Future C3 Owner Questions

[Nassau65]

That removal rear window was a unique feature of early C3’s and certainly opened the car up once the T-Tops were also off. I wonder why it was done away with? Possible costs.
did many owners use it I wonder, or just took the T’s off. I know from the little experience I’ve had, it could be a little tricky sometimes.

 

[Rich]

You think the guys on the docks treat a rolls any different from anything else.? They don’t . Period. The only people who treat
a rolls different are the guys that deliver them to the port.
seen it with my own eyes countless times

I'm sorry, Paul, but you are incorrect.
Prior to lockdown, and to fill my time, I worked for two companies who load and unload Roro vessels at Southampton. I was a "prestige" driver, which allowed me to move countless Rolls Bentley, McLaren, Aston and other makes. These are absolutely treated totally different to even the Jaguar, Land Rovers. They are moved under greater supervision and are stowed on different decks to other cars. However, the procedure to unlock a Rolls when in transport mode would shock you.

I can't begin to describe what happens to a personal import arriving with a flat battery which gets much worse if it won't start.

I'm not discounting Roro, but from what I've seen (and done), it is the lesser of the two evils, because it avoids squeezing a car into a container, and once the cars are lashed to the deck, they should be fine for the crossing.

 

[Nassau65]

This was/is probably what most owners did/do.

 

[GCorvette]

once the cars are lashed to the deck, they should be fine for the crossing.

Should be... Until a big storm?

 

[Nassau65]

I'm sorry, Paul, but you are incorrect.
Prior to lockdown, and to fill my time, I worked for two companies who load and unload Roro vessels at Southampton. I was a "prestige" driver, which allowed me to move countless Rolls Bentley, McLaren, Aston and other makes. These are absolutely treated totally different to even the Jaguar, Land Rovers. They are moved under greater supervision and are stowed on different decks to other cars. However, the procedure to unlock a Rolls when in transport mode would shock you.

I can't begin to describe what happens to a personal import arriving with a flat battery which gets much worse if it won't start.

I'm not discounting Roro, but from what I've seen (and done), it is the lesser of the two evils, because it avoids squeezing a car into a container, and once the cars are lashed to the deck, they should be fine for the crossing.

I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Couldn’t believe what I was seeing. No respect for the cars at all.

 

[Rich]

Should be... Until a big storm?

They are lashed very carefully to the decks and are checked regularly during the crossing. Of course a rough crossing can create slack in the lashings and cars can touch. A few years ago, a Roro capsized in Southampton Water. That was a right old mess as the lashings couldn't hold the cars at that angle of lean. Getting the cars off was interesting......

 

[Nassau65]

Been very very lucky over the years shipping both via container and RO/RO.
The only damage I’ve ever had was a front wing ( wheel arch ) dent on a 1996 Cadillac fleetwood. That arrived in Southampton.
The other “problem” was on a 1980 corvette that went into East Midlands Airport. The glass T-Tops went “missing” and it was only after my kicking up a BIG fuss that they were miraculously found.
just lucky I guess.

 

[Rich]

I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Couldn’t believe what I was seeing. No respect for the cars at all.

That's unfair. . You may have seen it but I've done it (for hours and hours).

 

[Nassau65]

That's unfair. . You may have seen it but I've done it (for hours and hours).

Not disputing what you’ve said and done , and as you’ve just said, “ for hours and hours “
But, I’ve actually seen these luxury vehicles moved about without any consideration for them. Not that they deserve anymore consideration/care than anything else. But you would at least handle them “nicely “ so to speak.
Perhaps different crews? But seen it many times over the years.
Probably the same in ports all over the world. What consideration would a handler at the receiving port have for somebody’s £300k Rolls Royce. Some would be very careful, some wouldn’t.

 

[Roscobbc]

That removal rear window was a unique feature of early C3’s and certainly opened the car up once the T-Tops were also off. I wonder why it was done away with? Possible costs.
did many owners use it I wonder, or just took the T’s off. I know from the little experience I’ve had, it could be a little tricky sometimes.

Oddly a few of the C3 owners I know do not remove the T roofs at any time (these are later cars so don't have the removeable rear window) - they generally can't be bothered it seems. Apart from just cooling down the interior perhaps another reason for removal is to shut that squeaking and rattling from the T roof fixing points that is so noticeable on todays poor road surfaces.
It is admittedly a bit of a faff to remove the roofs, rear window and stow it all away - especially if you are carrying tools and luggage |AND the heavens have just opened. The two 'over centre' retaining clips for the rear window do secure it very tightly........I suspect perhaps too tightly as there were two, possibly three re-designs in '68 of the clips and being of Mazak (Monkey Metal) they can (and do) fracture with use.

 

[Mad4slalom]

Thank you!
Which port did yours depart from?

New jersey, exciting tracking the ship, i thought it would come straight to southampton but it dissapeared down the carolinas to charleston and a few other places then back up to newfoundland before coming across the atlantic, , I thought it was nearly here then it went over to france before coming back across the channel

 

[Mad4slalom]

I wouldn't recommend a container.
Roro is the lesser of the two evils. There is a marked difference between how a Rolls is treated with incredible care, and how a personal import is abused, but there is no other option.

