years and seems like I just bought it still . I have owned two 1968 corvettes as well . another favorite year . pick a good one is my advice .
My 61 , but look past it and the Honduran maroon 60 was in my driveway since I was 4 years old . Today the car is still locally owned and shown .
Last edited by tach drive 61; 12-16-2016 at 10:14 PM.
Do it! While our '60 has been owned by my family since '62, I just officially took ownership this part June when my Dad passed the torch to me. I just turned 42.
I love it! Put a couple of hundred miles on it and most of it was just cruising around on nice weekend days. It is different for sure from a driving standpoint, but I don't find the drum brakes to be too bad and the car does go pretty well in a straight line. Parking lot moves kinda stick with no power steering, but once your rolling a bit you are fine.
FWIW, I'm 6'2", 200# and fit without too much of an issue. The wheel just kinda sits in your lap though.
I don't think I'll ever tire of the waves, thumbs up or comments when stopped, ANYWHERE. That's part of the fun.
I'm 6'4" and weigh around 285#. There's a definite technique for getting in and out. I definitely fit better in the '62 than I do our '57 and our '54 which is the tightest.
Here I am with Mike Brewer from Wheeler Dealer to give you perspective.
I wanted to reach out get your opinions and thoughts on taking a leap from a C7 to a C1. The car is 1959 CI 2x4 4spd. My current C7 Z51 no longer makes me excited. I see too many on the road and I do not feel like there is anything special about them. My previous vette was a C6 and i never felt this way habout it. I had that car for 9 years until the new body style of the C7 caught my eye.
Anyway, after reading the forum for awhile I have seen a lot of posts regarding upkeep on these cars. Would you say the maintenance is extensive? Anything I should know before I take the plunge? I will be storing the car during the winter like I have with my last two vettes and this will not be a daily driver.
Also, I am 31 if that matters. I plan on keeping this one for a while.
when I was younger I wanted to get a 58-60 c-1 couldn't get in it. So I bought a 1968 roadster had a ball being 21 years old all my friends wear driving mustang GTs sure they would jump outta the hole until I hit 2nd gear and jumped up to their door and when I hit 3rd I'd walk right pass them. Then I did something stupid which has haunted me for almost 30 years. I sold it to buy a 1986 944 Porsche turbo. A few years pass by Porsche is long gone,idea pops in head hot rod that's what I'll do next best move I made still have the hot rod but I want another vette so I find a great deal on an 86 vette kept it 3 years neat car but I love the old stuff what next . I still want that 58-60 vette. Still can't get in it afraid of pissing off sales guy at corvette dealer felt like I might break the steering wheel break a seat something I'm sad I leave and get a forward car as I'm a big mopar guy more years pass more cars still I want that 58-60 vette . I find one at a dealer in Ohio it's not perfect I see it I like I want to get in it . I try no way then as I'm looking I realize I'm getting in it all wrong so I slide my right leg under the steering wheel a sit on the seat **** I think to my self I'm halfway in I look at my left leg sitting outside the car and I pull it in close the door I'm in. Tight yes but not uncomfortable. Car is the color I want condition I want interior I want best if all price is fair . But at that time couldn't put the deal together sad I leave head down tail between my legs . So I've got these cars but want that vette screw it I'll sell one I get some seed money together this is going to happen. What happens 58-60 vettes start going through the roof now what I watch and wait for 4 long years hoping to find something I aw great that were expensive and so much junk that was so overpriced but ad luck would have I found that c-1 1959 to be exact made a deal its mine all mine sometimes I think it was meant to be that car . This one car for me I got lucky so first thing I did was to pull the drivers side seat back out put it in the trunk slid my *** into that seat fired up that car and drive it home best move I made wish I would have done it 30 years sooner do it now life is to short
Last edited by chopperbob1; 12-17-2016 at 12:46 PM.
Reason: Long post
I wanted to reach out get your opinions and thoughts on taking a leap from a C7 to a C1. The car is 1959 CI 2x4 4spd. My current C7 Z51 no longer makes me excited. I see too many on the road and I do not feel like there is anything special about them. My previous vette was a C6 and i never felt this way about it. I had that car for 9 years until the new body style of the C7 caught my eye.
Anyway, after reading the forum for awhile I have seen a lot of posts regarding upkeep on these cars. Would you say the maintenance is extensive? Anything I should know before I take the plunge? I will be storing the car during the winter like I have with my last two vettes and this will not be a daily driver.
Also, I am 31 if that matters. I plan on keeping this one for a while.
Go for it. Maintenance straightforward. Careful where you park, always keep an eye on it. Lots of jerks out there. Second vehicle for wet weather (not rainproof w top up) and long trips (hey I'm old).
Drove my '62 into my shop Thursday night to prepare for winter storage. Noticed I drove it 7300 miles this summer. You will never regret buying a C1. Have had Chevelles, Camaros, and other fun cars, but nothing has compared to this '62. My 5'1" wife can steer it without any problems, and thoroughly enjoys running it through the gears.
I wanted to reach out get your opinions and thoughts on taking a leap from a C7 to a C1. The car is 1959 CI 2x4 4spd. My current C7 Z51 no longer makes me excited. I see too many on the road and I do not feel like there is anything special about them. My previous vette was a C6 and i never felt this way about it. I had that car for 9 years until the new body style of the C7 caught my eye.
Anyway, after reading the forum for awhile I have seen a lot of posts regarding upkeep on these cars. Would you say the maintenance is extensive? Anything I should know before I take the plunge? I will be storing the car during the winter like I have with my last two vettes and this will not be a daily driver.
Also, I am 31 if that matters. I plan on keeping this one for a while.
I'm just completing my 61 Corvette. the guys on the forum have been very helpful and supportive on my 9 year project. I've had C4, C5 and a C6 that I got to accompany down the assembly line. My C1 draws more attention and praise than the other three combined - but I wanted the best of both worlds - so I did a restomod - Looks like a 61 all over, but handles like a C4 and with a C5 LS6 engine -it's pretty strong. It still isn't on a Handling par with the C5 or C6, but it has power steering and power brakes and AC.
So - drive the car you are looking at - if you like the drive - I would dive in. If not - check the "Custom C1" market - either way, they are great cars and investments.
I was recently in your situation so I felt compelled to reply. I too am younger (15 yrs) than the '61 I purchased. Only difference is that I was not a previous corvette owner, but I always have loved the C1 look and enjoy turning heads...for me, the ducktail trunk and round taillights are iconic so I was able to narrow my search to 61/62 models. When I go to shows I don't see many. Everyone in the vette club I am is always intrigued with mine. After trolling the internet and searching a few months, I found one locally (NJ) that was a survivor (which is even better). Depending on your budget you can go into 6 figure restos, but I got mine for $55K and I am the 3rd owner. They are out there if you are patient. Mine looks great, runs great, and is easy to work on. I am not a motorhead or mechanic, but am able to do most work myself. You wont be disappointed about going back in time.
12-16-2016, 04:27 AM
