A Better Driving Classic Corvette? Improving 60's Tech!

Welcome back to Horsepower Warehouse!
Today we are going to take a look at yet another new C2 Corvette in the inventory as well as a quick peek in the restoration shop. We will also have a brief discussion about improving the driving characteristics of these classic sports cars and what is available for upgrades on the factory design.
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[@djrobi61]

Build them the way you enjoy them! Love it! That's the way I'm building my 64s; disk brakes, headers and other old school mods.

[@mikej7304]

Build em to drive. It’s what I want. You’re dad made great point about types of gas. I didn’t even think of that!

[@ktriebol]

To answer your question, the way I would prefer to freshen a C2 would be to have it all look stock externally, including tires and wheels, but fit and finish would be excellent. Interior would appear to be stock as well. Performance and reliability mods would be welcome, such as electronic fuel injection. This might mean having an LS7 engine and Tremec 6 speed manual. My guiding principal would be to have a very nice car that I wouldn't be afraid to drive in nice weather.

[@HorsepowerWarehouse]

Well said, I like it. Thanks for the comment!

[@MrTexasDan]

Hey there Junior, I would go with your improvements, the powder coat, certainly the 5 speed. I would add efi to the list. Thanks, Dan

[@dihydrotestosterone]

I agree with you, keep the original look but with upgrades that preserve the essence of the era.

[@garybierman3929]

Make them better.

[@timinjapan3836]

"Best it can be" - I agree 100%. These cars are made to be driven!

[@raymondmccarthy728]

NCRS has its purpose for all of the corvette enthusiasts and many owners that abide by standards they impose and thats great.I personally want a driver that represents the look of a factory original C2 with any upgrades to improve the safety and drive ability of the car.I think your rebuilds on the C2s are a perfect way to improve them and keep them looking better then they left the factory.The 65 is a beauty! Keep it going ,love your videos.

[@bbb462cid]

I think NCRS is a little less draconian than they have been in the past

[@brucehaskin1769]

Super nice. I love how you feel your car!

[@MrFrankturbo1]

You are spot on , don't care about NCRS stuff , I have a very nice stock 63 340 that I drive , don't care about show crap , that 65 is gorgeous !

[@troyvan6952]

So now everyone knows where to take their C2 for restoration. Awesome vids

[@raa8201]

I have a 65/396/matching #'s. I live in S. Texas and I like to drive my car. It's hot down here. So to make the driving more enjoyable I have added A/C and the Tremec 5-speed. While both had to be "shoehorned" in, they do fit. I have kept all the original parts, every nut/bolt, heater box, matching #'s tranny, etc., in case someone wants to put it back to original. There are some minor issues these items have created, they are well worth it. Examples; it's very hot here, and the cars create alot of heat to begin with, so the A/C has to work hard to keep the interior cool in 100*+ heat; the Tremec is longer than the Muncie, so a shorter drive shaft is needed, creating a sharper angle down to the rear end, creating minor vibration at certain speeds. Just a couple of the most annoying issues. Would I do it again? ABSOLUTELY!

[@MNicejeff]

Awesome, the mid years have been my favorite car since I can remember. Great channel

[@n411jd]

I would like the best you can have. Just like you build them. I love your videos and wish I could afford one of your builds. Keep up the good work my friend!

[@alansemple2015]

Love your videos Junior, and look forward to watching them. I agree with your restoration ideals....

[@jimcharles9705]

I fully understand both sides. Me personally? My dream car is a '66 Vette where everything on the car's exterior and in the driver-passenger compartment looks 100% historically correct. Just like the day it rolled out of the factory. But, under the hood, underneath the car, I would love the safest, most high performance, state-of-the-art modern stuff - from engine to transmission to suspension to brakes. THAT SAID, I totally get why a guy (or gal) might want a totally faithful restoration C2 Vette. I can see where someone is so in love with the history of these cars that he wants the entire, historically-accurate experience.

[@thehillbillyhoarder4996]

Very nice video. Never heard of a 67 with a fiberglass leaf spring. Thank you for taking the time to make and post.

[@williammorgan8786]

just thought i would add my 2 cents, this is new to me on a vette also but i will say this. my cutlass ( '97 front wheel drive) had a transverse fibreglas or composite spring like the vette. they work fine except the end caps, they would wear out and you have not heard a noise in your life like it makes. i had to replace them a second time and shop i use tried some glue on them this time, didn't hold. i did not know GM used such a thing. if they used them on cutlasses i guess they used on other GM front wheel drive cars too. i am surprised to see one of these thing on a vette though, little shocking to me actually. have no idea about the end caps on this vette although you can see one in the video. so these "plastic" springs have been around awhile no doubt but on a vette it sounds crazy. no need to reply to my gibberish. ha.

