I know this may sound like a stupid questions, but how can you tell by just looking the differences between a Z06 and FRC corvette? Especially, if someone is trying to clone an FRC to look like a Z06. How can you tell which one is real and what is cloned?

 

It would depend on far the cloning went and how much access you have.

 

Door locks, gages, seats exhaust would be good give away but like said depends how far one wants to take it. You can also look in the glove department for rpo code.

 

VIN... If the engine designation is "S", it's a Z06. All other C5s come with a "G".

Only the Z06 came with an LS6. The S designates the LS6 and the G designates the LS1.

Pretty simple. And the VIN is the one thing they cannot change.

Example: 1G1YY34S745100001

EDIT:

Almost forgot. ALL FRCs made in 2001 and up were Z06s. So if you look at the 10th digit in the VIN, it will give you the year. That 10th digit has to be 1, 2, 3 or 4. Anything else and it's not a Z06.

Example: 1G1YY34S745100001

 

BTW, back in 2009 when I had my 02Z, I had some guys at a car show try to tell me my car was a clone. He said my HRE wheels didn't come on Z06s (LOL) and that ALL Z06s came from the factory with grills in the "side engine vents". He also said real Z06 Corvettes didn't have the "405HP" badge and that the Z06 badge only said "Z06". LOL

I, of course, told him that since I've owned the car for 6 months that I was quite sure I knew what I had. I then proceeded to tell him that NO Corvettes came with HRE wheels and that those were purchased separately and that the screens in the fender vents were aftermarket and I didn't like them so I didn't install them. I then told him that the easiest way to see if it was real was the RPO code that says MN12. Only Z06's came with the MN12 transmission.

He then, again, tried to convince me that I'd purchased a clone and that the original owner replaced my RPO code sticker with a Z06 sticker and that there was no way my Z06 was real.

After I asked him how he was so sure, he said "I used to sell cars."

I looked blankly at him for a few moments waiting for a real credential to his expertise to come out of his flapping mouth, but that was it. He used to sell cars. That's what makes him the world expert on Corvettes.

I finally said to him, "All FRCs made for the 2001+ year models are Z06s. This car is a 2002 and therefore can ONLY be Z06. The build date is on the door if you don't believe me."

His reply made me get in my car and move it away from him:
"This was once a coupe. Someone converted this car to a FRC."

 

WOW, I guess it really is true, "You can't argue with a made up mind."
I worked at a car shop that restored cars of all types and there was always an expert visitor to tell us all about the cars we working on.

 

I don't understand why anyone would want a fake anything, I mean buy what you want and be happy, there is nothing wrong with making performance mods and such, but to add badges or name plates or whatever, is going to far.
Oh well I guess if it's your car you can do what you want.

 

That just about covers it. Check those things and you can be sure it is a Z06.

 

I believe FRCs don't have dual climate a/c also, and all Zs would have heads up display

 

I'm happy with my FRC. Wouldn't clone it for any reason. In the end it's up the driver but the way I look at it - buy what you want to drive and don't settle for less. It's more honorable than just rebadging the car to be something it's not.

 

I personally would never have a clone. But I also would never put a C6 shifter, or parts from other cars, in my car either. My car is what it is and will stay what it is. I gave away some of those stick on rear brake ducts when I bought my FRC, for shipping costs.

 

The 01 Z's, didn't have HUD.
It became standard on the 02-04 Z's.

 

The FRC's could get climate control and a few have it as well. Not many though.

 

 

I really enjoyed reading this . Some people make you wonder... haha

 

Having a clone is just asking for those boring questions , " is it real , is it all original " A few years ago I had a 67 corvette convertible that was originally a big block 427/435 HP car and was all original except that someone took the original engine out and kept it when they sold the car. As I said this car was still all original except for the engine , even still had the 427 emblems on the side of the hood and I didn't try to hide the fact that it wasn't the original engine , but I left the emblems on because it was part of the car that came from the factory. I got so tired of people asking me if it had the 427 engine that I eventially sold the car. Having a "clown" is the same endless line of questions. By the way that is not a typo, clown represents being dressed up as something that it is not.

 

And here I thought we were referring to breast implants.

 

Cool Thanks guys...

 

If I could ever get my wife to pose in a bikini on my Z then we could ask if they are real or fake...lol

 

I would have left the amblems on as well. It was part of the car even if the engine had to be swapped out for whatever reasons.

We have a Z06 clone here but the owner told us he did it and showed pictures. he did a nice job and if that's what he wants, more power to him, so long as he doesn't try to pass it off as a Z06.

I have a pet peeve with people attempting to pass off a clone as an original. I was suckered into buying a clone once when the car was being marketed as an original. He did a nice job and it was long before we have the access to the knowledge we now have. But I will never fully trust another seller without verifying what I'm buying.

Another reason I say people should always get a carfax.