For science, he could drive my 2008 C6. He won't find it boring. It's a 6 speed manual, with uh, 505 hp. Bought it 22 months ago with just 6,008 miles. The Z06 is my favorite out of 6 Corvettes that I have purchased.
Zora didn't like the C2. He once said "it has the lift of a bad airplane." The only Corvette he purchased with his own money? A 74 C3 that's on display at the Corvette museum in Bowling Green
I will never get tired of the sound of a small block Chevy or actually any V8 through side pipes! But even the little things like the headlight switch and doors opening and closing sound great! Thanks Mr. Tedward!
Wow, that brings back memories. My dad owned a large autobody shop in Boston in the '60s. Dad owned a '68 Shelby GT500 and his painters brother had a '67 vette 427 tri-power 435hp with side pipes and a 4 speed. They agreed to trade cars one weekend. The Vette was an absolute beast. Without any modern traction controls and bias ply tires, you were guaranteed a trip off the road if you tried to launch it too hard.
Zora didn't like the C2 at all. His comment, "it has just enough lift to be a bad airplane." Zora actually bought a Corvette with his own money. It's on display at the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green. It's a 74 C3.
A very nice review! I used to own one with the 327 L79 option. All 63-67s that came with an automatic would have been the venerable 2 speed Powerglide. Even if one ordered the 390hp 427. The TH400 3 speed automatic transmission were used from 68-74. After that year GM was trying to save weight and went to the TH350. Oh and regarding the side exhaust, there was only one chassis for the Corvette so the holes for the standard exhaust were there even if one did order the side pipes.
The sound alone is enough to go for the L-79 option. I had a 67 Corvette years ago which I bought slightly used in 1968, and traded it after a year or so for an El Camino. Very dumb move on my part. My 67 was rare, but not in a good way. It had zero factory options. This means it was a 3-speed manual transmission, 300hp 327 with no radio....no options, period. This had to be rare, and I wonder if I had kept it if it would it today be worth more because so few were made, or a lot less due to the absence of desirable options. I still enjoyed the car...a lot.........especially on the trip to Key West I took in 1968......
@@robertstancliffsr9575that is indeed an interesting thought. i’d wager it’d be worth more, especially with the decline in manual transmissions within the past few decades!
Absolutely agree. I sold my 1976 C3 automatic a year ago and miss it dearly. Primitive yes, but raw and visceral and a smile every time I got behind the wheel.
My neighbor is the original owner of a '67 Stingray convertible, and it's beautiful. He took me for a ride once, and this car is so head-and-shoulders above any other car of that era in terms of fit, finish, ride quality and performance that I've ever ridden in that it's funny.
I once stepped out of a side exhaust corvette at autocross, and my leg touched the exhaust. 20 minutes later I had a blister the diameter of a tennis ball
THERE has never been a 3speed powerglide = it would be a turbo350 auto unit and a great swap all round wow what a fantastic vette always my favorite - auto or manual = Thank you .
At 8, in 68 I was floored by the design of the 68 Corvette with their hideaway wipers with their own door and space age look very exotic to my 8 yr old eyes
A little mechanical sympathy showing through there when you let out early on that freeway pull after hearing it break up. Always respecting the drive. :) Shame the carb set up wasn't quite right. I think you might have enjoyed the drive more. Red lines suit this era of cars well. But man they're getting expensive.
Superb, even though it is an auto. And that exhaust rumble rising to a crackle, then a howl..... sensory overload! Anyone who says 'Murica has never made a sports car has never heard of the C2 'Vette! Oh, and for the record, I have always preferred the single rear window.
This has got to be one of the best Corvettes made there are several cars that are very very Timeless this is one of them XKE Jaguar the Austin-Healey 3000 early model Shelby Cobra AC all are great and all our timeless this car fits in there
Small block is the more desirable driver's car. Mid-60s saw the dawn of the Porsche 911, Jaguar E-Type and Corvette Stingray. All very different cars with real charisma and unique characters. Good times to be a car enthusiast.
Brother had a '59 convertible. The trunk was a nice touch. The lines...pure beauty. Smile came to my face when I saw the ball door levers on this one. And that 327 sound!
