I was talking with a buddy of mine and he seems to think that the 99 FRC is the Z06 prototype. I have heard this before. If this is true what are the differences b/w a frc and the other models in 99. Thanks for your help

 

Here's an article that discusses the introduction of the FRC as the third C5 body style.....

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/.../09171998.html

Originally - Chevrolet thought they'd introduce an entry level Corvette that was decontented, which is GMspeak for less standard equipment. They actually considered offering the car with a cloth interior and make some of the standard stuff optionally available like power windows, seats, locks, etc.

It was decided that the lower content Vette would somehow cheapen the whole car line, so they decided to go in a different direction and make the FRC the high performance version of the C5. It came standard with the Z51 suspension, 6 speed transmission (only way it ever came BTW) and some of the colors and options were not available like sport seats. After two years, when they decided to take performance to the next level - they used this body style to make the Z06.

The FRC body style is also the most torsionally rigid of the C5's, because it has the top bow of the coupe that the convertible doesn't have and the middle brace behind the seats that the convertible has and the coupe doesn't. The end result is that the FRC body style is 12% more rigid than either the coupe or the convertible. Here's an article that talks about everything I just said.....

http://www.idavette.net/hib/99hdtp.htm

I wouldn't consider it a "prototype" - it's more the precursor.

 

Your friend shouldn't think so much.

 

Thanks blacksedan87 that was exactly what I was lookin for.

 

Your right!!! I end up spending all my time in these forums trying to see if what he says is true.

 

From being under both, I know the 99FRC also did not have the pup cats the rest of us do.

I wouldnt' say prototype either....