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Last year for FRC

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Old Jan 6, 2016 | 09:49 AM
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Default Last year for FRC

What was the last year for the FRC body style? I'm assuming that all they sell now are hatches and convertibles?
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Old Jan 6, 2016 | 09:56 AM
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2004 z06
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Old Jan 6, 2016 | 09:58 AM
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The FRC was available in 1999 and 2000. In 2001 it became the Z06 which continued through 2004.

The C6 and C7 have been either hatchback coupes or convertibles. The C6 Z06 had a fixed roof but was a hatchback style.
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Old Jan 6, 2016 | 12:21 PM
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Originally Posted by bradc6
The FRC was available in 1999 and 2000. In 2001 it became the Z06 which continued through 2004.

The C6 and C7 have been either hatchback coupes or convertibles. The C6 Z06 had a fixed roof but was a hatchback style.
Bingo.

Though I thought I saw a C6 FRC once. Turned out it was a removable hard top. Looked pretty slick.

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Old Jan 6, 2016 | 12:37 PM
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Ill never understand why they stopped with the FRC, it clearly worked for the C5, business wise and performance wise, so its a shame.

If I went with a C6 or C7 id have to get a convertible, it as least has the FRC look and shape.

I am not the biggest fan of the bubble back , coupe look, no offense to anyone who owns them, just not my style anymore (almost bought one 2-3 years ago)
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Old Jan 6, 2016 | 01:55 PM
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Originally Posted by bradc6
The FRC was available in 1999 and 2000. In 2001 it became the Z06 which continued through 2004.

The C6 and C7 have been either hatchback coupes or convertibles. The C6 Z06 had a fixed roof but was a hatchback style.
And I agree that they should have continued with the FRC style for subsequent generations.
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Old Jan 6, 2016 | 02:33 PM
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Aerodynamic reasons killed the FRC when the C6's came out.
2004 was the last year for the FRC.
I understand that... but it sucked because I prefer the FRC look.

Toque
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Old Jan 6, 2016 | 04:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Fastbird
Bingo.

Though I thought I saw a C6 FRC once. Turned out it was a removable hard top. Looked pretty slick.

... This top on a lowered GS vert would make me consider a C6, shades of my black on black 65' roadster with both tops back in the day !!... It is Slick !!
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Old Jan 6, 2016 | 04:56 PM
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Originally Posted by 2FAS4UU
... This top on a lowered GS vert would make me consider a C6, shades of my black on black 65' roadster with both tops back in the day !!... It is Slick !!
Agreed. If I ever get a C6 it'll be a Vert and I'll be ordering a hard top.
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Old Jan 6, 2016 | 05:02 PM
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that looks really good on the c6
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Old Jan 6, 2016 | 05:45 PM
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Originally Posted by 1Willy1
Ill never understand why they stopped with the FRC, it clearly worked for the C5, business wise and performance wise, so its a shame.

If I went with a C6 or C7 id have to get a convertible, it as least has the FRC look and shape.

I am not the biggest fan of the bubble back , coupe look, no offense to anyone who owns them, just not my style anymore (almost bought one 2-3 years ago)
Sales of the FRC was a dud. They made it the hot Vette, aka Z06 to increase sales. I do like the look, but I like open air driving better.
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Old Jan 6, 2016 | 07:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Doughan
Sales of the FRC was a dud. They made it the hot Vette, aka Z06 to increase sales. I do like the look, but I like open air driving better.
Are you saying they made the Z06 because FRC sales were a dud...so they did something to salvage the idea?
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Old Jan 6, 2016 | 07:21 PM
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Originally Posted by RC000E
Are you saying they made the Z06 because FRC sales were a dud...so they did something to salvage the idea?
Yes sales were bad so they turned the FRC into the ZO6 with added horsepower to enhance sales.





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Old Jan 6, 2016 | 08:10 PM
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Originally Posted by randy ransome
Yes sales were bad so they turned the FRC into the ZO6 with added horsepower to enhance sales.
... Actually, the FRC was the result of GM wanting Dave Hill to develop a lower cost version of the coupe and envisioned it to be the poor man's race version model. Once they added the fixed roof to a vert model, it was lighter (80 lbs.) and stiffer and quicker than the coupe, hence, the decision to further develop it into the Z06 beast. I'm not disputing the lower sales theory, I just never read that anywhere. Lower production numbers than the coupe I know, but maybe someone in the know can chime in like ET or Bill !!

Last edited by 2FAS4UU; Jan 6, 2016 at 08:12 PM.
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Old Jan 6, 2016 | 08:37 PM
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BUT! The Coupe is more aerodynamic than the FRC.
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Old Jan 6, 2016 | 09:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Fastbird
BUT! The Coupe is more aerodynamic than the FRC.
... Yuuup, not disputing that, BUT !!, in testing the coupe only went 1-2 mph faster on the top end (170-FRC/171-2 coupe) according to RT in 98' !! , still Classic C5 styling whichever way you go !!
P.S. The FRC was quicker and faster in a 1/4 mi., Jus Say'n !!

Last edited by 2FAS4UU; Jan 6, 2016 at 09:29 PM.
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Old Jan 6, 2016 | 09:31 PM
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Originally Posted by RC000E
Are you saying they made the Z06 because FRC sales were a dud...so they did something to salvage the idea?
Precisely...As others have stated, the FRC was originally nick named the "Billy Bob" corvette, because it was supposed to be significantly cheaper than the Coupe. It turned out to be less than $300 cheaper. So no body bought them. GM put the Z06 package in the FRC because sales were in the tank.
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Old Jan 6, 2016 | 09:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Doughan
Precisely...As others have stated, the FRC was originally nick named the "Billy Bob" corvette, because it was supposed to be significantly cheaper than the Coupe. It turned out to be less than $300 cheaper. So no body bought them. GM put the Z06 package in the FRC because sales were in the tank.
That's not quite right there bud. It was originally supposed to be significantly cheaper, but the 97/98 coupes/verts sold so well that GM decided to drop the cheap idea. Still produced the FRC because it was lighter and stiffer though, with only z51 suspension and 6 speeds. Then they just carried the z06 onto that platform because, why use a heavier less stiff platform.
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Old Jan 6, 2016 | 09:55 PM
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Originally Posted by dbgoodwin
That's not quite right there bud. It was originally supposed to be significantly cheaper, but the 97/98 coupes/verts sold so well that GM decided to drop the cheap idea. Still produced the FRC because it was lighter and stiffer though, with only z51 suspension and 6 speeds. Then they just carried the z06 onto that platform because, why use a heavier less stiff platform.
Sure that's part of the reason too..poor sales were a reason as well..

Also, what was the C5R body based on? The coupe...Why wasn't the C5 Z06 the same? What body style was used for the C6 Z06?

Last edited by Doughan; Jan 6, 2016 at 10:01 PM.
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Old Jan 6, 2016 | 11:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Doughan
Sure that's part of the reason too..poor sales were a reason as well..

Also, what was the C5R body based on? The coupe...Why wasn't the C5 Z06 the same? What body style was used for the C6 Z06?
C6 Z06 is a coupe (fastback hatch) with a fixed roof instead of the targa roof. The roof if bolted and glued into place.

Michael

Last edited by Michael A; Jan 6, 2016 at 11:55 PM.
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