Should be an M35 Powerglide, 2-speed. The headlight pods aren't vacuum operated. They are electric. I worked in Waltham MA for many years and I know exactly where you filmed lol. Fully independent rear suspension but still many people think it's a live axle for some reason. They handle well and ride well. Incredible cars. That's why I bought a '66 small block Corvette Coupe last year.
@@thud9797Um. Are you serious? 0:28 He says he thinks it should be a two speed powerglide. I reported the RPO code for the correct automatic transmission for this car, which is a two speed powerglide. I also reported it was a 2 speed in that same sentence. So, when he says he thinks it should be a 2 speed and I then confirm that this is true, that means we *agree* that the correct transmission is a 2 speed. That's how I am agreeing. It's because we are in agreement. The subject we agree on is the correct automatic transmission for this car. I agree with the conclusion he made, that the car should be a 2 speed. Get it yet?
@Tedward, you’re right. The C2 Corvettes would have had 2-speed Powerglides if an automatic was optioned. The 3-speed TH-350 and TH-400 became available in the C3 in 1968.
This is my personal opinion. As a kid I loved the look and sound of side pipes. When I bought my car, I couldn't wait to save up and install them. Then a friend bought a 1965 Corvette with the L76 and side pipes. After 20 minutes I was done. I couldn't stand the noise and rushed to get out. That resulted in the burnt leg.
Had a '64 vette that was easy to drive and cornered nicely. Hitting 70 or so and it seemed to hunker down and hug the road. Cross wind didn't seem to affect it. Looked a lot like this vette - but it had a four speed. Great car. Love the C2!
My brother in law has a 67 convertible 454 4-spd formerly owned by astronaut Dick Gordon. That bark of that big-block through the side pipes is remarkable!
My dad almost bought a '66 Vette. Darn. The sloppy steering is base on two factors. It has the standard recycling ball steering box (not the new variable ratio rack). Also, it likely has bias ply tires. Radials totally changed the steering response for the better! Very boss sound.
Yeah bias ply tires were terrible and Corvettes did not use them. They all had a unique special nylon cord tire good for a sustained 140 mph and used on almost no other car. Any tire you see today on a Corvette that says Sup-R-Belt or something similar is for some other car, not a Vette.
Absolutely love that automatic. One of few who does NOT like the '63 split window, I adore this specific car. For me, 1964-1967 is the way to go. '65 and '66 are my favorites. Could care less about exterior or interior colors. Fix that wind noise and it's a perfect fit for me.
Kinda crazy how they didn't have a rear hatch on these but still far more practical than a C1. These C2's have gotta be my favorite classic Corvettes. Would much rather have one of these than a C3 and it's something I could see myself driving more often than an C1. With that automatic I could see myself diving that around and not worry about traffic, nice cruiser setup.
I worked in a local, large Chevrolet parts department from 65 through May 68 and was pretty familiar with the offerings for the Corvette. I don't recall the basic three speed manual being offered during those years and never encountered a Corvette from 63 on equipped with one. The old two speed powerglide as far as I know was never offered with the 427 engine. The Powerglide may have been available in 65 or even as late as 67 but they would be rare. The much better three speed Turbohydromatic became available in about mid 65 and we only saw that automatic transmission option for the Corvette from that point on. Most that we sold were 4 speeds. If you wanted extreme performance you could special order the Corvette by parts number. We sold one while I was there. I don't recall the engine designation but it was a 427 with over 500 hp, special performance suspension and brakes, no power accessories of any kind, no radio and no heater. It was designed from the ground up for racing. It was a great collage job and I got to drive a lot of examples of C1, 2, and early 3 Corvettes.
All C-2 Corvettes had the 3-speed manual as the base transmission. There were no Turbohydromatic 3 speed autos, only the 2 speed Powerglide. In 67 you could get an automatic in up to the 400 hp car.
thanks for the tour and ride. Love a C2, would be a joy to drive one especially with a manual. Last April i bought my first Corvette, a 1999 C5 Hardtop. With only 18k miles, the interior still smells new. Other than smoked windows, its 100% bone stock just what i was looking for.
Looks and sounds really great! Sometimes i winder how much more fun some old cars would be with a modern gearbox. (nothing else, just better and more gearing. Would probably even increase the range significantly) Edit: the W123 Wagon at 14:05 ... I had one of those (without the turbo, so a NA 5cyl Diesel, 4speed manual) as my first car. Mine was silver.
