russellowr

Just wondering...

RicK T

No historical meaning, just a random GM RPO code that sort of took on a life of its own. Here's a previous discussion for example:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...te-and-gm.html

fdxpilot

All GM autos have 3 letter codes (known as RPOs, or Regular Production Options,) for all the options on the vehicle. Zxx tends to be performance options of one sort or another. Z28 was the performance package on Camaros, Z71 is the off-road performance package for trucks and SUVs, Z06 and Z07 are the high end performance options for the vette, while Z51 has been the basic handling package on vettes since at least '84.

Ernest_T

I think it started with the C2.

fdxpilot

Well, I know on my '78, it was known as the FE7 Gymkhana Suspension, not Z51.

Looking through the specs for older corvettes, '84 is the first mention I see of the Z51 Performance Handling Package.

Ernest_T

I think you're right. A look around the internet shows the Z51 first appeared in 1984. Lots of different packages before that.

longboy4

Z-51.....Remember when you heard "C5" all the time? Nobody ever heard of a C2 thru C4 before. Probably because around the same time the Japanese and Germans got too lazy to give their cars names and went with the alpha numeric nonsense on their high line cars. Now Corvette "Stingray".......may be the times are a turning again. Wish I could say, " Got an '06 Corvette with a 366 and Turbo Hydro .....instead of '06 C6 with an LS2 and 6L80.

Supersonic 427

The Z51 (Performance Handling Package) came out in 1984.The Z51 option consisted of HD springs, stabalizer bars, 16x9.5 wheels, Delco Bilstein shocks, HD radiator, and a faster steering ratio.
30 years ago right now, I was anxiously awaiting my Bright Red 1985 Coupe. I ordered it in November of '84 but didn't get it delivered till April of '85 I ordered Z51, 4+3 manual and the new sport leather seat option. Pretty well loaded it listed for $28,506. Still have the original window sticker to it!

RJRSW

My 1984 had the Z51 option and it rode like it had no suspension at all, it would jar the fillings out of your teeth. I avoided it after that until I drove a C6 with Z51 and it was a totally different and much better riding car by a mile.

Supersonic 427

The '84 Z51 was brutal. They did lessen the spring rates for '85 Z51's along with many other improvements including the Tuned Port FI.

kdavis69

I find it interesting that the $28,506 price tag would equate to about $62,700 in 2014 dollars.

$$$frumnuttin'

it came from a Frenchman, mon ami, Jaque de Vetterman

"eet eez dees won, dee zee feefty won"

vettekat2007

I agree 100%. I got rid of my '84 Z51 when it had about 2,500 miles on it because I couldn't stand the ride quality. I believe the '85 Z51 suspension was actually the standard suspension from '84.

ArcticC7

Even in the C4 era it was called the Z51 Gymkhana suspension package. Funny before it was popular it was a $250 option. Once GM saw it was getting popular they started raising the price. Just as the automatic transmission NEVER had a premium price in the C4 era you could choose either way stick or auto for the same money. Once the automatic started to out sell the stick guess what? GM started to charge a premium for the automatic.