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Old May 6, 2005 | 10:32 PM
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Default Z06 models

I realize that this is a bit of a newbie question, but for whatever reason, I need to ask. It is my understanding that the default Z06 model is the one with the hard top, opposed to the glass top or convertible. Is it possible, though, to get a Z06 model with the glass top or convertible?
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Old May 6, 2005 | 10:34 PM
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Not stock.. YOU can through a company that has been used by a bunch on this forum. To convert it to a convertible (only choice I think you can) Not sure if the company does targa top (coupe) conversions. However, this is a very expensive process. I believe it is a hardtop convertible however.
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Old May 6, 2005 | 10:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Z0Sick6
Not stock.. YOU can through a company that has been used by a bunch on this forum. To convert it to a convertible (only choice I think you can) Not sure if the company does targa top (coupe) conversions. However, this is a very expensive process. I believe it is a hardtop convertible however.
Okay. As a follow-up question, certainly not all hard top C5s are Z06's, right? Or does Chevy only make hard tops into Z06s?
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Old May 6, 2005 | 10:38 PM
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Not from the factory. The Z06 is the top performance factory Corvette. They use the fixed roof coupe (frc) because it is the lightest and stiffest Vette made. This summer the new Z06 is going to be built. It will have the coupe profile but the top will not be removable.
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Old May 6, 2005 | 10:42 PM
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Originally Posted by sailohio
Not from the factory. The Z06 is the top performance factory Corvette. They use the fixed roof coupe (frc) because it is the lightest and stiffest Vette made. This summer the new Z06 is going to be built. It will have the coupe profile but the top will not be removable.
Okay, so stock, the hard (frc) tops are only Z06s, but it is possible to have a company convert your frc into a car with a glass top or even a convertible. When you say that the new Z06 will have the coupe profile, are you saying that it will feature a removable glass top?
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Old May 6, 2005 | 10:47 PM
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Yes it is possible but not from the factory.
Carvagiggo(sp) makes a Targa and Vert version.
Its very expensive through them but its the best money can buy.
You can make your Z vert pretty easy with the right parts from Karshop.
Now, its my understanding the sales were slow on the FRC's so this is when they came up with making the FRC into the Z so they could get rid the excess FRCs.
Jon
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Old May 6, 2005 | 10:48 PM
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All Z06's are FRC's...not all FRC's are Z06's. There is a conversion to a convertible, but it is expensive...unfortunately I cannot find the link.
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Old May 6, 2005 | 10:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Sully C5
All Z06's are FRC's...not all FRC's are Z06's. There is a conversion to a convertible, but it is expensive...unfortunately I cannot find the link.
Okay, when you say FRCs, I'm thinking "hard top". So provided that not all hard tops are Z06s, there's really no way to distinguish between a Z06 and a "regular" hard top without the Z06 emblem on the side of the car, I guess.
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Old May 6, 2005 | 10:57 PM
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IMO, if you have a ZO6, leave it alone. If the C5's become a collectors item it will most likely be the ZO6's because of their limited numbers. It is easier to mod a regular C5 into ZO6 performance levels than to convert a ZO6 into a coupe or convertible. Just my .25 cents worth.
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Old May 6, 2005 | 11:01 PM
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Originally Posted by army2000
IMO, if you have a ZO6, leave it alone. If the C5's become a collectors item it will most likely be the ZO6's because of their limited numbers. It is easier to mod a regular C5 into ZO6 performance levels than to convert a ZO6 into a coupe or convertible. Just my .25 cents worth.
I do not have a Z06. I was merely trying to figure out if I could assume that all hard top Corvettes were Z06's. Apparently, it turns out that I can't.
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Old May 6, 2005 | 11:02 PM
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Originally Posted by sdnet
Okay, when you say FRCs, I'm thinking "hard top". So provided that not all hard tops are Z06s, there's really no way to distinguish between a Z06 and a "regular" hard top without the Z06 emblem on the side of the car, I guess.
There are distinguishable items on the ZO6 that sets it apart from the FRC. The trained eye of an expierenced Corvette guy/gal will know first hand. For example: the wheels, rear brake ducts, exhaust tips and the fog light screens.
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Old May 7, 2005 | 01:29 AM
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Originally Posted by sailohio
...The Z06 is the top performance factory Corvette. They use the fixed roof coupe (frc) because it is the lightest and stiffest Vette made...
From its inception, the FRC was supposed to be the pure performance expression of the C5. It was a stripped down, cheaper model for the weekend racer, and it bombed. It wasn't a sales success, or at least not as successful as hoped.