An old boss of mine back in the mid 90s had a '67 Corvette with the L71. He apparently bought it off of someone right after getting back from Vietnam in like '73 or so and had the wherewithal to hang onto it. It was the light blue metallic of the day. Never got to ride in it, but he would drive it into work on nice days in the summer so we could gawk at it. The C2 body was always my favourite, still is to this day.
Sidepipes were a dealer installed option. Red line tires were the Cool Thing back then -- we had them on our 327/350 race modified 68 Camaro. 4 speed manuals rule.
Worked at a Chevy dealership from 65 through 68 and drove a number of Stingrays while I worked in parts. I do not recall any three speed manual transmissions offered in a stingray Corvettes. Turbohydromatics were offered beginning in 65 with the big block 396 engine only . The two speed power glide was the only automatic available in 63.
The 3-speed manual was the standard transmission on the Corvette from 1955 thru 1969. Originally it was available with any engine even the high performance engines but by the mid-60's it was relegated to the base 300hp small block only. It was never available with a big block in the Corvette although with other Chevrolet models it was. For 1970, the 3-speed was dropped and the M20 wide ratio 4-speed Muncie was made the standard transmission. The first year for the Turbohydramatic transmission in a Corvette was delayed until 1968 as Chevrolet waited for the C3 redesign before offering it in the Vette. It was available with the base 327/300, the 427/390 or the 427/400. It was not available on any solid lifter big block until 1969 and no automatic transmission was ever available with the 327/350 or 350/350 in the Corvette. Seems crazy that you could get a 427 with a powerglide in the Vette but it is true however only the hydraulic lifter engines, the 390hp or 400hp. All solid lifter big blocks starting with the 396 in 1965 required a 4-speed manual until 1969. For 1969 a special high upshift version was used behind the solid lifter and L88 engines and that was the best Turbo 400 that GM ever built. Used in Vettes in 1969 then again in 1971 on the LS6 and that was it. Last use of the Turbo 400 was in 77 on the L82, then all were Turbo 350.
You can thank Bill Mitchell for the C2's shape . He fell in love with it . Based on the 59 Stingray race car XP87 . It was supposed to be a reverse foil and suck the car to the ground . It did not and actually got light in the front at high speed . I recommend you read Corvette From the Inside by Corvette Chief engineer 74-92 Dave McLellan. Lots of good info on all this stuff including Zora's time as chief engineer . Things like the first Corvettes were actual supposed be build using metal not fiberglass . The early 50's models had terrible fit and finish issues . It was cost and time constraints that dictated fiberglass not weight savings .
Still blows my mind, that these old cars had ZERO head restraint on the seats!! I mean, it doesn't take crazy advanced technology to make the seatback a little taller so your head doesn't snap off if you get hit from behind!!
And to keep your neck from whiplash, if you happen to have your ripple wall slicks on, with very low tire pressure, and you launched the L-88 too hard, when your slick’s hooked up quick.
They became optional in 66 but almost no one ordered the option. There might have been some federal intervention because headrests became a required option in 69 and all Corvettes had them. For 70 the seats were redesigned with integrated headrests so they all had them from 70 on.
My friend's dad had a red 67 convertible with the 4 speed synchromesh manual and a 427 and original knockoff wheels. Apparently they only made a few of them. All stock and flawless condition, but cammed out and lots of power. Looked completely original inside and out andnunder and in the hood, etc. He let me drive it in high school and I damn near ended myself!
I had a '69 427 with factory side pipes, and it also had frame holes for the standard rear exhausts. The pipes were metal, but the covers were chromed fiberglass except at the front and rear, which were chromed metal. Tires were awful 2-ply bias nylons picked by Zora Arkus Duntov for a 150mph top speed. The car never handled well until BFG came out with their Radial TAs, which transformed the car into what it always should have been in terms of handling.
One of the more oddly optioned C2 's I ever saw, was a '67 convertible in dark metallic green with black stripe, black top and interior, 427 tri-power, posi-traction, side-pipes, and a powerglide.
All the midyears 63-67 had the openings in the frame cross brace for the standard out the rear exhaust. Side pipes could be ordered for delivers past serial numbers 15000 in 1965. Information is from a Master level NCRS judge who owned a 65 Duntov award. The second one is a quasi-resto mod with nearly every option. Very honest Not sure you could get a three-speed auto without it being from a c-4 or newer.
