FRC? What's itstabd for?
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Flo Mo TX
FRC? What's itstabd for?
What does FRC stand for and what makes it so sought after? I know it's some sort of limitd edition C5 (99' and 00', right?)
Darn - can't edit title of my post. Supposed to be "it stand for?" My bad!
Darn - can't edit title of my post. Supposed to be "it stand for?" My bad!
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2007
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From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
Devil's advocate on the FRC
Nobody wanted them (honestly) back in '99 and '00. They were the closest thing to the Zo6 mentality before the Zo6 was announced.... the downside is that is had limited color options and limited feature options... plus it was billed as the "cheaper" Corvette so at a time when guys were popping big cash on the new C5's.... they didn't want the "cheaper one with less options and colors."
Not many people wanted a strictly auto cross Corvette, and honestly the FRC isn't much faster even at the edge on a course.
Now they are a cult classic among people who find them, but honestly, the additional features on the Zo6 (horsepower/shorter transmission gearing/suspension/weight/resale) have made the FRC a non-issue in the real world... current owners just love them because that's what they have.... most would love a base 6-speed C5 just the same.
FRC's go for 18 grand in nice shape, and Zo6's go for low 20's in nice shape... but that's more a function of newer year, etc...
Not many people wanted a strictly auto cross Corvette, and honestly the FRC isn't much faster even at the edge on a course.
Now they are a cult classic among people who find them, but honestly, the additional features on the Zo6 (horsepower/shorter transmission gearing/suspension/weight/resale) have made the FRC a non-issue in the real world... current owners just love them because that's what they have.... most would love a base 6-speed C5 just the same.
FRC's go for 18 grand in nice shape, and Zo6's go for low 20's in nice shape... but that's more a function of newer year, etc...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,015
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From: Loxahatchee Florida
Nobody wanted them (honestly) back in '99 and '00. They were the closest thing to the Zo6 mentality before the Zo6 was announced.... the downside is that is had limited color options and limited feature options... plus it was billed as the "cheaper" Corvette so at a time when guys were popping big cash on the new C5's.... they didn't want the "cheaper one with less options and colors."
Not many people wanted a strictly auto cross Corvette, and honestly the FRC isn't much faster even at the edge on a course.
Now they are a cult classic among people who find them, but honestly, the additional features on the Zo6 (horsepower/shorter transmission gearing/suspension/weight/resale) have made the FRC a non-issue in the real world... current owners just love them because that's what they have.... most would love a base 6-speed C5 just the same.
FRC's go for 18 grand in nice shape, and Zo6's go for low 20's in nice shape... but that's more a function of newer year, etc...
Not many people wanted a strictly auto cross Corvette, and honestly the FRC isn't much faster even at the edge on a course.
Now they are a cult classic among people who find them, but honestly, the additional features on the Zo6 (horsepower/shorter transmission gearing/suspension/weight/resale) have made the FRC a non-issue in the real world... current owners just love them because that's what they have.... most would love a base 6-speed C5 just the same.
FRC's go for 18 grand in nice shape, and Zo6's go for low 20's in nice shape... but that's more a function of newer year, etc...
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From: Arroyo Grande CA
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Il
Everybody's pretty much dead on. Fixed Roof Coupe was the designation. They didn't have as many options available. The two things I don't have on mine that someone would like would be the passenger power seat and the digital temp control. They were made stiffer which You can notice in driving the two (Coupe and Hardtop) don't have as many rattles as coupe. I have driven several of both and it is one of the things that stand out. Other than that there pretty much the same car. The largest difference is production numbers. total for 99 was 33270 units of that 4031 were hardtops. In 2000 the FRC production numbers were half that. Scarcity and Uniqueness have always been the desirability factor in Corvettes. Will they have the these traits? I don't know. Production numbers are similar to early 90's ZR1 numbers, but there not the one of a kind car the ZR1 is or was. I like mine, if I had a regular C5 I'm sure I would like it just as much. I like the C5 ZO6 but I don't like the air intake louvers on the rear ( look like a afterthought, my opinion!). You can't go wrong with any C5 right now. Best bang for buck in the used performance car market. My opinions! 
Last edited by abigfoot; Oct 26, 2008 at 11:59 AM.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: ATLANTA GA
The 99 coupe with the Z51 package(what i happen to have) Will narrow that gap of stiffness to nill gain. Driving my friends 98 with base suspension its a huge difference.
the roof doesnt make as much of a difference as people think, You would really have to be pushing the car on its edge... The c5 was originally designed as a convertible, then the coupe design followed it, so ive read here.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,661
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From: Phoenix, Arizona
Ferocious Rapid Corvette! 
Or, GM's technical abbreviation for 'hardtop.'
Actually all of the above, plus lighter weight. Every little bit helps. Ours actually came with zero options - as base a base model as you can get. Since 2005 when we bought it, we've sort of 'optioned' it to what we want. Actually, I wish they ahd come with roll up windows too, so I could have avoided the weight of the power window mechanisms and still be in the class we run. We love the styling and hated to give up our '04 Z06, but something had to go to get the '07 Z06.
Or, GM's technical abbreviation for 'hardtop.'
Actually all of the above, plus lighter weight. Every little bit helps. Ours actually came with zero options - as base a base model as you can get. Since 2005 when we bought it, we've sort of 'optioned' it to what we want. Actually, I wish they ahd come with roll up windows too, so I could have avoided the weight of the power window mechanisms and still be in the class we run. We love the styling and hated to give up our '04 Z06, but something had to go to get the '07 Z06.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
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I noticed the same thing about the hardtop having less rattles than the coupe. They just feel a little more tightly screwed together, which they are. Not a difference to most. I bought one because it was different.
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Flo Mo TX
Thanks for all the answers. I love corvettes! Learn something every day. The way my wife drives hers, I'm gonna have to beome a corvette mechanic to keep it up (I mean, to maintain her car).
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Tellico Village, Tn
St. Jude Donor '08
Nobody wanted them (honestly) back in '99 and '00. They were the closest thing to the Zo6 mentality before the Zo6 was announced.... the downside is that is had limited color options and limited feature options... plus it was billed as the "cheaper" Corvette so at a time when guys were popping big cash on the new C5's.... they didn't want the "cheaper one with less options and colors."
Not many people wanted a strictly auto cross Corvette, and honestly the FRC isn't much faster even at the edge on a course.
Now they are a cult classic among people who find them, but honestly, the additional features on the Zo6 (horsepower/shorter transmission gearing/suspension/weight/resale) have made the FRC a non-issue in the real world... current owners just love them because that's what they have.... most would love a base 6-speed C5 just the same.
FRC's go for 18 grand in nice shape, and Zo6's go for low 20's in nice shape... but that's more a function of newer year, etc...
Not many people wanted a strictly auto cross Corvette, and honestly the FRC isn't much faster even at the edge on a course.
Now they are a cult classic among people who find them, but honestly, the additional features on the Zo6 (horsepower/shorter transmission gearing/suspension/weight/resale) have made the FRC a non-issue in the real world... current owners just love them because that's what they have.... most would love a base 6-speed C5 just the same.
FRC's go for 18 grand in nice shape, and Zo6's go for low 20's in nice shape... but that's more a function of newer year, etc...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
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From: Belleville Il
They are just plain fun cars!! I like the idea that there just are not a lot of them around!In 2000 just 1,200 us FRCs ! My club has over 100 members ,many with several cars,,only 1 other FRC. I might have the only one in town! Maybe I just like being a little different!