Classic Motorsports

Forums » Classic Cars » Why aren't Corvettes more popular? 1 2

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  Nov. 16, 2009 4:18 p.m. WilD Reader

  It seems to me that general interest classic car buffs are generally more interested in European cars than Corvettes of the same era. Am I wrong? If not, why is that? I know there are magazines and clubs that focus exclusively on Corvettes, but that isn't what I'm talking about here. Is it simply that Corvettes are too numerous to really stand out?

  I previously owned a 1977 Corvette (L-82, 4 speed manual) and liked it very much. I know there is a stretch of years there were the cars are much maligned for their lack of both power and fuel economy. However, I think the Corvettes are competent sportscars in their own right and have a lot to offer that other cars don't. Maybe I just want to see more Corvettes in the magazine, maybe I'm just a nut.

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  Nov. 16, 2009 6:46 p.m. wlkelley3 HalfDork

  IMO, you nailed it. In general, Vettes are competent cars but sheer numbers and often associated with muscle cars are often the reason. Also like you stated there are magazines and clubs that focus exclusively on Vettes. Not that we don't like them. I myself would not turn down an early one (any 50's vintage) or a C5/6. Although I have thought about a C4 now that they are cheap and I'm old (for insurance purposes ) for a dd and autocross toy.

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  Nov. 16, 2009 9:27 p.m. KaptKaos Reader

  Corvettes more popular?? Can I have some of what your taking, because it must be good stuff.
  

  Corvettes are plenty popular, a lot more than some of the stuff we talk about here. Orders of magnitude more popular.
  

  I think that it's just that we're wired a little differently.

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  Nov. 16, 2009 10:23 p.m. JG Pasterjak Production/Art Director

  All the theories in this thread are completely plausible. Part of the reason Corvettes seem to live in their own world is because it's such a rich and complete history. Six generations, hundreds of individual models and thousands of specific combinations within those generations and models. Road Racing, autocross, hillclimb, drag racing in the U.S., Europe, Canada, Australia, Mexico.

  It's a big world. There's a lot of information there to fill your head with, and plenty of folks willing to listen and learn.

  If I were a scientist, I would put forth a theory that car enthusiasts can only process their enthusiasm for a set number of models or derivations. For argument's sake, let's say that number is 10.

  Now (hypothetically) MG produces four cars, triumph makes three, Austin healey has two and Lotus has three. That's twelve cars. Some hardcores may take them all, but most will abandon two or three to get back to their "safe" number. Some will even abandon additional units, fearing that next time will be even more difficult to resist.

  I think what Vette has always done is to be able to hone in on that number and tickle it to death. The brand is masterful at working witth the Vette magazines and getting the message out

  jg

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  Nov. 17, 2009 2:02 a.m. Leo Basile Reader

  I dont look good in silk shirts and a gold chain.

  Leo

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  Nov. 17, 2009 6:19 a.m. André Rousseau HalfDork

  Wired differently?

  Yep pos earth :-)

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  Nov. 17, 2009 10:40 a.m. Joe Gearin Associate Publisher

  I think Leo sort of nailed why some folks don't like Vettes. It isn't the car itself, but the image surrounding it. The same can be said about other classic car guys (Tweed hat, stringback gloves, etc.) In the end as I see it, image doesn't matter, they are cool cars which generally perform well, and in some cases are worldbeaters.
  

  I'll take a 65 Nassau Blue roadster please.....327, no sidepipes!

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  Nov. 17, 2009 3:33 p.m. Sownman New Reader

  I owned a C4 for ten years. Dissappointed me from day 1 in anything other than straightline acceration. Don't ask why it took 10 years to dump it, because I don't know

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  Nov. 17, 2009 4:49 p.m. Tom Heath Marketing / Club Coordinator

  I love Corvettes, but if I were shopping for one it would be brand new. They're better now than ever, especially when compared with contemporaries.

  The desirable early models are fetching some pretty serious money, so I rarely see them on the road locally. When I lived in Detroit, there seemed to be more, probably out of loyalty more than anything else.

  If I won the lottery, I'd make space for a 65-67 four-speed with a small block.

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  Nov. 17, 2009 5:16 p.m. Andy Reid Auction Editor

  I also lov the Corvette. The problem for me are both the image and the price. The ones I like best are the same ones Joe likes, C2 cars. I would take a coupe with a/c or a roadster, I am not choosy. The big issue I have with them is that for the sheer numbers built they are very expensive cars and fully priced and then some.