The reason they did away with the split rear window was because it reduced rear visibility pretty badly. The window sloped pretty much and it wasn't great seeing out the back even without the post in the center.
In 1968 I owned a 67 white Corvette with a blue top. I bought it slightly used with about 8,000 miles. It had 0 (zero) options. That means, no radio...nothing..It was a 3-speed manual with a 300hp 327 engine. I sold it after about a year and have wondered since then if I still had it would it be worth a premium price because a Corvette with no options is very rare?
Feels like some ball joint in the steering need caring! If i remember well the C2 has a steering box not rack. If youve got play on any balljoint in the linkages after the box it behaves like what you experienced.
With the auto it appears to be like driving a stiffly sprung 1967 Chrysler Imperial but nowadays anything from 1967 that is still around is going to be sought after by someone and should be respected.
In my eyes, the C2 is the most beautiful car ever made. Absolute timeless perfection.
Agreed
best looking corvette
Possibly. C6 and C2 I think are the best looking cars ever made imo
Totally agree tbe C2 is top five on most beautiful cars
Yes, C2 Corvettes are gorgeous! Honorable mention to the Jaguar E type as a close 2nd.
Now we must find a generous C5/C6 donor who’d let Tedward drive it, just for science
it's a shame no car reviewers are near me (arkansas) afaik, would be cool to see a video done with my c6
You can take mine Tedward, if you're around PA sometime. Mint C5 Z06
For science, he could drive my 2008 C6. He won't find it boring. It's a 6 speed manual, with uh, 505 hp. Bought it 22 months ago with just 6,008 miles. The Z06 is my favorite out of 6 Corvettes that I have purchased.
I have always totally loved the dashboard of the C2 Corvettes. Beautiful!
@@steveowens913 has it had the heads done yet? that'd be my only worry with a C6Z
This is the best style corvette ever created, interior , exterior . A total work of art. Classic yet Modern.
I like the split window 63
@@KB-ke3fi Yes, 63 is exactly the Same Body as the 67. Except for the separation in the back window.
Zora didn't like the C2. He once said "it has the lift of a bad airplane." The only Corvette he purchased with his own money? A 74 C3 that's on display at the Corvette museum in Bowling Green
I will never get tired of the sound of a small block Chevy or actually any V8 through side pipes! But even the little things like the headlight switch and doors opening and closing sound great! Thanks Mr. Tedward!
Its always a treat seeing these beautiful classics still up and running. Definitely my favorite content on this channel.
Wow, that brings back memories. My dad owned a large autobody shop in Boston in the '60s. Dad owned a '68 Shelby GT500 and his painters brother had a '67 vette 427 tri-power 435hp with side pipes and a 4 speed. They agreed to trade cars one weekend. The Vette was an absolute beast. Without any modern traction controls and bias ply tires, you were guaranteed a trip off the road if you tried to launch it too hard.
To my eyes and mind, still more desirable and beautiful than the C8. This car has the heart of Zora Duntov in it.
Zora didn't like the C2 at all. His comment, "it has just enough lift to be a bad airplane." Zora actually bought a Corvette with his own money. It's on display at the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green. It's a 74 C3.
Very much agreed. 👍👍
A very nice review! I used to own one with the 327 L79 option. All 63-67s that came with an automatic would have been the venerable 2 speed Powerglide. Even if one ordered the 390hp 427.
The TH400 3 speed automatic transmission were used from 68-74. After that year GM was trying to save weight and went to the TH350.
Oh and regarding the side exhaust, there was only one chassis for the Corvette so the holes for the standard exhaust were there even if one did order the side pipes.
The sound alone is enough to go for the L-79 option. I had a 67 Corvette years ago which I bought slightly used in 1968, and traded it after a year or so for an El Camino. Very dumb move on my part. My 67 was rare, but not in a good way. It had zero factory options. This means it was a 3-speed manual transmission, 300hp 327 with no radio....no options, period. This had to be rare, and I wonder if I had kept it if it would it today be worth more because so few were made, or a lot less due to the absence of desirable options. I still enjoyed the car...a lot.........especially on the trip to Key West I took in 1968......
