C5 zo6
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Cruising
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 10
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C5 zo6
Does anyone know why Chevrolet / Corvette chose to produce the C5 Z06 in the hardtop model and not making it available in the coupe?
Was informed last night that the coupe could not handle the hp.
I figured it was a marketing decission to make the Z06 different.
Was informed last night that the coupe could not handle the hp.
I figured it was a marketing decission to make the Z06 different.
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '12 thru '26
Because the original "Econo-Vette" idea didn't pan out???
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 288
Likes: 18
From: Somerset PA
Does anyone know why Chevrolet / Corvette chose to produce the C5 Z06 in the hardtop model and not making it available in the coupe?
Was informed last night that the coupe could not handle the hp.
I figured it was a marketing decission to make the Z06 different.
Was informed last night that the coupe could not handle the hp.
I figured it was a marketing decission to make the Z06 different.
At least that's what I heard!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 791
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From: Quincy IL
I'm pretty sure it was because of the added structural rigidity the hardtop brought to the Z06. With the coupe, and especially the convertible, there was too much body flex going around turns at the higher speeds that the Z06 was capable of...
At least that's what I heard!
At least that's what I heard!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
I'm pretty sure it was because of the added structural rigidity the hardtop brought to the Z06. With the coupe, and especially the convertible, there was too much body flex going around turns at the higher speeds that the Z06 was capable of...
At least that's what I heard!
At least that's what I heard!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,188
Likes: 10
From: New Smyrna Beach Florida
As stated before, the fixed roof coup has the most structural rigidity ot the C5 models. This is why it was chosen for the Z06. As far as a coupe not being able to handle the hp, that is a ridiculous statement. Many coupes on the forum far exceed the hp of the Z06.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
Is it fair to say as well that the FRC was intended to be the "performace" C5? There was a lot of "bubba" discussion at the time around pricing...but if you look at the standard configuration it just makes sense to build a 'king of the hill" based on the already impressive FRC.
Don't know...just thinkin'
Don't know...just thinkin'
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Issaquah WA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
What I read is that GM wanted to produce an 'entry-level' Vette. This was the FRC prior to 2001. But so many 'hot rodders' were buying the lighter weight version and racing them that GM realized they could put more HP in the light weight FRC and sell it for more. VOILA! the 2001 ZO6.
I have also read that the C5 Coupe has less drag than the FRC, which is why in the C6 the ZO6 is the fixed roof Coupe style.
I have also read that the C5 Coupe has less drag than the FRC, which is why in the C6 the ZO6 is the fixed roof Coupe style.
Le Mans Master
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From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
Le Mans Master
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From: CLT, North Carolina
FRC was Jim Perkins brainchild originally intended to be a lower priced entry level model but it never caught on. So if you're the Corvette design team what do you do with a body you already have in inventory which is stronger and lighter?
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