[@williammorgan8786]

just thought i would add my 2 cents, this is new to me on a vette also but i will say this. my cutlass ( '97 front wheel drive) had a transverse fibreglas or composite spring like the vette. they work fine except the end caps, they would wear out and you have not heard a noise in your life like it makes. i had to replace them a second time and shop i use tried some glue on them this time, didn't hold. i did not know GM used such a thing. if they used them on cutlasses i guess they used on other GM front wheel drive cars too. i am surprised to see one of these thing on a vette though, little shocking to me actually. have no idea about the end caps on this vette although you can see one in the video. so these "plastic" springs have been around awhile no doubt but on a vette it sounds crazy. no need to reply to my gibberish. ha.

[@joemccraney1681]

I like to keep it as original as possible , but in my 67 I like to drive it not trailer it and an upgrade that’s not stock but makes the drive more comfortable and reliable without burning bridges to get it back to

[@nelsonfernandez1883]

I agree with u Junior I like the way your building them with only small. Upgrades making them better to drive. Looking forward to my build.

[@davidsmith6308]

For me Ncrs specs are the way to go Because I have a 40,000 original mile 67 car that ever nut and bolt is correct but I can appreciate someone wanting to make them upgrades for the drive ability and that durability

[@lencac7952]

Hi Jr.: I know of what you speak. I did a frame-off on a 1970 1/2 RS/Z-28 back in the late 80's. Cortez silver, black stripes. In it's first incarnation I rebuilt the original Lt-1 to a pretty high level but I wanted it painted black. And so it seemed regardless of all else the most common comment was "the engine isn't Chevy orange". But I liked it and it did look awesome. However, I needed an excuse to pull the engine out and I was tired of hearing the nitwitologists. So the engine came back out to "repaint it". However, somehow when I was repainting it seems that the compression went up to 14:1, and much to my amazement it somehow got angle milled .060" and ported heads by Madcap Racing in Denver. And the cam got lumpier somehow. So after the "paint job" to Chevy orange" it found itself on Madcap's engine dyno with some foolishness like 494HP@ 7200rpm and a likewise amount of the TQ @ 5000 rpm. So I feel your pain. Here's my YT vid with it and the guy I sold it to shortly before. He wanted a bigger carb. I apologize for the fact my buddy does know how to power shift a 4 speed. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnKZZXx9mcehibs

[@f5038nat]

I rather have your improvements. Excellent job.

[@kimfoster8610]

I agree with Kenneth, build it as I did to look stock but add items that improve performance and handling. The only people that notice are the NCRS folks. I've won numerous people's choice awards with my "looks stock small block 66 Convertible. 355 with 700R4

[@jamesmanijak8020]

love your work i think this car not only beautiful but a joy to drive as well i would love to visit your shop next time i am in Fla if possiable

[@davebarron5939]

Seems to me, WE ALL love the beauty of the classics. However, WE ALL enjoy the feel of modern chassis and tech, which makes the enjoyment / experience greater, which is our goal overall. Done right, I believe "the upgrades" are warranted and it simply increases the interest in this glorious life pursuit, and most likely gets more old neglected cars back on the street, adding a whole other layer of collector.

[@bbb462cid]

Actually, if I wanted a modern car feel I would not have just bought a 1966 Sting Ray Coupe. Is it a stock restoration? No. Does it have radials and gas shocks? Yes. better a/c and an aux. fan? Yes. But I do not want a C2 looking car that has no C2 feel. Absolutely I love that it has been dynamatted inside and out, that the floors were painted and it has modern tires, has extra power jacks, blah blah. But I don't want a modern car that looks like an old car. I like how old chassis designs 'speak' to you. A little body roll is not always a bad thing. Sometimes it tells you how dumb you're being and with a car like this: don't crash.

[@garage1174]

I want to DRIVE my Corvette! Give me the improvements to the original keeping the look of stock.

[@gayleg808]

I would have mine restored exactly as you'd do it for yourself!

[@brianmchale6668]

I like them as Built, I'll go for radial tires :)

[@shoff1973]

I enjoy your videos but would love to see/hear some of these cars running.

[@fireman66able]

An improved overall corvette is what I want.

[@TwoWheelRocco]

Great work. Thank you for your time making these videos. I have one question with that fiberglass spring why is the driver side hardware seem to be adjusted differently than the passenger side? I'm talking about the nuts and bolts that go through the rear trailing arm connecting to that spring. seems to be like a 1 inch difference from right to left. And once again thank you, I own a C2 and I'm curious. Was that for adjustment reason setting the height from right to left. And once again thank you.

[@randycornelius2903]

If I am going to drive the car and not looking for car shows or judging make it drive and and be as reliable as you can. Add air and power options to make it the most enjoyable ride it can be.

