Actually, Callaway Cars has always protected our intellectual property rights and designs.

Our Callaway AeroBody remains available for all C4s - both regular and ZR-1 width cars and includes all brackets, lights, lenses, etc. to ensure a first-rate fit.

For more information, please visit our online store:

http://shop.callawaycars.com/category.sc?categoryId=4

Thanks

 

I think part of the problem is the c4 crowd is at the point where they're looking for more then another c4 with a cam swap or for header install pictures. I'm looking for things like making an aftermarket ECM work with the digital dash, I'm looking for guides on rewiring the car. I'm looking for different intake options then miniram or super ram. I'm looking for the combo to put a big cube small block in an early C4 with what needs to be done to tune it and squeeze the most out of it.

The project cforce has been taking so long to develop (there was what two articles on it in 12 months last year?) And has been in the works for what seems like at least three years.

Then they're doing a 5.3 motor into it, it isn't even an impressive motor that's going in. It's not a LS1 take out, it's not a 6.0 truck engine. I think if they had done a few articles over a short period of time it would have been a great series but I just don't buy their magazine when I'm stuck in the airport because there's seldom anything in it that caters to me.

 

I posted this a little while ago and was upset at CF also: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...tte-fever.html

 

This is what I wrote via Email to Corvette Fever:
I never write to magazines, but feel that this was important. In the latest issue (in the letters section) there was a comment from someone called "Upset C4 Fan" he was upset that there was not enough C4 coverage in your magazine and that he was going to cancel his subscription.
While I do somewhat agree with him that is not why I am writing you!
I am upset with the response back to him that insults the C4 community in general and I found it very rude. The short of it is that most C4 owners did not support Project CForce. And that C4 owners are still caught up with the archaic drivetrains. We don't embrace the LSX technology. And the aftermarket does not support the C4 because of the lack of support.

Really? If the C4 is so archaic why do you show complete chassis' to upgrade a C1,C2,C3 Vette to the archaic C4 suspension?
We would all love to embrace the LSX engine technology but let’s face it we do not have all the sponsors giving us handouts in Parts, Labor, Garages that your magazine obviously has!
I like All Corvettes and enjoy most articles in your magazine (I really do) But this got me *issed!
Your CORVETTE WEEKEND PROJECTS 2010
had not a single C4 project (although I must admit they were very basic).
Since Chris Petris left your magazine (I have no affiliation with him nor do I even know him other than his informative articles that used to be in your magazine) your C4 coverage is almost non existent!
The C4 generation was one of the longest production runs of the Corvette. Shame on you and the automotive industries that do not support them! What will happen with the C5/C6 generations when they are 20 years old? You seem to support the C1,C2 generations. Do you assume the C4's are the bastard child of GM ?
I too shall let my subscription lapse after the rude comments made by your magazine! Corvette lovers/owners are what support your magazine.
Electronic forums are taking a big chunk out of paper magazine subscriptions; I would think you need all the readers (even C4 readers) to make Corvette Fever survive in the future!

 

Well, similar designed bodywork wouldn't infringe on anything. Then maybe it'd drive the price down. I don't want to take away from Callaway...believe me...I love the cars and my bag is FULL with Dads stuff, shy of my Ping driver. Fact is though, C4's are cheaper and need some cheaper options. Maybe Callaway can offer something a little more reasonable or updated that recaptures some excitement? Lip, small rear accent piece, small function diffuser, etc?

Hey, at least I dragged Callaway people into this...lol.

 

The AeroBody is timeless and we sell them today to those who appreciate such a design.

Aside from actually being functional, the Callaway AeroBody fits and it high quality. It is also complete and includes all lights, brackets, and fittings to make it work as one would expect. Try to say the same for others and you will be left speechless

When we introduced the Callaway AeroBody, it represented about 20% of the cost of a regular C4 for the body, install, and paint. Today, with the average C4 costing what it does, that percentage is MUCH different. In fact, one might say the body plus install, costs more than the average C4. It is what it is...

Cheaper options will not equal a better offering. The price reflects the design, quality, and support. I hope this helps

 

Yes, I am not contradicting the quality or level of workmanship in the aerobody. Just saying, maybe a new more affordable part with the callaway name would be a nice boost for the C4 crowd. Something tasteful, aerodynamically worthy of the name, but not so complex or expensive.

Maybe a small accent piece to the upper rear deck similar to the current ZR1 that works with the rear C4 bodywork? Maybe a small rear diffuser? Maybe some nice side gills? There are a lot of small nice parts that would be good money makers in tighter times. I've seen many companies in other genres doing it.

 

WOW! I actually agree with him.. Get on the ball Callaway

 

BTW this is what i am talking about..
sell the parts individually I would love to have the front fascia and side fenders..

