Frc
Pro
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 633
Likes: 0
From: Van Buren Arkansas
They come with the z51 suspension, which was only a option on coupe cars. Some say it's stiffer, but I can't personally say because I have never driven a coupe. FRC's only came with base seats and 6 spd, etc. There's a couple other things I'm sure I have forgotten but these are some of the bigger differences. I love my FRC!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
The FRC was an entry level Corvette designed to bring in a slightly different demographic, with a smaller MSRP and bare bones. It was an opportunity to get younger, less financially strong consumers into a Corvette.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,373
Likes: 1,128
From: cold & windy
cons - black interior only, limited exterior colors
pros - manual trans only, z51 standard, better-looking body lines, rigidity of a couple + vert chassis bracing if i remember right, rarer car, lighter than all but Z06
pros - manual trans only, z51 standard, better-looking body lines, rigidity of a couple + vert chassis bracing if i remember right, rarer car, lighter than all but Z06
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,373
Likes: 1,128
From: cold & windy
Pro
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 633
Likes: 0
From: Van Buren Arkansas
That's the ONLY con I've found to black leather interior so far, I love mine. When I had my ws6 I hated my tan interior, and it was in perfect condition too lol
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Racer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 419
Likes: 3
From: North Lauderdale FL
Well, unless it is a Z06....
Last edited by FLZapped; Apr 13, 2013 at 06:36 AM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 293
Likes: 8
From: South Bend IN
Nah, the FRC is the poor man's wrencher car! You can get one for close to $7K less than a Z06 if you buy it right. $7K will yield you hours of fun in the garage wrenching on the parts you choose to modify the car to meet your specific needs (a streetable open track car, in my case).
That's how I look at it. I bought mine for $17K. At the time Z06's were going from $23 if you stole it to $25 for a clean driver. For the $7K I saved I've done heads, cam, headers, mufflers, intake, CAI, shocks, shifter, clutch, torque tube, etc and have bought two sets of tires and I'm still where I would be cost wise if I'd have bought a Z06. And, I've got a very streetable 415 WHP and 490 CHP.
Just my .02.
Kurt
That's how I look at it. I bought mine for $17K. At the time Z06's were going from $23 if you stole it to $25 for a clean driver. For the $7K I saved I've done heads, cam, headers, mufflers, intake, CAI, shocks, shifter, clutch, torque tube, etc and have bought two sets of tires and I'm still where I would be cost wise if I'd have bought a Z06. And, I've got a very streetable 415 WHP and 490 CHP.
Just my .02.
Kurt
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 65
From: Rochester Hills MI
My 99 frc came with plastic end links. Power steering cooler was a standard part of the z 51 package. The frc is 12% more rigid than the targa and 25% more rigid than the vert. Curb weight is 3175 (50 lbs heavier than the z06).
I love my Z06!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,962
Likes: 254
From: Richmond, Ky
I don't know if there were any base coupes sold in 99 with zero options, but if there were, a highly optioned FRC like mine would have stickered for more even without the including the $3000.00 magnesium wheel option. When your talking about $40,000 cars I doubt that $400.00 was a deciding factor in the purchase of a Corvette. JMHO
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,488
Likes: 1,743
From: Knoxville Tn
The C-5 chassis is identical for all models. There is no 'extra' bracing for any of the models.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 33
From: GRAYSLAKE IL
Oldtimer
St. Jude Donor '13
Only made in '99 & 2000. 2001 became Z06. Comes with a trunk. As for the black seats you can get after market seat skins in various color combos. Can you tell I own a '99 FRC!