[@williammorgan8786]

yes, if you did my Vette it would go toward performance/handling/braking which means to me a quicker safer handling car not toward a NCRS car but there is nothing wrong with that either if that's what you want and love ya' videos.

[@jimrains8314]

just subscribed today, I have alot of catching up to do. I think if it is your Sting Ray you should build it for you. some will like it some won't that will never change. I've said this many times and no disrespect to Mustangs, but, if Corvettes were to be built and never be allowed to change they would have been built by Ford and called Mustang. Thanks for the updates I will watch every second. I'm building a 65 it's at the painter now it will be an asphalt shredder. thanks again

[@classiccarsofsarasota7921]

show the new T shirt design !!

[@riverrat8029]

Look original but with all of the new technologies. Ordered a ‘66 Coupe in Milano Maroon with Black interior, stolen in 1970 sure wish that I still had it. Probably the best $4450.00 that I’ve ever spent!

[@peekstr]

If the car is a no question, numbers match, NCRS Gold right now - leave it alone. Otherwise, and this means most cars out there - all the improvements. I'm gonna drive it, and the more hassle free it is then the better...

[@warbonnet64]

Well Junior, here's a late comment to your question since I just discovered your post. I would much rather rebuild a car with the latest upgrades for several reasons. First of all I would want my restoration to drive as well as it looks and last as long as it looks. Secondly I personally don't care about Bloomington, NCRS or points or ribbons and bows. I want my car to be a driver and, I believe as you stated, not building it to satisfy someone else's standards. I'm building a car to my standards and how I want to enjoy the car. So all the goodies you want to put in a build would be the same as mine. Hope that answers your question.

[@randallhickman8494]

Preference is build the best, my opinion differs from yours on powder coat. i have seen too many things in Florida where the powder coat gets a chip or moisture gets in from an edge and you end up with rust under the powder coat and it travels under the entire piece. Also it's almost impossible to remove or feather. Give me a 2 part paint any day.

[@richardbelair4449]

I'm not a museum car guy. I love to drive them so... yes improve the way you describe . Yes the fiberglass rear spring better brake better everything but keep the original look

[@terryschraner419]

I would prefer the NCRS standard cars, but really glad you rebuild them as you do, so they are more drivable and will be around for future generations. Unfortunately I can’t afford that investment myself.

[@Fmandan77]

Informative video. I've owned three corvettes, but never a C2 and I'm very interested and capable of owning one at this point in my life. Where is a good place to begin looking for a C2? I follow the popular online auction sites, but where else is a recommended place to look? Ideally, I'd love to find an older owner who wants his pride and joy to go to a good home. I'm open to a driver quality turn-key car or even something that needs a little work here and there. As far as NCRS vs Custom builds: I Iike any of my 60s era cars to look the part but have better and safer features that allow for better reliability, comfort, and performance etc.

[@briananderson5879]

I have a Sunfire yellow 67, that came with headrest, AC, power steering and power brakes. Got 72000 miles and it's never been separated from the frame....it's got a dirty bottom compared to your cars. The only upgrades really are a 2014 350 crate motor, and a Borgeson power steering box. Just out of curiosity, what do you think the car is worth? It's got a few scratches on the second paint job, and the engine compartment is not perfect. Other than that, it's been called a pretty driver..... so the engine starts every time, and never really needs a tune-up, and the power steering box was a huge upgrade. At California $5 plus a gallon gas, not having a 5th gear is painful. That's the one thing I still consider, but then it goes further the road of non-compliant.... my dad has owned the car since the 80s, and I always thought it was a Rattle Trap. I have since changed all the rubber bushings, and also put in gas shocks, amongst the borgeson. Car handles the way it should have from the 60s now.... but watching your show really shows me how pretty and individual these cars can be. Thanks for staying current.

[@projectpeace]

Hey Junior, I’m totally on-board with upgrading. Forget NCRS. My question to you is, have you ever converted a Corvette engine to run on butanol fuel?

[@jimpanzer07]

Better is better than stock!

[@waynerineer6102]

Junior's way I would go 1 step farther offset trailing arms, eliminate the mono sping in the rear coilovers on the back,and coilovers on the front they are all bolt on products that can be easily reversed if you wanted to returned it to stock

[@michaelmazzei9037]

How far are you willing to go with modifications? Ride Tech suspension? New frame? LS motor? I like your approach to the cars and your work is beautiful, so I am curious. I'm ok with really anything while keeping the car generally stock.

[@billyang3529]

I prefer modern upgrades to my midyear (Tremec 5 speed, upgraded suspension, EFI, LS7 etc). Curious do you ever use an aftermarket chassis and suspension? Thanks for the videos!

