Side pipes, yes or no?

[Nick B]

Do you guys think the 1969 C3 looks better with or without side pipes?

 

[Chevrolet]

Both look good. Personally, if it came out of the factory with them, I would keep them on. If it didn't, I wouldn't put some on.

 

[PAZ9556]

That’s a hard one because it just looks great either way

 

[Norm]

That’s a hard one because it just looks great either way

I agree!

 

[PAZ9556]

I like the painted or chromed vents they set it off to

 

[72stingraypaul]

personally I do prefer the sidepipe look gives the car a better stance

 

[Jimbo64]

Like both. Comes down to personal choice and how you cope/accept the additional exhaust noise, especially with T-tops off, I suppose.

 

[kentvette]

I'm with "Chevrolet" - I wouldn't put them on a car that didn't come with them. But, I'm not sure they are really my thing in any event, I think it perhaps depends on what you use the car for. Having travelled in a side-pie car on a bit of a run, the noise became bit of a pain. and, if you're not really careful on exit, the back of the leg becomes a major pain! As we like to use our car for "touring" type events etc, quieter is a little nicer, but I understand the appeal of side pipes.

 

[Nick B]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but I don't like them at all, for me they spoil the lines of the car.
They also remind me of the 1970's when I saw too many of them fitted to jacked up Ford Cortinas !

 

[67HEAVEN]

Do you guys think the 1969 C3 looks better with or without side pipes?

View attachment 1782View attachment 1783

Either way, that car looks great. Those pipes look appropriate on '69 Corvettes, the only C3 year that offered them as an option from the factory (RPO N14 $147.00 - 4,355 1969 Corvettes got them).

Also, the Front Fender Louver Trim looks magnificent on 1969 Corvettes; again the only year they were offered (RPO TJ2 $21.00 - 11,962 1969 Corvettes got them)

When you consider the chrome bumpers, side exhaust, fender louver trim and the wild choice of engines and transmissions, the '69 seems to me to be the pinnacle of C3 evolution. Others may differ.

 

[CaptainK]

I'm biased as I wanted a car with side pipes So mine has sidepipes and I love the look and sound of it. Granted they are noisy as anything, so not so good for long distance runs etc. But I don't do that in my Vette, so not a problem.

 

[67HEAVEN]

I'm biased as I wanted a car with side pipes So mine has sidepipes and I love the look and sound of it. Granted they are noisy as anything, so not so good for long distance runs etc. But I don't do that in my Vette, so not a problem.

Hooker side-mount headers on a big-block are, shall we say, "noticeable". Passengers are offered a sealed packaged from my glovebox. Most refuse.

 

[CaptainK]

Hooker side-mount headers on a big-block are, shall we say, "noticeable". Passengers are offered a sealed packaged from my glovebox. Most refuse.

Haha! Nice one. I think I should keep a stock of them in mine too.

In reality though, the true test of "is it loud?" is if the missus complains. She does not. So either the car is not loud enough, or the missus is a keeper