Nice looking Vettes with Attitude here please
- Thread starter Daytona Vette
- Start date
Nassau65
CCCUK Member
Some “power bulges” can be just too much, while others I think are nice. Re heat vents, I think the ones added to the Jenson Interceptor SP suited the car well, and helped reduced engine bay heat no end.Got to admit I've never been a fan of 'power bulges' or 'heat vents' on any car hood. They're usually an admission by the designer that they couldn't properly integrate the cars mechanicals with the body. On the C3 to my eye they destroy the clean lines of the front end - but that's just me. As they say, 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder'.
Roscobbc
Moderator
Didn't the 'real deal' FF have dual vents each side behind the front wheel openings?
Nassau65
CCCUK Member
Yes they did.
antijam
CCCUK Member
Jensen was forced to louvre the SP when they stuffed the Chrysler 440 under the bonnet. This produced an exceptional for the time 385HP - as well as an inordinate amount of heat!
Fifty years on more efficient engines produce more power and less waste heat. My Mustang's Quad-cam 'Coyote' 302 produces 415 HP and has no problem dissipating heat without bonnet or side vents....
It does however feature two 'power bulges' whose only purpose is to stiffen the otherwise floppy acreage of bonnet.
Fifty years on more efficient engines produce more power and less waste heat. My Mustang's Quad-cam 'Coyote' 302 produces 415 HP and has no problem dissipating heat without bonnet or side vents....
It does however feature two 'power bulges' whose only purpose is to stiffen the otherwise floppy acreage of bonnet.
Roscobbc
Moderator
Have you looked under the hood of the (illegal in Europe) LHD USA spec' Cobra version? - the strut brace spanning front suspension tops.......believe its too close to the underside of the hood and fails the pedestrial impact test?Jensen was forced to louvre the SP when they stuffed the Chrysler 440 under the bonnet. This produced an exceptional for the time 385HP - as well as an inordinate amount of heat!
Fifty years on more efficient engines produce more power and less waste heat. My Mustang's Quad-cam 'Coyote' 302 produces 415 HP and has no problem dissipating heat without bonnet or side vents....
View attachment 21772
It does however feature two 'power bulges' whose only purpose is to stiffen the otherwise floppy acreage of bonnet.
Roscobbc
Moderator
In fairness though (especially with the additional weight and frictional losses with the SP version) it wasn't a light car I believe......coupled with a cruising ratio rear end and 'lazy' 3 speed auto it was never going to be anywhere near economic to use........
Roscobbc
Moderator
And on the subject of power.........seen what Hambergers are offering as part of a bolt-on kit for a very limited range of USA vehicless? - a new ultra compact hi-speed supercharger. A potential game changer for vehicles with very limited underhood space. It'll be interesting to see if they offer this for some older cars (Vettes).......https://www.hamburgerssuperchargers.com/
James Vette
CCCUK Member
Roscobbc
Moderator
Yeah......without the vacuum headlights the design feature still 'sucks'!
Roscobbc
Moderator
Always thought the Vette didn't look right with the Baldwin treatment - Camaro fared better IMHO
Nassau65
CCCUK Member
Flip up lights were par the course for expensive/sports cars/supercars during the 70,s into the 80’s.
Lotus/Ferrari/Maserati/Lamborghini etc. they allowed the front to be very “Swoopey” and looked great. I personally think the C3 flip up lights should have been electric right from the start.
Lotus/Ferrari/Maserati/Lamborghini etc. they allowed the front to be very “Swoopey” and looked great. I personally think the C3 flip up lights should have been electric right from the start.
Nassau65
CCCUK Member
Love the 2nd generation Camaro/firebirds with the single headlight.they look soo good nowadays. 70-73 especially.Always thought the Vette didn't look right with the Baldwin treatment - Camaro fared better IMHO
Last edited:
Roscobbc
Moderator
Electric flip-up lights today would be a 'no brainer'.......but in the 60's vacuum accessories were the norm......Vette flip-up lights and wiper flap work very well generally and don't react well to uninformed 'fiddling' with (like repair of accident damaged cars) - other than vacuum hose perishing or detaching or perhaps a knackered vacuum servo.....what's to go wrong.
I can recall owning cars with vacuum operated central locking, seat back release, rear deck vent release.......the dreaded vacuum wipers on British Fords was a different matter.......slowing down when going up a hill......so, so fast going down the other side that the wiper blades would fly-off from the extreme centrifugal force and be lost for ever......