@@robertstancliffsr9575that is indeed an interesting thought. i’d wager it’d be worth more, especially with the decline in manual transmissions within the past few decades!
Lovely Tedward, my Dad had a 67 427 Corvette and these cars are just an incredible driving experience. There's nothing else like it.
60s and 70s corvettes are the most underrated drivers cars in the world. Period
Absolutely agree. I sold my 1976 C3 automatic a year ago and miss it dearly. Primitive yes, but raw and visceral and a smile every time I got behind the wheel.
One of the best known generations of Corvettes especially the 1963 SWC
Analog gauges are so satisfying
I have an 82 c3, it gets a ton of looks and comments but the c2 are a work of art.
My condolences. 😂
My neighbor is the original owner of a '67 Stingray convertible, and it's beautiful. He took me for a ride once, and this car is so head-and-shoulders above any other car of that era in terms of fit, finish, ride quality and performance that I've ever ridden in that it's funny.
I once stepped out of a side exhaust corvette at autocross, and my leg touched the exhaust. 20 minutes later I had a blister the diameter of a tennis ball
Bought one new in 67. One of the best cars ever made in every way. It really had everything and probably still does now 47 years later .
I love the way the door goes all the way up to the roof of the car. Reminds me of a Ford GT.
Haha i say this!
@TedwardDrives Hey I am new to the channel. I looked and you are right about the transmission it should have a 2-speed Powerglide in it.
Gorgeous! When I was a small kid my neighbor across the street had a black '67 convertible with side pipes. I think it's what made me a "car guy."
THERE has never been a 3speed powerglide = it would be a turbo350 auto unit and a great swap all round wow what a fantastic vette always my favorite - auto or manual = Thank you .
It was fun comparing this Corvette to my `67 E-Type.
At 8, in 68 I was floored by the design of the 68 Corvette with their hideaway wipers with their own door and space age look very exotic to my 8 yr old eyes
The burble of a Detroit V8 takes me to my happy place.
I’m not a Vette guy but the C2 is one of the most beautiful cars ever made, especially the ‘63 SWCs.
A little mechanical sympathy showing through there when you let out early on that freeway pull after hearing it break up. Always respecting the drive. :)
Shame the carb set up wasn't quite right. I think you might have enjoyed the drive more.
Red lines suit this era of cars well. But man they're getting expensive.
Superb, even though it is an auto. And that exhaust rumble rising to a crackle, then a howl..... sensory overload!
Anyone who says 'Murica has never made a sports car has never heard of the C2 'Vette!
Oh, and for the record, I have always preferred the single rear window.
This has got to be one of the best Corvettes made there are several cars that are very very Timeless this is one of them XKE Jaguar the Austin-Healey 3000 early model Shelby Cobra AC all are great and all our timeless this car fits in there
Love how old cars steering wheels have a touch of play in it.
Oh man, what a legend! The car is also great 😁
Aw!!
the right side door mirror was a dealer option , I added one to mine > love it . just make sure you order the right side mirror not the left side
I love the c2 is classic and beautiful
C6,C7 are amazing too
Small block is the more desirable driver's car. Mid-60s saw the dawn of the Porsche 911, Jaguar E-Type and Corvette Stingray. All very different cars with real charisma and unique characters. Good times to be a car enthusiast.
Brother had a '59 convertible. The trunk was a nice touch. The lines...pure beauty. Smile came to my face when I saw the ball door levers on this one. And that 327 sound!
My favorite engine sound comes from the L-79 327/350 h.P. engine..It was an option in the Corvette and several other Chevrolet models.......
That car looks and sounds amazing. Id take a silver one with a manual any day.
Should be an M35 Powerglide, 2-speed.
The headlight pods aren't vacuum operated. They are electric.
I worked in Waltham MA for many years and I know exactly where you filmed lol.
Fully independent rear suspension but still many people think it's a live axle for some reason. They handle well and ride well.
Incredible cars. That's why I bought a '66 small block Corvette Coupe last year.
It should be 2speed but it isn’t. You can count the gears 1,2,3.
@@TedwardDrives dude I was agreeing with you there.
@@bbb462cid
How are you agreeing, he says it has 3 gears and power glide is 2.
@@thud9797Um. Are you serious?
