So they're finally gonna make a Z06 convertible...

[C5Nate]

Originally Posted by themonk

Let's not forget that the C5 was designed as a convertible first.

Really?

How so?


You couldnt even get a convertible in 1997.

[illmac77]

Originally Posted by BuckyThreadkiller

I love all these guys who say they've always wanted a Z06 vert. Like you're gonna take the top down and go 140.

I did in my 04 z06 vert at Texas motor speedway. It was a blast

[Bill]

Originally Posted by illmac77

I did in my 04 z06 vert at Texas motor speedway. It was a blast

Rare one-off car?

[Milton Fox]

Originally Posted by joebuck

i would.

I as well!

[Y2Kvert4me]

Originally Posted by bill_daniels

Rare one-off car?

A Vette Barn roof conversion.

[LATB]

Originally Posted by themonk

Let's not forget that the C5 was designed as a convertible first.

Originally Posted by C5Nate

Really?

How so?


You couldnt even get a convertible in 1997.

I do believe monk may be correct. I read somewhere that the C5 was 1st designed as a vert...then the coupe was engineered on the platform.

opposite of most car engineering where a coupe would be designed...then a convertible would be engineered from the coupe platform.

however, i'm no expert and could be rong.

[kingpin]

Originally Posted by LarsAtTheBeach

I do believe monk may be correct. I read somewhere that the C5 was 1st designed as a vert...then the coupe was engineered on the platform.

opposite of most car engineering where a coupe would be designed...then a convertible would be engineered from the coupe platform.

however, i'm no expert and could be rong.

Wikipedia:

The C5 was a major change from the previous generation. Designed from the outset as a sturdy convertible, as opposed to a coupé that was subsequently weakened by the removal of the roof structure, the car now had a hydroformed box frame

Also on the Corvette museum site.

[LATB]

Originally Posted by kingpin

Wikipedia:


Also on the Corvette museum site.

wait...

u mean, nate...who worships at the GM alter at least weekly, did not know this??? I think he should move up a few pews next week...closer to the "message"

[Scissors]

Originally Posted by C5Nate

Really?

How so?


You couldnt even get a convertible in 1997.

While your statement is true, the Monk is correct, as others pointed out. The C5 was designed as a Convertible first and the roof added once the convertible frame design was "complete". Thus avoiding the problem that other convertibles have where the removal of the roof, which was necessary for stiffness, results in a significantly less rigid frame.

[VatorMan]

Originally Posted by BuckyThreadkiller

I love all these guys who say they've always wanted a Z06 vert. Like you're gonna take the top down and go 140.

i've done that in my C5 vert. Hell yes in a Z06 vert.

[burtonbl103]

Im going to hold out to order a c7 z06

[C5SilverBullet]

Originally Posted by LarsAtTheBeach

I do believe monk may be correct. I read somewhere that the C5 was 1st designed as a vert...then the coupe was engineered on the platform.

opposite of most car engineering where a coupe would be designed...then a convertible would be engineered from the coupe platform.

however, i'm no expert and could be rong.

I have the DVD that Chevrolet sent to dealers on the C5 (and also the C6 and C6 Z06), for training etc. The first thing they say on the video is that the C5 is the first car GM has ever designed as a convertible, and the coupe was designed off the convertible.

[Datawiz]

Originally Posted by burtonbl103

Im going to hold out to order a c7 z06

[illmac77]

Originally Posted by bill_daniels

Rare one-off car?

yes rare... built at the one and only Vette Barn With GB...

[C5SilverBullet]

I'm going to hold out to order a C8 Z06.

[themonk]

Originally Posted by C5Nate

Really?

How so?


You couldnt even get a convertible in 1997.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Corvette

Production of the C5 Corvette began in 1997 and ended with the 2004 model year. Chevrolet used cars like the Nissan 300ZX and Mazda RX-7 as benchmarks for quality and styling due to criticisms the C4 Corvette received when compared to Japanese rivals.[14] The C5 had a top speed of 181 mph (291 km/h) and was judged by the automotive press as improved in nearly every area over the previous Corvette design thanks to its much improved structural rigidity and much more curvaceous design.


Corvette Z06 Hardtop Coupe
Also introduced with the C5 was GM's new LS1 small block. This third-generation small block V8 was completely redesigned. Now all-aluminum, it features a distributor-less ignition and a new cylinder firing order. It was initially rated at 345 bhp (257 kW) and 350 lb·ft (470 N·m), but was increased to 350 bhp (260 kW) in 2001. The new engine, combined with the new body and its low 0.29 drag coefficient, was able to achieve up to 28 mpg on the highway.
For its first year, the C5 was available only as a coupe, although the new platform was designed from the ground up to be a convertible, which returned in 1998, followed by the fixed-roof coupe (FRC) in 1999. One concept for the FRC was for it to be a stripped-down model with a possible V6 engine (nicknamed in-house as the "Billy Bob"). By 2000 FRC plans laid the groundwork for the return in 2001 of the Z06, an RPO option not seen since Zora's 1963 race-ready Corvette.[15]
The Z06 model replaced the FRC model as the highest performance C5 Corvette. Instead of a heavier double-overhead cam engine like the ZR-1 of the C4 generation, the Z06 used an LS6, a 385 bhp (287 kW) derivative of the standard LS1 engine. Using the much more rigid fixed roof design allowed the Z06 unprecedented handling thanks to upgraded brakes and less body flex. Those characteristics, along with the use of materials such as a titanium exhaust system and a carbon fiber hood in the 2004 model year, led to further weight savings and performance gains for the C5 Z06. The LS6 was later upgraded to 405 bhp (302 kW) for 2002–2004. Although the Z06's rated power output equal to that of the C4 ZR-1, the improved rigidity, suspension, brakes, and reduced weight of the C5 produced a car quicker than C4 ZR-1.

I kinda thought it was common knowledge, I guess I was wrong.

[C5Nate]

Originally Posted by LarsAtTheBeach

wait...

u mean, nate...who worships at the GM alter at least weekly, did not know this??? I think he should move up a few pews next week...closer to the "message"

Never said I knew everything about everthing


I probably read this once before and forgot.

It does seem odd that a car designed as vert would not be available as vert.

I have no issue with being re-educated, thanks Monk for the article.

[C5SilverBullet]

Originally Posted by C5Nate

Never said I knew everything about everthing


I probably read this once before and forgot.

It does seem odd that a car designed as vert would not be available as vert.

I have no issue with being re-educated, thanks Monk for the article.

That's why it was a short production year, just 9752 Corvette's built in 1997.

[LATB]

Originally Posted by C5Nate

Never said I knew everything about everthing


I probably read this once before and forgot.

It does seem odd that a car designed as vert would not be available as vert.

I have no issue with being re-educated, thanks Monk for the article.

forgot? a GM leg humper like yourself?

just light an extra candle at the alter on your next visit and all will be forgiven by the GM Gods.

[LisaJohn]

Originally Posted by C5SilverBullet

That's why it was a short production year, just 9752 Corvette's built in 1997.

So my vette is rare and valuable?