73-82 Vs 53-72?

[73BB]

I get the feeling that any Vette other than a chrome bumper car (front and rear) is less of a Vette to some people.

I like all Corvettes and I am curious as to the honest opinions of the people whom mean the most in the hobby... YOU!

I know that the rubber bumper fans have valid opinions on this topic, deservingly so, but I would like to know what the experienced group thinks about it - the people that own the 53-72 Corvettes.

Humor me, if you will.

Thank you all.

 

[ChuckG]

I think the reason is simply that after 72....you could argue 73 or 74, the Corvette performance image dropped. GM started to smog the engines, catalytic converters were added, performance dropped dramatically, and the Corvettes of that era were more "boulevard luxury cruisers" than performance cars. To be fair, all of the American cars of that era were in the same boat performance-wise. There were no optional engines available, etc. So, I think it's more than simply the chrome vs. rubber issue. There is no question that the style/beauty of the shark body style continued through 1982. Chuck

 

[Yoda]

I get the feeling that any Vette other than a chrome bumper car (front and rear) is less of a Vette to some people.

I like all Corvettes and I am curious as to the honest opinions of the people whom mean the most in the hobby... YOU!

I know that the rubber bumper fans have valid opinions on this topic, deservingly so, but I would like to know what the experienced group thinks about it - the people that own the 53-72 Corvettes.

Humor me, if you will.

Thank you all.

Hmmm how to attack, ooops I mean answer these questions
I no longer own a bumper car (53 ~ 73), but will throw my $1.25 in anyway

The performance issue raised by Chuck are vaild considerations. Each generation of the Marque has it's drum beaters and it's nay sayers. There are Corvette Owners that believe the Corvette Died after 1962.. straight axle die hards.
The Midyear group claim Zora brought the Corvette world recognition with his Racing, and the Midyear was is sled of choice, with independent suspension, disc brakes, wild hp from small blocks and big blocks.
Bill Mitchell with help from Zora brought the styling of the Shark to the market. The Shark style was the longest chassis run of any generation Corvette.

Of all the Corvettes I've owned.. I would like to have my 67 yellow roadster back, and my 1984 Z51 D/N-4/3 back.
I would add a '58 fuelie, a 71 LT1, a 96 Grand Sport Convert Bleeder and a 2003 Z06 to my collection

Back to the question... The refinements in the suspension in 1980 and that new air dam and rear bumper spoiler to me was the finishing touch completing the .. "The Shark Generation." Making a complete ground up redesign of the Corvette became the most logical step for the C4.

I've owned these cars long enough to remember when they weren't call C+1,2,3,4,5.. Coke Bottles, MidYears, Straight Axles :L and a few other names :L

I've rambled on and haven't answered a thing, but you have my opinion now :L :L :L

BudD

 

[Eric]

I personally love chrome bumpers but I really dig the 78-82 Sharks too for the fastback styling. When I first went shopping those were my ranges and I eventually narrowed it down to chrome only. I would, however, love to have an 82 CE parked next to the 71! Or maybe a 96... or maybe a 99 FRC... ahh the dreams.

 

[Tom73]

I think the reason is simply that after 72....you could argue 73 or 74, the Corvette performance image dropped. GM started to smog the engines, catalytic converters were added, performance dropped dramatically, and the Corvettes of that era were more "boulevard luxury cruisers" than performance cars.

Take a closer look, the real smoging did not start until '75. The 73/74 equal or better the performance of the '72. The 73/74 L82 was down only 5 hp from the LT1 of 72 and the 454 in 73 had more HP then the 454 of 72. To me, the '74 was the last of the Vette performance. Its L82's 250 hp was not exceded by any chevy small block after that until the all new LT1 came out in '93. It was not beat for 19 years!!

So smoging started for real in 75 (but they had been getting ready for it since 71 with the drop in compression). Rubber bumpers on both ends started in 74. Some people don't like the looks of the rubber bumpers and tie that into the smog engines and you have a huge loss of image.

Personaly I like the rubber front bumper but not the rubber rear, so that is why I am a fan of the '73. Here is a quote from Illustrated Corvette Buyer's Guide by Michael Antonick: "Larry Shinoda, the famous Corvette designer, once commented in an interview that the 1973 was his favorite of the post-1967 era because the front and rear styling were closest to what the stylists originally had in mind when this series was first designed."

Yea 73's

tom...

 

[Greekman]

I think alot of people buy a model year Corvette that takes them back to a positive eariler time in their lives that they still want to re-live. Our first car out of High School, The Navy or even maybe a divorce?

I have had a '67, '76 and now a '79. No special times associated with these dates however would like someday to have a '62 which was the first Corvette I ever saw. It was my Dad's and I was only 11 years old. I think that first Corvette was what got me into this hobby and lifestyle.

I love all Corvettes and which I could have one for each year made!

Just some thoughts.

