Why does time change opinions?
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: SANTA CRUZ CA
Why does time change opinions?
When I first saw the aft end of the 1997 vette, I wasn't enamored with the styling. Others may have been in agreement, as the name "Big Butt" became a descriptive C5 phrase in the Corvette community.
Comparing my '93 ruby vert to the C5 lines at the time reinforced my opinion.
Now, even though I still admire the C4 lines, I consider the C5 styling to be a work of art in both function and form. And to think the Corvette design group produced these lines in the 80's. Just a slow learner, I guess.
Comparing my '93 ruby vert to the C5 lines at the time reinforced my opinion.
Now, even though I still admire the C4 lines, I consider the C5 styling to be a work of art in both function and form. And to think the Corvette design group produced these lines in the 80's. Just a slow learner, I guess.
Race Director
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From: Norman Oklahoma - The Only State in the Union with no Blue Counties!
Time heals all opinion wounds! IMHO, the C5 is the best looking Vette so far! Many years ago I was a C3 fan,,,,, still am,,,but the C5
Race Director
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From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
C5 Styling !
No I don't think your alone. Some folks I listen to felt it was too, too out there at the time. I personally fell in love the first time I saw a "New" 1997 Corvette. And at the time I had a C4, but the styling of the C5 just grabbed me. I don't know if it was the front or the overall look, but the thing just look like it was cruising at 80MPh just sitting there. I saw the 1st one at the 1997 Philadelphia Auto-show. My BIL and I always went to the show. It's held in the winter, so it's great to look at all the shiny sheet-metal and dream about the spring and being out on the back-roads somewhere. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: Silicon Valley
i dont know ... it just does
i was never a corvette guy until i saw the 97 sometime in mid 96 and it was love at first sight
then i saw the 99 hardtop and forgot all about the coupe ...
so far that hasnt changed
glad we all have different opinions or it would be boring
i was never a corvette guy until i saw the 97 sometime in mid 96 and it was love at first sight
then i saw the 99 hardtop and forgot all about the coupe ...
so far that hasnt changed
glad we all have different opinions or it would be boring
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: High Desert Southern California
It has happened to me many times over the last 45 years of driving. I also had a 93 Ruby and sold it for a 2000 FRC. My wife loved the style of the Rudy and nevered much liked the C5. Now she loves the C5, especially the fixed roof style.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Springfield IL.
Oldtimer
When I first saw the aft end of the 1997 vette, I wasn't enamored with the styling. Others may have been in agreement, as the name "Big Butt" became a descriptive C5 phrase in the Corvette community.
Comparing my '93 ruby vert to the C5 lines at the time reinforced my opinion.
Now, even though I still admire the C4 lines, I consider the C5 styling to be a work of art in both function and form. And to think the Corvette design group produced these lines in the 80's. Just a slow learner, I guess.
Comparing my '93 ruby vert to the C5 lines at the time reinforced my opinion.
Now, even though I still admire the C4 lines, I consider the C5 styling to be a work of art in both function and form. And to think the Corvette design group produced these lines in the 80's. Just a slow learner, I guess.
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I didn't care for the looks of the C5 when it first came out, especially the back end. Liked the other styling though, and I guess as I saw more and more hit the road, my opinion did change - that's why I bought my '99. Now I'm on my third C5 and still think the car is one fine piece of automotive work.
Racer
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From: Lexington VA
St. Jude Donor '11
I didn't care for the looks of the C5 when it first came out, especially the back end. Liked the other styling though, and I guess as I saw more and more hit the road, my opinion did change - that's why I bought my '99. Now I'm on my third C5 and still think the car is one fine piece of automotive work.
Couldn't agree more, I never tire of looking at the Corvette!
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Safety Car
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From: The Voice of Reason!
St. Jude Donor '14
Normally changes have to grow on me.......not so with the c5. It was love at first sight. But I never cared for the C4 and I saw the C5 as awesome looking compared to the C4......I guess that's what did it for me. I still don't care for the looks of a C4.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Roseville MI
When I first saw a C-5 from the rear I thought of the CANAM racing cars and I was intrigued with the look. Then seeing one up close I was a complete fan of the whole package. The 58 C-1 is still my favorite but nothing has grabbed my attention like the C-5 and the C-6 and leaked C-7 stuff is just too angular. Everything on the C-5 just flows together correctly.
Scott
Scott
Thread Starter
Safety Car
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From: SANTA CRUZ CA
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Roseville MI
I understand your question I just don't know how to reply. The Caddy's were the first with all the sharp angles on their vehicles and I still have problems with the design. It just seems to me that the C-5 flows no matter where you are looking. But, your point is well taken and if I live long enough we'll have to revisit this issue to see where I stand.
Scott
Thread Starter
Safety Car
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From: SANTA CRUZ CA
Wasn't trying to put you on the spot ........ just saying we all may have a different opinion in time. You are fortunate to have more time remaining to revisit the subject, I'm running out of time.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Roseville MI
I'm running out of time.[/QUOTE]
Well, my new friend, let us hope that your are wrong. I'm 68 and had many health scares in the last 13 years. It seems to me that anyone driving a C-5 has a "young" outlook on life. Let's grow old together my friend.
Scott
Well, my new friend, let us hope that your are wrong. I'm 68 and had many health scares in the last 13 years. It seems to me that anyone driving a C-5 has a "young" outlook on life. Let's grow old together my friend.
Scott
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Oakton Virginia
The 'big butt' put me off initially as well. I think since the C4 was around for such a long time, it took me a while to get used to the new C5 rear. Now, the C4 looks like it has a 'skinny butt' and the C5's looks perfect (and normal). I think GM took a big chance with such a radical change in styling- but, once again, they nailed it.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
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From: SANTA CRUZ CA
Burning Brakes
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From: Carlisle PA
C-5 styling did indeed take some time to grow on me - but it is distinctive. I think it grew in me because if I wanted to continue w/the Vette affliction, so I had to accept the change. I got to like the style so much I got 2 of them!! C-5 really are beautiful cars
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From: Green and Wet Western Oregon
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I can certainly relate to your observations. I owned a C1 for two years, then a C2 for two months, then a C3 for 21 years.
Long story short - Hated the `84 when it came out, went on to own 2 C4's. Mildly disliked the rear of the C5 when it came out, now I think the C5 is one of the most beautiful Corvettes ever produced. Someone else used the term "flow", I think that one word best describes the C5. The C6 still has not grown on me yet, but the first photo I saw before the current Grand Sport was released certainly stirred some emotion.
Long story short - Hated the `84 when it came out, went on to own 2 C4's. Mildly disliked the rear of the C5 when it came out, now I think the C5 is one of the most beautiful Corvettes ever produced. Someone else used the term "flow", I think that one word best describes the C5. The C6 still has not grown on me yet, but the first photo I saw before the current Grand Sport was released certainly stirred some emotion.