PB82CE

Does anyone know if driving in extreme cold could possibly affect the
fiberglass? Someone mentioned to me recently that driving in exteme cold
temps could cause the fiberglass to crack!

Any experiences??

FeedVaal

I hear lots of little pops and ticks going on in real cold weather. I think it probably is possible to crack something if you were to hit a pothole while the glass was frozen.

Easy Mike

Extreme cold has an effect on everything. There is no moisture in fiberglass to freeze. It's a plastic resin with fiberglass material for reinforcement. I have never heard of a Corvette cracking in extreme cold. I have driven my 74 and my 80 in extreme cold without anything more than a new creak or two which usually went away after the car had warmed up.
:)

Dalannex

You know, a guy at work tells me that Corvettes crack just from getting cold. They need to be stored warm or they crack and fall apart. (he knows everything too, just ask him) It's because they are made of fiberglass. I asked him what he thought snowmobile hoods were made of, and he said they are a higher quality fiberglass. :lol: I don't think they crack just from getting cold. Many semi cabs are made of a majority fiberglass, and they don't break.

PB82CE

Thanks...

Some interesting comments.

I guess we won't hear from any members in Florida or California! :lol:

tangee-vette

We're talking about 30 year old fiberglass technology here. I think the shattering factor on impact at 10 below zero would have to be ugly. :eek:

SteveG75

Don't know about the body but the manual says not to raise/lower the soft top when it is less than 50 degrees out. And I have the proof why. :jester

About a six inch crack/tear in the vinyl. Oh well, it lasted 10 years and I think I will go with a cloth top this time round.

RatMat

I dont know about cracking but I have seen a bad paint experience. The previous owner of my Dad's '59 Vette decided to take thier car through the car wash to remove some snow and ice. The snow and ice came off along with some huge patches of paint. The car looked so rediculuous they parked in a barn for many years.

UKPaul

I wouldn't have thought so. Maybe it's more brittle when very cold but it shouldn't crack. If it did then that would mean that an awful lot of yachts that are dry docked over the winter would sink when they get lifted back into the water come springtime. Just another way of looking at it!
I'd be more worried about road salt corroding everything, or hitting an ice patch & sliding into an old Ford! Some of those old Fords are made solid - mine's written off 2 modern cars & is still straight :smash:
:cheers:
Paul