0:28 He says he thinks it should be a two speed powerglide. I reported the RPO code for the correct automatic transmission for this car, which is a two speed powerglide. I also reported it was a 2 speed in that same sentence. So, when he says he thinks it should be a 2 speed and I then confirm that this is true, that means we *agree* that the correct transmission is a 2 speed. That's how I am agreeing. It's because we are in agreement. The subject we agree on is the correct automatic transmission for this car. I agree with the conclusion he made, that the car should be a 2 speed. Get it yet?
@@bbb462cid
I'm reading his comment where he says it should.be a powerglide but it isn't and you can count the 1-2-3. That's what I responded to.
@Tedward, you’re right. The C2 Corvettes would have had 2-speed Powerglides if an automatic was optioned. The 3-speed TH-350 and TH-400 became available in the C3 in 1968.
No Turbo 350 in any Corvette until 76 and then only on L48, the L82 kept the Turbo 400 thru 77.
Best vette they ever made and best year for it as well imo! 67' was an amazing yr for so many cars!!
I've never saw a test driving of this Corvette and I thank you for that.
This is my personal opinion.
As a kid I loved the look and sound of side pipes. When I bought my car, I couldn't wait to save up and install them.
Then a friend bought a 1965 Corvette with the L76 and side pipes. After 20 minutes I was done. I couldn't stand the noise and rushed to get out. That resulted in the burnt leg.
My father had a ‘63 split 4 speed. I was little and would ride in the back. Great that my dad was a great driver
Had a '64 vette that was easy to drive and cornered nicely. Hitting 70 or so and it seemed to hunker down and hug the road. Cross wind didn't seem to affect it. Looked a lot like this vette - but it had a four speed. Great car. Love the C2!
My brother in law has a 67 convertible 454 4-spd formerly owned by astronaut Dick Gordon. That bark of that big-block through the side pipes is remarkable!
My dad almost bought a '66 Vette. Darn. The sloppy steering is base on two factors. It has the standard recycling ball steering box (not the new variable ratio rack). Also, it likely has bias ply tires. Radials totally changed the steering response for the better! Very boss sound.
Yeah bias ply tires were terrible and Corvettes did not use them. They all had a unique special nylon cord tire good for a sustained 140 mph and used on almost no other car. Any tire you see today on a Corvette that says Sup-R-Belt or something similar is for some other car, not a Vette.
Absolutely love that automatic. One of few who does NOT like the '63 split window, I adore this specific car. For me, 1964-1967 is the way to go. '65 and '66 are my favorites. Could care less about exterior or interior colors. Fix that wind noise and it's a perfect fit for me.
hearing the wind when you got on the freeway reminded me of my old e46 I bought either the windows ducktaped at the top (broken window regulators)
Kinda crazy how they didn't have a rear hatch on these but still far more practical than a C1. These C2's have gotta be my favorite classic Corvettes. Would much rather have one of these than a C3 and it's something I could see myself driving more often than an C1. With that automatic I could see myself diving that around and not worry about traffic, nice cruiser setup.
Just got my engine back from the machine shop, 327/350, can’t wait to drop it in my 63 with side pipes
You drive all the cars I dream about, keel it up! Great content
I worked in a local, large Chevrolet parts department from 65 through May 68 and was pretty familiar with the offerings for the Corvette. I don't recall the basic three speed manual being offered during those years and never encountered a Corvette from 63 on equipped with one. The old two speed powerglide as far as I know was never offered with the 427 engine. The Powerglide may have been available in 65 or even as late as 67 but they would be rare. The much better three speed Turbohydromatic became available in about mid 65 and we only saw that automatic transmission option for the Corvette from that point on. Most that we sold were 4 speeds. If you wanted extreme performance you could special order the Corvette by parts number. We sold one while I was there. I don't recall the engine designation but it was a 427 with over 500 hp, special performance suspension and brakes, no power accessories of any kind, no radio and no heater. It was designed from the ground up for racing. It was a great collage job and I got to drive a lot of examples of C1, 2, and early 3 Corvettes.
All C-2 Corvettes had the 3-speed manual as the base transmission. There were no Turbohydromatic 3 speed autos, only the 2 speed Powerglide. In 67 you could get an automatic in up to the 400 hp car.