 

I will agree there isn't much to get mad about. I subscribe to Corvette Fever and most the other Corvette publications. I will say I disagree with it being an honest answer, it's a lazy answer. They may be short staffed and have to cut/limit costs, so anything beyond what they have in work or in the can may be too much. The key to the lack of articles most likely is a direct result of the lack of advertising for C4 mod parts. Bottom line you open Ecklers, Mid America, Pacific Corvettes, etc you see C4 restoration parts and C5 & C6 mod parts. Pafdt, LG, and the others are building parts for C5 & C6 moding. A moded C5 can easily run with a C6, a lot harder even with a 383 L98 to run with the C5 or C6. Especially in a down economy magaizines will reuse old articles, and limit new assignments to those thing that advertising dollars support.
I still see a number of C4's autocrossing, but yes there are more C5's, not very many C6's yet. What Corvette Fever needs to do is cover each era vette. Either mod's or history.
The C4 is an easily built race car that can win its class in autocross and be competitive on the road course not to mention a lot of fun. But you haven't seen Corvette Fever run a series on how to turn a serviceable L98 C4 into a track toy, or a autocross terror. Most of what needs to be done can be done by the weekend mechanic so it should resonate. Even when they do articles like their stealth build they break thier own rules and take the rework to exotic ends with inconsitent testing. Having said that is they would wright article on how to move the car from one state to another and where to get the parts it would likely sell. I don't see a C4 being a collectors item anytime soon. They are however a lot of fun. I do think that the reliability and enhanced comfort of the C5 & C6 mean they see a lot more street miles and are less likely to be afflicted by this low mile drive softly fetish. Although I have seen a C5 with about 6K miles on it. All compilied 60 seconds at a time autocrossing.

Bottom line, the writer may have felt he was being honest, but it was the wrong answer. There were more C4's built than any other Corvette model to date. There should be a good market there and if there isn't they need to look within about thier selection of subjects. Unless they find an advertiser who wants to capture that market it's unlikely you will see them up the gain on the C4.

 

Well,

you have echoed my thoughts on the matter.........I have plenty of cash in my car w/o an LSX drive train swap and it runs with my neighbor's Commemerative Edition 2004 C5 Z06.....putting down mid to high 12's on street tires.......I guess TPIS is not their biggest sponsor who I purchased alot of my parts from............anyway addressing the whole C4 community in that tone was a terrible (at best) customer service problem......a complete let down..... they say talk with your pocket book.......I certainly will........look at my signature.....I do not have a low budget C4 and can afford the parts for it.....I bought it stock 9 years ago in great shape but my intentions were for it to be a project car and it is.........I have a hard time believing there are just a few of me out there.......

 

Yes, I see your point very well grantar2.

I think in these times, companies and mags should harness the fact that there is NO BETTER car out there for the money than a C4. What better kind of car to build as a project beast than a C4 right now?

Its a fact though, demand drives whats out there, and demand for C4 mod parts is low. If people were crying out, make us this or make us that...someone would. Maybe, on the other hand, a company with strong ties to the Corvette community needs to say, maybe we shouldn't count these cars out yet, and bring a new part or two to the shelves.

The Callaway aero body is timeless...I agree with that 100%. Design influences have changed since then though, and I imagine designers could go back to work and with a smaller investment maybe say "hey, lets look at a rear deck accent piece, or some small aero part worthy of the name" and keep it budget. Maybe even outsource the work in an effort to keep costs down.

I personally have many contacts out there making much more budgeted, but quality pieces. Suspension parts, aero, engine parts...you name it. Once I get this car in hand, I'll be speaking with many of them in an effort to bring some more affordable and much needed pieces, and I can tell you...they'll be all ears. I've already spoken with a few who are cautious but interested pending further action on my part.

Like I said, new enthusiasts are needed and I firmly believe they are coming. They can't come into a forum of stock cars though and be inspired or driven. They need to see more action, so it's gonna take a little something from everyone to make it happen.

I watched the import world start from scratch...I was there from nearly day one, and I watched it grow into a beast. There were a lot of factors involved, but it really just started with guys diving in and sharing the experience with others. Pics and how-to's are the foundation of that group. Everyone can do it, because people before them have laid it out and reduced the intimidation factor. That needs to happen here.

 

RC000E i agree with just about everything youve said. Callaway basically said well we offer the aerobody still, sorry if its expensive but its worth it. Well to me and alot of other no, its not at all. I admire all the originally produced Callaways and i dont want to mimic/mock them by not being one, not to mention not living up to their performance expectations in my mostly stock form when people ask whats done to it. I agree a new interesting spoiler would do wonders but not with most c4 guys. However, a diffuser or even as someone else said just the gills or front bumper off the aerobody alone would be a hit. The aerobody costs tons, and those individual parts would too, but that price difference means the difference in selling something or nothing. I would pay a stupidly expensive amount just to have a diffuser or those gills produced by Callaway, say $1000. I wont ever think about paying 8,000 for the aero body. And I still think it is the aftermarkets fault. I feel there are very few bone stock c4s right now. People want to do "just one or two things" to start but it quickly grows on you to keep wanting to mod. The price on aftermarket things are outrageous, and maybe it would be cheaper for them and us to produce 20% more then they do now. Cheaper for them and us means they'd seal the deal on buyers that are tetering on the edge of pushing that BUY NOW button. Like you said you watched the import scene explode. Now granted, simply because most are in line 4 bangers, they have to buy half of the things we v8 owners do and that does drive the price down, but parts for imports cost hardly anything. Other then show pieces like a $700 carbon fiber intake filter by Injen most of it stays affordable to this day, yet most imports are still seriously cheap to this day. Now how can they make these inexpensive parts for people that spend $3000 on a car yet no one can make reasonable parts for us that spend $6000 on our cars? Like I said in my other post about headers for Vettes vs F-bodies, I feel its nothing more then a corvette tax and it prevents me and alot of other buyers from going to that next level to get serious with our cars.

