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In my search for a torch red C5, I am finding out that the vast majority of them have black interiors. While black is a nice looking interior color, it's hot in the summer time. The only other color I come across is the light oak. I thought these were the only two colors offered for the torch red until I got a copy of the Corvette Black Book, which states there was also grey and red offered as interior colors as well. Where are all of these? There must not have been very many sold with these two interior colors as I have yet to come across one. I wonder why? Seems to me like these would be the MOST popular colors???
The red or grey interiors didn't seem to be too popular; for the '01 model, only 8% of the production run got either the red or grey interior color. The '02 cars wasn't much better with just 7% getting those colors.
Black was the biggest with over 70% of those two years getting a black interior.
The red or grey interiors didn't seem to be too popular; for the '01 model, only 8% of the production run got either the red or grey interior color. The '02 cars wasn't much better with just 7% getting those colors.
Black was the biggest with over 70% of those two years getting a black interior.
While this may be another good source for prospective buyer, they also didn't have any torch red ones with a grey or red interior. There is a '97 listed with only 21K miles for $20500, which I think is way high for a '97, regardless of miles...
My guess would be the red on red was just too much over the top and the preference went towards a more contrasting and moderate look.
The grey in my opinion is too light of a color and would wear more noticeably than the black. If it were a darker gray/charcoal it may have done better.
The contrast of the Black on Red is really sharp. The shale gave it a more classy look.
An all-red (in the C5's case "firethorne") interior results in a car that is not an easy car to sell on the secondary market. Unless it's the classic white over red Corvette scheme, red interior with pretty much any other color would have to cater to a very specific buyer.
The Z06 carries "mod red" which was essentially a two-tone black/red interior.
Black does not get as hot as you may think it does. I have the all black interior and it's largely cool to the touch in 115 F temps in the South. I keep a panel shade when parked outside which also helps.
Remember that one of the good things about all black is most of the aftermarket colored accessories go fairly well with black. If you have an oak or shale interior and you want to add any sort of color it's going to look a bit odd against similar contrasting colors. With all-black, anything you add will typically pop instantly (likely why so many like "mod red" - the red pops against the black pretty well).
1997 & 1998 Corvettes has "Firethorn Red" as an interior choice. It's not nearly as attractive as the Torch Red offered 1999-2004.
I have a 2000 Torch Red C5 Coupe with a Torch Red interior, as well as both tops.
...and IMHO, it's the best looking interior color for a Corvette up until the C7s. There's a reason the first Corvettes only came White with Red interiors. My Dad ordered this car
with these options back in the day. Since I have acquired it, I even added a little more red of a different variety:
My car had the original carpet plastic floor covering from the factory still on it until 2016. I bought my own roll of the stuff, and now replace it about every 6 months myself.
One of the main reasons I picked the 99 C5 that I did was the light gray interior. I was tired of all black interiors in my cars over the years and liked the lighter color and contrast.
Then earlier this year when I sold my 99 and replaced it with an 03 the light Shale and Medium Neutral interior colors also appealed to me. I really like not having a black dash!
Sydwayz, sell me your car! That's exactly what I'm lookin for!
Sorry sir, I do not ever see this car being sold.
I too, hate black interiors. My MB daily beater is an older model with the Designo color package, black carpet and trim, yet baseball glove like leather seats. It's my only compromise in this area.
Use AutoTrader.com. You can search on Red Exterior AND Red Interior, and results are pretty accurate. I just did a search and found around 20 listed across the US.
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-
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I had a '99 torch red coupe with oak interior. Originally ordered it with a gray interior, but after thinking about it, I switched to the oak. Do not regret that decision since the oak went very well with the TR exterior.
I'm in Central and So. Fl. and the black interior is not a problem. The center of the seat is breathable and the cabin cools quickly. Red / red inside is just too much and black is easier to keep good looking. The top should match the interior so a tan top would require extra cleaning as would the interior.
I had a '99 torch red coupe with oak interior. Originally ordered it with a gray interior, but after thinking about it, I switched to the oak. Do not regret that decision since the oak went very well with the TR exterior.
I like that interior color too, I like them all better than black, but unfortunately, it looks like I'm going to end up with a black one...
When we went looking for our black 03 vert, all I wanted was Oak interior. I've had several foreign sports cars with black an always got fried from the sun.
I took about 6 mo. of searching before black with oak finally was found.
10-25-2016, 10:31 AM
Interior colors