Yes, I was “sold” container shipping with”R. rack “ system which didnt actually happen, once i had paid, then my precious vette became “just another car” to them, with every promised collection and delivery date missed then changed numerous times. It was left in compound when a secure warehouse was promised then when I wanted a photo of it , someone must have wiped it over with a sheet and ground all the road grime into the paint , so it finally arrived with two big wheelarch chips and paint swirled to bits. They had removed the rpo 2 wheel covers and put all four on the passenger seat , thats about 10 kilos of metal denting the new seat cover. Shocking treatmeant and lack of care. . So I would think ro ro would be just as safe or better. Very disappointed in the shippers who caused delay after delay after saying i had all correct paperwork then they were asking for original bill of sale and other things which new york state dont even issue.
anyway it got here and i corrected the paint over 2/3 weeks and she looks great. Been there done that and it arrived intact thankfully.
probably wouldnt risk it again tho to be honest as I would be a nervous wreck. One positive was that with the shipping delays we missed the five atlantic hurricanes that were present when it was due to be shipped and when it did sail there was a very calm period for ten days or so.
Good luck with your purchase

 

[Mad4slalom]

Oddly a few of the C3 owners I know do not remove the T roofs at any time (these are later cars so don't have the removeable rear window) - they generally can't be bothered it seems. Apart from just cooling down the interior perhaps another reason for removal is to shut that squeaking and rattling from the T roof fixing points that is so noticeable on todays poor road surfaces.
It is admittedly a bit of a faff to remove the roofs, rear window and stow it all away - especially if you are carrying tools and luggage |AND the heavens have just opened. The two 'over centre' retaining clips for the rear window do secure it very tightly........I suspect perhaps too tightly as there were two, possibly three re-designs in '68 of the clips and being of Mazak (Monkey Metal) they can (and do) fracture with use.

I love the removeable rear window as gives a lovely open feel and a bit more exhaust noise. T tops off I think detracts from the lines of the c3 but lovely to to have all options.
The full convertible is very very pretty whether open , top up or hard top on and I think suits a luggage rack as the deck looks bigger without the buttresses of a coupe. The design of the c3 is a classic that covers everything for everybody and still compared to similar aged classic cars such as pagoda top SL
Mercedes , 3.0 csl bmw’s and E type jags , way too cheap

 

[Chuffer]

Oddly a few of the C3 owners I know do not remove the T roofs at any time (these are later cars so don't have the removeable rear window) - they generally can't be bothered it seems. Apart from just cooling down the interior perhaps another reason for removal is to shut that squeaking and rattling from the T roof fixing points that is so noticeable on todays poor road surfaces.
It is admittedly a bit of a faff to remove the roofs, rear window and stow it all away - especially if you are carrying tools and luggage |AND the heavens have just opened. The two 'over centre' retaining clips for the rear window do secure it very tightly........I suspect perhaps too tightly as there were two, possibly three re-designs in '68 of the clips and being of Mazak (Monkey Metal) they can (and do) fracture with use.

I am a real fan of T Tops , a great invention in my opinion as very nearly the best of both worlds . I take the panels off mine at every opportunity unless `her indoors` gives me too much ear ache ! I do like convertible sports car though but generally most look far better visually with top down than up . I had a Marcos Mantara V8 Spyder but the rag top was as much use as an umbrella in gale ! It came with a factory hard top too which looked really smart and gave the car nice coupe looks but was heavy and a real faff to fit so never used it . Many years ago I had a fixed head Triumph TR7 in black which had a Webasto sun roof - remember them ? It made the car vitually a Targa when folded back and the side windows down .

 

[antijam]

Hood down is the only way to get 'proper' fresh air.......

The same car on the last time it wore its hardtop - some time in the '70's....

 

[Nassau65]

Re shipping, unfortunately your always in other peoples hands. From the minute your car is collected from the seller ( unless you are able to deliver it to the port yourself) until you receive it. Some cars are treated with respect, some are not, totally depends on whose moving it at the time. It’s really pot luck.
Like I’ve said before, me and dad have been very lucky over the years, nothing major happened, delays yes, but that happens.

 

[Nassau65]

Just remembered, I did have a rear spoiler broken off a 1991 Camaro Z28 convertible. It must have not started at some point and the dockers decided to push it. Obviously from the rear they pushed on the spoiler and broke it off. Thankfully rather than just discard it, they put it inside the car so I still had it. A pretty easy fix, so no harm done.
Again, some dockers would have just thrown it away, the ones on my car thoughtfully saved it and put it inside the car.
Lucky again.

 

[Nassau65]

Hood down is the only way to get 'proper' fresh air.......View attachment 16138

The same car on the last time it wore its hardtop - some time in the '70's....View attachment 16140

Never seen one with its hardtop on. Looks good, but nowhere near as good as with the top down.

 

[Chuffer]

Hood down is the only way to get 'proper' fresh air.......View attachment 16138

The same car on the last time it wore its hardtop - some time in the '70's....View attachment 16140

Great cars , fibre glass body and V8 powered - sound familair ?? . That Daimler V8 engine was a little corker ! A great mate of mine and all round car guy owned this silver one but he sadly passed away in January this year .

 

[GCorvette]

Yes, I was “sold” container shipping with”R. rack “ system which didnt actually happen, once i had paid, then my precious vette became “just another car” to them,
Good luck with your purchase

Thank you for that. Sorry you had issues.
Would you message me who the shipper was please so I could avoid them?