roadbike56

From a marketing concept, the stripper, low priced Corvette sounds good, but in actual practice, it will flop.
Today you already have folks like yours truly who opt for a slightly used C7 with more options than a new base, 1LT coupe. That situation will get worse as the GS and Z06 add some age. Why would anyone want to go to a stripper instead of a two year old, 2LT, Z51. Given the costs of making the changes to produce the "stripper", the price won't be that much lower than the current base, 1LT, coupe. Add to that the target market expects the basic Corvette to be well equipped. IMHO, the stripper will be a dud that fills up some dealers lots and gets sold for fire sale prices just to unload them.

stevebz06

They would go for the "stripper" because it would theoretically be higher performance. For people that place a value on lap times, even a tenth of a second is worth something. Few people listen to their radio or check the Nav while lapping, so these things are worse than useless to them. People that buy BMW's and Porsches will spend big bucks to get factory "strippers", so why not Corvette buyers?

SK360

For some I guess.

ZenicaPA

Twice in one day a forum member burns an image into my retinas that will forever haunt me.

Thanks.

bigsapper

COPO Corvette.

fsvoboda

As some already have mentioned, much of this stuff is integrated into one system (radio, nav, climate control) so you would not save weight with a different version. In fact, I am surprised that there isn't an option to add nav to C7 after purchase, an easy profit center for GM. On my wife's 2014 Jeep Cherokee all the nav parts already were there, and adding it was a simple software upgrade, took about fifteen minutes in my driveway on the phone to Chrysler.

Bill Dearborn

They did that in 1999 and 2000. It was called the Fixed Roof Coupe. Sales didn't do well until they turned it into the C5Z06 and added some features in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004. Features included were HUD, ABS, Traction Control and Active Handling. You forget that once they pay for developing a lot of the features like stability control for the main model it actually would cost them more to put in a dumbed down system. All of the money is in the software so reducing the number of 1s and 0s in the module memory does little to reduce cost but can raise costs due to making another part number to control.

Bill

Vetteman Jack

I could do without a number of the things that come standard on a new Vette, but some thing I would want to have. While it might be tempting to buy a stripper Vette, I'm not sure I would be happy in the long run.

Pacembellum

That is what I would, buy very stripped.

My perfect vette.

2017 Z06 chassis
N/A LS7 with quality heads, cam, and about 600hp crank
1LZ electronics suite
3LZ comp seat upholstery but manual controls, leather dash, suede headliner, suede paneling.

No options beyond that.

themonk

I don't need AC, pwr seats, HUD or leather....just how much weight that saves I don't know, probably not much so unless 200 lbs of weight is saved by not having those items I'd rather have them than not.

Squeaky Wheel

While I like most of the creature comforts like powered windows, mirrors etc, I could easily live without the touch screen and all its icons. I find them terribly distracting. Just give me a good quality audio with standard buttons and an aux port for a line in, similar to what could be had in the C6. Also a similar HVAC system. I HATE menus!

roadbike56

Steve,
You're reference is not the same as the OPs. You're talking about a lighter, higher performing car that might lose some of the creature comforts in the package to achieve it's goal. That Corvette probably would sell as a performance option, but it wouldn't cost less than the current versions of the C7. The cost of engineering such an option would be passed on to the consumer. Still, you may have a point that a lighter Corvette with better track times might sell enough to be viable, at a higher price.
The OP is referring to a lower priced C7 based on providing less creature comfort systems. The points being made by most here is, no that won't work due to the costs of re-engineering, the cost of setting up the plant to offer this option (the C7 keeps costs down by making some systems standard such as power seats and power windows) and that buyers would simply opt for a used C7, especially a late model certified example, instead of the "stripper" Corvette.
With your example, say a lighter weight Z51 with an LT4 engine and GS wheels/tires. Oh yeah, that might sell even if it costs a few bucks more.

JoesC5

In 1993, when GM was laying out their next generation(C5) models, they were estimating the fastback coupe at around $40,000 and the "Billy Bob" FRC at around $30,000.

The 1997 Fastback coupe came in at $37,495, lower than they originally estimated.

By 1999, the fastback coupe was $39,171 and the 1999 "Billy Bob" FRC was $38,777.

After adding back in all the stuff people wanted, the "Billy Bob" FRC was not the low cost "stripper" model as first envisioned back in 1993.

2K14C7

The C5 FRC was an interesting concept. Trouble was hardly anyone wanted to buy it. Then someone at GM decided to take the FRC and increase the HP, tweak the suspension and some other items and put Z06 badges on it. It was an instant hit.

SMT1004

1LT at 45k (7M) or 46k (8A) could be considered the stripper version the OP is mentioning. At these deeply discounted prices it allows some to get into a new vette, that was me.

I would think in this market the cost to create a lesser content version than the 1LT would be cost prohibitive. The upgrades to the assembly line, materials, etc. would eat up any additional profit margin for GM.

Does GM still sell rolling chassis to race teams?

Extreme Engineering

What ever happened to the body in white option that they used to sell to race teams? These truly were strippers with little to no interior, accessories etc. This would be the ultimate kit car!

Extreme Engineering

What ever happened to the body in white option that they used to sell to race teams? These truly were strippers with little to no interior, accessories etc. This would be the ultimate kit car!

ZERRY 316

Buy a C3 and update it with what you want.

fsvoboda

BTW, if you look for Corvettes on Ebay from time to time you will see essentially such chassis, wrecked cars without body panels but mechanically sound, in rolling, driveable form. They are quite inexpensive.

spinkick

As long as you can select her hair color, I wouldnt mind if the car came with one.