Hard top C5?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 7
From: LaPine Oregon
Hard top C5?
Ok this maybe a lame question but I'm still researching information on the C5. I saw an ad for a '99 HARD TOP. I thought that there were only coupes and 'verts. Is this a 'vert with a removable hard top , like the 50's Vettes and 55-57 T birds?
I thought it was pretty cool looking. Is this a premium car?
Thanks, dD
I thought it was pretty cool looking. Is this a premium car?
Thanks, dD
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,445
Likes: 358
From: MI
Ok this maybe a lame question but I'm still researching information on the C5. I saw an ad for a '99 HARD TOP. I thought that there were only coupes and 'verts. Is this a 'vert with a removable hard top , like the 50's Vettes and 55-57 T birds?
I thought it was pretty cool looking. Is this a premium car?
Thanks, dD
I thought it was pretty cool looking. Is this a premium car?
Thanks, dD
Actually it was designed to be a cheaper version of the vette. Sales of it weren't too hot initially and it became the Z06 (I believe) in 2001
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 201
Likes: 3
From: Lee's Summit Mo
St. Jude Donor '07
Ok this maybe a lame question but I'm still researching information on the C5. I saw an ad for a '99 HARD TOP. I thought that there were only coupes and 'verts. Is this a 'vert with a removable hard top , like the 50's Vettes and 55-57 T birds?
I thought it was pretty cool looking. Is this a premium car?
Thanks, dD
I thought it was pretty cool looking. Is this a premium car?
Thanks, dD
Others will disagree. It has a less cluttered look than the Z06.
It is stiffer and lighter than the others and only comes with six speed and Z51 competition suspension.
Premium is in the eye of the beholder.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,730
Likes: 24,678
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
The hardtop is a fixed roof coupe - no targa top to remove - only a solid top up there. They first came out in '99 and in '01, they became the Z06 model.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,017
Likes: 0
From: Plainfield IL
Rarest version of the C5. Only a total of about 6,600 were built in 99 and 00 compared to about 25% of Corvette production from 01 through 05 for the Z06. Lighter and stiffer than coupes and verts. No busy wheels, brake ducts for rear wheels carved out of the body, etc. yet has that aggressive stance.
Six speed only and Z51 suspension standard. AKA Factory Race Car. 
Six speed only and Z51 suspension standard. AKA Factory Race Car.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,530
Likes: 250
From: CT
A lot of us who have the FRC (hardtop), because we like it best, would say it is a premium car.
Others will disagree. It has a less cluttered look than the Z06.
It is stiffer and lighter than the others and only comes with six speed and Z51 competition suspension.
Premium is in the eye of the beholder.
Others will disagree. It has a less cluttered look than the Z06.
It is stiffer and lighter than the others and only comes with six speed and Z51 competition suspension.
Premium is in the eye of the beholder.
By far my personal favorite of the three body styles.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 7
From: LaPine Oregon
Ya, I really like the look of this Vette. Both my other earlier Vettes have been coupes. The hard top gives a very agressive look and being a Z06 to boot is the real bonus. I'll look into this southern California car a little closer now. Thanks everyone.
dD
dD
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,781
Likes: 15
From: Hurricane Alley
If its a '99 or 2000 then it is not a Z06. Z06 did not come in until 2001.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 7
From: LaPine Oregon
Damn!!! I want one!
Ok, I want a FRC , they are hot looking for sure. Question I have is what about a trunk or storage area like the coupe . I have a small dog that travels with me everywhere and me some space. Can anyone give me a clue as to accessability and space available?
I see a couple of nice FRC's here on this forum for sale.
Thanks, dD
I see a couple of nice FRC's here on this forum for sale.
Thanks, dD
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 201
Likes: 3
From: Lee's Summit Mo
St. Jude Donor '07
Trunk is similar to convertible. Not as big as coupe, but decent. Will hold two golf bags. You can also get a divider that partitions off the trunk and helps keep the road noise down. I have one in mine and I like it.
