Why so few 1997's?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 813
Likes: 0
From: Long Island New York
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 202
Likes: 6
From: Scottsdale AZ
Delay from development
I know they had lots of problems. Needed to engineer a stronger oil pan to keep the LS1 Crankshaft inside the motor 
If you remember when the C4 was rolled out they used the 82 drivetrain. In 63 they used the 62 drivetrain. In 97 everything was new. The plant went through major revisions. etc. At least there was a 97 even with the same engine we missed 83 alltogether. FYI only 1,077 Z51s were made so it is rare. Eric
If you remember when the C4 was rolled out they used the 82 drivetrain. In 63 they used the 62 drivetrain. In 97 everything was new. The plant went through major revisions. etc. At least there was a 97 even with the same engine we missed 83 alltogether. FYI only 1,077 Z51s were made so it is rare. Eric
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Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,735
Likes: 14
From: Visalia CA
The numbers made are probably picked from the Corvette Black Book. That's were I got my info. Plus there are plenty of web sites with C5 production numbers. 
I've have always known that the production year for a new model usually starts mid-year (June - July). Don't know why I didn't think of that for the C5. Thanks for setting the record straight, guys.
I've have always known that the production year for a new model usually starts mid-year (June - July). Don't know why I didn't think of that for the C5. Thanks for setting the record straight, guys.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 528
Likes: 0
From: Denver Colorado
found this site.mines# 931..nice
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...1997/97id.html
VIN Tag Information
1G1YY22G5V5100000 - 1G1YY22G5V5109707
Digit Definition
1st Country of Origin: 1 = USA
2nd Manufacturer: G = General Motors
3rd Make: 1 = Chevrolet
4th/5th Carline/Series: YY = Corvette
6th Body Style: 2 = two door coupe
7th Restraint Code: 2 = Active, manual w/ driver and passenger inflatable restraints.
8th Engine Type: G = LS1
9th Check Digit
10th Model Year: V = 1997
11th Plant: 5 = Bowling Green, Kentucky
Last 6 digits Production Number starting with 100000 - 109707.
Engine Suffix ID Numbers
ZYC: 350ci, 345hp, (manual transmission)
ZYD: 350ci, 345hp, (automatic transmission)
Block ID Numbers
12550592: All Engines
Head ID Numbers
10215339: 350ci, 345hp
12558806: 350ci, 345hp (late production
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...1997/97id.html
VIN Tag Information
1G1YY22G5V5100000 - 1G1YY22G5V5109707
Digit Definition
1st Country of Origin: 1 = USA
2nd Manufacturer: G = General Motors
3rd Make: 1 = Chevrolet
4th/5th Carline/Series: YY = Corvette
6th Body Style: 2 = two door coupe
7th Restraint Code: 2 = Active, manual w/ driver and passenger inflatable restraints.
8th Engine Type: G = LS1
9th Check Digit
10th Model Year: V = 1997
11th Plant: 5 = Bowling Green, Kentucky
Last 6 digits Production Number starting with 100000 - 109707.
Engine Suffix ID Numbers
ZYC: 350ci, 345hp, (manual transmission)
ZYD: 350ci, 345hp, (automatic transmission)
Block ID Numbers
12550592: All Engines
Head ID Numbers
10215339: 350ci, 345hp
12558806: 350ci, 345hp (late production
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,336
Likes: 0
From: North Canton OH
Brief and to the point!
Anyway mine's #270 built at the same time the C4's were still being made, with "containment" RP0 on my list. I've been told it was assembled, mostly by hand, since the assembly line still had C4's in it and needed to be "retooled" for C5 parts which still required downtime to do. I imagine the 98's came out in mid-97, and the marketing release for the C5 was in January of 1997, so that only gave 6-7 maybe 8 months of sell time.
I love how anyone who doesn't have a '97 says: "all '97's are junk and were prone to problems and nobody should ever buy a first year production run, etc, etc."
While I agree that you should buy the newest and lowest mileage car you can afford, there are nice 97's out there with no more problems than can happen to 04's.
If nobody wanted first year run cars why are people always shelling out HUGE bucks for production slots of new released cars? IE: new mustangs, new vipers, new C6's, ford GT etc. Hell even the craptastic PT cruiser and New Bug was demanding HUGE markups. I suppose that was because nobody wanted a first year car.
