i'm thinking very seriously about purchasing my first C5, and i see that lots of guys on here just love there fixed roof coupes....

i was just wandering what makes the frc so desirable?....the fact that it looks somewhat like a Z06?...i've searched on here, but i cant seem to find an answer

what exactly is the differences between the frc, and the "hatch" style c5? (besides the roof is fixed )

thanks alot

 

FRC are lighter, coupe has removable top, so you can have it three different way, open air, glass and painted top.

 

Also, FRC's are all 6 spd, and lower production. Personally I like because it does look like the Z06..

 

FRC was produced in '99 and '00, before the Z06. It was designed as an enthusiasts car and was only available w/ the Z-51 suspension package and as a 6-speed manual.

The car didn't sell very well so GM decided to take it up a notch with more power, a different suspension package, a new more agressive gear box, and some styling cues like rear brake cooling ducts and screns and badges... this was the Z06.

So in 2001 the FRC became the Z06, the Z06 is and FRC (Fixed Roof Coupe). If you had a Mustang you'd call it a notchback... the short back glass makes for a cooler look and less weight.

 

wow , you guys answered my questions in about 15 minutes after posting this

talk about getting a quick response

thanks alot!!

 

No problem

 

I was sold on the FRC the first time I saw it, It was a "gotta have". I've had mine for over 6 years now and still love it, I know the roof doesn't come off but the styling looks so aggressive. The car is as tight and squeak free as the day I brought it home.

 

i may get flamed for this, but what the heck, the only stupid question is one not asked, right?

"cosmetically", what are the differences from the FRC to the Z06?

dumb me, i thought that on a frc, the "whole" roof was removable....duh...

 

The Z06 has mesh screens in the 2 main openings on teh front bumper, it has rear brake cooling ducts in the rocker panes, it has Z06 specific wheels/tires, and the Titanium catback w/ four larger round tips.

It also has a Z06 specific guage cluster w/ a checkered flag motif, higher redline, and italic font. Oh and the seats have Z06 stiched into them.

The FRC is just the same as a coupe but with the hardtop body style... same motor etc.

 

Brake ducts on the side, ZO6 badges on the fender, front screens, titanium exhaust (larger round tips not the non chrome small ovals). Some Z's has the mod red interior but other than that no much different except either 385hp for the 01 and 405 02 to 04.

 

Yea, I agree..I also purchased my FRC a year back, due to partially the lightness of the body, 6 speed standard, the Z51 suspension, and the overall look of the vette is awsome. Ofcourse not taking anything away from the roadster or coupe models' ...

 

and red fuel rail covers..

Personally, I think FRC is the best looking C5 model.

 

I love my '01 coupe, dont get me wrong, but the FRC keeps growing on me. Bit meaner look from the sides/back.

Prefer the hatchback and abitlity to remove the top on the coupe though.

 

I love the FRC so much I bought 2. I have a torch red and a nassau blue. They look good and are just fun to drive!! I bought them 4 years apart and they were built 84 units away from each other on the same day!!

Amazing

 

Personally I like the look of the FRC over the hatch,its more agressive looking, imo. My '99 is pretty much rattle free,has every option available for an FRC sans bsm,I freakin' love it.
Denny

 

The Z06 also has a thinner lighter windshield, I love my Z06 but the blind spot due to the FRC can be a PITA.

 

My next VETTE will be an FRC (unless I find a deal of a lifetime on a coupe).

 

Partially true. The FRC only came with a 6 speed (A4 not available), it was lighter and RPO code Z51 was standard.

 

Now, let's see.......the FRC didn't sell very well, so after two years they decided to make it a Z06 so it would sell better. So, they had one one month, when production was down between model years '00 & '01, to come up with this Z06 savior of the FRC.

The Z06 was in the works before the first FRC was sold. As early as '97 with the LS6 planning. The FRC was the chosen design and produced in limited numbers, 4000+ for '99, 2000+ for '00, to acclimate the public to the new design, and every one was sold.

 

The first Hardtops came out in '99 and ended in '00. For many debateable reasons the car didn't go over well with it's target audience such as weekend autocrossers. Things changed in '01 and it became the Z06...so the Z06 "looks" like the FRC

Over the past few years the '99-'00 FRCs have really seemed to have developed a cult following and are increasing in demand. That coupled with very low production numbers is making the model more difficult to find.

I've been driving Vettes for 30+ years, mostly C2s & C3s, but by the time the C4s came out I was pretty much tired of them and didn't like the C4 at all. I was ready to give up on GM ever making a decent Vette again....but out came the C5 and I was like . BUT I really didn't like the big back window and had just sold a '78 Pace Car because it just lacked the tight intimate "feel" of the C3s with all that extra airspace behind the seats. I was thinking Jeez, I really love this new Vette but darn that rear window. In '98 the Vert came out and I fell in love with the profile of that car with the top up and thought how much I would want one if it only had a solid roof. I've had many convertibles and didn't want another for a daily driver.

In '99 my wish was granted by the Vette Gods and the FRC came out. I couldn't get to a dealership fast enough to get my hands on one...a Torch Red baby. But that car was destroyed in a wreck eight months later Went right out and bought this white one and have been in love ever since. This car now has 163K miles and still runs like it's brand new. Added a black Z06 to the stable but had too many problems with it and it seemed like there was one on every street corner so I got rid of it. I have no intentions of ever selling the white one but I'm now hunting for the right '03-04 yellow Z06 to put in the garage with it.