[Z06] Z06 Convertible??
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
Z06 Convertible??
Had an idea for my next vette...thought I would run it past some real Z06ers for a sanity check...Saw a really sweet Z06 Vert at Carlisle done by Caravaggio...turning an 02 Z06 into a vert and doing random other things would run in the neighborhood of $65K...or picking up a 98-99 Vert and turning it into a Z06 with a 400HP+ LS1 would run roughly $10K less...is this worth it and what potential problems could I run into (besides a hole in my wallet?)
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 1
From: the West is the best
Re: Z06 Convertible?? (jetdriver21)
I also think that a ZO6 convertible is a sweet ride. Caravaggio's 10K work is supposedly good and looks OEM. I personally believe that you should let your wants guide you. The only negative that I can think of is that unfortunately ANY mods typically do not fetch much , if any , resale value. Soooo... You're quite right that your wallet would suffer.
[Modified by 2ndVette, 10:19 PM 10/23/2002]
[Modified by 2ndVette, 10:19 PM 10/23/2002]
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Ontario
Re: Z06 Convertible?? (jetdriver21)
I had my 2001 Z06 converted in a targa a while back . I truly like the new look . All I can say is a Z06 convertible is one of a kind , a regular one with engine mods everyone has .
[Modified by Z06LM, 10:44 AM 10/24/2002]
[Modified by Z06LM, 10:45 AM 10/24/2002]
[Modified by Z06LM, 10:44 AM 10/24/2002]
[Modified by Z06LM, 10:45 AM 10/24/2002]
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 150
Likes: 8
From: Scottsdale AZ
Re: Z06 Convertible?? (jetdriver21)
Before having mine converted, I went through a similar line of thinking as you. I figured that I by the time I spent the money to have the motor upgraded by someone reputable (e.g. Lingenfelter), then to have the suspension upgraded, I would have way more into the car than the Caravaggio conversion, and I still would not have a Z06. Plus, I felt that the Z06 Convertible would be a more unique car.
It's been almost a year since I had mine converted, and I don't regret it one bit. The Z06 is a great car to begin with. To me, having a convertible Z06 is just the icing on the cake. The only downside that I have found is that people initially assume that you took a stock vert and added the screens, scoops, and emblems, and the opening comments usually refer to being a 'poser' or something similar. But that's offset by the look on their face when they realize what they're really looking at.
BTW, if you haven't heard the titanium exhaust from an open cockpit at about 6000 RPM, I highly recommend it.
:)
[Modified by jonstr, 8:15 PM 10/24/2002]
It's been almost a year since I had mine converted, and I don't regret it one bit. The Z06 is a great car to begin with. To me, having a convertible Z06 is just the icing on the cake. The only downside that I have found is that people initially assume that you took a stock vert and added the screens, scoops, and emblems, and the opening comments usually refer to being a 'poser' or something similar. But that's offset by the look on their face when they realize what they're really looking at.
BTW, if you haven't heard the titanium exhaust from an open cockpit at about 6000 RPM, I highly recommend it.
:)
[Modified by jonstr, 8:15 PM 10/24/2002]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 978
Likes: 0
From: Santa Clara CA
Re: Z06 Convertible?? (jonstr)
Your car looks great Jonstr! :cool:
Have you taken it to the track yet?
It would be interesting to see how the car performs relative to the regular C5 Convertible, and to the stock Z06. :cheers:
-Dean.
Have you taken it to the track yet?
It would be interesting to see how the car performs relative to the regular C5 Convertible, and to the stock Z06. :cheers:
-Dean.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 150
Likes: 8
From: Scottsdale AZ
Re: Z06 Convertible?? (Dean McManis)
Your car looks great Jonstr! :cool:
Have you taken it to the track yet?
It would be interesting to see how the car performs relative to the regular C5 Convertible, and to the stock Z06. :cheers:
Have you taken it to the track yet?
It would be interesting to see how the car performs relative to the regular C5 Convertible, and to the stock Z06. :cheers:
For what it's worth, my'seat of the pants' review is that it's the equal or better of the unconverted '01 Z06 I had before this one (the 'better' being attributed just to the slight difference in the cars from the factory) and that it is superior to the '98 vert I had before that (which is to be expected).