It was only when the Z06 option code was re-introduced that the FRC became a hot item. Kind of ironic how the lowly FRC was transformed to the most expensive, and arguably, most desired C5.

Read "All Corvettes Are Red" by James Schefter. It's all in there.
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Old May 7, 2005 | 02:36 AM
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You guys are confusing him here - the FRC (Hardtop) body style was introduced in 1999 and carried through 2000 MY. Same drivetrain as the coupe & 'vert, but only available in 6-sp with black interior. Limited colors. No removeable roof panel.

In 2001, the FRC "morphed" into the Z06 - same body style as the FRC, but a LOT more motor, suspension upgrades, etc. Still limited options, limited colors. But a helluva car!

In addition to the visual cues described in the previous post - all Z06 models have "S" as the eighth character of the VIN, signifying the LS6 engine. The sixth VIN character on all FRC/Z06 models is "1" identifying it as a hardtop body style. (Coupe is "2" and 'vert is "3".)

Last edited by thevettenet CA; May 7, 2005 at 02:42 AM.
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Old May 7, 2005 | 02:45 AM
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One convertible converter is Caravaggio.
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Old May 7, 2005 | 02:56 AM
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Originally Posted by The Batman
From its inception, the FRC was supposed to be the pure performance expression of the C5. It was a stripped down, cheaper model for the weekend racer, and it bombed. It wasn't a sales success, or at least not as successful as hoped.

It was only when the Z06 option code was re-introduced that the FRC became a hot item. Kind of ironic how the lowly FRC was transformed to the most expensive, and arguably, most desired C5.

Read "All Corvettes Are Red" by James Schefter. It's all in there.

The original concept for the hardtop was to be an "entry level" (stripper) vette, code-named "billy-bob," as I recall. The target price point was to be around $32K, in 199x dollars, compared to a $38K target for a base coupe.

My theory (only an opinion, fwiw) is that the demand was so high for the C5 during the first couple of years following its introduction, that GM pushed the price of the FRC up pretty close to the cost of the coupe, and that, in turn, defeated the whole rationale for Billy Bob, and thus, marginal sales. But since not many people opted for the "stripper" model, GM upped the ante in 2001 with horsepower, suspension, tranny, etc., to give us the Z06 - arguably one of the best sports cars ever built. (At least until the 2006 model comes out....)
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Old May 7, 2005 | 06:03 AM
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Originally Posted by thevettenet CA
You guys are confusing him here - the FRC (Hardtop) body style was introduced in 1999 and carried through 2000 MY. Same drivetrain as the coupe & 'vert, but only available in 6-sp with black interior. Limited colors. No removeable roof panel.

In 2001, the FRC "morphed" into the Z06 - same body style as the FRC, but a LOT more motor, suspension upgrades, etc. Still limited options, limited colors. But a helluva car!

In addition to the visual cues described in the previous post - all Z06 models have "S" as the eighth character of the VIN, signifying the LS6 engine. The sixth VIN character on all FRC/Z06 models is "1" identifying it as a hardtop body style. (Coupe is "2" and 'vert is "3".)


The VIN is the only real way to identify a Z vs a highly modded 99/00 FRC. In my club we had a guy that bolted on every available "visible" Z06 component. He even affixed Z06 badges. Using the 3 foot rule the average Corvette enthausist couldn't tell it wasn't a Z. He even found and installed Z06 seat back covers with the Z06 embroidered in them. The only thing he didn't do was change out the instrument cluster which is different in the Z.


This guy was so lame and took such a beating he quit the club and quietly "de-modded" and sold the car.

Here's a little more history on the Z06 for you.
http://www.z06vette.com/63.php

Tom
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Old May 7, 2005 | 06:26 AM
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The Z06 can be modified to be be either a targa top or a convertible. Saw a targa conversion at Mid-America's Fun Fest a few years ago. Actually looked like a high quality job. Owner was very pleased with the change.
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Old May 7, 2005 | 09:18 AM
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Originally Posted by XCELER8
Yes it is possible but not from the factory.
Carvagiggo(sp) makes a Targa and Vert version.

You forgot the Z06 coupe from Caravaggio.
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