Anyway mine's #270 built at the same time the C4's were still being made, with "containment" RP0 on my list. I've been told it was assembled, mostly by hand, since the assembly line still had C4's in it and needed to be "retooled" for C5 parts which still required downtime to do. I imagine the 98's came out in mid-97, and the marketing release for the C5 was in January of 1997, so that only gave 6-7 maybe 8 months of sell time.
I love how anyone who doesn't have a '97 says: "all '97's are junk and were prone to problems and nobody should ever buy a first year production run, etc, etc."
While I agree that you should buy the newest and lowest mileage car you can afford, there are nice 97's out there with no more problems than can happen to 04's.
If nobody wanted first year run cars why are people always shelling out HUGE bucks for production slots of new released cars? IE: new mustangs, new vipers, new C6's, ford GT etc. Hell even the craptastic PT cruiser and New Bug was demanding HUGE markups. I suppose that was because nobody wanted a first year car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 25
Brief and to the point!
Anyway mine's #270 built at the same time the C4's were still being made, with "containment" RP0 on my list. I've been told it was assembled, mostly by hand, since the assembly line still had C4's in it and needed to be "retooled" for C5 parts which still required downtime to do. I imagine the 98's came out in mid-97, and the marketing release for the C5 was in January of 1997, so that only gave 6-7 maybe 8 months of sell time.
I love how anyone who doesn't have a '97 says: "all '97's are junk and were prone to problems and nobody should ever buy a first year production run, etc, etc."
While I agree that you should buy the newest and lowest mileage car you can afford, there are nice 97's out there with no more problems than can happen to 04's.
If nobody wanted first year run cars why are people always shelling out HUGE bucks for production slots of new released cars? IE: new mustangs, new vipers, new C6's, ford GT etc. Hell even the craptastic PT cruiser and New Bug was demanding HUGE markups. I suppose that was because nobody wanted a first year car.
Anyway mine's #270 built at the same time the C4's were still being made, with "containment" RP0 on my list. I've been told it was assembled, mostly by hand, since the assembly line still had C4's in it and needed to be "retooled" for C5 parts which still required downtime to do. I imagine the 98's came out in mid-97, and the marketing release for the C5 was in January of 1997, so that only gave 6-7 maybe 8 months of sell time.
I love how anyone who doesn't have a '97 says: "all '97's are junk and were prone to problems and nobody should ever buy a first year production run, etc, etc."
While I agree that you should buy the newest and lowest mileage car you can afford, there are nice 97's out there with no more problems than can happen to 04's.
If nobody wanted first year run cars why are people always shelling out HUGE bucks for production slots of new released cars? IE: new mustangs, new vipers, new C6's, ford GT etc. Hell even the craptastic PT cruiser and New Bug was demanding HUGE markups. I suppose that was because nobody wanted a first year car.
Because a "Fool and his Money are soon parted". Dude, GM almost always makes JUNK the 1st year of anything they make. I'm a GM guy and have been for a long time BUT, you have to know where they shine and where they don't. All those KNOTHEADS that payed big bucks for Bugs, PT's, even Miatas and Thunderbirds all flushed their money down the bowl. Mid production run Vettes are generally the most reliable and have most of the bugs worked out. Most Vette runs are 8-10 years so typically the 4-6 year of a run is generally safest (unless they introduce a new drivetrain). Look the 68' was a funky car and generally not liked, the 84 and it's Crossfire engine are not exactly coveted as are the 97's-just a fact.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 616
Likes: 118
From: Alpharetta GA
Originally Posted by Y2Kvert4me
Production year starts in July.
For a full 97 model year, cars would have been produced from July '96, to June '97. In July '97, they'd be rollling out the '98s.
Since they didn't start producing until December '96, the model year was effectively shortened by 5 months.
For a full 97 model year, cars would have been produced from July '96, to June '97. In July '97, they'd be rollling out the '98s.
Since they didn't start producing until December '96, the model year was effectively shortened by 5 months.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 25
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,466
Likes: 51
St. Jude Donor '17
That is not the point. Most people do not touch the first year of a new model car period due to fear of having problems.