[@freeamerica834]

How about a video on the birdcage rust

[@terryschraner419]

I’m for keeping them as original as possible.

[@bbb462cid]

I agree to a point. But in my previous life as an old car guy, it's a pisser to see the brake lines I was so proud of bending just right five years ago start to get rusty, etc. Sometimes the factory did it on the cheap and sometimes they knew it wasn't good practice but did it anyway, because these cars were nothing 'special' then..

[@ronstowe8898]

I would rather have a C2 corvette with more modern equipment. Such as the fiber mono leafs, 5 or 6 speed manual , and EFI units. Do you ever swap out the steering system with the newer style hydraulic that does not have the actuator cylinder ?

[@paulshelby-t4x]

What rear shocks are you using with the composite rear spring? I have a 67 427 with a new composite rear spring and I’m trying to get the bounce out of it

[@Bangkok-ik1fp]

At 10:26 with the '65, why are parts of the frame powder-coat inconsistent in texture like the cross piece behind the differential?

[@houseofno]

How do you feel about the 63's? The '63's have a lot of one year only parts. If you were to build a 63 YOUR way, how would balance originality vs. building it better? What would you keep? What would you deviate from? I agree with your respect for NCRS without necessarily agreeing with their ideology. Definitely build it better IMHO.

[@mh2739]

I see a lot of gold line radial tires on the cars. What brand are they ? I would like to buy a set for my 66.

[@ABCDEFGH-oh8oi]

Good day to you Jr! Short question : based on the content of your channel we have already figured out not to paint a vette body off the frame but can you elaborate a bit on the main reasons why not to do it ? Really curious as it can be a time saver when you work on the frame and it’s components while being painted . Is it the potential of cracking under stress ? Thank you !

[@ryanmoen5899]

Body stress for cracking plus alignment on all gaps

[@dalescribner3070]

Thank you junior for your work. Don't care about concourse. Too snooty. Wish I could send you my Vette. Dale

[@jasmith1867]

I guess you don't use the term restomod. But that is the only way I would ever rebuild a corvette. To drive, and to drive with as much ease as I could afford.

[@torinodude59]

I love what your doing but i do disagree about the need for a 5 speed trans, i have recently bought a 66 from the st augustine area that has a tremic, first is like a 323 ratio which is too low , it would have been better to have put some 3.08 gears in the back with the factory muncie

[@billtirelli3489]

I would rather have a car the way u build it.

[@lencac7952]

We know the covered engine is a 435hp 427. I wouldn't say no to a NCRS vette but one of yours would be way more desirable.

[@flacmonster]

I'm gonna get shot down here, but if money were no issue, I'd have a '63 (split) and and '67 convertible, one of which would be resto-mod, the other would be faithful "or as faithful as possible". I know even mentioning "resto-mod" is sacrilege. But I've seen a '63 that melted me on top of a C6 undercarriage. Drop....dead....gorgeous.

[@jeffstieren4474]

Build it for safety and performance. A great daily driver with great handling and some ass under the hood. Suspension and braking is the highest on my list.

[@nickrice7535]

Ive been in to Bloomington and Ncrs cars for many many years so as a rule of thumb for me the more original (looking) the better, subtle mods are fine and original engine blocks are no longer a must in the real world to drive and enjoy. Do you ever have any C2s in my budget of 80 to 90k? I'll be in the market when I sell my 66 Gto after 10yrs of ownership.

[@HorsepowerWarehouse]

We do occasionally have C2s available in that price range, just give Sr a holler when you're ready. Thanks for checking out my channel!

[@clevelandbrowns3325]

To me, an assume, reliable, mint looking driver.

[@313remax]

I am looking for a repair shop for my 1966 Corvette 327/300 hp. I am in north New Jersey Appreciate any information. Bart

[@davidbeattie4294]

I like to drive. I want a car that incorporates modern tech to make it safer, more reliable, and to perform better.

[@devone6139]

In my opinion the best way to have a great Corvette and not get docked NCRS points? Don't bother entering it for judging! Just laugh as you drive by all the guys loading their cars into trailers because they can't or won't drive it to the show!

[@colinbatchford8007]

If was spending big dollars on a C2 I want something better than the shoddy build quality from the 60s.

[@my31and37]

My ‘64 coupe has 67 rally wheels and is painted black instead of it’s factory saddle color. I have zero interest in a NCRS level car or what their judges think of mine.

[@jacobjoab8324]

Restomod 100%. No NCRSS thank you.

[@theglacier3367]

However you will drive the car is my view. If you spend NCRS money to let your car sit in a garage, shame on you. If you spend restomod money to let your car sit in a garage, shame on you. That being said, I'm in your boat. I'm building my '63 the way that I want to, though my budget is a loooot smaller.

[@dianeporter5783]

😉 P R O M O S M.