This car was made when Men were Men , and women wish they were. What a beauty. My favorite. I own a C6 with the big window, because of this ❤
Everyone loves a big clock
🥸
Size matters! 🍌
thanks for the tour and ride. Love a C2, would be a joy to drive one especially with a manual. Last April i bought my first Corvette, a 1999 C5 Hardtop. With only 18k miles, the interior still smells new. Other than smoked windows, its 100% bone stock just what i was looking for.
Looks and sounds really great! Sometimes i winder how much more fun some old cars would be with a modern gearbox. (nothing else, just better and more gearing. Would probably even increase the range significantly)
Edit: the W123 Wagon at 14:05 ... I had one of those (without the turbo, so a NA 5cyl Diesel, 4speed manual) as my first car. Mine was silver.
That sound is just sooooo sweeeeet! I actually like the small block sound rather than the big block.
An old boss of mine back in the mid 90s had a '67 Corvette with the L71. He apparently bought it off of someone right after getting back from Vietnam in like '73 or so and had the wherewithal to hang onto it. It was the light blue metallic of the day. Never got to ride in it, but he would drive it into work on nice days in the summer so we could gawk at it. The C2 body was always my favourite, still is to this day.
My favorite big block.
I wish we had more American classics in Italy
I sold my black on black C3 Corvette to an Italian buyer a year ago. I'm in Los angeles.
@@sprezzatura8755 That's good to hear, I hope he's treating it well and driving it like he should
thing sounds like a beast! Great video man :)
Sidepipes were a dealer installed option. Red line tires were the Cool Thing back then -- we had them on our 327/350 race modified 68 Camaro. 4 speed manuals rule.
Side pipes were a factory option starting with the '65 model year. I worked at the Chevy assembly plant from '61 through '66 and saw lots of them.
The recirculating ball steering in it is the truck feel you speak of in feedback. There is updates available.
Worked at a Chevy dealership from 65 through 68 and drove a number of Stingrays while I worked in parts. I do not recall any three speed manual transmissions offered in a stingray Corvettes. Turbohydromatics were offered beginning in 65 with the big block 396 engine only . The two speed power glide was the only automatic available in 63.
The 3-speed manual was the standard transmission on the Corvette from 1955 thru 1969. Originally it was available with any engine even the high performance engines but by the mid-60's it was relegated to the base 300hp small block only. It was never available with a big block in the Corvette although with other Chevrolet models it was. For 1970, the 3-speed was dropped and the M20 wide ratio 4-speed Muncie was made the standard transmission.
The first year for the Turbohydramatic transmission in a Corvette was delayed until 1968 as Chevrolet waited for the C3 redesign before offering it in the Vette. It was available with the base 327/300, the 427/390 or the 427/400. It was not available on any solid lifter big block until 1969 and no automatic transmission was ever available with the 327/350 or 350/350 in the Corvette. Seems crazy that you could get a 427 with a powerglide in the Vette but it is true however only the hydraulic lifter engines, the 390hp or 400hp. All solid lifter big blocks starting with the 396 in 1965 required a 4-speed manual until 1969. For 1969 a special high upshift version was used behind the solid lifter and L88 engines and that was the best Turbo 400 that GM ever built. Used in Vettes in 1969 then again in 1971 on the LS6 and that was it. Last use of the Turbo 400 was in 77 on the L82, then all were Turbo 350.
Thank you for sharing. Overdrive is a must
Love love a classic corvette !
You can thank Bill Mitchell for the C2's shape . He fell in love with it . Based on the 59 Stingray race car XP87 . It was supposed to be a reverse foil and suck the car to the ground . It did not and actually got light in the front at high speed .
I recommend you read Corvette From the Inside by Corvette Chief engineer 74-92 Dave McLellan. Lots of good info on all this stuff including Zora's time as chief engineer .
Things like the first Corvettes were actual supposed be build using metal not fiberglass . The early 50's models had terrible fit and finish issues . It was cost and time constraints that dictated fiberglass not weight savings .
Still blows my mind, that these old cars had ZERO head restraint on the seats!! I mean, it doesn't take crazy advanced technology to make the seatback a little taller so your head doesn't snap off if you get hit from behind!!
And to keep your neck from whiplash, if you happen to have your ripple wall slicks on, with very low tire pressure, and you launched the L-88 too hard, when your slick’s hooked up quick.
