Corvettes? - Page 7 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

lutzTD · #91 11-18-2010, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulC

1958 was a big step back, with the quad headlights, faux louvers on the hood and chrome spears on the trunklid. 1958 was a pretty nasty year for GM automobiles.

I love it. that is exactly how mine will look when its done other than the tail lights. My 62 was one of the absolute worst driving cars I have ever been in. manual adjust drums and a suspension that was basically borrowed from the late 50's Belair. what a turd.

PaulC · #92 11-18-2010, 01:50 PM

The '62 is a LOT cleaner than the '58. No C-shaped cove trim, smoother hood, a more subtle grille, body colored headlight surrounds, the stingray tail...

Skid Row Joe · #93 11-18-2010, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryBible

I agree! Free enterprise is free enterprise. GM and Chrysler should have been left to live or die on their own merit.

One of the things that pops in my mind is that Hitler took over the auto industry also.

Correct.

All this unions and welfare stuff was invented and implemented by the Germans, Marxists, Russians, and now the pan-Leninists. Guaranteed jobs and free welfare and government programs sounds like a good idea, especially to the liberals, but it doesn't work. The more it doesn't work, the more the liberals think it will work.

Skid Row Joe · #94 11-18-2010, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryBible

I LOVE the 57's from a styling stand point. From a technical stand point, however, it doesn't hold a candle to a modern Vette.

The abysmal handling characteristics, low build quality, low mpg, and high maintenance costs of most older Corvettes disqualify them from my want list.

Unless dealing in them for a profit, I wouldn't fool with anything older than 5-years by owning one. And you've got to go way back to the earlier C3s to get to the profit centered ones. Eerily similar to SLs......

Skid Row Joe · #95 11-18-2010, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Of course not.

Too bad you can't have the 57 looks with todays technology and keep it simple to work on.

If you would be willing to re-engineer everything not visible from the outside on one, then yes, you can bring them into the 21st Century.

Similarly, a re-engineered and re-made '57 Chevy Bel Air to me are the way to go as well. The trick is to find one where the owners have spent up to $60K or more on one, for $35K or so. I have seen at least one such car as I described at a weekly informal car show in Omaha. - Fuelly 350 powered, with most everything re-engineered EVERYTHING, and 100% reliable and performancewise 21st Century, pristine daily drivers.

Hatterasguy · #96 11-18-2010, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C280 Sport

Im surprised you think that. The new ZR1's interior I think is a joke. Looks cheap For the price your paying you get the same sterring wheel as a Pontiac G6. The buttons looks cheap. The carbon fiber looks like crap.

http://reviews.carreview.com/files/2008/08/2009_chevrolet_corvette_zr1_interior.jpg

I mean there it is...For that type of money your paying alot and only getting performance. There is much more to a car then going fast...In todays world most cars are capable of going fast. lol

If a pretty interior is important you can spend another $200k-$300k to get an SLR, or a Ferrari 612. But the F car will be a bit slower since its down over 100hp, and it also has less brake so it won't be able to dive as deep into the corners.

But the ZR1 is a very well engineered car its more than just a motor. The brakes are the exact same ones they use on the Enzo, it has those magnetic shocks GM developed that everyone else is using now, the aluminum frame is very impressive, and GM is now using carbon fiber extensively in the body panels. The roof is carbon fiber in an effort to lower the center of gravity as much as possible, you can also get it unpainted with just a clear coat to lower it even more. That's German level of obsession with weight distribution!

It has more in common construction wise with a modern Lotus than a 1980's Corvette.

If an interior is important than by all means spend more money, but to save $200k+ I'm more than willing to live with a G6 steering wheel, the rest of the car is just as good.

I'm quite happy that GM can offer such a car for $100k, and that its American so we can stick it to the Europeans again.

t walgamuth · #97 11-18-2010, 05:04 PM

Have you ever driven a Ferrari?

I suspect if you drove both you might see some additional benefits besides the quality of the interior.

aklim · #98 11-18-2010, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

If you would be willing to re-engineer everything not visible from the outside on one, then yes, you can bring them into the 21st Century.

