Uniqueness of Corvette door handles

[Walter F.]

I have always been plum crazy about the door handles on C1 and C2 cars. Pulling back that little white or chrome ball to get out of the Corvette to me just says ' This car is exciting. In the C3 the outside handle was once again a new exciting feature along with the inside handle with cross flags on it. As the C3 model grew Chevrolet started to enconomise the C3 building passanger car parts into the Corvette, even using the Vega Steering wheel one year on the Corvette. The new C6 and C7 incorporated some more excitment with a unique push button inside door handle and hidden outside handle button. But from what I am reading some owners are less then thrilled with these features. I think anything that makes the Corvette different then regular passanger cars or other sports car is always a good idea. If I thought there was a way to incorporate that little white ball door knob on my C4 without destroying the door panel I would of done it long ago.

[Duke W.]

Re: Uniqueness of Corvette door handles

I always thought the inside door release on my SWC was a good design to allow rapid bailout in the aftermath of a crash.

Duke

[Joe L.]

Re: Uniqueness of Corvette door handles

I have always been plum crazy about the door handles on C1 and C2 cars. Pulling back that little white or chrome ball to get out of the Corvette to me just says ' This car is exciting. In the C3 the outside handle was once again a new exciting feature along with the inside handle with cross flags on it. As the C3 model grew Chevrolet started to enconomise the C3 building passanger car parts into the Corvette, even using the Vega Steering wheel one year on the Corvette. The new C6 and C7 incorporated some more excitment with a unique push button inside door handle and hidden outside handle button. But from what I am reading some owners are less then thrilled with these features. I think anything that makes the Corvette different then regular passanger cars or other sports car is always a good idea. If I thought there was a way to incorporate that little white ball door knob on my C4 without destroying the door panel I would of done it long ago.

Walter------


C3 door handles, inside and out, were absolutely unique to Corvettes. In fact, the outside handles were probably among the most unique outside door handle ever used on a GM car.

[Duke W.]

Re: Uniqueness of Corvette door handles

The outside door handles on C1/2s, which were common with other GM cars of the era were also a good design. Very intuitive and easy to use. Just grab the handle and push the button.

I probably couldn't break into a modern car even if it was unlocked because half the time I can't figure out how to operate the damned handle, both outside and inside.

Duke

[Peter S.]

Re: Uniqueness of Corvette door handles

Walter------


C3 door handles, inside and out, were absolutely unique to Corvettes. In fact, the outside handles were probably among the most unique outside door handle ever used on a GM car.

Joe,

I have alot of fun with my generation (I'm 33) when they try to actuate a C3 outside door handle. Explanations are required, and I chuckle when they have to use two hands to push that "button" all the way down and around.

[Jim L.]

Re: Uniqueness of Corvette door handles

Several years ago, some NCRS friends, my son and I drove our '54 from Georgia to California. As we were preparing to depart a motel one morning, some of the motel staff came out to see the car. One lady was simply giddy with excitement so I handed her the keys to the '54 and suggested that she unlock the door and sit down in the car. Really excited now, she turned towards the door, key in hand......

[Mike E.]

Re: Uniqueness of Corvette door handles

Early C3 were very unique to GM and had a nice positive feel. Then in 1978 they changed the inside handle to be more common with the rest of GM.

I really liked simplicity of the C2 inside release is hard to beat, probably not the most secure though.

Hell on my Bimmer if you don't get the door closed all the way it pulls it shut for you, no more door ajar warning. But with all the electronics and electric motors that run EVERYTHING it seems like there is so much to go wrong.

The '76 Corvette steering wheel was not exactly a Vega wheel, I had a 1975 Cosworth Vega and '76 Corvette. It was somewhat thicker on the Corvette. Although the style was exactly the same and I think that's what irked most folks. That mistake only lasted a year if you bought the TT column. I can't say I've ever seen a 77 without TT. Did they even exist outside of the brochures? Also didn't the '77 have a early and late design horn button. The later design remained for the most part unchanged except for some minor trim differences for the remainder of the C3 run.

Mike