  Also the audience I have met surrounding the cars are very knowledgeable about what is correct and what isn't and tend to be very nice but rarely do they seem to really use their cars beyond taking them to a Corvette show.

  I'm that guy who likes to go on rallies, cross country drives and track days and the Vette folks don't generally seem to be into that stuff.

  That is a shame as they are very cool cars in every generation, have a storied racing history and can be very cheap and easy to own. I would not be surprised if we did a buyers guide on them in the future.

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  Nov. 18, 2009 6:09 a.m. ddavidv UltraDork

  I liken Vette owners to Harley riders. About 90% of them are into the image aspect, or just showing them off. The 10% who actually drive/ride with anything more than a cruise to the local bar mentality are often true enthusiasts. These are the guys you need to seek out. They lurk within the dark recesses of most clubs or groups.

  I will comment, though, that older (pre-C5) Corvettes are more appearance than substance. They drive more like trucks than sports cars. I think a well driven, lightly set up Corvair could pt a hurtin' on most old Corvettes on any twisty road or autocross.

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  Nov. 18, 2009 11:39 a.m. OFracing New Reader

  I like Vettes, I'd just never own one (sounds like someone saying they have friends from some group but don't want them to date their sister).

  Vettes, especially the newer generations, have spectacular performance and great bang for the buck but I'm a faithful follower of Colin Chapman, weight is the enemy. I don't feel he need to have that much car around me for a 2 seater (could be part of the appeal, size matters?).

  The Corvette formula obviously works, was there ever a 50th anniversary edition of any Triumph, MG or Fiat.? Maybe there'll be one for the Miata in 2039, hope I'm not around for it.

  mike

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  Nov. 18, 2009 2:53 p.m. Leo Basile Reader

  After rereading the question...

  I think Corvettes are very popular(Like Harleys). However, not in a sports car forum that was spawned from a British car magazine and that now caters to classic sports car folks who actually use, drive and race, as opposed to wax, look, wax.

  Like the old Triumph add said...Mass or Masterful.

  Like they said of the F-4...'With enough thrust, anything will fly.'
  

  Leo

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  Nov. 18, 2009 4:46 p.m. NOHOME Reader

  Ultimately, the corvette is seen as an "Old man's ride."

  Back in the early seventies, GM took a huge step away from the youth market in response to insurance and emissions concerns.

  With no progression from entry level vehicles that are fun to drive to high performance to aspire to, the vette is the deserted island for the middle ged man who finds himself adrift in this sea of mortality. Not really a cool image.

  That said, now that I am old and gray enough to qualify, I would love to burn the boots off a C6 on a track!

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  Nov. 19, 2009 11:46 a.m. JeffT New Reader

  In my humble opinion Corvettes are extreemly popular with Corvette Owners (LOL).

  Been there and did that for a short time. Interests evolved into something different.

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  Nov. 19, 2009 12:17 p.m. aeronca65t HalfDork

  I'm sure it's a great car.

  But due to weight and engine size, it's one that I have no interest in.

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  Nov. 19, 2009 5:01 p.m. boeingpilot New Reader

  Some interesting theories. Vettes are pretty cars to be sure, but if I feel the need for good ol' Yankee V8 power I'll take my Mustang GT any day.

  I also agree with thoughts on Harley's, it's an image. It sure seems like a lot of stock brokers and accountants ride them!

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  Nov. 19, 2009 6:10 p.m. ronbros Reader

  Its AMERICAN,, just like harleys

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  Nov. 20, 2009 2:58 p.m. Series6 New Reader

  For what it's worth.... People have a long memory and we all remember the low hp Vette of the early smog years. All image and nothing to back it up. Also there's the memory of the fact that it was supposed to compare with the sports cars coming over from Europe after WW2 coinsiding with the Booming Fifties when America could do no wrong. It was our interpretation of a sports car.
  

  We all heard of the NIH (Not invented here) mindset. Corvette is the victim of the opposite. There's a perception that a REAL sports Car must be from Britain, Germany or Italy. Even the Japanese sports cars are held under the "not really a sports car" thumb.
  

  Bottom line is the car is now a world class performer and is a bargan for the price when compared to other supercars in it's performance catagory.
  

  The other reality is most of us can't afford Italian or German "real" sports cars and the Brits don't make them anymore. Remember, when the Brits were making them they were relatively low power, open top fun to drive cars.
  

  Corvettes are great cars. So are RX7's and Miatas. With all that said, I'm going out this afternoon and play with my Alpine..... 70+ degrees here in Phoenix...