Similarly, a re-engineered and re-made '57 Chevy Bel Air to me are the way to go as well. The trick is to find one where the owners have spent up to $60K or more on one, for $35K or so. I have seen at least one such car as I described at a weekly informal car show in Omaha. - Fuelly 350 powered, with most everything re-engineered EVERYTHING, and 100% reliable and performancewise 21st Century, pristine daily drivers.

Remember, he wants it simple to work on too. Probably would want it cheap too. Since we are on fantasy land, I want world peace too. If you make it simple enough for the old timers to work on, it could be cheap. HOWEVER, I doubt you can get 21 Century engineering to go with that.

TylerH860 · #99 11-18-2010, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Have you ever driven a Ferrari?

I suspect if you drove both you might see some additional benefits besides the quality of the interior.

Agreed. Interiors are VERY important. If it feels cheap sitting in the driver's seat that's going to translate to the rest of the car.

I've sold Corevettes new at a dealer, and that was the number 1 gripe compared to the other high end performance Marque. You could put them in a Cobalt SS and the interior would look the same.

Even the interior of my 94 Buick looks better.

If you are using carbon fiber and aluminum all over the car, why use plastic look-alikes in the interior?

TylerH860 · #**100** 11-18-2010, 06:30 PM

On a related note, I was at the dealer today picking up my father and was totally taken back by the new Jaguar interiors. They were nice before, but now they're at a whole new level.

http://www.greencarreports.com/image/100230270_2011-jaguar-xjl-supercharged-neiman-marcus-edition

Skid Row Joe · #**101** 11-18-2010, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Remember, he wants it simple to work on too. Probably would want it cheap too. Since we are on fantasy land, I want world peace too. If you make it simple enough for the old timers to work on, it could be cheap. HOWEVER, I doubt you can get 21 Century engineering to go with that.

With a fuelly 350, you wouldn't need to work on it. I'm more into enjoying a vehicle by showing and driving it, than anything else.

aklim · #**102** 11-18-2010, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

If you are using carbon fiber and aluminum all over the car, why use plastic look-alikes in the interior?

How much more of a cost are you willing to absorb to get that better interior? Are you willing to pay more for it? The problem is that you have people that want a 1st class interior but are unwilling to pay for it.

Lets say I gave you 2 choices. Take this car as is or pay another $20K for a more opulent interior. You might do it but how many people would? Lets also say you bought it for an extra $20K. What happens when you sell it? Would the next person be willing to pay more for an older car?

Concerning my 91 Vette and assuming I didn't do any mods to it. My "good" trade in value is 6200, PP is 7500 (good) and retail is 9500 (excellent). How much more would you pay for my car for a more opulent interior?

aklim · #**103** 11-18-2010, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

With a fuelly 350, you wouldn't need to work on it. I'm more into enjoying a vehicle by showing and driving it, than anything else.

Everything breaks eventually, sensors go out, problems arise. Also I get bored and want to slap something in to make it go a little quicker.

I like driving the vehicle. I can't say I have ever shown my car. In fact, the wife's girlfriend is the only one besides my adopted parents that have ever sat in any of our cars. I certainly don't let anyone besides the wife drive the Vette. I have put too much blood, sweat and tears into getting it somewhat the way I want to allow anyone else to "oops" it.

Skid Row Joe · #**104** 11-18-2010, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Everything breaks eventually, sensors go out, problems arise. Also I get bored and want to slap something in to make it go a little quicker.

I like driving the vehicle. I can't say I have ever shown my car. In fact, the wife's girlfriend is the only one besides my adopted parents that have ever sat in any of our cars. I certainly don't let anyone besides the wife drive the Vette. I have put too much blood, sweat and tears into getting it somewhat the way I want to allow anyone else to "oops" it.

By showing a car, I mean mainly by when you go driving it - jusy enjoying the heck out of it, and taking pride in it's appearance.....

And every once in a while - someone wants to talk about your car when you're fueling up or getting in/out of it at church/school/health club/police station - ya know, the usual.

powerpig · #**105** 11-18-2010, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Have you ever driven a Ferrari?

I suspect if you drove both you might see some additional benefits besides the quality of the interior.

I had the interior if my vette totally redone for big bucks. Still ran like crap. Had the Ferrari interior redone, doesn't run any better, but I don't think it can. Car has always run well. The interior on my Maserati is probably the best I've had, but it's made by Ferrari.