& Wheels & exhaust tips
What are the exterior differences between...
Team Owner
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From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
here is an (incomplete) web page detailing those differences:
http://mikemercury.home.att.net/identify.htm
http://mikemercury.home.att.net/identify.htm
Race Director
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The stock wheels changed in 2000 from the thicker "wagon wheel" to 5-spokes that are thinner. But a 1999 or prior could have the wheels changed. Other than that and what is posted above, I don't think there is much of a change year to year.
Safety Car
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From: Hainesport NJ
St. Jude Donor '10
Agree with everything abouve, plus in 2003 the C5 emblem was grey in color, not black. It was on all 2003 Vettes, not just the 50th. It also had a 50th logo as part of the emblem.
And in 2004 the LeMans Blue and CE emblem were only available in 2004.
Plus if you look on the dash board for the HUD unit, that was not available until as an option until 1999 and standard in 2000, I do believe.
And in 2004 the LeMans Blue and CE emblem were only available in 2004.
Plus if you look on the dash board for the HUD unit, that was not available until as an option until 1999 and standard in 2000, I do believe.
Race Director
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From: Guelph, Ontario
Also, certain colors were only available in certain years, so if the paint is original, you can tell approximately what year it is.
For instance, Fairway Green is 97-98 only, Medium Purple Pearl is 98 only, Bowling Green Metallic is 00-01 only, Carmine red is 97-98 only, Nassau Blue is 97-00 only, etc. Anniversary red is 2003 only, LeMans Blue is 2004 only, Aztec Gold is 98 only, the pace car purple is 98 only.
For instance, Fairway Green is 97-98 only, Medium Purple Pearl is 98 only, Bowling Green Metallic is 00-01 only, Carmine red is 97-98 only, Nassau Blue is 97-00 only, etc. Anniversary red is 2003 only, LeMans Blue is 2004 only, Aztec Gold is 98 only, the pace car purple is 98 only.
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2000 and up: thin 5-spoke wheels
2000 and up: No passenger side key hole
2001 and up: small, oval, chrome exhaust tips
1990-2000: Fixed roof coupe (FRC) available (no rear brake ducts on side of car - you can tell the difference in years by the wheels - 99 had wagon wheels, 2000 had thin 5-spokes)
2001-2004 Z06: FRC body with rear brake ducts and front screens in fog light area. Model specific wheels (10 spokes).
2000 and up: No passenger side key hole
2001 and up: small, oval, chrome exhaust tips
1990-2000: Fixed roof coupe (FRC) available (no rear brake ducts on side of car - you can tell the difference in years by the wheels - 99 had wagon wheels, 2000 had thin 5-spokes)
2001-2004 Z06: FRC body with rear brake ducts and front screens in fog light area. Model specific wheels (10 spokes).
Team Owner
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97's did not have the clip attached to the drip rail above the door glass. 98-04 coupes had the clip. The clip was to help prevent the door glass from pulling away from the weatherstripping at high speeds with the resulting wind noise.
Race Director
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From: NM
To me this is the major problem with a C5. You meet one going down the road you cannot tell what year it is. Maybe by color. Easiest way to tell is by the wheels but they are easly changed and you cannot see the detail if the car is moving.
I am very much a fan of the old school where you changed the grills or light lens every one-two years. Then you could id cars.
tom...
I am very much a fan of the old school where you changed the grills or light lens every one-two years. Then you could id cars.
tom...
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The problem with looking at exhaust tips and wheels is that these are two of the most commonly changed items on a C5. Early cars (97 and 98) didn't have HUD - the door lock on the passenger side is another way as previously mentioned.
Under the hood - the 97 and 98 had two fuel lines. But beyond that....good luck.
Color isn't even a good indicator. Some of the colors like Black and Torch Red were available throughout the entire C5 run.
I suggest you get yourself a Corvette Black Book by Mike Antonick. It's available from the Corvette Museum for $14.95.
Best of luck with whatever you choose.
Under the hood - the 97 and 98 had two fuel lines. But beyond that....good luck.
Color isn't even a good indicator. Some of the colors like Black and Torch Red were available throughout the entire C5 run.I suggest you get yourself a Corvette Black Book by Mike Antonick. It's available from the Corvette Museum for $14.95.
Best of luck with whatever you choose.
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Originally Posted by JoesC5
97's did not have the clip attached to the drip rail above the door glass. 98-04 coupes had the clip. The clip was to help prevent the door glass from pulling away from the weatherstripping at high speeds with the resulting wind noise.
Mine does.Paul
Team Owner
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That question intrigued me when I contemplated the purchase of my coupe a few months ago. I spend a lot of time looking at the details of the bodies of different years and could not tell one single difference between model years. The BODIES are identical one year to another. The clues are in the pass. keyhole, the wheels, exhaust tips and colors as mentioned earlier.
Race Director
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From: Guelph, Ontario
Originally Posted by JoesC5
97's did not have the clip attached to the drip rail above the door glass. 98-04 coupes had the clip. The clip was to help prevent the door glass from pulling away from the weatherstripping at high speeds with the resulting wind noise.
Race Director
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From: Guelph, Ontario
Originally Posted by Tom73
To me this is the major problem with a C5. You meet one going down the road you cannot tell what year it is.