 

it's a chicken and egg thing, not as in which came first, but more like, would there be a chicken without an egg, or an egg without a chicken?

without factory or aftermarket support, how do you maintain interest in a vehicle ? without interest in a vehicle, what justifies the investment in research, development and marketing necessary to bring new parts online?

despite dwindling numbers, some high interest vehicles such as early Camaros and Mustangs have created their own industry. others have risen phoenix like from the ashes of autmotive history, witness the whole Cobra kit car phenoneum.

C4s are extremely capable cars, but theres not the aftermarket support for these cars; at least not to the extent they deserve.

DART wouldn't make a LT block, even though it couldn't be too different from the thousands of "conventional" small blocks they already produce;

Squires Turbo Systems doesn't make a rear mounted turbo system for a C4, although they make one for a fourth generation F-body;

OPTIMA doesn't make a 75 series side post only battery tor our cars;

Hurst quit making shifters for ZF six speeds;

and the list goes on. and on.

and that doesn't even begin to address the subject of getting stock replacement parts.

talk about getting no respect.

sure, some C4s are made into competitive race cars; but only a few owners are interested in owning a track only car. Besides, how much of this track only technology can be carried over to street driven cars ?

and some street cars get cosmetic make overs, but not everyone is interested in changing their cars for appearance's sake.

so where does that leave us ? waiting for parts no one is interested in making ? replacing ever increasingly scarce stock parts with later non C4 parts, such as the "Project C Force", LS engine swap ? buying earlier, simpler Corvettes that the aftermarket does support ? Giving up entirely and buying a late model Corvette ?

the next decade will probably be a make or break for the C4. Will they become more, or less, desireable ? I don't have a crystal ball but allow me to propose an analogy.

Austin Healys were a dated design, even for the 50s and early 60s. Still, it was powerful car and was one of the cheapest 2 seaters that could be bought used. Much to my amazement, a nice one recently sold at the Barrett Jackson auction for $80,000.

The V-8 Chevy Monza was Motor Trends 1975 "CAR OF THE YEAR". Corvettes notwithstanding, the Monza was the smallest lightest Chevy to come with a factory V8 and a four speed; it ruled the 1975 IMSA GT. But, except for a small cadre of die hard Monza fans, this car has zero interest and corresponding lack of value.

What made the difference ? for one thing, parts, are generally available for old english sports cars. By contrast, Monza's (except for engine and transmission parts), suffered from oddball tires and 4 lug wheels and were not supported by either the factory or the aftermarket.

Which cars' history will more closely resemble the C4 ? Stay tuned; only time will tell.

keep the faith.

 

What do you think a 140k mile, sunburned C4 should go for?

That Price was a bit rich for my blood.....considering it won't pass smog and needs paint asap

 

Love your products, but you need help with your web page.....LOL

It's all good, I'm just handing out constructive criticism.

 

Sounds trashed to me. I bet the interior is in bad shape, which is why I'm guessing the price is in the $3k range. But in this market, needing engine work and paint work won't get you much.

Though with regards to C4 pricing. I've seen alot of 3rd gens for sale in the $3k to $5k depending on condition. I would at least figure a C4 would be worth more than a 3rd gen. But maybe they are considered the same in the market?

 

If you want to read good Corvette Fever magazine articles about modding C4's, you need to buy the right ones. Try finding some magazines from 1994-98. I'm sure there will be plenty of modded C4's in there!

 

And he is stuck in an airport weekly!

 

Those are good points....but here is what you are overlooking with the Monza vs a C4. Numbers.....Numbers are what makes a difference. Numbers lead to nostalgia. Rarity leads to only the serious collectors.

C4s have the numbers and as all of us from the 80s enter into our late 40s and 50s, we have money to spend on that car that:
A) We wanted dearly in the 80s
B) We (or someone in the fam) had one in the 80s.

You see the ~'70 Mach Ones selling at Barret Jackson for big big money.....it's the guys that are "up" there in earnings that drive that market....believe me, Ford put half the effort into those Mustangs...they were cheaply built to maximize profits...Ford knows no other way.

In Comparison, look at the C2 "bumper cars" Those things are bringing huge money...it's the influence of the buyer that drives the market.

Enjoy the C4 now...race it...drive it daily...get em while they are cheap and abundant.

The Parts world will flip around soon enough. When 'theparstsladi' runs out of NOS scissor style regulators, and they see how many they sold per year....we'll get a copy produced from China....it all just takes time