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  Nov. 21, 2009 4:55 p.m. boeingpilot New Reader

  In reply to Series6:

  I fall into the category of those who feel real sportscars have to be from Europe, and I'll be the first to admit it's ridiculous. My wife's business partner and her husband have an NSX. It looks good and drive great, but I just can't get excited about it. Ditto, Miatas. Now, slap a Jaguar or Porsche badge on the hood and I'd be on it like a fat kid on a doughnut!

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  Nov. 21, 2009 8:36 p.m. Series6 New Reader

  I forgot the NSX. I got to drive one once and won't forget it soon.
  

  I love Jaguars. But you'd have to admit in the last 30 years, their production cars have lived off their history. When TWR was running, that would have been a good time to reintroduce a "race bred" two seater. At least Honda brought some of it's race learned technology to the street. Would I own one?..... Not likely, but I sure like them.

  OK, let the hate mail begin.

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  Nov. 23, 2009 1:34 p.m. Ian F HalfDork

  the first cars I ever oogled over as a kid were Vettes. When I was a kid in the late 70's... standing in the back seat of our '71 Demon (I'm not sure I ever rode in a car seat...), I used to count every one I saw.

  So, there will always be a spot in my heart for Vettes. However, as I've aged and my opinions have changed, I see and adore other cars (too many others, my g/f would say...).
  

  That said, the focus of GRM tends to be less expensive cars... although there is a '99 in the fleet (JGP, iirc?)... and CMS seems to lean more towards Euro and Japanese cars since, well... that's what the editors like (and probably mroe accurately, can afford to buy).
  

  Plus, there's the general "motorsports" aspect of the magazine... it's still a feasible idea to buy an old Alfa, MG, Triumph or even a Volvo and turn it into a vintage-prep race car. The base value of the cars is still relatively low... a 60's or early 70's Vette? Hmm... not so much... maybe a C3, but you don't seem to see them very often. And the ones you do see are usually historic cars that actually raced when they were new.

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  Nov. 23, 2009 3:20 p.m. Basil Exposition New Reader

  I've been a British car fan my whole life. Got an E-Type, MGA, MGTD and MG Midget vintage racer in the garage.

  A few years ago my wife wanted to buy a used Mercedes two-seater. I steered her away from that (mostly due to repair cost fears) and her car salesman son proposed a new Corvette C5 for less than the Mercedes would have cost. I had admired the C5's from afar, although I hadn't been a Corvette fan, particularly. I mean, it actually had wooden floors like my MGA!

  Long story short, we bought the car. Wow. Just wow. Amazing power AND handling. At a price that was half of what the same performance cost in any other car. Sure, the interior was rather Chevy, but who cared? She loved that car and I loved driving it. We only sold it because her back problems got worse and she couldn't get in and out of it very well. We both cried the day we traded it in.

  The C5's are an absolute performance bargain, especially at now used car prices. The gold chain comments are kind of how I felt before we owned one. Afterwards I have nothing but respect. I haven't driven a C6, but they are better on paper than the C5 in every way.

  The C4 wasn't near the car and was in production way too long, which didn't help the image going into the C5. It is too bad that stink still lingers, the car just doesn't deserve that image any more.

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  Nov. 24, 2009 6:47 a.m. BoxheadTim Reader

  I've driven a C6 (courtesy of Hertz) and I certainly liked that. Mind you, I didn't go anywhere near a track in it apart from driving past the Daytona Speedway. Seemed competent enough, nice feedback and wasn't exactly underpowered...

  I'd still consider a C4 ZR1 and the wife likes C3 convertibles (she had a T-bar C3 as her first or second car). Heck, I'd probably have a restomodded C2 coupe if I could find one for decent money.

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  Nov. 25, 2009 2:16 p.m. GSCReno New Reader

  I seem to recall R&T printing a commentary on "Corvette Guy" about 35 years or so ago. Satch or maybe Peter Egan? It stated that all Corvette Guys were named Bart, wore a flat top and only sported jackets and shirts with crossed flags and the word Corvette on them. As they strolled through the paddock at the local track and spotted a Bugeye they would instinctively spit on the ground in disgust. In his world anything other than a Corvette should be crushed and melted down to make cans for his beloved Pabst Blue Ribbon. I have to agree with some of the previous posts on this thread... Like "Harley Rider" it's not the Corvette itself, it's Corvette Guy that put me off about them. Cheers, Scott

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