They became optional in 66 but almost no one ordered the option. There might have been some federal intervention because headrests became a required option in 69 and all Corvettes had them. For 70 the seats were redesigned with integrated headrests so they all had them from 70 on.
what a gorgeous car!!!!
My friend's dad had a red 67 convertible with the 4 speed synchromesh manual and a 427 and original knockoff wheels. Apparently they only made a few of them. All stock and flawless condition, but cammed out and lots of power. Looked completely original inside and out andnunder and in the hood, etc.
He let me drive it in high school and I damn near ended myself!
Awesome cars from back in the day!
Beautiful sound.
My dream car. But in tuxedo black, with the Marlboro red stinger hood.
I had a '69 427 with factory side pipes, and it also had frame holes for the standard rear exhausts. The pipes were metal, but the covers were chromed fiberglass except at the front and rear, which were chromed metal. Tires were awful 2-ply bias nylons picked by Zora Arkus Duntov for a 150mph top speed. The car never handled well until BFG came out with their Radial TAs, which transformed the car into what it always should have been in terms of handling.
im in the wrong era. what a beauty.
The coolest car ever made.
Holy have I been waiting for this video!! I was literally just watched videos of old 60s corvettes, then you upload this. Anyways, almost first 😅
One of the more oddly optioned C2 's I ever saw, was a '67 convertible in dark metallic green with black stripe, black top and interior, 427 tri-power, posi-traction, side-pipes, and a powerglide.
Goodwood Green. but the power glide is strange.
Ted!!!!!! My dream car.
All the midyears 63-67 had the openings in the frame cross brace for the standard out the rear exhaust. Side pipes could be ordered for delivers past serial numbers 15000 in 1965. Information is from a Master level NCRS judge who owned a 65 Duntov award. The second one is a quasi-resto mod with nearly every option. Very honest Not sure you could get a three-speed auto without it being from a c-4 or newer.
The reason they did away with the split rear window was because it reduced rear visibility pretty badly. The window sloped pretty much and it wasn't great seeing out the back even without the post in the center.
In 1968 I owned a 67 white Corvette with a blue top. I bought it slightly used with about 8,000 miles. It had 0 (zero) options. That means, no radio...nothing..It was a 3-speed manual with a 300hp 327 engine. I sold it after about a year and have wondered since then if I still had it would it be worth a premium price because a Corvette with no options is very rare?
Remember when it was so cool to add that third taillight on each side.
Feels like some ball joint in the steering need caring! If i remember well the C2 has a steering box not rack. If youve got play on any balljoint in the linkages after the box it behaves like what you experienced.
Definitely a nice looking Corvette. Looks more European in styling (exterior and interior).
That was one nice 300TD parked at bond group
those speedo and rev tacks need some help haha great classic though
Beautiful car
Beautiful c2 corvette
The headlights are operated by electric motors, not vacuum. C3 were vacuum controlled
With the auto it appears to be like driving a stiffly sprung 1967 Chrysler Imperial but nowadays anything from 1967 that is still around is going to be sought after by someone and should be respected.
10:48 can a Corvette specialist tell us why the car was probably misfiring? Ignition timing not quite right?
This car would have had a points-style ignition setup in the distributor. The points may be worn or setup incorrectly.
Sounds mega!
A 327 driving through a TWO SPEED transmission. Unbelievable!
i love your videos
There was a fast steer adjustment on these--it seems as if this example could use that!
turbo 400 came out in 67 in the vette i had one in my 68 with a 327
Cop: "I caught you doing 50 80 60 70 80 50 60 80 in a 30mph zone!"
Cette voiture est un chef d’œuvre.
The 3 speed tranny really improves drivability,.
Headlights are not vacuum operated. They each have their own electric motor.
To this old man’s eyes, the original stingray will always be the best looking Corvette. I don’t like the new ones.
Love all your videos of the ol girls
So much ‘Merica!
Some of the people who have C2 resto-mods delete the vacuum headlights and go for the Grandsport / Trans am style
A good option is installing electric motors. I’m planning on that route for my c3. I love the retro pop up lights but the vacuum system is a mess
All 63-67 Corvettes were built with electric motors for the headlamp doors. The 68-82 (C3) came with the vacuum system for the headlamps.