I just returned from spending a great week at the Pebble Beach, Concours d' Elegance, in conjuction with the Corvette 50th Anniversary Celebration. I thought you would all like to know a conversation I was privy to by some highly placed GM executives. It was stated that ther was going to be a Special Edition of the ZO6 for the year '04. There were no specifics stated about the car, such as a change in HP, but the indication was that it may be the last year for the ZO6, prior to the announcement of the C6.
Speaking of the C6, it has long been rumored that there would no longer be pop up head lights, but the new light treatment will not be the bubble lights as seen on the C5-R, but will be a flat light with the front end of the car very similar to the 360 Modena Ferrari. It was also stated that the rear end of the car has been sent back to the design studio for some changes, thus delaying it until at least, late 2004 or early 2005, as a '05 model.
If this is all true, and I believe it to be accurate, a lot of us may have a future decision to make between a Special Edition '04 ZO6 or the rumored High Performance model of the C6 for '06.
Remember you heard it here first on the Corvette Forum.

USCVETTEMAN

'03 ZO6 ( torch red/blk )
'94 ZR-1 ( #335 )
'65 Cobra 427 S/C ( 11.5 sec Qtr. Mi. car )
'00 Lexus GS 400

 

Thanks for the great info you have passed along to us.:cheers: What i really like though is the "small" collection of cars you have in your own garage!! :D :smash:

 

Thanks for the info! :cheers:

 

One more choice, keep your current ride!

 

special edition = coupe or vert

 

427 ci 475 hp 2004 Z06 would be a nice special addition.

 

Yes..........I would like one.........in addition to my current ride.......... :chevy

 

475 HP. Don't hold your breath. :lol:

 

Well now wouldn't that be just something that they would do? Huh? Look at 67, 84,96. What does it take to make us,Z06'ers hang on to the breath of Z06 life. They are a gonna try.
What's the point of going on the C6 forum tonight after I leave here,(Yes,I do that, Ok? Take a couple of points off me)... A mighty Z06 awaits us before any C6.
:cheers:

 

:yesnod:

 

Your rumor about more HP in 2004 is very true, we found out about it at the 50th Kick Off at the NCM in June.
Should not be a lot but it will be more then this year.
Never buy the first year of any car its not worth the pain.

 

I remember hearing rumors about a car called the Z06S that was supposed to appear in '03(as the last hurrah), but this was before the C6 release date slipped to '05 MY. It was to have 425-435hp due to slightly revised LS6 head castings, and more camshaft lift(.565"). Also mentioned was aluminum framerails(a la C6) for a small weight reduction, and suspension refinements(Magnetic ride?). Now this gets pushed to '04 hopefully.

I'm not sure if there is any truth to this, but they will do something for the last one. Since the performance model will go away for one year, it seems like they would want to do something special. Hope so - I've been waiting for this one...

Randy

 

I'll probably be keeping my '02 Z06 until the C6 Z06 comes out.

 

Yes, I also spoke to 'many' GM folks in the last 24-days (and 6,400 miles) we have been on the road in our Z06....at Monterey, Laguna-Seca, Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Pacific Grove Concours/Rally, as well as at Indy Speedway on the way west with the NCRS Road Tour.

There were no GM guys on our fun trek along Old Route 66!!

Concensus appears that there will be a 427 (raise the deck of present LS6)....GM's internal engineering/marketing "fight" between Chevy and Cadillac (new machine being produced at Bowling Green) will be great for all of us C6 buyers. We have one on order. Sure will be interesting to say the least!

Keep waving....

 

Hi Mac, I've been trying to reach you by e-mail but now understand why I haven't heard back from you. I have some news for you if you can e-mail me.
Scott

 

I hate to say this, but present evidence says:

Special edition = paint job

in the minds of the general at least. I'll keep my '02, thanks....

Just my $.02

 

'Special Edition = paint job' won't work in '04. They already got that out of the way for the '03 50th. This has been in the plans for a while.

Randy

 

Gm rarely focuses too heavy on anniversaries, last models they might (96 LT4)...they may not even have a c6 z06...could bring back the zr1 or something new...

 

It would not suprise me to see something special in 04. If not many buyers will likely wait for C6. This month's Hot Rod Magazine (page 30) mentions a rumored 402 ci motor for the 04 Z06, something like 475 hp.