.

 

[fc3]

Which is more beautiful? A blonde or a brunette? :argue

 

[73BB]

This has been interesting and informative - Thank you.

 

[basilio]

73-82 vs. 53-72?

The 1974 454 (big block) combined the last true high performance Corvette (no other Corvette had more horsepower until the ZR-1 of 1990) with the first year of the suspension modifications of the Gymkhana. This combines the power of the earlier vehivles with the superior handling of the latter ones. By the way, lets not forget that the ZR-1 has more horsepower than any L98 or LT1.

I like the more modern seamless look of the urethane bumpers of the '74 without the black bumperettes of the '75-'79. The persons that like the chrome on their bumpers are into nostalgia and that it fine. Modern vehicles just look cleaner without the chrome. The '74 big block is the pick of the crop according Hemming's.

 

[Dave L.]

78-82 gets my vote!!

I am partial to the 78-82 body style with the 80-82 my absolute favorite.These cars are easy to work on compared to C4 and later and the styling to me is very eye catching.

Dave

 

[Corvettes White]

Confession of a chrome bumper snob.

I use to think that those Corvettes built latter than ’72 were not quite as good as the earlier ones. Well one day we bought a ’79. Now I know better. Each has its strengths and its shortcomings. Heck in 1954 all you could get was an inline 6. The point? Do the homework and pick what you like. Then enjoy it. If you have money all the better, get more than one!!

George

 

[Red73BB]

73BB, I agree with you I like all Corvettes. But for honest opinion I like the 68 -72 crome front bumper even though I love my 73.

 

[Greekman]

Likes & Dislikes

I have had a '76, '67 and now a '79. I have loved them all, but they were all so different.

The likes of my '79 are the great seats, and all the other luxuries like, Cruise Control, AC,PB,PS AM/FM w/Cassette, Tilt/Telescopic Leather Steering Wheel, Convience Group interior lighting the list goes on.

The dislikes is all this is cramed into one engine compartment with hoses, ducts,vents and tubes everywhere!

So I guess it's all relevent, if you have a nice and open engine bay to work on easily, then you don't have all those creature comforts.

So get what you want. It's great to have so many choices!

.

 

[Tom73]

Re: 73-82 vs. 53-72?

By the way, lets not forget that the ZR-1 has more horsepower than any L98 or LT1.

True, but the LT5 used in the ZR1 is not a classic chevy small block, it is totaly a horse of a different color

tom...

 

[Greekman]

Tom.

Nice Website the The '73Spot.

I wish someone had one like it for the 1979 Corvette.

.

 

[norms72]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

Every new Vette was supposed to be the the "best yet" or the most appropriate for the era it was introduced in. You can't compare a 67 big block to a 76 to a 54. Different cars, different times, but all Corvettes. Everyone has their favorites for different reasons. If money was no object I would have a 54, 57, 67 coupe, my 72, 79, 96 GS and an 02 ragtop. Each and every one a Vette. My advice to people is to buy what YOU like (and / or can afford) and enjoy it!

Norm.

 

[Evolution1980]

My first love was the 80-82 body styling. I think this is the first vette I recall seeing. The 82CE in particular was an eye-catcher for me. Then, once I had my 80, I really really started to like the look of the 68-72. Chrome...mmm..shiny! I'd still say that my next vette is a 69 'vert, Mille Miglia Red w/ White soft top. In fact, I only have one model car, and that's it!
So whereas I love my 80 for the improvements over the '69, I think for pure body styling, I like the chrome of the 68-72's. (It's also hard to argue the massive power associated with those cars via the bigblock L71, L88, etc...)

{Flame suit now active}
The 73 just squeaks by becuase it still has the rear chrome. I really don't care for the looks of the 74-79. IMHO, nothing quite stands out about them (although they are still vettes). I still like the looks of the 78 Pace Car. With the red trim on the rims, the front & rear spolier, and two-tone paint.

It finally all came together in 80 as far as getting the looks correct for being all rubber/plastic.

Lately, the 67's have been growing on me. I'm digging the stinger hood. A very classic design. Definitely imparts a nostalgia for good 'ol American BadAss...

 

[GerryLP]

Nostalgia has a lot to do with it also

think alot of people buy a model year Corvette that takes them back to a positive eariler time in their lives that they still want to re-live. Our first car out of High School, The Navy or even maybe a divorce?

Greekman,

Ain't that the truth? I know that the dream car to answer my nostalgic callings has to be the 1961 SS Convertible Impala (I think it even had a 409 engine). My dad had a hard top one, and a family friend had one of these.

And I still remember when I first read the report on the future 1981 Corvette in a Car and Driver like magazine (for which I cannot remember the name) back in 1979. That's how I ended with a 1981 Corvette.

I don't feel that it is equipment as much as self-identification with a particular year model or era (such as c-1, c-2, and so on).