[Modified by jonstr, 12:28 PM 10/25/2002]
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,687
Likes: 9
From: Kemah Tx
Re: Z06 Convertible?? (jonstr)
Jonstr,
Super sweet ride......you too Swimmer. Do y'all notice any rigidity differences from when the roof was fixed?? I would have to think that there would be. Anyway, Where is Carravagio? Damn that is a nice ride.
Super sweet ride......you too Swimmer. Do y'all notice any rigidity differences from when the roof was fixed?? I would have to think that there would be. Anyway, Where is Carravagio? Damn that is a nice ride.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 450
Likes: 1
From: Washington
Re: Z06 Convertible?? (FLYNLO)
Jonstr,
Super sweet ride......you too Swimmer. Do y'all notice any rigidity differences from when the roof was fixed?? I would have to think that there would be. Anyway, Where is Carravagio? Damn that is a nice ride.
Super sweet ride......you too Swimmer. Do y'all notice any rigidity differences from when the roof was fixed?? I would have to think that there would be. Anyway, Where is Carravagio? Damn that is a nice ride.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 450
Likes: 1
From: Washington
Re: Z06 Convertible?? (Z06LM)
Z06LM, I wonder how hard it would be to modify your car so that you could take out the back glass? Just like the C3's. I think that would be the coolest thing ever, and I would probably prefer that over a convertible.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 150
Likes: 8
From: Scottsdale AZ
Re: Z06 Convertible?? (Swimmer)
Jonstr,
Super sweet ride......you too Swimmer. Do y'all notice any rigidity differences from when the roof was fixed?? I would have to think that there would be. Anyway, Where is Carravagio? Damn that is a nice ride.
Thanks FLYNLO, I haven't noticed any rigidity differences. The Corvette was designed as a convertible from the ground up with all of the structural support in place. Like you said, I am sure that there will be some difference, but I haven't noticed. On the other hand, I don't do any road racing either, so it's hard to say. Carravagio is located in Concord, Ontario. http://www.caravaggiocorvettes.com
Super sweet ride......you too Swimmer. Do y'all notice any rigidity differences from when the roof was fixed?? I would have to think that there would be. Anyway, Where is Carravagio? Damn that is a nice ride.
Thanks FLYNLO, I haven't noticed any rigidity differences. The Corvette was designed as a convertible from the ground up with all of the structural support in place. Like you said, I am sure that there will be some difference, but I haven't noticed. On the other hand, I don't do any road racing either, so it's hard to say. Carravagio is located in Concord, Ontario. http://www.caravaggiocorvettes.com
I'm sure it's not quite as rigid as the FRC body style, but there is no reason it would be any less rigid than a stock vert since the stock vert contains no additional bracing (unlike the C4 verts). If you're serious about your racing, I'd stay with the FRC style. But if you're just having fun and/or racing occasionally, I don't see why a Z06 vert would be any worse than a stock vert.
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,738
Likes: 0
From: Kathleen, Florida
Re: Z06 Convertible?? (jetdriver21)
Their is a few ZO6 Convertibles in Florida. Their is two shops doing them in the Tampa-St. Pete area. A fix roof coop is basically a convertible with a top. The tub, trunk lid etc. are the same.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,687
Likes: 9
From: Kemah Tx
Re: Z06 Convertible?? (karshop)
Karshop,
What shope sre these? I had heard that there were some shops out there doing them in the 6-8k range as opposed to Carravaggio's posted 12,500 price.....ouch. Anyway, just curious. It would be wuite a treat to have a Z vert.
What shope sre these? I had heard that there were some shops out there doing them in the 6-8k range as opposed to Carravaggio's posted 12,500 price.....ouch. Anyway, just curious. It would be wuite a treat to have a Z vert.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 150
Likes: 8
From: Scottsdale AZ
Re: Z06 Convertible?? (FLYNLO)
The shop that did Hutch's Z06 vert is Burkes Corvettes, in Orlando, I believe. I haven't seen the car live, but the pictures of the finished product are awesome.