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The OP suggests they can lower the price for this stripper! More likely to raise it, similar to Porsche strippers built for racing!
Removing what power option would save money? Steering, brakes, windows-don't think so. If they spent the time and effort to design and manufacture roll up windows doubt the mechanism would weight less. Now they could switch to Lexan instead of glass for weight savings but that would cost much more.
After developing all the electronics don't see a big cost savings eliminating any, it's probably just different software. In fact that would add costs with the inventory and logistics management for the extra "simpler" parts. Can get what I had in my 2014 Z51, conventional shocks and eliminate a computer, special built expensive shocks and those fragile actuators arms and sensors on each lower A arm! But you can do that now.
Once the engineering is completed and the production folks trained, taking things out costs more!
I recall when we introduced the first microprocessor MIG wire feeder in ~1985. Visited a customer who did not want all those extra features, like slow inch down, preflow, postflow, trigger lock etc. Recall having to convince the engineer who designed the system we needed a base model. Although it had fewer switches and features it cost the same. I elected to sell it cheaper for lower margin because that is what the customers wanted a "less complicated unit." That is what the management and the welders perceived it to be!
I say no. I don't want to see the Vette cheapened so there's is one on every corner. If I wanted I could have ordered a 1LT with no options and have taken a step in that direction. But, I wanted the full monty, everything I could add when I ordered in 2014.
You can only strip so much before your manufacturing costs increase because you need another rev level of parts. It's one thing to strip off parts like the HUD and leather seats and quite another to redesign the car as a 'stripper.' Things are so interwoven that reducing the features doesn't always make sense. For example, the "Infotainment" system contains the HVAC controls. You can't just replace the whole thing with old-fashioned mechanical *****. The whole thing is software driven anyway so even if you patched it you'd still be creating more work (not less) because you'd need two versions instead of one. Bottom Line is that you wouldn't save any money and the stripped version wouldn't cost any less. These days a 1LT IS the stripped model.
I read the Vette was going to be dancing on a pole! Stripper......
As for a "Stripped" or base with no options car, meaning radio delete, power seats delete etc., No way, not interested. If I wanted a lightweight race car I wouldn't be buying a C7 or I'd find one damaged cheap and strip what's not needed and repair what is needed.
Just my .02, but a Corvette on a Stripper Pole, No thanks.
In other words maybe a real stripper with just an engine on a chassis with wheels and a tent top to protect from the rain. Who needs extras as long as the car goes fast and handles. I like a little luxury in a car in addition to speed and handling.
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Originally Posted by Kent1999
At this point, GM would have to spend a lot of money to create such a car.
These days you can't just throw in the 6-speed instead of the 7... the powertrain would have to be re-certed. $$$
Can't just delete VVT/AFM for the same reason. $$$
Developing a whole new set of 'less complicated electronics' would be obscenely expensive for a car already in production. $$$
Not to mention that this isnt some car being built in someones garage -- all those new parts have to be inventoried and inserted into the build process and supply chain. $$$
And there is no way GM would risk taking out 'safety nannies' in today's litigation-happy protect-me-from-myself climate.
So -- spend all that money, take all those risks -- just to be able to sell it for LESS?
As much as I'd like to see a 'club sport' C7 -- I don't think it makes sense for GM to do it.
You can already get a "poor man's Corvette" with the Camaro SS.
NOPE....I like my "bells & whistles". Every vehicle I purchased new was "Loaded"...Now, having said that....If I was younger, and into racing, and had money....no wait...young and having money is a oxymoron.
I would buy one. I had an 01 z06 and now a 1LT 2012 base coupe. I use very little that the car has now. Could care less about HUD or NAV really could care less about electric seats and windows. Heck I ordered my new Wrangler with half doors and AC delete. Would also love a FRC option again as well. I just like to drive the thing I don't need the fluff.
No, but an entry level Z06 is starting to make some sense. The 1LZ seems to have about everything except Nav and that is an option. Build comes up at $80-85K and with a bit of discount....??? So maybe if it's the right kind of stripper. Pat
The Fixed Roof C5 was not produced as it was originally conceived.
Originally, it was going to have cloth seats and other "cheap" items to hold the price down. Before it was put into production, GM realized a "stripper" wasn't what people wanted, so they added some features back to the "Billy Bob", but it still wasn't what people wanted, and it's sales numbers proved it.
Exactly why there isn't a current "stripper Vette".
As others have mentioned the C5 FRC is not a good example of this concept. It's execution was watered down from the design intent, as they couldn't decide if it was a performance upgrade, or an economy model. As a lot of things that suffer from committee design, the result was plain vanilla, which resulted in an option that was attractive to almost no one.
However, it helped reincarnate the Z06. And the FRC body was heads and tails better looking than the C5 hatchback.
I thought this was a thread that I started a few years back when I first saw the title.
I asked pretty much the same question as the OP and the answers I got were remarkably similar. Apparently a lot of Corvette drivers have to have gadgets to feel fulfilled.
But, the guys at the Camaro division are going hog wild with different performance versions and I wouldn't be surprised if the ZL1 1LE was knocking on the door of Z06 performance. They are claiming a 3 second gain over the standard ZL1 at their test track, so whatever gap there was is definitely a lot smaller.
But, I know, it's just a Camaro. Even if it's faster, you guys don't care.
I think maybe there will be some crow eating when the ZR1 comes out. There are too many racers working at GM and Corvette to ignore the benefit from the less-is-more philosophy, and the company seems to be giving the engineers free reign.
03-10-2017, 01:52 PM
Lower the Price-NoWay!
